Canberra market shoppers can come in from the cold this Sunday 28 June with the opening of the Winter indoor art and craft market at the Tuggeranong Community Centre.
With winter well and truly upon us this is welcome news for those who love traditional weekend markets but aren’t so keen on braving the cold.
The organisers of the event, who are a group of regular market sellers themselves, realised that they had enough of spending hours at outdoor events in freezing conditions and decided to start their own indoor market.
“Most markets are held out in the open and it can be bitterly cold in winter”, said organizer Jennine Mayfield.
“The Tuggeranong Winter Market will be a warm place for both buyers and sellers to do business without the biting winds and chilling cold.
”The indoor market will feature a range of arts and crafts including aromatherapy, hand-crafted jewellery and scrap booking supplies. Other stall holders will also be on hand offering quality manufactured goods providing buyers with a range of items to choose from.
“We are hoping to showcase some of Canberra’s talent with a very niche offering of products”, said Ms Mayfield.
“So whether it is handmade or manufactured, we are looking for quality not quantity."
The Tuggeranong Winter Market will be held on Sunday, 28 June at the Tuggeranong Community Centre, 245 Cowlishaw St, Greenway between 10am and 2pm.
The NSW Handball Association will be holding a gala dinner to celebrate the end of the 2009 Handball season. This dinner is scheduled for the 30th October 2009 at The Epping Club.
Aside from providing a fun social occasion, the Association hopes to raise funds to substantially assist future representative teams that compete in national championships.
An important aspect of the event is the design of the invitation, flyers and event booklet. Everyone is invited to participate in the competition whereby the best design will be used as the artwork for the invitation, flyer and booklet cover.
The winning designer will have their name published in the event handbook and NSW Handball Association website and credited with the winning design. The winner will also receive a free ticket to the dinner.
All entries are to include the detailed information about the gala dinner, which is available from Violi Calvert at [email protected] .The deadline for submitting the entries to Violi is on 26th July 2009.
The Australian Handball Federation [AHF] is pleased to announce the appointment of Taip Ramadani as the Senior Men’s Head Coach.
Taip brings into the coaching position skills and experience from a handball career spanning more than twenty years. His career involved playing for clubs in Australia, Hungary, Norway and Qatar. He has played over 240 games for Australia between 1993 and 2005, after which he had a brief time off from the national team. In 2008, Taip was convinced to be part of the Men’s Team which won the Qualification Tournament for the 2009 World Championship. He successfully combined the role of playing as Pivot and Assistant Coach to the Men’s Team at the 2009 World Championship.
The highlights of Taip’s handball career include being member of the team that won Australia’s first game at the World Championship finals in 2003; competing in European Cup competition with Drammen HK; participating in four World Championships and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Taip started coaching in NSW more than ten years ago and continued working with junior teams during his stay in Norway. On his return to Australia he started coaching the Canberra Handball Club and the ACT men’s team. Last year he assisted Head Coach Morten Fjelstad in preparing the team for the World Championships.
Inspired by the passionate play and much improved performance of the Men’s Team in the 2009 World Championship, Taip has sought the role of Head Coach. He has embraced the mission of the Men’s Team to continue making a mark in the handball world through successfully representing Oceania Region in world championships and other international tournaments.
Taip is in the process of finalising the long-term strategy and plan for the Men’s Team further development. For the immediate, the goal is to put into action the “Towards Sweden 2011” Plan.
AHF takes this opportunity to thank Morten Fjeldstad for his valuable services as Head Coach to the Men’s Team which successfully participated in the 2007 and 2009 World Championships. At the close of the 2009 World Championship, Morten announced that due to other commitments he was not seeking re-appointment to the position but offered to assist the team management with continued mentoring to the players.
As Taip takes over the role of Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Team, AHF wishes him all the best.
Date: 22 June 2009
Title: Majura Parkway Realignment EIS
Keywords: Majura Parkway, realignment, EIS, unnecessary, environmental impact, lack of transparency, consultation
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The Chair of the North Canberra Community Council (NCCC), Jochen Zeil, has called for more information on the proposed Majura Parkway Realignment and a public information meeting on the new road.
