Swan Magazine March 2019 by Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

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Books and Writing

Autumn Activities at KSP Death in the Sea of Grass Second Scribblers’ Festival The Idler Writing Your Life Story

4 17 3 38 4

Business Card Board Finance with Steve Networking

53 44 45

Business

Community

Front Page Photograph: Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Photograph courtesy of 123Rf See article on page 11.

Annie’s Collective Wonderland 22 Federal Notes 9 Miss Galaxy Australia 2019 11 Notes From Parliament 8 Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos 11 SAFE 50 Standing Up For Swan Hills 10 SVRN 46 The Edgar Paper Debunked 5 The Compassionate Friends 51 What’s On 14 Leisure

Art and Artists Scupture on the Scarp

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Urban Sketchers House and Garden Escorted Sports Tours Entertainment

13 7 42

Film 30 Border 31 Maria by Callas 30 Silver for CinefestOz 32 The Guilty 31 Footnote People in History 21 Busselton Fringe 2019 29 Perth Fringe World Reviews 24 #Singlelife 28 10 Things I Hate ... 27 Chocolate Blues 26 Glamourpuss 26 Sense and Spontenaity 24 The Age of Stephen 24 Vintage Modern 25 Yummy Deluxe 28 Theatre 33 Machinal 33 & 35 Shrine 34 Salonika 36 & 37 TV With Chris 40 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 MAGAZINE WEBSITE:

www.swanmagazine.com.au

Email: editor@swanmagazine.com.au Registered Address: 18 Tokay Lane, The Vines, Western Australia 6069 APRIL DEADLINES: Advertisements: 1st April Editorial: 1st April Copyright: Swan Magazine 2019 2

BOOKS AND WRITING SECOND SCRIBBLERS FESTIVAL

athematician Eddie Woo, scientist Dr Karl and beloved children’s author Alison Lester join the second annual Scribblers Festival Family Program lineup this May. Scribblers Festival, a literature and arts festival for young people launched by cultural agency FORM and the Town of Claremont, will be happening from Wednesday 8 May, until Sunday 12 May, at The Goods Shed and surrounds. Alongside an exciting lineup of free talks and workshops with world-renowned authors and artists, Scribblers Festival Director Katherine Dorrington said this year’s festival featured the Golden Pen Awards, a brand new storytelling competition open to young West Australians aged 12-17, and The Young Adult Collective. “Books and stories have the power to enlarge our lives,” Ms Dorrington said. “We curate Scribblers primarily to inspire and encourage literacy and creativity among younger Western Australians. “This year’s festival will also introduce festival-goers to an underwater wonder-world with a reef-themed installation, knitted and crocheted by Indonesian artist Mulyana, drop in workshops with crochet superstars, a brand new Garden Almanac themed around healthy eating and a huge colouring-in wall that explores space and beyond.” The international cohort descending on Claremont for the festival includes award–winning US authors Dhonielle Clayton, Renée Watson, Neal Shusterman and Megan McDonald, as well as critically acclaimed Irish author Celine Kiernan and the UK’s Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning Philip Ardagh. They’re joined by Australian authors Jacqueline Harvey, Jeremy Lachlan, Lynette Noni, Alison Lester, Zoë Norton Lodge, Georgia Norton Lodge, Kate and Jol Temple, and Matt Stanton; illustrator Sha’an d’Anthes, mathematician Eddie Woo and scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. The local line up for this year's festival brings together the likes of Michael Speechley, Meg McKinlay, AJ Betts, Cristy Burne

and cartoonist Gavin Aung Than. Scribblers 2019 will also feature the return of festival favourites like the Conversation Caravan, where an array of authors and artists answer the questions of our intrepid young podcasters in a series of interviews, Off The Page, an installation-based public exhibition where words on paper are transformed into works of art; and the Scribblers Festival Mother’s Day Markets, as well as Upcycled Haikus, Storytime in the Shed and the Festival Book Doctor. “The Golden Feather Hunt will once again be open to children all over Western Australia, with five golden, twenty silver and hundreds of ‘ready-to-decorate’ feather-shaped bookmarks hidden in children’s and young adult books in participating libraries across Western Australia, and fantastic prizes up for grabs.” Ms Dorrington said. “Whether we are children or adults, parents, siblings, grandparents, carers or teachers, aspiring writers or illustrators, the more we fall under the spell of stories, and the more we can let a love of literature spark magic and curiosity in our lives, the better. Welcome to a weekend of free activities that celebrates the wonder of writing and words.”

BOOKS AND WRITING AUTUMN ACTIVITIES AT KSP WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY SHANNON COYLE

ould you like to chronicle your life as a gift to your family? Or perhaps you would like to publish a memoir about a really interesting period of your life? The Society of Women Writers WA is again hosting the popular, Writing Your Life Story Workshops, on Saturday 13 April 2019 at the North-West Room, Second Floor, State Library of WA. Helen Iles, award winning writer and Managing Editor of Linellen Press which focuses on publishing memoirs, will conduct two workshops. The morning workshop, Life Writing, is from 10.15am to 1.15pm. Helen will show you how to structure and focus your writing to engage and interest the reader and how to capture the poignant, the memorable, the historic and the truly unique aspects of your life story or memoir. She will also outline a variety of ways you can set up your book and publish your story economically. The afternoon workshop, Photo Restoration and Publication, is from 2.15pm to 5.15pm. Helen says, "If you have started writing your life story, but are stuck in the development phase, bring your manuscript to this interactive workshop and I will help you progress your project towards completion and publication." During the second half of this workshop, Helen will teach you how to enhance and restore old photographs. Men and women are invited to attend. Cost is $25 per workshop. For bookings, please email swwwabookingofficer@ gmail.com or telephone 0429 116 395. For information about the Society of Women Writers WA, visit: www.swwofwa.com.au

