For the past four years Andrew Sippel and David Strudwick have been capturing the original taste of the outback with Drover’s Choice Saltbush Lamb. In 2004 the two Western plains farmers came together and started the business in Coonamble, NSW.
Over the years Drover’s Choice have perfected their very special meat ensuring it’s original taste of the outback is brought to you every time in the full flavoured, tender and succulent taste of saltbush lamb.
Old Man Saltbush is a native plant with a rich source of minerals and nutrients. This deep rooted perennial plant assists with sustainable land management, agriculture production and helps prevent salinity and aridity.
Old Man Saltbush is environmentally sustainable which guarantee the lambs are able to be fed this plant all year round regardless of weather conditions.
To ensure a consistent eating quality, the Saltbush meats have established a special finishing property at Coonamble where they have perfected the saltbush lamb grazing techniques.
All the saltbush meat is chemical free and the sheep graze in paddocks planted with old man saltbush along with scattered mature trees and consistent tough lasting grass. The native plains can survive the toughest environment which keeps the stock healthy and happy.
The lamb gets taken to the butchers just a short way away at Narromine where the meat is cut into its best prime quality all year round.
Drover’s Choice saltbush meat arrives fresh to you at your local Farmers’ markets every Saturday.
For more information on Saltbush Meats visit www.saltbushmeats.com.au
There you are, bleary-eyed at your desk when excited squeals bounce around the office—the holiday-maker who always sends Gourmet-Traveller worthy postcards has returned from yet another getaway, tan aglow. It’s enough to make someone reach for the recycle bin and revisit those cornflakes.
Sick of reading about glorious getaways and fantasy tours? Jealous of your workmate’s tan? According to the ‘No leave No Life’ website, Australia has 70 million days of accrued annual leave and nearly 60% of full-time workers do not use their full 4 weeks annual leave each year. There are many reasons why people don’t go away on holidays: no money, no time, too scared (fear of flying etc). So here are some reasons why it’s good to stay home:
Ways of dying or wish you were: No mention of shark attacks here. You’re more likely to be one of the people who die in a motorscooter accident or from coral poisoning. There’s also the curry from exotic pots on streets that discovers orifices you didn’t know you had; and that thing called DVT. Although, that sensation may have just been due to a slow 60 Minutes week.
Build up of mail and email: you think one day of spam is bad? What if you go away during the lead up to an election and Christmas: Junk mail city. And email spam galore: you’ll end up deleting the good stuff like invites to a free wine tasting of Grange Hermitage at your local cellar.
Jet lag: Falling asleep on a keyboard is not a good look for someone supposedly refreshed and remotivated to please their employers’ whims. And the drool might short circuit your audit into the Trade Practices Act.
Missing TV and events: unless you’re addicted to ‘Lost’, where you can quite happily miss four episodes and some guy is still in a cave, then you’ll miss why whohewhatsit is now sleeping with whatshername. While out of mobile range on a deserted island unaware of any global economic crisis, your savings account disappears as fast as poolside overpriced pineapple daiquiris.
Withdrawal from Aussie-isms: ever tried getting a half decent cup of tea for a half decent price overseas? Hah. And heard of a queue? Pushing in front must come from watching all that football. Soccer. Whatever.
Annoyance of other cultures: spitting on pavements, not understanding you even when you both speak English (yes Texas I’m talking about y’all and your ‘water’ ‘warterh’— what the hell is ‘wrtgghh’?). Dogs crapping on your backpack at the station, church bells at 4am. Having to wait until 9pm to have dinner. And even then you can hear the crack of your grissini and the feel the sneering glances from the staff for interrupting their dinner before the ‘real’ diners come in.
Brain-twisting mathematics: Memories of primary school long division causing tears come flooding back when converting Honk Kong dollars to Euros then ending up in Switzerland only to realise they’re not part of the EU. Goddamn wallet had four currencies. And if it’s 400 HK then it’s 40 dollars…no wait…4 dollars.. wait…how can milk be 100 dollars…is that because of the melamine?
Food: yeah yeah, fair enough, the food is better in some parts of the world. Bread in France, but not in the US (unless you need a sugar hit). Cereal is fine, except in Germany with the chocolate chips and frosted sultanas in the muesli. And what the hell is with the wine in Italy? I’ve had water with more flavour.
Water: There are some places that you can drink H20 no worries, like good old Aussie (although Adelaide water always did have that odd taste). But what happens when turning the faucet unleashes an ooze and several centipedes? Think I’ll become a beer drinker thanks.
The credit card bill: Funny how the exchange rate seems to be worse on the bank statement than it did in your head at the time you got caught up in the moment and bought that Tuscan ceramic clock that you had to haul around for another 2 weeks. And it broke anyway when the fragile sticker fell off and it was tossed as if it were full of bags of herbs of Provence, which are confiscated by Customs anyway because they might contain ‘herbs’.
Anticlimax: Just like the more we spend on face creams, the more we expect to look like Elle McPherson; the more we spend on holidays the more we expect to be enlightened/rested/entertained. Bulls**t. Apart from the joys of a functioning in-flight entertainment system—be sure of long lines, crowded throngs and annoying hawkers with metal Eiffel towers who call you ‘miss’ .
The mess: Back at home, the suitcase erupts: dirty laundry, ripped clothes, countless receipts from anything (even tea at McDonalds and chewing gum at a corner store), half-eaten melted nougat that sticks to your suitcase and the exploded shampoo bottle. Oh yeah and weeks without a razor = legs of a yeti. Blerk.
So next time you look at the double figures of your leave accrued and get the guilts, don’t worry. Your colleague’s tan was fake anyway: cyclone season comes rain, hail and no shine.
Spring has arrived as Canberra bursts into colour and flowers everywhere bloom. Canberra residents love fresh food and spring is the time to have it. But where do you go to get quality seasonal food? Thousands of Canberrans every Saturday head to the Capital Regions Farmers Market. It has everything you’ll want and need this Spring. The flowers are about, they have the freshest produce for you to sample and buy and you’ll get a friendly and relaxed atmosphere every time.
The Farmers Market is continuing to develop and deliver fresher produce from the growers to you. It provides residents with a source of regional and seasonal produce and promotes agri-business opportunities for regional farmers, by providing them with an avenue to sell their fresh produce direct to local residents. What started out four years ago as a small venture of just 18 stalls and some 1,000 customers, at Exhibition Park in Canberra run by the Rotary Club of Hall, has now become a major enterprise and has grown to more than 100 stalls per week and over 5,000 customers.
“The Market has been around since 2004 but has lately congregated a lot of interest which has helped with its development and growing number of consumers.” Market manager Rob Durie said. “It is continuing to grow and prosper and gather more acclaim.” “Recently Kylie Kwong visited the Market as part of a new book and series she is preparing and interviewed many stallholders. It has also received honourable mention in magazines and newspapers which have all helped to drive the Market’s customer base.”
