THE CANBERRA TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2013 canberratimes.com.

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NEWS

Campus chill-out time offers yoga, juice and even a canine fix
By Emma Macdonald

Exams may start at the University of Canberra next week but the student body seem fairly laid back. Chilled even. Rather than cramming in the library overdosed on caffeine and jittery with panic, you may find them emitting sighs of contentment as they tenderly hold a sleeping puppy. Or perhaps theyre stretched out in an asana during a free yoga class, sipping a fresh juice or, for the more adventurous, taking their exam nerves out on an adult jumping castle or a mechanical bucking bull. Stress Less Week is in full flight at UC. Designed to provide healthy distractions from cramming for exams, as well as bringing students together out of the isolation of study, the week is the brainchild of Tilly Hickenbotham and the UC Campus Life crew. A graduate in tourism management, Ms Hickenbotham has had recent first-hand experience of exam week anxiety and said the activities set up to promote health and well-being on campus were receiving a great response. Certainly, the chance to hold a small Cavoodle, (or is it a Moodle, Schnoodle or Spoodle?) was a welcome respite to textbooks for 21-year-old Mexican exchange student Jose Torres. He has been living on campus away from his family and his beloved pitbull

Camille for the past six months completing his media production degree and said the chance to bond with a pup was relaxing and enjoyable. Of course it is nice, there is nothing quite like having a fluffy warm puppy fall asleep on your chest. Similarly, film student James Tarte said the no pets rule on student residences meant dog lovers had to go without a canine fix during semesters. These dogs are really cute and its a nice way to bring students together. Ms Hickenbotham said students were prone to isolation and anxiety as final assignment deadlines and major exams loomed.We try and keep an eye on students and make sure they keep things in perspective ... Some students come out of their exams in tears and we need to make sure they understand that life goes on even if they fail an exam. She said the puppies had proved a huge hit and provided immediate blood-pressure lowering qualities as they spent a few hours in a large playpen in the refectory on Tuesday. The five pups, all about 10 months, were brought to the campus free by Juliann and Ken Harris, who run a breeding farm in Cootamundra called Toy Puppies are Us. The couple were happy to share the dogs de-stressing powers with students who lined up for the experience. The dogs slept through most of it.

Carnival capers and extra camels

Daily music performances and a few extra camels will ensure that this years Christmas Carnival in the city will be bigger and better than last year. Canberra CBD Limited chief executive Jane Easthope said about 33,000 visitors attended the 12-day event last year and she hoped improvements would attract those numbers again. Last year we only had enough camels [to use] for part of the day. This year weve got enough camels to go the whole day, she said. Ms Easthope said new attractions included music every day at The Canberra Times fountain and roaming performers from the You Are Here group. All the attractions are free and will be placed in different spots around the CBD so visitors can enjoy everything on offer. If riding a camel isnt your thing there will a bungee run where participants compete with each other, a rock climbing wall, an inflatable kids gym and an obstacle course. The carnival will finish closer to Christmas this year starting on December 12 and running through to December 23. Attractions will be open from noon until 8pm every day. Devon McGillicuddy

PUPPY PLAY: Students Jose Torres, left, and James Tarte, right, with UCs Tilly Hickenbotham who has introduced stress-free activities. Photo: ROHAN THOMSON

Solar glare safe: CASA

Report rejects hazard claim
By John Thistleton

Reflected light from a proposed new solar farm near Canberra Airport would not blind pilots of approaching or departing aircraft, and would reflect less than glass and similarly to a forest or a crop, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority says. Opponents of the development, Canberra Airport and Qantas, said glare was a potential safety hazard and the solar farm should not be approved on land below the approach to runway 17 at the airport. Airport managing director Stephen Byron previously quoted a US Air Force study that showed people exposed to bright light flashes took four to 12 seconds to recover vision to read instruments. On what planet do we have to be to work out that this is probably not a smart idea to allow the construction of this aviation safety hazard, Mr Byron said. A consultation report from Commonwealth planning agency, the National Capital Authority, shows CASA had by this stage advised the authority the solar farm, on land near Mount Majura Winery, did not appear to be an aviation hazard. Undeterred, the airport requested the advice to be reviewed. Proponent Solar Choice commissioned glare analysis reports from CBRE and Canadian Solar, which used a range of variables, such as height and angle of the sun in the sky, vantage points and heights of the viewer. Both reports concluded some level of glare was to be expected from the solar arrays, but

