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Australian Handballer's Goal selected as Play of Day in World Championship

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As the Australian Men’s Team steps up its Towards Croatia 2009 Program in preparation for its participation in the 2009 Men’s Handball World Championship, I wish to share this video taken at the 2007 World Championship.  The World Championship will be held in Croatia in January 2009.

The fantastic goal by Bevan Calvert in the game versus France was selected as ‘Play of Day’ and was shown before the Denmark vs Norway game which was watched by millions of people.

Go Aussies!

P.S.
Rough Translation of commentary:
"If there was a question regarding Australia’s participation in the World Championship, there was no question as to the determination of Bevan Calvert. It was such a close shave that the Goalie should shave off his moustache."

 

Lake Tuggeranong Lions Charity Ball and Auction

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The Lions Club of Canberra Lake Tuggeranong are holding a charity ball and auction at the Erindale Vikings club auditorium on June 21, 2008, starting at 6 p.m.

The band Little Rock will be performing and all proceeds from the night will be used for projects to assist the community.

Major auction items include signed memorabilia from U2, the Rolling Stones and Peter Brock and more items would be most welcome. To donate items please contact Heath on 0400190622.

Tickets are on sale at the auditorium or you can call 6121 2131. It should be a great night and your support would be greatly appreciated.
 

ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Breaking free of a Debilitating Illness

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Helping People with ME/CFS

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) also known as, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), affects 140,000 Australians. This poorly understood illness, not only by the general public but unfortunately by some within the medical community as well, places severe limitations on the daily lives of those affected by it. It is estimated that 25% of people affected by it are permanently bed or house-bound. Currently there is no known cause for ME/CFS and no cure.

May is International ME/CFS Awareness Month. The ACT ME/CFS Society is encouraging the ACT community to break the isolation of those affected by ME/CFS through an awareness campaign and fundraising for support and research. This year we are promoting the Canadian medical treatment guidelines (the Canadian consensus document) in the ACT. These guidelines provide a clinical case definition and guidelines for medical practitioners that are regarded as a benchmark for best practice treatment of the illness.

Everyone knows, directly or indirectly, someone who has ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is important that we, as their friends, family and community, reach out to these people and break the isolation and disability of their disease” said Ms Mary Campbell, President of the ACT ME/CFS Society.

People with ME/CFS have symptoms such as profound exhaustion, memory and concentration impairment, muscle pain, sleep disturbance headaches and other flu-like symptoms. In some cases the illness causes persistent disability while others it follows a relapse and remitting course.

“Many sufferers of ME/CFS not only face months of tests for diagnosis and a life of daily limitations but a world of stigma and misunderstanding.” Ms Campbell said.

Help us show support for those affected by ME/CFS. Donate by calling 6290 1984 or put someone you know in touch with the ACT ME/CFS Society.

ACT ME/CFS Society provides support, information and advocacy for people affected by the illness. It provides support services to its members such as self-help courses and support groups as well as access to a support worker and telephone information support service. The Society also provides information to patients, medical practitioners and the public; and promotes research.

For more information visit the website at www.mecfscanberra.org.au or email the centre at [email protected].
 

Mogo Zoo's Chimp Family Fun Day – 1st June, 2008

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Cartoon characters

Chimp Family Fun Day 2008

Mogo Zoo’s chimpanzee exhibit is in its final stages of completion. Our dream is almost a reality. Holly and Luis would love you to join us for this special occasion.

When: Sunday, 1st June, 2008 – 9am to 4pm

Where: Mogo Zoo, 222 Tomakin Road, Mogo, NSW

Entry: Normal admission prices apply – adults $20, children $10, families $54 (2 adults & 2 children 3-15 yrs)

The day will be fun-packed filled with activities including a jumping castle, cartoon characters handing out treats for the kids, show bags, animal dress-up parade and special keeper talks.

 

Holly’s 20th Birthday Party Raffle

The first 20 tickets drawn will help celebrate Holly’s 20th birthday with a private party to be held on the Chimp Family Fun Day on 1st June, 2008

Raffle tickets are $2 each and can be pre-purchased from the Zoo’s reception.

The raffle will be drawn on 1st June, 2008 

Fighting Women's Oppression – a socialist view

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Why are women still oppressed?

How can we fight women’s oppression? How can we end it?

