JOY Burch has visited Calwell High School to announce that ACT public schools will move to adopt more traditionally styled school uniforms from 2017.

“Calwell High School’s new uniform is a practical demonstration of the growing school pride and sense of identity that students have in their school, and I want to be able to help foster that pride for students and families across Canberra,” Joy said.

“Students of Calwell High School requested a change to a more traditional style of uniform. The Student Uniform Committee has worked with students, the School Board and the Parent and Citizen Association to identify the colours and style that will represent Calwell High School.

“The decision to update the uniform policy also follows surveys conducted for the ACT Government which show more than 80% of parents and carers support more traditional school uniforms being introduced in ACT public high schools.

“The ACT Education and Training Directorate’s Dress Standard and Colour Code in Public Schools policy will be updated to encourage the move to more traditional uniforms.

“This will provide an avenue for schools and the Canberra community to contribute to this direction.

The updated policy on uniforms will engage students, staff and high school communities in creating a greater sense of school unity and belonging. Calwell High School is joining the half of all existing ACT public high schools who already have a school uniform.

Lake Tuggeranong College Design Studies Teacher Ms Rachel Rooney, who designed the new uniforms for Calwell, was also present to display her designs to the school.

[Photo: Minister for Education and Training Joy Burch with students from Calwell High School modelling the new 2016 uniforms. The old uniforms are shown on mannequins.]

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ANDREW Barr says Standard and Poor’s has reaffirmed the ACT Government’s credit rating as AAA Stable – the highest rating possible.

“S&P also reaffirmed the short term rating as A-1+ – which is also the highest rating possible,” Andrew said.

“S&P stated that it expected the Territory to remain consistent with the AAA rating over the next two years.

“Today’s announcement by S&P is a strong endorsement of the ACT Government’s economic and fiscal management. According to S&P, the rating reflects ‘the Territory’s very strong economy and financial management, strong budgetary flexibility and exceptional liquidity.’

“We consider the ACT’s financial management to be very strong. In our view, the institutional framework promotes a strong management culture and fiscal discipline across Australian jurisdictions. The ACT’s debt and liquidity management, and its management of government-related entities support our view.”

“S&P noted the impact of the Asbestos Eradication Scheme on the budgetary performance, but added that the budget should strengthen over the medium-to-long term as the Scheme progresses and blocks are decontaminated and sold.

“S&P also noted the ongoing improvement in the stability of the ACT’s own-source revenue as a result of tax reform.

“In recent years, the ACT Government has remained committed to supporting our economy and supporting jobs during the Commonwealth’s cuts to employment and spending by continuing to fund and build the infrastructure our city needs and maintaining a prudent and responsible approach to spending and revenue raising.

“I am pleased the ACT Government’s economic and fiscal management has again been endorsed by a major international ratings agency.”

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DICKSON filmmaker, Hallam Drury, is off to the slopes of the Himalayas next year to make a film about one of Nepal’s most marginalised communities.

Kulung by Heema Rai

The Kulung people of eastern Nepal are responsible for upholding the Everest trekking industry as porters, cooks, store hands and housekeepers, but are overlooked, underappreciated and subjected to an industry that exploits their cheap labour and desperation, he believes.

“Carrying Everest” is produced for Alpha Rhythm Films by Drury, whose short film, “Kiana,” was shown at the High Desert International Film Festival and the Lifefest Film Festival in 2014, along with co-producer Leah Davies, soundtrack by Jeffrey Zampillo and editing by Philip Meddows.

Hallam Drury

Precariously perched on the mountainsides of the Hongu Valley stand the villages of Chheskam, Sotang, Bung and Gudel, the area known as Mahakulung and home to the Kulung people, who are one of several ethnic groups indigenous to Solukhumbu, the land of Everest.

While there are countless tales about the heroes who conquer telling of conquest over the world’s tallest mountain, the stories of those who make it possible for 30,000 tourists to visit the region each year are often forgotten. Twice a year, approximately 8,000 Kulung travel to the Everest trail, seeking work as porters, cooks, store hands and housekeepers

“The Kulung are the most marginalised community residing on the slopes of Everest,” says Dilip Kulung, who was born and raised in Chheskam. “They are, in fact, the main pillar of the Everest tourism industry but unfortunately, they have been treated as the mountain’s slave.”