his March we have a workshop, short course, toga party and a sundowner session featuring marketing guru Louisa West, as well as all our writing groups meeting regularly. Needless to say, there’s plenty on offer at KSP, as always! Historical Fiction Workshop Saturday , 9th March, 2019 1:00pm to 4:00pm Historical fiction can provide a uniquely immersive and mythic experience for a reader. But it raises many challenges of craft and approach. How do we bring historical characters to life? What are our obligations to the facts? These questions and many more will be explored in a three-hour workshop with KSP Writer-in-Residence Ilka Tampke. Most suitable for early or emerging writers with a specific project idea in mind, however the only essential criterion is a passion for history. Tickets from $35. Toga Party Literary Dinner Tuesday , 12th March, 2019 6:00pm to 9.30pm Join us for an evening of Mediterranean fare and readings from historical fiction novelist Ilka Tampke. Ilka’s first novel, Skin, was published in eight countries and was nominated for the Voss Literary Prize and the Aurealis Awards in 2016. Write a Screenplay Short Course Commencing Monday 18th March, 2019 In eight evening sessions from Monday 18th March to Monday 20th May, ex-Curtin Film and TV Lecturer John Beaton will help you write a good, first draft short screenplay. John has written, directed and produced short films, documentaries and has written feature films and broadcast documentaries. He was Head of Short Drama and Documentaries at what is now ScreenWest, Programme Assessor for the ABC and Director of the Australian International Documentary Conference in 2003, held in Fremantle. This is a cooperative class - you’ll help each other, a lot, and you will complete a drama script you can be pleased and proud of. Tickets from $235. Advance bookings essential.

Sundowner Session Friday, 29th March, 2019 6.30pm to 8.30pm This sundowner features special guest Louisa West, author of PR Secrets for Savvy Authors. Feeling overwhelmed trying to make a name for yourself? Louisa will talk about everything you need to know about DIY career publicity. Tickets just $5 at the door for KSP members ($10 others). Complimentary wine on arrival. To book or for more details on any of these activities please visit the KSP website www. kspwriterscentre.com or phone the office on 08 9294 1872.

COMMUNITY THE EDGAR PAPER DEBUNKED JESSICA MCINERNEY

year Australia’s Commonwealth-managed fisheries have been ast year a controversial paper claiming Australia's listed as not subject to overfishing by the Australian Bureau commercial fish-stocks had declined by a third over the of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. This last ten years was published. Now, a paper by the CSIRO has is something our wild-catch fishers are very proud of, and is officially debunked these claims, noted significant problems unprecedented internationally. with the methodology used and highlighted factual errors in “In addition, the footprint of Australia’s trawlers has been the research. The CSIRO paper, Comments on the evidence for the recent found to be one of the smallest in the world. Australian seafood is one of the best managed and most sustainable protein claim on the state of Australian fish stocks, led by Dr Richard sources in the world. Little (Jemery Day, Malcolm Haddon, Neil Klaer, Andre E. Punt, “As fishers, our priority is the environment, if there was Anthony D.M. Smith, David C. Smith, and Geoff N. Tuck) has been cause for us to step away from the harvest of a particular welcomed by Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the national species, then we would listen. We advocate the health, peak-body representing Australia’s seafood industry. sustainability and future of our ocean and land based The ‘Edgar paper’ caused significant stress to Australia’s aquaculture activities. commercial fishers and was widely used to try to discredit Australia’s sound fisheries management and influence political “The Comments on the evidence for the recent claim on the state of Australian fish stocks paper concludes debate. with a statement with which SIA thoroughly agrees ‘better Once misinformation is published it is hard to combat, collaboration between fishery scientists and marine ecologists however wthe SIA are confident the Richard Little paper shows is needed. Had this been the case, perhaps this whole debacle the community and our politicians the truth behind Australia’s and insinuation of poor fisheries management in Australia fisheries management techniques, which are some of the best could have been avoided.’ in the world. “We encourage other research organisations to make sure The opening line of the Rich Little paper rejects Edgar et they have suitably rigorous processes to ensure scientific rigour al.’s claims that Australian fish stocks are rapidly declining. and processes are maintained.” The SCIRO report notes significant problems with the Edgar’s methodology and also highlights factual errors within his 2018 paper. Kindly supported by the Shire of Mundaring The basic premise of the ‘Edgar paper’, that Australia’s commercial fish-stocks have declined by a third over the last ten years has been debunked by the KSP Writers' Centre work of Dr Little and his team,” SIA CEO Jane Lovell said. “SIA’s initial response to the ‘Edgar paper’ and the questions we, as an industry, raised regarding the validity of the data presented have been substantiated. “The very idea that statements could be made about the state of all Australia’s fisheries based on a photographic surveys from shallow, in-shore waters, and a tiny number of commercial species just didn’t TOGA PARTY make sense; and have been shown to be flawed methods of research. “The ‘Edgar paper’ caused significant stress to Spend an evening with Australia’s commercial fishers. KSP guest author “Australia’s professional fishers adhere to extremely strict regulations and monitoring to ensure Ilka Tampke we maintain healthy stocks. There are prescriptive management plans, quotas and licences in place Tuesday 12th March, 6.00 to 9.30pm controlling what can be caught and where. We don’t, we can’t and we wouldn’t want to just go out and catch as Enjoy wine and fruit to start followed by much as we possibly can. three Mediterranean courses and “Let us be clear, Australia’s commercial fish-stocks readings from historical fiction novelist are not in decline. In fact, for the fifth consecutive Ilka Tampke, who has a special interest

LITERARY DINNER

DISCLAIMER

in mythology and ancient history. DRESS: Toga

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.

