Megan Hayes and Miki Noy were two of the ACT ACT Contingent Leader Calwell & Wanniassa Bendigo branches recently provided great financial support to ACT Scouts to assist some of its youth members attend the most recent Australian Scout Jamboree, 2007. Held in January in northern Victoria, and attended by 12,000 Scouts from Australia and overseas, 335 young people and approximately 85 adults from the ACT attended this huge 12 day event. Scouts at the Jamboree participated in various activities, including flying, a giant water slide, adventurous pursuits, exploring and relaxing in Bendigo and on the Murray River, watching big arena acts, having a market day, and much more. It was a rewarding and busy time for young and old.
Bendigo Bank supported a number of families with the costs of sending their children to the event and their donation is greatly appreciated.
SAILING ACT Sailability ACT put in a brilliant performance at the 2007 National & International Regatta in Adelaide at Easter. After a season of dedicated training, under the expert coaching of Michael Leydon, all the hard work paid off for Sailability ACT sailors who took on the unfamiliar waters of St. Vincent’s Gulf off Adelaide to win or place in most divisions. Sailability ACT also took out the coveted Team Trophy over teams from all Australian states plus teams from Japan, New Zealand and Italy. Ten Sailability ACT sailors, six with disabilities, journeyed to Adelaide to contest the event in which over 65 sailors, many with disabilities, took part. In the Access 2.3 Novice Division our sailors took the trifecta, with 13 year old junior Nathan Kelly 1st, his mother Karen Kelly 2nd and Australian Team Special Olympic sailor Bronwyn Ibbotson 3rd. In the Access 2.3 Intermediate Division Christine Elliott was 3rd. In the bigger boats the Access 303 Singles Division, Michael Leydon was 2nd after a closely fought race, and in the Access 303 Doubles, Michael Leydon and Debbie Boys went undefeated throughout the event for 1st place. With the addition of the Team Trophy Sailability ACT bought home a swag of Trophies and proved themselves a formidable force in Access Dinghy racing.
There were a lot of bleary eyes when the first of the Kaleen- Heydon Guides rose at 4.30am on April 14 to take part in the Balloon Fiesta as ground crew for the Liberty House Balloon. The girls helped launch the balloon, chased it around Canberra and went crazy rolling all over the balloon to deflate it. Pilot Paul Gibbs was enthusiastic about their involvement “I was a Scout myself here in Canberra, so it is great to be involved again. We really want to encourage grass roots community involvement in the Balloon Fiesta and working with Guides is a great way to encourage that.” The girls were delighted with the event and already eagerly look forward to taking part in the Balloon Fiesta next year. 1st Kaleen-Heydon Guides meets every Tuesday night during term in Kaleen. For more information, contact Nikki Coleman on 6253 8232 or 0405 619 715.
On Sunday, 20 May 2007, the Evan Hourigan Memorial Walk will take place. The walk has been organized by Evan’s friends and work colleagues to celebrate his life that was so tragically cut short. Evan was a proud and popular Canberran, participating in many sporting and social events in Canberra and the surrounding region. Evan was an accomplished sportsman, playing Australian Rules football from an early age for the Belconnen Magpies and represented the ACT in a number of junior representatives sides. He also represented the ACT in junior basketball over a number of years. Most recently Evan was a member of the Bilbys triathlon club and the Team QUON cycle group. He was a keen and competitive triathlete, and it was whilst competing in one of these events that he died. He was 34 years old and was married with a young son Kai, who is now 15 months and is expecting his second child in July this year. Evan touched so many lives in so many different ways, and in honor of his life a Memorial Walk from Commonwealth Park of approximately 5.5 kilometers – commencing at the end of Anzac Parade at 10.30am – crossing both Commonwealth and Kings Avenues bridges is to be held. At the completion of the walk there will be a free BBQ, activities for the kids and lucky door prizes. To participate in the day please register at ehouriganmemorialwalk@walturn. com.au. Information on how to make a donation or obtain further information can be found at www.richardson-orourke.com. All proceeds from the day will assist Evan’s young children with their development and educational needs in the future.
