IN a world made weird by the news Texan model Jerry Hall, 59, is dating Rupert Murdoch, 84, it was somehow reassuringly normal to have the All Blacks wallop the Wallabies at the former London cabbage patch that is Twickenham in the Rugby World Cup finals.

Untroubled by a construction setback on the new bridge on the Majura Parkway, the ACT Government declared the Swedish furniture store would open rain or shine on Monday, November 16, to an expected crowd of 15,000 to 20,000.

All good practice for the subsequently announced development applications that reveal turmoil at inner-city intersections that will be gummed for weeks/months/years as the chain gang heads north laying the widely reviled tramline.

BUT we were bedazzled by Capital Metro’s prize-winning spin with the unveiling of an out-of-the-blue, 25-year master plan for tram services across Canberra, notable for the absence of costings, timings or details. From a Floriade-coloured, fantasy map we saw tramlines rolling effortlessly north, south, east and west.

As Labor toys with enslaving our children and grandchildren to paying back the billions, the best Planning Minister Mick Gentleman could say was: “Light rail is integral to ACT government’s planning, transport, climate change and health strategies for the future”. Health strategies? Here’s one: fix the emergency department, please.

THERE was turmoil in Belconnen with “the most family-friendly cafe in Canberra” closing for “a lot of soul searching” after a minority of horrid kids ran amok in Heather Martin’s House of Cake by the Lake.

Since March, the cafe’s playroom, at Emu Bank, has struggled against nappy changes on tables, soiled nappies left behind, broken glasses hidden amongst toys and food left “squished” into the carpet.

“The minority have ruined it for the majority,” Heather

OLD boys’ eyebrows were doubtless arched by principal Justin Garrick’s surprise that, after 87 years, ?Canberra Grammar would  transition to a co-educational campus.

Gals would be welcome into years 3 and 4 next year and by 2020 all year groups would have female students.

Dr Garrick said Canberra Grammar needed to prepare its students for a world where women played an equal role, while thumbing a nose at old chums, Canberra Girls Grammar School, with which they’ll now compete for enrolments.

THE soon-to-be litigious former radio star Scotty Masters gave us a revealing glimpse into how he was suddenly dumped. In a candid “Canberra Times” interview, he balked at the FM104.7 management’s assertion he was made redundant from his high-rating breakfast show.

The newly engaged ex-announcer says he was sacked on holidays, his possessions sent home by courier and was “gutted” at not having the chance to say goodbye to his listeners.

Unmoved, station manager Eoghan O’Byrne said: “Canberra FM have met all their obligations in relation to a legitimate redundancy. And apart from that, I really don’t have any other comment.” Until he’s giving evidence, that is.

ANOTHER discordant note from the ANU’s besieged School of Music. After 11 years of teaching, Anne Ewing resigned citing a toxic culture and bullying of staff, saying morale has hit new lows – particularly after former head Peter Tregear left suddenly in July. She’s pinning her hopes on incoming vice-chancellor Prof Brian Schmidt to save the school’s shredded reputation.

MORE happily, Susan West, Georgia Pike and their team at the Music Engagement Program gathered more than 1000 children from 13 Canberra schools in Llewellyn Hall for a joyous concert. Called “The Big Gig”, it was part of a simultaneous songfest across the nation.

U-DAY arrived somewhat benignly at week’s end as the controversial Uber ride-sharing software operated without fear of prosecution. At “CityNews” we watched the app’s car-tracking features as a small group of cars hovered around Civic. Beginning of the end for taxis? Time will tell.

AND praise for the Metro petroleum outlet in Fyshwick for giving Costco’s gasoline pumps a run in the discount-petrol stakes. Its significance is getting fuel discounting out from Majura Park and offering a price that isn’t conditional on a membership card.

Columnist Robert Macklin is on leave