The Nepalese earthquake and aftershocks of 2015 meant that in Chheskam alone, over 300 homes were destroyed, with those still standing deemed at risk of collapse. But despite this natural catastrophe, stories of courage, dreams and community are yet to be told.

“Carrying Everest is a film about heroic exploits – the power of the heart, the passion for life and noble people striving to build a better life,” Drury says. “Despite the earthquake, despite the frustrating circumstances and inequality, there are also inspiring stories of human agency. We want to shine a light on their strength and resilience, not just the adversity they face.”

To be filmed in September/October 2016, the documentary will see a joint Australian/Kulung film crew travel approximately 200 kilometres on foot throughout Mahakulung and the wider Solukhumbu region, climaxing with a climb to Everest Base Camp.

But they need money. The filmmakers are now hoping to raise at least AUD$3,000 via Chuffed.org, a crowdfunding website designed for non-profit and social enterprise projects. The funding will directly contribute to the employment and livelihoods of the Kulung. The crew will be staying in local teahouses (guesthouses), hiring local porters and guides at fair wages and purchasing meals and supplies in local villages, which in turn, will provide an income and much-needed investment for the communities.

“Carrying Everest” project donations to https://chuffed.org/project/carrying-everest

Images by Heema Rai

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NATIONAL Folk Festival organisers are over the moon at news that they’ve been named Best Cultural, Arts and Music Event in the ACT in the Australian Event Awards.

Queensland’s Opera in the Reservoir by the Underground Opera Company and Victoria’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2015 won similar state-based awards.

The announcement follows news earlier this year that the Festival won Bronze at the Australian Tourism Awards.

Festival director Pam Merrigan is naturally chuffed saying, says, “The success of the festival is in the power of folk music and its ability to connect and engage people, offering an alternative to mainstream music that is often over produced and formulaic.”

Noting that event had been solidly in the national calendar for many years, she added, “The National Folk Festival celebrates its 50th Festival in 2016 and its longevity is due to the Festival continually expanding the notion of folk without compromising the integrity of the event as it reaches out to new audiences and responds to the challenges and demands of a growing and competitive festival industry.”

An established major event in Canberra’s cultural calendar for 23 of its years, the “National”, as it is known, attracts crowds upward of 46,000 to Canberra every Easter the Festival and injects over $5 million into the local economy, also bringing an A-list of international and national performers to the capital, organisers proudly boast.

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CANBERRA’S Groove PANdemonium Steel Orchestra will be representing the ACT this weekend in Brisbane at the international steel band festival “PANZfest”

Groove PANdemonium

According to Gary France, director of The Groove Warehouse in Hume, the newly-formed Caribbean-style Groove PANdemonium is the first and only steel band from the ACT to play at one of these events, which also features playoffs by steel bands from across Australia and New Zealand, performances by Australia’s top steelpan players, a Calypso night by professional Australian-Caribbean calypso musicians, public workshops, masquerade dancers and a steelpan exhibition —in short, creating pandemonium.

Groove PANdemonium will be performing on a 30+ set of Steel Pans made in Trinidad, will play traditional Calypso, Soca, and Reggae as well as special arrangements by bands like the Beach Boys, ABBA, Elvis and a host of other popular bands. Our current members include graduates of the ANU School of Music, members of our community and special patron from Trinidad, Canberra’s Courtney Leiba.

France, whose Groove Warehouse we featured earlier in the year, (http://citynews.com.au/2015/arts-in-a-thunderland-of-drums/) reports that the Warehouse’s World Music programs, Global Groove, are going well and that yesterday he presented a workshop to 24 Rotarians from Jerrabomberra.

As well, The Groove Warehouse will be sponsoring the Young Music Society Music Camp in January, where students will have the opportunity to engage in Gamelan, African Ensemble and Caribbean Steel.