Socialist Alternative will be discussing this on Thursday 29 May from 6 pm in room G009 Moran Building ANU.

For more information email [email protected] or phone 0401 141 345

Live in Canberra success in South Africa supported by the Brumbies

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Live in Canberra Executive Director Jeremy Lasek speaks with potential new Canberrans following a seminar in Pretoria.

The Live in Canberra and Skilled and Business Migration Program team returned from South Africa last week with many strong leads for future skilled and business migration as a result of the Live in Canberra seminar series held in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria.

Over 300 highly qualified South Africans attended the seminars that included presentations from several Brumbies players who promoted the opportunities in Canberra for skilled and business migrants. Live in Canberra supporter Premium Placements Director, Jandy Godfrey was also on hand to inform people of the many job opportunities in Canberra.

Several South Africans who have already chosen Canberra as their destination to live and work attended the seminars. New ACT Darters Netball coach, Bronwyn Bock-Jonathan brought her family along to the Cape Town seminar to learn more about life in our capital before their arrival in June.

The presence of the Brumbies players at the seminars sparked plenty of interest, with the players having high profiles in South Africa. Brumby and Wallaby, Guy Sherperdson was raised in Canberra and spoke very highly of Canberra as a place to live and work.

The team liaised with several South African based migration agents leading up to the visit and invited their clients to attend the seminars. As a result the team was able to speak directly to people already committed to moving to Australia who possessed the skills needed in Canberra. The association with the migration agents has proven very successful, with some committing to visit Canberra to be better able to promote the city to their clients.

New enquiries from South Africa are still being received daily with the visit accounting for a significant spike in website visits and requests for Live in Canberra information packs.

With the ACT Government committing further funding to address the skills shortage in Canberra the Live in Canberra and Skilled and Business Migration team will continue to work together to target overseas markets.
 

 

Media contact: Jeremy Lasek, Executive Director, Live in Canberra
Mobile: 0417 652 771
 

The year the world changed: May 68 in France and Italy

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Press Release: The year the world changed: May 1968 in France and Italy.

1968 was the year that changed the world. From the Tet offensive, to the Russian invasion of Czechoslovkia, to the riots outside the Chicago Democatic convention to May 68 in France, the old order shook in fear of a new world and radical change.

Socialist Alternative presents two key speakers on the exciting events that unfolded in Europe and elsewhere and challenged the very rule of capital.

Australian Marxist Mick Armstrong will talk about May 1968 in France, when ten million workers went on strike for weeks and shook French capitalism to its core.

Yuri Colombo, an Italian socialist, will talk of the slow burn in Italy over the period 1967 to 1969, a period that arguably threatened the very existence of Italian capitalism.

When? Wednesday 21 May at 6 pm

Where? Room G008 Moran Building ANU

For further information or to interview Mick and Yuri please contact John on 0401 141 345 or email [email protected]

Experience the world from the comfort of your own home

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15 May 2008 Travelling alone to another country can be a pretty daunting thing for a teenager. Even more so when moving in with a new family, starting at a new school, and basically trying to make a life on the other side of the world are a part of the package. But with this thought in mind, eight high school students from around the world will pack their bags for the ACT this August to embark on a student exchange through AFS Intercultural Programs. Now, AFS is offering residents in and around Canberra the chance to experience a different culture in their own home as a volunteer host family!

This year has been declared as the International Year of Languages by the United Nations General Assembly, promoting the idea that “genuine multilingualism promotes unity in diversity and international understanding”. Learning a new language is paramount to the AFS mission. The ability to speak another language helps to better facilitate an understanding of another culture, a notion which is at the very core of what AFS stands for.

This is something that Florence Hiernaux from Belgium is a big believer in. The 17 year old is due to spend one year in the ACT learning about Australia and broadening her cultural horizons. “I really want to discover a new country, another way of life and of thinking, to learn a lot of things and, of course, to meet a new family… I think it is very positive for both the host family and the student because we both can learn from each other!”

Florence has big plans for her future, and sees her AFS experience as an invaluable stepping stone to fulfilling her goals. “I really love languages, meeting new people and travelling around the world,” she says, hoping to one day become a translator. “Five people from my family have participated on an exchange program and they all encouraged me to do the same because it was a very positive experience for them. I’m really excited, now that my turn has come, to go and live a wonderful and different experience in your country!”

