Darlington Review • Vol.62 • No.11 • December 2022

Anglican Church (Church Office 6292 0074)

Baha’i Faith

Bushfire Ready Group

Darlington Arts Festival Inc. (DAF)

Darlington Bushwalk Series

Darlington Chamber Music

Darlington Christian Fellowship

Darlington Community Garden (DCG)

Darlington Community Recreation Advisory Group (DCRAG)

Jan Carroll 9299 7240

Susheel Croft 0402 023 704

Colin James 0419 969 223

Chris Pemberton 9252 0154

Cliff Burns 9299 6696

Malcolm Firth 0400 204 845

Murray Guy 0417 174 441

Susie Itzstein – warmfuzzyhill@bigpond.com 0414 771 741

Colin James 0419 969 223

Darlington Dipsticks Bindi Datson 9252 1050

Darlington Family Playgroup Stacey Phipps 0417 955 835

Darlington Junior Cricket Club Chris Pivac - chris@slatergartrellsports.com.au 0404 082 623

Darlington Junior Football Club Brodie Della - darlingonjfcpresident@gmail.com

Darlington History Group

Val Shiell 9299 6868

Darlington Pavilion Project (DaSRA) Geoff Barker geoff@pmdwa.com

Darlington Primary School 9299 6888

Darlington Primary School P & C Association

Darlington Ratepayers & Residents Association (DRRA)

Lucy Banner (President) President@dpspc.org.au

Steve Beadle drra@darlingtonvillage.org

Darlington Retirement Accommodation Assn Inc. (DRAA) Carolyn Earnshaw 0427 271 765

Darlington Running Group Pippa Windsor 0488 069 764

Darlington Social Cricket Club Inc. Stephen Jones 0437 242 299

Darlington Tennis Club Alex Hoschke 9299 6456

Darlington Theatre Players at Marloo Theatre – 9255 1212 Rachel Vonk 0419 929 692

Darlington Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Inc.

Ricky Harvey 0409 685 445

1st Darlington Scouts Julia Tolj – 0448 298 695 (Glen Stenton – 0403 809 226)

Forrest Darlings CWA Kate Herren 0452 644 248

Friends of Darlington Station Reserve (FODS)

Jane Arnold – arnoldmj55@gmail.com 0477 987 048

Friends of Glen Park Glenys Letchford 0467 586 050

Friends of Waylen’s Landing (FOWL) Shannon Ward 9252 1879

Garrick Theatre publicity@garricktheatre.asn.au

Guides Western Australia (Forrest Hills District) ‘Dibblers’

Guildford Grammar School

Karen Wills 0418 917 045

Gillian MacDonald 9377 9222

Hovea Ashram Manita Beskow 0419 043 768

Helena College Carrie Parsons – cparsons@helena.wa.edu.au 9298 9100

The Hub of the Hills

Rachel Bacon 9290 6683

KSP Writers’ Centre Shannon Coyle 9294 1872

Kalamunda Bridge Club Jenny Tedeschi jennifer_tedeschi1@hotmail.com

Mundaring Arts Centre Inc.

Mundaring Arts Scholarships

Mundaring Chamber of Commerce

Mundaring Christian College

Mundaring Creative Learning

Mundaring and Hills Historical Society Inc.

Parkerville Steiner School

Shire of Mundaring Library Service

Silver Tree Steiner School

Jenny Haynes 9295 3991

Chris Durrant 9299 6093

Morgan Holmes – President, Mundaring Chamber of Commerce TBA

Amanda McCleary 9295 2688

Terrie Plaistowe 9295 1688

Trish Beaman 9295 0540

Michelle Garvin - michelle.garvin@silvertree.wa.edu.au 9295 4787

Kerryn Martin, Branch Librarian, Greenmount Public Library 9290 6758

Hayley Spracklen/Michelle Garvin - michelle.garvin@silvertree.wa.edu.au 9295 4787

Soroptimist International of Helena Fay Kappler 9274 4543 Swan Rotary Manny Braude 0408 274 556

The Darlington Club

Sue Lavell 0439 273 213

Treetops Montessori School Stuart Harris 9299 6725

Welcome To Darlington (WTD)

Members of Parliament:

Member for East Metro

Susie Itzstein – warmfuzzyhill@bigpond.com 0414 771 741

Donna Faragher JP MLC 9379 0840

Member for Kalamunda Matthew Hughes 9293 4747

Federal Member for Hasluck Tania Lawrence 6245 3340

Mundaring Shire South Ward Councillors:

Cr James Martin

CrEllery@mundaring.wa.gov.au 0420 421 883

CrMartin@mundaring.wa.gov.au 0437 287 377 Cr Trish Cook CrCook@mundaring.wa.gov.au 0409 479 551 Cr Luke Ellery

Justice of the Peace: Warren Southwell 9252 0361

Darlington Hall future bookings ring Shire of Mundaring Booking Officer on 9290 6666 or bookings@mundaring.wa.gov.au

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EDITORIAL:

Editor: Trea Wiltshire editorial@darlingtonreview.com.au | 9299 6080

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EDITORIAL

What a month!

You have to hold onto your hat come November because the pace of life in Darlington really picks up as we approach the festive season – but if ever we need reminding of what makes Darlington so special, November 2022 provided the evidence in spades!

Whether it’s the Friends of Darlington Station folk spreading mulch on the reserve in preparation for Sculpture on the Scarp; the Community Garden and Darlington Volunteer Bushfire Brigade joining forces for the Community Bonfire; or the slow coming together of our biggest annual event, the Darlington Arts Festival, when artworks arrive at the hall and the grounds team begin the mammoth task of designing the layout and erecting the tents – such events brings a sense of the community pulling together and of random folk being drawn into the action by the sheer excitement generated.

Our photos in this final issue of the year capture all this – and there is more about these events in the editorial, as well as a reminder to ‘think local, shop local’ as we head into the festive season.

The amazing volunteers on the DAF Committee and below: The hands-on (and unflappable) DAF President Amy Pepper accepts the Lotterywest ‘cheque’ from MLA Matthew Hughes (Photo: Evalyn Photography)

What a year!

This year has seen a string of welcomed initiatives that bring more services to our doorstep: the heritage building on the corner of Brook/Glen Roads had an elegant facelift when making its debut as a hub for Hills practitioners and not long after, the Hive opened its reimagined rear premises offering stylish office space for professionals. Meanwhile, Two Birds found an home atmospheric nest behind the Post Office, and between Meg and Arun you’ll find plenty of gift ideas

The Community Bonfire

That noisy thunderstorm on the eve of the Community Bonfire had organisers worried, but rain held off until the bonfire was finally leaping into the night sky and lighting up the landscape.

The bonfire is always a true spectacle, and while the weather kept some away, the Community Garden can count the event a big success. It was great to see the involvement of so many young people, including the Darlington Primary School Band and that great busking duo C&J Rockin’. When Charlie and Jack Dudek began playing, feet started tapping! The former DPS students are now studying at John Curtin College of the Arts and WAAPA is on the horizon.

Also drawing spectators was the skatepark action with young riders performed their best tricks to impress judges from Freestyle Now that hosts skateboarding/scootering competitions and provides coaching tips for contestants. Presenting prizes, Freestyle’s Kareece had words of praise for the riders and Shire of Mundaring. “Often we see the same contestants from different areas who go from one competition to the next, but today most were locals who just love riding, so the Shire is certainly in tune with this high level of community participation.”

There was more competition on the oval, for best costume (a very fetching fairy) and a fiercely contested tug-of-war with local clubs vying for the cash prize. Helen Tarbotton (The Butterfly Lady”) kept things orderly, assisted by The Spider Lady sporting a big red dot on her back, Trish (“Don’t mess with me!) Cook.

to choose from. The year also saw Darlington Estate Winery reopening its doors and adding a small pub DEW’S for casual dining. With alternate Mondays rapidly become burger night when Hillbellies is in town, Little Brassica offering tempting menus on Friday nights, and our well-loved cafes, The Little Nook and The Hive firmly established as our favourite gathering/entertaining venues, we’re certainly well served by local business.

Monitoring the tug-of-war at the Community Bonfire were Nathan Thompson (also on the LAMP Pump Track subcommittee) and Richard Stockwell with the Spider Lady Trish Cook (Councillor and DCRAG Chair), the Butterfly Lady Helen Tarbotton and volunteer Dr Diane Parker. There was the requisite amount of push-and-pull, straining and falling to keep onlookers entertained as they urged on the teams.

All in all, a great event! Thanks to the many members of the Darlington Volunteer Bushfire Brigade who created the spectacle and kept it safe, and to the Community Garden team, headed by that clever Spider Lady.

Best Trick winner Osin (most creative) Seth (best trick) and Jaxon (most diverse trick) with Freestyle Now’s Kareece and other contestants; Best Costume contestants

The fantastic Festival!

There is a seam of creativity embedded in the scarp that has always drawn makers. Indigenous clans shaped fine spearheads, wove intricate grasses, and mixed ochres for ceremonies that encompassed music, dance and story-telling, and that impulse to create also thrives in the studios of potters, painters and sculptors whose work is showcased on the first weekend in November.

When Olman Walley’s didgeridoo sounded across homes and hillsides, it stilled for one long moment the flurry of our festival, and spoke of the creativity that links countless generations of those who have called Darlington home.

Others put into words what Olman’s music conveyed. President Amy Pepper (also Coordinator of Sculpture on the Scarp) reminded us that festivals such as ours are built on an extraordinary investment of time by many, but principally by 30 volunteers who work across nine months to deliver two days of performance, artistry and community engagement that, over more than seventy years, have come to define Darlington. These core volunteers – all with busy family/professional lives –hang paintings, erect tents, usher in stall holders, guide visitors, deliver non-stop entertainment and much more. They were

joined, over the weekend, by 70 locals who took on diverse roles to ensure we presented a festival that satisfied stall holders and fund-raisers and, as always, stirred our pride.

James Martin, Mundaring Council President, grew up with festivals and spoke of a Shire that values the arts and contributes $12,000 to help make it happen. Another long-term resident MLA Matthew Hughes, also relished presenting a ‘cheque’ of $24,000 from Lotterywest, telling us the generous grant came from the sale of lottery tickets that didn’t turn ticket holders into millionaires, but that nevertheless made all West Australians winners by contributing some $323 million to health, arts, sports and communities such as ours. So, keep on buying those tickets! Many talented artists collected awards on opening night, with prize money totalling $9,550 going to creatives from school kids to professionals. Veronica McGrath left opening night on a high, knowing that she had won the Three-Dimensional first prize in the Open Art and that her Sculpture on the Scarp entry Dog Rock had already sold. Veronica was delighted people and dogs enjoyed interacting with her sculpture on the Station Reserve: “I really enjoyed exploring local earth and cement mixes in making this sculpture which is an homage to the Dogs which journey through life with us humans.” Veronica is also a lecturer, workshop facilitator and registered art therapist.