The Grooveline Drum corps

But most exciting of all is “The Grooveline,” a new community based ensemble that meets at the Warehouse in Hume. One of the very few USA styled marching drumlines in Australia, it now has a full set of professional instruments imported from the USA. With members ranging from 13 – 55 years old, it is looking to recruit new members as it enters its second term.

Groove Warehouse 5/1 Sawmill Circuit Hume. For more information and registrations, visit blog.groovewarehouse.com.au

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ACT Policing has charged a 22-year-old Conder man following two burglaries in Nicholls and Conder and an attempted burglary in Banks on (Friday, 25 September).

About 12.25pm yesterday police attended a residence in Nicholls following a report of a burglary where a number of items were stolen including a red Mercedes convertible.

About 4.55pm that same day police responded to an attempted burglary at a residence in Banks. The male offender was disturbed by an occupant before fleeing the scene in a red coloured sports car.

A short time later the owner of a residence in Conder also reported a burglary whereby a number of items were stolen.

About 9.20pm members of the Tuggeranong Patrol located the stolen vehicle at a street in Conder. The vehicle attempted to flee from police, stop sticks were deployed, however the vehicle continued driving.

The vehicle was located a short time later in Russell Drysdale Street, Conder. A male offender was arrested by Tuggeranong Crime members.

A search warrant of the offender’s residence located stolen property from both the Nicholls and Conder burglaries.

The 22-year-old Conder man was conveyed to the ACT Watch House and charged with two counts of burglary, attempted burglary, theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and a range of driving offences.

He will be remanded in custody before appearing in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (28 September).

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ACT Policing has described the actions of a 33-year-old Gowrie woman as ‘reckless’ after her vehicle, with two children inside, crashed into a retaining wall at a residence in Fadden yesterday (Saturday, September 26).

Around 9.15pm Tuggeranong Patrol members attended a residence in Fadden following reports of a motor vehicle collision at the location.

On arrival police observed that a blue Ford Falcon had crashed into a retaining wall. The driver and two young children did not suffer any injuries.

The driver underwent a roadside breath test returning a positive result. She was taken to the Tuggeranong Police Station where a breath analysis was conducted, returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.114.

Superintendent South Rob Wilson said it is alarming people continue to drink and drive, putting their lives and in this case two young children at risk.

“This high-level drink-driver colliding with a retaining wall demonstrates the impact alcohol has on one’s ability to drive responsibly and react to their surroundings, putting themselves and others at risk,” Superintendent Wilson said.

“If you’re going to enjoy the long weekend with friends and have a few drinks, make a plan to get home safely afterwards. Arrange a designated driver or catch a cab – whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.”

The 33 year old Gowrie woman was issued with an Immediate Suspension Notice and will be summonsed to face court at a later date.

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FIREFIGHTERS are working to extinguish a fire in a duplex in Tuggeranong.

ACT Fire & Rescue received multiple emergency triple zero (000) calls about the blaze in Allcot Place Conder around 4 o’clock.

Three fire crews are on scene along with the breathing apparatus support unit and two commanders.

Update to follow.

04:48

Firefighters have contained the fire to one side of the duplex which has sustained extensive damage including into the roof space.

There was no one home when firefighters arrived on scene. Occupants of the adjacent unit safely self evacuated themselves.

Firefighters have knocked down the fire and are now working to extinguish a number of hot spots throughout the property.

05:00

One fire crew has been released from the scene.

Remaining firefighters are wetting down hot spots.

The initial estimated damage bill is $200,000.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time but will be investigated.

05:29

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ACT Policing Criminal Investigation detectives are investigating an aggravated robbery that occurred at the Woolworths store in Calwell last night (Saturday, 26 September).

Around 10.00pm two men armed with knives approached the service counter of the Woolworths store and made demands for cash.

The employee complied with the demands and the two men ran out of the store with a sum of cash that had been placed in a green Woolworths shopping bag. No one was injured during the robbery.

The male offenders were wearing dark clothing, face coverings and gloves.

Minutes prior to the robbery a dark coloured Mitsubishi Magna with two male occupants wearing face coverings was observed near the Calwell Tavern.