$35 for KSP-members | $40 for non-members Booking and payment in advance is essential via Eventbrite or 08 9294 1872. Special dietary requirements may be catered for with at least one week advance notice.

www.kspwriterscentre.com 5

HOUSE AND GARDEN CAPE LILAC MARION LOGIE

elia azedarach, commonly known by many names, including Chinaberry tree, Pride of India, bead-tree, Cape lilac, syringa berrytree, Persian lilac and Indian lilac, is a species of deciduous tree of the mahogany family, Meliaceae, that is native to Indo-malaya and Australasia. This common tree of gardens and road verges is actually a native of the Kimberley area of Western Australia but has become naturalised in the Perth area. It produces sprays of white to pink lilac flowers in the spring and masses of hard yellow berries in the summertime. Cape Lilac is one of the few deciduous trees native to both Western Australia and Iran. It grows to between two to fifteen metres high. In spring it produces masses of white, pink or purple flowers followed by hard yellow berries in summer. The flowers of pink, purple and white appear in Spring. Reproduction is by seed or suckers. Time to first flowering is three years from seed and two years from suckers. Poisoning is said to occur if six to nine fruits, thirty to forty seeds or 400g of the bark is consumed. The seedbank persists for several years and if burnt the tree suckers prolifically. Care should be taken in cultivation as suckers will be prolifically produced following any disturbance. However, these trees

also provide the Black Cockatoos with summer food – they can often be seen sitting quietly in Cape Lilacs eating the berries. Originally from the Kimberley region it has now naturalised in the Perth Region. Its preferred areas with sandstone or limestone. They are found on floodplains, ridges and gorges. Although regarded as a weed it causes minimal disruption to ecological processes or loss of biodiversity. If you do wish to eradicate the plant, hand pull seedlings, ensuring removal of all root material. Care should be taken as suckers will be prolifically produced following any disturbance. Stem inject older plants using 50% Glyphosate, or basal bark with 250 ml Access® in 15 L of diesel to the base 50 cm of trunk. Avoid root disturbance until trees are confirmed dead. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimal treatment should be sprayed in December, January and February. Occasional spraying can be done in late summer and autumn.

NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT 2019 PARLIMENTARY YEAR BEGINS Hon Donna Faragher JP MLC Member for East Metropolitan Region

ebruary has certainly been a busy month! The 2019 parliamentary year has commenced, schools are well into Term 1 and there have been many opportunities to visit a variety of highly valued community-based organisations across the East Metropolitan Region. I was delighted to be invited to help the Swan Valley Cricket Club celebrate fifty successful years. Located at the Swan Valley Sporting Club in Herne Hill, this proud Club enjoys a strong membership and fields both senior and junior grade cricket teams. Over the years the Club has won a number of premierships and has had many players go onto play at WACA Pennant and State level. Congratulations to Club President

Donna Faragher JP MLC Member for East Metropolitan Region

John McGill and everyone involved in making this is a great community day. This month also saw the start of works for Pia’s Place, a play space for children of all ages and abilities at Whiteman Park. Years in the making and driven by Amy Rudd and her family in memory of their late daughter, Pia Maeve, Pia’s Place forms part of the Touched by Olivia Foundation’s network of inclusive play spaces. The playground, which is expected to be completed later this year, will incorporate nature-based play and customised equipment including cubby spaces, an accessible pogo swing, a sensory garden, an allabilities carousel as well as an elevated lighthouse and rainbow poles. As a long-time supporter of Pia’s Place, whether it be in my capacity as a local member, former Minister for Planning and Disability Services or through hosting a 'Sconetober', I was delighted to catch up again with Amy to see the final design plans. As always, if I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes, Hon Donna Faragher JP MLC Member for East Metropolitan Region WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Here to help! Contact Donna

9379 0840 | faragher.eastmetro@mp.wa.gov.au donnafaragher.com.au DonnaFaragherMLC Ground Floor 108 Swan Street, Guildford WA 6055

Authorised by S.Calabrese, Liberal Party, 2/12 Parliament Place, West Perth WA 6005.

FEDERAL NOTES $20 MILLION TO BUST CONGESTION

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

he Morrison Government will get the people of Midland home sooner and safer and make doing business easier, with $20 million to bust congestion on the Lloyd Street Bridge Extension. The infrastructure overhaul means easy access to the airport, better freight connections for local industrial enterprises and quicker access between work, the Midland Hospital and shops for those living in Hazelmere and Guildford. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the important thing was that people were spending less time on the road and more time with their loved ones. “That is why we are investing in public transport infrastructure and removing pinch points and bottlenecks will make a real difference to the lives of people living in fastgrowing suburbs,” the Prime Minister said. ”This will help families and businesses get back valuable time.” I welcomed the commitment of $20 million to upgrade the Lloyd Street Extension across the Helena River. The Lloyd Street Extension will ease congestion by improving freight access to the industrial areas of Hazelmere and Midland. The project will extend Lloyd Street to directly link Midland with the industrial areas of Hazelmere and Guildford, and will also connect with the recently announced Abernethy Road/ Great Eastern Highway Bypass Interchange. This is great news for residents of surrounding areas, who have raised concerns with me about the peak-period traffic build-up and trucks on local roads. Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said congestion was a growing problem across Perth and the Morrison Government’s Urban Congestion Fund would deliver a solution. “The Urban Congestion Fund is designed to eliminate congestion issues where they are hurting the most – not only the major freeways but the local pinch points which can provide daily headaches to commuters,” Minister Tudge said. The $96 million investment across Perth includes: • $20 million toward extending Lloyd Street in Hazelmere to ease congestion caused by limited freight access to the industrial areas of Hazelmere and Midland. • $13.25 toward upgrading a three-kilometre stretch of Abernethy Road to tackle congestion caused by population growth and more heavy vehicles servicing nearby industrial areas in Kewdale. • $10 million toward construction of Lakelands Station on the Mandurah Rail Line, filling a 23-kilometre gap in the urban rail network in order to ease pressure on the city’s roads. • $2.5 million to bust congestion at the Shorehaven Boulevard/Marmion Avenue intersection at Alkimos, improving peak-period travel times and safety for Perth’s growing northern suburbs. • $50 million to roll out the next section of widening of the Kwinana and Mitchell Freeways and to implement Intelligent

Transport Systems (ITS) to monitor and control traffic flows. Major projects supported by the Australian Government, which are already underway across Perth, include various Metronet projects, upgrading the Tonkin Highway, extending the Mitchell Freeway and widening the Kwinana Freeway.