When: Sunday, 20 May
Trying to come to terms with the sudden death of our daughter Tanya has been the hardest thing Doug and I have ever had to deal with. The overwhelming sadness in knowing that her children have lost their mother and that we have lost a beautiful daughter has been an enormous emotional and draining burden for us to bear these past months. Tanya had her life tragically taken in a car accident whilst driving her two children aged nine and six to school on the 26th of February 2007. The events of that day have changed our lives and those of our granchildren completely and irrevocably. Tanya had just turned 31. Tanya was a loving and caring mother, trying to run a small business from home in an attempt to give her children a good start in life. Although she was a single mum Tanya had an amazing ability to reach out to people who were in need of a friend or someone they could lean on. She had so much to give and so much to live for. Tanya was our oldest child and her brother and sister have left home to pursue their own careers. At this stage in our lives we never imagined that we would be caring for two small children seven days a week. This has become a physical, emotional and financial challenge for us, and it is heartbreaking to see how much these young children miss their mother. Doug and I are now very aware that we are not alone when it comes to grandparents thrust into the role of raising grandchildren full time. There are clearly many grandparents out there who have had to take on new roles as parents and carers due to circumstances beyond their control. We are hoping that through making our circumstances public we can raise the awareness of people facing similar situations, and that we can all work towards achieving more support for not only the children involved but also for grandparents raising grandchildren. Donations are accepted by Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express and cheques in Australian dollars posted to the Paperchain Bookstore 34 Franklin Street Manuka ACT 2603 Australia Sites you can visit for further assistance include: www.seniors.gov.au (Aged and Community Care InfoLine 1800 500 853) www.facsia.gov.au (13 6150 or 13 1202 for non-English languages) www.fsa.org.au (1300 365 859) www.community.nsw.gov.au/ (6299 1111) www.barnardos.org.au (1800 061 000) www.marymead.org.au (02 6162 5800) If you are experiencing challenges, or know someone who is, contact some of these organisations. Even ask a friend to help you find your way through the system. You are invited to contribute your stories online at www.theword.com.au
Local couple Doug and Melita Flynn became full-time parents to their daughter’s children aged 9 and 6 years after the tragic death of 31-year old Tanya in a car accident earlier this year, joining the growing number of Australians raising grandchildren. More grandparents are caring for their young grandchildren for longer periods on a regular basis. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, grandparents are included in the regular childcare arrangements for over 20% of children below school age. In 2003, there were 22,500 Australian families in which grandparents
were the principal guardians of their grandchildren (31,100 children aged 0-17 years). Reasons for involving grandparents in care are varied, from unaffordable childcare costs, parents unable or unwilling to take on the job or sudden deaths, illnesses or financial crises that impact on what was otherwise a well functioning family unit. Grandparents left suddenly to raise their grandchildren as the primary caregivers may just as suddenly face their own major personal, social and financial upheaval, often with little or no outside support. They are usually retired or planning retirement and compared with younger parents, often have fewer financial resources and less physical stamina. Their capacity or opportunity to continue in the work force may also be reduced. They may face a range of difficulties, including parenting at an older age, difficulties accessing relevant and timely assistance or legal costs. Many ‘baby boomers’ – once believing they ‘had it made’ in their retirement, are now often faced with the shattering truth that all they have worked for towards being self- funded retirees and therefore less of a burden on the tax payer, was all in vain. In order to care for their grandchildren many are forced to sell assets and continue working well past their planned retirement date. Often they feel alone and helpless, ineligible for government financial support they have “too many assets” or too much “disposable income”. Beyond financial nightmares, grieving parents are also facing the bureaucratic minefield of family law, taxation and family support payments. Peak organizations like Council on the Ageing (COTA) have identified a range of issues for grandparents raising grandchildren, particularly the need for recognition by governments, respite care, access to legal aid and parity with foster carers for payments and support services for their grandchildren. The determination of most grandparents to give their grandchildren healthy, happy and well-rounded lives is a strong driving force, but it cannot work miracles. It is also fair to say that both the Federal and ACT governments are concerned about the difficulties grandparents face raising their grandchildren and healing the family, with minimal or no demand on government services. In 2004 COTA conducted surveys on perceived existing support mechanisms, additional support required, the financial and legal issues faced by grandparents and any