The Market sells a wide range of products including fruit, vegetables, meats, breads, organic and specialist products, eggs, coffee, nuts, honey, seafood, chocolate, wines and oils, flowers and more.
One stall holder said “going to the Farmers Market was a great decision. It gives us a regular cash flow and most importantly it gives us the chance to talk to our customers and educate them on our product. Plus, because we’ve been going for so long now, we’ve developed good friendships with regular customers and other stallholders.”
The Market also offers a number of benefits to consumers. Along with providing an opportunity for Canberra and regional consumers to sample the produce, it gives residents a genuine farmers market, offering a diverse range of fresh seasonal food straight from the producer to the customer and an opportunity to discuss with growers and learn through weekly forays.
The Capital Region Farmers Market will introduce a new policy from 12 January to ensure customers know exactly where the produce they are buying was grown. The policy will see the Market’s sellers split into two groups – one shed for producers selling their own products and the other for those selling on behalf of approved producers, such as neighbours.
Tony Howard from The Rotary Club of Hall says that the new two-shed policy will further enhance the Market’s reputation as a genuine farmers market.
“We’ve listened to feedback from our customers and there seemed to be a genuine need for greater transparency about producers,” Tony said.
“The two sheds will make it much easier for everyone to identify the exact source and producer of the products they buy. In the larger producer shed, customers will be able to speak directly with the actual growers themselves.
To underpin the authenticity of the market, a panel of some 12 producers with experience across a wide range of products has also been appointed to advise the Market on authenticity issues and related policy changes. The Market are also about to hire a part–time worker to visit farms to check the conditions under which products are grown. The farmers selling at the Market come from the Canberra region and the central west and north coast of NSW.
All funds generated from the Market are fed back into regional communities and other projects chosen by the Rotary Club of Hall. To this date the Rotary Club have in turn financed $500,000 worth of community projects.
The Capital Region Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning at Exhibition Park from 8 am to 11 am.
The Australian Institute of Sports Gymnastic Centre is under serious threat of closing after none of their gymnasts qualified for the Beijing Games.
This was the first time ever the AIS has not had a gymnast make an Olympic Games since the gym was first opened. The gym opened on the 1st March 1983 and has seen Olympians and world champions walk through the doors, but after a whole new set of
coaches and gymnasts took over the program it has not been producing results and is now in jeopardy of closing when all funds and contracts are up in June 2009.
The Gymnastics Centre has gone down hill since Valery Kaladzinski took over the position of head coach in 2004.
Kaladzinski replaced world renowned coach Tian Ju Ping. Ju Ping was head coach at the AIS for 20 years and produced results from Australia’s best gymnasts. Despite Ju Ping’s reputation, knowledge and ability to produce Australia’s best, the Gymnastics Federation of Australia decided it was time for a change and Ju Ping was forced to step down. Along with Ju Ping’s retirement came many other coaches.
Today the AIS gymnastics centre has a completely different system and is causing controversy and problems throughout the entire program. Kaladzinski agrees that the program is failing. He is disappointed with how it is going and believes it won’t pick up.
With only a total of seven girls and four boys on scholarship it is easy to see how the program is lacking in numbers and talent. Problems with the program also arise with conflict between the coaches. Kaladzinski has different views to many of the other coaches and with the bad relationship between them it is affecting the system and results of the girls. “There was a big change with all of the coaches over the past few years which have definitely affected me and the way I train” says scholarship holder Victoria Williams. “I definitely think because of the new program with the different head coach, the gym is run in a different way. The older coaches are used to something different and I think they find it hard to change their ways and adopt a new kind of training scheme.” Williams said.
Kaladzinski says the downfall is no ones fault. However, some of the coaches have different opinions. “The head coach is to blame, he gives no positive reinforcements to the girls and doesn’t care about results” one female coach said.
A big focus has been turned on the AIS after the women’s team failed to produce any gymnasts for the Beijing Games. Questions have now been turned to Kaladzinski and his role as head coach. Kaladzinski argues that he has been doing his job and said “when I first arrived here in 2004 I said none of these girls will make the 2008 Olympics.” His fellow coaches disagree. They believe there was enough talent there and it was Kaladzinski’s attitude and changes to the program that broke the young girls and their chances. Kaladzinski quickly replied “they were teenagers, teenage years are so difficult and that’s why it is hard to make it to the top. Gymnasts quit, bodies change, attitudes can become a problem and all these things affect them. It’s just the nature of the sport.”
The AIS gymnastics program is under scrutiny of being shut down but until that happens Kaladzinski’s position is not under threat. The Gymnastics Federation of Australia supports him and will continue to keep him in this current position.
With the way the system has changed and will continue to change (if kept open) it is only going to get worse and Kaladzinski has future plans for it which could further ruin the quality of the gymnasts. He believes the AIS should be based on Canberra girls instead of having Australia’s best represent it. Kaladzinski sees one of the problems these days with getting top outer state girls is that there are now top coaches and facilities Nation wide. “Gymnasts don’t need to leave their state to achieve their dreams and the coaches aren’t letting them go” Kaladzinski said. The AIS is going down hill along with its reputation and now without getting the right girls into the program there is nowhere for the gym to go but even further down.
The AIS committee is looking into the program and decisions will be made in June
2009.
The failure of the gym ends with the women’s program. The Men’s side is still doing its job and continuing to produce top results. Head coach Vladimir Vatkina hopes management doesn’t see the men’s and women’s program as a whole but as separate programs. Vatkina’s biggest problem at the moment is to show the committee the men’s side is doing their job and to convince them to allow the program to grow. “There are only four boys on scholarship and one coach. We want the program to develop and for that to happen we need more boys and coaches” Vatkina said. “I am very happy here and with the men’s program and I want to stay on. It would be a shame if it closed down.” Vatkina believes having the AIS held in Canberra shouldn’t be an issue. “Gymnasts should be dedicated enough to move or do whatever they have to, to achieve their dreams and be the best they can be.” he said.
The AIS still have the best facilities in Australia and all the National camps are based there. Speculation is now arising over whether the program will end and the gym will only be used for National camps.
The numbers of scholarship holders are decreasing yearly and since the gym is not providing results and doesn’t appear to be picking up, it is in serious threat of closing down.
All AIS sports have funding till the end of June and the Sports Commission will be looking into all sports to decide which ones will continue on.
Native plants draw birds and butterflies to your garden but may also have medicinal uses
Conservation groups and environmentalists know that the “green revolution” necessary for a sustainable future is even more crucial following revelations about unstable and unsustainable water supplies. As a new level of environmental consciousness is embraced around the nation, it is reassuring to know that this magnificent country already offers us some simple solutions. Reflecting the existing philosophies and practices of Indigenous Australians, more and more gardeners are realising the benefits that can result from a garden full of native plants instead of introduced species. After all, Australia’s native plants are climate-compatible, water-efficient, hardy and unique to this nation, but above all else their great medicinal and pharmaceutical worth is indispensable.