Mr Zeil stated, “The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) makes it clear that the real reason for the unnecessarily expensive and environmentally damaging major realignment of the Parkway is to enable a future Very High Speed Train (VHST) to connect to Canberra Airport. This would support the Airport’s plan to become Sydney’s second airport and a night freight hub.
“The community, including NCCC, has consistently argued that these Airport business plans will destroy the unique assets of Canberra as a liveable city.
“It would be better and cheaper to keep to the ACT Government’s original plan and upgrade the existing Majura Road route to Parkway standard,” Mr Zeil continued.
Mr Zeil noted, “The EIS states that upgrading the current route instead of realigning it would have: ‘the least impact on existing developments…, does not have significant ecological, cultural heritage or land management impacts and would …[reduce] the need for large amounts of capital outlay over a short period of time.’” [EIS Appendix M, p.3]
Mr Zeil called for a detailed and transparent triple bottom line analysis of a VHST corridor in the Majura Valley, including any proposed linkages with a freight hub for Canberra Airport.
Mr Zeil also described the EIS documentation as inadequate. “The EIS does not compare alternative options with the proposed realignment, but instead refers to previous studies that are not publicly available and that NCCC has been unable to access. ACT Roads, the proponent of the Majura Parkway proposal, has not held a single public information meeting on this major road project,” said Mr Zeil.
Mr Zeil concluded, “If the proposed VHST corridor serving an Airport terminal is the key criterion for the expensive Majura Parkway realignment, then there needs to be full and frank public discussion about such a proposal.”
Mr. Jochen Zeil, Chair of the North Canberra Community Council is available for media comment or interview.
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Jochen Zeil
Chair
North Canberra Community Council Inc
PO Box 396, Dickson ACT 2602
www.northcanberra.org.au
Please note: NCCC is not a local government. If you have enquiries relating to government issues, we may be able to help point you in the right direction. However, the main contact for ACT Government enquiries is Canberra Connect at http://www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/ or phone 13 22 81
"There ought to be a university course. How to answer a woman!" Bob – baby boomer blues
If you’re looking for respite from your own life dramas, the Q’s Baby Boomer Blues will put a new perspective on life and love and all the joys and tribulations that go along with married life! This particular partnership is further challenged by a tropical holiday, a karaoke talent quest and a typhoon!
Baby Boomer Blues is an entertaining portrayal of married life and a baby boomer couple’s search for fulfilment. This tongue in cheek comedy focuses on their marital tribulations as Bob’s business fails and Carol takes over as the breadwinner. The unexpected role swap has surprising results for their marriage, further complicated by Bob’s quest for the meaning of life.
Theatre Australia says the play is original and exceptionally funny. Beautifully written and delivered.
Written and originally directed by Perth Theatre Company’s award winning late Artistic Director Alan Becher, baby boomer blues is Directed by the highly respected stalwart of West Australian theatre Jenny McNae, the production is supported by the creative talents of designer Steve Nolan, lighting designer Lucy Birkinshaw and sound designer Roly Skender. Acclaimed Perth actor Greg McNeill plays the role of baby boomer Bob.
Sessions 8pm from 26 June – 1 July; matinees at 2pm 27 & 28 June.
Tickets: $27 – $47 (Matinee 28 June $25) by phoning The Q Box Office on 62980290 or visit www.theq.net.au
Graeme Shaw and Owen Finegan at the Laughter Series launch
Last night (Thursday 18 June) saw the launch of a fun and vivacious range of new wines called the ‘Laughter Series’ by Canberra winery, Shaw Vineyard Estate. Created for Camp Quality – Australia’s leading raiser of funds and laughter for kids with cancer – these wines will help raise money to ensure children with cancer have the chance to smile.
The launch was hosted by local Canberra radio personalities Cam and Lisa from Mix 106.3 and Wallaby great Owen Finegan, and took place at Regatta Point, Canberra.
It was an exclusive event for Camp Quality supporters, sponsors, local VIP guests and media, and in keeping with the laughter theme was a wine launch in the form of a ‘Laughter Class’.
A ‘Laughter Class’ combines yoga breathing with laughing exercises designed to enhance your natural energies.