concerns about the well being of their grandchildren. You can order copies of the report by calling 02 9286 3860 or by email: [email protected] In four months a total of 499 grandparents raising 548 grandchildren took part in the project, making up 308 grandparent-headed families. The February 2005 report told of these, 63% were couples, with 68% of all grandparents being 55 years of age or over. The eldest was 82 and she was raising three teenagers (13, 15 and 17) on her own. Of the grandchildren, 53% were under 10 years of age, the youngest being just 12 weeks old. Just over half of the grandparents are raising two or more grandchildren, with some having up to six in their care. The impact on grandparents’ personal finances, health and wellbeing can be considerable. Here are quotations from grandparents from the workshops: A 63-year-old grandmother said, “My husband feels cheated of his retirement plans. He can’t get past the anger at the mother.” A 65 year old grandmother said, “I had retired shortly before the children came to me, and now I have virtually no life of my own. I cannot go out at nights or at weekends, and see my friends only rarely. Also, I do not have enough money to follow my own interests anyway.” From the investigation into the needs of grandparents caring for grandchildren, a number of recommendations were made to the former
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__________________________ _________________________ _______________ Signed Name (please print) Date __________________________ Role The technology for this web-based community newspaper production system is provided by Wordzine Pty Ltd (ACN 117 238 105 “Wordzine”) and is furnished “as is” under this Agreement. The explicit Terms of service of Ezyzine are defined in the Ezyzine “Terms of Service” document available at the bottom of all EzyMedia powered sites. Your contact is John Hancock: 0422 947474 / [email protected]
Papermoon’s History Boys follows an unruly bunch of bright, funny boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university.
The multi-award winning (a 2006 Tony for Best Play) play by Englishman Alan Bennett has cleverly weaved staff room rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence to provoke insistent questions about history and how you teach it; about education and its purpose.
Set in a fictional boys’ grammar school in the north of England in the early 1980s, the play follows a group of history pupils preparing for the Oxbridge entrance examinations under the guidance of three teachers, all who have contrasting teaching styles.
A maverick English teacher; a headmaster obsessed with results; a young history teacher who is addicted to seeing the other side of the historical coin and an erstwhile teacher who tries desperately to inject a female perspective into the history the boys are learning are the counterpoints for the students.
A relatively new work (it premiered in 2004) the fast-paced script showcases Bennett’s acerbic wit and creates good fodder upon which the cast builds its characters.
Head of ANU Drama Tony turner hand-picked his cast from his Year 1, 2 and 3 Drama students and mentored them with some of Canberra’s best and most experienced actors to produce a tight production.
Tim Sekuless, Ross Walker, Simon Thomson, Peter D’Abro, Ian Bartlett, Joshua Bell, Ashley Little and James Czarny (the boys) share the stage with theatre stalwarts Ian Croker as the unorthodox teacher Hector, Jarrad West as the atypical history teacher Irwin, Jim Adamik as the abrasive Headmaster and Liz Bradley as Mrs Lintott. There are also cameos by Stephanie Roberts and Jasmine Natterer.
History Boys is well cast and all characterizations are equally balanced. Croker always does his enigmatic characters with charm and commitment; West is always strong and compelling; Bradley handles with ease every role thrown at her. Adamik succeeds in showing the audience a grittier character, and the boys are equally strong—although Sekuless, who has the dream role as the gay Jewish boy who loves to burst into song, stands out as usual.
It’s a long play (11pm finish), and very wordy. Cleverly written, it is a shame that in the race to get it done some of Bennett’s pearls get lost. The boys come in and out of their accents throughout, but that should improve over the season. Their musical ability beautifully supplements their stagecraft.
The set is simple and scenes are cleverly transitioned through the use of 3 whiteboards and a handful of chairs.
In all, papermoon has produced a well-crafted production of a very witty play with which Academics particularly will be delighted. Oh, but be warned—there is a lot of swearing and adult themes—none gratuitous, but could offend.
WHAT: The History Boys
WHERE: ANU Arts Centre
WHEN: 10-19 September @ 8pm
TICKETS: 02 6257 1950 or at the door
Teatro Vivaldi dinner/show package book 02 6257 2718
Papermoon is the official theatre company of the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
By Gustav Omar
Few creatures, except perhaps the armadillo or the wild turkey, are as emblematic of the New World as the rattlesnake. Before Columbus s voyage, Europeans had never seen one. Rattlers are not found in Europe, Africa, or Asia, but almost every state in the Union (Maine, Alaska, Hawaii, and Delaware are the exceptions) has at least one species. Arizona boasts eleven. A total of seventy species and subspecies–ranging from gigantic diamondbacks, which may exceed seven feet, to an eighteen-inch subspecies native to only a few mountains in Arizona–are found in North, Central, and South America.
