Swan Magazine December 2018

1

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

PAGE

Books and Writing

Death in the Sea of Grass Movie Night for KSP Society of Women Writers WA The Idler

19 4 3 52

Business Card Board

Finance with Steve Networking

57 46 47

Business

Community

Front Page Photograph: Christmas in Australia Photograph courtesy of 123Rf

Combating Illegal Phoenixing 42 Federal Notes 9 Foodbank Visit 8 Get RID of Dumping 8 Glad Tidings for Midland 42 Letters to the Editor 18 Lest We Forget 28 Make a Difference this Xmas 18 Notes From Parliament 11 SAFE 54 Shark Numbers Recover 42 Standing Up for Swan Hills 10 SVRN

Christmas Cheer for all to Hear 50 New Banksia Grove School 51

PAGE

New Mental Health Centre Patty Jones Christmas Appeal Sandalford Wines Struck Gold Swan Community The Compassionate Friends What’s On

49 49 48 6 55 12

Douglas Wineries & Dineries Festive Food in the Valley Slate Cafe Flourishes Restaurant Reviewing

14 17 15 16

Festive Film Favourites Footnote People in History Fringe is Back!

Forgotten Treasures Looking for Love at Kads Entertainment Reviews Theatre with Gordon TV with Chris

34 53 36 33 33 40 30 38

Art and Artists House and Garden Herb Gardens

44

Food

Entertainment

Leisure

5

DISCLAIMER The information in this publication is of a general nature. The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and or issues canvassed. Swan Magazine does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein.

The Publisher, Editor, Writers, and Staff of Swan Magazine wish all our readers Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year Please note our office is now closed until Monday, January 14th 2019

SWAN MAGAZINE WEBSITE:

www.swanmagazine.com.au

Email: editor@swanmagazine.com.au Registered Address: 18 Tokay Lane, The Vines, Western Australia 6069 OCTOBER DEADLINES: Advertisements: 1st October Editorial: 1st October Copyright: Swan Magazine 2018 2

BOOKS AND WRITING SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS WA MARIA BONAR

BRONZE QUILL COMPETITION WINNERS

F

orty-eight people recently attended the annual Bronze Quill Luncheon, hosted by The Society of Women Writers WA. Special guests included the Society’s Patron, Ruth Reid AM Cit WA and Lennie McCall, Chairperson of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society Inc. The judge for this year’s entries for the Bronze Quill Literary Competition for Creative Nonfiction was Bernice Barry, author of that wonderful biography, Georgiana Molloy: the mind that shines.

The results of the competition are: 1st Prize: Rose van Son of Burswood for Losing Sight Runner–up: Wendy Stackhouse of Two Rocks for We Have a Bridge Highly Commended: Jan Altmann of Duncraig for Are We Enlightened?

Highly Commended: Pat Fletcher of Kingsley for Natural, Unnatural and Supernatural Commended: June Smith of Bedford for Afternoon Escape Commended: Astra Warren of Albany for Perceptions Commended: Helen Iles of Oldbury for Breaking Full Circle Prize-winner Rose van Son commented, “I’m thrilled to win this amazing Award for creative non-fiction. I find creative non-fiction is a magic tool for discovery and a great enabler for writing as it allows me the freedom to explore; combined with the poetry of language, it is one of my favourite mediums for writing.”

In giving her insightful judge’s report on the fifty-two entries, Bernice Barry said, “The winning pieces are very different from one another but they have something in common.

They did not just inform me through good writing, they also connected with me as a reader, sparked my imagination or hooked my interest.”

The full judge’s report has been posted on the Society’s website: www.swwofwa.com.au

Prize-winner Rose van Son

LIFE WRITING WORKSHOPS REMAIN POPULAR

To celebrate Seniors Week, Helen Iles of the Society of Women Writers WA ran two writing workshops at Citiplace on 17th November 2018: A Life Writing workshop in the morning and Publishing Your Life Story & Photo Restoration in the afternoon. The workshops are very popular with seniors and were reduced to $25, half-price, to encourage them to attend.

The workshops also attracted younger people who are either writing their parents’ stories, or starting their own early.

Helen Iles, Chairperson of the Society, says "This is the seventh year the Society has offered these popular workshops during Seniors Week, to older people who wish to write a memoir for publication, or simply want to chronicle their life stories for their family.

“There are many seniors in the community who want to do this, but who are unsure where to begin, or how to organise their material. We were delighted to assist so many in commencing, completing and working towards publishing their family stories and memoirs."

Helen covered a variety of ways of producing memoirs and life stories in addition to traditional publishing, including Flip Books, DVDs, selfpublishing, or simply printing a limited number of books for family members.

Chairperson Iles and the Life Writing workshop attendees

Continued on the next page ...

3

BOOKS AND WRITING MOVIE NIGHT FOR KSP

N

SHANNON COYLE

ext year is a special year, being the 50th anniversary of the death of author Katharine Susannah Prichard.

To help raise money for a commemorative play for the occasion, we are holding a community Movie Night fundraiser at Boya Hall on Friday 8 February from 6pm.

Come along to see the Oscar-winning film Shine (for ages fifteen and over) which features the character of Katharine as mentor to young Hills virtuoso pianist David Helfgott.

Prior to the screening well-known playwright and younger sister of David Helfgott, Louise Helfgott, will provide a special guest author talk, in conversation with KSP biographer Nathan Hobby. Learn about Louise’s journey in writing the commemorative play and hear intimate details about Katherine’s influence on David’s life and career form the perspective of a family member.

Inspired by life events, the story of piano virtuoso David Helfgott (Geoffrey Rush in an Academy Award-winning performance) Shine captures a most remarkable journey in flashback, a personal tale of creative passion and musical achievement, celebrating the ineluctable power of human endearment.

Encouraged by father Peter (Armin Mueller-Stahl), piano prodigy David (Noah Taylor, The Year My Voice Broke), mentored by local teacher Ben Rosen (Nicholas Bell, The Games) to win the state musical championship. Then in his late teens David is offered a scholarship to the prestigious Royal College of Music, an adventure that is supported by new-found friend and novelist Katherine Susanna Pritchard (Googie Withers). David faces

one of the toughest piano recitals of his life in Rachmaninoff’s demanding Piano Concerto Number 3, a complex piece of music designed to not only challenge him to the edge of sanity but change his life forever.

The film also features Sir John Gielgud, Lynne Redgrave, Chris Haywood and directed by Scott Hicks, Shine is ‘compassionate, deft, unsentimental and inspirational.’

We will be running a movie-character costume contest, trivia quiz, raffle and silent auction.

Refreshments available to purchase.

This promises to be a fun night out for all, for a good cause. Tickets from $20. For more information go to the KSP website at: www.kspwriterscentre.com/movienight.

Concluded from page 3 ...

Participants were enthusiastic about Helen's workshops and the confidence they gained to work on their life writing projects.

The next Life Writing workshops are planned for Saturday 13 April 2019.

The Society of Women Writers WA meets on the third Tuesday of the month at Citiplace except in December, when the committee has a well-earned break. Visitors are always welcome. For enquiries about future events, workshops or membership, please telephone 0415 840 031, email swwofwa@ gmail.com or visit www.swwofwa.com.au

4

HOUSE AND GARDEN HERB GARDENS

W

hat could be nicer when cooking than to use fresh herbs straight out of the garden, still wet with dew?

But you may think it’s too hard and involve too much work - but it’s not really.

The thing to remember about Western Australia is that it's predominantly a Mediterranean climate.

So, taking a look at any Greek or Italian gardeners backyard will show you a big group of hardy, and often perennial, herbs you should always have on hand.

This is a list of must haves and how to grow them. All herbs prefer well-draining soil often enjoying rocky or even sandy soil. They are often not fussy which make them great for the garden.

They do particularly well in vertical gardens for the most part - see last month’s issue of the Swan Magazine.

This list includes some of the best herbs to grow. Some are included because they’re easy to grow. Others because they taste better fresh than dried and often much cheaper to grow than buy.

Bay Tree: The Bay is a handsome, slowgrowing shrub to small tree which grows well in pots. It is prone to scale so keep in a well-ventilated area. Bay leaves are used in many dishes and are one of the ingredients in a bouquet garni.

Basil: Basil plants can grow up to one metre and are a great companion for tomatoes and roses.

Oregano or Marjoram: They are varieties of the same plant, with marjoram being a bit milder. They produce a large spreading ground cover.

Parsley: Parsley will tend to spread if it’s not picked regularly.

Chamomile

Coriander: If you are part of the 50% of the population that likes it, coriander is easy to grow and basically takes the same treatment as parsley.

Chamomile: Chamomile is great in lawns or as a ground cover. Be careful as bindii can look like chamomile so be certain that’s what you have.

Thyme: There are hundreds of varieties of thyme and each provides a creeping, hugging ground cover.

Comfrey: Comfrey is used for medicinal external use only. It is good for sprains etc and great in the compost bin. It has handsome large leaves and blue flowers on spikes.

Dill and Fennel: These are not the same but are cultivated in exactly the same way. Both require plenty of water and lots of sun and all parts of the plants can be eaten.

Garlic: Divide a clove, plant it and wait around 8-12 months and you can dig up enough garlic for a year Ginger: Water regularly and keep away from frost. The same goes for Turmeric. It can be grown but needs TLC in Perth.

Basil

Chives: Chives create an attractive edging for your garden with all parts of the plant being edible including the flowers. Garlic chives are the same as chives but with flat strappy leaves.

Rosemary: Rosemary grows as a large upright bush. It is great for bees and butterflies as well as seasoning lamb.

Ginger

Lemongrass: Lemongrass has clumping roots and tender shoots which are mainly eaten but the strap like leaves are great in tea.

Mint: Mint needs to be watered regularly. It is highly invasive so keep it in a pot.

5

Thyme

SWAN COMMUNITY NEW JUNCTION

T

GRETA JASIAK

he transformation of the Midland town centre into a thriving commercial, residential and community precinct has passed a major milestone, with the approval by Council of the business plan for New Junction.

The approval of the Midland Oval Redevelopment Precinct business plan has formally cleared the way for the City of Swan to begin marketing New Junction to the private sector.

The green light follows an extended twelve week public advertising period, which saw the community invited to review the business plan outlining plans for major land transactions within New Junction.

The plan was made available at the City's Administration Centre, Libraries, and Leisure Centres, online via the City’s website and social media, and via direct mail to residents.

Residents and ratepayers were offered the opportunity to comment on the City's involvement in land transactions for the development, with a survey asking them whether they supported or objected to the City acquiring and selling land to the private sector.

City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said the survey results were overwhelmingly positive: “We received more than 8,000 responses to the survey, with sixty-five per cent of them registering their support for the plan for New Junction. What this has shown us is that the community view on New Junction has not changed since the first round of consultation in 2015, when again around two thirds of residents supported the masterplan.”

Mayor Lucas said every ward supported the business plan, including the Midland/Guildford ward due to be home to New Junction – with sixty per cent of respondents from that area

voting in favour of the City’s vision. The City will now commence planning around land acquisitions and sales within the new precinct. All future sales and development decisions will still require a decision of Council and a business case to support any recommendation. This will enable an orderly and staged approach to the development in response to market conditions.

“It is very pleasing to see the community embracing this transformative, once-in-a-generation project, which will deliver a vibrant, strong and dynamic town centre for people to live, work and play. We are looking forward to progressing New Junction, and bringing this new precinct and its associated growth, job and housing opportunities to life.”

GREEN LIGHT FOR FIRST OPEN SPACE

Work will soon begin on the first community park at New Junction after the City of Swan Council approved the landscape design for the first stage of the recreational heart of the precinct last night.

The new public open space will include a kick-about lawn and terraced seating, recreational areas for children and teens, groves of trees and special recognition of Midland’s history and heritage through public art and interpretive elements.

Features for the youth area include rock climbing, a tennis practice wall and basketball half-court.

Designs for stage one were developed earlier this year, before being taken to the community for feedback in September and October.

As a result of the consultation process, the plans for the park were updated to take in a number of suggestions.

6

SWAN COMMUNITY

The updated plans, incorporating community feedback, were approved by the City of Swan Council at its Ordinary Council Meeting.

City of Swan Deputy Mayor Kevin Bailey said he was pleased to see the Midland community coming together to have their say on the final design of the park.

“It’s been great to see the people who will be enjoying this new space having their say about what they’d like to see take shape there,” he said.

Councillor Bailey said the revisions to the landscape designs included reducing the scope of an interpretive feature wall to improve sightlines for parents supervising children in the play area.

“We have listened to our community, incorporated their feedback, and we’re looking forward to delivering a fantastic new park for all to enjoy at the heart of New Junction,” he said.

“The park will create a space to make the most of our unique way of life - a place to meet friends, play, exercise, kick a ball, have a picnic or walk your dog.”

The multi-million-dollar New Junction project will provide up to 1,000 new homes for the community, incorporating new shopping, dining, recreational and commercial space, breathing vibrancy into one of Perth’s oldest established areas.

The new park will be constructed in stages. Stage one works, expected to commence in April, will include a grassed oval and perimeter path, terraced seating, a civic zone with tree

groves and the youth space.

The City will consider the provision of public toilets in the second stage of the park.

The master-planned precinct will attract some 2,000 new residents and provide a variety of housing options for a diverse, growing community.

SWAN NEWS COUNCIL LIVE STREAMS MEETINGS

The City of Swan will record and live-stream its Council Meetings and Agenda Forums from December 2018, offering a brand new way for community members to access decisions and debate.

The new service will allow members of the community to visit the City’s website from any location with internet and access live streaming and recordings of Council meetings and agenda forums.

City of Swan Deputy Mayor Kevin Bailey: “In November 2017, Council made the decision to investigate the installation of appropriate equipment to stream and record Council meetings,” he said. “We are committed to engaging with our community and making our Council Meetings accessible for all.

You can access the City’s new live streaming feature at www.swan.wa.gov.au/councilmeetings HYPER FESTIVAL CANCELLED

The City of Swan, in conjunction with the Hyper Team, has made the difficult decision to cancel Hyper festival, scheduled for December 8.

The City of Swan CEO Mike Foley as representative of the City apologises to the artists and ticket holders who have already made a commitment to this year’s festival.

Refunds will be automatically processed onto the credit card used for the original purchase within the next three business days. If you paid cash or Eftpos at an outlet, please return to the same outlet to obtain a refund.

Hyper, the best all-ages drug, smoke and alcohol free event in WA, has been operating for more than fifteen years by a talented group of young people and students who have been able to grow and develop skills in events management, marketing, community development, business and much more.

The City is extremely proud of the Hyper Team for delivering this fantastic event for so many years.

The Hyper team have learnt a lot throughout this difficult process and hope to regroup and present a new event for Western Australian young people in 2019.

Please take part in a short survey to provide your feedback and help direct our Hyper team for future events: www.au.openforms.comForm/ 170b6b7f-33d2-45a3-84d3-aa262908b595

7

GET RID OF DUMPING

COMMUNITY

T

RECYCLE RIGHT

D

he City of Swan urges people to think twice about illegally dumping rubbish, after a report through the City’s Reduce Illegal Dumping (RID) program resulted in a $1,000 fine for a careless individual.

Thanks to the watchful eye of a community member, who witnessed and reported the individual dump a trailer load of building and fencing materials on the side of the road, the City was able to successfully prosecute.

City of Swan Deputy Mayor Kevin Bailey said the case is a timely reminder of how important the City’s RID program is.

“Not only does illegal dumping harm our wildlife and create potential fire hazards; it costs rate payers close to a million dollars every year to clean up. We are all custodians of our community and our environment. It’s important that we do the right thing to look after our natural resources and we should call-out those who show disrespect.

The RID program allows anyone who spots illegally dumped waste to report it through a quick and easy online reporting system or over the phone.

The City takes a strong enforcement approach to these matters with infringements and prosecutions pursued.

Whiteman Ward Councillor Adam Kovalevs said there are a number of options available to residents of the City of Swan to dispose of household waste.

“Getting rid of your waste properly is easier and safer than illegally dumping it. As well as a year-round on-call verge collection system, the City currently offers a combination of other collection services, including Recyclable Goods Drop-off Days and access to the Recycling Centre in Bullsbrook.”

Littering is an offence under the Litter Act 1979, and can be prosecuted with maximum fines of $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for corporations.

The Facts: • In July, a community member witnessed an individual illegally dump a trailer load of fencing materials in Caversham.

• The witness provided a description of the vehicle, its registration plate to the City, as well as a description of the driver, along with photographs and video footage.

• The matter was lodged with the City’s solicitors and a hearing occurred in October where the offender attended and pleaded guilty to the offence.

• A penalty of $1,000 was imposed, along with court costs.

If you see illegally dumped waste, report it online at www. swan/wa/gov.au/RID or by calling 9267 9267.

id you know... that 3,134.2 tons of junk and hard waste went to landfill last year?

An audit of this material showed that 75 per cent was classed as recyclable. City of Swan is urging residents to take charge of their recycling practices and reduce recycling contamination.

The current rate of recycling contamination in the City of Swan is 10-12%, and the state wide target is less than 5%.

The City of Swan is asking residents to focus on eliminating four of the most common recycling ‘bin sins’ by making a few simple changes.

a) Bagging your recycling waste is one of the worst things to do, as bagged recyclable items become contaminated and have to go to landfill.

b) Simply keep plastic bags out of the bin, and instead place your recyclable items loosely and separately in the recycling bin.

c) We urge you to rinse your jars, bottles and containers before placing them in your bin, as food and liquid contaminate all material types and can contaminate an entire truck-load of recyclable waste.

d) It’s really important to separate lids from your empty containers and bottles and place them in your rubbish bin, as they are too small to be processed through our recycling facility.

e) Finally, we ask you to please bag and place nappies into your rubbish bin; they contain human waste and should also never go into your recycling bin.

These very simple changes can help us all collectively reduce our recycling contamination rates, and therefore reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfill.

YELLOW TOP BINS

What can go into your yellow top bin?

All containers need to be clean and without lids to ensure they are recycled. No plastic bags or greenwaste in your recycling bins. Keep all items in your recycling bin loose and separate.

Aluminium cans, Aluminium foil, Bottles, Cardboard (boxes/other), Cereal boxes, Drink cans, Envelopes, Foil, Food cans, Gift wrapping paper, Glass bottles & jars, Glossy magazines & brochures, Greeting cards, Ice-cream containers (cardboard & plastic), Jars, Liquid paper board, Milk/juice cartons (clean, remove lids, no silver lined UHT), Paper (office), Paper towel rolls (inner), Paper bags, Pet food tins, Phone books, Pizza boxes (empty), Plastic containers/bottles, Plastic plant pots, Sauce bottles, Soft drink bottles, Spirit bottles, Steel cans, Toilet paper rolls (inner), Waxed cardboard, Wine bottles, Yoghurt containers

All soft plastics (ie. those that scrunch in your hand) can be taken to your local Coles or Woolworths supermarket for recycling.

In addition to your fortnightly yellow top bin collection, the City offers a number of ways to dispose of your recyclables, including Recyclable Goods Drop off Days and access to our Recycling Centre Bullsbrook.

For more information, visit: www.swan.wa.gov.au/waste 8

FEDERAL NOTES HON KEN WYATT AM, MP Member for Hasluck , Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health

A BUSY YEAR FOR HASLUCK

The Hon Ken Wyatt and the DTP Committee at Marloo Theatre

A

lot of important achievements have occurred recently, which I am thrilled to say all contribute to a stronger economic position for Hasluck.

Small businesses in Hasluck will be able to access more affordable finance thanks to the Coalition Government’s new $2 billion small bank and non-bank lenders fund, and WA will be $4.7 billion better off thanks to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s legislated fix of the GST. Over the last week I have been reminded of the wide variety of needs across the community. We celebrated Seniors Week 2018 recently to mark the contributions of Senior Australians, as well as International Pathology Day, Word Diabetes Day and Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Awareness (PANDA) Week.

The work to support our local community never stops and it continues to be an honour to serve you as your local member, and the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care as well as the Minister for Indigenous Health.