No festival is without its little dramas, and a capricious overnight storm early Sunday morning certainly woke Stalls Coordinator Ron Stuurstraat as he fretted about the fate of his tents. Dawn saw Ron and Grounds Coordinator Brendon Thompson heading to the oval to view the aftermath. “The scary thing was when the first stall holders began arriving, three of the tents were still taking off!” recalls Ron. “Fortunately, no one got hurt and we immediately texted people to call for replacement tents as well as repurposing some of our own, so things settled down…”

Apart from the weather gods stirring things up, the weekend was blessed with perfect conditions and when weary workers gathered for wind-up pizzas, there were many stories of exceptionally positive feedback from visitors and stall holders. Something that particularly pleased those delivering Soir Noir and the Wine Tent was the response to both.

It’s become part of Festival folklore that the 2022 tickets to Soir Noir sold out in 15 seconds flat, making them the most soughtafter tickets in Perth! And the lucky ticket-holders enjoyed a perfect sunset, beautiful décor and a marquee that kept out the evening chill.

Music man Glen Whisson said that judging from the response, the DAF Wine Tent reproduced its glory days. “We had a staggering 53 musicians performing over the weekend, with an exceptionally diverse range of musical offerings. We always like to include emerging Hills’ talent and young Tayla Murphy made her DAF debut with a truly memorable version of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams followed by a wonderful rendition of Dusty Springfield’s Spooky.” And, of course, Glen’s Blue Manna was back this year, joined by Australian legend Dom Mariani. “There were too many musicians to name in a spectacular lineup of talent that was well catered for by local soundman Fenton Oldmeadow.”

Brendon Thompson also applauding the ‘community feel’ of the Wine Tent. “While the tent has previously been run as a

Olman Walley (Photo: Boorloo Aboriginal Cultural Experiences)

Veronica McGrath, 3D art prize winner in the Open Art Exhibition, and whose entry Dog Rock, in Sculpture on the Scarp, won lots of fans.

fundraiser, DAF ran it to cover costs, bring back local music and keep everything as local. Sure, it was a learning curve – and using wine glasses was a huge undertaking – but the satisfying things was that EVERYTHING was recycled and while it took more staff, the Wine Tent and Soir Noir were a lovely way for the Festival to give back to the community.”

Throughout the weekend, young residents were well represented in the Youth and Junior Art exhibitions, but also through an excellent new initiative, the DAF Youth Engagement workshops sponsored by Mundaring Shire. One workshop left us with an eye-catching mural on the community pavilion, another produced a spectacular sculpture for the Station Reserve, and a third provided locals with new digital art skills. Festivals are all about discovery and young participants, guided by Sioux Tempestt, Shanti Gelman and Nick Kempt, certainly left the festival with new skills.

DAF President Amy Pepper with Shanti Gelmi (coordinator DAFYEP), Sioux Tempestt (lead artist - mural) and Tessa Dorotich (youth assistant - mural).

A big day out for visitors

It has become a Festival tradition to host groups of new Australians from the Edmund Rice Centre, many of who have come from war-torn nations, and this year one regular Festival visitor shared her artistry with kids at the busy Workshops Village organised by Pippa Windsor.

Bellamore’s family left troubled Burundi and spent several years in a refugee centre in Tanzania before arriving in Australia. Talking to this articulate 26-year-old (pictured right) it was clear that a string of hardships had not quenched a resilience that, she says, came from her mother’s determination to make a better life for her children. “She had a passion for children and every hardship made her stronger.”

Initially Bellamore would struggle to master English and “find my place” but she took every opportunity that came her way including a coaching traineeship with the AFL Commission. “My secondary school gave me permission to take it up and I met inspirational people like Nick Natenui. AFL saved

me from depression and different layers of trauma, it helped me to be where I am. After graduating from school, I was sponsored to attend a Multicultural Youth Advisory Network and that encouraged me to start my community activism, to speak up and stand up for myself and others. Now I’m standing as a councillor in the community I grew up in, the City of Balga.” We don’t know the outcome of the election as the Review went to press before the results, but we’re confident that Balga will be hearing more from Bellamore.

Another Festival legacy

What’s the story behind this great pic of Tania Whisson putting on a valiant smile while a black cockatoo with an enormous beak looks as if he is about to chomp on her ear (“Yes, I was very nervous, but it was such a gentle nibble…”)?

Sponsoring a rescued endangered black cockatoo was another new Festival initiative and Tania engineered it through the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre, home to this 14-year-old cockatoo. The Centre rescues endangered birds and you will recall that the plight of these cockatoos was featured in Moira Court’s Festival poster collage. The DAF funding for this comes from part of the proceeds of this year’s silent auction and you’ll be able to follow the fortunes of the Festival’s sponsored bird, christened Daffy, if you visit the Kaarakin Facebook page and website. “Cockatoos are threatened by land clearing, illegal shooting, vehicle strikes and competition for nesting hollows, but injured birds can be rehabilitated and released, and will quickly join local flocks and continue living as wild cockatoos,” says Tania. For more about Kaarakin, visit  https://blackcockatoorecovery.com

As we went to press, DAF Treasurer Len Nielsen said that while records weren’t broken, all areas did extremely well. Art/Shop sales totalled $29,000, DAF raised $13,000 in donations, which was higher than last year (“the result of strong local support and hard work by the DAF donations team!” says Len). Congratulations to all!

A further erosion of community voices?

Reluctantly, we leave the warm glow of the 2022 Festival to address a more sobering topic: the Minister for Local Government John Carey’s proposed reforms to the Local Government Act of 1995 that, many fear, will further politicise local government.

There is already widespread concern that the authority of local government, has, over many years, been gradually eroded under both Liberal and Labor State Governments. The Minister for Local Government John Carey has now initiated a raft of reforms – the biggest changes since the Local Government Act of 1995 – by introducing, among other reforms, preferential voting, the direct election of mayors/shire presidents (rather than election by fellow councillors) and reducing the number of councillors – and all, would you believe, with the purported aim of “strengthening democracy and community engagement”. There are details under ‘my council’ and ‘local government reforms’ on the Department of Local Government website: on dlgsc.wa.gov.au

The Shire of Mundaring and the peak body, the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), oppose all three ‘reforms’ fearing they will further erode grassroots representation by community leaders and will further politicise local government. It’s interesting to note that preferential voting was thrown out for that very reason when the 1995 Act was drawn up and it’s easy to see why: imagine a scenario where a popular local candidate with a proven track record of community engagement finds himself/herself standing against candidates who belong to a political party, benefit from campaign funding and agree to trade preferences. As local government can be used as a stepping stone to a political career, the fear that politics, political donations and playing the preference game will now be embedded in local government is very real. Some councils are already riddled with politics. Mundaring, to its credit, has avoided that fate and many credit the absence of politics to the very individual grassroots voices on our council that truly represent the Shire's four very different wards.

The heavy-handed way these reforms have been proposed by Minister Carey has angered many, with councils being told to voluntarily reduce numbers and review their ward system wards

A revitalised DRRA

There was discussion on LG reforms at the Darlington Ratepayers and Residents Association AGM in November and retiring DRRA President Steve Beadle urged locals to provide feedback to the Shire. There was a great vibe at the AGM, with Anthony Spagnolo (who impressed many with his talk on building better neighborhoods earlier this year) taking on the job as President, Louise Stelfox, Julia Richardson and Pippa Windsor continuing in their roles as Vice President, Secretary

or see all wards abolished and a complete spill of council seats. Our feisty South Ward Councillor Trish Cook was outraged when the matter was debated in Council, described it as “an erosion of democracy, an erosion of local government…”. Most councillors agreed with her stance but reluctantly opted for the voluntary pathway.

You have a chance to have a say on the Local Government Reforms via the Engage Mundaring website, with submissions closing December 19 (another source of outrage is the mandated timeframe and lack of adequate time to properly inform the community). There is a feedback form on the Shire website that allows you to share your thoughts on the current ward system and how many councillors are appropriate. Community feedback will be considered by council and a decision made in early 2023. You might also like to send a copy of your feedback to the President of the Darlington Ratepayers and Residents Association that is considering putting in its own submission: drra@darlingtonvillage.org

If all this seems rushed and extraordinarily heavy-handed, it will probably make you feel a whole lot better if you also whack off an email or letter to let Minister Carey know what you think:  john. carey@mp.wa.gov.au. Ministerial Office: 7th Floor Dumas House 2 Havelock Street WEST PERTH WA 6005.

and Treasurer, and a record number of six residents putting up their hands to be on the committee: Chris Arnold, Raymond Leclezio, Liz Dumont, Poul Dahl (a former DRRA President), Peter Kitely (see Letters) and Diane Smith.

A former DRRA President, Poul Dahl noted that the new committee should make immediate contact with the Shire. “DRRA is the only organisation that represents ALL of Darlington, dealing with everything from footpaths and road widening and a range of other issues that concern residents, so we absolutely need to have good relations with the Shire, to work cooperatively with Shire officers and to be notified well in advance of forthcoming changes initiated by the Shire so we can have input.”

There is an important change to note: meetings will now be held on the second Thursday of the month. We’ll write more about the new faces on DRRA in the first issue next year. Many at the meeting paid a heartfelt tribute to retiring President Steve Beadle who did a great job over three years, chairing some tricky meetings and steering important initiatives like improved safety on Owen Road.

The three South Ward Councillors who serve us well: James Martin (Shire President) Trish Cook and Luke Ellery.

The 2022 DRRA team: Chris Arnold, Steve Beadle, Pippa Windsor and Louise Stelfox.

New services on our doorstep

As mentioned earlier, our village has welcomed new business premises during the year, bringing new services to our doorstep.

Greg and Lauren Chaine’s renovated 20 Brook Road has become home to several practitioners (play, speech, pilates and massage therapists) including Glen’s Hills Psychology and Wellness. The building has also been was prettified Sue Lennard who is busy growing mini gardens across the heart of our village. “We look forward to continuing to work within such a great community,” says Greg, “and if you’d like to be part of the team, our fourth consulting room has just become available and our shed/ garden space adjacent to Darlington Primary School.” For more information contact Lauren at laurenrchaine@gmail.com

There’s also space available at the attractive new premises at the rear of The Hive café.

Appropriately called The Apiary, it is already home to Studio Origami and if you’d like to check out the remaining unit, contact Duncan Bell on email: duncs75@hotmail.com

Ever since it was carved out of the bushland hillside off Nelson Road in the 1980s, Darlington Estate Winery has been a local gem that – given its setting – rapidly became everyone’s favourite place to get married. Because the function side of the business was so successful it eclipsed what at the time was the only restaurant in town. New manager Johan Velia is determined to reverse that, bringing back locals to an atmospheric small bar/eatery (DEW’S). If you haven’t yet discovered DEW’S, give yourself an early Christmas gift – and the good news is there are plans to extend what’s already on offer.

A relatively new business that appeared in Darlington earlier this year (and was an instant success story) is Hillbellies serving gourmet burgers every second Monday. “Last year I saw a gap in the market for the best quality burgers and good old fashioned customer service up here in the hills,” says owner Kenny Simpson. At the time his wife Jude was working but she soon quit her job to become his business partner. “As the business became

Think creatively for Christmas!

