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THE CANBERRA TIMES Thursday, January 23, 2014 canberratimes.com.au
5
Neighbours join with police to catch vandals By Ben Westcott and Nipuni Wijewickrema
Police have teamed up with Neighbourhood Watch to catch the vandals who went on a crime spree in Gungahlin on Sunday night as part of a new strategy to involve the community in solving crimes. At least 10 residents across the area had their homes and cars pelted with golf balls and eggs, smashing windscreens and lights. ACT Policing and ACT Neighbourhood Watch have teamed up to catch the criminals, in a new initiative designed to spread the word about local crimes faster. This is the third time both organisations have worked together on a crime since the collaboration was put in place less than a month ago. ACT Neighbourhood Watch president Brian Schiller said it was designed to help police reduce crime in the territory.
SMASHED: Examples of vehicles recently damaged by vandals.
‘‘We can help them out and the important point is that we can get the word out quickly,’’ he said. ‘‘When there’s been an incident like this in a suburb or in a couple of suburbs we can get information out very quickly and then our members can talk to their neighbours.’’ The cost of the damage done was estimated by police to be in the range of tens of thousands of dollars.
The police said they believed the vandalism spree was related to an earlier break-in at the Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club. On Sunday, a half-way house on the golf club’s property was broken into and golf balls, confectionary and soft drinks were taken. Police were out in Gungahlin on Wednesday door-knocking the area for more information. The ‘‘My Gungahlin’’ Facebook page was afire with outrage on
Monday and Tuesday, as residents reported their damage. Forde resident Neha Malhotra lives on Francis Forde Boulevard where one car had its windscreen smashed on Sunday night. She said although she hadn’t seen anything, news of cars being damaged by vandals had been going around the neighbourhood. ‘‘Neighbours have told us not to leave our car out at night,’’ she said. Despite the reports of damages, a spokeswoman for NRMA Insurance said there had been a decrease in malicious damage claims in recent times. A spokesman for Dick Smith said there was a steady increase of consumers spending up to $1700 on security systems and surveillance cameras for their homes. Police said while footage from private security cameras was useful in police investigations, there were still limits surrounding its use in court proceedings.
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Rising star of speedway on right track
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FOCUSED: Speedway driver Michael Stewart with his dog Bell. His father says he is safer driving than going to a nightclub. Photo: JEFFREY CHAN By David Ellery
Michael Stewart’s father, Chris, says the 18-year-old is far safer driving at more than 160km/h on a speedway track than running the risk of being ‘‘coward punched’’ (or king hit) outside a nightclub. ‘‘I’m very fortunate,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve got a son who doesn’t want to go out drinking or to drive fast on the road. There is no comparison [in terms of risk] between what he is doing and travelling down the highway in an old Commodore with a drunken mate at the wheel. ‘‘Michael is in a very good place; he’s doing well in a sport that he loves; he is highly motivated to do the right thing.’’ Fortune is already smiling on the carpentry apprentice from Bywong who had a dream debut in what still ranks as one of Australia’s more affordable forms of motor sport in 2013. He is now
being fast-tracked for success by Speedway’s governing body. That news was broken with a recent post on his Facebook account. ‘‘I have (just) been accepted into the 2014 Speedway Australia rising stars program,’’ he wrote. ‘‘I would like to thank everyone who helped get me accepted and who has made me and my team welcome in the sport.’’ Already a nine-season motorsports veteran, thanks to Canberra’s go-kart scene, Michael has no desire to go hooning about the countryside. His daily driver, an 1990s Pulsar with the little 1.6-litre four is even less likely to get pulses racing than the equivalent model Toyota Corolla. ‘‘No [road] car could match the thrill of my speedway car on the track,’’ he said. Mr Stewart, an automotive engineer who specialises in classic
rebuilds and performance engines, says the green machine with 51 on the front goes more like a superbike than a car. It has a Fontana engine, a General Motors-inspired threelitre four with a similar head design to that used in the old Holden red motor. The difference is these engines are alloy, hand-built and capable of spinning out to more than 9000rpm. Maximum output is just under 300kw at 8500rpm and 508 Nm at 6500rpm. The broad powerband is essential given there are no gears: the only driver inputs are the brakes and the steering wheel and the cars have to be rolled to start them. When ignition does occur the action is explosive. With an all-up weight of about 350 kilograms (50kg less than a Honda Goldwing motorcycle) 0 to 100km/h takes
‘‘about five seconds’’. While top speed varies depending on what diff ratios are fitted, this car regularly hits 165km/h on the 400-metre-long ‘‘straight’’ of the Parramatta speedway circuit. ‘‘There are no words to describe it,’’ the young apprentice said. ‘‘The acceleration is unbelievable and the speed is awesome.’’ Mr Stewart said while the sport had its share of thrills and spills he and Michael’s other support team members (mum, two grandfathers and a sister who is in training as team photographer) don’t worry too much about the safety side. ’‘It is actually a safer environment in many ways than road driving,’’ he said. ‘‘All of the cars are going in the same direction and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what the other driver is going to do. After all, they are trying to do the same thing you are.’’
