Cinema

I hope that the decency and fairness so palpable in the new Government’s decision to drop the charges against Bernard Collaery will be followed by a substantial settlement to compensate him for the lost years he suffered under the previous gang. Indeed, it’s hard to write anything about the Australian dark ages from Abbott to Morrison without bursting into violent, incoherent rage. They have left the Albanese team with a massive clean-up task. It ranges from our international pariah status on climate change; a propensity to tell barefaced lies; an unnecessary insult to our biggest trading partner; and the alienation of half the nations of the South Pacific. At home Covid is killing more people than ever before. The budget cries out for a sensible ‘windfall tax’ on the profiteers; a massive spend on relocating flood prone towns; a recalibration of the bushfire defence program; education spending on public schools, hospitals, aged care facilities and early childhood. At such a time, it might sound pernickety to raise what might seem an esoteric issue inherent in the Government’s commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. But I can’t help thinking that unless we do think about it now, the whole endeavour might suffer the fate of the last Republic debate when the smart alecks among the monarchists divided the republicans by raising the subsidiary issue of the process in choosing an Australian head of state. Here the problem is the obverse. It’s not the individual elements – a Voice enshrined in the Constitution; a Makarrata or truth-telling commission; and a Treaty with appropriate reparations. These are all sensible moves to draw a line beneath the colonial horrors and to finally make Australia whole. But there’s a paradox that unless we confront it now it could allow the naysayers to upset the national applecart. I’ve been alerted to it by the biography I’m currently writing on Donald Thomson who for much of the 20th century was the leading – and most controversial – whitefella advocating publicly for Aboriginal advancement. Born and educated in Melbourne he was a scientist, anthropologist, journalist and war hero, acknowledged internationally as the principal authority on the Aboriginal people. He lived among them in Far North Queensland, Arnhem Land and the Central deserts. To this day his work is used to validate land claims. But here’s the rub. The more he got to know their way of life, their rituals, their culture, and their systems of governance, the more he valued them. And the more he fought to defend and preserve it. Indeed, he sought wherever possible to ban the white ‘civilizers’ from the church missions to the rapacious cattlemen, from trespassing on Aboriginal land. And that was 50 years before the Mabo decision. His sworn opponents were the ‘assimilationists’ who wanted to ‘breed out the colour’ and destroy Aboriginality forever. Since then, the Aboriginal rituals and ceremonies – including the total domination of their men’s business – have lost much of their relevance. This was nicely caught in an episode of the brilliant Aboriginal murder mystery True Colours (SBS) when a male elder noted that ceremony that used to take months was now done in a couple of weeks: ‘It’s microwave style these days.’ The women have been the beneficiaries. Freed from their secondary status we see them nightly on The Drum – articulate, highly intelligent and with a powerful message to sell. But in the process, Aboriginal men have been disempowered and demoralized; and many have taken to drink. The effect on families has been sad to watch as so many of the children run wild. The great movement we have begun must tackle that vexatious issue if it is to succeed. Some would call that assimilation. robert@robertmacklin.com

Reading—A beer with Baz “Well….well….well, Bazza how about the Maroons eh? I’m glad I back them these days. I figure because my Grandmother was born in Brisbane, I qualify as a Queensland supporter.” Mick landed the full schooners and grinned. Bazza con nued peering into his newspaper, pausing for a sip and shook his head. “Ahhhh…… good on you Mick. Have you seen these images of from the James Webb Telescope of our cosmos released this week?” Mick rolled his eyes. “Ahhhh…. you’re a typical Blues supporter, Bazza…..trying to change the subject. Staying away from the back pages of the newspaper, eh? I’m onto you…… now let’s start with the opening of the game and the big hits………” Mick began his recount of the game in animated fashion, pausing only for sips to fuel his excitement. Bazza’s thoughts returned to the images of space in the newspaper. He shook his head at the realisa on the images were a mere speck in the universe, many mes less than a grain of sand on a beach that never ends. Striking as the kaleidoscope of images were, he wondered what was beyond those and beyond that and so on. When everything else seemed to be defined by beginnings and ends, the idea of space just going on and on ra led him. It was beyond imagina on because even imagina on was somewhat defined. Bazza shook his head at the thought and took a sip. “Now Bazza….. no point shaking your head. You blokes were up 12 to 10 at hal ime……. your shout by the way.” Bazza returned with full schooners and Mick’s narra on of the State of Origin Match took on the form of a 1980’s Rex Mossop commentary, with references to ‘a bit of biffo’ and ‘claret flowing’ to the bemusement of a wider audience in the bar. The term ‘held him in the Christmas hold’ had the younger patrons scratching their heads but Mick was now playing it up to the pub patrons, with an outstretched palm for a fend, and a sway on his bar stool for a side step. Bazza’s thoughts again strayed. He picked up the beer coaster and tore it in half, and then in half again and again un l his fingers could no longer tear it further. “I can see you’re ge ng a bit pissed off there, Bazza…… but the big plays are yet to come.” Mick increased the volume of his commentary to wider laughter. Bazza looked at the smallest piece of the torn beer coaster. A knife or a scalpel could cut it a few mes more but then it would be so small you would need a microscope and perhaps laser and then goodness knows what technology to cut it further. His rudimentary knowledge of science assured him you would end up with cells, then molecules and then atoms but you would never just end up with nothing. Just as technology developments allowed us to look further and further into space, perhaps the same applied to looking at things ever smaller. He just assumed the truth of his thoughts and it was unse ling; never being able to get to nothing and never able to get to the end of everything. “Ben Hunt…..Ben Hunt….. charges down and catches Cleary’s kick……ohhhhh…..shut the gate…..Queensland….Queensland…..it’s all over…… ahhh…… There you go Bazza!” “Well……..I’m just relieved it has an ending, Mick.” Have a beer with Bazza at john.longhurst59@gmail.com