Police are urging anyone who may have been in the Calwell area at the time of the robbery and noticed any suspicious activity or who saw a dark coloured Mitsubishi Magna to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website www.act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information may be provided anonymously.

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AN off duty police member has apprehended a 39-year-old Kambah woman following an armed robbery at the BSW Liquor Store at Woolworths in Kambah yesterday (Sunday, 27 September).

Around 12.10pm a woman approached the service counter of the BSW Liquor Store and made demands for cash stating she had a gun in her bag.

The employee complied with the demands and the woman left the store with a sum of cash.

An off-duty police member who was in the area at the time chased the woman and apprehended her. The woman threatened the police member with a knife during the apprehension.

No one was injured during the robbery.

The woman was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, resist own apprehension with threat to kill and possess knife in a public place.

She will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning.

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IN a move sure to set designers up for shows from the next generation, Belconnen Community Service and Ickle Pickle Productions are offering an opportunity for young people aged 12-16 to explore the world of stage set design.

Working with theatre professional, Susanne Ilschner, participants will experience set design from concept to construction. It’s a chance to sneak a peek behind the curtains, and is an opportunity for young people who are interested in the backstage of theatre production and performance.

Art Room One, Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen, 10am to 12.30pm TuesdaySeptember 29 to Friday, October 2. Free, but registrations essential to bcc@bcsact.com.au or 6264 0200.

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THE increasingly sophisticated look of urban Canberra has been acknowledged in the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Architecture Awards shortlist for the November awards, it has been announced.

Roji Salon by Craig Tan Architects, photo by Jaime Diaz Berrio

Fender Katsalidis Architects, New Acton Nishi, photo John Gollings

The shortlist was chosen by the 2015 jury led by immediate past President David Karotkin, and also comprising Shelley Indyk, Steve Grieve, Peta Heffernan and Philip Goad from 185 entries that were eligible following success at the Regional and Chapter Architecture Awards, held around the country earlier in the year. There were 861 entries for 753 projects from around the country and abroad for the 14 national categories.

The shortlisted projects span 14 categories. This year, a new category has been introduced, the Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture, with a shortlist of 9 projects and reflecting the increasing number of educational facilities entered in the awards program. These have previously been considered in the Public Architecture category.

Now in its second year, the Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) category has a new Named Award, the Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award, with four houses vying for the honour.

One of the largest awards programs of its kind in the world, the Awards have been held annually since 1981 and is. In 2015

A People’s Choice Award will be launched in October and winners will be announced on November 5 at a special ceremony at the University of Queensland Advanced Engineering Building in Brisbane.

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Model Becky Patterson in fashion by Perri Cutten, millinery by Cynthia Jones-Bryson; styling Lizzie Wagner; make-up Beauty By Nikki and hair Cindy Rue. Photo by Andrew Finch

ON October 18, the second annual Melbourne Cup Experience event will see up to 400 guests at Hotel Realm’s ballroom enjoying a cocktail event of fashion and racing-themed activities, all for a good cause.

Danielle Cleary, organiser of the event and owner of Danielle Cleary Events, promises the Melbourne Cup Experience will give guests everything they need to know to prepare for and enjoy the Melbourne Cup on November 3 – from showcasing the hottest trackside fashions, learning about the horses, to how to place a bet.

“In the lead up to Melbourne Cup, it’s all about preparedness. We start to ask each other ‘What are you going to wear? What bag? Which hat?’ This event will be a unique prelude to The Cup, combining fashion and racing knowledge,” says Danielle.

The theme of the event is French Connection” – a nod to the two French horses that have won over the past five years and in recognition of the international importance that the Melbourne Cup has gained.

“I was born on a farm. My dad was a horse trainer and I have always had a love of horses and have been involved with every facet of the industry,” says Danielle.

“Iconic Australian fashion house Perri Cutten and TAB come together with the finest Canberra businesses, will be showcasing and exhibiting French cuisine, wares, entertainment and fashion.

In addition to the Perri Cutten fashion parade, Danielle has organised catering by Patissez, wine tasting, an equine art exhibition, as well as a presentation by leading local trainers, Joe Cleary and Nick Olive, who will share tales of past Melbourne Cups and give guests some early tips.