Alarmingly, 5031 plant species are now at risk of extinction from loss of habitat, accounting for almost 25% of the world’s rare, endangered and threatened species. With such a vast array of fascinating and vibrantly coloured native plants, there are species to suit every backyard, with some offering even more than just beauty and sustainability. Cathy Hope, author of the new Wild Australia Guide: Native Plants, published this month by enthusiastic environmentalist Steve Parish, agrees that the benefits of native plants are something all households and communities should be aware of.
“Focusing on Australia’s sustainable future has given everybody the opportunity to become more aware of the advantages of native plants, as well as the myriad of other functions native plants can perform that might otherwise go unnoticed,” Hope, a long-time primary teacher and nature lover, enthuses.
Featuring Steve Parish’s spectacular photography, the guide not only helps identify numerous species of native flora but provides ecological essentials for the propagation and conservation of native plants. An added benefit is that the guide explores the many different ways native plants have been used by Indigenous Australians in food, as tools, and for medicinal purposes. For instance, Aborigines discovered not only that grass-trees provide nectar—a very high-energy food — but also that they are drought and bushfire resistant and have many other uses. Their “knife-like” leaves can cut meat, their flower stalks were lit to make torches and their hard-setting resin has been used in tool making. The mulla mulla plant is also drought resistant and its beautiful wildflowers have become a significant feature of the cut flower industry, but Aborigines used the flower to line cradle-sized coolamons, providing soft bedding for their babies, and an extract is now used in medical science to help treat skin cancer. Only a small percentage of Australia’s native plants have so far been studied for their potential medicinal and scientific applications, making saving threatened species even more important.
“I think it’s very important we acknowledge and understand every aspect of our sustainable environment,” Hope explains, “which means educating people about as much of our natural resources as possible”.
Another outstanding reference to complement the program and enhance the Wild Australia Guide library is Amazing Facts about Australian Native Plants, also written by Cathy Hope and released in September 2008. Cathy Hope will be appearing to sign both of her fantastic books at the Australian Garden in the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne on Sunday 14 December from 11a.m. until 3 p.m. Both books are available from all good bookstores or visit www.steveparish.com.au to buy online.
John Cann''s Wild Guide to Freshwater Turtles helps explain why some turtles are vulnerable to
Federal Greens leader Bob Brown says the Queensland Government’s decision to delay the construction of the Traveston dam for up to four years means the project is dead. And while many families living in the area can now breathe a sigh of relief, it is the conservationists that are the true victors. The Traveston Crossing Dam site, near Gympie in Queensland, has been the subject of continued opposition from conservationists and the surrounding community over fears the dam’s construction would endanger several species of wildlife, such as the Australian Lungfish, the Mary River Cod and the Mary River Turtle. Premier Anna Bligh has deferred approval of the dam’s construction until further environmental research can secure a sustainable solution for the survival of these threatened species. The Mary River Turtle is an already endangered species that can only be found between the salt restriction wall and the Kenilworth region of the Mary River, and in Tinana Creek in eastern coastal Queensland. John Cann, author of A Wild Australia Guide: Freshwater Turtles published this month by enthusiastic environmentalist Steve Parish, agrees the future looks grim for the Mary River Turtle if the construction of the Traveston Dam is ever to go ahead.
“The Mary River Turtle has a highly specialised biology that is really unlikely to cope with any dramatic changes to the river. In fact, what is not often recognised by Australians is that there are many more species under threat in Australia as they compete with our ever-expanding human population for water supplies,” Cann, a member and advisor to the Tortoise and Turtle Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, admits.
Lack of water resources is not the only contributor the decline of freshwater turtles, large numbers are also accidentally caught and drowned in netting made for fish and yabbies and baby turtles regularly fall prey to feral predators. Not only does Cann’s Wild Australia Guide explore the threats and conservation status for several of Australia’s freshwater species, it raises public awareness for their protection and offers guidance for those caring for turtles as pets. Steve Parish’s intimate wildlife photography complements Cann’s examination of 37 different species of Australian turtles.
“Research into these intriguing animals has progressed a great deal in the last fifteen years, but their survival ultimately rests on raised public awareness of their habitat and sustainable essentials. The hope is that the book will help Australian people to understand, support and look after this innocuous group of creatures, whether one becomes the family pet, the backyard guest or the star of the local creek,” said Cann.
Freshwater turtles are easy to care for pets and are fast becoming Australia’s most popular captive aquatic wildlife, although it is recommended that young children keep them only under strict parental supervision. A Wild Australia Guide: Freshwater Turtles is part of the greater Nature of Australia Collection and is available from all good bookstores or online at www.steveparish.com.au The Wild Australia Guide range is an extensive and valuable resource to better understanding Australia’s native fauna and with sixteen guides already in the series, including A Wild Australia Guide: Sharks and Rays, A Wild Australia Guide: Freshwater Fishes, and A Wild Australia Guide: Snakes, make sure you keep an eye out for new January additions by visiting www.steveparish.com.au
It surely isn’t super man. If you asked bird you would be correct. Indeed soaring 11 metres high at the junction of Yarra Glen is a sculpture titled Dinornis Maximous. Sorry ladies, you will not find a gladiator or superman like the name might suggest. Rather you will find a large metal wind activated sculpture that is intended to refer to an ancient flightless bird.
So what exactly is it doing in Canberra in the year 2008?
Well it was bought using large amounts of your taxes to beautify the city. Just how much you might ask…Well does it matter look at it, its fine art! Just what the community needs. Oh so it was bought from a local artist then? Locals? No mostly Sydney Artists. In order to reach a “height of greatness” – Jon Stanhope, we need art. So we thought a small cost of $2.5 million (he says under his breath hoping we are too dumb to see) on public art would “express who we are and how we live.” – Jon Stanhope. Ah…I see. So how exactly do the recent artworks express Canberra…?
Well they don’t. They don’t reflect Canberra or the people that live in Canberra. Oh and further more, they are not accessible to the public who they are intended for.
It seems that Canberra is trying to mirror other major cities like Sydney, which is often mistaken to be the Capital of Australia. So perhaps the Stanhope Government thinks that by placing these new and costly artworks around the capital, visitors might get confused and think they’re in Sydney.
An especially controversial piece was purchased and placed on the side of the Gungahlin Drive Extension. This new sculpture, titled Rhizome, is making some drivers a bit worried. “Is that, like, an explosion? Didn’t they finish the road before they opened it? Is it safe to pass?” – Emma Macdonald. It is easy to see the comparison to a “bombed railway track or something Edward Scissor hands may have come up with had he been commissioned to give some steel pylons a haircut.” – Emma Macdonald.