Out in the local electorate I was particularly thrilled to visit Marloo Theatre to watch their newest play 1916 A Love Story, which was timed well to commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice. I opened the Memorial Wall in Kalamunda on Remembrance Day, and met WO2 Chris Barry and soldiers of D Company, 16th Battalion Royal WA Regiment.

I visited Yallambee Aged Care with Alyssa Hayden MLA as well as discussed with her what we can do together with the Shire of Mundaring to have a pedestrian crossing on Great Eastern Hwy near Nichol Street to allow for safer crossing for our community, especially our seniors’ and children.

Please check out my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter if you would like to keep up to date with where I am, who I have met with and the good things that are happening in Hasluck.

As always, call through to my office should you wish to meet and discuss anything.

KEN WYATT MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HASLUCK

May your Christmas be filled with joy and the New Year bring peace, happiness and prosperity Hawaiian’s Forrestfield, 80 Hale Road, Forrestfield WA 6058 08 9359 0322 ken.wyatt.mp@aph.gov.au KenWyattMP

kenwyatt.com.au

@KenWyattMP

teamkenwyatt

Authorised by Ken Wyatt MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Hawaiian’s Forrestfield, 80 Hale Road, Forrestfield WA 6058.

9

STANDING UP FOR SWAN HILLS FESTIVE GREETINGS AND NOVEMBER DOINGS NAOMI RAKELA

A

s the festive season approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on the year that has passed and plan for the busy year ahead. I’m sure everyone is also frantically trying to get those lastminute jobs done before the break and wondering where 2018 has gone!

I’ve had a very busy month. Swan Hills has eighteen schools and I’ve had the great pleasure over the last few weeks to attend our local Year 6 and Year 12 graduation ceremonies.

It’s always a pleasure to congratulate our kids on their great achievements and wish them well on the next stage of their lives – be it the transition to High School, University, TAFE or the workforce.

This is an exciting time for our local young people and I wish them all every success in the years ahead.

change this, lobbying the Premier and Minister for Mental Health to address the lack of crisis mental health services in our Our area has historically been region. significantly under-resourced –

The community support I’ve had particularly where mental health is throughout this effort has been amazing concerned. I have been working hard to – thank you so much to everyone who met with me, called, emailed, MLA signed my petition and expressed their support. The hard work has LOCAL MEMBER FOR SWAN HILLS really paid off.

To make sure I truly understand @JessicaShawMLA what we need here in Swan Hills Jessica.Shaw@mp.wa.gov.au I have spoken with a number of people. In November, I held a 9296 7688 mental health round table with a number of organisations that HERE TO HELP provide mental health services Aveley, Bailup, Belhus, Brigadoon, into our community.

Bullsbrook, Chidlow, Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, Melaleuca, Forty local professionals and Mount Helena, Sawyers Valley, volunteers joined me at the Aveley The Vines, Upper Swan, and Wooroloo.

Community Centre to share their experiences. I was astonished Office Address Postal Address to learn that it was the very first 8/31 Egerton Drive PO Box 2265 time all those organisations had Aveley WA 6069 Ellenbrook WA 6069 sat together and talked about frontline service delivery. It was so important to hear about the challenges they face and the lived experiences of my constituents.

I also met with the Ellenbrook School Principal’s Network. Very often, people in crisis present at local schools because they have nowhere else to go.

It is an absolute disgrace that the north east metropolitan area has been the only part of the Perth metropolitan area where those Standing up for Swan Hills

MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Jessica Shaw

Authorised by Jessica Shaw, 8/31 Egerton Drive, Aveley, WA 6069

10

experiencing mental health crisis have had nowhere to turn.

Thousands of locals have expressed their support for better mental health crisis services in our area.

The McGowan Government has listened, and on the 19 November I was thrilled to accompany Premier McGowan and Minister for Mental Health, Roger Cook, to announce a new Mental Health Crisis Centre at Midland St John of God Public Hospital.

This new facility will offer four beds with specifically trained staff, catering to patients experiencing mental health, drug and alcohol crisis, allowing the hospital to address this specific issue and also easing pressure on the emergency department.

I would also like to thank the Premier Mark McGowan and Minister Roger Cook for their support. At a time when the finances are tight, I appreciate all they have done to prioritise our community’s needs.

It’s so important that our government hears about issues, direct from the community. On Sunday 18th November, local community and business leaders gathered for a town hall meeting with Ministers from Premier McGowan’s State Cabinet, including: Premier Hon Mark McGowan MLA, Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Hon Sue Ellery MLC, Hon Bill Johnston MLA, Hon Dave Kelly MLA, Hon Fran Logan MLA, Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC, Hon Simone McGurk MLA and Hon Rita Saffioti MLA. Concluded on page 56 ...

NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT AN AUSSIE CHRISTMAS AND SANTA’S REINDEERS Hon Donna Faragher JP MLC Member for East Metropolitan Region

S

anta driving an Aussie ‘Santa 1’ ute and reindeers in the night were the winning artwork from my 2018 Christmas Card Art Competition!

Now in its fourteenth year, this annual competition continues to grow with Years 3 and 4 students from Lesmurdie Primary School and Gidgegannup Primary School taking up the challenge to enter designs from which the winning Christmas cards were chosen.

More than fifty entries were received and the diversity of artwork was amazing.

It is always a delight to see what has captured a child’s imagination.

The competition provides a wonderful opportunity to involve local schools and to highlight their students’ creative talents and I thank all of the students who entered this year. I look forward to involving more schools within the East Metropolitan Region next year.

All of the entries are on display in my office window at Ground Floor, 108 Swan Street Guildford. If you are walking past, please take the time to look at the students’ fabulous artwork.

Wishing all Swan Magazine readers a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!

Best wishes, Hon Donna Faragher JP MLC

ADVERTISEMENT

Donna

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

FARAGHER

jp mlc

Member for East Metropolitan Region Shadow Minister for Education; Training; Women’s Interests

Here to help!

Ground Floor, 108 Swan Street Guildford 6055 9379 0840 | Faragher.eastmetro@mp.wa.gov.au Authorised by D.Faragher, 108 Swan Street, Guildford WA 6055.

11

WHAT’S ON IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN EVENT LISTED IN THIS COLUMN RING our office on 0418 934 850 Entries for non-profit entities are free.

MORRIS DANCING

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - Glen Forrest Group Every Monday evening We meet at 7.00pm at the Glen Forrest Uniting Church, Mc Glew Rd, Glen Forrest. Call Dermot 0488 905 211 or John 0448 074 536 or the Perth Office (all hours) 9325 3566.

All welcome. It’s like bush dancing, with sticks and bells. It’s aerobic exercise and great fun!

Tuesdays 7-9pm practice, Guildford Town Hall, cnr James St and Meadow St, Guildford. And drinks later at the Woodbridge Hotel with live Irish music For more information please contact: Christine Hogan: 9279 8778 Email: madtattersmorris@iinet.Net.Au Website: madtattersmorris.myclub.org.au

AUSTRALIAN BREASTFEEDING ASSOC. Discussion groups, guest speakers, morning tea. Free breastfeeding counselling. Expectant mothers, mothers, babies and children welcome. National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 2686 is a 24 hour 7 days a week service.

SWAN WOODTURNERS GROUP

The group meets in the rear hall of The Senior Citizens’ Centre, The Avenue, Midland, at 1-00pm. on 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Tuesday, and at 7-00pm. on 2nd Tuesday of each month. A demonstration and cuppa are the norm. Men and Women are welcome. Enquiries to Ted 9295 4438.

Swan/Mundaring Group meets every Monday, 9:30-11:30am at the Gumnuts Family Centre, 8 Mudalla Way, Koongamia. A qualified ABA counsellor is present at each meeting to give confidential information and support on breastfeeding issues.

Contact Natalie 9572 4971.

SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE

Monday Mornings The Art Group meets at Baskerville Hall from 9am – 12pm for just $5.00 per session.

Group leader Gilly can help and advise with most media. Feel free to come and have a look and meet our local artists – they are a very friendly lot, new members welcome!

For more information call 9296 1976 or enquiries@swanvalleycommunitycentre.com www.swanvalleycommunitycentre.com

Kalamunda Group meets fortnighly on a Thursday, 9:3011:30am at the Maida Vale Baptist Church, Edney Road, High Wycombe. Contact Jenny 9252 1996.

Northam Group meets each second Tuesday of the month at the Bridgeley Community Centre, Wellington Street, Northam 10am to Noon.

Fourth Tuesday each month at Toodyay Playgroup, Stirling Terrace, Toodyay. Noon to 2pm. Please phone Louisa 9574 0229.

SWAN HARMONY SINGERS

THE HILLS CHOIR

Wednesdays Come and sing with us! Swan Harmony Singers is a community choir that meets, 7-9pm, to sing music ranging from jazz to pop, plus the occasional classic. No auditions. Join us at the Salvation Army Church Hall, 371 Morrison Rd, (opposite Swan View Primary School), Swan View. Enquiries: call Anna on 9299 7249, or Chris on 9298 9529 or 0435 062 728.

Monday Evenings Do you enjoy singing and joining with others to make beautiful music? Come and join the Hills Choir. We meet from 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Uniting Church on Stoneville Road, Mundaring.

Contact Margie on 9295 6103 for further information.

ELLENBROOK COMMUNITY WEIGHT LOSS CLUB

ELLENBROOK AND DISTRICT MENS SHED INC.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday We are open at 4 Transit Way Ellenbrook from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Potential members can turn up on those days and there will be someone to explain what we do and give membership

Every Tuesday evening We meet from 6.45pm to 8.00pm at the Woodlake Community Hall, Meeting room 1 Highpoint Blvd, Ellenbrook. Friendly support group at low cost. Male and females of all ages welcome.

Contact Shirley 9276 7938 shirleysardelich@aapt.net.au.

HILLS CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP

1st Wednesday of each month Hilltop Grove Estate, 1645 Jacoby Street, Mahogany Creek.

Morning tea provided, between 10.30 - 12.00 noon.

Enquiries Terina 9572 1655.

12

WHAT’S ON details. Annual fees are low and members can do their own thing, participate in projects for the community or simply just come in for a chat and a cuppa.

We are considering extending our days to include Saturdays or evenings if there is enough interest.

MUSTARD SEED - DISCOVERING COMPUTERS

Mustard Seed is a fifteen year old non-profit organisation and teaches all aspects of everyday computing. Ability levels from beginners onwards. Want help with Windows 10? In need of instruction with your Mac computer? Have an iPad or Android tablet and don’t know what it will do? We can help. Cost is $3 per session. Classes are heldat 56 McGlew Road, Glen Forrest. To gain a place enrol now.

Phone 9299 7236 or 0478 604 163 or E: mustardcomputers@gmail.com W: noodlebytes.com

TALKING HORSES

Wednesday evenings 6:00pm The WA Horse Council equestrian radio program is now in its seventh year. The programme is broadcast on the Community Radio Station 91.3 SportFM. To ensure that your club, event, breed or business gets coverage, call Diane Bennit 0409 083 617.

SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE SWAN VALLEY HOMESCHOOL FAMILY PLAYGROUP

Thursday mornings 9:15am to 11:15am Older siblings welcome to join playgroup in a rural setting

in the Swan Valley. Normal playgroup guidelines apply for children zero to five years old.

Baskerville Hall, 129 Memorial Drive, Baskerville. For more information ring 0419 922 792 or email enquiries@ swanvalleycommunitycentre.com

MIDLAND MEN’S SHED

Every Tuesday morning We meet socially every Tuesday morning from 9.30am to 11.30am in the Bellevue Baptist Church Hall and our usual attendance is around fifty-five. At least once a month we have a guest speaker on a range of topics.

We also go on excursions to various places of interest (e.g.

HMAS Stirling, Aviation Museum, Fremantle Ports, ALCOA, etc.).

Our workshop with wood working and metal working is in Midvale and for the opening hours and further details please contact Rob Cutter on 0419 967 873. Also in operation is our music group – the Rockin’ Shedders which is going from strength to strength and their repertoire of songs increases each week.

For more information on the Shed please contact Kevin Buckland on 0417 961 971 or by email to kebinsv@tpg.com.au.

EASTERN DISTRICTS MACHINE KNITTERS

Friday - second and fourth We meet from 9:00am to noon at 10 Brockman Road, Midland.

Feel welcome to join us for morning tea and see how easy it is to make your own garments.

For more information contact Pat 9309 3260; Liz 9572 7074 or Pat 9295 2793.

MUNCHKINSMUZIC A BRAND NEW MUSIC PROGRAM FOR 2-4 YEAR OLDS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS IN THE SWAN VALLEY Grubb Run by Margaret ialist ec Primary Music Sp

$100 Per Term 9.30am -10.10am or 10.30-11.10am Thursday

Email now to secure you r place

129 Memorial Drive Baskerville www.swanvalleycommunitycentre.com enquiries@swanvalleycommunitycentre.com 9296 1976 (leave a message) 13

DOUGLAS’ WINERIES AND DINERIES

These are the restaurants and eateries, casual and formal, and wineries that I personally reccommend and eat at for pleasure.

The hidden gem of a bar in Bassendean 77 Old Perth Road

OPEN Wednesday - Thursday 5-10ish Friday 5 - 10:30ish Saturday - Sunday 12 - 10:30ish HAVING A FUNCTION? - FULLY CATERED & NO HIRE FEE

14

FOOD SLATE CAFE FLOURISHES AS ROAD RE-OPENS

A

DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

s all of you know by now, Slate Cafe has been operating under great difficulties since the 1st of May as a portion of Marshall Road in Bennett Springs and Dayton Boulevard in Dayton was closed restricting access.

This ‘temporary’ closure had a devastating effect of this charming café’s business - hours were reduced and staff laid off.

But that is a thing of the past now as the road upgrade has been completed and patrons are pouring back into this charming cafe to try the new summer menu and partake of the occasional ‘dog days’ - play dates for specific breeds, such as the Rottweiler Play Date on the 15th December from 11am to 1pm.

The new menu includes Maple Bacon French Toast (French toast topped with butter-baked banana and mango, crispy

bacon, fresh seasonal berries and drizzled with maple syrup with a vegetarian option available).

Open seven days a week, the cafe is now taking reservations and delicious food and coffee is waiting for you.

Very highly recommended.

15

DINING OUT

The Thoughts of an Ageing, Balding Foodie

RESTAURANT REVIEWING DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

W

hen I began to write restaurant reviews, way back in 1987, I promised my editor, and myself, that I would always consider the reader first and foremost - not the advertisers, not the editor nor any other considerations.

My reasoning was, despite that fact that I wished the restaurateurs well in a difficult and highly competitive market, unless I had the trust of the readers, no one could rely on my opinion - mostly subjective in any case.

And there you have the crux of the matter - any opinion must be subjective, influenced by knowledge, experience and countless other factors such as personal choice and age certainly, but largely subjective.

Take two equally valid views of a common spice - Coriander.

I like it, for others it’s the Devil’s toothpaste - who is to say which view is correct? Or that both aren’t equally valid?

There are aspects that are capable of being objectively judged and this is what forms the basis of the Gold Plate Awards, for example, but during my tenure as a Gold Plate Judge, I found that fresh flowers on the table (1 point) and clean restrooms (1 point) were outweighed by the flavour and appearance of the food (40 points) which relys entirely on the experience of the judge - scoring incidentally was then out of 300 possible points.

Consequently, I might regard a classic French restaurant very highly whereas another critic might regard the food as very rich, cream and butter heavy and too reliant on sauces. This is subjective.

16

So it might happen that I may go to a restaurant on a Thursday and find it admirable, as service, choice of food, mood and wine marry beautifully and highly recommend it, but a reader may go the following Wednesday, find the chef replaced due to illness, the service surly since the server’s partner has cheated with the Nanny and the diner has chosen a dish that the chef doesn’t personally care about and a sore toe makes the evening a torment anyway.

I may well, then, very shortly get a letter saying something along the lines of ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about - the food was awful, service was bad and I can’t see how you can possibly rate it ‘Very Highly recommended’?’ - signed Angry of Parkerville’.

So over the years I developed a sort of shorthand. Having resolved never, ever, to say bad was good, I started to avoid the issue. If I thought the food was bad, I’d talk about the decor and or the service. If the service and decor was only so-so, I’d write about the use of potatoes in dining, or the development of the fork from the Middle Ages to the present or some other equally safe topic.

Once, many years ago now I went to a Chinese Restaurant - long since closed - and had a truly dreadful meal, so I wrote nearly a thousand words minutely describing the wallpaper, pictures, crockery and cutlery, what the servers were wearing and the state of the bamboo plants in the garden outside.

At the end of the review I wrote ‘And I believe food is available.’ The editor refused to publish it with the words ‘It’s not our business to put other businesses out of business’, and I’m sure he was right to do so.

The whole business of reviewing restaurants has changed now anyway, as people like George Mulgrew, Stuart ‘Scruffy’ Van Raalte, Leo Schofield and Bill Thompson retire and fade away, replaced by anonymous reviews by ‘citizen journalists’ on Urbanspoon, Yelp, Dimmi, Zomato and the like, where you have no idea who is writing, or any way of judging their level of expertise or integrity.

Even among some of those paid for writing the ethics, responsibility and accountability of journalism seem to be only vaguely understood with details invented post fact, or bias not declared.

I, at least, come from a hospitality background and know and sympathise with the plight of those who run hotels and restaurants, knowing that few do it for the money, but because it’s more of a calling.

Anonymous reviews, or reviews posted from unknown Facebook pages are valueless as many may be posted either by the owner, friends and family of the owner, or conversely, rivals or enemies of the owner.

You have only to read about Amy’s Baking Company and Gordon Ramsey (look it up on Wikipedia) to learn what a huge impact social media has, particularly when badly handled by the restaurant in its responses.

So these days, if I have a bad experience - slow or off-hand service, badly cooked, bland, or over-cooked food, I simply don’t write a review.

There is no review this month.

DINING OUT FESTIVE FOOD IN THE VALLEY DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

C

hristmas, we are assured, is a time for family, food and festivity.

But it’s also a very great deal of hard work for someone - often several someones, usually Mum and a few helpers as she roasts the turkey, boils the pudding, peels the potatoes, makes the trifle, simmers the custard, steams the sprouts and lays the table.

And when everyone has gone, replete and satiated, who is left with the mountain of dirty plates, cooking pots, torn up crackers and crumpled up pieces of small paper with the words’ ‘Why does Santa have eight reindeer?’ crumpled with a paper crown that never, ever, fits.

It’s at this point, I imagine, the Mother says through gritted teeth ‘Next year, we’re going to a restaurant.’

But here in the Swan Valley, home of good food and wine, what are our alternatives for a bought in Christmas lunch where they cook the dishes for you, then take the plates away and wash them.

Well, we have almost as many alternatives as we have restaurants. Let us look at our options, in absolutely no order at all.

RiverBank Estate, for example - a fine restaurant with a lovely view of the vineyards from huge verandahs. What will you get for your money? Well, a three course menu and four hour drinks package (noon to 4:00pm), with soft drinks included for youth and children, fun garden games, a bouncy castle, a visit from Santa with presents and live music.

For an all-inclusive cost of $165 for adults, $145 for youths (10-17 years) and $50 for children (2-9 years) including a small gift.

The Gold-Plate Award winning Caversham House, is offering a ‘Sparkling Christmas Brunch from 8:30 to 10:30 for $95 per adult, $75 per youth (10-17yrs) and $60 per child (2-9yrs) including a small Christmas gift. The Brunch offers delicious gourmet cuisines by our talented in-house chefs. Sparkling wine included for adults, juices for youth and children, live music entertainment, plenty of photo opportunities with our Christmas inspired backdrop, picturesque gardens and on-site photographer. And Santa will be personally giving away a gift to every child that attends.

Mind you, Caversham House will be hosting their annual Christmas Buffet Lunch with all the bells and whistles to make the day one to remember. A premium buffet by the Head Chef, delicious desserts by their very own Pastry Chef, all beverages on the day, a special visit from Santa with gifts, bouncy castle, a

Christmas movie screening and live music entertainment.