NEW machinery for use in the sawing out of spokes has been installed at Perry’s factory, which recommenced opera ons last week at Bateman’s Bay. The installa on is expected to considerably reduce the cost of produc on. CHEERS greeted Mr. Aus n Chapman (right) [Member for Eden-Monaro] in Parliament last week when he gave no ce of a recommenda on from His Majesty’s Ministers of State to the Governor-General to summon the first Parliamentary session in 1924 to meet at Canberra. A cornstalk on Mr. W. Taylor’s farm at Eurobodalla was 18 6ins in length. Severe frost on Tuesday morning. Hot water had to be applied before the water pumps would work. MR. Shropshire, Police and Licensing Magistrate, was too unwell to preside at the local Courts on Wednesday last. Messrs. T. Flood and R. J. Anderson, J’s.P. held the quarterly Licensing Court and Messrs. N. D. Healy and P. Mills, J’s.P. the Court of Pe y Sessions. At the Licensing Court Mr. Hyland was granted permission to erect a second story to the Narooma Hotel. At the Police Court G. Hanscom was fined £1 for driving a motor car across Moruya Bridge at a rate exceeding the speed maximum allowed. … EUROBODALLA SHIRE. – Correspondence: From R. L. Hapgood, Tilba Tilba, asking for concrete pipes to be laid at Temperance Hall. Request granted; From Moruya Progress Associa on, re erec on of lamps in streets. Permission granted for removal of lamp post in front of Shire Hall to the court House corner, and the erec on of another one at the corner of Campbell and Vulcan Streets. General Business: Bodalla Estate Plan – It was resolved that the Council take over the small reserve [next?] to the factory, over the long flat, as shown on the plan; Stone Crusher – The Engineer was instructed to interview Messrs. Connors and Graham in regard to the extension of their contract on Moruya-Bodalla road at the same price. Re s.s. Wee Clyde and Wharf Dues – The Clerk was instructed to write to the Pilots at Narooma and Bateman’s Bay and ascertain on how many occasions the Wee Clyde has visited their ports since the inaugura on of the wharf charges. MOGO. (From our Correspondent.) Literally and commercially we have been nearly defunct – but perhaps this is rather as strong term; there is always a kick. But I am pleased to say the outlook is more promising. The depression aforesaid was caused mainly by a stoppage in the mber industry. While there is no return yet to sleepers, a sample order for rims is being cut, and a fairly large number of props are required. … It is no ced that in the recent football match played between Mogo and Bodalla the “Examiner” in its men on gives the glory to Bodalla, whereas I am informed Mogo won. Wha-for! Extracted from the Moruya Examiner by the Moruya and District Historical Society Inc. h ps:// www.mdhs.org.au

Lots of new stock at Moruya Books.

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What more could you want than a book about Books?!

Reading—le er to the editor Kotvojs "will not be ‘rolled out by anyone"

Dear Beagle Editor. Your piece on local poli cal possibili es contained a reference to Fiona Kotvojs being possibly ‘rolled out’ by the Liberal Party. This is at best dismissive of a very accomplished woman. Dr. Kotvojs chose to seek preselec on for the 2019 federal elec on due to the realisa on that the qualifica ons, extensive and diverse career experience, and mul ple skills which she had acquired in life could be put to the best possible use in serving her community from a parliamentary seat. From a cold start in Eden-Monaro she almost defeated Mike Kelly and, when he re red, came even closer to winning the subsequent bye-elec on, only Labor’s Donkey Vote bridging the difference. On the re rement of Andrew Constance she sought the Bega state seat as being where the most influence for her community could be found. Why voters preferred candidates who had fewer qualifica ons, far more narrow career experience and very li le, and in the case of Kristy McBain, no evidence whatsoever, of the service in voluntary organisa ons which Fiona has been engaged in all her life, is a mystery known only to them. So she has returned to her role in the evalua on of interna onal governance programmes in which she is a world authority, plus the con nued running of two small businesses and the family farm. She con nues her involvement in the development of the Gourmet Coast trail, to promote year-round tourism along our coast, and she is working with people of widely differing poli cal and lifestyle perspec ves to explore ways of comba ng the polarisa on of society and to seek the centre ground where solu ons are always to be found. If she again seeks elec on, this will be of her choosing. She will not be ‘rolled out’ by anyone. If not, then the absence of her impressive skills in parliament is a far greater loss for all of us than it is for her. Alan Burdon President, Narooma Liberals