Perhaps the fact that Sydney based artist Richard Goodwin, designed it as an interpretation of Australian indigenous grasses that makes it okay. What makes it not okay is that they haven’t even completed the road that it’s placed on. “We’ve always said we’re not apposed to all public art, but we are opposed to spending a lot of money on public art on the side of the roads instead of actually finishing those roads.” – Zed Seselja, Liberal Party. Surely that money could be spent on something that meets the real needs of the community, including “education, health, planning, and housing affordability”- Clinton White, Liberal Candidate.
A few artworks are not going to start drawing in new residents. Especially if housing prices are through the roof, and the roads that lead to them are incomplete. Priorities people!
Yes Canberra needs sprucing up, but perhaps the government needs to start looking closer to home and stop comparing themselves to other cities. It’s like comparing yourself to an airbrushed image in a magazine. It is not going to happen!
There are plenty of local artists who are surely dying to have their stamp on the community, and gain some recognition. There is no point in advertising Canberra as a community worth moving to if everything used to beautify the capital is from another city. Hopefully the commissioning of a new artwork due for Canberra’s centenary in 2013 will “reflect all that is the ‘spirit of Canberra’”. – Jon Stanhope, Labor Party.
The recent influx in public artworks has begun creating controversy in the capital. These costly artworks are appearing at intersections and along roadsides around town. It seems the intended message of the art and the motivation behind their installation is being tainted by the lack of consultation with tax payers and the community. In addition their sudden arrival and the areas chosen for their placement is questionable.
The Government has allocated $2.5 million to public art this financial year. So far this money has been used to buy a selection of sculptures. A few of the most prominent artworks seen propping up around Canberra are the Dinornis Maximus, seen at the junction of Yarra Glen. The title refers to an ancient flightless bird. The 11-metre tall wind activated sculpture cost $140,000 and was designed by Phil Price a New Zealand artist. Another of these public artworks, titled Rain Pools, was recently installed at the Foreshore Garden at Clare Holland House in Russel. It consists of a series of dark granite discs that reflects the philosophy of the care and support given at Clare Holland House. The artwork was created by Queensland based artist Stephen Newton. This piece cost $150,000. Another $750,000 was spent on various other artworks seen along the Gungahlin Drive Extension.
One of the most controversial artworks appears to be the Rhizome sculpture. Members of the general public might be more familiar with this piece as the large metal structure placed obscurely beside the new and unfinished Gungahlin Drive Extension. A quick read through discussions on riotact.com give a clear indication to public responses to the commissioning of this particular piece. For those of you who don’t know the meaning behind this piece perhaps you will be more understanding when you know more about it. It was created by Richard Goodwin, a Sydney-based artist and architect. This specific piece was designed as an interpretation of Australia’s indigenous grasses. A moment’s glance, as you drive past at 80km/h, however may not allow drivers time to engage or appreciate the work fully. Public appreciation of the sculpture may be further compromised by commuter frustration with the ongoing completion and planning of the Gungahlin Extension. Taxpayer money appears to have prioritised art work over commuter needs and this has exacerbated the controversy over the sculptures in general.
It appears that Canberrans may not be totally opposed to the artworks per se, however the lack of community consultation and information provided to the public has compromised appreciation of the works. In a recent interview Clinton White, a liberal candidate for the Molonglo region, said he believed a key election issue was the “Stanhope Government’s allergy to consultation. This lack of consultation is at the root of issues of concern such as education, health, the look of the city, planning, housing affordability and our narrow economic base.” There has been little thought to the connection between the intended meaning behind the works and where they are situated. In some cases their placement beside busy roads has prevented the sculptures from being easily accessible to the public. Certainly the sculptures have been introduced for the public to enjoy but it seems that they may have become more of a distraction and a concern to drivers.
“At its best, art can be inspiring, interactive, reflective and communicative. It shapes not only our enjoyment of the present, but can honour our past and inspire the future. At its heart, art is a way for people from all walks of life and all cultural backgrounds to engage their imaginations and to engage with each other.” (Public Art Policy – Canberra Liberals 2008). It is not the art that is in question but rather the lost opportunity to allow this art to be its best and to fully engage the people for whom it is intended.
The controversial subject has caused many debates between the Liberal and Labor parties. Jon Stanhope recently defended the public art millions. “We could actually live in a cultural desert if people felt that was an appropriate way for us to express who we are and how we live,” he said. “I accept that some of the works that have been commissioned have not struck a particularly enlightening chord. But for us to then just dismiss public art is a pity and not reflective of the majority in this community or who we are or who we aspire to be.” He justified the artworks as a means to reach “the height of greatness” of other major cities.
Over the years Canberra has drawn a large number of tourists to The National Gallery of Australia, one of our most prominent sources of art from around the world. The risk to artworks during transportation has resulted in some reluctance in allowing works to be loaned for exhibitions in Australia. Perhaps this is the reason why government is reaching for new and more permanent exhibits that will add to the cultural richness and beauty of our city, in order to reach a height of greatness. Somehow the recent spurt of art does not appear like it will achieve its suggested aim of gaining a sense of cultural recognition, of engaging the public and beautifying the often forgotten capital of Australia.
After discussions with various members of the community it seems that many would agree that it is time for the state government to consider a new scheme for public art. Online responses to the artworks show that the current art scheme is not succeeding in meeting the needs of the public. In order for the Canberra government to meet their targets, they need to devise a scheme that will focus on the commission, selection and placement of future art. The nation’s capital needs a scheme that engages the public and is easily accessible to all.
The government is falling into the trap of comparing the capital to other major cities in Australia. There is a clear lean towards creating an atmosphere in the capital similar to that of our neighboring cities, Sydney and Melbourne. This includes road design and aesthetic additions. Perhaps this is because other cities have frequently stolen the limelight in world recognition with many around the world being unable to correctly identify Australia’s capital city. As Canberra approaches its coming of age with the centenary celebrations in 2013, it is time that our nation’s capital discovers its own unique identity.
In order for Canberrans to be proud of the city they live in they need to feel that they are a part of it. Canberra is full of people who are capable of creating artworks “that will reflect all that is the ‘spirit of Canberra’”. Jon Stanhope. It is a pity that the recent inflow of art and sculptures around Canberra appear to exclude our local artists. Surely local artwork would resonate and connect much deeper in the hearts of Canberrans.
The Chinese Australian Froum (CAF) welcomes the Federal Government’s plan to overhaul the Australian Citizenship Test.
A review commitee of seven eminent Austalians, chaired by former Australian diplomat Richard Woolcott found that there was room for improvement in the current test.
CAF President Tony Pang said that is is refreshing to see a Government that is willing to listen to community sentiments.
Our organsiation put forward a submission paper on this issue, the essential being that the old test really wasn’t fair across the board to all new migrants.
