Graeme’s driving success

IT seems Shaw Vineyard Estate has experienced a bumper year. “CC’s” learnt the Murrumbateman winery has started exporting to China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. And word is Hong Kong’s next on the list.

Owner and winemaker Graeme Shaw’s told “CC” it’s been a busy year.

“I’ve had three trips throughout Asia this year, and it’s great to finally land these distributors,” he says.

“We sent seven wines to the world’s biggest wine show in Vienna and picked up four silvers and three gold.”

The vineyard has come a long way since Shaw first planted in ‘99. And while it’s been a busy year amongst the vines, there’s still been time for his second passion – motor racing.

“It’s a great outlet for me,” says Shaw. “I’ve been doing it since ’69 when the family car caught alight in a rally.”

“The great thing about owning a vineyard is that I can use sponsorship to get ahead in a race,” he jokes. “Anyone who lets me pass gets a case!”

Speaking of sponsorships, “CC” can reveal Shaw Vineyard Estate has just bought the naming rights for the NSW Production Touring Car Championships.

All you need is love…

WE know her as “the soup kitchen lady”; Stasia Dabrowski has been voluntarily running her local mobile soup kitchen for the homeless and the needy for more than 30 years.

And a breath-taking painting was unveiled in her honour at a Lifeline event in Canberra recently.

Local artist Barbara van der Linden painted Stasia’s portrait for her upcoming exhibition “Faces of Canberra”.

There was barely a dry eye in the room as Stasia took to the podium to share a special message ahead of Christmas.

“Love one another… it only takes one minute a day to love somebody,” pleaded the 85-year-old. “We can fix the problem… love is the only solution.”

Stasia was born in the southern mountains of Poland and migrated to Australia with her husband after World War II.

“I was forced to work carrying coal in buckets to heat homes… I was so young and all we had to eat was potato peelings,” she tells “CC”. “It was my grandmother who taught me to love everybody—even your enemy.”

Stasia was named Citizen of the Year in 1996, and was awarded the inaugural ACT Senior Australian of the Year in 1999.

Her son Mariusz Nurzynski assists on a daily basis and plans to continue the soup kitchen legacy long after Stasia is gone.

Troy ties a knot

IT’S official. Former Raiders’ prop Troy Thompson’s single days are over with his marriage to Rachel Herbert.

About 200 guests will be treated to a lavish reception at the National Gallery of Australia after a church ceremony at Saint Christopher’s Cathedral, Forrest.

Former Raiders’ players Matt Gafa and Lincoln Withers, with Raiders’ prop Josh Miller as best man help make up the bridal party of four bridesmaids and four groomsmen.

Lee moves closer to home

CELEBRITY fitness trainer and television personality Lee Campbell has been spotted out and about in Canberra.

According to sources he was seen buying protein bars at Coles in Manuka recently.

“CC’s” been told Campbell has traded his fast-paced Sydney lifestyle to be closer to family in Canberra.

The former Sydney Swans player featured on Channel Nine’s reality TV shows “BIG – Extreme Makeover” and “Celebrity Overhaul” with Dr John Tickell. And he co-wrote the book “Get in Shape” with Ita Buttrose.

Pop goes dinner at Trev’s

LOCAL online restaurant and entertainment guide, “OutinCanberra” has joined the numerous web-based sites offering daily deals and discounts.

“We want to be the local service promoting great local businesses with great offers for Canberrans,” says team member Phil Trenbath.

Called “OutinDeals”, it offers subscribers exclusive deals with savings on dining, nightlife, entertainment, beauty, health and fitness, and more.

A recent deal included a three-course meal for two people at Trev’s in Dickson. And it sold out in four days at just $37 a pop. Owner and chef Trevor McGrath cooked at the US embassy and was former PM Kevin Rudd’s personal chef at The Lodge.

[box] So this is Christmas….

WIN TV’s Ellena Midgley
I PREFER practical gifts so a Mixmaster is on the list this year. I’ll be spending my first Christmas with my partner. His family has a beautiful home in Braidwood and I’ve been told to expect a Christmas tree that reaches the ceiling!

Prime TV’s Madelaine Collignon
FOR Christmas, I would like some good, old-fashioned family fun! And I’m secretly hoping I made Santa’s good list, I would love a new bike! Christmas day is my favourite day of the year! Our extended family is very close (and very big) so it’s a great chance for all of us to catch up.  Giant touch footy matches with at least 16-a-side are pretty standard.  And it will be the first Christmas with a baby in our immediate family, with the addition of my gorgeous nephew William. Can’t wait!

Prime TV’s Daniel Gibson
TO see a huge smile on everyone’s face as our son, who has cerebral palsy, rides his new bike! He is 10 and this will be his first time ever riding like everyone else!
In Canberra with my wife and extended family – eating, playing, laughing and riding bikes!

TransACT Canberra Capitals captain Jess Bibby
I WOULD love a new iPod to put all my fav ‘80 tunes on.
And Chrissy day will be with family in Mount Dandenong (Victoria) eating gianormous amounts of food!

TransACT Canberra Capitals coach Carrie Graf
COOKBOOKS and a bottle of Clonakilla Shiraz Voigner. Cooking Christmas lunch in Melbourne with family.

TransACT CEO Ivan Slavich
TO spend time with friends and family, a time to reflect on the year that was and all of the achievements and a thought for all those people less fortunate than us and how we can make a difference to them in 2012.
It will be Christmas in Sydney with my wife’s family. We have brought over two family members Svitlana and Max from Ukraine for a holiday, I think they will be blown away with what we have planned for them, they have a very tough time over there so we really want to spoil them, they will climb the Harbour bridge, go to the Blue Mountains, Jenolan caves and we have booked some tickets on a boat on Sydney Harbour to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve… the boat will be in the parade of lights, something I have never done before and on my bucket list, too.

Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath
I’VE truly been spoilt all year, so my needs are very simple this Christmas. The best present for me is to be at home with my family.  My son Liam is home from university in NZ, so it will be great to all be together and enjoy the Christmas festivities. As for Christmas presents, not having to travel is the best present I can imagine. Socks and hankies are always good.

Brumbies coach Jake White
FOR Christmas, I’d love to have my family together. In my Santa sack I wouldn’t mind some new dancing shoes.

Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr
A SAFE and happy day with family and friends… and the chance to share a nice bottle or two of Canberra District wine with them.
I’ll be acting Chief Minister over the Christmas/New Year period, so I will be in Canberra. Looking forward to an enjoyable lunch with the extended family and then catching up with friends over dinner.

Opposition Leader Zed Seselja
THE greatest Christmas present I could ask for is spending a well-earned break with my loved ones.
I’ll be spending Christmas Day here in Canberra with my family and friends, followed by our traditional Boxing Day barbecue. [/box]