The most distinctive feature of this reptile, of course, is its rattle, made of two to ten hollow interlocking segments of a light, fingernail-like material. When the rattlesnake vibrates its muscular tail, each separate segment bounces against the adjoining ones at fifty cycles per second, creating a buzzing sound that signals sensible folks to stay away. Unfortunately, not everyone does.
Most rattlesnakes are peaceable, retiring animals that flee for the underbrush when they encounter humans. Unless they are hunting rodents, rattlers strike only in self-defense. But if you step on one or try to capture it, a rattler will retaliate with a rapid strike that can be debilitating or even lethal. In the United States, about 8,000 people a year are bitten by rattlers or their cousins in the pit viper subfamily, which includes copperheads and water moccasins. In 1988 two doctors at the University of Southern California Medical Center analyzed 227 cases of venomous snakebite, covering more than a decade, and found that 44 percent occurred during accidental contact, such as stepping on the animal. More than 55 percent, however, resulted from the victim’s grabbing or handling the creatures, and in 28 percent of these cases, the victims were intoxicated. The doctors’ conclusion was that the typical snakebite victim is male and under thirty, with a blood-alcohol concentration of more than 0.1 percent at the time he is bitten. Yet only 0.2 percent of all snakebite victims die each year, and most of them receive no medical treatment or first aid.
Rattlesnake venom is not a simple poison. The snake’s venom glands; located at the rear of the upper jaw and connected by ducts to its pair of hollow fangs, produce a complex brew of toxic peptides, polypeptides, and enzymes. In the venom, these toxins are combined in differing proportions that vary throughout a species’ range and even during an individual snake’s lifetime. Rattlesnakes harbor so many biochemical mixtures for venom that toxinologists who analyze the stuff confront a range of variations rather than a standard formula for each species. Some of this variability seems to reflect recent changes in the venom of certain rattlesnakes, from the hemotoxic and proteolytic type (which affects blood and other tissues) to the neurotoxic type (which attacks the nervous system). The first type hasn’t changed into the second; rather, the proportion of neurotoxins in the mix appears to have increased in some areas of the country. Consequently, victims may now receive a significant dose of both types of poison from a single bite.
Matters seemed a bit simpler a few decades ago. Scientists knew that pit vipers produced a hemotoxic venom that was rarely deadly to humans. Except in Arizona and parts of Texas and California–home to the deadly, neurotoxic Mojave rattlesnake–most humans bitten in the United States could expect to survive. But they did experience depressed blood pressure associated with shock, destruction of tissue near the bite, massive swelling of the affected area, and hemorrhaging both near the bite and internally (caused by anticoagulants in the venom). If untreated, the area around the bite would become gangrenous and turn black. Sometimes the venom would also attack the kidneys. People lost fingers or toes, but few died–particularly after the introduction in the 1930s of an antivenom made from horse serum. In the worst cases, a bite victim usually had an hour or two to get to a hospital before the situation turned dire.
Neurotoxic venom, on the other hand, doesn’t allow for such leisure, because it blocks nerve impulses to muscles, including those in the diaphragm that are used in breathing. Usually associated with members of the cobra family, a neurotoxic bite can cause immediate, shortness of breath, weakness or paralysis of the lower limbs, double vision, inability to speak or swallow, drooping eyelids, and involuntary tremors of the facial muscles. Death can occur in as little as ten minutes, usually due to abrupt cessation of respiration. In the 1970s, researchers at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, identified the Mojave toxin that makes this little reptile the most deadly rattler in the United States–even when its victims have been treated with antivenom.