Malkara Special School will be the charity recipient of the event. Malkara has provided more than 40 years of quality education for students with a significant intellectual disability and other associated impairments. A percentage of the ticket sales, along with 100 per cent of the live and silent auctions will support the school.  

Funds raised from this event will go towards the development of a new, bespoke, all-abilities playground, as well as specialised equipment and resources for our students,” says Kylie Croke, Malkara principal.

Melbourne Cup Experience, Hotel Realm Ballroom, 2pm-5pm, October 18, Tickets available at danielleclearyevents.com

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Janine Hunstone… “Natives are not in your face, and I feel they encourage quiet time.” Photo by Andrew Finch

“When we moved in about 15 years ago, the back was all lawn, with one large tree stump and a couple of ornamental plums,” she says.

“It all had to come out and I tried to create a little shady oasis because I didn’t want to be in the sun.

“I planted eucalypts for dappled shade, then worked down from there. I love lots of little plants but there’s not a lot in the middle.”

Janine’s predominantly native garden in Duffy will be open for the first time on the weekend of October 3-4 as part of Open Gardens Canberra.

With pebbled pathways leading past hundreds of varieties of natives and a series of wooden decks that frame the house, Janine says she loves the small exotics bed, which features hellebores, daphne, osmanthus, Japanese maple and wild strawberry.

“The garden is pretty low maintenance now, but I spend a lot of time planting because I’m obsessed,” she says.

“I created all these lovely sitting areas, but I never sit outside. I’m always seeing something to do and I start pottering instead.”

Janine says she loves the relaxed feel of the garden; and that she can go out barefoot without sunscreen thanks to the canopy of eucalypts.

“I have a good selection of dwarf gums which are so important for habitat,” she says.

“I love the bark and the open canopy they provide, with light still coming through.”

The garden is 95 per cent natives, as Janine says she finds them interesting and unusual, particularly the epacris and ferns in the front.

“Natives are not in your face, and I feel they encourage quiet time,” she says.

“I like that they’re not show ponies and that you really have to stop and look at them to see their beauty.”
7 Tinaroo Place, Duffy, open 10am-4pm, on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4. Admission $8; free to under-18s and Open Gardens Canberra members. It costs $25 to join for free entry to all open gardens until August 31. More information at opengardenscanberra.org.au/join

Photos by ANDREW FINCH

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SHANE Rattenbury has announced changes to the ACTION buses advertising policy to restrict the promotion of junk food, alcohol, gambling, fossil fuels and weapons.

“The current ACTION advertising policy restricts the type of material that can be promoted, including political or religious advertising, tobacco products and anti-social or offensive messages,” Shane said.

“As a Government provided service, it is our responsibility to ensure that the products and messages that we promote on our public buses are suitable and appropriate for the broader population and in line with the values of the Canberra community and Government objectives.

“I have taken the decision to expand this policy to include other products or industries that are either damaging to the health of the population or environment or that promote weapons.

“A significant number of ACTION passengers who are school-aged children. I think it is really important that we don’t have alcohol, junk food and gambling advertised on our buses.

“In 2013, as part of the Zero Growth campaign, the ACT Government committed to restricting the advertising of unhealthy foods within the government’s regulatory control. This announcement follows a number of other initiatives from the ACT Government to improve the health of Canberrans and work towards our Zero Growth target.

“Given that the ACT Government recently made a decision to divest from fossil fuels due to the impact they have on the environment, it is only appropriate that we don’t promote investment in fossil fuels on our publicly owned buses.

“We have also recently seen the launch of a community campaign to remove weapons advertising at the Canberra Airport, as this advertising does not represent the Canberra community nor does it reflect the image we want visitors to Canberra to see. I think the same should be said for our ACTION buses as a reflection of our Canberra community.

“While the Federal Government retains regulatory control of substantial advertising policy, it is important that the ACT Government does what it can to ensure that the advertising on our public assets is suitable and appropriate and in line with the values of the Canberra community.