KEN WYATT MP Federal Member for Hasluck 9359 0322

ken.wyatt.mp@aph.gov.au

kenwyatt.com.au

kenwyattmp

Authorised by K.Wyatt MP, Shop 10-12 Forrestfield Marketplace, 80 Hale Road, Forrestfield WA 6058. 9

STANDING UP FOR SWAN HILLS BACK TO SCHOOL JESSICA SHAW

hope everyone had a fantastic break over the Christmas and New Year school holidays and is feeling refreshed and looking forward to a great school year in 2019! There are twenty-one schools in Swan Hills. We have some of the State’s largest primary schools – with upwards of 800 students – right down to some of the State’s smallest, with around forty children. I like to catch up regularly with our local Principals, students, P&C’s and board members and hear about what is going on in the school and any issues I can help with. One of the real highlights for me is hosting the student leaders at Parliament House. I sit on both the Ellenbrook Secondary College and Aveley Secondary College Boards, which gives me a great insight into both local Colleges. The role of both Boards is to ensure the best interest of our students and to enhance the education provided by both Colleges, both now and into the future. Last year, I was privileged to speak to a number of students, about civics, the role of Parliament and my role as the local Member. I also enjoyed attending a number of graduation ceremonies at the end of last year – I am always keen to hear about our young people’s achievements and their plans for the future!

with the Minister for Education, the Hon Sue Ellery MLA. Since being elected one of the key issues I have heard about is the lack of education support services in the Ellenbrook/ Aveley area, and how many parents were having to travel to Bayswater to access vital education support services. That is why I ensured that Aveley North offers an education support program for Kindergarten to Year 6 students with disabilities. Aveley North is a fantastic new facility and a great addition to the Aveley community.

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR BULLSBROOK COLLEGE

I had the honour of visiting Bullsbrook College with the Hon Tanya Pliberseck MP (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) and Kim Travers (Candidate for Pearce) on Wednesday, 27 February 2019. We met with the P&C, Board members, parents and some remarkable Year Twelve female students. It was great to be there for the announcement of Federal Labor’s commitment for $1.8 million in extra funding for Bullsbrook College. It is so important that our local schools get the funding they need and deserve!

SCIENCE LABS

OPENING OF AVELEY NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

Recently I had the pleasure of advising Mount Helena and Gidgegannup Primary Schools that they were successful in their bids for a science lab under the McGowan Government’s

I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of Aveley North Primary School on Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Jessica Shaw MLA LOCAL MEMBER FOR SWAN HILLS

@JessicaShawMLA Jessica.Shaw@mp.wa.gov.au 9296 7688 HERE TO HELP Aveley, Bailup, Belhus, Brigadoon, Bullsbrook, Chidlow, Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, Melaleuca, Mount Helena, Sawyers Valley, The Vines, Upper Swan, and Wooroloo. Office Address 8/31 Egerton Drive Aveley WA 6069

Postal Address PO Box 2265 Ellenbrook WA 6069

Visiting Bullsbrook College

Standing up for Swan Hills Authorised by Jessica Shaw, 8/31 Egerton Drive, Aveley, WA 6069

Science in Schools program. They were among 100 primary schools across WA who received funding from the McGowan Government to convert an existing classroom into a science lab and includes $25,000 for each school to purchase equipment and resources. The McGowan Government wants to ignite an interest in science from a young age so WA students can continue with that study in secondary school and are job ready when they enter the workforce. I am confident that students at Mount Helena and Gidgegannup Primary Schools will take full advantage of these new facilities. Continued on page 52 ... 10

COMMUNITY RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOOS

he Forest Red-Tail Cockatoo is a sub-species of the red tailed black cockatoo found all over Australia, this bird is only found in the forests of south-west Western Australia. Although the species as a whole is not under threat, each sub-species faces unique problems. In South-West Western Australia, land clearing for housing developments and feral animals (such as bees and rainbow lorikeets) taking over nesting hollows are playing a part in the decline of this bird. With the scientific name Calyptorhynchus banksii naso, these birds are brownish black with the female having a greyishwhte bill and orange yellow spots over her body. The male has a dark grey bill and a beautiful bright orange red tail band which is easily spotted when flying overhead. The Forest Reds feed on Marri, Jarrah, Blackbutt, Karri Sheoak and Snottygobble. Also on some garden eucalypts and berries of the introduced White Cedar (aka Cape Lilac - Melia azedarach). Flocks of Forest Reds are now scarce or uncommon. Their steady decline is due to: • destruction of forests • fires in spring breeding season, • feral European honeybees and other animals taking over their nest hollows • being hit by trucks/cars

releasing them back into the wild. Sadly, many of the birds we rescue to do not survive. The ones that do make it through their initial veterinary treatment at Perth Zoo come back to us for intensive care by our dedicated volunteers. After their treatment, many birds will make a full recovery and can be released back into the wild. Those that recover their health but, due to injury, are unable to return to full fitness are retired to one of our many purpose-built aviaries and may join our breed-for-release, or education program. Candidates for release are placed in our large flight aviary to strengthen their flight muscles – the release aviary is 64 metres long, like a lap pool for recovering cockatoos. Finally comes the release day. Before release, the birds are given a final once over and declared healthy. In conjunction with the Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kaarakin identifies the area for release and transports the birds to the release site. With a small ceremony, the birds’ cage doors are opened and they fly out to meet wild birds of the area. Some black cockatoos come to us that are not even wild! Surrendering of pet birds, seizures of illegal pets and wild capture of unusually friendly birds (escaped pets) happens quite frequently. Kaarakin relies on sponsorship and donations to stay open. Without the continued support of the public, the Centre would not be able to continue their extensive conservation efforts for the black cockatoo. Every donation and every dollar counts. 100% of your donation helps to conserve cockatoos. Go to their website and see the excellent work they do, buy a few things from the shop, make a donation or even think about volunteering: www.blackcockatoorecovery.com

These fabulous birds live to between twenty-five and fifty years although the are slow breeders. They nest in hollows of very old Marri, Jarrah, Wandoo, Karri and Bullich trees. One egg can take 29 – 31 days to hatch with the female bird taking responsibility for nest incubation. Then a further eighteen months is needed for the young birds to learn to properly feed and take care of themselves. The Black Cockatoo Preservation Society at the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre is a not-for-profit, independent conservation organisation working to conserve black cockatoos through the rehabilitation, revegetation, education, and research. The Society was incorporated in 2006 by Founding Member, Glenn Dewhurst, and relocated to the current Kaarakin site in 2008, when demand for the Society’s services outgrew Glenn’s home. Although they are not open to the general public, tour days run twice a year and private guided tours can be arranged. To find out more: www.blackcockatoorecovery.com The centre rescues wild black cockatoos in distress – most having been shot, struck by vehicles, fallen from their nest, or attacked by bees, cats or other birds, or suffering effects of poisons – and rehabilitate them at Kaarakin in Perth Hills before 11