Over the past few years, however, neurotoxic symptoms have appeared in several people who apparently were bitten by other species of rattler. In 1999 in Hesperia, California, an eighteen-year-old reptile hobbyist received a bite on the hand while trying to grab a local rattlesnake with his bare hands. The species was believed to be a southern Pacific rattlesnake, a subspecies of the prairie, or western, rattler. Within minutes, the young man developed general weakness, had difficulty breathing, and showed the classic neurotoxic symptoms of double vision, facial twitches, and an inability to swallow or talk. He recovered only after being treated with thirty-five vials of antivenom. The doctors who treated him, Sean Bush and Eric Siedenburg, of the Loma Linda University Medical Center, published a report of the episode, calling it the first known case of neurotoxicity associated with a suspected southern Pacific rattlesnake envenomation. Yet the victim also showed several classic symptoms of hemotoxic poisoning, such as hemorrhaging and swelling of the hand and arm. The doctors observed that even if the snake had been misidentified and was really a Mojave rattlesnake, the case would still be noteworthy "because envenomation demonstrating both venom A [neurotoxic] and venom B [hemotoxic] effects has not been reported previously from southern California."
Most people I know love coffee. Even those of my friends who don’t enjoy the flavour acknowledge that the rest of us need our morning coffee to lubricate the cognitive gears of our minds.
Need of this lubrication was therefore the justification to purchase an expensive percolator for use at home. It is also the reason why I have an interest in coffee sites. My curiosity was thus aroused when my frolicking about on the internet landed me upon an article claiming to find “New Technology at Coffee Guru”.
Now as Coffee Guru is on the way to my work, and my work involves the development of new technology, then this internet distraction was clearly a valid use of company time (plus it hid the facebook page I was also viewing).
“mHITs at Coffee Guru”, it read “allows a coffee to be ordered and paid for with an SMS from your phone. Send the SMS as you are walking to the coffee shop and it is ready when you get there; simple.”
I followed a link to the mHITs (www.mhits.com.au for anybody interested) and registered my mobile phone to enable this service and claim $5 free credit for joining. Sadly for Coffee Guru, I returned to work and forgot about the mHITs.
Some days later I arrived during the morning rush at a Guru store and reluctantly joined the back of the ordering queue. When you actually pay attention, people waiting in lines are now more likely to fiddle with their mobile phones rather then talk to other people waiting to order. Why not use my phone to order, especially as I am right at the back of this line?
So I sent the ordering SMS.
Now without pompous proclamations from me declaring Coffee Guru as the “One coffee shop to rule them all,” I will just say that the ordering SMS worked and I received my free cup of lubrication. I have used it since and it continues to work.
Jumping the line at the coffee shop is nice when you are in a hurry and convenient when you don’t have loose change but to be honest, when I have the time I love sitting around in a coffee shop to let my gears grind over a few of the worlds issues.
Is saving me five minutes in the ordering queue a world issue? Probably not, but it is certainly as welcome to me as is getting distracted from work by checking on facebook.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) first saw the light of day as a French epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos which was published in four volumes in 1782.
It is the story of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two rivals who use sex as a weapon to humiliate and degrade others, all the while enjoying their cruel games.
After several unexpected twists and turns, their dangerous game spirals into a fierce battle to the last person standing. Sprinkled with betrayal, passion and dramatic revenge, Les Liaisons Dangereuses is an exciting dark comedy that reveals the utter indulgence and decadence of the French aristocracy prior to the French Revolution.
Academy Award-winning British playwright, screen writer and film director Christopher Hampton wrote his adaptation of the 18th Century novel and a film version in 1988. He is known more recently for writing the film adaptation of Ian McEwan’s Atonement.
With a Tony Award-winning script, direction by the accomplished Duncan Driver and featuring some of Canberra’s finest actors including Duncan Ley (Valmont), Hannah Ley (Merteuil), John Lombard (Azolan), Helen McFarlane (Tourvel), Nicole Nesbitt-Allan (Emilie Lexi Sekuless (Cécile Volanges), Liz de Totth (Volanges), Alice Ferguson (Rosemonde) and Adrian Flor (Danceny), the Canberra Rep production promises to deliver.
What: LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
Presented by: Canberra Repertory Society
Where: Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane (off Ellery Crescent) Acton ACT
Preview—10 September 8pm
Season: 11 September – 3 October—Thursday to Saturday 8pm
Matinees: 19 & 26 September, 3 October, 2pm
Twilight: 20 & 27 September 5pm
Director’s Q & A: 19 Sept, following matinee performance
Tickets: $35, Conc $27, Members $25, Preview/Mat/Twilight $27
Online bookings: www.canberrarep.org.au
Phone bookings: 6257 1950, Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm,
tickets also available at the door 1 hour before scheduled performances.