The benefits of hosting an exchange student affect the whole family. It is a wonderful way to learn about a different culture first-hand, and when exchange students return home they take with them a memorable part of Australian culture.

AFS Australia has been arranging exchanges since 1959, with network partners operating in more than 50 countries. They aim to promote tolerance and respect through greater intercultural understanding and learning. Anyone interested in hosting Florence, or any other AFS exchange student, should go to www.afs.org.au and submit an online application. Please contact Laura Frot on 0424 504 612 or email [email protected] with any questions.
 


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].


 

This week In Folkus

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Hello and welcome again to your Weekly Wot’s Wot in Folkus…

ed.
a restful and reflective weekend, one year on… it’s been a remarkable time!
I need to thank everyone associated with the Folkus Room and the journey we’ve had since I took the step off the cliff a year ago today…. >From the steely inspiration of those few very close friends (you know who you are!) who helped me decide to take that step to Cliff and Seamus (who wouldn’t let me stop at all at all) and to those marvellous people who came on board with money and in-kind support I say thank you. The Folkus Room is growing steadily and is proving to be something that the Canberra live music scene has needed for some time. I’m very proud to have been a part of the process that has got it going. To Kevin Austin our sound wizard, the team of volunteers who do the hard yards of putting the room together each week and to the staff at the Serbian Club I express deep, heartfelt gratitude.
To ALL of you – it could not have happened without the contribution of every one of you – THANK YOU!
2008/9 looks like being a year of consolidation and steady growth. Be assured, the accent will always be on quality in everything we do so as to provide value for money and real, live entertainment that is second to none in our beautiful city.
This operation does not come without cost so we are seeking help from several quarters. One such that all of you could consider would be the annual subscription offer and I invite you to examine detail about that at your leisure Click HERE for details… several people have taken up the offer but we need many more to give the project a credible basis.
Thank you once again …

INDEX
1. This Week in Folkus
2. Next Week in Folkus
3. Parish Notices
4. The Comics
5. Sport

1.

This Week In Folkus –
The Folkus Room, (operates out of The Serbian Cultural Centre & Club) 5 Heard St. MAWSON ACT .. eastern side of Southlands Centre and just off Athllon Drive.. CHECK OUT OUR NEW MAPS PAGE….

Saturday 17 May from 2.00pm to 5(ish) … $12/$10 … and just $5 student concession…
but kids with mums &/or dads are Freeeeee!

Saturday Arvo Jazz with The Black Mountain Jazz Band
Among the first people to come on board with assistance in this Folkus Room project was the Canberra Jazz Club. Their "in house" band TBMJB has been playing around the traps for centuries and I personally will be extremely disappointed if they don’t do their FAMOUS rendition of "The Codfish Ball" (which used to get people VERY excited in the 1980s at the Yacht Club)….. They’re the feature act PLUS we’ll have open mic & jam opportunities… You never know who might turn up here BUT, …. I have it on good authority that our resident talents DJ and the Karismakatz AND Kooky Fandango will probably contribute something……. If you can imagine the voices of DJ Gosper AND Courtney Stark-Smith on the same bill then you won’t want to miss it will you!

2.
Next Week In Folkus …
Friday 23 May – The Transylvaniacs In Concert … Free range, backyard-distilled folk music direct from the villages of Transylvania to the catacombs of Mawson

3.
Parish Notices……..

3a. The Folkus Room is offering annual subscriptions.

3b. The Canberra Irish Players are near to finishing rehearsals for another hit out ….Make sure you keep a night free for the Irish Community Players latest production of Bernard Farrell’s "therapeutic" comedy, "I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell", which will be on at the Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson St, Weston, from 2nd to 5th June at 8 pm. Tickets cost $20 for Adults and $15 for Concessions, and bookings will be available at the club in a few week’s time on 62887451. Don’t miss the play that helped launch Liam Neeson’s career…