ART AND ARTISTS URBAN SKETCHERS JAMES FORTE

n the January issue of this Swan Magazine (page 13), we illustrated a story with a picture of a café under a jacaranda tree. It opened my eyes to a flourishing world-wide group of artists known as the Urban Sketchers. A key characteristic is that they paint from direct observation and not from photographs. En plein air refers to the act of artists getting out of the studio and producing paintings (usually landscapes) on the spot. Inevitably they have to be fairly simple and fresh, taking just a few hours, because the light is changing. They were championed by the French Impressionists and came about through improvements in paint Jane Zandi is a local artist who has been producing water-colours for several technology. No longer did years. Her picture of the Point Walter Spit is a good example of the subjects the artist have to mix up available around Perth. a batch of colour for each session in the studio. Today the technology has made life even simpler with In Australia, it came to fame with the Heidelberg School coloured pencils, pen and ink or water-colours - freeing the (Roberts, Streeton, McCubbin and others) who did many of their artist to concentrate on the art. And for today’s city dwellers, paintings during camping trips using their well-known nine-bythey can find subjects by simply stepping out of their front door. five inches cigar-box lids. Exhibitions can be expensive to organise and social media has meant that works can be given immediate and wide exposure to gain useful feedback. Whereas tourists are content to take photographs (which hopefully they will label and catalogue as mementos), travelers are more interested in absorbing the culture of foreign places. There is no better way than pulling out a sketchbook or an easel and drawing the local scene - such as a village square. It forces the eye to observe the details and discover the activities of the occupants. And you will remember it much more clearly in five year’s time. All three artists can be contacted through their FaceBook pages or through Instagram. So, Urban Sketchers is there to support you. A notable member of Urban Sketchers Perth is Wendy Line. She is Go grab a pencil and a prolific – particular on subjects around Fremantle. notebook! 13

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.

EASTERN DISTRICTS MACHINE KNITTERS

THE HILLS CHOIR

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.

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.

SWAN HARMONY SINGERS

ELLENBROOK COMMUNITY WEIGHT LOSS CLUB

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.

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

THE ZONTA CLUB OF SWAN HILLS

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.

Wedneswday, March 20th at the Mallard Duck. Zonta, an International Service organization works to improve the lives of Women and Girls locally and internationally. Projects include Studies Assistance Grant to two girls at Cyril Jackson and Let Us Learn Madagascar a program that encourages girls to attend school, ensuring there are suitable toilets and girls have access to sanitary items. Teacher training is provided. Guests are welcome. To find out more about these and other projects or if you wish to be a guest please contact Ruth (08) 9272 9442 or email ruth@amsaustralia.com. Find us on facebook on www. zonta.org 14

WHAT’S ON 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 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 nineteen 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 $2 per session. Classes are held at 56 McGlew Road, Glen Forrest. To gain a place enrol now by phoning 0491 044 805 or emailing: 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 email: kebinsv@tpg.com.au.

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) 15

professor ross baker presents

Another Bloody Breakfast

WHAT IS A BLOOD CLOT? – ARE YOU AT RISK? Blood clots are jelly-like masses of blood. They can occur in arteries or veins, in your heart, brain, lungs, abdomen, arms, and legs. You need your blood to clot when you’re cut or injured. It helps stop bleeding. Most of the time, your body breaks down the clot, after your wound has healed. But sometimes, they don’t dissolve on their own, clots form inside your blood vessels for no reason. When this happens, it can lead to serious health problems or a medical emergency! Thrombus: Blood clots can be stationary. That means they don’t move. But they can block blood flow. This type of clot a thrombosis. Embolus: Blood clots can also break loose. These are embolisms. They’re dangerous because they can travel to other parts of the body and can be fatal! Hosted by Channel 7’s Adrian Barich

Arterial Clot: These form in your arteries - the blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart. Arterial clots, block blood and oxygen from reaching your vital organs. Learn more and join us for ‘Another Bloody Breakfast’ hosted by Channel 7’s Adrian Barich with special guest West Coast Eagles player Mark Hutchings.

Date

Thursday, 11th April 2019

Time

7:30am - 9:00am

Place West Coast Eagles player Mark Hutchings

rsvp

Tickets

University Club of Western Australia Hackett Entrance No.1, Hackett Drive, Crawley $45 each ( Limited Seats )