"In the context of a citizenship test, the Government needs to be reasonable; what we don’t need is a test that some have classified as discriminatory, a test that some people found intimidating."
"Many migrants wish to move here to start anew; they see Asutralian as a young and progressive nation, a place where they will be given a fair go."
Mr Pang said that recent events such as the Cronulla Riots show that community harmony should not be taken for granted.
"Tests can be discriminatory by nature, which leads to disenfranchisement."
"It is our hope that this new test is based on what kind of Australian citizen you will be, rather than how much general or sporting knowledge of Australian you have memorised"
"The CAF felt that the old test didn’t typify the kind of Australian we know, the onus is now on the Federal Governement to get it right this time around."
The CAF was formed in 1985 in response to worsening race relations in Austalia at that time. To this day, the CAF remians a voice for the Chinese community in Australia.
Soren Jensen Adrian Flor and Carly Jacobs nut it out in Cosi
Cosi
Review by Shanna Provost
First produced in 1992, Louis Nowra’s iconic Australian play Cosi is now a standard text within the education curriculum. Its exploration into the humanness of insanity provides rich fodder for drama students.
The film version in 1996 became the springboard for actors Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, David Wenham and Ben Mendelsohn. And who could ever forget Barry Otto’s superb interpretation of the over-ambitious Roy, whose dream is to mount the opera Cosi fan tutti at the Melbourne mental institution that is his home.
Reported to be semi-autobiographical in nature, Nowra’s Cosi deals with issues of obsessions, disillusionment and self-identity, struggle and triumph, and mental illness–although Nowra is reported to have said, “The real madness and angst only occurred when I worked with professional actors”.
One can’t help thinking what fun Director Jim McMullen might have had in coaching such a strong local cast through the jungle of the human mind to find their particular characters.
Canberra Rep’s production of Cosi is slick.
Of course the script stands on its own merits, with Nowra’s barrage of memorable one-liners continually upping the ante.
Authentic performances come from Soren Jensen as the bemused Lewis and Georgia Pike as the wily drug addict Julie. Put it down to opening night jitters, but when all the actors relax more into their characters and drop the tendency to overact a little the production will run even smoother.
Ian Croker obviously has such fun with his rambunctious Roy, and the audience is right there with him. The sleeper in this production, however, is Tony Falla as the stuttering Henry—his character’s growth is effectively subtle yet consistent and tangible.
Michael Sparks designed a set that doesn’t impose upon the stage business, and has devised a simple but highly effective transformation from the burnt out theatre harbouring the complex characters into the sharp white façade that literally unfolds as the characters find their centre through their involvement in the play within the play.
McMullen’s extensive directing experience is stamped all over this production, and all in all it is a delightful exposition that won’t disappoint.
Theatre 3, Ellery Crescent, ACTON 21 Nov – 13 December Thurs-Sat at 8pm
Matinees 29 Nov, 6 & 13 December at 2pm Twilight Sundays 30 Nov & 7 Dec at 5pm
Tickets: $33/$27 Conc. Matinee/Twilight $25 Bookings: 6257 1950 www.canberrarep.org.au
Canberra Antique and Classic Motor Club has purchased a Rotary Club ShelterBox with some of the proceeds of a successful Austins Over Australia rally held in the National Capital during Easter 2007.
"The event made a small surplus and the club members voted to purchase the ShelterBox to help Rotary provide emergency accommodation for people left homeless by natural disasters," Canberra Antique and Classic Motor Club president Phil Donoghoe said.
Mr Donoghoe said, "the members voted overwhelmingly to purchase the box." Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak representative Graham Waite said each box contains a ten person tent, sleeping equipment, water purifications tablets, eating utensils, writing material and children’s activity items (crayons etc), basic tools and a unique multi fuel stove.
Every thing needed to house a family of ten people after devastating floods, fire. tsunamis, mud slides or other natural disasters, is all contained in a large plastic box which can be air lifted to the disaster area.
"Each box is numbered and its location can be tracked on a web site," Mr Waite said. He said the ShelterBox was a world-wide Rotary Club project started in Britain in 2001, and so far 50 000 boxes have been donated from around the world. These have provided shelter, comfort and dignity to more than 600 000 people in 46 countries. In Australia there are two storage depots one in Melbourne and one in Brisbane, with ShelterBoxes ready for deployment in our region.
"In recent times boxes have been deployed to Myanmar (Burma), China and Pakistan," he said. "The Rotary Club would like to sincerely thank the Canberra Antique and Classic Motor Club for its generous donation to purchase a box. Each box costs $1200," Mr Waite said.
The car club will be presented with a certificate recognising the club’s donation of a ShelterBox by Mr Waite on Tuesday 9 December, at a club meeting to be held in the car park adjacent to the YMCA boatshed off Alexandrana Drive, Yarralumla Bay, at 6.30pm.
A number of classic cars will be there, including some of the Austins which participated in the rally. A ShelterBox will be on show for club members to inspect.
For further information about the ShelterBox project contact Graham Waite on 0412 627 437 Email [email protected]
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ‘I know why.’
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said,"People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued,"Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long."
Living doggy style –
Live simply
Love generously
Care deeply
Speak kindly
Remember,if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy
Take naps
Stretch before rising
Run,romp, and play daily
Thrive on attention and let people touch you
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk
Be loyal
Never pretend to be something you’re not
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently
24 November 2008- The vibrancy of Argentinean culture is set to amaze 17-year-old Latham resident, Kaytlin Hancock, when she visits the energetic South American country on high school exchange in 2009. The budding young Australian ambassador has been awarded a prestigious Commonwealth Department of Defence Scholarship courtesy of AFS Australia, in recognition of her academic excellence and cultural curiosity. This unique exchange opportunity provides Kaytlin with a stable foundation upon which she can build her intercultural awareness and sense of global citizenship.
Kaytlin, who attends Hawker College, was recognised by AFS Australia for her initiative to work in the school community and proactive attitude towards managing her future. Kaytlin’s rapport with her peers earned her a prestigious spot in the school’s Student Council as a representative for the student body and she has also acted as a Peer Support Leader in 2007. She has represented her school and community in myriad sporting disciplines including soccer, gymnastics, swimming, rugby and dance. She has also been actively involved in the performing arts as the lead in her school musical where she was able to showcase her singing skills, and abilities in playing the guitar and piano.
Always open to plunging headfirst into new experiences, Kaytlin believes a year in Argentina will be a prime opportunity to test her abilities as a student, an Australian ambassador and a global citizen. “I love a challenge and always try and take part in new things,” she said. “I believe we all need a challenge in our lives, or life itself would be dull. I think being an exchange student would be the most amazing experience I could ever have.”