3c. THE ROMANTICS….
GUNNING CONCERT: 2.00pm SUNDAY 18 MAY 2008
CANBERRA CONCERT: 8.00pm SATURDAY 24 MAY 2008
The Oriana Chorale, through the power of the voice, will explore this important part of our heritage from the Romantic period.
"We are delighted once again to be directed by Tobias Cole, one of Australia’s most distinguished countertenors and who performs regularly as soloist with Opera Australia. Toby made his Canberra conducting debut to great acclaim last year in Oriana’s performance of Rautavaara’s Vigilia, following this with Oriana’s equally-acclaimed interpretation of An Australian Summer." The music spans a wide range of styles and emotions: the ecstatic reverence and penitence of Verdi and Rossini; the confident affirmation of faith by Mendelssohn, Brahms and Bruckner; the enigmatic reflections of Max Reger; and the sonorous expression of piety in the Russian Orthodox tradition by Glinka and Tchaikovsky. Underpinning many of these works is the debt owed to the musical foundations provided by JS Bach – in particular his use of the chorale. The concert too acknowledges this debt to Bach: the program starts with a famous song in its original secular form – a love song, you will recognise the tune – and ends with one of Bach’s well-known arrangements of it in chorale form….. Tickets are $25 (concessions available) at the door or from members. Oriana Chorale Inc is grateful for the support of the ACT Government…. Coming up in August, the Oriana Chorale has invited two other important Canberra Choirs – The Resonants and Igitur Nos – to join us in offering to Canberra audiences a feast of music from the Renaissance, to be conducted by Andrew Carwood, director of music at St Paul’s Cathedral in London…. Further information is available from Liz McKenzie, 0417 44 22 32; or Richard Brabin-Smith, 6249 6459 and 0404 461 450.

3d. The notice with depth & C21…. Follow The Folkus into winter. The program just keeps getting better. We are also expecting to be able to present more jazz and blues/roots stuff as aficionados of those genres become more aware of the breadth of our charter.

Stay Well & Truly Silly Gentle Folk

Bill Arnett
The Folkus Room
Canberra’s Acoustic Preference
61-2-62627265
0407 434 469
"No Strangers Come Here – Just Friends We Have Not Yet Met"

Please note that this E-mail has been created in the knowledge that Internet e-mail is not a 100% secure communications medium. It is advised that you also understand and observe this when e-mailing us. Viruses: Although we have taken steps to ensure that this e-mail is free from any virus, it is advised that in keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure it is actually virus free.

An Interview of an Australian Handball Player

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This interview was conducted at the Junior National Championships in June 2007 but we only received a copy of the clip a few days ago.  This was shown worldwide to household with paid Filipino TV Channel.

The views and sentiments expressed at the interview are still applicable, and therefore deemed worthwhile to share with the readers.

Canberrans urged to enter the 2008 ACT Sustainable Cities Awards

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Canberrans urged to enter the 2008 ACT Sustainable Cities Awards

The Keep Australia Beautiful ACT Sustainable Cities Awards for 2008 were officially launched today at the Legislative Assembly by John Hargreaves MLA, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services.

“The ACT Government is committed to the environment and to tackling climate change. These awards are an opportunity for us to recognise those in our community who are making a difference. By focusing attention on those who are doing something new, innovative or even just having a go, we can inspire others to do the same,” said Mr Hargreaves.

Speaking at the launch, Howard Pender from Australian Ethical Investment, winner of the 2007 ACT Awards, said:

“We wanted to do the right thing when we set out to create a new office. Our renovation of Trevor Pearcey House created a better environment for our staff, financial savings for our company and substantial gains for the environment. I encourage ACT residents to enter these awards and to show the rest of Australia what ACT residents and organisations are achieving for the environment.”

Also speaking at the launch was the 2006 Winner, Klaus Weber, from ANU Sliver Cell.

“Thanks to these awards we have been able to reach a wider audience with our message. Best wishes to all entrants in 2008 and to the overall winner who will represent the ACT in the Australian Sustainable Cities Awards for 2008.”

Jenny Pickles, General Manager of Principal Sponsor, the Packaging Stewardship Forum’s ‘Do the Right Thing’ program, added:

“These awards help us find examples of excellence and effective case studies of how much was recycled, where and by whom. We look forward to seeing some interesting entries in the ‘Packaging Recycling’ category this year.”

Entries close 27 June 2008 and winners will be announced early August. Entry details can be found online at www.kab.org.au or email Yvonne Harris on [email protected]

Background to Australian Ethical Investment and Trevor Pearcey House
The refurbishment of Trevor Pearcey House, AEI’s new head office, transformed an existing building and set a new standard on how a world’s best practice green building can be achieved on a conventional budget. This project was undertaken using accepted conventional and low technology design principles, technologies and materials which can be easily transferred to other projects. Most refurbishment projects see existing internal fit outs as either waste to landfill, or materials to be recycled off site, often at their lowest value. Substantial amounts of materials were reused in the new fit out, helping avoid the purchase of new materials. The building received a ‘world leader’ six star green star office design rating from the green building council Australia. It was the third building in Australia to achieve this rating.