Black Swan Winery are hosting a set Christmas menu until the 24th December perfect for the company wind-up or family do. For $60 for all three courses of entrées (choice of Pork belly aranchinis, spinach, leek and goats cheese tart or chili prawn salad).

Mains offer a choice of roast Pork belly, Barramundi, beef fillet or spinach and ricotta roulade, each with all the fixings.

Dessert offers marmalade and whiskey Christmass pudding, chocolate panna cotta or a cheese platter.

Plus, of course, a wide range of drinks from the bar, both on tap and bottled beer, wines, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

Or you could join Black Swan Saturday on the 22nd December for their 2018 Christmas Party, as they take an unforgettable, nostalgic ride from 1962 to 1969 with The Beatles Tribute Show by the Fabfour in the beautiful grounds.

The Fabfour are Australia’s number one Beatles tribute show and over the past seven years have performed all over the world onboard some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

With costumes representing all eras of The Beatles and authentic instruments that re-create that special sound that changed the world of popular music, “Seeing is believing”.

Book for dinner prior to the show from 5:30pm or enjoy a beer or cocktail from the bar. The show commences at 8.30pm (doors 8pm). Tickets cost $35 (Show only).

Mandoon Estates Christmas lunch at the Wild Swan Restaurant features : Natural oysters, bush limes, vinaigrette Whole tiger prawns, shellfish aioli; Smoked salmon, Swan Valley asparagus, quail egg, gribiche; Free range turkey, pancetta, cranberry, pomme gratin; Strawberry sorbet, vintage sparkling foam; Christmas pudding soufflé, panettone ice cream, brandy snap all for $185 per head ($45 for children).

The children’s meal consists of sous vide chicken and mashed potato and a dessert of chocolate pudding and ice cream so the little people don’t miss out either.

This is a small sample of what’s available - check with your favourite restaurant and see what their festive season offerings might be, and ... Compliments of the Season to you and yours from me and mine.

17

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COMMUNITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS CHRISTMAS GRETA JASIAK

M

ake Christmas brighter for families in need this year by donating to the Salvation Army’s 2018 Christmas appeal at the Swan Valley Visitor Centre (SVVC).

The SVVC will once again be an official drop-off point this year for donations of food and gifts.

City of Swan Deputy Mayor Kevin Bailey said Christmas can be a wonderful time of year, but for many it is a time of increased pressure.

“The Christmas period can be a tough time for many who are battling to put food on the table or gifts under the tree,” he said.

“The City of Swan is committed to helping make a difference – which is why we host a drive for the appeal each year at our Swan Valley Visitor Centre.

“We are blown away each year by the community’s generosity, and this year we hope to see our biggest collection of donations yet.”

“If you can, please give generously this Christmas because you will be helping a family in need.”

Whiteman Ward Councillor Maria Haynes said donations for older age groups were in the highest demand.

“Each year, the Salvation Army is gratefully overwhelmed with gifts for younger children, but always run out of gifts for teenagers and parents,” she said.

“Gift vouchers are accepted as they are an ideal gift for teenagers, and also allow parents to choose something they would like to give to their child.

“Non-perishable food donations such as tinned vegetables, rice or pasta, and Christmas treats like chocolates, puddings, tinned ham and boxed custard are also in high demand.”

Donations can be dropped off to the Swan Valley Visitor Centre, located on the corner of Meadow Street and Swan Street in Guildford, until 4pm on Sunday, December 16.

For more information, visit the Salvation Army’s website: www.salvos.org.au.

Dear sir,

Like most of the population, fracking is a mystery to me, and internet research does little to enlighten me.

There is always reference to a “cocktail of chemicals” injected with water and sand into the rock formation which appears to vary with each fracking project. I recall that the principal concerns of fracking opposers in Queensland related to damage to the water table.

I have three questions which I think are critical: 1. Are any of the constituents of the “cocktail of chemicals” or any products of it dangerous to the environment, poisonous or damaging to humans, animals or crops in the food chain?

2. Is it possible (I didn’t say likely) for the chemicals to enter the water supply eventually used by humans, animals or crops?

3.

If it is, can the contamination be removed or neutralised?

If the answers, in order, are Yes, Yes and No, why are governments even considering allowing fracking? Permanent damage to the water table can never be allowed. That’s the bottom line.

Let’s face it, the proponents of fracking are largely in it for the money. That’s their bottom line.

You choose, Mr Premier. It could turn out to be your legacy.

Tony Jackson Rockingham

18

FICTION DEATH IN THE SEA OF GRASS KAREN R W TREANOR

TSHANILAND, 1935

S

CHAPTER SIX

ome hours later, Claire awoke, turned up the lamp, and looked at her wristwatch. After a long moment, she realised the hands weren’t moving. She hadn’t wound it before going to sleep, and there was no way of knowing what time it was now.

The watch said two o’clock, but who knew how long it had been stopped?

“I wound mine just before we left the house yesterday, and it’s still going,” Rivka whispered, sitting up and putting her wrist into the lamplight.

“That would be just dandy if you hadn’t broken it somehow in all our adventures,” Claire observed, pointing to the cracked crystal.

“Oh, that, it’s been like that for weeks—I cracked it while I was on the boat. No, it’s still running, see?” Rivka pointed at the minuscule movement of the minute hand. “It’s seven o’clock; that must be seven in the morning. By now the Queen’s men are outside getting ready to rescue us.”

“I sure hope you’re right,” Claire said.

“Excuse me while I find the ladies’ room.” Taking a lamp, she went off to a private corner for a few moments. Rivka did the same when Claire returned. “Refresh my memory, but was this little stream so deep when we went to sleep?” Claire asked, hunkered at the edge of the water, washing her hands.

“No, I don’t think so,” Rivka said, joining her.

“I thought this was just rain water trickling in, but maybe your idea of the outside stream being dislocated by the explosion was correct. I don’t think we need to worry; it’s a very big cave and there’s plenty of space for the water.”

“Yes, but what if there’s no way out for the water? Sooner or later it will fill up the cave.”

“Not for weeks, maybe even months. They’ll surely get us out of here by then,” Rivka said. “And if there is a way for the water to get out, maybe there’s a way for us to get out.”

“Maybe. I’m going to try and find what’s going on. I’ll take a lamp and check out the small cave. Maybe Puli was wrong about it being completely filled with rock.”

Claire dried her hands on her slacks and, taking a lamp, went back to where the tunnel was. Or wasn’t.

“There’s a stream in the tunnel now, and it’s running fast,” she called to Rivka who was hovering a few feet behind her, looking nervous.

“I’ll take off my boots and socks and see if I can get back to the little cave.”

“Be very careful,” Rivka ordered.

Claire rolled up the bottoms of her trousers and disappeared into the mouth of the tunnel, water swirling over her anklebones. “Ugh, it’s icy cold,” she said over her shoulder.

The lamplight wavered up the tunnel and vanished as Rivka watched it, leaving only a pale glow on the ceiling, which wobbled for a moment and then faded.

Rivka told herself the light had vanished because Claire had managed to get into the cave. Nothing had gone wrong.

There was no need to be nervous. She chewed a thumbnail in silence, eyes fixed on the darkness, willing the light to return.

So intent was her stare that it was a second before she realized that the light had in fact returned, and that Claire was coming back down the underwater path, a huge skein of rope over one shoulder.

“Good news and bad news,” she said, sitting down on the stone where she’d left her boots, and wiggling her toes. “Gosh, that water’s so cold I can’t feel my feet. It must be coming from the North Pole.”

“What’s the good news?”

“I salvaged the rope that Nahama left in the cave.”

“I can see that. What’s the bad news?”

“Puli’s right, there is no cave left. Not more than a yard or so of it, anyway. The Queen was right about those cracked rocks being unstable. Whatever that man used to explode the entrance, it brought down the entire cliff face. I can dimly hear tapping and scratching out there, but my guess is there are tens of tons of rocks between us and the outside world. Because of the location, bringing in a bulldozer won’t be an option. They have no way of knowing that we moved into the big cave, and may be thinking we’re dead under the rubble.”

“So we’d better figure out a way to let them know, or rescue ourselves. I’ve been thinking of how, and I have an idea. If we put sticks or something at the edge of the water, we can see if it’s still rising. If it isn’t, then it’s getting out somewhere over there,” Rivka waved her hand toward the darkness. “If the water’s getting out, we can try sending a message out.”

“With what, a submarine homing pigeon?”

“No, in a boat. Come on.” Rivka led the way back to the campsite where Puli and Elspeth still lay asleep. Taking her sketchpad and the little box of pastels, Rivka said, “Pastels are greasy and should make the paper waterproof. Watch.”

She rubbed the pastel stick all over one side of the paper.

On the other side, with an ordinary pencil, she wrote: “Follow the water. We are trapped in the cave. Claire Winter, Rivka Lerner, Elspeth Masilani and Puli.”

19

pet.

“Don’t worry, Puli, we will make another one, a better one, and we will start it as far down the stream as we can so it won’t have to spend so much time in the water,” Rivka said.

“But first, breakfast,” said Claire, responding to internal rumbles. “We’ll think better with some food inside us.” And it will cheer us up for a while, she thought.

At the campsite, Elspeth was sitting up and looking better than Claire could have expected.

“How is your head feeling, maThemba?” she asked.

“Much better. There is some discomfort but I can move without the pounding,” Elspeth said.

Claire rummaged in her bag and brought out some codeine tablets.

“Take these., they will help,” she said, then, seeing a protest forming, added, “That is my advice as your doctor.”

Elspeth took the tablets and washed them down with half a mug of cold tea. “They are very bitter; they must be powerful medicine.”

“Indeed they are. Now, let me look at your eyes.” Claire held the lamp close to Elspeth’s face, wishing that her flashlight hadn’t given up. As far as she could tell, both pupils were normally reactive, which was good.

“I will change the bandage now; then we will eat.”

The wound did not show any sign of infection, and the flesh around the stitches was only slightly swollen. “It looks fine. I think it will heal up with no problems. Your hair will grow back and cover the scar, which, if I say so myself, is a very neat bit of sewing.”

Claire wrapped new gauze around Elspeth’s head and hoped they’d be rescued soon, as she had only one length of bandage left.

“I will wash this,” Puli said, picking up the old bandage.

Claire was going to tell him not to bother, then thought better of it. The Tshani gift for recycling might yet prove useful, and what few supplies remained should be carefully husbanded.

Rivka was cutting up the last of the sausage and slicing

“What’s the Sitshana word for ‘help’?” she asked.

“Tousay,” said Claire, taking the pencil and writing the word in big letters. “Now what?”

“Now we make a boat, like so,” said Rivka, folding the paper coloured side out into a toy boat.

“There. And now we set it adrift, like Noah, and wait for the dove to return.” Going to the stream’s edge, she set the tiny boat gently on the water.

“That’s the theory, but of course we don’t know the water’s going anywhere yet. Let me find some small rocks to make a nilometer.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to.” Claire said as the little boat rocked and then gently moved off into the darkness. “There’s a current. It may be just due to the water coming in, but perhaps it’s being pulled by water flowing out. Let’s follow it.”

Taking the lamp, they began walking carefully along the side of the little stream. Large boulders here and there made the track difficult, but the further the boat went, the more optimistic the women felt. All this ended when the little boat grounded itself on a pile of pebbles.

“Blast!” said Claire.

“Let me help, let me help!” piped a little voice as Puli appeared from the darkness. “I thought you were making a game.”

“No, we’re trying to send a message. Just go push the boat gently back off the pebbles and let it go where it wants,” Claire said, pleased to have a volunteer to save her feet from another icy bath.

Puli did as he was told. Unfortunately the little boat had shipped water and without a sound, it sank within a few feet.

Puli retrieved it. He stood looking at the sodden thing as if at a dying 20

cheese and bread. She set out the ripest of the fruits to be eaten before they rotted and became useless. She looked at the rest of the modest larder: one uncut loaf of bread, a few firm apples that would keep for several days, the balance of the cheese which could be stretched for another two meals, some more of the litchis, and three bananas that should probably be eaten tonight. Not very much, but better than nothing at all.

“Breakfast is served,” she said.

While they ate they discussed strategy. “We will make another boat and take it as far as we can before putting it into the water,” Rivka said.

“The lamp oil isn’t infinite, so I think we should take one lamp with us and save the other one for later. There are two more jugs of oil, then we’re in the dark.”

Claire said, “There may be wood in the cave somewhere.”

“I will look for that,” Puli said, keen to do something useful.

“We can’t spare the lamp, Puli, and you can’t find wood in the dark. When we take the new boat to launch, you can watch for wood then.”

“I will stay here beside the fire and keep it alive,” Elspeth said.

Claire was relieved to hear this. She had envisaged a battle with Elspeth over whether or not the older woman should accompany them down the stream in search of an outlet.

“A very good idea, maThemba. It would not be good to let the fire die.”

After the sketchy meal, Rivka set about making two more boats, using up most of her pastels in the attempt. “I will use the brightest colours on the outside, and use the pale ones to waterproof some of the inside area. I can shade over the pencil writing lightly, so they will be able to read the message but it will not absorb as much water as the last one did.”

Puli watched, fascinated, as the construction proceeded.

When everything was ready, Claire refilled the larger of the two lamps and said, “Might as well start now. Puli, make sure all the wood is nearby so your grandmother does not have to reach far for it.”

“I have done this,” Puli said, keen to be off on the adventure.

Claire and Rivka envied his eagerness, which did not consider the possibility of failure.

“Okay, let’s go,” Claire said, leading off with the lamp. Rivka followed with the paper boats and Puli trotted behind, looking for wood on either side of the light’s reach. They went along beside the little stream to the point where the last boat had foundered. The water fell away down a sharp drop, and the path vanished. Picking her way carefully to the edge, Claire said, “I think this is as far as we can get; there’s a huge boulder in the way.”

Puli came to her side and said, “There is a small space there.

I could get through.”

“Even better, there is wood here,” said Rivka, peering into the darkness and spotting a snarl of roots and branches on the other side of the stream. “I don’t know how we’ll get it back to the camp, but there’s a lot of it.”

She pointed off to the left where parts of long-dead trees stuck out of the shadows like bones.

“That might be a good sign. If things have been washed into this cave in the past, there must be some sort of connection to the outside world.”

Claire seized the idea like a life preserver.

“Let’s see if we can bring the wood to this side. You hold the lamp, Claire, and Puli and I will see what we can do.” Rivka was already pulling off her shoes and socks and rolling her slacks up.

“Come on, Puli, first we get the wood, then we consider whether or not you should go around the stone.”

The wood proved to be so dry that it didn’t take a lot of strength to pull the branches off and break them to manageable lengths. In ten minutes a sizeable pile was stacked up on the right side of the stream.

“Puli, I think this tree must have fallen in from above. Look, it still has dirt in its roots,” Rivka said. “However it came here, it’s a good thing for us that it did.” They waded back across the

stream with one final load.

“Sehr kalt!” Rivka hissed, rubbing her shrivelled toes with her pocket handkerchief.

“Worse than an alpine pond.” She pulled her socks and shoes on. Puli, who had worn no shoes, scuffed his feet on the rocks and hopped up and down in an attempt to restore life to his toes.

Claire was now on all fours, holding the lamp into the small space Puli had found.

“I think it’s possible for us all to get through,” she said.

“The only question is how to do it without breaking the lamp or blocking the light so we can’t see where we’re going.”

“Put some lamp oil on one of these branches and light it like an old fashioned torch,” Rivka suggested.

“Brilliant. It’s worth a try.” Unscrewing the lamp top from its base and carefully tipping out some oil on the frayed end of a fairly straight branch, Claire reassembled the lamp. Taking the chimney off, she held the flaming wick to the branch end.

There was a general exhalation as the branch caught and burned brightly.

“So far, so good. You stay here with the lamp; I’ll try to wiggle through with the torch.”

21

Puli, robbed of the chance to lead the investigation, hunkered down ready to follow Claire. Rivka considered telling him to stay put, but shrugged off the idea as one that he would not accept. She found a level spot to set the lamp down and took a seat beside it.

Holding the torch, Claire inched forward on her hands and knees. Puli took the little boats from Rivka and put them carefully inside his school shirt.

“Wait a few minutes after you launch the first one, to give it a head start,” she suggested.

Claire was finding it harder going than she expected.

Crawling with a flaming torch into the unknown, over rough ground, was not simple. The side of her hand was soon sore from scraping on the rocks, and the effort of keeping the torch tilted forward to avoid setting her hair on fire strained her wrist tendons. I’ll never play the violin again, she thought, which is no loss—I couldn’t play the violin anyway.

She put her left hand out and touched something warm that slipped away quickly. A scream stuck in her larynx as her brain kicked in with the thought that it might have been a dassie, a rock rabbit. The odd little rodent was distantly related to elephants, which Claire had thought was a joke the first time someone told her about it. At least she hoped it was a dassie and not a rat.

“Puli, I think I just touched a dassie,” she said over her shoulder.

“That is good, that means there must be a way to the outside,” he whispered.

The way suddenly opened up, allowing Puli to come up beside Claire. He looked around and pounced on a small pellet.

“See, it is the dropping of the dassie. It is dry. It has been here many days.”

“I hope that doesn’t mean he’s stuck in here and can’t get out either,” Claire said, getting up on her knees and holding the torch out as far as she could. “I think we’re on the other side of the big boulder now. Let’s see if we can get back to the water.”

After another few yards of knee creeping, they were able to stand up. Overhead, the sparkling stalactites caught the light of the torch and threw it from point to point. If she hadn’t been trapped here, Claire would have marvelled over the geological wonders that winked and glittered all around.

“I hear the water,” Puli said, darting ahead. Claire followed cautiously. The little stream burbled out of a jumble of smaller boulders and ran downhill in the darkness.

“Put in one of the boats, then let us cross over and see what else is here,” she said. Puli folded open the origami craft and set it prow forward on the water. It bobbed and darted and was soon lost from sight on the current.

“There is more water now, Tshadola,” he said. “Do you think it will fill up the cave?”

“No, of course not, look how high the cave is. If we have to, we will move further up toward the roof. Anyway, the water is getting out somehow, otherwise it would not be moving in that direction.”

Holding the small boy by the shoulder, Claire edged into the stream and got to the other side. Here there was a narrow shelf, nowhere near as gentle as the beach back near the camp. “Look around, Puli. Your grandmother said she thought there was a bit of light coming in somewhere.”

The boy scrambled up on the ledge with Claire’s help and inched his way into the darkness.

“I must get away from the torch light, otherwise I cannot see the other light,” he said. Claire tried to shield the torch with her body to help his night vision, but noticed it was burning down rather quickly.

“We don’t have much time, and we have to get back

through the rocks. Let the other boat go and let’s get back.”

Puli didn’t answer, but Claire could hear his feet on the stones. There was a scuffle and a gasp, echoed by her own cry, but then a shaky voice said, “It is all right. I slipped. I am coming back now.”

Claire had rarely been so glad to see anyone. She’d been running through her mind what she’d say to Elspeth if Puli came to any harm. I’d rather face a hungry leopard, she thought. Even injured, Elspeth was formidable.

Puli splashed through the cold water and started to say something. “No, don’t talk now, let’s get back quickly. This torch is dying,” Claire said, pushing him across the stream which now came to mid-thigh on her.

Kneeling and crawling, they got back around the big boulder and found Rivka guarding the lamp with its wick turned down to minimum. Beside her a large bundle of dry wood was ready to be carried back to camp.

“It was so quiet I started breaking up the branches just to hear some noise. What did you find?” she asked, turning the lamp up just as Claire’s torch sputtered and died down to a glowing ember.

“Puli will tell you in a minute. We’re frozen; let’s get this wood up to the c-c-camp,” Claire said, her teeth clacking on the last word. Taking an armload each, they retraced their steps.

“Ho, khaiya,” Claire called jokingly, as if she were approaching a Batshani house.