Blanchett buys harbour unit for sons
Vogue Premium ‘Glamour Firm’ queen ensemble was $2895 NOW $1590
hurry, ends monday PLUS, FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY, RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY REMOVAL OF YOUR OLD BED.^ C Credit provided by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). Australian Credit Licence N No. 291313. ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company. Subject to American Express llending criteria. Interest rates, fees and charges apply. You must be over the age of 18 years to apply. T Terms and Conditions apply. For full Terms and Conditions please see the David Jones Storecard and David Jones Ame American Express Cardmember Agreement. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express Australia Limited. *Interest Free instalment credit option is available instore on bedding to approved customers on a David Jones American Express Card or the David Jones Storecard only. Repayable in 36 equal monthly instalments. Minimum purchase $500, in one transaction. Fees and charges apply. Each new interest free instalment credit option incurs a $35 establishment fee and a $2.95 monthly account keeping fee. Not available in conjunction with any price reduction pursuant to the David Jones Price Promise. Offer ends 27/01/14. Details instore.
By Lucy Macken
Cate Blanchett and her husband, Sydney Theatre Company artistic director Andrew Upton, have spent nearly $2 million on a waterfront home in Elizabeth Bay. Sources close to the sale said the purchase was an investment for their three sons, Dashiell, 12, Roman, 9, and Ignatius, 5, which makes the couple part of Sydney’s emerging ‘‘kippers’’ (kids in parents pockets eroding retirement savings) trend. Blanchett, who won a Golden Globe last week for her role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, had hoped to buy two adjoining two and three-bedroom apartments in the Billyard Avenue block, marketed with a price guide of $1.6 million-plus and $1.8 million-plus. However, having bought the two-bedder for $1.92 million, Blanchett failed to secure the three-bedder. Records show the larger apartment sold for $2.435 million to a director at metals producer BCD Resources, Clive Carroll. Jason Boon, of Richardson & Wrench Elizabeth Bay, sold the apartments on behalf of arborist George Palmer, marketed with the option of buyers purchasing both for $3.5 million as one whole-floor spread. Mr Boon is overseas and unavailable for comment.
Comfort Cell ‘Galaxy’ queen ensemble was $5395 NOW $2945 (pictured)
HAPPY FAMILY: Andrew Upton, Cate Blanchett and their three sons. The couple have bought a home in Elizabeth Bay, pictured, for almost $2 million as an investment property for their children. Photo left: Snapper Media
It was a highly competitive auction, according to buyer’s agent Henry Wilkinson, of Homesearch Solutions, who was in the room to bid for a client but failed to secure a property. ‘‘The agents were surprised by the result because they both sold for well over their asking price,’’ he said. ‘‘The two-bedroom apartment needed a bit of work actually, and even though it has the better aspect to the north, there are a few privacy issues to it from the building next door.’’ Neither Upton nor Blanchett
were present at the auction, but the source said the couple had hoped to buy the adjoining apartments for their children. The art deco block has been recently upgraded and comes with a harbour-front garden, a swimming pool and a jetty. Sydney parents buying real estate for young children is becoming more common in Sydney. In October, lawyer Dion Vertzayas spent $710,000 on a Potts Point apartment as an investment for his five-year-old son Dean.
DAV I DJ O N E S .CO M . AU Offer ends 27/01/14 and subject to stock availability. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. †Standard metropolitan delivery only. Valued at $100. ^Removal offer only available from 23/01/14 to 27/01/14 and applies to metropolitan areas only. Valued at $65 and valid for same number of bedding units purchased. #Models may vary by store. DAV0364_CT
THE CANBERRA TIMES Thursday, January 23, 2014 canberratimes.com.au
5
Neighbours join with police to catch vandals By Ben Westcott and Nipuni Wijewickrema
Police have teamed up with Neighbourhood Watch to catch the vandals who went on a crime spree in Gungahlin on Sunday night as part of a new strategy to involve the community in solving crimes. At least 10 residents across the area had their homes and cars pelted with golf balls and eggs, smashing windscreens and lights. ACT Policing and ACT Neighbourhood Watch have teamed up to catch the criminals, in a new initiative designed to spread the word about local crimes faster. This is the third time both organisations have worked together on a crime since the collaboration was put in place less than a month ago. ACT Neighbourhood Watch president Brian Schiller said it was designed to help police reduce crime in the territory.
