A hi-tech way to lose those kilos

And there was no secret to it. He just made sure he burned up more calories than he put in his mouth.

A techno dude, he used various phone apps and website-based programs (see fitbit.com) to measure how many calories went in and how many he needed to work off as well as track what he was eating.

‘‘I haven’t been near a gym,’’ he said, happily.

Linke and wife Mardi also take their dog Dahlia on daily 5km walks. He still indulges in the occasional chocolate or fastfood meal but the portions are smaller and he just makes sure it all fits his daily calorie intake. Linke says he doesn’t diet and doesn’t feeel hungry. He just needed to know the stats.

‘‘They say knowledge is power and in my case it certainly is,’’ he said.

It seems Canberra’s own Alex Gibson has always had the voice. He used to sing in his cot as a baby and at the tender age of six, joined the Canberra Boys Choir. (He’s centre front in this photo). Now Gibson is rocking it on The Voice , this week put through to the next round of the live finals by his coach Seal. The Canberra Grammar School old boy boarded at the school when his family moved to Bungendore. His parents Richard and Margaret still live on the farm. And, who knows? There might be another Gibson on The Voice. We hear younger brother Johan, who studied hotel management in Sydney, is also a hip hop artist. Youngest brother Robert has stuck to engineering.

Finally! Some Skywhale souvenirs! The crafty (in all senses of the word) ladies at Shop Handmade in Canberra have produced badges that will suit both lovers and haters of the much-debated hot air balloon.

One version has Skywhale inside a heart; the other says ‘‘Skywhale? Sky fail.’’

‘‘Whatever team you’re on, we have you covered,’’ owner Julie Nichols said.

The badges cost $2.50 each and are only available at Shop Handmade on City Walk in Canberra.

There is a special bond between Ngunnawal elder Aunty Agnes Shea and Parliament House architect Aldo Giurgola.

Earlier this year at the opening of centenary of Canberra historian Dr David Headon’s exhibition But Once in a History, Aunty Agnes, 81, did a welcome to country and then afterwards approached Mr Giurgola to tell him she worked as the cleaner for Mitchell, Giurgola & Thorp during the early days of the Parliament House construction.

They apparently shared an emotional reunion. And their paths continue to cross, both attending the opening night of Monument, the Australian Ballet’s tribute to Parliament House at the Canberra Theatre.

A key advisor for the ballet, Giurgola, 92, told the centenary’s creative director Robyn Archer that seeing the ballet was ‘‘was one of the most exciting moments of my life – to see the building move’’.

Groovy night markets focusing on contemporary craft will be held at the Nishi building in New Acton on Saturday from 4pm to 9pm.

Modern, is the Craft + Design Centre’s inaugural craft and design night market, presented in partnership with the Molongo Group.

Jewellery, ceramics, fashion, artwork and much more including Melbourne knitwear label Wendy Voon.

There is another talented Rathbone from Canberra. Comedian Dayne Rathbone, brother of Brumbies player Clyde, will be back in the national capital next week to perform his show It’s Me Dayne at the Canberra Casino on Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old has found national and international success with his intentionally-awkward shtick, taking out Australia’s biggest comedy festival, Raw Comedy, and finishing second in So You Think You’re Funny at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

He took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for us.

Who is funnier – you or Clyde?

I am funnier but Clyde is definitely funnier about rugby because he gets up to mischief. Once he farted on George Gregan’s toothbrush but he didn’t tell him.

Are you really that awkward in real life?

Definitely no. I did always do art (drawing and singing) but if you are on stage in real life it is scary so you don’t know what to say and it is nervous.

The Brumbies have their home game against the Hurricanes the same Friday night you are performing – which show will provide better value for money?

Definitely It’s Me Dayne will be a better show because you already know who will win because the Hurricanes are crap this year but in It’s Me Dayne , nobody knows who will win.

Do you now have a rider for your shows?

I did ask for a Pizza Hut pizza but they said no.

You are also a singer. Is next stop The Voice?

I definitely can sing but they won’t let me on The Voice because I already did the quarter final of Australian Idol in 2007.

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