Kaytlin cannot wait to compare her life as a Latham teenager to that of her Argentinean counterparts. “I’ve always dreamed of discovering new terrain as I have lived in Canberra my whole life. I would love to have an adventure in a foreign country and experience new situations and cultures which would help me in life. Although Australia is a very multicultural country I would love to explore a new country,” she said. “It is a once in a life chance to discover myself and recognise where I want to go in life.”
AFS Australia is supported by over 40 organisations and individuals to offer more scholarships than any other exchange organisation. Each year AFS Australia provides 60 bright and enthusiastic Australian students the opportunity to study abroad and experience life from a new perspective. In 2008, AFS Australia received hundreds of applications from young people all over the country. The process of selecting scholarship finalists was very competitive with each student being asked to demonstrate their cultural awareness, academic achievements and involvement with the community. This year, 60 scholarship winners join the list of over 15,000 Australian teenagers who have participated in an AFS exchange program since 1959. More information is available at www.afs.org.au
About the Commonwealth Department of Defence Scholarship
The Commonwealth Department of Defence has been a sponsor of AFS Australia since 2000. Since its inception, 48 children of Defence Force employees have been given the opportunity to study overseas on a fully funded scholarship. This year the Defence Force has offered scholarships to eight Australian teenagers to engage in learning by living in another country. The program is run to provide scholarship winners with the teaching and experience to increase their cultural awareness and grow as a responsible global citizen.
AFS Intercultural Programs is one of the world’s largest not-for-profit community-based volunteer organisations and is dedicated to building a more just and peaceful world through intercultural exchange. A network of 52 AFS partner organisations run programs involving over 11,000 students, young adults and teachers each year. AFS Australia has sent over 15,000 Australian teenagers overseas and hosted more than 25,000 exchange students and community service volunteers since 1959. For more information about AFS, visit www.afs.org.au or email [email protected].
Overview of the Challenge “Leaders must necessarily be motivated to harness and strengthen cooperation. Ideally leaders have the capacity to benefit from feedback and continuous learning. Leadership in medium and longer-term situations should necessarily be developmental and responsible. Given the functional nature of leadership, it is often understood as a means to achieve outcomes and progress towards outcomes; however leadership can also involve management and development of issues that lie beyond the boundaries of common concerns and knowledge. Leaders in the public sector (or elsewhere) face a vital challenge to be relevant and to satisfy public interest considerations. They also need to be competent and robust. Leadership, to be effective, needs focus and needs to give priority to any situation needing attention” Kendal (2003: 51).
Identification of Leadership Competencies
In Australia, and elsewhere throughout history, there has been a marked focus on studying the leadership competencies of great men and women, in order to help identify future leaders. For example, study of political, military and religious leaders has been a constant source of the behaviours and skills that leaders must exemplify to be effective. However it was not until the late 1980s and the 1990s that the management and personal-development sections of bookshops began to evidence the quest to prescribe the factors which could make, at the organisation and community level in Australia, the ordinary worker great leaders. These changes in perspective have raised some questions for Australian society. By the late 1990s, there were many (often conflicting) theories of every aspect of leadership and leading. The underlying reason for this is that leadership is so complex, and so open to many variations in organisations and the community, that it cannot be explained by one set of prevailing theories and practices. Despite the deficits in understanding and developing policy to support leadership skills both at the organisation level and community-wide, there arose a need to convince many executives in organisations-and those with responsibility in the wider community-that good leadership makes an essential contribution to effective management while poor leadership brings about frustration of objectives and other poor results Working Futures (2005). Holden (2006: 1) is of a similar view:
“It is no exaggeration to use the word crisis in relation to leadership. We seem to be getting something radically wrong on a massive scale, so let us try to think through what it might be”.
What Leaders Must Do At the organisational level (and often elsewhere), there has been a shift away from a relatively steady state, predict-and-provide organisational model. Leaders are now expected to stimulate, and be creative, in a fast-paced and unpredictable world. Organisations-and the Australian community-need leaders who are capable of coping in these circumstances. Outsourcing of previous internal functions has meant reliance on outsourced labour and services. This has been the result of dramatic changes to the public sector, and to the internationalisation of the Australian economy, which has had such dramatic impacts on the ways Australian companies do business. The consequence is that leadership must now operate across networks to be effective.
This can mean that a leader has to get things done even though not the controlling authority. It can also mean that, due to these pressures, talented and well-qualified staff or community members can be a challenge for effective leadership because they will not simply be told what to do. Motivating others, given the origins of this challenge, is thus a key competency of a leader particularly in a sophisticated organisation. Furthermore, leaders now increasingly faced with challenges where they are expected to bring about effective leadership even though their store of knowledge rapidly becomes inadequate and dated by events. We need to get better at leadership if Australia is to thrive in a dramatically changed world where creativity and innovation are the drivers of prosperity Holden (2006).
Leadership Competencies in the 21st Century Given these requirements, leaders today need a new set of competencies such as:
• “Be driven by external circumstances and contexts rather than following the internal logic of their own organisations
• Be able to harness and manage creative people who simply cannot be ordered about
• Be constantly open to new learning. Be adaptable, flexible and willing to change
• Be able to create trust between people in an organisation, and to destroy cultures of blame, because blame is the enemy of innovation and improvement
• Be confident enough to distribute leadership out of their own hands and across a wider group of people
• Be able to work across networks as well as within organisations” Holden (2006: 4).
The development of such competencies has led to discussion Australia-wide on the meaning of leadership. For example, in there has been a tendency to view leadership through a management lens as many public sector managers (for example) tend to over-emphasise management at the expense of leadership. Agreeing most Australian jurisdictions have developed competency frameworks for their senior executives. Their approaches vary but these frameworks share an implicit assumption that leadership and management is much the same thing. The support for this view can be found in Enterprising Nation, Report of the Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills, now better known as the Karpin Report. Drawing on the findings of specially commissioned research, Craig and Yetton (1995) the Task Force took the view that, rather than trying to distinguish between leadership and management, the more pertinent questions centre around the broad areas of competence that managers require Industry Task Force (1995: 135).
In their research report Craig and Yetton noted (1995: 1185) that there had been numerous leadership studies which had failed to discern any traits that could be reliably used to set leaders apart from others to form the basis of leadership selection and development. They concluded that it was pointless to try and find or develop specifically Australian leaders, leaving open enterprise, sectoral or community solutions to picking out successful leaders. Craig and Yetton (1995: 1213) believed that action was therefore justified to identify and develop management competencies as there were established theories and methods, which demonstrated such factors to have significant influence as to whether performance was excellent or poor. The emphasis on management competencies identification, and support through policy, concerned several of the reforms suggested by the Task Force for the up-skilling and training of Australian mangers. For example such considerations led to the adoption of what became known as the Frontline Management Initiative Rozario and Hampson (2005).