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Amalia Stavreas… “The diamond actually moves, so it picks up more light and brilliance.” Photos by Andrew Finch

The Rockstar, worth $65,800, was designed by Amalia Stavreas, manager of Dimitries Jewellers in Westfield Woden, and Sydney-based jeweller Mike Levendi.

Amalia says the ring features a round, brilliant-cut, two-carat diamond set in an innovative “free motion” setting, which allows the diamond freedom of movement.

The $65,800 Rockstar diamond ring.

The concept for the setting was inspired by how they show customers a diamond in the shop, she says.

“We like our customers to really interact with the diamond they choose, so we take it out and encourage them to flip it around and look at the light refraction from every angle,” Amalia says.

“It got me thinking, if that’s the best way to showcase a diamond, what if we could find a way to harness that?”

The Rockstar is one of three finalists in the awards, with the winner to be announced at a gala event in Sydney on October 18.

“The Solitaire category is known to be difficult, so Mike and I wanted to do something innovative,” she says.

Amalia says the diamond on the Rockstar rotates on its axis and can be viewed from a 360-degree angle thanks to the delicate setting, the mechanism in the base and the polished mirrored platform it sits on.

“The diamond actually moves, so it picks up more light and brilliance,” says Amalia.

“I didn’t want there to be a lot of metal in the ring, so that the diamond would appear to be floating in the simplicity of the reflection on the concave surface.”

Amalia trained as a physiotherapist, personal trainer and nutritionist in Sydney, but two years ago decided to return to the family business, which was started in Canberra in 1967 by her grandparents.

“Helping people as a physio gives me the same feeling as helping people choose the right piece of jewellery,” she says. “Clients leave feeling good and I feel I’ve helped them make a decision in an honest way.

“I love the creativity of working here, and I get to draw! It’s nice to be back with the family, too, and to be able to combine high-end design with the homebody, family element of being in Canberra again.”

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MOVING Floriade from Commonwealth Park to Glebe Park may provide an opportunity to reclaim some green space and reinvigorate Canberra’s city centre.

Catherine Carter.

As the city reorients itself, we are presented with new possibilities. For example, perhaps it’s time to give the carousel, loved by families since 1974, a new home and a new lease on life in Glebe Park.

Moving Floriade may also be a chance to rethink some parts of Garema Place and City Walk, which could be transformed to attract visitors into the city, providing a walkable link through to Glebe Park and Floriade.

Other pocket parks are needed to lure more people outdoors – with Floriade the perfect platform to make this happen.

Haig Park is another under-utilised city space that requires additional attention and investment to make it safe and accessible.

As Canberra becomes denser and more diverse, we need to invest in green spaces – and to think of our parks as outdoor community centres that enhance the liveliness and liveability of our city.

Thinking creatively about Floriade’s location could be an ingredient needed to build a flourishing city centre.

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EVERY day was Ladies’ Day in the world of Federal – and even ACT – politics this last week. It began with a bang as Marise Payne – to the spontaneous applause of her colleagues – made her affirmation (rather than an oath) as Defence Minister.

The carrot-topped, NSW Senator received the same enthusiastic welcome from the commentariat and, we’re told, the top brass at the Department.

Robert Macklin.

NEXT came PM Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement of the $100 million program to confront domestic violence. And while the funds are important to provide training to the front line cohort in the struggle, the PM himself must continue to give the lead from his “bully pulpit”.

He started well with: “Real men don’t hit women” and calling such behaviour “unAustralian”; but it’s too deep-seated for mere sloganeering to provide a remedy.

CHANCES are we’ll see the policy in action when the US R&B singer Chris Brown is refused a visa because of his domestic violence record. Barring people from the country is rarely a good idea. And we don’t know the background to Brown’s five-year probation in 2009 for attacking his girlfriend Rihanna. But if the campaign requires it, then so be it. It’s not as though we’re banning his, um, music.

OUR own Simon Corbell got into the act with a Bill to tighten the law surrounding domestic violence. Henceforth police records of interview will be admitted for these offences; victim protection will be expanded and interim domestic violence orders will be extended until any criminal charges are dealt with. But when will the perpetrator – instead of the victim – be forced from the family home?