At this time of the year, we always urge locals to Shop Local, and there are lots of opportunities to do just that – with gift vouchers on offer from Mosh and local massage/fitness practitioners, so you can be creative when drawing up those Christmas lists. How about a season ticket to beautiful Bilgoman Pool, tickets to Kookaburra Cinema, a month of daily coffees at local cafes or some of Lou’s Kitchen delicious fare? Meg Selman at Two Birds has an

Left to right: Meg Selman from Two Birds, Lou's Kitchen and Trish from Juniper Galleries.

Jude and Kenny of Hillbellies. popular, we had to decide which way to take it. We followed our hearts and haven’t looked back. Our produce is as locally sourced as possible – buns from Mundaring bakers, grassfed local beef, free range chickens and vegan burgers made here in Perth, plus gluten free bread options.” You can check out Hillbellies times and locations on the Facebook page.

array of gifts and artworks and is planning a Twilight Market on December 8. At Juniper Galleries there are arty gifts galore at the Lifeline 20X20 exhibition. Three hundred WA artists have provided extraordinarily affordable artworks and sales benefit Lifeline. The exhibition runs until December 14.

Megan and Johan at DEW'S.

The Mundaring Bicentennial Scholarship Trust (that will announce the winner of their 2022 Robert Juniper Award for the Arts this month) is looking for a registered auditor and would love to hear from anyone who could help? “Not a big job at all, but the terms of our Trust Deed require

Thanks!

The Review sincerely thanks Chris Durrant, Colette Murray and Ian Kay for providing great editorials during the year, and we’ll be welcoming two new editors in February and March issues next year – Marie Sherwood (see her Letter in this issue) and Jayne and Katie Simpson, well-known local teachers. Our thanks also to Jan Carroll, Dave Taylor and Gaby Houldsworth for stepping in when needed in production and advertising areas. We’re also grateful to Jarrod at Vanguard Press that always goes over and above to bring out the Review on time. We love your feedback, welcome your letters and really appreciate our loyal band of businesses whose adverts provide the dollars that make this community journal happen. We like wrapping up the editorial with a piece that brings us

it,” says Trust Secretary Chris Durrant. “It’s a worthwhile community cause! Previous auditor did it ‘pro bono’ but we could certainly find a small fee. Any interest please contact me at this email chrisctd@bigpond.com or ring 9299 6093.”

back to where we live, and recently we’ve been watching a family of ducklings grow, explore their corner of Darlington in a neat line (feisty dad leading), and occasionally escorted them across Darlington Road as they headed up Montrose. Where were they going? The answer came from long-time resident Barbara Williamson who, after 46 years (34 of them in Montrose) is busy packing up the house to go to Albany and charting the fortunes of the ducklings.

“I was delighted to find this young family of Australian Wood Ducks nestling by the rocks in our garden,” says Barbara. “I can only guess that they found a safe nesting place in a huge white gum nearby, which has several hollows, as we’d seen pink and grey galahs nest in another hollow. And as I recently discovered, ducks DO nest above the ground in hollowed out trees (Simon Cherriman, Hollowed Out, 2022) and apparently even sometimes in chimneys!

“They have grown rapidly since then, and although a couple have been lost, they’re still to be seen crossing the road at the corner of Montrose Avenue and Darlington Road. That is quite a miracle, given how many cars swing into Montrose, so do please look out for the wildlife everyone. This is just one of the special memories we’ll be taking with us from Darlington, as we are soon to depart for a sea change in Albany.”

We wish the Williamsons well as they join other former residents who have retired in Albany – and please heed Barbara’s call as you swing into Montrose for a coffee or bottle of wine.

The Darlington Review team wish you a safe and happy festive season.

Trea Wiltshire | December Editor

Back in 1984 she was a Darlington girl who loved to ride horses and was studying art and design at Perth Technical School. The Darlington Review invited Yolanta Woldendorp to design a front cover for their December issue and she came up with this charming Leunig-style illustration.

The eldest daughter of Lyn and Richard Woldendorp is now the award winning Art Director of the celebrated NZ Life and Leisure magazine. Aspects of her early life in Darlington have travelled with Yolanta to Auckland, New Zealand— particularly a love of the outdoors she has achieved a degree of self-sufficiency by growing things. A decade ago, Yolanta abandoned city life to acquire a threehectare equine property 40 minutes from the city which she shares with her partner and her Appaloosa gelding. He and his paddock mate Diesel provide her with the ‘black gold’ compost she describes as her secret weapon (along with a worm farm) in establishing a flourishing orchard and substantial vege gardens. This home grown way of eating even extends to home-grown beef. An article on the former resident on the Internet describes her ‘arriving home from a stroll through her paddocks with a basket of wild mushrooms to make soup and home-grown feijoa and apple for a crumble dessert’.

Questions:

When you left school did you have a ‘game plan’ or was it hard to decide which path of study to take, and what were the helpful things that shaped your decision-making at the time?

Before I left school I had already decided I would pursue a career in art. It was the area I excelled at, so for me a clear path was forged. Having creative parents and growing up in an artistic community such as Darlington, I was always encouraged to express myself. My father said it was hard to make a living as

an artist so suggested that I turn my skill into commercial art, hence the decision to study Graphic Design.

What advice would you give to a graduating high school student facing that dilemma of choosing a study path?

Choose something that you love to do not what others expect you to do. Spending eight or more hours a day doing something that you enjoy means you can only excel in your chosen subject. The design course I did gave me the opportunity to try my hand at so many different subjects with a wide range of career possibilities. I actually thought I was going to be an animator when I graduated but the positions weren’t readily available back then.

What were the pivotal moments in your career that have brought you to your current position and what do you see as the strengths or strategies that got you to where you are.

My first job as a designer was for a small Perth magazine company. The art director at the time left after I had only been there one month and amazingly I was offered the job – I was only 22. I didn’t think I was experienced or ready for such responsibility. My mum gave me the best advice: You won’t know what you’re capable of if you don’t try, and if you don’t try you’ll always wonder if you missed a great opportunity. I surprised myself and thrived under the challenge, within 3 years I was asked to be the Art Director for (at the time) Perth’s biggest glossy ‘Homes & Living’ magazine. People seem to have to upskill, retrain, keep inventing themselves in today’s working world - how important is flexibility and being open to change?

One of the most important things for me is to never sit back and be comfortable in a job. It’s far more competitive now compared to when I started out, so I need to constantly challenge myself to do better, keep ahead of the trends and train myself in new

Peter Kitely writes:

I have lived on Pine Terrace opposite the ‘oval’ for 36 years. I have witnessed every conceivable activity on and around the central Darlington area … the good, the bad and the ugly.

I write to raise my concerns for the proposed pathway and repositioning of the bollards on the South side (Pine Terrace side) of the oval. The proposed pathway would be on the gravel area between the road and the existing bollards and tree line.

My concern is this. The new pathway and bollards would push the parking cars closer to the road. On sports days the area is full of parked cars, the majority being 4WD, hatchbacks, Utes unloading young children, dogs, bikes, pushchairs, often all of these. How many times have I seen excited young children and dogs drift away from the car and parent onto the road? Many times! A vehicle now parked right on the edge of the road. Literally an accident waiting to happen! So why do we need this new pathway? Someone please explain. Cliff Burns representing the Darlington History Group has clearly

Marie Sherwood writes:

The first Indiana’s Santa Sack for Perth Children’s Hospital was created in 2020 to bring happiness and light to the patients of the Hospital over the festive season. Our Indiana was only 10 days old when first admitted into hospital and he has since spent anywhere from a few hours to several weeks as a patient of PCH.

Michael and I know from first-hand experience how much a small toy or colouring book can light up a child’s face and make a family’s journey that little bit easier. When we discovered that items used and given throughout the wards are all purely donation based, we knew we wanted to help be that difference and make that child’s day a little bit brighter.

Over the past two years Indiana’s Santa Sack has been given huge support by our friends, family and community and this year we are so excited to be teaming up with the wonderful

technologies and programmes. However, it is just as important to take time out to reflect and be in nature, get away from technology and re-charge. You’re no good to anyone if you’re stressed and burnt out.

Your most valuable ‘life lessons' so far...

To trust your instincts, to be thoughtful and be kind.

Letters to the Review

stated (DRA meeting) this is not a request from the History group or part of the Darlington Historic walk.

The proponents of the scheme may not have noticed there is an existing pathway on Pine Terrace should it be required for wheel chair access from the ‘Hall’ to the West end of the oval. There are also designated ‘disabled’ parking bays near the pavilion.

The knock on effect should the pathway go ahead. I can hear the calls for controlled parking! To alleviate a problem created by a pathway we don’t need. Diagonal parking … requiring controlling devices, instruction (signs) lines on tarmac…

Although not currently funded the proposed pathway is part of the Darlington ‘master plan’ so this issue must be made public, opened up for discussion and commonsense applied. Do we need this new pathway?

As someone once said … “That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot…”

Earnshaws Real Estate in Darlington as our local collection point. Donations will be taken in the Earnshaws’ lobby from December 1 until December 20, Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm.

Suggestions for donations suitable for children aged birth to 18 years include; Toys, games, and educational items; Colouring books, pencils, crayons; Arts and craft activities; Clothing, shoes, backpacks, and toiletries (some children with the Child Protection Unit come into PCH without anything).

Due to the delicate nature of the children in the care of PCH, all donations must be new and not wrapped. All donations will be given out throughout the hospital at the discretion of the PCH Volunteer Coordinator Andy Wahid. Thank you so much for wanting to donate and make a difference to the lives of children at PCH.

For further information please contact Marie on 0436 418 630.

Newburn Accounting & Tax

We are an accountancy firm based in Darlington, Western Australia. Located not far off Gt Eastern Hwy, We provide accountancy and tax management services to a range of businesses and individuals.

While we are proudly Hills based, our clientele ranges from the Swan Valley to the wheatbelt. Our highly effective team of business specialists and service providers work with best practices and state of the art solutions.

Our professional ‘business service allows you to focus and remain on top.

To thrive and excel in today's business environment, you have to be able to focus on your core business. We take care of the numbers , allowing you to take care of your business.

email Bridie@newburn.ch

Wendy Hardman Cath O’Reilly

Dr Karl Bailey Dr Zuzia Zykus

Darlington Community Recreation Advisory Group (DCRAG)

You may see some Shire action in the village recreation areas in coming months.

Mr Shane Purdy, Director of Infrastructure at the Shire of Mundaring has notified DCRAG that several works will occur in this financial year. Some works have been carried over and now combined to provide efficiency. Works include:

Pine Terrace/south side of oval works - Trees, Bollards, Seating and Walkway

Installation of much needed and DCRAG requested seating (aluminium) between the large trees on the south side of the oval (where current bollards are)

front of the hall, and to the Pavilion access road. The walkway has been on the DCRAG Capital works request list for some years now (see graphic). There will be no asphalting at this point, though this may be explored in a few years. No roadworks are planned.

