IN the late 80s and early 90s Canberrans were shown child safety videos featuring Rolf Harris.
With the entertainer now facing prison for multiple child sex offences it is chilling to revisit them.
Nothing stays forgotten long on the internet.
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THE Botanic Gardens have excitedly facebooked their latest arrival, an electric buggy for carrying their rangers and tools around.
Check out the Ranger’s new electric vehicle! This 90% recycled electric vehicle, shipped all the way from Italy, has got the Rangers all excited.
Ranger Bronwyn says that the new vehicle is a Ranger’s dream – It’s got everything you can think of – tool boxes, roof racks, microphone, two way radio and it even has detachable seats! But best of all its great for the environment.
Make sure you give the Rangers a wave the next time you see them out and about in their new vehicle.
While we’re thrilled its made of recycled material, and happy that they could juice it up with green electricity if they so wished, we do wonder slightly about shipping it all the way around the world.
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CHIEF Minister Gallagher has announced another wave of plans to assist home owners with the misfortune to have Mr Fluffy’s deadly loose asbestos insulation in their homes.
The government’s support package includes:
The Chief Minister also said that additionally “ACT Medicare Local will provide free assistance to those who are experiencing anxiety and depression by experienced staff. This can be accessed by those who have registered with the Taskforce by calling 6207 8066. General-practitioners can also refer people to specialist psychologists for support.
“For those registered with the asbestos taskforce, any ‘gap’ fee for a visit to the GP or specialist for the development of a mental health plan following a referral from Medicare Local, will be reimbursed to ensure there is no out-of-pocket expense for this assistance.”
“The ACT Government has also decided that the Asbestos Response Taskforce should oversee the assessment of affected homes and will meet the costs of those assessments.
“The number of asbestos assessors in the ACT is limited and we are concerned about possible long wait times for households to obtain an assessment. To overcome this, the Asbestos Response Taskforce is negotiating with industry to procure these assessments on behalf of householders.
“The government will reimburse those who have undertaken an assessment since 18 February 2014.”
To date 398 people have registered with the Asbestos Response Taskforce and the Chief Minister has urged all Canberrans affected by Mr Fluffy asbestos to join the register, which can be done online or through Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
The Liberals’ Jeremy Hanson has responded quickly saying he welcomes the assistance and will work with the Government.
“The Canberra Liberals welcome the financial assistance and other support announced today by the government for Mr Fluffy affected householders and their families,” Jeremy said.
The Asbestos Taskforce website is at: http://www.act.gov.au/asbestos-response-taskforce
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THERE’S a concrete bunker in the New Acton precinct that belies a warm interior, interesting aspect and great possibilities as a gallery space.
For one night it became the centre of a unique celebration as Glenn Keys and Dr. Andrew Walker were inducted into the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame for Aspen Medical which began in a Canberra dining room just over 10 years ago and has become a world-leading provider of healthcare services in Australia and around the world.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Global Hall of Fame recognises outstanding and innovative entrepreneurs and Aspen Medical epitomises that with diverse services such as on-base health care to the ADF to providing health professionals to indigenous communities in the NT.
Celebrating at the bunker bash, Glennand Amelda Keys showed off that subtle tan of a couple just back from sunnier climes; they’ve been cooking, walking and sunning in Tuscany with their family. On the other hand, Dr Andrew seems to take everything in his stride. Congratulations.
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THE reported cost for producer/director Clint Eastwood to convert the Broadway musical telling the story of the ‘50s-’60s pop quartet The Four Seasons into a 134-minute film, was $US40 million.
By and large it’s money well spent, much of it on affectionate and generally accurate reconstruction of period and place. Say what you may about Detroit’s gas-guzzling ill-handling monsters bedecked with automotive bling. The film’s images of them deliver nostalgic impacts coupled with engine rumbles to delight the ear.
Dress fashions for both sexes, women’s make-up styles and dance steps accurately reflect the period.
Musically it did little for me, but there’s no denying the popular impact of the songs on American middle-class audiences yearning for a new sound and message. Many of the group’s hits depended on Frankie Valli’s falsetto principal voice backed-up by the deeper voices of Tommy, Nick and Bob who joined the original trio and gave it words and music for most of its subsequent hits. The group collapsed when Frankie and Bob went independent and new musical styles arrived.
Eastwood’s direction provides flexibilities of location and time giving the story, adapted by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice from their Broadway version, with Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio as consultants reinforcing authenticity. The dramatic structure is credible. The moments of tension with drugs, mob involvement and marital crises don’t involve music. The bottom line was never far from the money.
At all cinemas
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COLLIERS have launched the display office for their knock down and rebuild of the Canberra House annex on West Row and shared pictures of the planned development.
“Mayfair Apartments, which are being constructed on the iconic Canberra House site, were officially released for sale today and Colliers International is expecting the city’s newest residential development to be very popular amongst investors, live-in owners and renters,” Colliers International State Chief Executive, Paul Powderly said.