Graeme Shaw says, “A combination of clapping, ho-ing and ha-ing, breathing and movement paired with laughter will make you see and feel exactly why laughter is the best medicine. A laughter class is also based around the fact that fake laughing can also provide you with the same amount of benefits as real laughing. Our motto is “fake it til you make it” because fake laughter in a class will soon erupt into a contagious real laughter and once you do it the first time it will continue to become easier and easier for you.”
The ‘Laughter Series’ wines are sure to make everyone happy. Shaw Vineyard Estate has been a strong supporter of Camp Quality for over 17 years now and wanted to take this a step further, thus the Laughter Series wines were born. From every case of the ‘Laughter Series’ sold, a $50 donation will be made directly to the local branch of Camp Quality. Shaw Vineyard Estate will be aiming to produce 10,000 cases of the new wines, raising an additional $500,000 for families and children affected by cancer.
Shaw Vineyard Estate is located in Murrumbateman, with prime positioning in this high-quality wine region. In fact Shaw Vineyard Estate has the largest plantings in the region, and produces wines that are 100% Estate-grown. Like their other wines, the Laugher Series are single vineyard, premium cool climate wines. Wines of this quality would normally retail for over $15 a bottle, so at just $10.75 a bottle (for sale in straight and mixed cases for $129) you are getting a great deal, as well as helping a great cause!
The Laughter Series wines come in 4 styles: Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Semillon Riesling 2008, Shiraz Cabernet 2008 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. You can purchase them by the case via www.shawvineyards.com.au and www.campquality.org.au/laughterserieswines
CONDENSED from a BBC television series, State of Play is a taut thriller which stars Russell Crowe as an investigative reporter who gets embroiled in a political scandal that centres on his former college mate, Ben Affleck, whose personal life is in total disarray.
Rachel McAdams is the eager reporter who is greedy for a ‘scoop’ story.
Helen Mirren is the curt editor of the Washington Globe and Jason Bateman also has an important role to play.
Featuring excellent acting, the film has been well written and director Kevin MacDonald has done a superb job in holding the reigns.
Complete with mocking commentary on US administration, State of Play will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
THE suburban gamut of life involving family and children makes for a special viewing in My Year Without Sex.
Life’s rollercoaster ride with sad and happy moments is outlined perfectly by Australian writer/director Sara Watt (Look Both Ways).
After mother of two Natalie (Sacha Horler) collapses with an aneurysm a few days after her husband Ross’s (Matt Day) 39th birthday, the shock is very real, but everyday living has to go on. Domestic situations have to be tackled, despite personal hardships.
In a year that sees upheaval and recovery, this family handles disruption with calm ingenuity that’s not only touching, but captivating as well.
IT’S a rather distressing thought that young children today could well associate important historical figures with outrageous portrayals as seen in Night at the Museum 2.
However, this is one sequel, directed again by Shawn Levy, which could have the youngsters clamouring to visit the museum – only to be disappointed when they learn that some exhibits are not ‘alive’.
The original Night at the Museum was imaginative, had a mischievous premise and was most amusing. This follow-up is on a large scale, full-on and all the exhibits are talking!
These include Abraham Lincoln, Rodin sculptures, aviator Amelia Earhart, astronauts, cavemen, bobble-headed Einsteins, evil Pharaoh Kahmunrah, Ivan the Terrible, Napoleon and Al Capone.
There’s a lot happening at the world’s biggest museum – the Smithsonian.
There are also some precious moments watching classic statues, paintings and characters come to life, namely, Oscar the Grouch and Darth Vader. Even watching those planes take to the skies gives the film a lift.
While the film is cluttered with funny characters, heroes and villains and special effects galore, there are also some appealing touches.
Ben Stiller does not appear comfortable in the role he reprises.Robin Williams is back as Teddy Roosevelt, but isn’t given too much to do and Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan stumble their way through silly dialogue and situations.
Faring much better is Amy Adams as the feisty Earhart, Ricky Gervais as Larry’s old boss and Jonah Hill as a bumbling guard.
In today’s modern business world, computers tend to rule our lives and while most of us know how to turn one on and operate it on a daily basis, when things go horribly wrong the cry around the office is usually: “Who we gonna call?”