• In-fill large tree planting is currently being discussed by Tree Custodian Stacey August and Shire Parks Manager, regarding species and timing, with a general aim to plant next autumn.

Dying tree south side of oval near fire station

• Shire staff are monitoring the pine tree near the fire brigade building and are trying to remove dead limbs as they occur, without having to completely remove the tree at this point. However, as you can see in the photograph, it is probably beyond saving and perhaps presents a fire hazard.

Left: Provision for a walkway between cars and trees, with the bollards to be relocated a little bit to the south (towards the cars).

Right: Seats to be provided where the current bollards are between trees.

• Bollard replacement along the south side of the oval, which has been on the Shire plan for some time now, but the work was carried over. The bollards position will be moved a small way toward the road, away from the tree root protection zones to provide access for walkers on the high side of the oval edge.

• Creation of a dirt walkway between the bollards and the trees/seating, to connect to the existing path network in

Landscaping of the lower area around the skatepark and the pump track

• Council has approved the allocation of $25,000 for horticultural landscaping of the lower area around skate park and the pump track. This supports the community’s previous efforts in the improvements in the lower recreational area. David Grant and Parks Manager will co-ordinate this work based on Gerry Healy’s Landscaping and Horticultural Plans.

Wetlands/Bushlands area

• Shire workers have cleaned up the rubbish at the abandoned “cubbyhouse” as it was unsightly, unsafe and a fire hazard.

Unfortunately, the November DCRAG meeting had not occurred by the time the December Review deadline was required. Any queries or information required please contact DCRAG Colin James Secretary, or the shire directly at shire@mundaring.wa.gov.au https://www.darlingtonvillage.org/community-groups/ darlington-community-recreation-advisory-group-dcrag/

Darlington Bushfire Ready Group

The street contacts pre-season briefing was held on 24th October with representatives from the DFES Community Preparedness section and 24 street contacts present.

The coordinator noted CESM Shires briefing to Brigades on potential fire season and what hazard reduction burns have been undertaken over past few months. It appears the fire season will be starting later, and certainly going well into April. With increased cyclone activity up north it may also impact the southern regions. The Darlington Brigade is also undertaking preventative burns as weather permits.

It was noted by street contacts the need to try and improve means of communication amongst them and flow of information. Facilitator Kate is setting up a website for this purpose and also held a stall at the community bonfire and Darlington Arts Festival with facilitator Georgina and street coordinators. These were quite popular and enabled the bushfire message to be spread further.

DFES CPA advised that the DFES media campaign is going to focus on “My Bushfire Plan” and the importance of it, particularly in Darlington due to its high risk area, and promoting having the app on your phone.

The new fire danger rating system was discussed and concerns noted on its reduced levels and impact on what actions may be undertaken. Hopefully the November Review front page brought a greater awareness to the season ahead and how householders need to prepare NOW.

The coordinator noted that fire information is best gained through the DFES web page “Emergency WA” ; Radio 720 or the local street Whats App use. Also if requiring any information come down to the fire station Saturday mornings between 9.00am and 10.00am .

Colin James | Coordinator | 0419 969 223

Disclaimer

The Darlington Review’s Rules of Association (2012) read: “To produce and publish a monthly journal with the intention of fostering good relationships within the Darlington community and keeping residents informed about community issues.” Our Guide for Scribes invites members to submit notes “ to inform members and the Darlington Community about past, ongoing and future activities…”. The Review accepts no liability for errors/omissions contained in articles, statements or advertisements published herein. The views expressed in Letters and Notes are not the views of the Darlington Review and we are not responsible for them. Members are requested to ensure their notes adhere to the magazine’s guiding spirit of fostering harmonious community relationships. The Darlington Review is available in digital format via Issue, the online website.

REMEMBER

000 is the ONLY number to ring for all fire & smoke sightings.

Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade

The ComCen will page our members who are on duty.

For general Brigade enquiries please ring 9299 7217. Station hours: Saturday 9am-10:30am. Web: darlingtonfire.org.au • Facebook: Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade • Instagram: dvbfb_ Next meeting: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 and Tuesday January 10, 2023 at the Darlington Fire Station.

The 22/23 fire season is now upon us, and December 1st marked the start of the PROHIBITED Burning Period in the Shire of Mundaring. ALL burning activity is now PROHIBITED until at least the end of March 2023, INCLUDING burning small piles of garden refuse after 6pm. A prolonged winter and late rainfall means substantially more vegetation growth for this time of year, which, when it withers and dies in the coming summer heat, will provide higher fuel loads. Please be vigilant during the fire season and report any sightings of smoke or fire immediately, by calling 000. We also encourage you to note down any suspicious activity in your area, before or after a fire, and report it to Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. Our doors are always open on Saturday mornings from 9am-10.30am, and you’re welcome to visit to get information about bush fire mitigation and management.

Be proactive in maintaining your property throughout summer, to minimise the potential for a bush fire to impact your home. Your fire breaks, 3m wide and 4m high, must now be in place and you should have your ‘asset protection zone’ of 20 metres established. Download the My Bushfire Plan app and prepare your bushfire action plans now, making it relevant to your specific property and family needs. You should also have your bushfire survival kit ready to go, so check it now for used and/ or out of date items. And join your local Bushfire Ready Group to help keep your neighbourhood informed and safe.

On Saturday November 19th we hosted a regional training exercise that had one of the water bombing helicopters flying in and out of Darlington Oval. This training was aimed at refreshing, or up-skilling, volunteer crews as Ground Controllers, in Collar Tank operations, and to provide helicopter ground support. After the training the Helitak landed on Darlington Oval for the public to have a closer look at one of our important firefighting assets.

SES Unit. We then spent the following weekend manning the Bratwurst, and Bushfire Ready Group tents at the Darlington Arts Festival, always a highlight of our annual social calendar. Then we had a fire truck and crew entertaining the crowds at McDonalds Midland for McHappy Day. And during that period we continued to conduct Hazard Reduction Burns, undergo training, and attend incidents.

We have recently had a run of fundraising events and community engagements spanning the last month or so. It started with the big Community Bonfire, assisted again by the Mundaring

We, as volunteers, are encouraged by the continuing physical, moral and financial support that the Darlington community gives to us year after year. We thank the community for your ongoing support of the Brigade, and a big thank you also to the businesses that are very generous in supporting their local Brigade.

If you’re still looking for a Christmas present for the person-who-has-everything, then buy them a copy of our book ‘History of DVBFB 1942-2020’. Or just add a piece of Darlington’s rich history to your own book collection. Copies of the book are available at the Fire Station for $25.

We wish everyone in the Darlington community a Merry Christmas, a happy New Year, and a safe and prosperous 2023.

“Let no man’s ghost return to say his training let him down.” ~ Unknown

Ricky Harvey

Mundaring Chamber of Commerce

2023

Family Movie Night at Kookaburra Outdoor Cinema

There’s no better way to enjoy the school holidays than with a family movie night!

We’re partnering up with Mundaring’s iconic Kookaburra Outdoor Cinema again in 2023 for an action packed movie adventure that’s perfect for the whole family.

Date night, go it solo or bring along your kids! This movie is perfect for everyone. Tickets are just $12 for adults & $5 for kids (aged 12 and under).

Bring along a picnic dinner and then grab some delicious treats, ice creams and hot drinks from the Kookaburra candy bar!

This event is proudly sponsored by fabulous local businesses, Aniko Pilates and Eyecare Plus Glen Forrest.

Tickets available now: https://mundaring.org. au/events/#!event/register/2023/1/19/2023family-movie-night-at-kookaburra-outdoorcinema

Merry Christmas!

Budding artists, Charlotte from Glen Forrest Primary School and Noah and Chelsea from Clifton Hills Primary School are the winners of my 2022 Christmas Card Art Competition.

Now in its 18th year, this annual competition gives students the opportunity to enter creative Christmas designs from which the winning artwork is chosen. I always look forward to seeing what has captured a child’s imagination and this year is no exception.

The winning entries were certainly festive from Chelsea’s picture of Santa and his reindeers dropping off presents to Charlotte’s very merry florescent Christmas tree filled with presents and Noah’s very cool Santa!

All the entries received are displayed at my electorate office located at Ground Floor, 108 Swan Street Guildford. If you are walking past or are in the area, please take the time to view the students’ fabulous artwork. They will definitely brighten your day!

A special congratulations again to Charlotte, Noah and Chelsea for their awesome designs and a big thank you to the Year Three students from both schools for participating in this year’s competition.

Well done also to the Darlington Arts Festival Committee for hosting another fantastic festival in November. I appreciate these events take significant planning and effort by all involved - the organising committee, festival volunteers, stall holders and

many others. It was a great day out and I congratulate everyone involved in making the Festival such a huge success.

As this is the last edition of the Darlington Review for 2022, I take this opportunity to wish all readers a safe and Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2023!

Donna Faragher JP MLC | Member for East Metro

Darlington Sports and Recreation Association (WA) Inc

November was a big month for DaSRA, with this brilliant new logo finalised by local artist, Alastair Taylor. It is a great depiction of life on our lively Darlington oval, from junior sport and the skatepark to the dog walkers and social clubs. You might already be familiar with the original image that Alastair created in 2018 and generously donated to DaSRA. This image is still available on T-shirts and limited-edition prints with all proceeds raised from going towards the Darlington Community Pavilion project. If you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift this year, then visit - darlingtonpavilion. com.au OR SCAN THE QR CODE.

DaSRA also held its annual AGM at the Darlington Community Pavilion. It was great to see some fresh faces in the group stepping up to fill empty positions. As always, the AGM wasa time to reflect on what has been, what has been achieved and sadly it also marked a time to say goodbye to some of our long standing and hardworking members.

We’d like to thank outgoing committee members Lindsay, Gabby, Stuart and Tim for their contributions, with special thanks to original members Lindsay Earnshaw and Stuart Aldred who have supported the group from inception and through the

most intense period of building the community funded pavilion. While they have now retired from the committee, all four remain active behind the scenes.

Introducing the New DaSRA Committee for 2023:

Chairperson: Geoff Barker

Vice Chair: Nerissa Rickard Treasurer: Lucien DeRooy Secretary: VACANT

Ordinary Committee Members: Colin James, Cambell Giles, Rebecca deRooy, Chris Arnold + NEED ONE MORE COMMITTEE MEMBER.

With the Secretary and a General Committee Member position still vacant, we are now looking for someone to help make things happen in and around Darlington. Next year DaSRA will auspice the LAMP group with another landscaping development on the lower area surrounding the community garden. Chris Arnold will be managing this project, and would welcome another interested person or two to join him on the DaSRA committee. If you feel that you would like to get involved then contact Cambell Giles on cam@gjfn.com.au for more information.

ELIZABETH BUTTFIELD

Real Estate

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Darlington Social Cricket Club

DSCC veterans grace Channel 7 doco

Not content with local superstardom, DSCC stalwarts Stephen Jones and Stuart Aldred recently spent a weekend in the magnificent Porongurup Ranges participating in a documentary filming by Channel 7 of the MCG (Millinup Cricket Ground). The ground is among the most spectacular in Australia and will be showcased to a national audience during the lunch interval of the upcoming West Indies Test Match in Perth.