SMASHED: Examples of vehicles recently damaged by vandals.
‘‘We can help them out and the important point is that we can get the word out quickly,’’ he said. ‘‘When there’s been an incident like this in a suburb or in a couple of suburbs we can get information out very quickly and then our members can talk to their neighbours.’’ The cost of the damage done was estimated by police to be in the range of tens of thousands of dollars.
The police said they believed the vandalism spree was related to an earlier break-in at the Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club. On Sunday, a half-way house on the golf club’s property was broken into and golf balls, confectionary and soft drinks were taken. Police were out in Gungahlin on Wednesday door-knocking the area for more information. The ‘‘My Gungahlin’’ Facebook page was afire with outrage on
Monday and Tuesday, as residents reported their damage. Forde resident Neha Malhotra lives on Francis Forde Boulevard where one car had its windscreen smashed on Sunday night. She said although she hadn’t seen anything, news of cars being damaged by vandals had been going around the neighbourhood. ‘‘Neighbours have told us not to leave our car out at night,’’ she said. Despite the reports of damages, a spokeswoman for NRMA Insurance said there had been a decrease in malicious damage claims in recent times. A spokesman for Dick Smith said there was a steady increase of consumers spending up to $1700 on security systems and surveillance cameras for their homes. Police said while footage from private security cameras was useful in police investigations, there were still limits surrounding its use in court proceedings.
continue to save 45%
ON ALL FULL-PRICED BEDDING FROM SEALY POSTUREPEDIC AND SLEEPMAKER, PLUS RECEIVE E COMPLIMENTARY DELIVERY†
save 45% ON SEALY POSTUREPEDIC
Rising star of speedway on right track
Crown Jewel ‘Royal Acclaim’ queen ensemble was $8195 NOW $4495 Prestige ‘Cavendish Plush’ queen ensemble was $4695 NOW $2575 (pictured) Advance ‘Austin Medium’ queen ensemble was $2995 NOW $1645
SAVE 55% ON SEALY POSTUREPEDIC PALATIAL CREST FLOORSTOCK MODELS#.
save 45%
ON SLEEPMAKER
Luxuriance ‘Henia Ultra Plush’ queen ensemble was $6695 NOW $3645
FOCUSED: Speedway driver Michael Stewart with his dog Bell. His father says he is safer driving than going to a nightclub. Photo: JEFFREY CHAN By David Ellery
Michael Stewart’s father, Chris, says the 18-year-old is far safer driving at more than 160km/h on a speedway track than running the risk of being ‘‘coward punched’’ (or king hit) outside a nightclub. ‘‘I’m very fortunate,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve got a son who doesn’t want to go out drinking or to drive fast on the road. There is no comparison [in terms of risk] between what he is doing and travelling down the highway in an old Commodore with a drunken mate at the wheel. ‘‘Michael is in a very good place; he’s doing well in a sport that he loves; he is highly motivated to do the right thing.’’ Fortune is already smiling on the carpentry apprentice from Bywong who had a dream debut in what still ranks as one of Australia’s more affordable forms of motor sport in 2013. He is now
being fast-tracked for success by Speedway’s governing body. That news was broken with a recent post on his Facebook account. ‘‘I have (just) been accepted into the 2014 Speedway Australia rising stars program,’’ he wrote. ‘‘I would like to thank everyone who helped get me accepted and who has made me and my team welcome in the sport.’’ Already a nine-season motorsports veteran, thanks to Canberra’s go-kart scene, Michael has no desire to go hooning about the countryside. His daily driver, an 1990s Pulsar with the little 1.6-litre four is even less likely to get pulses racing than the equivalent model Toyota Corolla. ‘‘No [road] car could match the thrill of my speedway car on the track,’’ he said. Mr Stewart, an automotive engineer who specialises in classic
rebuilds and performance engines, says the green machine with 51 on the front goes more like a superbike than a car. It has a Fontana engine, a General Motors-inspired threelitre four with a similar head design to that used in the old Holden red motor. The difference is these engines are alloy, hand-built and capable of spinning out to more than 9000rpm. Maximum output is just under 300kw at 8500rpm and 508 Nm at 6500rpm. The broad powerband is essential given there are no gears: the only driver inputs are the brakes and the steering wheel and the cars have to be rolled to start them. When ignition does occur the action is explosive. With an all-up weight of about 350 kilograms (50kg less than a Honda Goldwing motorcycle) 0 to 100km/h takes
‘‘about five seconds’’. While top speed varies depending on what diff ratios are fitted, this car regularly hits 165km/h on the 400-metre-long ‘‘straight’’ of the Parramatta speedway circuit. ‘‘There are no words to describe it,’’ the young apprentice said. ‘‘The acceleration is unbelievable and the speed is awesome.’’ Mr Stewart said while the sport had its share of thrills and spills he and Michael’s other support team members (mum, two grandfathers and a sister who is in training as team photographer) don’t worry too much about the safety side. ’‘It is actually a safer environment in many ways than road driving,’’ he said. ‘‘All of the cars are going in the same direction and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what the other driver is going to do. After all, they are trying to do the same thing you are.’’
