MANY of our national institutions were on-call, day and night, during the Queen’s visit.

“CC” hears that representatives from certain attractions were responsible for hand-picking works from their collections they thought might be of interest to Her Majesty.

According to sources, employees had to be available at a moment’s notice to head to Yarralumla at the Queen’s request. One got the nod to be at Government House pronto on Sunday, only to be stood down.

At the time of going to press, there were still many anxious curators with an ear to the phone around the cultural institutions.

Katy’s hat tricks

CHIEF Minister Katy Gallagher looked relaxed as she was photographed wandering behatted through Floriade with Her Majesty. But “CC’s” heard that, behind the scenes, things were a little different.

After a trial walk through Commonwealth Park two days before the Queen’s arrival, Gallagher decided it might be “nice” to wear a hat.

A call was made to Health Directorate employee and part-time milliner Rachel Henson, who managed to design and create Gallagher’s beautiful hat almost overnight, receiving the Chief’s head measurements via email. And she managed to match the colours and design by looking at the dress online!

Buddies take to hats

SPEAKING of hats, with racing season upon us and Melbourne Cup just days away, here’s a chance to snap up an interesting head design and help raise money for a good cause.

Canberra identities and pollies have been busy over the past few weeks designing and creating their own race-day hats, which are being auctioned off for local breast cancer charity Bosom Buddies.

The list includes the member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann; her predecessor Annette Ellis; ACT MLA Jeremy Hanson; ABC radio’s Alex Sloan; John Runko, CEO Independent Property Group and his wife Pauline, a Bosom Buddies ACT ambassador.

You’ll find their personally-designed hats online at www.allbids.com.au

All proceeds go to Bosom Buddies to help support breast cancer patients in the ACT and surrounding region. Bidding closes on Sunday, October 30.

Kulture Break back home

CONGRATULATIONS to the ACTEWAGL Kulture Break Dream Zone US-tour kids who have arrived home safely after a trip of a lifetime.

Four volunteers accompanied 21 at-risk kids on the tour, which was designed to encourage them to have faith in their abilities to achieve their dreams.

Francis Owusu, Kulture Break’s CEO, says the tour was an incredible experience for everyone involved.

“The idea was to encourage kids to dream… a lot of kids struggle these days to believe they can achieve things,” he says. “We created a space where they could believe things were possible and then tell that story to audiences through dance.”

The group lugged 52 suitcases weighing over 1,196kg and performed 20 shows in New York and LA over 14 days.

They appeared on US TV and took a workshop with Disney choreographer Heidi Jarret, who has worked with singers Seal and Christina Aguilera.

Cinders aims to sparkle

IT takes more than a glass slipper and some dancers to make the fairytale “Cinderella” come to life at Canberra Theatre Centre in mid-November.

Word has it that more than 80 costumes are worn during the West Australian Ballet’s version of this rags-to-riches tale and around 8000 Swarovski Crystals were used in their making, with 1000 encrusted on the Fairy Godmother’s tutu alone. Not to mention the lace. This magical production features more than 200 metres of it delicately hand-sewn into many of the bodices and tutus.

And something you would never know… the newspaper read by Cinderella’s father on stage is an original French paper from June 8, 1936!

“Cinderella”, November 15-19, Canberra Theatre Centre. Bookings to www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au  

Holy smokes, Batman!

BATMAN St Brasserie looks like being the place to be seen this summer. “CC” hears that contractors have been working overtime ahead of its official launch, which is just weeks away.

Located in Gorman House, Batman St Brasserie is Sage Restaurant and the new Mint Garden Bar combined.

The Harrington boys have worked tirelessly on the project and the plan is for a VIP launch on Thursday, November 10, with the grand opening on Friday, November 11.  The Friday event is expected to draw quite a crowd and “CC’s” been told priority may be given to Batman St Brasserie Facebook friends and database members.

See Wendy Johnson’s review of Mint Garden Bar.