“You were gone very long,” said Elspeth, nudging the campfire alive with another few small branches. Rivka looked at her watch.

“Only an hour and a half, in fact. Time seems to go slower in the dark, I think.” She set down the bundle of branches. “Claire, you and Puli get warm. I’ll get the rest of the wood.”

For once Claire was glad to do as she was told. Putting a few of the larger twigs on the fire, she shook out her blanket and

22

wrapped it round herself. “Puli, you do the same; we mustn’t get a chill.”

“I am very strong. I am going to be a warrior like my uncle,” the boy said.

His grandmother snapped something in Sitshana at him and he hastily wrapped his blanket close.

“Now, tell us what you saw,” Claire said to Puli when Rivka came back with the last load of wood.

“The water runs away very quickly, into a hole in the rocks. I am not sure, but I think there was light at the bottom of where the water goes,” Puli said.

“So with a bit of luck, our little boats might have got to the outside,” Rivka said, seizing the slender thread of hope.

“One can only pray.”

Claire wasn’t as optimistic, thinking of the frail paper craft buffeted against rocks by the rushing icy water.

“While we’re waiting, we might drag up some more wood,” Rivka said.

“Let’s leave it for a while. I’m still feeling like a frozen cod,” Claire said, clutching her blanket.

The four of them sat and watched the flickering fire, each with thoughts of what might come if the darkness triumphed.

Outside on the broken remains of the plateau, the Great She-leopard proved the aptness of her name. Tall men cowered as she flailed them with demands and orders.

“This is unacceptable, totally unacceptable! I want this rock cleared, I want those people dug out, and I want to find them in good health!” she stormed, as if by ordering it, success would attend her.

“Your Majesty, we will have to do it all by hand; there is no way any machinery can be brought up here. There’s no way of telling how much damage may have been done inside. You must face the possibility that they may all be dead.” The man from the mine at Bhunya held his hardhat in his hands and turned it round and round as he spoke.

“Must? Must? You do not say ‘must’ to me; it is I who say ‘must’,” snarled the Queen.

At the rock pile several young men had formed two lines and had begun to remove the smaller of the broken rocks, passing them along to the edge of the cliff where they were tumbled over the edge, there being no space to pile them up.

Useless effort or not, the men knew it was better not to be seen by the Queen standing about idle.

One level down, Themba and Sipo were being patched up.

Both of them were suffering from head wounds. Neither was able to say what had happened, other than someone had attacked them from behind while they stood on guard in the gathering storm. They were lucky not to have been thrown from the cliff, but at this point, death looked an even choice when set beside Malaila’s wrath.

Dr. Patel, who had been dragged away from his clinic, put the last bit of sticking plaster in place and said, “You’ll be having headaches for some while. I want you to go home and lie down.

You will be no use here.”

Themba and Sipo would like nothing better than to be far from this place, but valued their reputations too much to agree to his proposal.

“We will sit down for a while,” Themba said. “We cannot leave.”

Patel shrugged; he wasn’t one for wasting breath on the stubborn. Finding Mr. Moleponi fluttering around the edge of the

onlookers, he told him, “I must be going to my clinic, but I will return at once if needed. There is nothing I can do until the missing people are found, but I have many patients waiting who need me.”

“Her Majesty will not like this,” Mr. Moleponi said.

“I will speak to her.”

Dr. Patel scrambled up to the chaotic scene in time to observe the man from the mine bringing a piece of something to show the Queen.

“This is a small section of fuse wire. This proves what I suspected: someone purposely blew up the entrance to the cave.”

“And can you tell anything about it, such as who did this thing?” The Queen’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the fragment.

“Probably not. Anyone who really wants to can get hold of dynamite. Farmers use it to remove obstacles from their fields, for instance. There are probably twenty people within a day’s walk who have dynamite and use it regularly. But knowing there was an explosion gives us an idea about the likely formation of this rubble pile, and that will help us to clear it more efficiently.”

Dr. Patel took the opportunity to slip into the conversation and advise the Queen of his desire to leave. The look she gave him made him reassess the wisdom of his choice, but he took a deep breath and continued, “I am only a short drive away and I will return the minute there is any need for me. If you like, I will do my rounds at the clinic and come back here directly after.”

Angry though she was, Malaila saw the sense of this and grudgingly gave her agreement.

“But don’t waste any time having tea and biscuits!” she said.

Dr. Patel scuttled off, grateful for a temporary reprieve from the noise and drama of this morning.

As Patel left, Redmond Trevelyan bulldozed his way through the onlookers and climbed up to the plateau.

About time!” Malaila snapped, the air crackling with her displeasure.

“I just got back from Sibuya and found your messenger, Your Majesty. I came at once. What’s being done?”

“Winstanley from Bhunya Mine is taking charge, and he doesn’t sound hopeful. He has discovered it was an explosion, not a lightning strike. That’s all we know. When I find the man who has done this, he will wish he was only charged with treason!” Malaila’s greeny-brown eyes held the promise of such torment for the criminal that Trevelyan almost felt sorry for him.

He knew better than to make any feeble comments about “due process” and “His Majesty’s Government advises.”

Time enough to worry about punishment after it was 23

discovered what crime was to be punished. With luck it would only be malicious mischief, but as things stood now, it could well be multiple murder.

“I understand Your Majesty’s magwahnee is in the cave, as well as Dr. Winter,” he said, using the Sitshana word for a foster mother to describe Elspeth.

“And Puli, her grandson, and her friend the painter as well,” Malaila said, her careless pronouns showing the extent of her concern.

“Rivka? Miss Lerner is in there too?”

Trevelyan was rocked. The messenger had not mentioned this when he had brought word of the disaster.

“Yes, she refused to leave Claire and then the grandson insisted on staying, too. Heaven knows how many people might have been in there if they could have squeezed in.

Which of course is where the problem began—the entry was very narrow and most people couldn’t get through it; if they could have, we’d all be home abed by now.”

“What reason could there have been to blow up the cave?” Trevelyan asked.

“To cover up something, to get at something, to get rid of a witness—all are plausible. Once we find him, he will be glad to tell us his motive,”

Malaila said with a smile that froze Trevelyan’s blood.

He wondered if the criminal had any idea of what he had brought down upon himself. The wrath of the Queen was an elemental force like lightning or wind, and would not spare its victims any more than nature would. He had only seen it in action once, when one of the men from the mine had been caught in the bushes with an under-age girl.

The Queen had come to the DC’s office with her full retinue, and courteously requested the custody of the malefactor with promises to return him before sundown.

Return him she had, after the despoiled girl’s relatives each had a turn with the four-stranded whip known as The Leopard’s Paw. As soon as the man could travel, the District Commissioner had hustled him onto a truck and deported him back to South Africa with the advice that he might like to consider the monastic life.

Strictly speaking, British justice was supposed to apply throughout Tshaniland, but because the realm didn’t fall into the usual categories, having been neither conquered nor acquired by ninety-nine-year lease, Tshani law frequently prevailed in its stead. It was left to the discretion of the Commissioner of the time, and Trevelyan more often than not found Tshani law and custom more appropriate than that of Westminster.

“You seem to have everything organized here. Suppose I take my men and investigate the other side of the hill? There may be a way in that hasn’t been found yet.”

“Nahama went into the big cave for the same purpose and says there is evidence of a new rock fall. If there was an exit, it is

Special Offer

to Swan Magazine Readers!

If you’re enjoying Death in the Sea of Grass you can have a hard-print copy of the same author’s best selling gothic mystery Long Bones for $22 including postage.

Enquiries and orders to quendabooks@iinet.net.au

KAREN R TREANOR KAREN Treanor has been writing since the age of six. Discovering bandicoots in her backyard, and learning that nobody was writing about these engaging little beasts, she started Quenda Books, which publishes the Scoot, Scoot, Bandicoot® series, in 2003.

For many years she was a frequent visitor at Western Australian schools and libraries, talking about bandicoots and book publishing.

Karen worked for Swan Publishing for several years, and her book reviews, poems and short stories have appeared often in the Swan Magazine.

She lived in Mundaring with many visiting bandicoots, possums, bobtail lizards, and magpies; plus some resident chickens, cats and a very tolerant husband until 2014, when she packed up the cats and husband, and moved to Tasmania where she spends her time wallaby wrangling, making sourdough bread, and writing.

24

probably blocked now.” The Queen looked grim.

“Yes, but perhaps the stream has cleared some of the obstacle. I am told it has been flowing all night.”

“Do what you must. I will stay here and encourage the work,” the Queen said. A fleeting pity for the workers passed through Trevelyan’s mind. Giving the Queen a slight bow, he went back down the hillside to where Khaba and four rangers were waiting for him.

“We will search the back side of the hill, particularly looking for where the water may be coming out. If it is flowing in, it must be flowing out.”

“It may be making a pool, filling up the cave,” said the practical Khaba.

“It may. Equally, it may be running out. Let us discover which is correct,” said Trevelyan.

Leading the way to a bare sandy patch of earth, he took a stick and drew a rough map. Assigning the four rangers to different areas, he said, “We’ll search in pairs; four eyes are better than two. Look for any hole or crevice, any place with water running out, especially if it looks as if it is a new stream.

Also look for anything that may have been dropped by the man who did this: cigarette butts, cartridge cases, anything at all.”

The rangers were experienced men who didn’t need long explanations. Like hunting dogs, they loped off, and Trevelyan was confident that if there were anything to find, they would find it.

The morning became hotter as the hours passed. The sun thudded on the rocks, sending small animals in search of shelter.

It was one of these that caught Khaba’s eye.

“Look, sir, a dassie. He has gone in there, in that crevice.”

“Hardly unusual, Khaba, I wouldn’t mind getting out of this sun myself.” Trevelyan mopped his head with a large bandanna and envied the little animal.

“Let us see where he has gone.”

Thinking this was a waste of time, Trevelyan followed Khaba into the crevice in the rock.

“I hear water!” Khaba held up a hand for silence. “It is coming from there!”

Wiggling through another tortuous defile, the two men came out into a tiny valley. In the middle of the valley was a small pond.

“This is very new. Look, see the grass on the bottom,” Khaba said.

“If it had been here very long, the grass would be drowned and rotted. This must be where the water from the cave has come.”

Trevelyan said, “You go round that side.; I’ll go the other way.” Looking up, he saw a tiny waterfall some four feet above

the water at the opposite side of the pond. Raw and ragged rock lay around where the water came out—a sure indication of a recent explosion.

“It looks like our unknown friend has exploded things in several places,” Trevelyan said, meeting Khaba at the waterfall.

“I do not think he is a friend,” Khaba said. He rarely picked up irony, a character flaw that often exasperated the DC. “There’s something caught on that bush in the centre of the pond,” Trevelyan said, shading his eyes and trying to see what it was. “Can you get it?”

Leaving his regulation boots and khaki socks on the grass, Khaba waded into the water and inched his way toward the spot of colour.

“It is very wet and it may come apart when I touch it,” he called.

“Scoop it up in your hat, it could be important,” Trevelyan ordered.

Khaba did so reluctantly. It went against the grain to do anything to disturb the order of his usually immaculate turnout.

Wading back to shore, he said, “A child has been here—this is a toy boat, such as they make in schools.”

“I don’t think so,” Trevelyan said, gently tipping out the soggy boat onto a rock. “This is too professional for a child’s work. This is an artist’s work. Rivka must be alive!” A tide of relief that was almost palpable washed over Redmond Trevelyan.

It gave him a shock; he hadn’t realised how seriously the wildhaired artist had affected him. He wondered if—no; no time for that, get back to the work at hand. Using a twig, he unfolded the little boat until the message inside could be seen.

“Seven a.m. on the day after the explosion. All well in the big cave, have some food, lamp oil, wood, much water. No obvious exit. Suspect the water can get out as level not rising more. Claire, Elspeth, Rivka and Puli.”

Khaba grinned broadly. “They are alive! That is good news!”

“Yes.” Trevelyan looked at his own watch. “At least they were three hours ago. Go back and tell the Queen about this. She may want to send a working party to this side.”

Feeling as if he’d suddenly set down a burden, Trevelyan stretched his back and arms, pulled out his tobacco pouch, and sat back against a warm rock to enjoy his pipe.

Inside the cave, the prisoners were getting restless. “Do you suppose the boats managed to get out,?” Rivka asked. “Perhaps we could do something to break through those rocks. If Puli saw light coming through the water, then there has to be a sort of tunnel down there.”

“Puli may have seen what he wanted to see,” Claire said softly, not wanting to offend the boy, but not convinced he’d seen anything other than a reflection.

“It’s worth having a look, surely,” Rivka said, uneasy doing nothing.

“All right, let’s give it a go. We could poke around where the water is draining—maybe that would dislodge something.”

Claire didn’t really think this would accomplish anything, but for the sake of morale, was willing to go through the motions.

Accustomed to being in control of things, she found herself falling into apathy, trapped here in the darkness.

“I will come with you. Perhaps I can help,” Elspeth said.

“No, you won’t. It’s important you rest your head, and equally important someone keeps the fire going. You stay here.

Puli can keep watch at the big boulder tunnel, and Rivka and I will see what we can do. I’ll take the rope; we might find it useful.” Checking to see that the big lamp had a full oil reservoir, Claire hitched up her slacks and led off.

25

SWAN VALLEY

SWEET TEMPTATIONS

TRAIL

handcrafted artisan produce

1121

swanval

26

ley.COM.A

U/sweet

The going was a bit quicker this time, because they knew what to expect, but getting through the cramped tunnel at the site of the big boulder was a tedious process. Rivka was dragging a branch from the woodpile. It didn’t come easily; several times she had to brace her feet on the rock wall and pull hard.

Puffing, Rivka tumbled into the open space with her prize.

Claire had slung the bundle of rope like a bandoleer across her chest and was taking off her shoes and socks again.

“My feet will have frostbite by the time this is over,” she said.

Rivka followed suit and rolled her slacks as high as they’d go.

“Puli, you sit here and keep watch. Rivka, you wait for me to cross and get up on that ledge. Once I’m steady and I’ve found a safe place for the lamp, you and your stick can join me.”

“Tshadola, I am smallest, and there is a place I can fit just above where the water goes away. I could sit there and hold the lamp,” Puli said, very keen to be in on the action.

Claire considered this idea. It had some merit. “All right, but do exactly as I tell you. I will go across, get on the ledge, and find a place for the lamp. Then you come, wiggle past me, and settle yourself in the safest place. When you are sure you are steady, I will give you the lamp. Rivka can come over with her stick, and then we will see what we can do. Agreed?”

Puli nodded; he’d agree to anything to have a chance to participate. This was exciting, and he was already framing in his mind the story he’d tell his age-mates when he was home again.

The thought that he might never see home again never occurred to him. Was he not with the Tshadola, who had restored his grandmother to health? She could do anything.

After a lot of scrabbling and a few nearslips, everyone was settled on the other side of the stream, perched like rooks on a rooftop. Puli was wedged into a niche at the end of the ledge, the lamp standing well away from where any chance movement could dislodge it. The rope was tied to a spur of rock, and the other end was fastened around Rivka.

“The water disappears into a hole right below me. I’m going to poke the stick into the hole and see what I can feel,” Rivka

said, leaning precariously over the edge. The current took the tip of the stick and wrote circles in the dark water with it.

“No good,” Rivka said, “I haven’t got enough control of it.

Back up, Claire. If I lie on my stomach I might do better.”

Claire inched back on the narrow shelf. Rivka lay down on the clammy stone and jabbed her pole downwards. Something moved. Encouraged, Rivka pulled her arms up as high as she could and thrust harder. There was a loud gurgle and a muffled rumble.

“The water is going away faster!” Puli exclaimed. “I can see it moving down.”

“That’s a good sign,” Rivka gasped, jabbing the stick into the gurgling darkness again.

With a grating roar, rocks suddenly gave way somewhere below and the water swirled as if in a gigantic drain. The eddy grabbed and twisted the stick Rivka held. Before she could let go, she was pulled over the edge and into the torrent. The rope played out and stopped with the sound of a bowstring.

“My God, she’s gone!” Claire cried, her hand on the thrumming rope. Quick, what should she do? If Rivka were caught somewhere halfway down, she’d drown in 90 seconds, but the rope was also the only hope of drawing her back up.

Desperately, Claire tugged on the rope, trying to pull her friend back in. The current was too strong, and the rope was taut; she could not pull it back.

“Knife! We need a knife!” Claire called to Puli.

“There is no knife—it is back at the camp. I will run fast and get it.”

“No time! Give me the lamp, perhaps I can burn through the rope,” Claire called, reaching toward the boy. Moving as fast as he could, he crept down the ledge, holding out the lamp. Claire grabbed it and took off the chimney, passing it back to Puli.

“Hold it carefully, we’ll need it later.” Turning up the wick, she held the lamp flame under the rope, cursing herself for not having had the wit to bring a scalpel. The rope smouldered and smelled, but with no perceptible damage. It was almost new manila cordage, and barely combustible.

“Puli, feel in my left bottom pocket, see if I have my penknife.” Claire ordered, holding the lamp closer to the rope, “Come on, come on, burn, damn you!”

Puli slipped around Claire and began ferreting in her pockets. “Here is something!” he cried, bringing out a tiny ivoryhandled folding knife. Claire said, “Keep holding the lamp on the rope.”

Opening the blade with her teeth she could have cried to see how tiny it was. Her pencil sharpener looked like a toy, but she couldn’t give up, not when her friend was drowning somewhere below. Claire sawed at the rope, alternately holding the flame to the newly cut threads. Puli clung to a projecting rock with one hand and to Claire with the other.

Claire again tried tugging the rope back up, but it wouldn’t move. Half sobbing, she returned to the attack with the small blade.

Three things happened at once: the rope suddenly slackened at the other end, Claire slashed her hand with a misdirected cut, and Puli dropped the lamp into the gurgling water below.

Chapter seven next month ...

Death in the Sea of Grass With Karen Treanor’s kind permission, Swan Magazine will be serialising Death in the Sea of Grass over the coming year - but if you can’t wait to find out who dunnit or why they didit, you can buy the whole book as a downloadable ebook from Fido Publishing for the bargain price of only $4.99 from their website on www.fidopublishing.com.

While there you might like to browse her other books which are all available through Barnes and Noble (www. barnesandnoble.com.) or Amazon on www.amazon.com.

27

LEST WE FORGET PEOPLE WE LOST IN 2018 RON TANDBERG ( 1943- 2018 aged 74) Australian Cartoonist Ronald Peter Tandberg was an Australian illustrator and political cartoonist who contributed to The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia from 1972. Tandberg's credits include eleven Walkley Awards. He was inducted into the Melbourne Press Club's Victorian Hall of Fame in 2014.

Tandberg was born in Melbourne to working-class parents.

His grandfather was a builder who gave away his money during the Great Depression and believed in communist ideas.

He attended a Catholic primary school and Coburg Technical School. Qualifying for a teaching certificate, he worked as an art teacher, then attended RMIT to study art and graphic design.

Tandberg started working at Leader Community Newspapers in 1963, although he claimed he lost this job for impersonating his boss. At the same time, he was producing a regular comic strip called Fred and Others which was syndicated in Melbourne and Adelaide, and eventually international papers including The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. After a few newspapers dropped the strip, Tandberg approached The Age about taking it on. Editor Graham Perkin declined, but offered him a job as a political cartoonist, which he reluctantly accepted in 1972, thus beginning a forty-five year career with the newspaper. Tandberg became known for his distinctive "pocket" cartoons — minimalist single-panel images to complement and draw attention to a story.

worked on the land. She then worked in naval intelligence at Bletchley Park from October 1940, making use of her knowledge of the German language to crack naval codes.

In 1952, Trumpington moved to America, secure a position with an advertising agency, where she lived the frivilous life of a socialite, but where she met Alan Barker, M.A. (Cantab.), a Master at Eton College The Right Honourable Jean Alys and formerly a Captain in Barker, Baroness Trumpington, Dame Commander of the Royal the Royal Artillery, who Victorian Order, Member of Her became her husband.

Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.

After working at Eton, her husband was Headmaster of The Leys School in Cambridge between 1958 and 1975. She played host to the rich and famous, often travelling abroad to raise funds for The Leys from parents and old boys.

In 1963, she was elected as councillor for Trumpington on Cambridge City Council. In 1971/2, she served as Mayor of Cambridge which she described as “folderol”. She entered politics in 1973, but resigned in 1975. She was one of the few who could get along well with the leader of her party, Margaret Thatcher.

Her interest in women’s affairs became known for all the world to see when Thatcher became Prime Minister. Appointed as UK Representative to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

On leaving the UN post and entering the House of Lords, she was introduced as a Baroness-in-waiting to the HM the Queen from 1983 to 1985. Thatcher recognised her capabilities when she was given a ministerial post. Despite being in the Lords as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Security from 1985 to 1987. Moving to the Ministry of Agriculture, she was made Parliamentary UnderSecretary.

Her last role was once again as a Baroness-in-waiting to the Queen from 1992 to 1997, when a change of government ended her career.

In December 2012, she acknowledged the campaign for the government to give official recognition to the work of Alan Turing. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the signatories, including Stephen Hawking, the physicist; Lord Rees, the astronomer royal; and Sir Paul Nurse, the president of the Royal Society, called on Prime Minister David Cameron to support a pardon for Turing’s 1952 conviction for homosexuality.

She retired from the House of Lords on 24 October 2017, one day after her 95th birthday.

As a castaway on Desert Island Discs in 1990 she chose as her luxury item the Crown Jewels in order to maximise her chances of being rescued.

In 2011, she published a jaunty ghost-written memoir, Coming Up Trumps. In the preface, she wrote she was persuaded

One of Tandberg’s last cartoons about his own final illness

Tandberg died of oesophageal cancer at St John of God Hospital, in Geelong, Victoria, surrounded by his family at the age of 74.

JEAN BARKER, Baroness Trumpington (1922- 2018, aged 96) Socialite, WWII Code Breaker, Conservative politician, member of the House of Lords.

Jean Alys Campbell-Harris ‘ father was an officer in the 7th Hariana Lancers, who became aide-de-camp to the Viceroy of India.

Educated at Princess Helena College, Trumpington, aged 15, left school never having taken an exam, although she was fluent in French, German and Italian. She was a good, left-handed tennis player and there was serious talk of junior Wimbledon.

When war broke out, she returned to England. Initially attached to Lloyd George’s Sussex arable farm, where she 28

by huge demands from her friends and colleagues to have a autobiography published.

Trumpington died in her sleep on 26 November 2018. Her death was confirmed by her son, Adam Barker later that night.

He wrote ‘My mother passed away this afternoon in her sleep... she had a bloody good innings.’

PETER MAYLE (1939 - 2018, aged 78) Author Peter Mayle was a British author noted for his memoirs of life in Provence, France.

Born in Oxshott, Surrey his first job in 1957 was as a trainee at Shell Oil, based in its London office. It was there that he discovered that he was more interested in advertising than oil and he subsequently became a copywriter in 1961.

By 1974, Mayle had had enough of advertising and quit the business to write full-time.

Mayle started off by writing educational books, including a series on sex education for children and young people. He also penned, in collaboration with illustrator Gray Jolliffe, a series of humorous books about the character Wicked Willie, based upon a personification of the male organ.

He relocated from Devon to the Luberon, southern France, in the late 80s but his plans to write a novel were overtaken by an account of life in his new environment. This resulted in his 1989 book A Year in Provence which became an international

Peter Mayle

bestseller, chronicling his first year as a British expatriate in Ménerbes, a village in the southern département Vaucluse.

Several more books followed, which have been translated in more than twenty languages. He also wrote for magazines and newspapers. A Year in Provence was subsequently produced as a TV series starring John Thaw and screened in 1993. The novel A Good Year was the basis for the 2006 film of the same name directed by Ridley Scott and starring actors Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard.

British Book Awards named A Year in Provence Best Travel Book of the Year (1989)and him Author of the Year (1992).

The French government made him a Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor) in 2002.

He died in hospital near his home in January 2018.

URSULA LE GUIN (1929 – 2018, aged 88) Ursula Kroeber Le Guin was an American novelist.

Her writing was first published in the 1960s and often

depicted futuristic or imaginary alternative worlds in politics, the natural environment, gender, religion, sexuality, and ethnography. In 2016, The New York Times described her as “America’s greatest living science fiction writer”, although she said that she would prefer to be known as an “American novelist”.

Ursula K. Le Guin was born Ursula Kroeber in Berkeley, California. Her father Alfred Louis Kroeber Ursula Kroeber Le Guin was an anthropologist at the University of California. Her mother was a sucessful author. The family had a large book collection, and the siblings all became interested in reading while they were young.

Le Guin’s reading included science fiction and fantasy. She was fond of myths and legends, particularly Norse mythology, and of Native American legends that her father would narrate.

Le Guin also developed an early interest in writing; she wrote a short story when she was nine, and submitted her first short story to Astounding Science Fiction when she was eleven.

Le Guin attended Berkeley High School, Radcliffe College and Columbia University.

In 1953 Le Guin met historian Charles Le Guin. They got married in Paris a few months later. In 1959 Charles became an instructor in history at Portland State University, and the couple moved to Portland, Oregon where they would remain for the rest of their lives.

Le Guin’s writing career began in the late 1950. She would continue writing and publishing for more than fifty years, until her death.

Le Guin’s first published work was the poem Folksong from the Montayna Province in 1959, while her first short story was An die Musik, in 1961; both were set in her fictional country of Orsinia. Le Guin turned her attention to science fiction after lengthy periods of receiving rejections from publishers, knowing that there was a market for writing that could be readily classified as such. Her first professional publication was the short story April in Paris in 1962 in Fantastic Science Fiction.

Among them was The Word of Unbinding, which introduced the world of Earthsea.

Ace Books released Rocannon’s World, Le Guin’s first published novel in 1966. Two more Hainish novels, Planet of Exile and City of Illusions were published in 1966 and 1967, respectively. Le Guin’s next two books brought her sudden and widespread critical acclaim. A Wizard of Earthsea. Her next novel, The Left Hand of Darkness. The book “stunned the science fiction critics”; it won both the Hugo and the Nebula Awards for best novel, making Le Guin the first woman to win these awards.

Le Guin’s writing notably employs the ordinary actions and transactions of everyday life, clarifying how these daily activities embed individuals in a context of relation to the physical world and to one another.

Recognizing her stature in the speculative fiction genre, Le Guin was the Professional Guest of Honor at the 1975 World Science Fiction Convention in Melbourne, Australia. That year she was also named the sixth Gandalf Award Grand Master of fantasy.

Le Guin died at her home in Portland, Oregon at the age of 88. She is survived by her husband Charles and three children.

29

COMMUNITY THEATRE THEATRE WITH GORDON

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.

- Helen Keller

T

he House of Dracula by UK playwright, Martin Downing was first performed in 1991 in Leeds. It is the follow-up to Martin’s The House of Frankenstein, which was produced by Garrick Theatre about thirty years ago.

Downing is a bit of an enigma, as there is nothing to be found about him. Could it be a nom de plume of another famous writer, or someone who does not wish to be known, such as a Judge?

This very cleverly written script has numerous mentions to British institutions and places, which may be lost on some audiences. It has a Benny Hill style chase amongst its numerous genres, which was slick and very well enacted, but I felt did not enhance the story line.

T his very well produced, hilarious show can be seen at the Garrick Theatre, 16 Meadow Street in Guildford each Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 8.00 until Saturday 15th December.

On Friday 7th December there is a special, extra creepy, midnight show. It is hoped that the audience will join in and come in their most ghastly outfits. All of the youngsters last night had ghoulish makeup and weird witch outfits. The minimum age (mainly for understanding the script, rather than fear) is suggested at about 8 or 9 yrs.

There is a matinée on 2nd December at 2.00 pm.

The foyer area has been transformed into a chilling, but impressive green-lit, cobweb covered castle entrance hall.

The scene: is an ancient Transylvanian castle around 1850, but shamelessly the chronology went back and forward a couple of centuries with its references, e.g. Tesco’s automatic shop doors and Virgin Airways. Strangely, this quirk worked very well.

The setting – designer, Fred Petersen – was a castle hall.

Impressively painted by Celeste and Angelo Lopez, was most realistic, with dark grey stone walls adorned with heraldry, weapons and even a wild boar’s head! There is an old plank style, front door, a curtained exit to the kitchen, a staircase and a rear entrance – four entrances hinting at a farcical romp.

Thanks to Morgan Hyde, Roy Phillips and Malcom Brand, the construction was solid and convincing. How often have we seen a limestone wall flapping in the breeze? Sadly too often, but not here. There was a tatty old 3-seat settee, and some rustic chairs. Will the huge poisonous spider have its awful way?

There was a cobweb covered chandelier, and especially for this show, the return of footlights. The four LED strips units were the full length of the stage, giving a hideous green glow to the ghouls.

The programming and operation of the complex lighting, along with the amazingly crisp sound effects (thanks to their new ranks of amplifiers), were designed by Geoff Holt, who was 30

aided by his assistant, Carlise Kearney. Geoff’s bio-box has a new computer programme that handles all of the sound and lighting cues – even the smoke machine’s operation!

This show would normally have taken a couple of techs working in perfect sync with all hands and feet to create the required atmosphere. The most impressive thunder and lightning I have seen in community theatre, accompanied by the chilly sound of the snowstorm outside.

The choice of music was excellent; it ranged from Bach’s threatening cello and organ fugues, to the show’s uplifting ending, Holst Planets Suite.

Edi Boross was tackling her first post as stage manager, and was faced with a large cast, quite a few props, and special effects to contend with – but as with her bio box skills, she proved to be most competent.

As the house lights dim, the voice of Count Dracula requests that mobiles should be switched off.

Inside the castle, the lady of the house, Countess Dracula (Rhiannon Cary) is pacing around, reading her book. She explains, in rhyming couplets, that she and her husband, Count Vlad Dracula (Thomas McCracken) are expecting guests.

At first she ignores the knocking at the door, then it creeks open and the upper crust Baron von Frankenstein (Alan Shaw) and his snobbish wife, Baroness Elisabeth (Colleen Bradford) enter.

The Frankensteins’ stern servants, Frau Lurker (Karen Woodcock) and her pathetic partner, the humped back Igor (Ray Egan) over whom she has total control, carries out her every wish.

The front door swings open, and in come some of the Frankensteins’ arch enemies, Werewolf Harry, (William Darlington) and his attractive, but dim, whinging wife, Isabel (Lucia Mitchell) dressed in a stunning 1920’s flapper girl outfit. They are unaware of the disfigured retainers moving around them. A Zombie, Groat (Steve Moloney) staggers off with their suitcases, whilst Ethel (Fiona Forster) the vampire, clutching a plate of sweetmeats, looks on from afar.

A banging on the door announces the arrival of a schizophrenic doctor (James Nailen), who is Mr Hyde one moment and Dr Jekyll the next. Ka-Seet (Doryan Kurtovic) was threatening as the ‘human toilet roll’, and a final burst of shock from a macabre Creature (Kathleen Nyland). Who will survive?

Thanks to the backstage helpers, the eerie atmosphere could not have been creepier. Without exception, every character was perfectly portrayed. Director Fred Petersen had the cast word perfect, not a single stammer. Their interaction both verbally and in body reaction was amazing. Quite a few newcomers, but you would never guess from the acting.

The whole show was tongue in cheek, with a fair portion of deliberate ‘ham’ in the performances.

The German Frau Lurker (great diction and accent) was a

sadistic maniac one minute, and a bondage Mistress the next.

There were several other parts required foreign accents.

I had to check the programme to find if Dracula (Thomas) was born in Eastern Europe, and then James as the doctor (who came out of thirty years of retirement in mothballs) managed an extremely accurate Edinburgh dialect and seconds later, a perfect Cockney accent.

Well done Fiona (Ethel) as a rough menacing Cockney.

William’s Werewolf’s growling rasping accent was excellent.

Truly, the cast worked as a well-oiled team. Many of the cast just went ‘fearlessly’ for their demanding parts, with the randy Baroness (Colleen) and Frau (Karen) in her kinky corset.

The magnificent gowns, and costumes in general, were the result of Grainne Friel, Celeste Lopez, and Kathleen Nyland’s hard work. Often the men’s costumes are given little thought, but the Baron and Dracula’s clothing were immaculate. Even poor Groat’s costume brought a wry smile.

Everyone can be really proud. Great fun, with tension, excitement and a wild script. You can clearly see the huge amount of thought and work that has gone into all aspects of this production. Congratulations.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE ittle Miss Sunshine is a fun musical, which despite the title, is more suitable for an audience of young teenagers and older.

The book’s author was James Lapine, and William Finn added the indifferent musical score and the fun lyrics.

In 2006, this story became a double Oscar-winning film, with an award for the screenplay and another for Alan Arkin as Grandpa.

This two-hour (no interval), Stirling Theatre Company production can be seen at the Stirling Theatre, Morris Place, in Innaloo. The shows start at 8.00 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings until 1st December, with Sunday matinées at 2.00 pm on November the 18th and 25th.

L

The scene: is Western America, near Los Angeles.

31

keyboard, Liam Gobbert on reed, Hannah Flynn on horn, James Pinneri on cello, and Alex Kent was on percussion. The musicians were in a side room off the main auditorium; this allowed a much better balance of the instruments, and accompaniment level than having them in front of the stage.

All of the singers were very well rehearsed, and had melodious voices. At times there were numbers that called for intricate harmonies, and they worked extremely well. I was a little disappointed with some musical compositions, but this was nothing to do with the production’s quality talent.

Director Tyler Eldridge showed a great deal of skill in holding the audience, by having a fast paced delivery, and some fabulous ideas for the van ride. The passengers chasing the van were most convincing, added excitement and quite a few laughs.

The cast had plenty of empathy and came across as a typical real family.

A special mention for youngster Tahli Redgwell as Olive.

What a little Miss Dynamite. Tahli had superb movement and stage skills, far in advance of her age. She could sing, dance and deliver comedy. The other youngsters were also amazing as the snobby, sexy pageant entrants.

A tricky show to present, but it was packed with fun, quality singing and accompaniment.

The set: was simple, but most effective; Timothy Tyrie, who constructed it along with the help of Linda Redman, designed it. The approach was quite novel, with the home interior represented by the wooden framework of the ‘see-through’ stud walls; along with a dining table and set of chairs. These classroom-style chairs had castors fitted, and were utilised as the seats of the family kombi van.

The projection screen, which filled the rear of the stage, had some excellent scenery shots that instantly set the location, ranging from a hospital (interior and exterior) to the scenic Wild West. The projection design and operation was by Tyler and Kelsey Eldridge.

A black scrim was drawn across the stage for some scenes; this allowed the silent setting up of the next location. The stage management was swift and efficient, thanks to Emma Redgwell, assisted by Emily Brown. Well done.

Very good lighting design and operation by Shelly Miller.

The fine soundscape was designed by Daniel Toomath, and operated by Justin Camilleri.

At the local hospital, Uncle Frank (Timothy Tyrie) has just been treated for his wrist ‘accident’ by the doctor (Jordan Jackson). His sister-in-law, Sheryl (Steph Hickey) is waiting to take him home.

In his bedroom, the Grandpa (David Cosgrove) is taking his daily invigorating snort. Meanwhile, his grandson, Dwayne (Charlie Martin) has ambitions to join the Air Force and is in a vow of silence until he is accepted.

Dwayne’s kid sister, Olive (Tahli Redgwell) recently entered a local talent contest – and won. This means that she is eligible to enter the main talent pageant 800 kms away, which is being judged by Miss California (Katt Nelson). Even though her father is strict, Richard (Mitchell Lawrence) is caring, and sees Olive’s excitement. The family really don’t have the money for a flight, or even a bus ticket to get her there, and so they decide to take their beaten up old kombi van instead.

Uncle Frank meets his old partner and love, Joshua Rose (Zachary Cave), but still decides to join the family in their trip.

That night Olive imagines a bunch of mean girls (Keely Crugnie, Emmy Bekink and Skye Colcott) who mock her cruelly. Then there is another pageant girl (Chloé Redgwell) with a special act – can Olive get to the venue? Or is the family trip doomed?

The outrageous, but glorious wigs and exotic costumes were designed by Lynda Stubbs, who was aided in their construction by Shelly Miller, Andrea Colcott and Marjorie DeCaux. These ladies must have had a huge amount of fun creating the garments that ranged from haute couture to tasteless.

The choreographer, Celeste Underhill, guided Grandpa’s nurse with her therapeutic moves; but was mainly concerned with making the young talent seekers walk in a slinky, sassy manner.

The musical director and conductor was Tara Oorjitham, whose co-director was keyboard player, Jay Anderson. The band included Izaac Masters on second

The Pagent Princesses backstage at Little Miss Sunshine 32

FORGOTTEN TREASURES A MERRY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE (2014) CHRIS MCRAE

L

isted as Robin Williams’ third last feature film appearance (under its US release title A Merry Friggin’ Christmas), this little known Christmas gem will warm your heart.

With its off beat humour and dysfunctional characters there are laughs aplenty in A Merry Christmas Miracle.

The story follows the Michler family as they come from across the country to be together for Christmas. Uptight Boyd (Joel McHale), wife Luann (Lauren Graham) and their two children travel to Boyd’s parents’ for Christmas along with the Christmas Eve baptism of Boyd’s brother Nelson’s (Clark Duke) adopted son.

Whilst there, they must also deal with Boyd’s gun toting, no nonsense father Virgil (Williams), long suffering mother Donna (Candice Bergen) and unbearable siblings.

When Boyd realises he has left his son’s handmade Christmas present at home, he begins an all night, there and back again road trip during which he discovers the meaning of dysfunction, the importance of the little things and tries to rediscover the meaning of Christmas.

The comedy in A Merry Christmas Miracle is dry and often black humour which will not be to everyone’s taste.

However, the laughs come thick and fast as the combination of McHale, Williams and Duke works a treat.

There are many humerous sequences, from a scene in which the boys hitch a ride with an alcoholic Santa Claus on a moped to a late night, alcohol induced D&M session between Donna and Luann which is particularly revealing.

Amidst all the comedy and dysfunction lies a story in which a son searches for a reconnection with his father and family and the underlying theme has its moments of heartbreak and joy. Realistic, heartfelt and ultimately uplifting.

A Merry Christmas Miracle is available on DVD and online.

33

ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVE FILM FAVOURITES

I

CHRIS MCRAE

t’s the most wonderful time of the year and for this Christmas and movie lover, two great things combine. December is the perfect chance to get the family and loved ones together, bring out the popcorn and settle in for a Christmas movie.

Here are some of the best choices this year (some classic and some new) to get the kids (and ones for the adults only) in the Christmas spirit.

THE SANTA CLAUSE 1, 2 AND 3 (1994, 2002, 2006) Staples of nearly every family’s Christmas viewing, this series of festive classics fail to disappoint year in and year out. From Tim Allen’s loveable take on Santa Clause to the incredible North Pole, likeable storylines and Martin Short’s fantastic turn as Jack Frost, what’s not to love?

The trilogy is family friendly, plenty of fun and chock full of Christmas spirit and magic.

DECK THE HALLS (2006) Critically panned upon release (unfairly in my opinion), this Christmas caper follows holiday traditionalist Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) who’s world is turned upside down by the arrival of new neighbour Buddy Hall (Danny Devito) who hatches the bright idea (pun intended) to light his house up with Christmas lights in order to be seen from space.

What ensues is hilarity, shenanigans and plenty of mishaps.

This captures the festive fun of the season perfectly and takes a leaf out of the ‘what can go wrong, will go wrong’ approach of National Lampoon’s. Great fun!

THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS (2017) Aesthetically, this film is amazing to watch and the story is just as captivating. Not a simple retelling of the classic A Christmas Carol, this tale follows the author himself, Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) in his quest to write what would become one of the greatest stories of all time.