“Mayfair is not simply about building an apartment block, but about creating a precinct that is exciting, energetic and attractive to the people who live there and all Canberrans and visitors to our city.”
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THE origin of this charming film was a 1965 French TV series about a boy, a Pyrenean mountain dog and the people of a remote village high in the French Alps near the Swiss border, elements which now get affectionate treatment from writer/director Nicholas Vanier whose filmography includes documentaries about cold-climate wildlife.
The men of the village have been scouring the mountains trying to find and kill the beast which has been killing their sheep. Living with grandfather César (Tchéki Karyo), six-years-old Sebastian (Félix Bossuet), a child of remarkable courage and mountain country savvy, finds a big dog which fears humans after being mistreated in another village.
The story begins in August, 1943. Stationed nearby, Wehrmacht Lieutenant Peter (Andreas Peitschmann) visits the village frequently, as much for the chance to see César’s lovely daughter Angelina (Margaux Chatelier) in the village bakery as to commandeer a regular supply of bread for his troops.
And up in the mountains, a small family of refugees awaits a guide to lead them to freedom across the border.
The film spends a goodly part of its time luxuriating among spectacular Alpine scenery. Its simple plot offers a variety of excitements – vertiginous heights, an avalanche, a snow bridge likely to collapse into a crevasse – that children will have no difficulty understanding. It’s one for every age to enjoy, with credibility not diminished by occasional dramatic contrivance.
At Dendy and Capitol 6
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IN an Irish village (played by Strandhill, Co. Sligo, between the sea and the butte called Knocknarea) Father James (a Brendan Gleeson performance worthy of highest peer acclaim in award contests) hears a terrifying confession.
Next Sunday, on the beach, he will kill Father James, a good and respected priest, to atone for five years of childhood sexual abuse from a bad priest now dead and all the other abuses of children by bad priests.
That’s a powerful prelude to writer/director John Michael McDonagh’s comedic drama about the church and sin, of which the village has plenty. The butcher beats his unfaithful wife, the publican has an aggressive streak, the medico is a cynic, the local landowner hates himself and drinks to forget, the cop fancies rent boys. Further afield, the dilettante Monsignor treats his position as a soft berth. And on Friday night, somebody torches the church.
Father James’s deceased wife bore a winsome daughter. Fiona (Kelly Riley) visiting from Dublin has wrists bandaged from a suicide attempt.
Among these and other joyfuls, McDonagh has sprinkled a generous dose of comedy crafted with high skill. Expectation of a grim end is something for us to keep in mind, without manifest dramatic emphasis. The parallel between Golgotha and the beach embraces Father James’ fate as fulfilment of his vocation. Patches of dissertation about faith and belief ask questions that need asking, whatever the Vatican’s view.
At Palace Electric and Capitol 6
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CHIEF Minister Gallagher has announced her reshuffled cabinet including Mick Gentleman as the sixth minister.
The new Ministries are:
Chief Minister, Health, Regional Development and Higher Education adding the responsibility for the Asbestos Response Taskforce.
Deputy Chief Minister, budget management, tax reform and economic development as Treasurer and Minister for Economic Development. In addition he will pick up responsibility for Housing which will draw together responsibly for land development, social housing and housing supply.
Attorney-General and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Environment and a new specific portfolio as Minister for Capital Metro.
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Disability
Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Corrective Services and Sport and Recreation.
Minister for Planning, Community Services, Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Children and Young People and Minister for Ageing.
There is no mention at all of art in the Chief Minister’s announcement.
There will also be some movement on the directorate front.
The Economic Development Directorate is joining the central agency of Chief Ministers and Treasury.
“This reflects the continued focus of creating a one-government approach to our delivery of services to the people of the ACT along with the critical importance of ensuring that economic development is at the centre of government policy deliberations,” Katy said.
The function of the Commerce and Works Directorate will be delivered by the by Treasury arm of CMTD.
The new ministerial arrangements will commence from Monday 7th July, 2014.
UPDATE: The full list, with Arts now belonging to Joy Burch has finally come into our hands (click to enlarge).
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IT was standing room only last night at the ANU Arts Centre, as “Legally Blonde the Musical” swung into action with a preview performance.
Bruiser (Bella) and Elle (Mikayla Williams)
The show opens properly tonight and you can fairly expect a full cross-section age groups in the audiences – maybe with the emphasis on the young.
This popular story, first a film and later a musical, tells the story of the “dumb” blonde, Elle, who tops her Harvard law school class and inspires everyone in the process.
Several weeks ago, we predicted that all eyes would be upon the small Chihuahua who was to play Elle’s favourite person “Bruiser.” But as observant “Citynews” readers will notice, it’s not Violet, the shorthaired Chihuahua that we featured then, but a tiny longhaired replacement, Bella, in this starring role.
