Horsing around

By Kirra Livingstone

WOOMBYE fine arts artist Michelle Manns is one of 42 artists who have submitted work to the Seeing the Soul exhibition, raising money for the Hoofbeats Sanctuary.

The Hoofbeats Sanctuary is a traumahealing centre that allows women and children to participate in equine therapy programs, improving their mental health while healing with horses.

This exhibition will showcase 72 artworks from 42 artists from all over Queensland, and each piece will be up for auction, where 50 per cent of the proceeds will go to the Hoofbeats Sanctuary.

Michelle Manns has been a mixed media and fine arts artist and illustrator since 2016, and was invited to be part of this exhibition, for a chance to win the art prize valued up to $15,000. She said she is honoured to be a part of this inaugural exhibition to help raise money for Hoofbeats Sanctuary, and thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating equine themed art.

“When I saw the brief, I thought it was wonderful they wanted a horse art piece without anything on them, so that inspired me a lot because I thought how great to see them in their natural form,” she said.

“I also love colour so I’m really a bit vibrant when it comes to my acrylic paintings, so I wanted him to be very colourful and alive and freeform, so he looks like he is moving in the painting.”

Horoscopes

PISCES

FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20

Maybe you’re surrounded by bullies, Pisces. Maybe you’re dealing with sheer stubbornness. Whatever the case, it seems that someone around you is behaving badly. Don’t let them get you down. In any case, you’re clever enough to find a way around their petulance. In doing so, you watch those tables turn.

ARIES

MARCH 21 – APRIL 20

Stand by for a reshuffling of values, which could see love and friendship take on a new tone. You’ll be surprised at who volunteers when you need help, and you’ll be equally disquieted by who will let you down. This week brings a crash course in what you need from relationships. If a certain love is unsalvageable, start planning your exit.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 – MAY 20

This week becomes downright frenzied - a time when no-one quite knows what everyone else is up to, or why. But this is pretty much the case when you pitch a group of power planets up against intense Taurean emotions. Trying to enlist help is a waste of time. Do what you do best - and take charge.

Rosetta’s Great Reads Go as a River

‘Just as a single rainstorm can erode the bank and change the course of a river, so can a single circumstance of a girl’s life erase who she was before’. Shelley Read’s beautifully crafted debut novel has been compared to Where the Crawdads Sing, and its lyrical quality won’t disappoint. With the author being a lecturer in environmental studies, this book has a strong sense of place that takes you right to the heart of California, beginning on the peach farm where Victoria Nash grows up. It then leads you on a transformative journey as Victoria makes decisions that change the course of her life. Filled with both heart-wrenching and powerful moments, this is the kind of book that will stay with you. RRP $32.99

Michelle said although it took a while to produce her design idea, once she did it only took her three weeks to complete the art.

“It took me five weeks to come up with my painting idea, and once I came up with it, I knew immediately it would be perfect, and it turned out exactly how I pictured it,” she said.

Michelle wasn’t initially aware there was an art prize for the exhibition, but she said if she did win, she would love to take a trip as she is an avid traveller.

The exhibition opens on March 31 and will be open until April 30 at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre.

There will be an overall winner, category winners and runners-up (painting/ drawing, sculpture/3D and photography) and a People’s Choice Award up for grabs throughout the exhibition.

Victory City

This hotly anticipated new novel from the Booker Prize–winning, internationally bestselling author Salman Rushdie is strikingly-styled as a translation of an ancient epic. It is the tale of grief-stricken Pampa Kampana who, after losing her mother, breathes a fantastical empire into existence, only to be consumed by it over time. Rushdie injects philosophy and feminist themes, with a strong message about gender equality, alongside hilarious banter. It is also the celebration of the importance of stories. You’ll love the powerful ending when Pampa ultimately discovers what victory means to her. RRP $32.99

Week Beginning March 14

with Tanya Obreza

GEMINI

MAY 21 – JUNE 21

We all experience very different journeys while moving through life. Don’t assume that others will have the same actions and reactions to the dramas that can unfold. It’s how you react that’s important. This week, pay attention to even the most minor piece of information. Sometimes, the smallest gem can have the most sparkle.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 22

Love wins a generous time slot, though there may be some trickery in the heavens. This means that what started as a casual flirtation could become more than intended. And chances are, it’ll be you who’s doing the tempting. Indeed, prudence doesn’t exactly spring to mind as your word of the week - hedonistic - is closer to the mark.

LEO

JULY 23 – AUGUST 23

Just when you started to feel happy with your lot, along comes a whisper of discontent. Venus is in a spiteful mood, so expect some conflict this week. It’s a time to keep your head down and out of the firing line. Also, take note of any emotional deadwood. Decide what’s no longer working for you - and then trash it. Guilt free.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 – SEPTEMBER 22

It’s a week for working behind the scenes, Virgo. You set your schedule by the creativity of your soul. Inspiration is your manna, ingenuity is your pay off. Don’t expect to reach your goals this week, but do expect to set the scene for future success. Most people don’t know that you’re one of the most artistic signs. They will soon enough.