Background to ANU Sliver Cell
Dr Klaus Weber and Prof. Andrew Blakers of the Australian National University invented Sliver solar cell technology as part of a research program substantially funded by Origin Energy. The high efficiency and low cost of sliver solar cells means that sliver technology has an excellent chance of dominating PV technology and the PV industry. Recent studies have indicated that Sliver technology could reduce the costs of PV technology to a point where it will be competitive with wind energy and ‘zero emission’ coal.

Background to the ‘Do the Right Thing’ program of the Packaging Stewardship Forum
The Packaging Stewardship Forum was established in May 2006 as a forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council. The Forum aims to significantly increase government, industry and community understanding of resource recovery and litter management through the delivery of projects throughout Australia, either directly or in partnership with others. Its focus is on providing cost-effective resource recovery and litter reduction solutions that deliver real and measurable outcomes. The Forum’s highly successful Do the Right Thing anti-litter campaign is stronger than ever, with more than 80% of people recognising that Do the Right Thing means put your waste in the bin. Throughout Australia more than 180 towns and cities are taking the Do the Right Thing message to their communities.

Background to Keep Australia Beautiful
Keep Australia Beautiful is best known for its awards programs that identify, acknowledge and promote excellence in grass roots environmental initiatives. These include Tidy Towns, Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches. Each of the awards programs celebrate the work of local communities striving towards sustainability. Keep Australia Beautiful Week is held in the last week of August each to coincide with spring. These are just some of the activities that involve up to 3 million Australians each year. Program details can be found at www.kab.org.au 

The Small Strange Metal Box from Outer Space

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A small metal box

By Chris Trappel

It traveled through the stars: the planets and the galaxies, time and space, oceans of black and bright, red and orange, heat and ice, orbits and stagnation. Only to reach the unreachable again, further and further it went, on its pathway towards our planet.
In its funny rotation it gained speed. It: A small, strange metal box from outer space seemed determined to move forward. The space monsters snapped at it. The stars shone on it, but still the box moved on, swimming in the black sea of emptiness, strangeness and divine mystery. It iced up a thousand times then defrosted as the warmth of a star shone upon it. Still, it maintained its odd rotation like an awkward waddle, towards our planet. It was the size of a cigarette packet or perhaps more like a small metal cigar box… because that’s exactly what it looked like. As it approached the Milky Way Galaxy it stopped. Light projected from inside. Then it glowed pure white light and sped down towards Earth. Flames were thrown from behind it like a rocket, helping it to penetrate Earth’s atmosphere. It hit the ocean and was washed up on the shore where a boy found it and took it home. From under the thick cover of his blankets he could see the light. Then shapes dancing and flickering, then noises that woke up his parents.
But the metal box knew that it was safe with the boy and it didn’t want to get him into trouble – so it went quiet all night. The metal box was placed in the park, the boy knew that this had to be done. Machinery appeared from out of the box and grew and grew, entwining and forming connecting monstrosities that turned into beautiful works of art that lit up the sky, challenging our world’s natural wonder. It continued until most of the planet could see the outer worldly beauty. Then it stopped.
The boy picked it up. The strange metal box flew up towards the boy’s face and embraced him with metal arms. Then, like a rocket, it sped out of the Earth’s atmosphere.
 

This Week In Folkus

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In Folkus

Hello, I’ve been away but NOW I’M BACK!!!!

ed.
The sadness just keeps coming for some… This week it’s Burma’s turn as we reflect on how fortunate we are here.

INDEX
1. This Week in Folkus
2. Next Week in Folkus
3. Parish Notices
4. The Comics
5. Sport

1.This Week In Folkus –
The Folkus Room, (operates out of The Serbian Cultural Centre & Club) 5 Heard St. MAWSON ACT .. eastern side of Southlands Centre and just off Athllon Drive.. CHECK OUT OUR NEW MAPS PAGE….