A Community Leadership Initiative is Required
The Karpin Task Force in its final report looked beyond the commissioned research findings of Craig and Yetton, and concluded that it would be of value to enhance the status of leadership in the community by providing training and visibility both to outstanding leaders and potential leaders. It considered that in looking at how Australia can place more emphasis on the importance of leadership in the wider community and our enterprises, Australia should look to the development of leadership programs similar to those in the United States, which are seen in that country as a most effective means of further developing leadership skills which can assist the development of communities and provide leadership to many public and private organisations Industry Task Force (1995: 203). The Task Force believed that the establishment of Australian-based programs in each Australian capital city could achieve recognition of the importance of leadership skills in Australia. The Task Force believed that each state capital city leadership program could be based on the already developed Williamson Foundation program (based in Melbourne). It also suggested development of a national program for each of the participants in the city leadership program Industry Task Force (1995: 205).
One aim of the leadership program suggested by the Task Force was to identify the competencies needed (for developing and supporting through appropriate policy and resourcing) after assessing the results after implementation of the program. The competencies for an effective leader were not identified in the Karpin report and knowledge in this area needs further investigation and research. Importantly, questions such as the differences in competency which may be required for leaders at the organisational level (irrespective of the sector in which they operate), and those of the wider community leaders remains an open question and was not investigated by the Task Force.
Survey data in 2002 obtained by the Williamson Foundation has investigated the qualities expected of a leader in Australia. The Foundation found that Australians were unsure about what constitutes leadership but were practical about the issue. The Survey indicated that, as a whole Australians, (wherever they live, or their age, employment or social outlook), value the same attributes in leaders. The characteristics identified as important are:
• Honourable
• Trustworthy
• Honest and truthful
• Respectful to people they lead
• Achieving results and finding solutions
• Responsible and compassionate
The qualities often associated with good leaders-charisma, popularity and power were not considered important. Significantly (suggesting a high degree of open mindedness), Australians in the survey did not think that is vitally important for a good leader to have no personal failings Leadership Victoria and Quantum Research/Australia Scan (2002: 17).
Developments since 1995
Since 1995 community-based leadership development programs have been initiated along similar line and objectives to the Williamson model in cities and towns around Australia-including individually focussed nationally based programs such as that for women-but the further development for example of a comprehensive national program remains to be promoted by appropriate action. After consideration of the findings of the Williamson Foundation in 2002, it seems very clear that almost all Australians share strong agreement on the qualities of good leaders, especially honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, respectfulness to others, accepting responsibility, and a focus on achievements and results. These may be less exciting to many than power and charisma but they do seem be building blocks for a civilised society and the many organisations and sectors that compose it. These community expectations should be supported by appropriate Government and private sector action to provide for the well being of the community, and to be the basis for careful selection of leaders in any operating context. The influential Karpin Task Force did not resolve this issue.
There is also a need for further policy development to evaluate the provision of leadership programs (and especially identify any deficit in approach) in the community (or those that are enterprise based) and to evaluate feedback, on the criteria devised to select successful leaders, which was an important suggestion of the Karpin Task Force.
References Craig, J and Yetton, P 1995 ‘Leadership Theory, Trends and Training: Summary Review of Leadership Research’ in Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills 1995, AGPS, Canberra April.
Holden, J 2006 ‘The Culture of Leadership’ [on line] http://www.ozco.gov.au/news_and_hot_topics/speeches/the_culture_of_leadership/ [accessed 11 March 2007].
Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills 1995, AGPS, Canberra April.
Kendal, S 2003, ‘Leadership Competencies’, Canberra Bulletin of Public Administration, 106 February, pp 49 – 52.
Leadership Victoria and Quantum Market Research/Australia Scan 2002, Leadership in Australia June 2002, [on line] http;//www.leadershipvictoria.org/resources_surveys.htm [accessed 12 March 2007].
Rozario, A and Hampson, I 2005, ‘Management Development as Public Policy: The Case of Australia’s Frontline Management Initiative (FMI) 1995 – 2002, Paper prepared for presentation of the 28th Labour Process Conference 2005’ [on line] http://www.hrm.strath.ac.uk/ILPC/2005/conf-papers/Rozario-Hampson.pdf. [accessed 12 March 2007].
Working Futures 2005, ‘The Knowledge Exchange’ [on line] http://www.marcbowles.com/sample_courses/frontline_v5/fma1b.htm [accessed 12 March 2007].
Overview of the Challenge
“Leaders must necessarily be motivated to harness and strengthen cooperation. Ideally leaders have the capacity to benefit from feedback and continuous learning. Leadership in medium and longer-term situations should necessarily be developmental and responsible. Given the functional nature of leadership, it is often understood as a means to achieve outcomes and progress towards outcomes; however leadership can also involve management and development of issues that lie beyond the boundaries of common concerns and knowledge. Leaders in the public sector (or elsewhere) face a vital challenge to be relevant and to satisfy public interest considerations. They also need to be competent and robust. Leadership, to be effective, needs focus and needs to give priority to any situation needing attention” Kendal (2003: 51).
Identification of Leadership Competencies
In Australia, and elsewhere throughout history, there has been a marked focus on studying the leadership competencies of great men and women, in order to help identify future leaders. For example, study of political, military and religious leaders has been a constant source of the behaviours and skills that leaders must exemplify to be effective. However it was not until the late 1980s and the 1990s that the management and personal-development sections of bookshops began to evidence the quest to prescribe the factors which could make, at the organisation and community level in Australia, the ordinary worker great leaders. These changes in perspective have raised some questions for Australian society. By the late 1990s, there were many (often conflicting) theories of every aspect of leadership and leading. The underlying reason for this is that leadership is so complex, and so open to many variations in organisations and the community, that it cannot be explained by one set of prevailing theories and practices. Despite the deficits in understanding and developing policy to support leadership skills both at the organisation level and community-wide, there arose a need to convince many executives in organisations-and those with responsibility in the wider community-that good leadership makes an essential contribution to effective management while poor leadership brings about frustration of objectives and other poor results Working Futures (2005). Holden (2006: 1) is of a similar view:
“It is no exaggeration to use the word crisis in relation to leadership. We seem to be getting something radically wrong on a massive scale, so let us try to think through what it might be”.
What Leaders Must Do
At the organisational level (and often elsewhere), there has been a shift away from a relatively steady state, predict-and-provide organisational model. Leaders are now expected to stimulate, and be creative, in a fast-paced and unpredictable world. Organisations-and the Australian community-need leaders who are capable of coping in these circumstances. Outsourcing of previous internal functions has meant reliance on outsourced labour and services. This has been the result of dramatic changes to the public sector, and to the internationalisation of the Australian economy, which has had such dramatic impacts on the ways Australian companies do business. The consequence is that leadership must now operate across networks to be effective. This can mean that a leader has to get things done even though not the controlling authority. It can also mean that, due to these pressures, talented and well-qualified staff or community members can be a challenge for effective leadership because they will not simply be told what to do. Motivating others, given the origins of this challenge, is thus a key competency of a leader particularly in a sophisticated organisation. Furthermore, leaders now increasingly faced with challenges where they are expected to bring about effective leadership even though their store of knowledge rapidly becomes inadequate and dated by events. We need to get better at leadership if Australia is to thrive in a dramatically changed world where creativity and innovation are the drivers of prosperity Holden (2006).