Blanchett buys harbour unit for sons
Vogue Premium ‘Glamour Firm’ queen ensemble was $2895 NOW $1590
hurry, ends monday PLUS, FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY, RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY REMOVAL OF YOUR OLD BED.^ C Credit provided by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085). Australian Credit Licence N No. 291313. ® Registered Trademark of American Express Company. Subject to American Express llending criteria. Interest rates, fees and charges apply. You must be over the age of 18 years to apply. T Terms and Conditions apply. For full Terms and Conditions please see the David Jones Storecard and David Jones Ame American Express Cardmember Agreement. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express Australia Limited. *Interest Free instalment credit option is available instore on bedding to approved customers on a David Jones American Express Card or the David Jones Storecard only. Repayable in 36 equal monthly instalments. Minimum purchase $500, in one transaction. Fees and charges apply. Each new interest free instalment credit option incurs a $35 establishment fee and a $2.95 monthly account keeping fee. Not available in conjunction with any price reduction pursuant to the David Jones Price Promise. Offer ends 27/01/14. Details instore.
By Lucy Macken
Cate Blanchett and her husband, Sydney Theatre Company artistic director Andrew Upton, have spent nearly $2 million on a waterfront home in Elizabeth Bay. Sources close to the sale said the purchase was an investment for their three sons, Dashiell, 12, Roman, 9, and Ignatius, 5, which makes the couple part of Sydney’s emerging ‘‘kippers’’ (kids in parents pockets eroding retirement savings) trend. Blanchett, who won a Golden Globe last week for her role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine, had hoped to buy two adjoining two and three-bedroom apartments in the Billyard Avenue block, marketed with a price guide of $1.6 million-plus and $1.8 million-plus. However, having bought the two-bedder for $1.92 million, Blanchett failed to secure the three-bedder. Records show the larger apartment sold for $2.435 million to a director at metals producer BCD Resources, Clive Carroll. Jason Boon, of Richardson & Wrench Elizabeth Bay, sold the apartments on behalf of arborist George Palmer, marketed with the option of buyers purchasing both for $3.5 million as one whole-floor spread. Mr Boon is overseas and unavailable for comment.
Comfort Cell ‘Galaxy’ queen ensemble was $5395 NOW $2945 (pictured)
HAPPY FAMILY: Andrew Upton, Cate Blanchett and their three sons. The couple have bought a home in Elizabeth Bay, pictured, for almost $2 million as an investment property for their children. Photo left: Snapper Media
It was a highly competitive auction, according to buyer’s agent Henry Wilkinson, of Homesearch Solutions, who was in the room to bid for a client but failed to secure a property. ‘‘The agents were surprised by the result because they both sold for well over their asking price,’’ he said. ‘‘The two-bedroom apartment needed a bit of work actually, and even though it has the better aspect to the north, there are a few privacy issues to it from the building next door.’’ Neither Upton nor Blanchett
were present at the auction, but the source said the couple had hoped to buy the adjoining apartments for their children. The art deco block has been recently upgraded and comes with a harbour-front garden, a swimming pool and a jetty. Sydney parents buying real estate for young children is becoming more common in Sydney. In October, lawyer Dion Vertzayas spent $710,000 on a Potts Point apartment as an investment for his five-year-old son Dean.
DAV I DJ O N E S .CO M . AU Offer ends 27/01/14 and subject to stock availability. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. †Standard metropolitan delivery only. Valued at $100. ^Removal offer only available from 23/01/14 to 27/01/14 and applies to metropolitan areas only. Valued at $65 and valid for same number of bedding units purchased. #Models may vary by store. DAV0364_CT