The oval looked fantastic for the cameras following a recent makeover with kikuyu sown, top dressed, watered and mown.

The local social cricket teams participating included Elleker, the Mudrakers, the Swamp Rats, the Woodburners and Mount Manypeaks. Various former DSCC players turned out, with players’ names going into a hat and randomly drawn for some fun mixed teams to play T20 games during the day.

DSCC benefit from Reconnect Grant

Peter Thorn was seen potting around beaming all day, while oldest current club member Molly Jones was treated like a queen by all and sundry. Club legend Billy Fox came out of retirement to have a hit and cracked his trademark hook to the boundary during his innings.

Supreme Leader Stephen Jones played a fine cameo before running himself out as usual.

A massive thank you to Stuart Aldred who worked tirelessly throughout the day to ensure the ground looked great.

At the end of the cricket, a huge bonfire was lit and the masses were fed beautiful Great Southern shredded beef washed down with some fine Millinup Estate wines. The post-match banter and hospitality was enjoyed by all. The locals are keen to come to Darlington to play DSCC and reciprocate by hosting a match at the MCG.

DSCC have put a recent Reconnect Grant from the Shire of Mundaring to good use, creating a fantastic, family friendly atmosphere in the Darlington Pavilion building. The grant has been used to purchase recreational equipment including a TV, table tennis table, bean bags and kids’ sporting equipment. This equipment is available to and is being used by all those sporting clubs who call the Darlington Pavilion home.

Improving community connections, encouraging participation in sport and raising community spirits overall are the primary goals of this equipment… in short, making our pavilion a fun place to be while heckling the characters on the field who are attempting to play cricket.

We would like to formally acknowledge and thank the Shire for the grant… their generosity has been very much appreciated.

New playing members wanted!

Following the retirement of a few battle-hardened veterans, we are keen to boost our membership list. If there is anybody out there interested in playing some social cricket, meeting new families and enjoying some of our great social events please drop us an email on dsccdarlington@gmail.com

Dan Ryan hits out in the recent Miners game.

Stephen Jones, Billy Fox and Stuart Aldred at the MCG filming.

The spectacular Millinup Cricket Ground.

Matthew Hughes MLA JP

I welcome the news that our district will benefit from a new emergency care unit which has been opened at St John of God Midland Public Hospital to provide urgent assessment and treatment for patients initially presenting to its emergency department. The new unit has been designed specifically to reduce waiting times, improve patient flow, avoid unnecessary overnight admissions and enhance the patient experience.

Suitable patients will be identified in the emergency department and prioritised for transfer to the Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit (AECU) for same day assessment and management. The unit will enable patients to have diagnostic tests and treatments on the same day; avoidance of hospital admission and a long wait; and an individualised specialist driven medical plan. If required, patients will return to the unit the following day for an outpatient follow up appointment for further investigations or to review the patient to ensure they have not deteriorated. The new unit includes nine bays and is supported by a multidisciplinary team, which includes doctors, nurses, allied health professionals as well as the hospital's specialised Geriatric Emergency Department Team and Red Hot Foot (podiatry) team.

The unit will enable the rapid assessment and treatment of emergency department patients - helping to reduce waiting times – and aims to avoid the situation where patients may need to stay overnight while waiting for test results. Instead, patients can return to the comfort of their home, and then attend an outpatient appointment the following day to find out about tests results and receive follow up care. Importantly with fewer patients requiring an overnight stay, this will reduce waiting times in the emergency department and enable more beds to be available in the hospital.

On an entirely different matter, recently I joined Hon Dave Kelly, Minister for Water, on his visit to Lesmurdie Senior High School to look at the Waterwise initiatives introduced by the school with assistance from the Water Corporation and for the announcement of a new cross-government partnership and program designed to help State schools save precious groundwater.

Development of the new Waterwise School Grounds program will be informed by the outcomes of a water efficiency program that has been run in Western Australian public schools over

the past two years. I was interested to learn that since October 2020, 65 public schoolsincluding 56 in regional WA - have benefited from waterwise upgrades under the Water Efficient Public Schools Program, delivered by Water Corporation and the Department of Education.

On average, schools that participated in the initial two-year program are expected to use around 11 per cent less water through services such as plumbing retrofits, irrigation improvements, and rainwater harvesting. The $1.5 million Water Efficient Public Schools Program aims to save around half a billion litres of drinking water over coming years - equivalent to 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools. You may be surprised to know that in total WA public schools consume about 4.5 billion litres of scheme water annually - some of which goes towards irrigating ovals and sporting grounds.

Findings from the initial program will help inform a new initiative between the Department of Education and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation aimed at saving even more of Perth's precious groundwater resources.

Known as the Waterwise School Grounds Program, it will see water audits and irrigation checks at metropolitan schools that use groundwater bores to irrigate ovals and playing fields. Inefficient irrigation systems will be upgraded, and school groundskeepers will receive waterwise training to help reduce on-campus water wastage. The program is one of several initiatives supporting water efficient schools within Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan, the second Waterwise Perth Action Plan for Perth and Peel announced earlier in November. Other actions under the plan include work by the Department of Education to incorporate waterwise design principles into buildings, landscaping, and grassed sporting spaces of new public primary and secondary schools.

The Water Corporation will also aim to take the waterwise message to 50,000 WA students each year by 2030 by expanding this long-running and successful Waterwise Schools Program. Since its inception in 2007, more than 330,000 students have taken part in the program, learning about the water cycle, how climate impacts our water sources, and the importance of water in Aboriginal culture. It's very encouraging to see government agencies joining together to drive better waterwise outcomes for our schools and communities.

December marks the beginning of the Noongar season of Birak – warm weather with afternoons cooled by sea breezes. It has been a busy period for community organisations with events such as the Darlington Arts Festival, Hills Billy Cart Festival and Day in the Park, just to name a few. The Shire is proud to support these events, and others, to ensure we maintain our vibrant community spirit.

Council has also been busy, in particular with respect to Local Government Reform. Reform has been on the state government’s agenda for some time, with the latest round having completed community consultation a few months ago. There are a number of changes but the most notable are a reduction in the number of councillors, the election of councillors using an optional preferential voting method and the direct election of Shire Presidents/Mayors by ratepayers (rather than by fellow councillors).

The reduction in the number of councillors will require the Shire of Mundaring to reduce its number of councillors to at least nine (including the Shire President). This must occur by 2025 but the reform to directly elect the Shire President must occur at the next election in October 2023. The method of achieving the reduction in number of councillors was a choice between the local government determining the pathway (“voluntary pathway”) or doing nothing and waiting for the Minister to direct the local government how to proceed (“reform pathway”)

– and that was likely to mean all councillor positions being declared vacant in October 2023. At its October meeting, Council chose the voluntary pathway and is currently seeking feedback from the community about how this may occur. To provide your feedback, please visit engage.mundaring. wa.gov.au. Included in the consultation process is a request for feedback regarding wards. Submissions close at 4.30pm on Monday 19 December 2022.

The direct election of the Shire President is not a part of the feedback process, as that is a state government directive for the 2023 election. I have received positive and negative feedback for that reform. The direct election puts the role of the Shire President directly into the community’s hands and it is hard to argue against that. However, others have noted that this is different to other levels of government (state and federal) where there is no direct election of Premier or Prime Minister. Those concerned with the change argue that there is a potential risk the Shire President may not have the support of their fellow councillors. What is vital is for the Shire President to continue work with all councillors as productively as possible in the interests of residents and ratepayers - however the Shire President is elected.

I would like to sign off by wishing everyone a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year.

Kalamunda Bridge Club

Competitions have now finished for the year. Recent ones are as follows…

The novice plate for under 50 master points

• Winners: Erik Moller and Di van Santen

• Runners-up: Wendy Dodd and Sherrill Duncan Open Pairs

• Winners: Bente Hansen and Wendy Harman

• Runners-up: Tom and Kit Lemann

Knockout winners this year

• Peter Clarke and Joe Louis

Our congratulations to all the winners!

The beginners classes have been successfully run and everyone is now doing the revision course of four weeks before commencing playing in the club sessions. We had a group of 11 very keen students who thoroughly enjoyed the eight week course given by Fiske Warren. Next course to begin February 2023.

Our regular social functions including the Mix and Match and Melbourne cup day were held a few weeks ago. As usual they were very popular and great fun had by all.

Winners of the Novice pairs Di Van Santen and Erik Moller.

Swan Rotary Club of Midland Swan Valley

Each month we co-manage the Bassendean Markets. In the summer these are held on Bic Reserve, Bassendean on the last Saturday evening of the month. The December Christmas Market will be held on Saturday 17 December 2022. Markets are open from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.

A good time to come down, browse the markets, have good a evening and say good day to Swan Rotary members present (we will have Club T-shirts on or Hi Vis jackets). Our purpose-built sausage sizzle trailer will be operating and serving delicious hamburgers and sausage sizzles. We will also have a craft stall

selling locally made craft items and knitted wear for young children.

There will many fun activities for the children. This forms our major fundraising for the many community activities Swan Rotary support.

If you like more information about Swan Rotary or any of our activities, please give Betty Pitcher a call on 0408 912 101.

Forrest Darlings CWA

Thank you to everyone who visited our stall and supported our efforts by purchasing crafts at the Darlington Arts Festival. We enjoyed a busy weekend connecting with the community and fundraising for local causes.

At our October meeting we agreed to make a number of donations to local charities to disperse some of the funds we’ve raised selling crafts and doing catering over recent months. $300 was sent to Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren WA. We also agreed to support some of the funds which CWA of WA head

office administers. We pledged $300 to the Sir James MitchellEducation and Welfare Fund and $300 to the Sir James Mitchell - Disaster Fund. Named in honour of a Western Australian born Governor of the State, these funds are wholly supported by the voluntary donations of CWA Branches in Western Australia and receive no Government funding. The Sir James Mitchell Fund is used to assist those who may need a helping hand. We also agreed to give $300 to the Community Coordinator Fund which supports a range of worthwhile community initiatives across the State.

Our January meeting (Wednesday 25 January 2023) will be an open meeting for potential new members to visit and find out a little more about the work of our branch and our plans for 2023. Please join us! We are considering a change of venue for meetings in 2023 - please watch our Facebook page for updates.

Monthly Meetings

Meetings of the Forrest Darlings CWA branch take place on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7pm at Helena College (Darlington Campus on Ryecroft Rd). There will be no meeting in December. They might involve learning a new skill, sharing our crafts or hearing from a special guest speaker. New members and visitors can always be assured of a warm welcome. Membership is $70 per annum.

For further information please look up Forrest Darlings CWA on Facebook or call Kate Herren (President) on 0452 644 248.