For ticket sales and further info, please contact

Adriana Filippou: (08) 9200 4904 or adriana@pbi.org.au 16

www.pbi.org.au

FICTION DEATH IN THE SEA OF GRASS KAREN R W TREANOR

TSHANILAND, 1935

CHAPTER TEN

n the steep, muddy slopes above, a cheer greeted Claire’s news. Above the rescuers, the stars began to show between the torn clouds, which a spanking westerly was pushing out to sea. Warmer air began to rise from the drying earth. Balancing uneasily on one shod and one bare foot, Trevelyan grumbled, “Why couldn’t we have used someone else’s shoe?” Beside him, the Queen laughed. “Whose? Surely not mine, and Themba, Thandi and Sipo are barefoot. You shall have the finest shoes in Johannesburg when this is all over, Trevelyan. Meanwhile, you’ve still got some work to do. Ah, here is Rodrigues, come to retrieve his erstwhile employer. He doesn’t know it, but he’s about to be promoted. I will sit over here and see how things develop. I would not want to miss Mr. Winstanley’s reappearance.” There was the promise of horror in her calm words that sent a chill down Trevelyan’s spine. If he were the mine manager, he’d have preferred the leopards to eat him rather than face the Queen in her cold wrath. He began to consider how he might convince Malaila to let him charge and try Winstanley under British law, then wondered if it was worth the bother. Under the light of several large mine lanterns, the rope and pulley were deployed to send Thandi into the cave first so the leopards would not be agitated by the appearance of too many strangers. Khaba was sent down next, armed with Trevelyan’s revolver, with orders to strap Winstanley into the sling and send him up. Within the hour, the cave had been left to the wind and the rock rabbits. Rodrigues and his men were dismissed with the Queen’s thanks and told to report to Enkalovu for luncheon on Friday. Thandi and her leopards went home with Sipo as chauffeur, and the Queen sat with Claire and Trevelyan on a rock in the starlight, awaiting more appropriate transport. “Where’s Winstanley?” Trevelyan asked, suddenly aware he’d lost track of his prisoner. “He has gone back to Enkalovu with Themba. We shall question him about the diamonds, and then you may ask him whatever you would like. We would not wish it said that the man does not get the full protection of British law. We are not savages.” The Queen’s tone indicated no room for argument, so Trevelyan just nodded and began filling his pipe. Claire, who sat huddled in a blanket saying little, began to shiver. Faced with a problem he could do something about, Trevelyan brought out a hip flask and prescribed a medicinal dose of brandy. “I hate brandy,” Claire said, gagging down a mouthful, but feeling almost instantly better. “Why have you only one shoe, Redmond?” “We had to find a way to get the leopards to go into the cave to you, and you know how Sindi loves leather. Her Majesty wouldn’t give up her shoes, so she made me use one of mine. Thandi waved it around under Sindi’s nose and then rolled it into the hole. Sindi chased it, and Shaka followed her. “We didn’t know what was happening to you down there,

whether you’d found out Winstanley was the murderer, or whether you were even still alive, but we figured the leopards might be helpful.” “Oh, they were wonderful! Winstanley had just realised I had tried to drug him and he was trying to drag me to the water to drown me, I guess. The cats knocked him over and started to play with him, and I wiggled away and climbed up as high as I could go. Shaka followed me, and Sindi began to eat Winstanley’s boots with him in them. The rest you know.” Lights appeared in the clearing below. “Come, it has been a long day,” said the Queen, gathering her impala skin cape around her. “Take Miss Lerner home, Trevelyan. Claire will stay with me. I will see you all for luncheon Friday. Bring the inept Dr. Harcourt with you. He will no doubt wish to hear the end of the story in which he played so precipitate a part.” With that she swept Claire away into the night, leaving Trevelyan to contemplate his cold muddy foot and the glorious span of stars above. The sound of footsteps came up the path. “You call for a cab, mate?” a woman’s voice asked, the cockney imitation only slightly flavoured by an overlying Viennese accent. “Home, James, and don’t spare the horses,” Trevelyan said, limping quickly toward her.

Friday’s luncheon was only briefly overcast by the news that Hever Winstanley had fallen to his death while trying to escape the lawful custody of the Queen’s Guard. Fortunately he had made a complete confession before undertaking the desperate attempt. At the head of the table in the great banquet hall, Malaila, Queen of Tshaniland, looked as regal as Sheba, an impression strengthened by the presence of two adult leopards wearing gold collars, sitting on either side of her chair. The gathered company experienced varied feelings at the sight of this barbaric splendour, some made too nervous by the presence of the big cats to do more than nibble at their food, others thinking how envious their friends would be when told of this occasion. Claire marvelled to herself at the transformation of the shy college freshman she had first met into this elegant, selfassured creature. Rivka made surreptitious sketches on a small notepad in her lap, thinking what a wonderful portrait she would do if ever the Queen could be tied down to a full day’s sitting. Trevelyan, mulling over the fate of Winstanley, thought the outcome was probably for the best, and decided to pretend he took the story of the death at face value. Harcourt, for once without fresh injury, looked the compleat gentleman in a well-cut Brooks Brothers suit and a clean bandage on both thumb and forehead. “Friends!” the Queen said, suddenly standing up. “No, remain seated. I have invited you all here today to thank you for your efforts over the past few days. To Mr. Rodrigues and

the men from Bhunya, our thanks for their hard work to rescue all of those trapped in the cave. Mr. Rodrigues will be the new manager of the mine, and all of the men will receive an extra day’s pay for their efforts. To Commissioner Trevelyan, thanks also for his assistance, and our promise of a new pair of shoes to replace those he sacrificed. To Dr. Winter, our great gratitude for saving the life of maThemba, who is now recovering in hospital. To Miss Lerner, our sincere thanks for her support and help and the near loss of her life while attempting to rescue her friends. To young Puli, this.” She turned to her left and picked up a small but beautifully made spear. “In recognition of his doing the work of a man despite his youth.” Pushed by one of the older men, Puli stepped forward from the wall where he had been observing everything with wide eyes. Bowing, he took the spear and scampered back to the safety of the men, delight all over his face. “Now, the dessert course will shortly be brought, so I will not take much more of your time. A few announcements may interest you, however. First, it is my pleasure to announce that my sister, Busisilani, in recognition of her hard work at the Highveldt School, will be going to Oxford to study at Lady Margaret Hall as soon as possible. Congratulations, little sister, you have earned this.” Only a few of those listening picked up the undercurrent of this gracious statement. “Lastly, it is with regret that we hear of the imminent departure of two hard-working expatriates, Herr Felsbach and Herr Albrecht. Their government can no longer spare them from 18

important work in agriculture at home, and is recalling them effective immediately.” Those at the table later commented to each other how surprised the two Germans had looked, and assumed they were overcome by the honour of being singled out in public. Smiling, the Queen continued, “We are presently negotiating with various sponsors for another overseas aid team. Fortunately, Pastor Berghof and his helpmeet will be staying on, and we look forward to the opening of the new school next year. And now, please enjoy the rest of your meal.” Waitresses came in bearing an enormous fruit flan, which attracted the oohs and ahs of the company, and took the attention away from the hostess, who sat looking over the room with a slight smile on her lips. Claire, watching the Queen, saw her take a piece of chicken to feed the leopards, saying something in Sitshana to them. Thandi, sitting cross-legged beside Sindi, caught Claire’s glance and smiled at her. I’ll bet Shaka told her about my promise to give him free medical care for life, Claire thought with a mental chuckle. Maybe I’d better get some vet books and start boning up on feline