Anthony Garbin of PC Connections is confident that the next time your business is experiencing technical difficulties, the number on the tip of your fingertips will be 1800 MYTECH (1800 698 324). Anthony has been in business in Weston Creek for 16 years servicing a wide range of computers and technical needs.
“One of the most frustrating issues facing today’s small to medium sized businesses is knowing who to call when the computers stop working,” Anthony said. “When your business has groaned to a halt because the computers have crashed or been infected with the latest virus, the last thing you need is to spend hours trying to find a technician whom you can trust.
“As someone who has been working in this industry for many years, I know only too well how difficult it is for small to medium sized businesses to find a technician they can rely upon. There is nothing worse than having a computer technician arrive, treat you like a complete idiot and then walk away from a problem unsolved.”
Anthony has joined the growing number of professional technicians throughout Australia who have become partners of Itensity, a brand new concept for the IT industry designed to assist businesses and residents with their growing technological needs.
Itensity Chief Executive and founder John D’Agostino said the aim of Itensity was to provide every small to medium business and residential customer in Australia with a friendly, efficient IT service, under an association brand similar to that of the MTA, CPA or Law Society of NSW.
“Through the 1800 MYTECH number, small to medium businesses and home computer owners can be assured that the technician who walks in their door has been carefully selected and met our strict criteria in order to provide quality assured service,” Mr D’Agostino said. “Customers will be able to contact us and have a local technician who is intimate with their technology and the issues they are facing visit their premises and speak to them in plain English in order to fix the problem.”
Mr D’Agostino said 1800 MYTECH was available to everyone, irrespective of the brand of computer or operating system they may have, or the size of their operation.
“Customers are offered a range of fixed fee packages and are assured of receiving top quality service for the best available price,” Mr D’Agostino said. “Regardless of whether you require immediate troubleshooting to fix a specific problem or require ongoing maintenance and preventative systems to help your IT environment run smoother, by simply calling 1800 MYTECH you will have access to one of our Itensity technicians who can provide quality assured professional assistance.”
Customers can provide feedback to Itensity over their level of satisfaction with their technician by calling 1800 MYTECH and are also able to receive regular IT industry information and updates through an e-newsletter facility available exclusively to 1800 MYTECH customers.
To discuss your computer needs, contact 1800 MYTECH today.
The Australian Handball Federation [AHF] congratulates all the teams which participated in the 2009 Pacific Cup and the Junior National Championships held during 28th – 31st May 2009 at the Sleeman Sports Centre, Chandler [Brisbane, Queensland].
This year’s Pacific Cup had a ‘Tasman Cup’ touch with the tournament being contested by teams from Australia and New Zealand only.The four teams which competed were: Australian Senior Women’s Team, New Zealand Handball Federation, Handball New Zealand and Queensland.The Queensland team was formed to fill the gap resulting from the withdrawal of New Caledonia.
The Australian Women’s team decidedly won the Pacific Cup which also doubled up as the qualifyer for the Women’s World Championship to be held in China in December 2009.The AHF congratulates the Women’s Team and the Team Management – Katsu Kinoshita [Head Coach], John Calvert [Acting Manager] and Nicky Rolls [Physiotherapist] and wishes them the best as they prepare for the World Championship.Congratulations are also extended to Tori Brunsberg for her award as 2009 Pacific Cup’s Highest Goal Scorer.
The Junior National Championships likewise had a ‘State of Origin’ flavour with participating teams only from New South Wales and Queensland.It was pleasing to note, however, that Queensland had two u18 men’s teams in the competition.
All the 2009 Junior Titles [u18 men’s, u18 women’s, u21men’s and u21 women’s] were won by the New South Wales teams.With the exception of the u17 men’s title, NSW teams also won the 2008 Junior Championships. In 2007, NSW won both u21 men’s and women’s titles, with Victoria winning the u18 men’s and u18 women’s.AHF congratulates all the players who participated and also the respective team management.
AHF thanks Queensland Team Handball Association for hosting the two events, in particular Stephen Harbort [Competition Manager], Kim Harbort [Venue Preparation & Tournament Operations] and all those who assisted in ensuring the success of these events.