Darlington History Group

Darlington Arts Festival

The first day of the festival got off to a perfect start with our group kept very busy selling bric-a-brac and books. This year saw a wide variety of donations from the community such as Xmas goods, clothes, and numerous household items that seemed to find new homes very quickly. The second day was very mixed weather wise and was quite challenging, with strong winds and rain overnight that greeted us with carnage on Sunday morning! It took some time to get sorted and restored in time for the Sunday crowd. By Sunday afternoon we had better conditions and managed to successfully reduce what we had on offer so that we didn’t have to return too much stock to our storage. DHG thank all those kind Darlington people who donated goods for us to sell, and thank you also to the regular supporters who check out our stall each year and purchase what we have on offer. We could not achieve all that we do if we didn’t have the great community support that residents give us for our major fundraising event of the year. We would also like to extend our appreciation to DAF volunteers, and to Ron Stuurstraat for his assistance with the location of our stall.

Lyn Myles | Archivist and Bric-A-Brac Coordinator

Books and Bric-A-Brac

There will be a changing of the guard with DHG Event Coordinator Christine Stoney and DHG Treasurer Liz Rusha undertaking to continue with this fundraising task. Sorting and collating the Bric-A-Brac is a huge task, and Archivist Lyn Myles

has done an incredible job overseeing it since its inception. We are enormously grateful to Lyn for her tireless endeavours with the Bric-A-Brac fundraising, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to her. Since we were so successful at selling what had been collected in 2022, the group are now collecting for next year’s fundraising event. If you wish to donate goods that will assist with DHG’s fundraising please contact Liz 0427 952 491 or Christine 0490 793 015.

DHG Planning Meeting February 2023

Our year is coming to a close and the History Group will have a chance to reflect on whether we are achieving our purpose, and how we could do better, when we have our Annual Planning Day in February. One item on the agenda will be our Guest Speaker Programme, which to date has been very successful. We want the programme to be stimulating and interesting, and relevant and appealing to residents. We would love to hear ideas for this programme from you. Email Val, admin@dhg.com.au

We have been pleased to understand that the Shire of Mundaring is going to develop a Signage Strategy with the engagement of a consultant, and we will provide input as appropriate, similarly, work will begin to establish a Heritage Reference Group underpinned by best practice. Other items on the Agenda will be the continuation of our current projects and ways to garner funding for these, and future projects.

Val Shiell | Chair DHG

Christmas 2022

Our committee and members gather at the end of each year to share a meal and reflect on what we have done during the year. Usually it is a pot-luck shared meal, but this year we are treating ourselves to a meal at the Parkerville Hotel. By the time you receive this edition, we will have wined and dined and whined. DHG wishes everyone a safe and happy festive season, and hopefully some recharging time with family and friends over the holiday break. We hope to see some of you with DHG in 2023!

November Guest Speaker Mrs Philippa O'Brien - "No Stone Without A Name"

Philippa O’Brien is a Darlington resident, a renowned artist, teacher, and lecturer, and also a writer. Philippa gave a very informative talk about her recent book, which will be launched on November 25 at Holmes a Court Gallery in West Perth. The book is a pictorial account of early Western Australian Colonialism through the eyes of its early artists. “The book reveals the shadow presence of an alternative story – the drama of possession and dispossession, and the relentless brutality of Colonialism.” Many of the artworks have not been published before and we were privileged to be able to have a look at the books prepublication print that Phillipa had just collected for its final check. Our

appreciative thanks to Philippa for her enjoyable presentation.

The Guest Speaker Programme will take a break through the hot summer, returning in April 2023.

“The best gift you can open this Christmas Season is your heart”.

The Darlington Club

Thank you to all that helped clear the hall for the Darlington Arts Festival and then bring it all back two weeks later. It appeared that more furniture came back than was taken out, well our backs made it feel that way. Special thanks to the following generous members that stored the furniture under cover during the festival break - Garry and Sue Bennetts, Steve and Di Lang, Jan MacMillan, David and Sue Lavell, Andrew and Uma Pearcey.

Also, a big thank you to Doug and Lil, Bruce and Cathryn Cann,

The Darlington Club

Geoff and Marg Barker, Chris Barker and assistant, Alex McNabb and Shelton for helping on the days.

Once settled back in we very much enjoyed a curry chicken compliments of Uma and lasagne compliments of Marg on the evening of Friday 18th November.

In closing, I take this opportunity of wishing all our members and Review readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sue Lavell | Club President

Shire of Mundaring Library Service

Mundaring Poetry Competition 2022 Winner Announced

Shire of Mundaring Libraries and KSP Writers' Centre are pleased to announce that the winner of the Mundaring Poetry Competition 2022 is Samantha Boswell for the poem, "Inter-generational Gardening". The theme this year was “new leaves, unfurling”.

Caitlin Maling who judged the competition said in her report that the winning poem is “a wonderful poem tracing patterns of family through the gardens tended lovingly by the speaker’s ancestors”. Caitlin said that the poem “celebrates as it eulogises those lost, reminds us that even as ‘the season resolves’ there will be a ‘renewing next spring’".

Five entries were highlighted as very strong poems: “Ngoolyak” by Rosanne Dingli (last year’s winner), “Eight Years On” by Claire Langford, “Full Circle” by Ian Reid, “Clementines” by Emma Jayne Wilson, and “Synthesis” by Scott-Patrick Mitchell.

Caitlin writes that each of these poems “displayed what is one of the most slippery – yet important – qualities of poetry: voice”, and that the voice of a good poem, as these showed, “feels deliberate and engages the reader in conversation”.

You can read the winning entry and full judge's report at https://bit.ly/munpoetrycomp.

Christmas Hamper Donations for Families in Need Welcomed

Midvale Hub Parenting Service Perth North East is collecting donations of food to make up Christmas hampers for families in need. There are donation baskets at both Mundaring and Boya Libraries. If you can spare something, it would be most appreciated. Suggested items are:

• Tea, coffee, sugar, cereal

• Long-life milk, cream and custard

• Rice, pasta, flour, gravy, oil, mayonnaise and other sauces

• Tinned fruit and vegetables, tuna and salmon, baked beans and spaghetti

• Bottled Bolognese sauce and white sauce

• Christmas cakes, puddings, mince pies, bonbons,

• Lollies, jelly, biscuits, crackers

• Napkins, paper plates, tissues, toilet paper.

Donations can be dropped off at the libraries until Thursday 8 December.

Home Services

Do you know anyone resident in the Shire of Mundaring who would benefit from the libraries’ Home Service program? If you live in the Shire of Mundaring and cannot visit the library because of illness, injury or other reasons that make it hard to visit in person, residents may be eligible for our home delivery service.

This is a free service which we can provide on a temporary or permanent basis. Once you are signed up, volunteers and staff will select items based on your interests and deliver them directly to your door. Contact the libraries for more information, either by phone on 9290 6755 or by email to gills@ mundaring.wa.gov.au

Baby Rhyme Time and Story Time dates

The last Baby Rhyme Time and Story Time at the libraries will be on Friday 16 December. Sessions recommence on Wednesday 1 February 2023.

Library Opening Hours over Christmas/New Year

The Shire of Mundaring Libraries will close at 12pm on Friday 9 December and reopen at 9am on Saturday 10 December.

The libraries will close for Christmas/New Year from Saturday 24 December, and reopen at 9am on Tuesday 3 January 2022.

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

• New Website & Web Store launched at macs4u.au Configure To Order Macs and iPads can now also be ordered directly on the site. Rental with Studio19 (6 month min) can also be organised using the website. • New Apple iPads, MacBooks and iMacs arriving daily but please pre-order or purchase early for Christmas and New Year’s delivery* We have also organised for postdelivery laser engraving for that special gift December Opening Calendar (new)

Monday to Friday 1st to 16th 10am to 6pm

Monday to Friday 19 to 23rd 10am to 7pm

Saturdays to Christmas Eve 10am to 4pm

Sundays 4th, 11th & 18th 11am to 3pm

Closed .Dec 25th to Dec 29th

Re-open 30th Dec to normal calendar

9274 7111 Mob: 0410 501 441 email: info@macs4u.com.au

1st Darlington Scouts

Year in review

As the year come to a close, Darlington Scout Group can reflect back on another successful year of scouting in Darlington and surrounds.

We farewelled Glen Stenton as Group Leader who had been involved in the Darlington Scout Group for 10 years. We welcomed Glen Forrest Scout Group joining with the Darlington Scout Group, and Kerry Duncan as the new Group Leader.

A highlights reel for the group this year included attending activities organised through Scouts WA, that means joining others from all around the state:

• Enduro 4 day camp for Cubs

• Nighthawk overnight orienteering for Scouts

• Mission Impossible 2 day rogaining for Venturers

• Full day Cubilee

• Swan Descent canoeing day

• Kayaking skills training

And then there are all the activities that our group organises and plans ourselves:

• Group camps at Manjedal Activity Centre and Lake Leschenaultia

• Attending ANZAC and Remembrance Day services at Blackboy Hill

• Visit with Birds of Prey Centre

• Hike through John Forrest National Park

• Night time orienteering in the district

• Roller skating

• Indoor rock climbing and bouldering

• Laserblaze

• Visit to Glen Forrest fire station

• Constructing a bonfire and multiple campfires

• Air rifle lessons

• Assisting Friends of Glen Park with their planting and creek rehabilitation

• Joining in the Darlington Community Bonfire

• Beach adventure day with surfing lessons

• 3 day hike on a section of the Bibbulmun Track

• 4 day hike on southern section of the Cape to Cape track

• Clean Up Australia Day participation

Joey Scouts ages 5-8

Cub Scouts ages 8-11 Scouts ages 11-14

Venturer Scouts ages 14-18 Rover Scouts ages 18-25

Adult Volunteers ages 18+

OneCamp

All Scout units around the state are gearing up for a HUGE event coming in April 2023; OneCamp Eclipse, which will be open to Scouts of all ages from our Joeys aged 5, through to Rovers at 18+. An opportunity for all to participate in adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive activities with different set of program elements for the varying age groups. OneCamp will be held from 11-19 April 2023 in the Swan Valley, with expeditions and offsite activities being held across WA. Applications close 11 December, so it’s not too late to join Scouts to have the opportunity!

Thank you

• Shire of Mundaring for their support through their grants program.

• Bendigo Bank Mundaring branch for their support with the community raffle that help volunteer groups.

• Mundaring Rotary, who we have a valuable partnership with in assisting with the monthly Mundaring markets.

Wind Up

Our annual wind up for the year will be at Darlington Oval on Monday 12th December, so feel free to come by and have a chat with any of the leaders and parents in the group if you want to know more about what we’re about. We welcome new members in the new year, as Scouts programs generally follow the school terms. All of these activities happen thanks to our fantastic and dedicated volunteer leaders and support committee, and a big thanks to all of them. Critical to the success of what we do in Scouting are our volunteers and the many different areas they volunteer their time to support Scouts in their journey. New members are always welcome to join our group - we welcome youth, families as well as adults that would like to be trained as leaders. Adult Leadership in Scouting has many benefits, not only do you get to mentor, challenge and inspire young people, make new friends and participate in outdoor adventures, you can earn formal qualifications such as Leadership and Management. A range of other VET qualifications are available at no cost to adults and youth members while participating in Scouting.