LIBRA

SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 23

A lagging cosmos has doused your enthusiasm for some time now, and you’ve felt held back. So consider it perfect timing when this week offers to unleash restrained ambitions and talents. Financially, your bank balance should start to be replenished. Watch, too, for an opportunity to make the most of work contacts.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 – NOVEMBER 22

Have you noticed how some individuals can be likened to a black hole? They’ll happily draw you into their mass of personal chaos with zero concern over the possible effects on you. So stay well clear of their presence. There are friendlier places to be. Jupiter also lends an uncanny financial instinct. Earning power should soon soar.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 21

More recently, work has seemed more like a war zone and you’re tired of petty politics. What’s more, you’re angry. This week, however, encourages restraint. That’s not to say that you should let others take you for granted - just don’t let them hijack your hard work by losing your temper. Stay calm, and you’ll be the one reaping the rewards.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 20

This week it’s a case of lucky with money but perhaps, unlucky in love. Career ambitions should proceed as planned, but personal happiness may be clouded by trouble with someone you love. Perhaps you’ve been allocating too much time to work, and not enough time for play. Don’t take loved ones for granted.

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 – FEBRUARY 18

This week brings you directly in touch with your need for action. You’re ready to get things moving, perhaps even break new ground. On a psychological level, too, you’re more in touch with your inner rage. It’s how you channel this raw energy that makes all the difference. Release any pent-up emotions by taking positive, constructive action.

Don’t let the weeds rule

I’m responding to a letter in which Meredith from Flaxton voiced her concern over the invasive habits of the Himalayan Ash.

We reforested 20 acres of our property with all native, Indigenous trees in Tintenbar (Northern Rivers NSW) about eight years ago.

Our neighbour across the road has a forest of Ash trees which constantly blow their seeds into our forest. We have found seedlings sprouting up more than 200m from the source.

We have contacted Ballina Shire Council about our concerns but so far there has been no ‘noxious weed’ classification assigned to the Ash. As far as I am concerned, it is a more harmful species than the camphor laurel, which has taken over a lot of our rainforest, hinterland regions.

The Ash’s invasive, vast and fast spreading nature means that it is only a matter of time before more native habitats will be overcome by this dreaded ‘weed’.

Robyn Kirk

Seeking good Samaritans

On Monday our little dog, Clover, was picked up by the road, on Steve Irwin Way by two wonderful people who took her to the Vet at Landsborough, where it was found that she was dead.

She had never left our yard before and when we couldn’t find her, we got a phone call from our Vet who let us know that this lovely couple had wrapped her in a towel and wanted to bring her home to us! Clover was very old, but it is still pretty raw not to have her here. She is buried here on her home property, we got her a as a tiny little puppy.

We were searching all over our house and the yard, when we got the call from the Vets. I would like to return their towel to those good Samaritans as they did a wonderful thing. Please would that couple come and see us and we will return that towel, nice and clean.

D.L. & K.R. G.

Wary of cults

A recent contributor attacking Service People in war zones say it all.

Once again “The Cult” are at it again “follow me mindlessly”.

I personally look forward to the day when the likes of the ALP/Greens and Lib/

Nat coalitions, basically different wings of the same bird, are totally removed from the Australian voting scene. These disgraceful organisations have for too long encouraged a “Cult” mentality to maintain their various voter bases to the detriment of Australia and it people.

Shane Daly Peachester

Voting yes for the Voice

Good morning. I acknowledge that our Aboriginal peoples have lived in Australia for 60,000 years before my forebears migrated here in 1840 from England. While the Productivity Commission, the Australian Medical Ass., The Farmer’s Federation and the Mineral Council of Australia all can have input into talks concerning policy development before it is taken to the government of the day for debate, our Aboriginal spokespersons do not have this as a right.

The government then presents the legislation on the floor of parliament in Canberra for debate before it can be passed into law.

First Nations peoples have a right to put forward views concerning their communities too at the highest level and as a result, I will be voting “Yes” when the referendum is called later in the year.

Jenny Donovan

Most Humble Apologies

I refer to Alf Kwarcianyi’s letter (March 7 Issue) and I have no doubt I’m one of the two contributors Alf refers to, and I too am getting sick of it Alf.

So please accept my most humble apologies.

As one of our more senior citizens, I find I don’t have the patience I once had, and I find myself getting court up in the “SAVE THE PLANET” debate.

It does get the blood boiling when people insist they are right, and everybody else is wrong, and now it seems that since he can’t sway my opinions to favour his he has resorted to attacking my character.

It really is laughable, but from this point on, perhaps I’ll take a leaf out of your book and totally disregard and ignore the things that other bloke writes about.

It won’t be easy, and that’s not to say I won’t still drop the odd letter in, but I’ll strive to do better.

Perhaps I’ll set up a Fudge Jar as well, and every time I find my blood boiling because that other bloke has stirred the pot, I’ll drop a gold coin in the jar.

Thank you Alf, and once again humble apologies if my comments on the debate upset you, but you should know I have never claimed to be right, just wanted to offered another point of view.

Peter Bowles Glasshouse Mountains

Dream World

I do not want to live in a surburban world that is just houses with no SPACE between them for wildlife and wildlife corridors.