Elle makes a bunny of herself on ‘fancy dress’ night
Alas, we can report, Violet succumbed to the age-old problem of stage fright. But the show must go and bold Bella looked quite unfazed by stardom.
“Legally Blonde the Musical” at the ANU Arts Centre, July 4-27, bookings to 6275 2700 or canberratheatrecentre.com.au
All photographs by Family Fotographics
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MIA Dragila has sent in a great collection of atmospheric photographs she’s taken in and around Canberra.
If you’ve got images you’d like to share do send them in to john@citynews.com.au .
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A dishwasher at a Harrison home has caught fire tonight causing minor damage to the kitchen.
ACT Fire & Rescue extinguished the fire at the Moonlight Avenue two-storey apartment after being alerted by an Emergency Triple Zero (000) call at 9.46pm by the residents. All residents safely self evacuated.
The house has sustained some minor smoke damage and ACT Fire & Rescue are currently conducting air monitoring and ventilation operations.
The dishwasher has been destroyed.
Two fire pumpers, the Hazardous Materials Unit, Breathing Apparatus Van and a Commander are currently on scene.
ACT Fire & Rescue expect residents to be allowed to return to the home at approximately 11pm.
10:36 PM
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TELSTRA’S ACT Business of the Year Awards have been run and won and the worthy winners are:
Intelledox, Fyshwick
Founded by Australian National University science graduates Phillip Williamson and Michelle Melbourne in 1992, Intelledox has attracted more than one million worldwide users to its software product, Infiniti.
The flagship product helps organisations to digitise and streamline paper-based information processes, mitigate risk and improve customer communication. A response to the demand for mobile-enabled business solutions, Infiniti was named one of Australia’s most innovative products or services on Anthill Magazine’s 2013 Smart 100 list.
Cogito Group, Hawker
While working as a digital security contractor for the Department of Defence, Richard Brown recognised a serious under investment in digital encryption technology. In 2011, he launched Hawker-based Cogito Group, a business designed to provide digital security solutions for public and private sector organisations. In just three years, Cogito Group has grown to a staff of 10. Telstra Award Judges said the business has recognised a gap in the market and showed a conservative, staged growth strategy with an articulated vision for the future – backed by sound financial acumen and robust systems.
Solace Creations, Phillip
As part owner in a building company, Karen Porter was interested in energy efficient homes. When she failed to source energy efficient windows and doors locally, she launched Solace Creations, in 2011, to improve the insulation of homes and save clients money on cooling and heating costs. In just three years, Karen has grown turnover six-fold and increased her number of suppliers from one to four. The judges said the business’ products and services have been received exceptionally well by customers and have positioned Solace Creations as a leader in the Canberra building industry.
Today’s Homes, Fyshwick
Today’s Homes began in 2001 as a joint venture between Peter and Brendan McCoullough. Brendan was an expert in completing difficult construction projects and Peter brought 35 years’ experience in building and real estate. Today’s Homes now has a team of 16 and offers a design service, which involves liaising with a qualified architect, interior decorator, estimator, construction manager and project coordinator. Telstra Judges said Today’s Homes has an outstanding team approach and was committed to using systems and processes that raise the industry standard and improve customer experience in an industry where reputations vary.
Intelledox, Fyshwick
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REALESTATE.com.au’s quarterly Top Sellers’ Markets reveals that the following ten ACT suburbs have the most people looking per listing:
2. Bonner
3. Watson
4. Macgregor
5. Ngunnawal
6. Harrison
7. Lyneham
8. Braddon
9. Dunlop
10. City
Narrabundah has replaced Ngunnawal for top spot since last quarter, placing Ngunnawal in fifth position. Bonner and Harrison have increased in position this quarter moving into second and sixth place from their fifth and seventh place last quarter.
This quarter sees a few changes with Lyneham and Braddon joining the Top Sellers’ Markets while City remains in tenth spot since last quarter.
Ryan Broadhurst from Luton Properties says Narrabundah is one of the most liveable and affordable inner city areas in ACT.
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What kind of performance can evoke a standing ovation from a normally staid Canberra audience at The Street Theatre? The question was answered by Ursula Yovich in “The Magic Hour.”
Ursula Yovich.
Bates’ script echoes elements of Clarissa Estes’ “Untie the Strong Woman: Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Love for the Wild Soul” and “Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype”.
However, it differs considerably by focusing not so much on the archetypical woman, but on the real person that is left behind to remain anonymous and unheroic. The six stories are sequenced to draw the audience into a form that is compelling and enriching. “Hannah’s story”, derived from “Rapunzel” provides for a particularly engaging characterisation that is a pure gem of theatre; empathetic and repelling at the same time.
It is difficult to imagine anyone other than Yovich presenting these stories; such is the power of her performance. A power acknowledged by the audience with a standing ovation!
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