MYSTIFIED: Canberra Airport managing director Stephen Byron believes the solar farm a hazard.

the impact to vehicles or aircraft was low and unlikely to be hazardous. The modelling used tends to overstate the likelihood of reflective glare because it does not take into consideration the prospect that the view of the panels from many locations will be obstructed by landscape features or other panels within the array, the CBRE report said. The NCAs consultation report says aircraft issues had been resolved. The authority is now waiting for information on environmental matters before making a decision on works approval. Air Services Australia said the 4MW farm, which will take three months to build on 13.8 hectares, would not affect aircraft, nor the radar installation at Majura. Initially concerned about safety of military aircraft, the Department of Defence was later satisfied with CASAs assessment. Canberra Airport also criticised the proposed Mount Majura Solar Farm because it was on a major transport corridor, including for a possible high-speed train. But the NCA said a second study on a highspeed train included a refined alignment south of the farm site.

Lets be open about this.

We are extremely proud of Coca-Cola, and the fact that weve been opening a little happiness with you for over 70 years. We also know that a balanced diet is important and all kilojoules count when it comes to weight management, including those in Coca-Cola. Our desire is for all Australians to be happy and healthy. So were taking steps to help Australians make choices to meet their individual needs. Thats why were increasing the availability of smaller packs and low kilojoule options. We also highlight kilojoule information on the front of all our packs. Theres still plenty to talk about. We hope this is just the start of an open conversation. Find out more about our commitments at coca-colajourney.com.au

Attack sentence suspended

By Michael Inman Court Reporter

A Yass man who viciously assaulted his victim during a drug-fuelled home invasion to prove himself to friends has six months to go straight or spend two years behind bars. A Canberra judge told Peter Baldini, 21, on Tuesday he would serve only weekend detention if he continued along the path of rehabilitation. Baldini pleaded guilty in the ACT Supreme Court to aggravated burglary and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the incident in July 2012. The court heard Baldini and two other men went to a Mawson home to steal drugs about 9pm after being goaded to prove themselves. A co-offender knocked and the trio then stormed the flat when the victim opened the door. Baldini and a co-offender held the man against a wall, while a third man punched him in the head. The third man then searched for drugs while Baldini held the victim in a headlock and continued the assault. The trio then fled after taking some prescription medication and cigarettes. The victim reported to Canberra Hospital with a fractured nose and black eye. The court heard Baldini had quit drugs eight months ago but previously used cannabis and ice daily. He admitted he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the home invasion. Prosecutor Amanda Clarke said the incident was a cowardly attack on a victim who had no opportunity to defend himself. The defence argued Baldini should receive a

WARNING: Keep clean, work hard and keep out of trouble, Justice Richard Refshauge tells former drug addict.

suspended sentence to give him the opportunity to continue the rehabilitation he started when he quit drugs and found a job. Justice Richard Refshauge deferred sentence for six months, but imposed strict bail conditions. Baldini was ordered to accept supervision and engage with drug services to undertake rehabilitation programs. The judge said if the offender could continue rehabilitation he would receive a two-year jail sentence to be served as three to six months of weekend detention with the remainder suspended. Im not going to send you to jail now and I wont send you to jail then if you behave yourself, Justice Refshauge said. Use this opportunity to show me I dont need to send you to jail. If you show me that, I will come to the party and show you substantial leniency. But Justice Refshauge warned if he reoffended or took drugs he could spend more than two years in full-time custody. You must remember that you are on a tightrope, he said. Keep clean, work hard and keep out of trouble. Baldini will reappear for sentence in May next year.

Woman accused of raping teen

A primary school canteen manager raped a struggling 15-year-old boy on her lounge room floor, an Adelaide jury has been told. The woman was later suspended from her job but gained the support of the boys mother after denying having sexual contact with him, prosecutor Ian White said on Tuesday. Kylie Fiona Henry, 40, of Ingle Farm in Adelaide, has pleaded not guilty in the South Australian District Court to rape and to an alternative charge of unlawfully having sexual intercourse with a person under 17 in 2011. Mr White said the canteen manager was a popular figure and first met the 15-year-old boy at a sporting event, when his mother agreed he could do some gardening for Henry. But after the gardening, she allegedly forced herself on him when she moved from the couch to the floor where he had been lying while watching TV. The boy managed to get Henry off him after a very brief encounter, Mr White said. The trial is continuing. AAP

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