On the way he encounters his own demons and comes face to face with Scrooge, Fezziwig, the Ghosts and more. Unique, stylish and an excellent new take on an old favourite.

ELF (2003) Coated in sugar and with a permanent smile, Will Ferrell’s ‘Elf’ is not only a Christmas favouite but one of the most quoteable films ever. The story of a human bought up as an elf who travels to New York City from the North Pole in an effort to locate his real father is a sugary treat and Ferrell’s expressive brand of comedy is just perfect for this sweet treat.

34

You’d be a cottonheaded ninnymuggins if you missed this one!

BAD SANTA 1 AND 2 (2003, 2016) Not for the kids or the faint hearted, Billy Bob Thornton’s all drinking, all swearing Santa Claus is the furthest thing possible from festive. However, the first film, which puts Bob-Thornton’s department store robbing Santa alongside the world’s strangest child Therman Merman (Brett Kelly) has a heart of gold.

The second which introduces Kathy Bates and Christina Hendricks doesn’t quite have the same sharp humour but is still fun. Black comedy mixed with festive frivolity makes for one hell of a ride with this pair!

THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004) A real Christmas Eve film, this impressive animation which was made in the early days of motion capture and features Tom Hanks (as nearly every character) is a magical story of a young boy who boards a train on Christmas Eve bound for the North Pole. Along the way he discovers friendship and most of all, belief. Has the ability to make children wide eyed in wonder and with enough magic for those young at hear too. Truly captivating.

NEW IN 2018 CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES (Netflix) Kurt Russell dons the red suit and creates one of the best on-screen Santa’s in recent years. When two bickering siblings cause Santa’s sleigh to crash, they must band together to help him save Christmas and deliver the world’s presents in record time. A simple premise done oh so well.

This film is an incredible ride filled with magic, car chases, jailbreaks and plenty of Christmas Spirit. Many thought this would be an average Christmas flick. What is delivers is highly entertaining and one of the most entertaining Christmas films of recent years!

Keep your eyes out for a surprise Mrs Claus cameo too!

stands out due to its amazing message. When Baxter (David Blue) comes into some wealth after winning a shopping centre raffle, he gives up the chance to pay for his fiance’s dream wedding and honeymoon and instead becomes the anonymous ‘Lucky the Elf’, doing good deeds for others and essentially turning into the town Secret Santa.

Along the way he discovers the kindness that all should show at Christmas time and even discovers love along the way.

A well thought through story in which the true meaning of Christmas really shines.

A CHRISTMAS PRINCE 2: THE ROYAL WEDDING (Netflix) Coming off the back of the runaway success of the Netflix original film from 2017, the clever and smile-inducing mash up of The Princess Diaries and Hallmark Christmas Movie is back with a sequel this Christmas.

Set 1 year (how appropriate) after the events of the first film, Amber (Rose McIver) is preparing for her marriage to Prince Richard (Ben Lamb) only to discover that normality is not possible and has her questioning her decision.

It’s cringe-worthingly corny and very much in the Hallmark style but at Christmas, what could be better than something feelgood to make people smile?

12 DAYS OF GIVING (Stan) Hidden away, this gem of a low-budget Christmas movie 35

ENTERTAINMENT FRINGE IS BACK FOR 2019!

T

he frantic, funny, fancy, fabulous and frenetic Fringe is back for another dose of circus, cabaret, comedy, curiosity and carnality from the 18th January next year to the 17th February.

From the more than seven hundred performances we have chosen a handful that we think might be worth a visit.

Yummy Deluxe

After touring the globe, the legendary cabaret Yummy is back at Fringe World. Join the ever fabulous and award-winning ensemble as they take you on the most delicious and unpredictable ride of your life. Yummy Deluxe is a mix of new acts and Yummy favourites with some electric new cast members.

Winners of “Best Production” and “Best Ensemble” (Cabaret) at the 2018 Green Room Awards, Yummy has become synonymous with breath-taking drag, music, circus, and burlesque. Come and join the stars of Yummy as they lead a new wave of outrageous, joyful, and innovative cabaret.

Venue: The Edith Spiegeltent at Yagan Square

Dates: 5th to 17th February

Tickets: $37 Cirque Africa After a sell-out debut season as the top-selling show at Adelaide Fringe with 5-star reviews, Cirque Africa is coming to Fringe World in 2019 for the first time .

100% African, 100% Energy, 100% Fun, Cirque Africa, is a one of a kind show that is sure to amaze and enthrall all who see it. A 100% African cultural experience, Cirque Africa is a vibrant and highly entertaining blockbuster production which transports each audience to the positive side of Africa.

Venue: The Regal Theatre

Dates: 18th January to 3rd February

Tickets: $45

Raymond Mearns : Confessions Of A Control Freak!

It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad world! Why worry there’s not much you can do about it! Or is there? Anxious? Depressed? To learn how to live you must learn how to laugh. At Yourself!

Madcap Scottish Comedian, Raymond Mearns is one of the funniest comics working the UK and International Circuits!

Successful Edinburgh Festival shows every year from 2011 till 2018 have shown that Raymond has a considerable ability to keep his stand-up fresh, relevant and most of all extremely funny.

“An Improvisational Genius” Frankie Boyle.

“A man who knows how to swear properly” Billy Connolly.

“An Arsehole” his ex-wife!

Venue: The Red Room at Brass Monkey Hotel

Dates: 18th January to 17th February

Tickets: $15 Fringe For All: An Improv Show The Fringe World performance starring you! If you’ve ever wanted to be on a Fringe World stage, now is your chance. Our team captains will guide you through improvised games in the style of Whose Line is it Anyway? and Thank God You’re Here.

Absolutely no prior experience is required, just a willingness to take a breath and give it a go!

Participation is strictly optional---if you’re not up for performing, come and support some brave souls first go on a Fringe World stage (or better yet, bring a few mates or relatives who you reckon should get into comedy).

Fringe for All is intended to be a safe and fun space for anyone to have a go at performing, so racist, homophobic, drunken, or otherwise offensive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Venue: The Lounge at The Globe

Dates: 30th January to 3rd February

Tickets: $15 36

ENTERTAINMENT Fuego Carnal

Fuego Carnal has won multiple awards, brought light to the eyes & smiles to countless faces.

Husband & wife team Jacob & Sophie McGrath created Dream State Circus, who present Fuego Carnal in 2000, born out of a love and obsession, of the accessible, nondiscriminative art of street performance and improvisational comedy.

Nineteen huge years later, over 3900 performances, in almost forty countries, their art has taken them to some of the biggest festivals on the planet.

2019 will bring new heat, new surprises and a cast of world first and one off’s like no other.

Venue: Empyrean at The Ice Cream

Factory

Dates: 18th January to 17th

February

Tickets: $55 The Madonna Circus: Reinvention Diva! Icon! Trail blazer! Fringe World award winners BarbieQ & Kinetica bring to life the smash hit music of Madonna though an eclectic collision of drag, circus, dance and cabaret.

This unmissable show features stunning aerial acrobatics by Kinetica, Mr Pole World 2014 Blue Phoenix, Mr Boylesque Australia 2017 Karl Kayoss and the flawless drag queen diva BarbieQ.

Join them for this tribute to a pop icon that will leave you singing and dancing in the aisles, music makes the people come together.

Venue: The West Australian Spiegeltent at

The Woodside Pleasure Garden

Dates: 12th to 17th February

Tickets: $30

Vivir - Flamenco Guitar & Dance

An evening of passion and rhythm by Flamenco guitarist Raul Mannola and dancer Aylin Eleonora.

Each artist brings their vision, tradition, experimentation, freedom and improvisation into Vivir, a fresh new interpretation of the ancient art of Flamenco. Direct from Spain.

Aylin Eleonora is a Flamenco dancer and freelance choreographer based in Madrid. She has studied with some of the greatest Flamenco masters, toured internationally as a soloist with acclaimed Flamenco artists, and premiered her solo choreography Vivir at the Edinburgh Festival in 2018. She holds an MA in Dance from Barcelona Arts Institute.

RaĂşl Mannola is a Flamenco guitarist and composer with a background in Jazz, based in Madrid. He has thirty years of experience in accompanying Flamenco singers and dancers as well as performing solo.

A specialist in Flamenco-Jazz-Rock fusions with ten albums released as a leader, he has also been a guitar teacher at Madrid Conservatory since 2012.

Venues: Atrium at Old Customs House

Dates: 10th to 14th February

Stevenson Theatre

Dates: 15th to 16th February

Don Russell Performing Arts Centre

Dates: 17th February

Tickets: $22

37

TV WITH CHRIS In Demons of the Punjab the team travel to 1947 India and Yaz faces her family history against the backdrop of the partition. The themes are relevant and many have called out the show for becoming too much of a political and social soapbox.

However, a progressive season calls for challenging the norm and this is exactly what Season 11 has done and done so well!

As for the Doctor herself, she is uniquely Jodie Whittaker. Her costume is completely different to anything the Doctor has seen before and she has a remarkable ability to play moments of comedy as well as portraying a brooding intensity in moments of crisis and importance.

The new direction of the show will still divide some fans but this Whovian is impressed!

Doctor Who Season 11 is available to view on ABC iView and the New Year’s special will air on ABC and iView on 2nd January 2019.

DR WHO Season 11 ABC and iView

O

n July 16th 2017, it was with great anticipation that Jodie Whittaker was revealed as the 13th regeneration of the famous Doctor. Over the past year and a half, a fandom has speculated as to what Whittaker would bring to the role.

Some approached the concept with excitement, others with trepidation. Now, as we reach the end of Whittaker’s first season in the Tardis, we look back at how the series has stacked up and take a look at the new territory it has explored.

From the outset, it was clear that this season was going to be different. For starters, the first episode went without the traditional opening credits and theme song. Whittaker’s early moments established her as a Doctor for the modern age.

Strong willed, highly energetic and with some great moments of humour.

Her companions, who have since been dubbed ‘Team Tardis’ compliment each other really nicely and show great range and diversity, something showrunner Chris Chibnal has been keen to promote.

Ryan (Tosin Cole) is a shy young man who faces the challenges of dyspraxia, Graham (Bradley Walsh), Ryan’s stepdad, provides many of the season’s laughs with a positive outlook and sense of childlike wonder and Yaz (Mandip Gil) is a police officer with a love for justice and equality for all.

The season is unique, providing many moments of the sci-fi action and monsters the series has become famous for.

However it also deals with real history and real issues. Arguably, the strongest episode of the season Rosa sees the Doctor and her ‘fam’ travel to 1955 Montgomery, Alambama and find themselves in the midst of the Civil Rights movement and face to face with Rosa Parks.

UPCOMING MOVIES

HOLMES AND WATSON (26th December) There have been many re-incarnations of the famed detective and his trusty sidekick over recent years. The pairings

38

of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman along with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law would have to be the most iconic modern versions.

Now however comes a version of the classic story like you’ve never seen it before.

Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly reunite to bring some Step Brothers comedic chemistry to the classic duo. Ralph Fiennes is also onboard

for what is expected to be a wickedly funny Moriarty.

Don’t miss this one. A barrel of laughs is afoot!

Also Watch For: Mortal Engines and Bumblebee RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET (26th December) After the runaway hit that was 2012’s colourful cyber adventure Wreck It Ralph, the much anticipated sequel sees arcade game characters Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) discover a Wi Fi router in their arcade.

This leads them to discover the whole new world that is the internet. If this is anything like the first film it will prove to be a real treat for the young and young at heart.

The Banks children (Emily Mortimer and Ben Whishaw) are all grown up and Mary is on hand once again to assist them through a difficult time in their lives. The magic is set to return with all new songs and Lin Manuel Miranda also joins an impressive ensemble cast which also includes Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury and even an appearance from Van Dyke himself. Take a spoonful of sugar and get excited about this one!

JANUARY

MARY POPPINS RETURNS (1st January) With a very large umbrella to fill, Emily Blunt floats into the iconic role of Mary Poppins in this much anticipated sequel to the 1964 classic starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

DISCLAIMER The information in this publication is of a general nature.

The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and/or issues canvassed.

Swan Magazine does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein.

39

ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWS THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD Reviewer:

‘He told me to go outside a minute and have a birthday.

‘So I did. ‘

Sometimes the insights are a little surprising to eyes unfamiliar with those times. Everyone, of course, is smoking.

The dental hygiene of the men (both British and Australian) left a lot to be desired.

James Forte

L

ast month we promised a review of this important and illuminating initiative.

They Shall Not Grow Old (the misquotation from Binyon's Ode is deliberate) is a film by Peter Jacksom.

He has applied a considerable amount of computer technology to original footage (belonging to the Imperial War Museum in London) that was filmed in the trenches of the Western Front during the Great War - a hundred years ago.

A full account of the processing techniques can be found with a Google search, but to simplify:

Sir Peter Robert Jackson ONZ KNZM (1961-)

This is a wonderful work giving us vivid access to early combat photography. It is restricted to the British Army on the Western Front. With its success, one would hope the same process can be applied to other theatres of war - the Dardanelles, Mesopotamia, Palestine - and to the Navy and the Air Force.

I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It is for anyone who is interested in history and the lives of the men in the trenches. With this film we can remember them just a little more clearly. Those who setup this initiative are to be congratulated. Five stars.

The film is showing at Luna-Palace cinemas.

The highly variable speed and jerkiness created by hand-cranked cameras was corrected by the insertion of AI generated frames. With adjusted contrast and focus (and sometimes a 3D effect) he achieved a black and white silent film which clearly shows the

expressions on the soldiers' faces.

Expert lip-readers then provided the dialogue to be recorded by actors with other sound effects (horses, guns, tank engines, detonations) added by new recordings. Finally a troop of artists coloured the images. The result is a film taken in 191418 which is virtually indistinguishable from modern footage.

It provides a dazzling insight into life in the front line.

The humour - even allowing for the changes in behaviour of people who know they were being photographed - is there.

The horror - the lice which fed on the living, the rats which fed on the dead - too.

This is real. The camera does not linger on the shattered bodies. However Peter Jackson has avoided using any of the staged re-enactments designed for the consumption of the civilians back home.

To remind us of the era, the film starts and ends with unprocessed monochrome silent film of home life in Britain.

There are personal accounts: ‘The recruiting sergeant asked me how old I was.

‘I said 'sixteen'.

ROGUES AND ROBBERS AMERICAN ANIMALS

directed by Bart Layton

directed by James Marsh

directed by David Lowery

KING OF THIEVES

THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN

Reviewer:

T

James Forte

hese three films, hereafter AA, KOT and TOMATG respectively, fit so neatly together that it is irresistible to indulge in a ‘compare and contrast’.

Two are American (one with a Brit director) and one British.

They are quite representative of current movie styles on either side of the Atlantic.

40

has been locked up and then escaped seventeen times starting as a young teenager.

To relieve the boredom he continues his trade. His well-known signature style is to dress smartly, walk up to a bank-teller, smile and courteously ask her to fill up his case with cash. After he hints that he has a gun. Can this old has-been pull it off?

This is said to be Redford’s final appearance in front of the camera.

As noted above, all are based on true events. In AA, the story is interspersed with comments from the real people on how In heavy disguise, Jared Abrahamson, Evan Peters, Blake Jenner, and Barry Keoghan they felt at the time. prepare an incompetent school robbery in American Animals.

For KOT, we learn that the 2015 heist was the biggest in British criminal history. How

All three are about impudent robberies based on true much was taken will never be known but it was well over 200 events. In all three, we know within the first few minutes that million pounds. Most has not been recovered. they get caught. And again in all three we have a wild roller TOMATG is based on the exploits of Forrest Tucker and coaster ride following their exploits. the “over-the-hill-gang” which captured the imagination of the

AA has a cast of new young faces. The four come together American public in the 1970s. to steal rare books from a university library. They are bright, All three are fine examples of the daring heist genre when they are diligent in their planning but ultimately they are totally we are asked to identify with the lovable criminals. All are inexperienced and incompetent at robbery with violence. recommended.

KOT and TOMATG are vehicles put together specifically to

If AA does not quite come up to the level of the other two show off the talents of grand old men of the cinema - Michael it is because I could not find the same degree of sympathy for Caine and Robert Redford. the perpetrators. They were prepared to use physical violence

Both show considerable love and humour.

In KOT, Caine plays an experienced thief who has promised We know they fail and our main interest lies in their bumbling progress and how their views of what actually happened often his wife to go straight. When she dies, he is desolated and to differ markedly. relieve the loneliness goes back into business. Which happens

Redford and Caine are charming, lovable and better to be robbing diamond merchants in London’s Hatton Garden. planners. KOT has a star cast (including Jim Broadbent and Can a bunch of old has-beens pull it off?

In TOMATG, Redford plays an experienced bank-robber. He Tom Courtney) playing a bunch of creeps. They do not deserve to succeed. Determination and luck are both major ingredients.

In TOMATG, Sissy Spacek and Danny Glover are notable in their support for Redford. My main criticism? The title did not suit the film. It was never about guns.

A fine weekend’s binge viewing for heist movie lovers.

American Animals - three and a half stars.

King of Thieves - four stars The Old Man and the Gun - four and a half stars All have been showing at Luna-Palace cinemas.

41

COMMUNITY COMBATING ILLEGAL PHOENIX ACTIVITY

SHARK NUMBERS RECOVER EMMA CHADWICK

W

hile shark populations around the world are in decline, ground-breaking research has revealed why reef shark numbers are returning to a coral reef off Australia.

Marine scientists seeking answers are using underwater cameras around the world to investigate shark numbers in Marine Protected Areas.

In the first research paper to be published from the project, led by Australian Institute of Marine Science researchers Dr s Conrad Speed, Mark Meekan and Mike Cappo, the study provided compelling evidence that enforced marine protected areas could help rebuild reef shark populations.

Dr Speed said when they first assessed shark communities at Ashmore Reef off Western Australia’s north-west coast in 2004, they found low numbers of grey reef sharks, while larger species such as the tiger shark were completely absent.

“When we returned in 2016 to repeat the survey, eight years after enforcement of the marine protected area, we found there were more than four times as many grey reef sharks present, as well as tiger sharks and other species that were also absent from the 2004 survey,” Dr Speed said.

“Applying existing demographic recovery models to grey reef shark abundance indicated the rate at which recovery occurred at Ashmore Reef, was much faster than anticipated.”

Lead scientist and Florida International University associate professor Dr Demian Chapman said the research indicated marked conservation benefits for sharks.

“We thought this was the case but we didn't have a great deal of data to really back it up,” Dr Chapman said.

AIMS lead researcher Dr Mark Meekan said the shark population at Ashmore Reef now resembled the Rowley Shoals off north-western Australia, a marine protected area for the past twenty-five years.

“The similarities between the two reefs suggests that Ashmore Reef has now recovered to a near pristine level in the absence of fishing and the key thing is that it has done so much faster than anyone has predicted. Sharks play an important role on reefs, with increasing evidence healthy shark populations may even assist coral reef recovery from mass coral bleaching and cyclones.

“We found the proportion of reef sharks increased from 28.6% to 57.6% between surveys, while large mobile sharks that prey on other shark and ray species also increased slightly from 7.1% to 11.9% of the community,” Dr Meekan said.

“This is one of the only accounts of recovery in reef shark populations around the world that we know of, which might act as a working timeframe for other marine protected areas that have been previously exploited by fishing.”

Dr Meekan said the findings on recovery time would also assist in the development and management of marine protected areas and shark sanctuaries throughout the world.

Director of biodiversity conservation at Paul G. Allen Philanthropies James Deutsch said this first glimpse of data was exactly what they had hoped for.

“Paul Allen applies technology and data to drive better decision making in ocean conservation,” Mr Deutsch said.

The paper entitled; Evidence for rapid recovery of shark populations within a coral reef marine protected area is published in Biological Conservation at www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0006320717311771

I

llegal phoenix activity has a significant impact on the Australian economy with an annual estimated cost of up to $5.13 billion.