THEN up jumped former PM Tony Abbott’s eminence grise, Peta Credlin to claim she had been a victim of an anti-woman conspiracy. And after all she’d done to get Tony elected, it just wasn’t fair. Mind you, that did involve the most vicious sustained attack on PM Julia Gillard imaginable. Honestly! So much for the Credlin cred.

ACT Education Minister Joy Burch also came under attack from the powerful autism lobby over her handling of the cage affair. In fact, the real problem is that autistic children are placed in regular classes without proper support for the teachers. Perhaps with all her portfolios Ms Burch has taken multi-tasking beyond its natural limits. But at least she doesn’t claim the criticism is some anti-woman plot.

WHILE all this was happening, poor Bill Shorten was announcing actual Labor policies and handling himself very well on “Q&A”. But with all the attention focused on Malcolm and the ladies, he would have had to set his pants on fire to get noticed. However, Canberrans will welcome his appointing Katy Gallagher to the front bench.

FINALLY, a charming by-play when the new Assistant Minister for Water, 52-year-old Anne Ruston, tried to read the oath without her glasses at the swearing-in ceremony. As she stumbled, G-G Sir Peter Cosgrove instantly rescued the damsel in distress with his own pair. A knightly gesture, indeed.

robert@robertmacklin.com  

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Syringa or lilac… flowering in a few weeks.

Well, here’s one very good example; when we owned a nursery in Yass some years ago a lady asked for “snow in summer”, so I showed her the plant Cerastium tomentosum, a ground cover.

“Obviously, you don’t know your plants; ‘snow in summer’ is a large native shrub!” came the smart comment.

“Quite right,” I replied. “Now, if we look at the labels, you will note that two plants have the same common name, one is Cerastium tomentosum and the other is your native plant Melaleuca linariifolia.”

“Well, I didn’t know that,” she replied indignantly. Had the customer asked for the botanical name there would have been no confusion.

WITH new plant discoveries from all parts of the globe arriving in Europe, the botanical naming of plants started with Swiss botanist Casper Bauhin (1560-1624), who devised a system of giving all plants just two names.

It didn’t really take effect until Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) undertook the huge task of methodically classifying the whole living planet.

His university studies in medicine included botany, as plants played an important part of healing and still do. Linnaeus became interested in the whole world of animal, vegetable and mineral and refined the universally accepted, dual-name system with his book “Species Plantarum”, published in 1753.

This is acknowledged as the starting point of all nomenclature (naming) in nature. Linnaeus’ research was so thorough that we continue to use most of his names to this day. Even new plant discoveries or new plants developed use the Linnaeus principle.

NOT all plant names are Latin or Greek, but some recognise those who discovered the plants in the wild and introduced them to the western world. For example, Kalmia latifolia is named after Peter Kalm, a pupil of Linnaeus and latifolia meaning broad leafed; Syringa vulgaris, takes its name from syringa, in Greek meaning a tube, and vulgaris meaning common, and Pyrus salicifolia, the silver-leafed ornamental pear refers to the leaves as similar to the willow, whose botanical name is Salix.

Kalmia or mountain laurel… grows well in Canberra.

“Research has shown a link between contact with the soil, plants and nature and stress.

“When we garden our brains go into a restful mode, allowing us to become more resilient to stress and reducing the risk of depression and anxiety. Being outdoors exposes our skin to vitamin D, which is not only good for our bones but also reduces the risk of heart disease, asthma and cancer. More of those at risk of disease should be encouraged to garden.”

More details of Intelligent Health at intelligenthealth.co.uk

Jottings…

• Many shrubs will have finished flowering and it’s an ideal time to prune the dead flowers. A rule of thumb is: reduce shrubs by one third and with native plants not to exceed this amount.
• Aphids love not only rosebuds but new growth on Japanese maples. Multicrop Long Life 20 Pyrethrum is an effective organic spray that will see them off for 20 days. If it rains, a follow-up application will be required.
• Don’t prune deciduous trees until the end of this month as the sap will pour out and the wound will not heal (callous over) quickly. Borers can gain easy access to wounds.

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