Detailed match reports and scoresheets are posted on the AHF website: www.handballaustralia.org.au For other information, please contact the AHF Media & Public Relations Officer, Violi Calvert by email: [email protected]. or by phone: + 61 408 22 77 94.
Walking to Parliament House on the morning of World Environment Day (5 June), a group of concerned Canberra residents hoped to show the government what they think of the proposed CPRS.
Voted through the House of Representatives yesterday, the Rudd Government’s proposed CPRS will allow big companies to go on polluting and won’t reduce Australia’s greenhouse pollution.
Speaking outside Parliament House, local mother of two, Cindy Eiritz, said “Our Government is suggesting a 5-25% reduction in CO2[e] emissions by 2020. It is strongly suggested by the majority of climate scientists that to stop the Earth becoming more than 2c warmer, we need reductions of at least 40-50%.
“Given nearly 75% of our emissions come from the Energy sector, to get this we must invest in renewable energy – and now. We have the technology to do this; the Prime Minister needs to know that we would support his decision if he made this move.
“We can’t allow the government to decide on this without hearing what ordinary Australians think. This is an issue that affects us all, but unfortunately we don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on marketing and we don’t get to have meetings with key government figures.” said Eiritz.
“We can change all the lightbulbs we want, but this isn’t going to make a blind bit of difference if the Government doesn’t make drastic changes to how we create our energy. “
Concerned residents will be walking to Parliament on the 7th of every month in the lead up to the Copenhagen agreement in December 2009.
A World Environment Festival and Climate Change Rally is being held in Garema Place on Saturday 13 June. Local bands Astro-Chem and Pleased to Jive you will be performing from 12.15pm and the rally will commence with scientific speakers from 1pm. It will be a family friendly event with speakers, bands, stalls and performers.
ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, today launched the “Pennies for PatCH” campaign which aims to raise $50,000 for Paediatrics at the Canberra Hospital (PatCH).
Westpac banks in the ACT and Queanbeyan will support the campaign by aiming to collect one million five cent pieces during the month of June.
“PatCH is grateful for the support shown by Westpac throughout the ACT and Queanbeyan in helping to raise $50,000 for children in hospital. This campaign is a fun way to raise additional funds for what is already a great service,” Ms Gallagher said.
“PatCH delivers an excellent service for the children of the ACT, Queanbeyan and the surrounding region of New South Wales. While Government funding covers the majority of the hospital’s needs, with the support of local businesses and the general public, we are able to provide a quality of service not seen in many public hospitals.”
The community is being encouraged to support the campaign by depositing their five cent pieces in the collection cans at Westpac branches during the month of June in an attempt to eliminate the silver echidna.
“This is a fun community-wide promotion to get rid of those pesky five cent pieces from our pockets and purses and assist in raising funds for PatCH,” Ms Gallagher said.
Westpac Regional General Manager, Julie Elliott, said the bank was pleased to be involved in a community fundraiser for PatCH and hopes it will become an annual event.
Graeme and Ann Shaw celebrate success at their cellar door
The Decanter World Wine Awards have been released and Shaw Vineyard Estate has been presented with three new International awards. Add these to the 3 medals won at the London International Wine Challenge just two weeks ago and Shaw Vineyard Estate is now the proud owner of 25 International awards – highlighting to all, just how good the regions wines are.
The DWWA is a wine competition trusted by producers and consumers alike. It is run by the UK’s top-selling wine magazine, which is also sold in a further 92 countries. With more than 10,000 entries into the awards, the DWWA reinforced its position as the world’s biggest wine competition, often referred to as ‘the ultimate terroir competition’ because of its tough regional judging process.
Canadian Regional Chair Tony Aspler recently said that a bronze medal in the DWWA is worth a silver or even a gold medal in other shows and awards.
Not bad for a relatively new player to the Canberra wine scene. Shaw Vineyard Estate was established in 1998 by Graeme and Ann Shaw, who are now ably assisted by their two children who are both fully employed in the family business, Michael the Viticulturist and Tanya the Cellar Door Manager.
Located just off the Barton Highway in the northwest of the Canberra District wine region, Shaw Vineyard Estate has grown to become one of the largest privately owned vineyard holdings in the area. In fact, the property with around 85 acres (33 ha) under vines – including Riesling, Semillon, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz – provides Shaw wines with its entire production, and can lay claim to the enviable fact that they produce 100% Estate grown wines.