Illegal phoenix activity is when a new company is created to continue the business of a company that has been deliberately liquidated to avoid paying its debts, including taxes, creditors and employee entitlements.

While illegal phoenix activity has many victims, the impact on small business, particularly, can have a catastrophic effect on their operations as well as personal lives.

Extensive recent reviews of the construction industry have highlighted illegal phoenix activity on a national scale.

However, this activity is not limited to construction, and affects other industries such as service provision, manufacturing and hospitality.

As part of a national campaign to target illegal phoenix activity, Commonwealth Treasury plans to modernise business registers and introduce Director Identification Numbers (DINs).

Draft legislation to amend the legal framework in this regard has been released for consultation. The introduction of DINs will enable government regulators, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), to map the relationship between individuals and entities and individuals and other people.

The major benefit of the DIN is that the unique identifier stays permanently with the individual, even if their directorship of companies changes. Small Business Commissioner David Eaton welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to reform corporation and tax laws as a way to combat illegal phoenix activity as outlined in the 2018-19 Budget.

“The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) supports the proposed reforms to better protect creditors and small businesses from the losses suffered as a result of unscrupulous companies engaging in illegal phoenix activities,” Mr Eaton said.

“There is enormous benefit to introducing DINs from a small business perspective, as it will offer a greater level of protection for suppliers and other creditors as company director ‘movements’ will be tracked.

“While this is a great step forward, we believe that more should be done to hold company directors to account when they choose to repeatedly engage in conduct that amounts to illegal phoenix activity. Directors serve a very important role and their conduct can have grave effects on employees and creditors when they engage in illegal phoenix activity.

“We are advocating to the Federal Government that further consideration be given to targeting serial offenders, by way of reversing the onus of proof on company directors that have a string of entities that they are ‘fit and proper.

“The SBDC is particularly interested in reducing the impacts on small business of illegal phoenix activity in Western Australia and eagerly awaits the final recommendations following the conclusion of the consultation period on 26 October 2018.”

Small businesses interested in viewing the draft legislation and lodging submissions should visit the Treasury website.

To find out more about the services visit the SBDC website at smallbusiness.wa.gov.au 42

COMMUNITY GLAD TIDINGS FOR MIDLAND HAZEL BRADLEY

‘T

is the season to be jolly and this year the Midland community has a particular reason to celebrate. A community carols event is coming to central Midland for the first time in around twenty years.

The free event will take place on Midland Oval on Sunday December 23 from 5.30pm. The event has been organised by local church and community members under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Swan District.

The Valley Church of Christ’s Reverend Ken Duffy, one of 100 local legends included on the Cale Street Walk of Fame, encourages everyone to join the Christmas singalong.

“We are delighted to see carols back in Midland and hope everyone will come along and celebrate this special time of year,” he said.

He said although the oval had been the centre of controversy throughout the year, Christmas was a time to set aside differences and come together in celebration.

A Combined Churches Carol Service took place on the oval for a number of years back in the 80s and 90s.

“We began Carols by Candlelight in Midland in Tuohy Gardens and it was so popular we had to move to the oval,” Rev

Ken Duffy and the Rev Alison Gilchrist with a 1988 newspaper ad for Carols by Candlelight in Midland

Duffy said. “The last one we had attracted 1500 people.”

Event host Alison Gilchrist said the evening would include a free sausage sizzle and refreshments provided by Salvation Army Swan View, a visit from Santa, the Nativity story for children and Carols and popular Christmas songs played by the Ascension Band.

There will also be a special performance by a local children’s choir.

The event has been made possible thanks to the generosity of sponsors including St John of God Hospital Midland Public and Private Hospitals, Bankwest, Perth Airport and Ascension Anglican Church Midland, and is supported by the City of Swan.

Loke, Stella and Sofie Jensen put in some practice for the carols event 43

ART AND ARTISTS DECEMBER AT MAC EXHIBITIONS Mundaring Arts Centre Materiality Until 20 December

Invited ceramists transform the gallery space into a feast of surface, texture, pattern and form, showcasing their distinct approaches to clay practice.

Gifted

Celebrating objects and the histories, memories and emotions that they may hold through the practices of Kathy Aspinall and Sue Eva. Midland Junction Arts Centre Of Our Time – Ordinary Lives Until 21 December

Investigating the lives of maternal women in artist Louise Wells’ family over three generations. Through contemporary textiles, Wells’ explores their changing roles, responsibilities and expectations across the decades.

Claire Davenhall Lost Soles- Lost at Sea 2017

Come along to hear the stories, process and inspiration behind the exhibitions Of Our Time – Ordinary Lives and Lost Soles. Both Louise Wells and Claire Davenhall will provide insights into their creative practice and how individual story factors into their works.

MJAC will be open 11am Saturday 15 December with the artist talks from 1pm. Also open Saturday 8 December.

Worn Out Worn Art

Celebrating creative thinking and environmental consciousness with an exhibition of wearable art from eleven local artists and designers.

Lost Soles

International artist Claire Davenhall, explores the multicultural migration of people to Australia. Davenhall captures the complex cultural heritage of the many waves of migration to Australia through her sculptural work.

WORKSHOPS

Keep the kids entertained and creative these school holidays with a range of workshops at Midland Junction Arts Centre covering ceramics, felting and song writing.

Ceramic Christmas Decorations With Jenny Kerr Friday 14th December (10am - 12pm and 1.30pm - 3.30pm) Create your own porcelain Christmas decorations in this fun filled workshop at the MJAC ceramics studio. In this session you will learn the art of embossing, slab building and incising to transform your clay into stunning objects in time for the festive season.

Suitable for five to nine years and ten to sixteen years Cost $33

Louise Wells (Photograph by Josh Wells) 44

Days by Louise Wells

Song Writing Superpowers With Adrian Hoffman Wednesday 19th December and Thursday 20th December ( 10am - 1pm)

Unleash your inner musical genius and learn the skills required to write your very own song in only three hours!

During this interactive and action-packed song writing workshop, you will conquer the fundamentals of writing lyrics and creating melodies.

Suitable for seven to ten years and evenel to fifteen years Cost: $15 Textile Christmas Decorations With Heather Davis and Mary Ann Dawson Thursday 20th December (10.30am - 12pm)

Transform beautiful silken wool into a delicate angel and learn the art of felting to create a unique Christmas bauble, perfect for the Christmas tree or for someone you love.

Suitable for six to twelve years old.

Cost: $25 Visit www.mundaringartscentre.com.au for more information.

Mundaring Arts Centre 7190 Great Eastern Hwy (corner Nichol St) Hours: Tue – Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 3pm.

Midland Junction Arts Centre 276 Great Eastern Hwy (corner Cale St) Hours: Wed – Fri 10am - 5pm.

Mundaring Arts Centre will be closed from 3pm Sunday 23 December, reopening on Friday 8 February and Midland Junction Arts Centre is closing 5pm Friday 21 December, reopening Friday 15 February 2019.

Clair Davenhall 45

FINANCE NEW DEAL FROM G20 STEVE BLIZARD

I

nvestor concerns were relieved at the tail end of the recent G20 leader’ summit in Beunos Aires, when a two-and-a-half hour meeting at the conclusion of summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping yielded a deal to freeze the escalation of the US-China trade war, pausing the imposition of tariffs between the two countries.

In return, the White House said China would need to agree to several conditions to reduce the trade imbalance between the superpowers.

These include China agreeing to purchase "a not yet agreed upon, but very substantial, amount of agricultural, energy, industrial, and other product from the United States".

The Trump administration announced a 90-day ceasefire in the trade war to give the two countries time to negotiate a broader trade deal.

This means that the US will not raise the 10 percent tariff rate on $US200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent on January 1, as originally scheduled.

After the closure of the G20 event, President Donald Trump announced that China will lower or remove tariffs on American-made cars coming into the country.

The move is significant as USmade cars from BMW and others are popular in China.

A total of $US10.5 billion worth of new and used cars were shipped to China from the US in 2017, according to the Census Bureau.

While the ceasefire on new tariffs to allow for trade negotiations does help take the sting out of the strained relations between the US and China, it also saves face for both leaders, particularly Xi.

and General Secretary of the CCP Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier and economist Liu He, Director of the CCP’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Chairman of the powerful National Development & Reform Commission He Lifeng.

MARKET BOUNCE-BACK

President Trump and Xi Jinping’s meeting for a tentative truce and further discussions set off a positive ripple effect across Asian markets.

Currency markets also responded, as the Aussie dollar moved higher, reaching its highest level against the greenback since August.

According to AMP’s Shane Oliver, the latest attempt by the US and China to find middle ground “could still end in failure, like the other attempts at negotiation so far this year”.

However, he highlighted some positives from the weekend negotiations.

“China has indicated a preparedness to negotiate on issues like forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection and cyber intrusions that it hasn’t before,” Oliver said.

DIFFERENCES

However the meeting left many questions unanswered, with questions raised about what exactly was agreed to at the Trump - Xi meeting and the truce would work in practice.

This raises questions over how sustainable the cease-fire will end up.

For example, the official statement from China fails to mention the 90-day deadline, and Chinese state media’s references to the deadline attribute the idea to the White House.

There were also differences on China’s preferences of US goods and on the timeline for a trade-deficit reduction.

Beijing did not mention Trump’s Sunday-night declaration that China agreed to lower tariffs on American-made cars.

IMPRESSIVE LINEUP

A reflection of how seriously the Chinese side took the weekend’s summit is the who’s who list of top CCP officials flanking president Xi in his talks with Trump.

The list included some high-ranking names: Xi’s protege

LOOKING FOR CHANGE

"Talk is cheap," said Peter Navarro, one of Mr Trump's key trade advisors who attended the dinner.

"What we are looking for is not more talk, but by the end of 90 days that we see verifiable and real structural changes that yield actual, verifiable and immediate results."

Citigroup economist Cesar Rojas said "As the 'tariffs-limbo' extends into 2019, uncertainty is likely to remain high and continue to impact trade and investment plans," Continued on page 56 ...

46

BUSINESS - NETWORKING XMAS WIND UP? - REWARD OR RISK? SHARRON ATTWOOD

Y

ou may well go out of a sense of obligation – that feeling that it’s pretty much compulsory. Others attend as they feel they have earned the reward – free food and drink – a night away – gifts and prizes.

Often though –it’s something we actually enjoy – to spend time away from the office – or just with the phone off – with our clients and co-workers. A lovely way to celebrate the festive season and get our jingle on.

Or is it?

I have known many people over the years that actively avoid the office party. For a few - their work persona is not robust enough to withstand the personal interaction. It’s too hard to keep up the ruse in a relaxed setting.

They need the rules and etiquette of the workplace to function. These folk often rsvp then just don’t show up.

For others they don’t trust themselves to not get too relaxed – lest they tell the boss what they really think – jeopardising their job come Monday. I’ve been witness to this happening – it’s not fun to watch.

These people are probably right not to show up.

I have also worked with those that feel they should not be expected to attend an event, if out of hours, without being paid. This oversteps their work/ life boundary. I always find this to be an interesting conversation to have as the theory so often underpins an entire set of values around boundaries.

But for the good news! You can still have a good time without having too good a time! Often this is your once a year chance to mix and mingle so make it work for you.

Don’t focus on the food and open bar - you still need a job on Monday! Work it right though, and you could have a better job come Monday.

Here’s how: 1. Eat and drink in moderation.

No one wants to see you running for the prawns at the buffet or quaffing champagne by the

bottle. This is not an event in lieu of a cash payment. Just enjoy the company of good people. Treat it as a people event with food and drink rather than a food and drink event interrupted by people.

2. Read the invitation! Dress appropriately and put in a little effort - especially if others do - don’t be The Grinch! Participate as best you can – especially if the boss loves Christmas! You will have more fun if you feel a part of the event. If a Santa hat is called for – pop one on!

3. Network.

This is a great chance to meet management and your colleagues in a relaxed setting - so refer to point #1.

Whilst this is not the time to ask for a raise – it does present the opportunity to get in front of new people – to connect with those you may not otherwise come into contact with on a day-to-day basis. Get to know them and get known yourself – especially if you are looking to move within the organisation.

4.

Be the good guest.

You don’t have to be the first to arrive but also don’t be the last to leave. Thank the host on the night if possible or by message the next day. You will stand out!

It is a shame that having what we would term ‘good manners’ can make you stand out – but take advantage of it. You can also look out for anyone who arrives alone or is on his or her own. Introduce yourself and connect them to others.

5.

And finally, have fun and stick with a safe ‘Secret Santa’ gift!

Have a laugh, but not at the expense of anyone else. The Secret Santa gift is not an opportunity to make fun of colleagues or to be lazy either.

I was once charged with coordinating the office gift exchange. Names were drawn and I felt a few guidelines were required. I issued an email to the participants, encouraging them to put in a little effort.

I advised them to avoid the obvious fall back gifts – no chocolates and no picture frames!

The lunch rolled around and I was excited to see what they had bought each other – time for a laugh and a bit of Christmas cheer. I was also hoping the boss would be happy with how efficiently I ran things.

It actually ran well – with some thoughtful, on budget gifts and only a few cringe worthy exchanges. Then it was my turn and I was excited to see how well they had heeded my advice, I was expecting something great!

As I collected my parcel – feeling the paper – I knew a sting was in play as I unwrapped a box of Roses chocolates and a fine selection of picture frames. Well played gentlemen, well played.

We shared a laugh, but I never did share those chocolates.

47

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK SANDALFORD WINES STRUCK GOLD.

Owners Peter and Debra Prendiville, CEO Grant Brinklow with the Sandalford team at the 2018 awards

A

very successful year for Sandalford Wines has been recognised by the judges of the state tourism awards with the team collecting Gold across three major categories – Tourism Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries, Tourism Restaurant and Catering, and Chinese Tourism.

The 2018 Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards were held at Crown in November, and the event began with Sandalford Wines being inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Tourism Winery category after three years of consecutive Gold awards. The 2018 Gold award is the eleventh time the winery has won this category.

CEO Grant Brinklow said the win was special as it meant Sandalford could now defend its current title as the nation’s best tourism winery in the upcoming Australian Tourism Awards in Launceston.

“We love a contest and we relish a win! Our success at these state tourism awards is testimony to a truly committed and dedicated long term team across all aspects of our business and their unwavering commitment to deliver a world class, premium brand wine experience to our tens of thousands of guests.”

Sandalford were joined by other Swan Valley medallists on the podium, with Swan Valley Visitor Centre winning Visitor Information Centres and Entwined in the Valley taking out Gold in the Destination Marketing category.

Sandalford Wines CEO Grant Brinklow said the accolades received by Swan Valley reflected the maturity and sophistication of tourism attractions in the valley.

“Swan Valley understands its market and operators here often work collaboratively to market the destination. One

example of this is the annual Wedding Expo which attracts thousands of people to the Valley.”

Sandalford’s tourism winery, which is located only twentyfive minutes’ drive from Perth’s Central Business District, is expecting to host more and more events since the recent launch of its all new bespoke event space, the $3 million Estate Room.

48

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK NEW MENTAL HEATH EMERGENCY CENTRE

P

remier Mark McGowan and Health and Mental Health Minister Roger Cook have announced funding towards the detailed planning works required to develop a Mental Health Observation Area (MHOA) at St John of God Midland Public Hospital, which will be called 'The Midland Hospital Mental Health Emergency Centre.'

The McGowan Government has allocated $1 million towards the Mental Health Emergency Centre, which will specifically cater for people with drug, alcohol and acute mental health related issues.

Specially trained staff will provide appropriate care and the space will initially incorporate four patient beds and two chairs. The centre will provide patients with timely care in a private and appropriate space that is away from the hospital's busy emergency department.

Last financial year, more than 71,000 presentations were made to Midland Public Hospital's emergency department, a seven per cent increase over the previous year. As one of the busiest emergency departments in Western Australia, St John of God Midland Public Hospital's emergency department sees about twelve people per day with mental health, toxicology or

PATTY JONES’ CHRISTMAS APPEAL

I

t is Christmas please make a difference – such a great time to share

Two years ago the inaugural Christmas Gift Appeal was launched as an alternative - instead of receiving gifts for Christmas, the request was for people to donate a children's gift. This was a great initiative and 170 presents were collected last year - 2017.

The last two collections went to the G Centre and this year we are donating to Dreambuilders Care.

It is a terrible feeling for parents who are really doing it tough to get to Christmas and know they will not have the money to buy their child a present.

Many kids through no fault of their own will go without this year. We hope that everyone we know who can afford a gift will help us collect presents to make this Christmas a great one for these kids.

Our target for2018 is 250 presents for children and young people

Giving up a few coffees will brighten up or make another human beings day. Gifts can be to any value for a boy or girl between newborn and nineteen years of age.

Please don't wrap the presents. The volunteers will wrap them at the Care Centre.

· There are a few collection points.

· Gracelife church in Woodlake (66 Woodlake Blvd) between 9.30 am and 12md on Sundays.

· Pink Salt Cafe at the Broadway Medical Centre, Ellenbrook ALL GIFTS NEED TO BE DELIVERED TO AN ADDRESS BY 16th DECEMBER 5PM PLEASE

Please share this with all your friends. Singularly we can make a small change but if we all contribute we can make a monster of a difference.

Please note: Mrs Patty Jones serves as a City of Swan Councillor for Pearce Ward, but this is not a City of Swan initiative but a personal initiative from Mrs Jones.

behavioural issues.

The hospital forms part of the East Metropolitan Health Service and is located in a growing region, with an expected population increase of about fifty per cent by 2036 in the City of Swan. Mental Health Observation Areas are already established at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus.

As part of the 2018-19 State Budget, the McGowan Labor Government has committed $11.4 million towards the establishment of a MHOA at Royal Perth Hospital.

Premier Mark McGowan: "This centre will provide a dedicated and appropriate environment for people experiencing drug, alcohol and acute mental health issues. This funding highlights the State Government's commitment to addressing toxicology and mental health issues in the wider community.

"It's important to do everything we can to remove the stigmas that are still associated with mental health conditions.

"We need to send a message, particularly to young Western Australians, that help is available."

Health and Mental Health Minister Roger Cook:

"This announcement brings the number of Mental Health Observation Areas in Western Australia to four, once it is complete. Patients will benefit from being treated in a dedicated treatment area in a low stimulus environment. In addition, it will free up vital beds in the hospital's busy ED.

"As part of our long-term commitment towards this vital service, the Mental Health Commission will be providing $1 million annually towards its operations."

FREE BMX & SCOOTER WORKSHOPS Come and learn new skills with Freestyle Now Squad Members!

All ages, all skill levels. Helmets and shoes are required. No registration necessary.

Scooter & BMX Coaching Session

BMX Coaching Session

Wednesday, December 12 Altone Skate Park 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Thursday, January 24 Viveash BMX Track 3pm – 5pm

Scooter & BMX Competition

Scooter & BMX Competition

Wednesday, January 9 Ellenbrook Skate Park 1pm – 5pm

Thursday, January 30 Ballajura Skate Park 1pm – 5pm

For more info, call Belinda at the City of Swan on 0450 310 239

www.swan.wa.gov.au

49

presented by

facebook.com/FreestyleNow

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR ALL TO HEAR

L

ight your candles & get your jingle bells ready for a night filled with Christmas sing-alongs and classical music hits with a magical fireworks filled finale under the stars.

Following the disappointing news that Carols by Candlelight in Perth was no longer proceeding this year, WASO invited Variety WA to play an active role in presenting this new event.

West Australian Symphony Orchestra is absolutely delighted to join forces with Lotterywest, the City of Perth and Variety, the children’s charity, to create Perth’s largest outdoor Christmas concert, Christmas Symphony!

With significant support from Lotterywest, the City of Perth, Channel 9, Burswood Park Board and Crown Perth we have injected more of the festive spirit into Symphony in the City, our annual outdoor celebration of classical music, to kick off summer with this new and extended program.

Hosted by Channel 9’s Louise Momber and Michael Thomson, Christmas Symphony will feature a complete program

of classical music hits and everyone’s favourite Christmas carols.