Friday 9 May .. Doors and Bistro open from 6.00pm … Admission $15/$12, children free!
DJ Gosper’s ‘Glory Box’ (with The Blues Cowgirls and the KarismaKatz) emerging from her "Glory Box" CD which raised funds for breast cancer support group, Bosom Buddies, DJ presents a tableau celebrating her survival. The experience has added a lustre to her performance that’s the silver lining on her clouded journey. She says, "Getting up and mobile and performing again, I am performing with no fear. That’s coming through on stage. I am not thinking that next time I will do better. It’s always, ‘Now, this is it’. There’s no room for being half arsed."
This will be one to tell your grandkids about….

2. Next Week In Folkus … a restful and reflective weekend, one year on… it’s been a remarkable time!
Saturday 17 May … Saturday Arvo Jazz with The Black Mountain Jazz Band and open mic opportunities

3. Parish Notices……..

3a. The Folkus Room is offering annual subscriptions. see the web site for details

3b. The Canberra Irish Players are near to finishing rehearsals for another hit out ….Make sure you keep a night free for the Irish Community Players latest production of Bernard Farrell’s "therapeutic" comedy, "I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Fell", which will be on at the Canberra Irish Club, 6 Parkinson St, Weston, from 2nd to 5th June at 8 pm. Tickets cost $20 for Adults and $15 for Concessions, and bookings will be available at the club in a few week’s time on 62887451. Don’t miss the play that helped launch Liam Neeson’s career…

3c. THE ROMANTICS….
GUNNING CONCERT: 2.00pm SUNDAY 18 MAY 2008
CANBERRA CONCERT: 8.00pm SATURDAY 24 MAY 2008
The Oriana Chorale, through the power of the voice, will explore this important part of our heritage from the Romantic period.
"We are delighted once again to be directed by Tobias Cole, one of Australia’s most distinguished countertenors and who performs regularly as soloist with Opera Australia. Toby made his Canberra conducting debut to great acclaim last year in Oriana’s performance of Rautavaara’s Vigilia, following this with Oriana’s equally-acclaimed interpretation of An Australian Summer." The music spans a wide range of styles and emotions: the ecstatic reverence and penitence of Verdi and Rossini; the confident affirmation of faith by Mendelssohn, Brahms and Bruckner; the enigmatic reflections of Max Reger; and the sonorous expression of piety in the Russian Orthodox tradition by Glinka and Tchaikovsky. Underpinning many of these works is the debt owed to the musical foundations provided by JS Bach – in particular his use of the chorale. The concert too acknowledges this debt to Bach: the program starts with a famous song in its original secular form – a love song, you will recognise the tune – and ends with one of Bach’s well-known arrangements of it in chorale form….. Tickets are $25 (concessions available) at the door or from members. Oriana Chorale Inc is grateful for the support of the ACT Government…. Coming up in August, the Oriana Chorale has invited two other important Canberra Choirs – The Resonants and Igitur Nos – to join us in offering to Canberra audiences a feast of music from the Renaissance, to be conducted by Andrew Carwood, director of music at St Paul’s Cathedral in London…. Further information is available from Liz McKenzie, 0417 44 22 32; or Richard Brabin-Smith, 6249 6459 and 0404 461 450.

3d. The notice with depth & C21…. Follow The Folkus into winter. The program just keeps getting better. We are also expecting to be able to present more jazz and blues/roots stuff as aficionados of those genres become more aware of the breadth of our charter.

4. …
It was a hot Saturday evening in the summer of 1960 and Fred had a date with Peggy Sue. He arrived at her house and rang the bell. ‘Oh, come on in!’ Peggy Sue’s mother said as she welcomed Fred in. ‘Have a seat in the living room. Would you like something to drink? Lemonade? Iced tea?’ ‘Iced tea, please,’ Fred said. Mom brought the iced tea. ‘So, what are you and Peggy planning to do tonight?’ she asked. ‘Oh, probably catch a movie, then maybe grab a bite to eat at the malt shop, maybe take a walk on the beach…’ ‘Peggy likes to screw, you know,’ Mom informed him. ‘Really?’ Fred asked, eyebrows rose. ‘Oh yes,’ the mother continued. ‘When she goes out with her friends, that’s all they do!’ ‘Is that so?’ asked Fred, incredulous. ‘Yes,’ said the mother. ‘As a matter of fact, she’d screw all night if we let her!’ ‘Well, thanks for the tip!’ Fred said as he began thinking about alternate plans for the evening. A moment later, Peggy Sue came down the stairs looking pretty as a picture wearing a pink blouse and a hoop skirt, and with her hair tied back in a bouncy ponytail. She greeted Fred. ‘Have fun, kids!’ the mother said as they left. Half an hour later, a completely disheveled Peggy Sue burst into the house and slammed the front door behind her. ‘Twist, Mom!’ she angrily yelled to her mother in the kitchen. ‘The Twist, dammit!………..It’s called the Twist! ‘…….