Scouting provides programs and opportunities for boys and girls across all age ranges. Joey Scouts for age 5-8; Cub Scouts for ages 8-11, Scouts for ages 11 to 14/15 and Venturers for ages 14/15 to 18. Please visit our website, www.darlingtonscouts.com, or email membership@darlingtonscouts.com

Darlington Dibbler Girl Guides

Inspiring girls to develop leadership skills and make positive contributions to their community

The Darlington Dibbler Girl Guides were fortunate to have two members of the Mundaring Men’s shed attend a session to help each of the girls build a wooden flower press. The girls sanded and drilled holes in their pieces of wood then used bolts and wing nuts to complete. We then decorated with plant stencilling. Each year the girls make poppies for Remembrance Day and reflect on why this day is important. This year we made poppy pins and a poster.

The Guides have been busy working towards their Life Skills badge by performing skits on road safety. And completing some home tasks such as sewing on buttons, addressing envelopes, pumping up netballs and doing some ironing! It was a very busy night and we were pleased all of the girls had a go.

The girl guides are finishing the year off with Presentation night and a pool party at Bilgomen. Lots of fun!

We welcome new girls aged from 7-12 years. We meet at Kathleen Skipsey Hall – on Glen Road, Darlington on Tuesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm during the school term. If you have any queries regarding Darlington Dibbler Girl Guides please contact Karen on 0403 233 907 or enquire at Girl Guides WA.

Darlington Community Garden (DCG)

Darlington Community Youth BONFIRE 29th October 2022

Thank you, Darlington community, for rugging up and coming out on such a cold and drizzly night and being part of Bonfire 2022 proudly run by DCG under the brilliant leadership of Patricia Cook and Shane Bailey.

Thanks to Diane Parker, our emcee on the night AND for organising 87 students and teachers from Helena College to collect wood and build the Bonfire on Friday 28th and to all the other wood collectors and Bonfire builders.

Thanks to Colin James and the DARLINGTON VOLUNTEER BUSH FIRE BRIGADE and Mundaring SES for the management of the BONFIRE. Still there long after the crowds had gone. Thanks to Kate and Georgina for promoting Bushfire Readiness Groups and Street Coordinators with the strong message for ALL to start preparing your homes and property and our community for summer.

Thanks to all the fun people for their “Nature Theme” dressups and the cutest bright fairy winning the Costume Parade who got to help Colin James start the Bonfire.

Thanks to amazing WASTE WARRIORS Michelle and Diana and their Team for the Waste Management and Waste Audit of the Event resulting in minimal waste going to landfill!!

Thanks to all the DCG Team organisers - Kate, Rosie, Helen, Sally, Sue L, Shelton, Ion and Myles and the wonderful crews for the heaps of happenings including:

 Skateboarding / Scootering / BMX Coaching JAM SESSION with coaches from Freestyle Now with thanks to Helena College for their generous sponsorship.

 Live MUSIC by fabulous local young musicians with thanks for equipment loan from DRAA



Local Clubs Tug O War with great prizes from the Darlington Review and a Tug O Peace too



Food Vans and thanks to Darlington Club for their sausage sizzle-fundraising for a new BBQ and shelter near the Hall

 Craft Stalls including some amazing youth entrepreneurs  Thanks to our main SPONSORS: Shire of Mundaring, Darlington Review, Helena College, WA Scouts and many more who helped. The 2022 Bonfire has been highly successful in its two main aims:  to reduce the bushfire fuel load, especially around the Heritage Trail and Darlington village area and  to build community links with and showcase our local youth

Friends of Darlington Station Reserve (FODS)

Thank You One and All

'Tis the season… but as we get ready to celebrate Christmas and get together with family and friends, I’d like to take time to acknowledge the achievements and all the effort that has gone in by loyal Friends of Darlington Station, the FODS. Thank you all for the mulching and the weeding, the pruning and the weeding, planting new tube stock plants and the weeding, oh - and the weeding.

Happy Christmas! But enjoy our very own WA Christmas TreeNuytsia Floribunda, as it comes into bloom around Darlington and Glen Forrest.

Also to say thank you to those who have supported our Friends group:

The Mundaring Shire for plant tube stock plants and mulch and to Natalie at Muchea Plant Farm for more plants and encouragement. To Michael Byrne for a load of mulch; to the Darlington Review, thank you for providing the glue in the extraordinary community we have in Darlington; to children and staff of our local schools, most recently Helena College, for the work they put in with weeding and mulching.

And thank you to all of you who walk through the Station Reserve ,taking exercise or on your way to and from our cafés. Thank you especially for supportive comments when we are working and for moving fallen branches during winter and for keeping the reserve litter-free.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and summer break; I hope you get a summer break! I look forward to seeing you all enjoying the reserve as we continue rostered watering of new plantings during the summer. We recommence regular work after Easter 2023.

Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers’ Centre

Writing Workshop

So You Want To Find The Truth In The Detail

Saturday 10 December 2022, 1.00-4.00pm

Free Community Event

Katharine’s Birthday Sunday 4 December 2022, From 10:00am

Summer is approaching and so is our end of year free community event, Katharine’s Birthday! The day includes a guided heritage tour, award ceremonies, poetry and prose performances, KSP café snacks, and general merriment. All welcome – pop in anytime. Check our website for the full schedule of events.

2023 Spooky Stories Competition is now open for submissions

In this workshop, KSP Writer-in-Residence Dr. Eleanor Limprecht will explore the art of researching and choosing the right details crucial to making stories come to life. You will use the distributed images and find ordinary detail to write a paragraph about while using descriptive language. Eleanor is an author and a creative writing lecturer at the UTS. She has four published novels, most recently The Coast (2022) and The Passengers (2018), which came out with Allen & Unwin as well as short fiction and essays published in various places including Best Australian Stories and Sydney Noir. Tickets from $35.

The judges have only just managed to calm their nerves after reading the scary stories from last year… can you write something equally as haunting to get their heart racing all over again? The theme for 2023 is, After Midnight. Shortlisted stories will be published in the annual KSP Spooky Stories Anthology.

For more information on our services and activities please visit the KSP website www.kspwriterscentre.com or phone the office on 08 9294 1872. KSP Writers’ Centre is proudly sponsored by the Shire of Mundaring.

Community Notice

Are you interested in personal development in conflict resolution or would you like to train to be a facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project Workshops?

AVP WA Inc is being asked to run more and more workshops in communities, schools and prisons. There are three levels of workshop: Basic, Advanced and Training for Facilitators. In the community each workshop lasts from 9am – 5.30pm for the two days. In the prisons, they are for three days from 8.30 until about 2.30. The workshops are interactive, without lectures or note taking. They are a mixture of seriousness and fun, including group exercises, discussions, activities and games.

The BASIC workshop covers the themes of Affirmation, Communication, Cooperation, Community Building and Conflict Resolution. It is an endorsed subject for the WACE ad we can run special programs for primary classes. Apart from the enormous benefit to one’s self, the appreciation and participation shown by participants makes being a facilitator a very worthwhile experience. AVP is a world wide organisation that is not connected with any religion or other group.

The next BASIC workshop will be held in Darlington on Sunday January 8 and Sunday, January, 2023.

Please message, or ring Sally Herzfeld 92996788 for a registration form and further details.

Baha’i Community of Mundaring

On Friday 18 November, the day of Cassius Turvey’s funeral, some of our Mundaring Baha’i community gathered for a heartfelt and prayerful reflection on the life of this young boy which was tragically cut too short. We tearfully read the profound words of strength of Cassius’s mum, Mechelle, who speaks of the pressing need for unity, an end to violence and a call for justice.

In this same week representatives of the Baha’i International Community presented at the United Nations General Assembly in New York the need for a vision of a shared identity based on the principle of the oneness of humanity. It was stated that “the central principle must remain that the human family is one: that the innumerable characteristics by which we might identify ourselves are ultimately secondary to our shared humanity.”

The Baha’i Faith includes calls for racial unity as a remedy to heal societal injustice. In 1859, Baha’u’llah the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith wrote, “O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice” and “The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men.”

Only education and spiritual knowledge can uplift humanity and bring about the elimination of all forms of prejudice. Baha’u’llah’s message offers hope based on the equality of all people and unity in diversity. As Dr Martin Luther King Jr said, we cannot afford to wait any longer: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

We can all take steps to eliminate the racism and prejudice that permeates every fabric and institution of our society. In the words of Abdu’l-Baha, the son of Baha’u’llah:

“When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love.”

If you’d like to explore the Baha’i vision for global unity further, we hold regular study circles at homes in Darlington, Glen Forrest, Mahogany Creek and Mundaring. These are welcoming spaces to study and have spiritual conversations with friends from diverse backgrounds. All are welcome. More details on our Facebook page and website.

T H e N AT ivi T y AND C HR i ST i N gle S e R vi C e AT 5pm o N C HR i ST m AS e ve is a perfect occasion for children to participate in the Christmas story without long prayers, sermon and hymns. First up, we all make a Christingle where the earth is an orange, lollies on toothpicks represent the gifts of God and a single red candle is the light of the world. Children can come dressed up as angels or shepherds and participate in the short Nativity play which is held in the church building once the Christingles are complete. The church service is very brief - the narrator tells the Christmas story, the congregation sings the first verse only of several carols as Mary, Joseph, the donkey, the shepherds, angels and a Magi or three process down the aisle. We light the candles on the Christingle and receive a blessing to finish. If the service concludes before all the lollies are scoffed we count the event a success. If you would like the children in your life to know the story behind the gift giving and feasting of Christmas, this could be a good place to start.

DATeS FoR yoUR DiARy

Wo RSH ip i N TH e ST yle o F TA i Z e Sunday 4 December, and the first Sunday of every month (except January), at 6.30pm Enjoy chant, meditation and scripture in a candlelit church

CHRiSTmAS @ ST CUTHBeRT’S

•

FeSTivAl oF NiNe leSSoNS AND CARolS

Sunday 11 December 7.30pm

• N AT ivi T y AND C HR i ST i N gle Saturday 24 December, 5.00pm

•

miDNigHT mASS (Sung Holy Communion with carols) Saturday 24 December, 11.30pm

FeSTivAl oF NiNe leSSoNS AND CARolS

11 DeCemBeR @ 7.30 pm

The Nine Lessons and Carols service is a feast of Christmas music with well-loved carols, traditional Bible readings and the stillness of prayer coming together to create the perfect immersion into the Christmas spirit.

After the service the congregation enjoys a champagne supper in the cloister. It’s a perfect start to the Christmas celebrations. All visitors are very welcome.