Producing a full range of top quality estate grown fruit has enabled Shaw Vineyard Estate to make an in-depth and exciting range of consistently superb wines, year after year.
The wines awarded by this years Decanter World Wine Awards and London International Wine Challenge were the Shaw Vineyard Estate Semillon Sauvignon 2008, Shaw Vineyard Estate Semi Sweet Riesling 2008 and Shaw Winemakers Selection Cabernet and Merlot 2008.
A woman said she saw her tiny toy poodle crushed in the jaws of a Siberian husky as they walked at Jackadder Lake in Woodlands.
A second dog was jumping at her pet, she said.
"My dog was yelping and yelping and when he was half-dead the husky literally spat him out," Matti Dickinson said.
But the owner of the husky said the poodle provoked the incident by running towards his two dogs, which were on leads.
Tony Cousins (70) said his eight- year-old husky Tova mouthed the dog and was reprimanding it, as it would with a puppy, for running into its space.
"Unfortunately, it was so small and frail it was injured," he said. "When Siberian huskies play, they grab each other by the neck and shake." He said he called police after Ms Dickinson phoned him and turned up at his house.
"She was pounding on the door," he said. "It is something that has shaken us very much." Ms Dickinson said she looked him up in the phone book and called to tell him her dog was dead.
"I asked him, ‘what if it had been a child?’" she said.
Ms Dickinson (45), who owns a manufac- turing company, said she was walking her dog Pucci, a toy poodle hauhau, at Jackadder Lake at about 5pm on Wednesday last week.
She had left her two daughters, aged 11 and 15, at home nearby.
She said police arrived at her house while she was at the vet’s.
She bought Pucci as a puppy two years ago for $1200.
"He was my little boy ," she said. "He fitted inside my handbag." Ms Dickinson said after the attack a man drove her and her dog to a vet. ‘crossed with a chi-
Somebody is poisoning Claremont’s birds.
They have been seen snoozing around town in recent weeks – after it is believed they ate poi- son-laced cereal grain intended for the local pigeon population.
Claremont chief executive Arthur Kyron said the council was receiving phone calls from con- cerned residents who saw “doz- ing” birds around the town cen- tre, and they wanted to know if the council had a hand in it.
“It’s not us doing this to the birds,” Mr Kyron said.
“We don’t have an issue with them. “We have in the past had prob- lems with pigeons in the town cen- tre, but we are not involved in any pest-control operations affect- ing pigeons at the moment.” One central Claremont business owner said he had seen several “zonked out” birds in Bay View Terrace in recent weeks, but was unaware of any initiative among businesses in the town cen- tre to kill off the pigeons.
Mr Kyron said Claremont’s manager of environmental health, Elizabeth French, told him the likely cause of the sleepy birds was a pest-control substance called alpha chloralase, an anaes- thetic agent that immobilised pigeons.
A local pest-control operator told the POST alpha chloralase was a narcotic and a registered product.
A bird that consumed alpha chloralase would soon experience a reduction in body tempera- ture and appear to be dozing.
This made it easier for pest con- trollers to pick up the birds and remove them, before euthanising them in a humane way, the pest- control operator said.
Alpha chloralase was applied to pigeon mix – a variety of grain and cereal particularly tasty to the birds – to form a bait.
The bait was usually moni- tored by pest controllers to en- sure no birds other than the tar- geted birds took the bait.
But it seems this may not have happened this time. suspended at a height that meant he simply knelt, placed his head through the noose and pretend- ed to hang.
But in the performance, the noose had been suspended too high, meaning he had to stretch saw the boy was unconscious, and quickly brought him down from the noose.
He called the school nurse who performed CPR, and an ambulance arrived four minutes later.
The boy’s relatives said they attempted suicide.
The school had phoned the boy’s mother and told her he had been winded, the relatives said.
When she arrived at the hospi- tal to pick up her “winded” son, she was shocked to find the true nature The boy was released from hospital on Thursday with a prominent scar from ear to ear – the mark of the noose.
His relatives said he was mak- ing good progress and expected he would make a full recovery.