diseases. At the end of the meal, most of the guests departed, but Claire, Rivka, Trevelyan and Harcourt were taken to the Queen’s private sitting room. Mr. Molapo was presiding over a well equipped drink table. “Why, Mr. Molapo, you are a man of many skills,” Claire teased, accepting a glass of port. “One must learn many things to be of use to a monarch,” the old man said, pouring a large whisky for Trevelyan without asking his preference. Malaila came in and took a seat by the fire, motioning the others to be seated. “Well, what do you think of my little surprises?” “I’m stunned by the rapidity of your accomplishments, Your Majesty,” said Trevelyan. “Forgive me, but it has been my experience that it takes many days to come to conclusions in the High Council.” “Ah, yes, in the normal course of events. But after Claire and I had a talk, Molapo and I had a longer talk, then he had a few talks with others, and there you are, everything settled.” The Queen accepted a liqueur from her elderly adviser, who pulled up a stool beside her chair. “You appreciate, I cannot go into details about matters of state, but I believe the decisions will be for the long term benefit of my country.” “How did you get rid of the Germans so quickly, if that isn’t an indiscreet question?” Rivka asked. “I had their Consul informed that Felsbach was paying too much attention to local maidens for a good Aryan boy. As for Herr Albrecht, if he isn’t guilty of something already, I’m sure he would have been sooner or later. The Consul heard that perhaps not all the aid that was supposed to reach the farm project did so, and that shortfalls would no doubt appear if an audit were made. And then the Consul was told that to save face for the Third Reich, it would be announced immediately that both men were being recalled, without specifying any reason. He could hardly refuse.” Claire thought this was a very Machiavellian manoeuvre, but had to admit it had been effective. In one swoop several problems were resolved: Busi was removed from the lingering influence of any who might be plotting a coup; Felsbach, whatever he was up to, was removed from Tshaniland, and Herr Albrecht, well, he was a 19

casualty of undeclared war. The gazelles of Tshaniland could sleep easy. It was all very neat. “Claire, I’m sorry to have made more work for you, but I’ve had Winstanley taken to your morgue. We can’t just bury the man like a dog. You can take care of him tomorrow, but I wouldn’t waste much time on it. Just put something plausible on the death certificate.” “What would Your Majesty prefer?” Claire asked, setting down her glass of port which seemed suddenly bitter. “Claire, Claire, what would I know about such things? You’re the medical examiner, I’m sure you’ll find an appropriate cause of death.” Trevelyan gave a slight shudder, which only Rivka, seated close to him, noticed. He got to his feet and said, “Well, as the play says, all’s well that ends well. I thank Your Majesty for your hospitality, and I shall expect the promised shoes soon. Size eleven. Now, if you will excuse me, there is a lot of work piled up at the office.” Claire stood, too. “We must go also, there will be patients and problems at the office. And the Royal Painter has no doubt a lot of preparation to do on her canvas.” Harcourt, who had said nothing, made a small bow and joined the others in the doorway. “You all think I’m hard!” the Queen said, flowing out of her chair and taking a step toward them. “But you will all leave me one day, even my old Molapo will go to the ancestors, and I will be alone. I have had done that which was required to protect the throne, and for that I do not apologise.” Wheeling on her heel, she disappeared through the inner door. Trevelyan cleared his throat. He and Molapo exchanged glances, both inclined their heads slightly, and the visitors departed. “That was all very surreal, starting with the hostess and her leopards,” Harcourt said as they got into the car. “What was all that business at the end?” “To quote the Good Book, ‘The guilty flee where no man pursueth’,” Trevelyan said. “She’s feeling badly about Winstanley’s death. She’s still young enough not to be as hard as she pretends.” They drove through the gates of the royal village onto the main road. “I could sleep for a week,” Claire said. “I can’t believe how much has happened in less than four days.” “What I can’t understand is why Winstanley did all that. Was he mad?”

Harcourt asked. “From what I could understand from his ravings while he was trying to drag me to the stream, he blamed me for all his troubles. He’d hidden the diamonds, planning to take them all out at once when he went on leave later in the month. Because I found the diamond Khonzi had swallowed, there were guards and watchers all over the area near the Cave of the Winds, and he couldn’t retrieve his cache. The attempts on my life were just simple revenge and rage.” “He attacked Elspeth because she went into the big cave and almost caught him at his illegal fossicking,” added Trevelyan. “He’d found a way in through that passage that Rivka got stuck in and was sifting the sand in the cave, looking for more diamonds. He bragged about it while we were holding him and trying to rescue Claire. He thought he’d killed Elspeth, so he set a small charge to seal the passage temporarily so no one could find her or his diamond source. Bad luck for him he didn’t know about the other entry.” “So the diamonds are still hidden? What a shame,” said Rivka. “They’d be considered tainted anyway. They couldn’t be used in the regalia, not after being involved in murder and attempted murder, and being handled by a foreigner. We’ll probably never hear of them again,” Claire said. Trevelyan considered what she’d said. Somehow he didn’t think the bright young Queen would let a small fortune slip away from her, not with the projects she had in mind for Tshaniland’s future. He’d bet Lombard Street to a

China orange that next year or the year after, a discreet auction notice would appear in The Times. European jewellers wouldn’t know and wouldn’t care about the bloody history of a handful of lavender stones. He turned into Harcourt’s driveway. “Drinks at my house at seven. Conversation to be limited to the weather, the latest issue of Punch, or anything frivolous. Try not to fall down on the way, Harcourt.” As the remaining three drove toward Entshanini, Rivka said, “Redmond, that was unkind.” “No it wasn’t,” Claire said from the back seat, “It was friendly advice. The man needs a keeper. We’ll probably see him every week for some fool accident or other.” “I’m sure you’re right,” said Rivka with a little smile. The End

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to Swan Magazine Readers! If you enjoyed Death in the Sea of Grass you can have a hard-print copy of the same author’s best selling contemporary mystery Long Bones for $22 including postage.

With Karen Treanor’s kind permission, Swan Magazine serialised Death in the Sea of Grass over the past year - but if you missed installments, 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 Karen’s other books which are all available through Barnes and Noble (www. barnesandnoble.com.) or Amazon on www.amazon.com.