At a Fishing Settlement

October, and a rain-blurred face,
And all the anguish of that bitter place.
It was a bare sea-battered town,
With its one street leading down
Onto a shingly beach. Sea winds
Had long picked the dark hills clean
Of everything but tussock and stones
And pines that dropped small brittle cones
Onto a soured soil. And old houses flanking
The street hung poised like driftwood planking
Blown together and could not outlast
The next window-shuddering blast
>From the storm-whitened sea.
It was bitterly cold; I could see
Where muffled against gusty spray
She walked the clinking shingle; a stray
Dog whimpered and pushed a small
Wet nose into my hand – that is all.
Yet I am haunted by that face,
That dog, and that bare bitter place. ……………. Alistair Campbell

 

Stay Well & Truly Silly Gentle Folk

Bill Arnett
The Folkus Room
Canberra’s Acoustic Preference
61-2-62627265
0407 434 469
"No Strangers Come Here – Just Friends We Have Not Yet Met"

Please note that this E-mail has been created in the knowledge that Internet e-mail is not a 100% secure communications medium. It is advised that you also understand and observe this when e-mailing us. Viruses: Although we have taken steps to ensure that this e-mail is free from any virus, it is advised that in keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure it is actually virus free.

TREAT MUM TO MAYFAIR IN MICHELAGO

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Country-style fun for all ages is the theme of the Michelago Mayfair this Sunday (11 May, Mothers Day).

The Fair will be at the Michelago Oval from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon. The official opening of the Mayfair will be performed by the Member for Monaro, Steve Whan MP, at noon.

As well as games and entertainment, the Fair will showcase local enterprises and local produce, says Martin Hughes of the Michelago Region Community Association.

“Michelago Oval is a great community facility,” says Martin Hughes. “And being half-way between Canberra and Cooma, the ideal place to bring Mum, and meet family and friends, on Mothers Day.”

Mr Hughes says that last-minute applications are still being considered, but that so far stall-holders include crafts, handmade soaps, honey and wax, scarves, wood carvings, quilts, iced cakes and jewellery. A local grazier will give demonstrations of sheep-dog handling during the day.

“Community organisations such as Landcare will also be represented,” he says, “with the Landcare bookstall being a certain attraction.”

Children’ entertainments include a jumping castle and face painting, with games and competitions. Fire brigades from around the district will hold demonstrations and competitions, with the Rural Fire Service community education caravan there to dispense good advice.

A particular feature, says Mr Hughes, will be demonstrations by junior fire brigades.

“Some very young brigade members show just how well they can cope with living in the country,” he says. “Adults take note!”

Big-time gamblers will be interested in Cowpat Roulette, says Mr Hughes.

“This sophisticated game of skill involves numbered squares in a paddock,” he says. “Then add a cow …”

The Fair will raise funds for the Michelago Region Community Association, for improvements to local facilities such as the oval and the tennis courts.

“But the main purpose of Mayfair is to have a fun day, to meet friends, neighbours and visitors, and to show off the Michelago region,” says Mr Hughes.

President of the MRCA, Mareeca Steer, pays tribute to the main sponsor of the Mayfair, Country Energy.

“The Michelago Mayfair is the first fair that the MRCA has organised for the region,” says Ms Steer. “We want to showcase the varied businesses that thrive in our region. We also want to provide an opportunity for people from both Canberra and Cooma to come and have a fun family day in our beautiful region.

“Country Energy has given us this opportunity by providing financial support for the fair,” she says. “Without their help the fair would not have been possible.”

Other sponsors include Predator Paintball and Noel Teys Real Estate.

More information from:

Martin Hughes 6235 9093, 0405 209 685

Mareeca Steer 0439 400 129

Trish Grice 0402 487 706

Nick Goldie 6235 9190, 0417 299 586

Country-style fun for all ages is the theme of the Michelago Mayfair this Sunday (11 May, Mothers Day).