Commencing with a Welcome to Country presented by Olman Walley and including a performance by Gina Williams, Guy Ghouse and students from Wesley College, Christmas Symphony is an event with something for everyone.

FREE SKATEBOARDING WA CLINICS Come and learn new skills!

All ages, all skill levels.

Skateboards and helmets provided.

Ballajura Skate Park

Gidgegannup Skate Park

Wednesday, January 9 2pm – 4pm

Wednesday, January 23 4pm – 6pm

Altone Skate Park

Ellenbrook Skate Park

Wednesday, January 16 9am – 11am

Wednesday, January 30 4pm – 6pm

Bullsbrook Skate Park Friday, January 18 3pm – 5pm

Participants under 18 require parent / guardian signature on registration form.

100% skateboarding delivered to you by the WA skateboarding community

Weather cancellation updates are posted on Skateboarding WA's website and social media 60 minutes before event start time.

For more info, call Belinda at the City of Swan on 0450 310 239

Register for events online www.skateboardingwa.com.au

www.swan.wa.gov.au

50

Families can sing-along to Jingle Bells and Silent Night while also enjoying the sparkling Overture to Bernstein’s Candide, Jupiter from Holst’s The Planets and Tchaikovsky’s ever-popular 1812 Overture, featuring a spectacular fireworksfilled finale.

This magical evening will feature more than 150 performers on stage including West Australian Symphony Orchestra, WASO Chorus, Variety WA Youth Choir and special guests including the one and only, Santa. More than seventy volunteers will help deliver the event.

Families can enjoy a picnic and pre-show entertainment in Langley Park from 5pm.

Families can enjoy a picnic and pre-show entertainment in Langley Park from 5pm.

We will light up the night at Langley Park on Saturday 15 December from 5pm.

DISCLAIMER The information in this publication is of a general nature.

The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and/or issues canvassed.

Swan Magazine does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein.

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK NEW BANKSIA GROVE SCHOOL

G

randis Primary School will open to kindergarten and pre-primary students next year, for which its early childhood facilities including six transportable classrooms and a play area will be completed.

Named after its location on Grandis Boulevard, the local community can now get a glimpse of what the completed campus will look like with an initial artist's impression of the school.

Plans include five teaching blocks, an administration area and a library to be built at the school, as well as undercover areas, playgrounds, multipurpose courts and an oval.

The school will also host a dental therapy centre.

The school will expand to Year Six in 2020 and upon completion will have capacity for 540 students, easing enrolment pressure at the nearby Banksia Grove Primary School.

Forward earthworks of the site will begin in December, ahead of major construction of the main primary campus beginning in January 2019.

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery: "Future students will enjoy outstanding purpose-built learning environments and spacious outdoor areas and sporting fields.

"Once complete, the school will have capacity for up to 540 students which will help to ease pressure on the existing Banksia Grove Primary School."

West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti: "This is an exciting time for the Banksia Grove community, who can now get a first look at their newly named Grandis Primary School.

"Options for the school name were determined in collaboration with students and the local community.

Grandis Primary School is the perfect fit - as the name of the banksia flower, it links the school to its suburb, while also giving it a unique identity.

"I look forward to seeing major construction begin in the coming months."

Grandis Primary School principal Stephen Bevan: "We are now officially Grandis Primary School and I'd like to thank everyone who provided feedback through our survey to assist us with this process.

SWAN VALLEY HOMESCHOOL FAMILY PLAYGROUP THURSDAY MORNINGS BASKERVILLE HALL 9.15-11.15Am Older siblings welcome to join playgroup in a rural setting in the Swan Valley Normal Playgroup guidelines apply for children 0-5 years

Baskerville Hall: 129 Memorial Drive Baskerville Ph 0419 922 792 Email enquiries@swanvalleycommunitycentre.com

"With the name now in place, our next step is to establish our school logo and uniforms, which will be in the distinctive colours of gold and navy blue.

"It has been fantastic to have local feedback and support to date and I'm looking forward to all of us working together to build a strong school community right from our foundation year."

51

THE IDLER The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind

A few weeks back I attended the Colour Run, where hundreds of punters took the opportunity to run down a five kilometre stretch while volunteers bombarded them with coloured corn-starch. The result, much merriment and an obscene pile of cash for the organisers.

This year the event took place in front of my city apartment block. Consequently, I thought I’d take a closer look before cycling around to Optus Stadium to check out the crowd arriving for an important cricket match. It was going to be a big day of cycling.

TO HELMET OR NOT TO HELMET? GLENNYS MARSDON

T

he great debate continueth. In 1992 Western Australia law stipulated the wearing of helmets when riding a bicycle.

On the other hand, passengers sitting in a three-wheel pedicab don’t have to don head protection, even though they’re at the mercy of the driver. Nor do they have to wear seatbelts. I know, madness personified.

What’s more, a few months ago, I passed a middle-aged gentleman on a unicycle and when someone commented loudly about his lack of helmet (in case he hadn’t realised) he replied that he didn’t have to wear one. Debate ensued as he sped away.

These observations alone would suggest the helmetrequiring danger zone lies in the addition of a second wheel, and then subsides again with the introduction of a third. The issue continues to divide the city, almost as much as the great North/ South divide.

Some think the safety benefits (and related drain on the health system) outweigh any inconvenience. Others feel people are mature enough to make their own choice. [Insert dumb consumer decision of your choices here].

Some experts say the number of cyclists would treble if riders didn’t have to wear helmets. Others think more cycle paths and bike lanes are required before this can happen. They believe that while riders might start their trip on the safety of a cycle path, they’re likely to cross onto a road at some stage.

Most people would probably agree that the uber fit crowd who flash by in a blur of psychedelic lycra, reaching speeds of 80km/hour, should be helmeted for their own safety. The underlying assumption that anyone over twenty-five who chooses to wrap themselves into lycra, should not be left to make any further decisions.

Most people would also agree to compulsory head protection during magpie swooping season, whether riding a bike or just walking by. Recently I discovered another potential scenario.

As I sat on my bike watching the hilarity of the Colour Run, I noted the wind change. The new trajectory meant the cream cushions on my balcony would soon resemble the tie-dye t-shirts sported by patrons at the end of the run. A rescue mission was launched.

Speeding back the apartment I was greeted at the front door by a neighbour racing back to retrieve his forgotten cricket tickets, while the Uber driver waited patiently, his wife, less so.

Noting my speed, he held the front door open and then the lift doors. Exiting the lift on my floor, I jumped off my bike and left it in the hallway, I’d only be a moment.

Unlocking the front door, I raced through the apartment out to the balcony and picked up two large seat cushions, one in each hand. You know the kind, sturdy, square, heavy. Then it happened.

I tripped. For no apparent reason other than falling over my own feet and racing to get back out into the spring day. My world moved in slow motion. The downward trajectory had commenced.

If I were a rocket being launched the countdown would have already reached eight, as my brain registered the unforgiving concrete balcony floor.

At seven, the thoughts began to flood in.

At six, I thought “how fortuitous.”

Five, “what are the chances that I’d be holding two large cushions?”

Continued on page 56 ...

52

FOOTNOTE PEOPLE IN HISTORY AUDIE MURPHY

A

udie Leon Murphy (1925 – 1971) was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. He received every military combat award for valour available from the U.S. Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism.

Murphy received the Medal of Honour for valour that he demonstrated at the age of nineteen for single-handedly holding off an entire company of German soldiers for an hour in January 1945, then leading a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition.

Murphy was the seventh of twelve children born to Emmett Berry Murphy and his wife Josie in Kingston, Texas. The Murphys were sharecroppers of Irish descent.

His father abandoned them and Murphy dropped out of school and got a job picking cotton for a dollar a day to help support his family; he also became skilled with a rifle, hunting small game to help feed them. His mother died of endocarditis and pneumonia in 1941 .

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Murphy's older sister helped him to falsify documentation about his birthdate in order to meet the minimum-age requirement for enlisting in the military.

Turned down by the Navy and the Marine Corps, he enlisted in the Army. During basic training, he earned the Marksman Badge with Rifle Component Bar and Expert Badge with Bayonet Component Bar.

He first saw action in the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily. In July, Murphy was a division runner. On a scouting patrol, he killed two fleeing Italian officers. Murphy participated in the 1943 mainland Salerno landing.

While on a scouting party along the Volturno River, he and two other soldiers were ambushed; German machine gun fire killed one soldier. Murphy and the other survivor responded by killing five Germans with hand grenades and machine gun fire. Near Mignano Monte Lungo Hill 193, he and his company repelled an attack by seven German soldiers, killing three and taking four prisoner.

In January 1944, Murphy was promoted to staff sergeant, then later that year he participated in the Battle of Anzio, the liberation of Rome, and the invasion of southern France.

After landing on Yellow Beach near Ramatuelle, Murphy’s platoon was making its way through a vineyard when the men were attacked by German soldiers. Two Germans exited a house and appeared to surrender; when Murphy’s best friend responded, they shot and killed him. Murphy advanced alone on the house under direct fire. He killed six, wounded two and took eleven prisoner. He was awarded a battlefield commission to second lieutenant in October.

In an action Murphy ordered his men to retreat to positions in the woods, remaining alone at his post. Murphy mounted the abandoned, burning tank destroyer and began firing its .50 caliber machine gun at the advancing Germans, killing a squad crawling through a ditch towards him.

For an hour, Murphy stood on the flaming tank destroyer returning German fire from foot soldiers and advancing tanks, killing or wounding fifty Germans. He sustained a leg wound during his stand, and stopped only after he ran out of ammunition. Murphy rejoined his men, disregarding his own injury, and led them back to repel the Germans. For his actions that day, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Murphy was promoted to first lieutenant and was awarded the Medal of Honour and the Legion of Merit for his service.

The United States additionally honored Murphy’s war contributions with the American Campaign Medal, the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with arrowhead device and nine campaign stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal. France

Audie Murphy photographed in 1948 wearing the U.S. Army uniform with full-size medals

recognized his service with the French Legion of Honor – Grade of Chevalier, Croix de guerre with Silver Star, the French Croix de guerre with Palm, the French Liberation Medal and the French Fourragère in Colors of the Croix de guerre. Belgium awarded Murphy the Belgian Croix de guerre with 1940 Palm.

Murphy received every U.S. military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army for his World War II service.

After the war, Murphy embarked on a twenty-one year acting career. despite originally being reluctant, he played himself in the 1955 autobiographical film To Hell and Back, based on his 1949 memoirs of the same name. It became the biggest hit in the history of Universal Studios at the time. But most of his roles were in westerns.

He made guest appearances on celebrity television shows and starred in the series Whispering Smith. Murphy was a fairly accomplished songwriter. He bred quarter horses in California and Arizona, and became a regular participant in horse racing.

His horses raced at the Del Mar Racetrack, and he invested large sums of money in the hobby. Murphy’s gambling left his finances in a poor state but refused offers to appear in alcohol and cigarette commercials because he did not want to set a bad example.

In May 1971, Murphy was killed when the private plane in which he was a passenger crashed, shortly before his 46th birthday. He was interred with full military honours at Arlington National Cemetery, where his grave is one of the most visited.

The headstones of Medal of Honour recipients buried at Arlington National Cemetery are normally decorated in gold leaf. Murphy previously requested that his stone remain plain and inconspicuous, like that of an ordinary soldier.

53

PHOTOGRAPH: DANI MUSICKA

#AdoptLove

FOSTER CARERS

WANTED

All SAFE branches NEED foster carers at this time of year.

Instead of buying a puppy or kitten for Christmas, what if all families fostered an animal? #StartTheTrend and experience the joy of animal companionship over the holiday period.

We have 12 branches: Metro (located in Perth), Avon Valley, Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Carnarvon, Esperance, Hedland, Goldfields, Karratha and Newman. To volunteer as a foster carer, go to https://safe.org.au/volunteer/ and fill out the form. You can even speak with experienced foster carers if you’d like to know more.

Merry Christmas to the readers of the Swan Magazine from all of us at SAFE!

PHOTOGRAPH: HELEN OSLER

We hope that the holiday period is one of regeneration and that 2019 is a year of serenity.

SAFE Inc. is Western Australia’s largest volunteer-based animal rescue organisation using the foster care model. Founded in 2003, we currently have 12 branches state-wide and have successfully rehomed more than 23,000 homeless animals. More than 80% of money donated goes directly to animal care. We are aligned with a wide network of Australia’s most respected welfare organisations and are the Western Australian arm of Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA). SAFE Inc is also the 2018 national winner in the category Outstanding Rescue Group in the Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards.

FOSTER CARE keeps animals out of cages and is the key difference between SAFE and other organisations that utilise shelters. Fostering ensures animals are socialised with other pets and children (where appropriate) and greatly improves an animal’s chance of adoption. To become a foster carer, the first step is to contact either our SAFE Avon Valley branch on 0409 000 259 or our Perth-based branch, SAFE Metro on 0475 346 545 or 0448 893 033.

VOLUNTEER: https://safe.org.au/volunteer/

DONATE: https://safe.org.au/donate 54

ADOPT: https://safe.org.au/find-a-pet/

COMMUNITY he Compassionate Friends of Western Australia Tregardless strives to support families who have lost a child, of that child’s age throughout WA.

We are a non-profit, non-government funded charity that provide peer call support, group meetings, a drop in centre, sending out quarterly newsletters, Anniversary Cards, we hold Walk of remembrance and a candlelight service (non-religious) at Christmas.

We are run by volunteers and bereaved parents that are further along in their grief and wish to help others who have suffered this tragedy.

Although everybody’s grief is different it helps to talk to someone who has actually had this tragedy happen to them.

They WON”T say “I know how you feel” as no one can, but they will say “I don’t know exactly what you are feeling but this is how I felt when my child died”.

WALK OF REMEMBRANCE HELD IN MARCH EACH YEAR Events like these above give the bereaved some hope of a life after the death of their child. They connect with others that have been through the same tragic experience.

In doing so its helps them to feel that they are not alone in their grief, that there is a worldwide connection to other suffering the same.

DONATIONS Donations allow us to purchase stamps so we can send our booklets and other information to the newly bereaved, community groups, doctors surgeries and hospital throughout Western Australia.

They help us cover advertising cost in newspapers throughout Western Australia, pay for our office and utilities allowing us to have Peer Support Workers come in and contact to bereaved that wish to have contact.

The Compassionate Friends of WA Inc. receives no Government funding in any way.

We raise funds by holding events, charity drives and donation from our members and outside bodies.

Although this is fantastic, we still struggle with the cost of keeping our doors open so any suggestion on fundraising or donations are gratefully accepted.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are always looking for volunteers to help man Sausage Sizzles, Charity Shopping Centre Drives and other events along with peer support volunteers (bereaved parents) for telephone support and group meeting facilitation.

54 Simpson Street, Ardross 6107 6257

55

Concluded from page 10 ...

Attendees mingled with the Cabinet before a question and answer session, giving people the opportunity to raise their issues.

On Monday 19th November, a wide range of smaller events

took place, where community groups and organisations spent time with ministers specific to their work. I particularly enjoyed the Youth Forum, with the Premier, Education Minister Sue Ellery, and Youth Minister Peter Tinley.

It was fantastic to see our young leaders engage so thoughtfully. They gave some fantastic insights into bullying, education and recreation that the Ministers and I found very helpful.

The highlight for me was lunch at Woodfire Italian Restaurant in Ellenbrook, where we thanked local volunteers who work tirelessly for our community. It was a great privilege to acknowledge such an outstanding group of community members with the Premier and Cabinet.

Our office will wind down now for Christmas. We’ll relocate to Ellenbrook in the New year, so please keep an eye out for our new contact details.

I wish you and your loved ones the very best for the festive season – stay safe and take the time to appreciate and take care of one another – see you in 2019!

Concluded from page 52 ...

Four, “how lucky am I?”

Three, “if I can just move them around to the front, so …”

Two, “I’ll be safe, a nice soft landing, how lucky ...”

One, thwack!

I hit the concrete nose first, literally. The cushions were still clutched in my hands, arms by my sides they hadn’t moved, and yet in my thoughts they’d completed a full circuit around to the front of my body. I rolled to one side. Crack, my head hit the banister.

“Oh that isn’t good,” I thought as I looked at the bright red blood staining the balcony.

While my world had moved slowly on the way down, the reverse was true as I quickly sprang up, as if the motion of righting myself would make everything okay. It didn’t.

The blood continued to flow. A lot of blood.

I looked at the metal bar that I’d hit my head on and intuitively raised my hand to my head, had I cracked it too? That would certainly help explain the amount of blood. It was then that I felt it.

My bike helmet. I’d jumped off the bike and raced through the apartment without taking the helmet off. Never had I been so pleased to feel it’s annoying, uncomfortable, ill-fitting, presence.

As I sat that night with ice packs perched on my forehead and nose, two large purple bruises formed under my eyes.

I looked like I’d been through the worst nose job ever. I contemplated, safe in the knowledge that I’d only sustained a mild concussion, maybe there was something to be said for helmets.

Though a full concussion would’ve been handy at that moment. That way I might’ve forgotten about the important Melbourne Cup luncheon the next day. Where would I find a fullface fascinator at the last minute?

Maybe, just maybe, bike helmets are a good thing. And maybe some of us should wear them, permanently.

Concluded from page 46 ...

"We expect tensions to go beyond trade, and think there could be additional trade and investment restrictions on China."

If the truce disintegrates, global growth is likely to be 0.3 percentage points lower, Mr Rojas said, warning that the shift in trade and global supply chains could have spill over effects, with South Korea, Australia and Malaysia more trade-exposed to China than the US.

Australian gas producers and farmers could be collateral damage in the US-China trade truce, after the White House announced that Beijing had agreed to buy a "very substantial" amount of energy, agriculture and industrial goods.

The head of trade policy for the Export Council of Australia, Heath Baker, said the mooted US-China deal may have knock-on effects for other countries, including Australia.

In agriculture, Mr Baker said the impact on Australia would depend on what types of farm goods China was proposing to buy more of from the US.

For example, Australia is a big exporter of grain to China, but is not a big exporter of soybeans, which America is a huge exporter of and has been hurt by Chinese tariffs.

Australia exported $100 billion of merchandise to China last year, with iron ore, coal, wool and copper the major exports.

Australia's exports of liquefied natural gas to China, Japan and South Korea are ramping up as projects in Western Australia and Queensland come on stream.

Small rays of light in the US – China tariff war may create tactical opportunities for investors but caution is still warranted on positioning heading into the new year.

Courtesy of Roxburgh Securities 56

BUSINESS CARD BOARD ACCOUNTANT

DOG TRAINING

ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES

ELECTRICAL

BRICKPAVING

EDITOR

Specialising in Brickpaving & Soakwells

Need an editor?

Get expert advice on layout, editing, costings, publishing and marketing from a professional editor.

First consultation free. Free quotes.

FREE Quotes No job too big or too small Call Larry: 0431 057 124 or 6278 2301

Swinburne Press (founded 1989) P: 6296 5161 E: douglassb@iinet.net.au

CEILINGS

GARDENING

COSMETICS

GARDENING

57

BUSINESS CARD BOARD GLASS

SHEDS

MAINTENANCE

TREE SERVICES

Just Trees Your Affordable Local Tree Service Pruning - Lopping - Removals - Mulching

9274 3236

~ Fully Insured

~ Call for a Free Quote

7B Bushby Street, Bellevue, WA 6056

MARKETS

TUITION

PUBLISHERS

TV ANTENNA

Have a book to publish?

v Family History v Non-Fiction v Autobiography v Biography v Fantasy v Fiction v Poetry

Swinburne Press (founded 1989) P: 6296 5161 E: douglassb@iinet.net.au

WEB DESIGN

Your business could be here being seen by more than 100,000 readers for only $25.

Ring 0418 934 850 58

59

SWAN VALLEY

SWEET TEMPTATIONS

TRAIL

handcrafted artisan produce

1121

swanval

ley.COM.A 60

U/sweet