Leadership Competencies in the 21st Century
Given these requirements, leaders today need a new set of competencies such as:
• “Be driven by external circumstances and contexts rather than following the internal logic of their own organisations
• Be able to harness and manage creative people who simply cannot be ordered about
• Be constantly open to new learning. Be adaptable, flexible and willing to change
• Be able to create trust between people in an organisation, and to destroy cultures of blame, because blame is the enemy of innovation and improvement
• Be confident enough to distribute leadership out of their own hands and across a wider group of people
• Be able to work across networks as well as within organisations” Holden (2006: 4).
The development of such competencies has led to discussion Australia-wide on the meaning of leadership. For example, in there has been a tendency to view leadership through a management lens as many public sector managers (for example) tend to over-emphasise management at the expense of leadership. Agreeing most Australian jurisdictions have developed competency frameworks for their senior executives. Their approaches vary but these frameworks share an implicit assumption that leadership and management is much the same thing. The support for this view can be found in Enterprising Nation, Report of the Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills, now better known as the Karpin Report. Drawing on the findings of specially commissioned research, Craig and Yetton (1995) the Task Force took the view that, rather than trying to distinguish between leadership and management, the more pertinent questions centre around the broad areas of competence that managers require Industry Task Force (1995: 135).
In their research report Craig and Yetton noted (1995: 1185) that there had been numerous leadership studies which had failed to discern any traits that could be reliably used to set leaders apart from others to form the basis of leadership selection and development. They concluded that it was pointless to try and find or develop specifically Australian leaders, leaving open enterprise, sectoral or community solutions to picking out successful leaders. Craig and Yetton (1995: 1213) believed that action was therefore justified to identify and develop management competencies as there were established theories and methods, which demonstrated such factors to have significant influence as to whether performance was excellent or poor. The emphasis on management competencies identification, and support through policy, concerned several of the reforms suggested by the Task Force for the up-skilling and training of Australian mangers. For example such considerations led to the adoption of what became known as the Frontline Management Initiative Rozario and Hampson (2005).
A Community Leadership Initiative is Required
The Karpin Task Force in its final report looked beyond the commissioned research findings of Craig and Yetton, and concluded that it would be of value to enhance the status of leadership in the community by providing training and visibility both to outstanding leaders and potential leaders. It considered that in looking at how Australia can place more emphasis on the importance of leadership in the wider community and our enterprises, Australia should look to the development of leadership programs similar to those in the United States, which are seen in that country as a most effective means of further developing leadership skills which can assist the development of communities and provide leadership to many public and private organisations Industry Task Force (1995: 203). The Task Force believed that the establishment of Australian-based programs in each Australian capital city could achieve recognition of the importance of leadership skills in Australia. The Task Force believed that each state capital city leadership program could be based on the already developed Williamson Foundation program (based in Melbourne). It also suggested development of a national program for each of the participants in the city leadership program Industry Task Force (1995: 205).
One aim of the leadership program suggested by the Task Force was to identify the competencies needed (for developing and supporting through appropriate policy and resourcing) after assessing the results after implementation of the program. The competencies for an effective leader were not identified in the Karpin report and knowledge in this area needs further investigation and research. Importantly, questions such as the differences in competency which may be required for leaders at the organisational level (irrespective of the sector in which they operate), and those of the wider community leaders remains an open question and was not investigated by the Task Force.
Survey data in 2002 obtained by the Williamson Foundation has investigated the qualities expected of a leader in Australia. The Foundation found that Australians were unsure about what constitutes leadership but were practical about the issue. The Survey indicated that, as a whole Australians, (wherever they live, or their age, employment or social outlook), value the same attributes in leaders. The characteristics identified as important are:
• Honourable
• Trustworthy
• Honest and truthful
• Respectful to people they lead
• Achieving results and finding solutions
• Responsible and compassionate
The qualities often associated with good leaders-charisma, popularity and power were not considered important. Significantly (suggesting a high degree of open mindedness), Australians in the survey did not think that is vitally important for a good leader to have no personal failings Leadership Victoria and Quantum Research/Australia Scan (2002: 17).
Developments since 1995
Since 1995 community-based leadership development programs have been initiated along similar line and objectives to the Williamson model in cities and towns around Australia-including individually focussed nationally based programs such as that for women-but the further development for example of a comprehensive national program remains to be promoted by appropriate action. After consideration of the findings of the Williamson Foundation in 2002, it seems very clear that almost all Australians share strong agreement on the qualities of good leaders, especially honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, respectfulness to others, accepting responsibility, and a focus on achievements and results. These may be less exciting to many than power and charisma but they do seem be building blocks for a civilised society and the many organisations and sectors that compose it. These community expectations should be supported by appropriate Government and private sector action to provide for the well being of the community, and to be the basis for careful selection of leaders in any operating context. The influential Karpin Task Force did not resolve this issue.
There is also a need for further policy development to evaluate the provision of leadership programs (and especially identify any deficit in approach) in the community (or those that are enterprise based) and to evaluate feedback, on the criteria devised to select successful leaders, which was an important suggestion of the Karpin Task Force.
References
Craig, J and Yetton, P 1995 ‘Leadership Theory, Trends and Training: Summary Review of Leadership Research’ in Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills 1995, AGPS, Canberra April.
Holden, J 2006 ‘The Culture of Leadership’ [on line] http://www.ozco.gov.au/news_and_hot_topics/speeches/the_culture_of_leadership/ [accessed 11 March 2007].
Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills 1995, AGPS, Canberra April.
Kendal, S 2003, ‘Leadership Competencies’, Canberra Bulletin of Public Administration, 106 February, pp 49 – 52.
Leadership Victoria and Quantum Market Research/Australia Scan 2002, Leadership in Australia June 2002, [on line] http;//www.leadershipvictoria.org/resources_surveys.htm [accessed 12 March 2007].
Rozario, A and Hampson, I 2005, ‘Management Development as Public Policy: The Case of Australia’s Frontline Management Initiative (FMI) 1995 – 2002, Paper prepared for presentation of the 28th Labour Process Conference 2005’ [on line] http://www.hrm.strath.ac.uk/ILPC/2005/conf-papers/Rozario-Hampson.pdf. [accessed 12 March 2007].
Working Futures 2005, ‘The Knowledge Exchange’ [on line] http://www.marcbowles.com/sample_courses/frontline_v5/fma1b.htm [accessed 12 March 2007].
