Art’s take on a natural show

The exhibition from the South Australian Museum is one of the most highly-anticipated of the year, as it showcases artistic interpretations of the natural world.

Parish says he is big into teaching at the moment, particularly with children and high school students keen to connect with nature through photography, and recently completed a workshop in the Tarkine wilderness in Tasmania.

‘‘The universal thing is a desire to connect to nature and express a passion for it and that’s what this exhibition is about and why agreed to open it,’’ he said.

Among the exhibits is Kate Bergin’s The Art of Patience (pictured), an oil on canvas which was highly commended in this year’s prize.

‘‘Like Beckett’s tragicomedy, Waiting for Godot, we can imagine these characters variously resting, chatting or arguing, waiting for the call that will make sense of it all,’’ the artist’s notes read.

The exhibition will be at the National Archives of Australia from September 20 to November 10.

She says her secret weapon is her hair flick and Shaunee Robb is ready to bring it home for Canberra.

The Canberra Raiderette is the Green Machine’s representative in Big League’s Cheerleader of the Year competition.

The 21-year-old is in the top eight, hoping to be the first Raiderette to win the competition.

A human resources officer in a project management company, Robb says the fans are the best bit about cheerleading.

‘‘I love it when kids come up to you and their faces light up,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s fun, it’s social, it keeps you fit.’’

The cheerleader with the most votes wins, so Robb is hoping her home town gets behind her and votes before the competition closes Monday midnight. The winner will be announced the following Monday at The Ivy nightclub in Sydney.

There are two ways to vote - either online at the Big League Facebook page or via SMS by texting Shaunee to 1999 2220.

Australians are again being urged to drive a dramatic rise in “burnsides”, "balcarrotas" and “mutton chops” from Sunday with the kick-off of Sidetember in September.

Sidetember is a fundraiser to build awareness about the leading cause of death and disability in young people – brain injury – and to support the vital work of the nation’s peak advocacy body, Brain Injury Australia.

Aussie blokes are being asked to grow sideburns and keep them on for the month, perhaps emulating Wallabies player and Sidetember ambassador Tatafu Polota-Nau. The girls can wear specially designed ‘‘sideburns’’ jewellery for the month.

To participate in Sidetember, go to www.sidetember.com

A 50 cent collectable coin has been released by the Royal Australian Mint to celebrate the arrival of Prince George of Cambridge, the first born son of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

But you’ll need 160 50 cent coins to buy it – the fine silver 50c proof coin retails for $80. (But an uncirculated cupro nickel coin featuring the same design is also available for $9.)

The coin features a family tree with the initials W and C above ‘‘HRH Prince George Born 22.07.2013’’, and was designed by the Royal Australian Mint after ‘‘extensive consultation with Buckingham Palace’’.

“Ever since the pregnancy was announced we have taken many enquiries from the public wanting to know if there will be a coin to add to their collection,” mint spokesman Mark Cartwright said.

The coins are available from the mint’s store or online or by calling 1300 652 020.

We’re going to have to start calling the Channel Nine’s Sydney newsroom ‘‘Canberraville’’ or some such thing.

WIN Television reporters Gabrielle Adams and Luke Dufficy are the latest to shift to the big smoke, Dufficy finishing up on Friday night and Adams signing off on September 20.

Originally from the Central Coast, Dufficy, 24, had his farewell party at Honkytonks in Garema Place on Friday. He’ll be working in the sports department for Nine after almost three years in Canberra, just over two at WIN and six months at 2CC.

‘‘I’ve loved living and working in Canberra. It really is a great city and I’ll miss it a lot. I’ll definitely make sure I stick up for it when other people bag it out,’’ Dufficy said.

Adams is originally from Canberra and started interning at WIN while still at the University of Canberra. She won the Peter Leonard Scholarship in honour for the late Peter Leonard, WIN’s long-time newsreader.

After two years at WIN, Adams, 25, will be producing in the newsroom at Nine with other former Canberrans including Danielle Post, Fiona Dear and Julie Snook.

‘‘It’s been a great training ground,’’ she said, of her time in the WIN newsroom.

We love the name but try saying it after a few shandies.

Zipadidubar is a new cocktail and tapas lounge which opened in Allara Street on Thursday.