THE ABC insists ratings do not drive programming initiatives but the first Canberra radio survey for the year will have management a little concerned.

Following a “refreshing” of 666 ABC Canberra’s on-air line-up – which included punting long-time presenter Genevieve Jacobs – the station has dropped from number one to three. An audience protest appears to be responsible for 8.4 per cent being wiped from the station’s core demographic (40-54) and a massive 5.6 per cent drop in the breakfast show audience share.

MLAs Gordon Ramsay and Mark Parton are in a dog fight over cruelty in the local greyhound racing industry. As the territory’s Racing Minister, Ramsay is finally demonstrating some political “mongrel”, accusing Parton of treating his syndicated greyhound Community Values (originally named Nugget) as “a disposable object”.

Parton responded that “if the Minister could speak dog” and told Nugget he could no longer race “the dog would be gobsmacked”. Spare a thought for Hansard staff.

FROM dish lickers to a very big dish, the Deep Space Station 43 at Tidbinbilla, which is celebrating its 45th birthday. The 4000-tonne structure, designed to be moved and “pointed with hair-width accuracy and communicate with spacecraft billions of kilometres from earth” was officially unveiled by then PM Gough Whitlam on April 13, 1973.

THE Doc Marten boots worn by Russell Crowe in the 1992 film “Romper Stomper” are coming to Canberra. The National Museum of Australia successfully bid for the iconic combat boots at a Sotheby’s auction of the actor’s movie memorabilia collection. The NZ-born actor wore the maroon-coloured boots while playing the lead role of the violent skinhead Hando in the movie. The acquisition will help the museum to tell the Australian film industry story.

STILL on footwear and the tip is, incoming National Gallery director Nick Mitzevich will quickly fill the boots of retiring director Gerard Vaughan. The 47-year-old’s reputation has preceded him thanks to eight years heading the SA Art Gallery in Adelaide when he presided over growing crowds and major acquisitions.

The Hunter Valley-raised Mitzevich says his new job is to ensure the Canberra institution is “bursting at the seams” and wants “visitors playing a vital role in the nation’s cultural life”.

SENATOR Derryn Hinch has offered punters flying business class out of Canberra at the end of a sitting week tips on in-flight etiquette. According to the Victorian senator “non-political” types often like to chat to pollies but suggests this is not always appreciated by our hard-working representatives. In a piece for “Crikey” the “Human Headline” explains that parliamentary members cherish the 60 minutes of uninterrupted bliss the Canberra/Melbourne flight offers.

NO such R&R for ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury. Fresh from his Saturday morning club run, the MLA backed up to launch Menslink’s inaugural kicktokick4acause at Hughes oval and revealed some stylish skills with the Sherrin.

Teams from local sporting clubs and the corporate world spent 24 hours kicking AFL balls. Menslink CEO Martin Fisk says he’s “extremely grateful to organisers and participants for a sterling effort pushing beyond fatigue to raise in excess of $52,000 for men’s health education programs”.

SEVEN Days has been lacking in celebrity spots of late but hopefully Keith Potger striding out along Crawford Street in Queanbeyan satisfies. The foundation member of the internationally successful ’60s pop/folk group The Seekers and creator of the New Seekers in the 1970s relocated to Braidwood several years ago. Now in his seventies the entertainer looked relaxed, enjoying the autumn sun.

ACCORDING to Sky News political reporter Samantha Maiden, Canberra may have been unfairly labelled when it comes to neighbourliness.

She tweeted: “I just went to my neighbour’s house to borrow eggs to make cupcakes. She was not home and never locks the door. So, I stole two eggs, documented this & informed friend of egg theft. Canberra isn’t as bad as everyone says!”