•

CHR i ST m AS DAy (Holy Communion with carols) Sunday 25 December, 9.00am

Julie Baker

0459 471 894

rector@hillsanglicans.com

Parish Office: 6292 0074 Email: info@hillsanglicans.com Mail: PO Box 77 Darlington, WA 6070 Australia Services: 9am Sunday Find us on Facebook at Hills Anglicans Website: www.hillsanglicans.com

Darlington Christian Fellowship

O R N I N B E T H L E H E M

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Micah 5:2 (700 B.C)

Over 700 years before Jesus Christ was born, it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. During Mary’s pregnancy, Mary and Joseph both resided in Nazareth, which was at least a three day journey from Bethlehem. As often occurs in the fulfilment of prophecy, circumstances out of the control of man were orchestrated to cause Joseph and Mary to be in Bethlehem for the birth of Christ; therefore causing prophesy to be fulfilled in quite an extraordinary way! In the days leading up to the end of Mary’s pregnancy, men from all the world were ordered by the Government to return to the town of their lineage to register for a census in order to enable better recording of taxes.

This boggles my mind: Over previous to Mary finding out to carry God’s Son, it was written God’s Son will be born in Bethlehem. Mary finds she is with child... knows that her child is the but she lives in Nazareth. know the ancient prophecy Messiah must be born in Bethlehem. We don’t know any of the that Mary and Joseph were regards to the fact they should give birth in Bethlehem, but as far as we know they were not busy orchestrating a way to bring God’s prophecy to pass by their own works. God uses witnesses when He fulfils prophesy to ensure man sees it is His doing and not man's. He also makes certain that intervention or manufacture of situations could not interfere in the majesty of how He chooses to fulfill His prophesies for Himself. In this case God arranged for the Government to call Joseph and Mary out of Nazareth right at the time Mary was close to giving birth. Amazing!! God doesn’t work with coincidences, He works with purpose!

I have made up a little story on how it could have been, just a picture that I have wondered about as there is not a lot written in scripture as to how how Joseph and Mary reacted to the circumstances surrounding Jesus birth. Here is a little ponder as some food for thought.

Mary was feeling exhausted. Her body aching and swollen from the late stages of pregnancy. She had found herself feeling certain that she only had a few days left before her child would be born. She carefully steadied herself as she lowered herself upon her knees to pray. “Oh my Lord and God, in You I put my trust. Lord my time is near and I still reside in Nazareth, yet your Word tells me your Ruler will be born in Bethlehem. My Lord, my God lead us, advise us as we have no word from you. In You alone I will trust and we will wait for you to guide our every step. Please open our ears and hearts to hear your leading.”

In Him I will trust as He lays a path of strength and safety to lead us on this journey. A journey we cannot do alone.”

At that moment Joseph runs in breathless and excited “Mary, Mary our God is so good, He is faithful and does not lie. I have been ordered by decree to return to Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus has commanded it. Mary we must travel, we must rejoice, we must give thanks to our God.”

Mary falters and succumbs to her own fears and replies “Joseph you know with all my heart I love our God, I give Him thanks and praise every day, but Joseph I am fearful, Lord forgive me but I am. Please Joseph I am with child, and it is at least a three day journey. Oh Joseph please forgive me. I will praise Him, I will rejoice as He has heard the cry of our hearts.

Joseph was filled with compassion for Mary and an extra measure of love grew towards her. Joseph had never met a woman with such strength as he had witnessed in Mary. He lowered himself to the ground and knelt alongside her. He was trying to steady his excitement and relief and he wanted to share with Mary the certainty he felt about what was unfolding for them “Mary, God has been good to me in His provision of you to be my wife. For this journey I am not afraid, I have faith and comfort for He has taken my fear away. I have been on my knees endless days as I have struggled with doubts and fears of how and when to Bethlehem we must go. My main fear has been that I may miss God’s leading to us to fulfil His promise made of old. I have been still, I have been quiet and I have heard no word, but in our Living God I placed my trust and truly His Goodness and Mercy has been shown by this decree. Mary do not fear this journey, for our God is making the way. We must go, our Lord compels us and our government commands us. My heart rejoices to see that all this has taken place to have His Messiah born in Bethlehem, to fulfil the great prophecy given to His people. He has done it this way so it is forever recorded and written for all to see. Nothing is impossible with our God, this three day journey will be our wilderness but God will be our provision. He sees to our Hearts Mary, He takes great joy in seeing us trust Him. Come let us journey we must trust and obey for there is no other way.”

Darlington Christian Fellowship

Classifieds

GARDENING, pruning, weeding, mulching, whipper snipping, gutters cleaned, general tidy up. Phone: Geoff 0409 088 936.

60+ DANCE CLASS, Mondays 9.30am Darlington Hall, cost $15. All welcome, no experience needed. Contact Lynne 0409 520 023.

DARLINGTON POST OFFICE: XMAS OPENING HOURS: October to December:

Monday: 8.30am to 5.00pm

Tuesday: 8.30am to 5.00pm

Wednesday: 8.30am to 6.00pm

Thursday: 8.30am to 6.00pm

Friday: 8.30am to 5.00pm

HILLSIDE OUTDOOR BLINDS Your hills specialist in all styles of blinds & awnings. Mesh block-out fabrics offer views whilst blocking out 95% of the sun, wind, rain & protection from bugs. All blinds made inhouse from 100% Aussie parts, stainless steel & aluminium NO RUST! Fully auto with remote control options available. For a demo & to discuss creating your perfect outdoor entertaining area. Phone Yvonne 0416 233 277.

BABYSITTERS wanted for two gorgeous boys visiting Darlington (5 and 6-yearolds) a few mornings a week between December 12 and Christmas. Please phone Trea on 9299 6080.

THE POWER OF YET

For some children, confidence in themselves comes easily, and without much fuss. For others, self-confidence can take time to develop. In a school setting, confident children are more likely to speak up in classroom discussions and ask for help when its needed. So how can parents (and teachers) help less confident children develop this vital skill?

Encouraging a growth mindset is something that can simply be described as ‘the power of yet’. As an example, if a child says ‘I can’t read’ or ‘I can’t do algebra’, encourage them to add in the word yet –so, instead, the sentence becomes ‘I can’t read yet’ or ‘I can’t do algebra yet’. This shows that there is room to grow and learn.

It is also about focusing on the process, rather than finite ‘good’ or ‘bad’ outcome. Giving praise is important, but so is getting young people to think about the way they approach tasks. Here are a few suggestions of ‘growth mindset’ type questions for discussing homework, assessment results or other school tasks:

• What was your strategy in planning for the assignment?

• Can you explain this answer in a different way?

• How could you find out more about this topic?

• If you did this a different way, would the result be the same?

• Okay, so that didn’t work out the way you hoped, what will you do differently next time?

Giving children space to get things wrong is surprisingly helpful. Parents naturally want to protect their children from failure, but trial and error is a key part of the way children learn. Not quite making it, when viewed through the power of yet, can spur them on to greater efforts, and giving it another go, perhaps with some tweaks to their original approach. This is a great skill for adults too!

Resilience and perseverance are important life skills – learning not to give up after a set back is very valuable. Confidence is not about getting it right all the time but being resilient enough to keep trying. Praise the effort and show them that you value them regardless of whether they won or lost. For example, saying something like ‘Well done on your race – I know you put lots of effort into your training. Let’s go say congratulations to Frankie on winning!’.

Trying new things can be scary – and avoiding fears makes those fears grow. Encourage children to explore new interests, without focusing on instant success, but on the act of having a go. Learning new skills makes children feel capable and confident that they can tackle whatever comes their way. Plus, by providing them with an opportunity to develop a passion for something, it helps develop their own sense of self, which is another tool in building confidence.

Helena College firmly believes in encouraging a growth mindset, and the power of yet. From our Learning Framework, which combines project-based learning and big ideas with explicit teaching, through to the wide range of activities and electives, students are given confidence to find their voice, and shine in their own way.

Treetops

A Montessori and International Baccalaureate School

Graduating from school is both an exciting and very daunting experience. At Treetops, our approach throughout Secondary education is to prepare our students for ‘Year 13’. Like most Secondary schools, Treetops offers university and nonuniversity pathways. This year we celebrate our first WACE graduates (Western Australian Certificate of Education). Our graduating WACE students completed courses in English, Mathematics, Psychology, Visual Art, Economics, Biology, Japanese, and Vocational Education and Training (VET).

for entry into universities both internationally and within Australia.

Across 2021-2022, we had one student completing the IBDP, and they will be graduating with a Diploma having completed units in Language and Literature, Mathematics, Psychology, Film, Japanese, and Biology. The Diploma Programme is much more than just an ATAR, it provides students with a broad educational foundation for future study at university. A central component of the Diploma Programme is the ‘DP Core’.

Made up of the three required components, the DP Core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills. The three core elements are:

Theory of Knowledge (ToK), in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.

The Extended Essay (EE), which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.

Treetops’ university pathway is via the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) which generates an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) and allows

Whatever our students are aiming for post-school, we endeavour to shape educational pathways to best meet their goals. Previous graduates consistently reflect fondly upon the very positive relationships they enjoyed with their teachers, and their Treetops experience generally.

Sailing Camp

Parkerville Steiner College is a campus of Perth Waldorf School, one of the largest Steiner Schools in Australia.

Continuing a tradition going back 27 years, the Parkerville Steiner College Class 7’s learned to sail at the Princess Harbour Sailing Club in Albany.

It was great to get feedback that the campsite managers love having “the Steiner kids” come down. We are a jolly lot!

Many of the camps at a Steiner School provide these strengthening opportunities in a healthy way, none more so than being in Albany on Princess Harbour’s cold waters in a small yacht, capsizing and treading water, tacking to get on track and dodging mates in manic manoeuvres.

Whenever we ask parents, "What is it you want for your child at school?" there is a common theme of wanting our children to maintain a sense of wonder and enjoyment in coming to school and to make social connections, to grow and to develop well.

The beautiful curriculum, the rhythms and cycles of the day and the seasons, the appropriate authority and guidance of the

Parkerville Steiner School

teachers and the wonderful work of parents always striving to be the best adult for their child, will undoubtedly lead them through the journey and allow them to become who they are meant to be.

Like the rescue crews supporting the students in their sailing boats on Princess Harbour, let us always be there ready to support them but also be conscious to allow them to Captain their own ship one-day, by letting them meet the challenges of life and allowing them to build resilience along the way.

Parkerville Steiner College provides a high school Steiner Education, currently offering Class 7 and expanding to Class 12 by 2027. We are currently accepting enrolments for children born between 2009 and 2011.

If you are looking for an education for your child that makes sense, we would love to introduce you to Steiner Education. Book a personal tour by emailing parkerville@pws.wa.edu.au or calling 9295 4787.

Silver Tree Steiner School

During Term 4, the Class 6 Torchbearers put on a hilariously funny comedy called "Roma Amor" which centres on life in Rome, under the extravagant rule of Emperor Nero.

It is a crazy love story about noble Roman twins, who choose to switch roles so that they can be near the one their heart desires.

The young maiden joins the legionnaires in her brother’s place, to fight alongside the General she has a crush on, while the young master remains behind in the city, to swoon over the lady he is in love with, under the guise of a stonemason.

Of course, many things go wrong along the way and their trickery almost catches them out. But love always finds a way…

Kalamunda Ellenbrook Floreat Hills Express