Reading—le er to the editor In response to Council's plea sent to 8500 to rent your holiday house

The Beagle editor, Your readers might be interested in my recent communica on to Eurobodalla Council. Dear Council, Thank you for the le er regarding my home in the Eurobodalla. Your le er indicates that your records suggest it is a “second residence or holiday house”. Please correct your records. While it is not legally my “primary residence” it is my residence and defiantly not a “holiday house” but my home. The subject of a local housing crisis which is at the heart of your appeal is very complex with the overtones of people sleeping rough or in their cars due to either a shortage of space or a place at a affordable rate. The core issue is that demand outstrips supply. We all have, here in Australia, a desire to have a permanent roof over our heads, clean cheap drinking water and some food in our belly but the desire for more, or bigger, which seems to be the Australian norm, takes more than a desire but luck, planning, hard work and a strategy to achieve these goals. Affordability, desires and needs are all components which appear to have got out of hand. Council plays an important part in addressing this subject just as the State and Federal Governments do. Council sets our rates, determines the cost of our water and approves developments for new estates and houses. This is where the rubber hits the road. Therefore ac on by Council both in the short term and longer term would go a long way to solve the local problem. Why do we have such a high demand for accommoda on here on the South Coast? The obvious superficial answer is the fires. Well, Council would know how many people (very few I would suggest) are s ll in temporary accommoda on wai ng for the bureaucra c process to be completed before they can move into their rebuilt home. Council can assist and speed that up – one step closer. Secondly there is a high demand for medium term rentals from all the tradies working on infrastructure projects up and down the Shire. John Holland tried to address this by purchasing the motel on the north shore but the employees wanted be er accommoda on for their family and children so they just increased housing demand. Now that project has ended- have they (from project manager to the carpenter) given up their house – I doubt it. They have found alternate work or rented their place out as they either move to Canberra or up the coast to a new project. But s ll there are more tradies who have heard about the quick buck that can be made on the south coast and either taken on a project or set up their trailer to reap the rewards of over priced local projects – extensions, a new pa o or electrical switchboard, a replacement fence, all at top rates. But Council cant do anything about this side of demand, acknowledging that it will just get worse as people flow south out of the flood plains and ci es to our north and south. Thirdly and this is where Council can have a real impact.

Con nues…. Look to Council managed land – either crown land or areas that they manage either directly or via some lease arrangement as they do with caravan parks, sports fields, waterways and community centres. These could be managed in such a way to free up space for medium term renters to find a patch in the sun at an affordable rate. Tiny houses, caravans, house boats or tents. There is no silver bullet and one solu on does not apply to all but that is where a taskforce should start to apply the pressure to solve the problem. If only there was a task force - which there isn't. Fourthly, I understand Council has to approve most developments on new released land which has to meet certain standards. Lets introduce a requirement on all DA approvals to have affordable rental accommoda on and low cost houses as a requirement of any development over a certain size. While that may reduce the a rac veness of developments here on the coast it would, in the medium term, solve the current housing crisis. As they say to build a cathedral you have to lay at least two stones (bricks in our case). Lastly the subject of the le er sent to ratepayers. The idea that these residences are empty is incorrect. Most are used either as second homes, holiday houses or retreats as mental health places or to enjoy a pas me or change of pace. Each has a special place in the families well being. To ask them to give this up will, I suggest, just move the current problem down the road. But more importantly the economics just does not stack up with the increase in insurance, storage of removed furniture, agents fees, wear and tear and the poten al to not be able to return because of tenants refusal to move is just not worth the risk BUT here Council could play a major role. Council could waiver all rates and taxes, make drinking water free and subsidise all the other costs associated with any rental longer than six months. This would show that Council ac vely puts this monkey on their back and not asks those that may have worked very hard for many years to take on this issue and a empt to solve the short term problem. A er the fires was different and we all pitched in to help. Imagine the housing problem as a result of the current floods in NSW. Affordable housing and rental proper es is a medium term issue but if we look back at the decisions Council has taken regarding the aspects they control the chicken has defiantly come home to roost. So, develop a robust strategy that starts with granny flats, onsite caravans and ends with large development approvals. Work with all Departments of the State Government. Your 8 points on the reverse of the le er is a start and you should be commended but the majority depend on others to provide a solu on. This will cost Council money but you will not be shi ing the issue to hardworking ratepayers inappropriately targeted. Regards Malua Bay Resident Harry Watson Smith