Refreshing and endearing 22 year old comedian Josh Thomas rose to fame when he won Best New Talent at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2005.
Since then his star has risen on TV shows Talkin’ ‘bout my Generation and Good News Week.
He describes himself on his My Space page as a ‘comedian, writer and very generous lover’. In fact much of his material is filled with self-deprecating stories of his sexual exploits and unfortunate encounters with shady women that make you want to run up on stage and give him a pat and say ‘there, there’.
With sellout seasons at the Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals, it was no surprise to find a full house on his opening night at The Street on Tuesday.
His ‘vulnerable nerd’ certainly gets the girls in, and the nods from the males in the audience indicated an empathy or at least recognition of those awkward moments we’ve all encountered during intimacy, but which we’re not willing to discuss in public.
Thomas says, “I’m not good at computers… but I am good at talking to large groups about genitals, so it’s OK”.
There are only 3 nights left for you to catch his hilarious act at The Street Theatre.
WHAT: More Josh than you can handle WHERE: The Street Theatre
WHEN: Fri-Sat @ 7pm and Sun @ 5pm (30 August)
TICKETS: $24-$28
BOOKINGS: www.thestreet.org.au or 02 6247 1223
Robyn Collins as Maria and Tim dal Cortivo as Tony in Philo''s West Side Story
WEST SIDE STORY
Canberra Philharmonic Society
Review by Shanna Provost
That classic ‘fifties take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is given a breath of life by Canberra Philharmonic Society.
Bursting with classic songs by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim including Something’s Coming, Maria, America, Somewhere, Tonight, I Feel Pretty and One Hand, One Heart, West Side Story ran for 732 Broadway performances in 1957 before going on tour. The rest is theatrical history.
Set in New York in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Tony, who belongs to the Anglo gang (Jets), falls in love with Maria, the sister of the rival Puerto Rican gang’s (Sharks) leader Bernardo.
The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre—and it was aptly translated to the Erindale stage by a talented cast and crew in this production.
A commendation to Miss Robyn Collins, who, despite a family sadness, put in an outstanding performance that would make her father proud. Her classical training gave Maria the sophistication and vocal assuredness required of the role. Tim dal Cortivo, who played Maria’s ‘Romeo’ Tony, was a competent match for Ms Collins. In fact it was easy to get lost in the duets the two sang so beautifully.
Supporting actors Janie Lawson as Anita and Jordon Kelly as Bernardo slipped into a Latino groove with ease and provided the grit to counterbalance the more classical leads. Charles Oliver’s cameo is the perfect light relief for a predominantly intense story.
West Side Story is heavy on dance scenes, with rumbles (fight scenes) that would necessitate careful choreography not only to please the audience, but also to ensure the cast is safe at all times. Michelle Heine has done an exceptional job in creating light and shade (from rough and tumble acrobatics to sweet and rhythmical ballet). Sometimes the talent levels of a chorus in amateur theatre can be a little uneven, but this ensemble seemed competent and well matched throughout.
The set was stark but effective, and transitions relatively smooth, although there is some ironing out to do before next run to tighten up the first act.
Musical Director Craig Johnson and his orchestra took on a challenge in bringing Bernstein’s lauded musical to life—especially as the score includes not only jazz and orchestral pieces but also contains operatic elements.
It’s obvious Director Jim McMullen knows his stuff, and knew to enlist a very talented crew (of around 60!) to cocreate one of the more challenging musicals ever to hit the stage.
As with Shakespeare’s R&J, West Side Story isn’t a fairytale with a happy ending. It hits at the heart—and Canberra Philo has done an excellent job of bringing all the elements together to make a great evening’s entertainment.
WHAT: West Side Story
WHERE: Erindale Theatre
WHEN: 27th, 28TH 29TH August, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th at 8pm
5th and 12th Sept at 2pm
BOOKINGS: online only at www.philo.org.au
Local couple Doug and Melita Flynn became full-time parents to their daughter’s children aged 9 and 6 years after the tragic death of 31-year old Tanya in a car accident earlier this year, joining the growing number of Australians raising grandchildren. More grandparents are caring for their young grandchildren for longer periods on a regular basis. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, grandparents are included in the regular childcare arrangements for over 20% of children below school age. In 2003, there were 22,500 Australian families in which grandparents