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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. 20

FOOTNOTE PEOPLE IN HISTORY DR ELIZABETH GARRETT ANDERSON

he nineteenth century was not kind to women. Still largely the actual property of their fathers and husbands, women were expected to be home-makers and mothers. The equality of opportunity now enjoyed in most advanced democracies was very hardly won by a handful of intelligent, incredibly determined, women. Women such as Elizabeth Garrett. Born in London, in 1836, when William IV was still king, as one of eleven children, the daughter of a pawnbroker and silversmith from East Suffolk, Newson Garrett. The family moved to Aldeburgh and he changed profession to open a malting business, which became very successful. There was no school in Aldeburgh so young Elizabeth was home-schooled by her mother and later a governess. At thriteen she was sent to the Boarding School for Ladies in Blackheath, London where English literature, French, Italian and German as well as deportment, were taught. Elizabeth’s main complaint about the school was the lack of science and mathematics instruction. Elizabeth and her sister Louie were known as “the bathing Garretts”, as their father had insisted they be allowed a hot bath once a week. After formal education ended in 1851, Elizabeth spent the next nine years tending to domestic duties, but she continued to study Latin and arithmetic in the mornings and also read widely. In 1858, Elizabeth Garrett first read of Elizabeth Blackwell, who had become the first female doctor in the United States nine years previously. Around 1860, Elizabeth decided to become a physician and do what she could to open the profession to women. At first her father was opposed to the radical idea but came round and agreed to do all in his power, both financially and otherwise, to support her. Elizabeth spent six months as a surgery nurse and on proving to be a good nurse, was allowed to attend an outpatients’ clinic, then her first operation. She unsuccessfully attempted to enroll in the hospital’s Medical School but was allowed to attend private tuition in Latin, Greek and materia medica with the hospital’s apothecary, while continuing her work as a nurse. She also employed a tutor to study anatomy and physiology three evenings a week. Eventually she was allowed into the dissecting room and the chemistry lectures. Gradually, Garrett became an unwelcome presence among the male students, who in 1861 presented a memorial to the school against her admittance as a fellow student, despite the support she enjoyed from the administration. She was obliged to leave the Middlesex Hospital but she did so with an honours certificate in chemistry and materia medica. Elizabeth Garrett then applied to several medical schools, including Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews and the Royal College of Surgeons, all of which refused her admittance. Eventually she was able to obtain her credentials by way of a “side door” through a loophole in admissions at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries. Having privately obtained a certificate in anatomy and physiology, she was admitted in 1862 by the

Dr Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836-1917) Society of Apothecaries who, as a condition of their charter, could not legally exclude her on account of her sex. She continued her battle to qualify by studying privately with various professors, including some at the University of St Andrews, the Edinburgh Royal Maternity and the London Hospital Medical School and in 1865, she finally took her exam and obtained a licence (LSA) from the Society of Apothecaries to practise medicine, the first woman qualified in Britain to do so as a woman (see James Barry). The Society of Apothecaries immediately amended its regulations to prevent other women obtaining a licence. In 1865, Elizabeth opened her own practice in London. After six months she opened an outpatients dispensary, to enable poor women to obtain medical help. On hearing that the University of Sorbonne, Paris was in favour of admitting women as medical students, Garrett studied French so that she could apply for a medical degree, which she obtained in 1870. The same year she was elected to the first London School Board, an office newly opened to women; Garrett’s was the highest vote among all the candidates. Also in that year, she was made one of the visiting physicians of the East London Hospital for Children becoming the first woman in Britain to be appointed to a medical post. Continued on page 52 ... 21

COMMUNITY ANNIE’S COLLECTIVE WONDERLAND DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

you drive around the UK, if you’re at all interested in old, ACentresantique and vintage you will see just about everywhere ‘Antique - 60 Dealers. Places like Leominster (pronounced ‘Lem-stir’)

seem to have huge buildings convered into collective antique stores with the dealers taking turns to man the counters or even hiring a manager. This means that you can see specialist collections and dealers, rents are shared, and dealers have time to source new (old) material while business continues. We don’t seem to have the same concept here in Australia yet. Or we didn’t until Annie had a very bright idea when Swan Settlers Markets was floated as a concept. If you love vintage, retro, antique, flea markets, shabby chic and just plain quirky, I expect you already know about Annie’s shop at Taylor’s Art House - Annie’s Vintage Wonderland. If you don’t, immediately put it on your ‘To Visit’ list. But the shop at Taylor’s, even with knocking into the next building is too small for Annie’s wonderland of wonders, so she has joined up with Swan Settlers Markets and rented a huge area in it, acting as a collective with a number of other dealers and suppliers. She even has her eye on an expansion within the markets, which would double the area and dealers’ spaces available. Annie has moved some of the more portable items from Taylor’s, raiding her large stock from the warehouse and buying in new old stock. ‘New’ seems like an odd word to use, but ‘old’ seems less accurate - perhaps ‘odds and ends’ might be better. A sampling of her goods might include, vintage jewellery and clothing, collectable stamps, matchbooks and boxes, suitcases, tins, Australiana, toys, books, walking sticks, 50’s furniture and she is one of only five Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint stockists in Western Australia. Annie is a real person, unlike Betty Crocker, and is on hand to talk, deal and her happy cheerfulness is a huge asset to her shop. The collective is open from Thursday to Sunday, plus Public Holidays from 10:00am to 3:30pm, but if you ‘like’ her on Facebook facebook.com/AnniesVintageWonderland/ you can shop on her ‘Annie’s Vintage Wonderland Online Wonders’ pretty much all the time as treasures are photographed and posted in batches. Prices are open to negotiation, so now’s the time to call in and have a browse, make an offer and collect something you’ve been

COMMUNITY

seeking for ages - be it a 1963 Beano comic, a matchbook from the Playboy Club, a plastic soldier originally found in a Cornflakes packet, a street name or a dresser in peppermint green with orange trim. Whatever it might be - Annie may well have it, will get it, or knows where there is one. And while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there, you can browse the vast range of other stallholders at Swan Settlers Market - the newest addition to tourism in the Swan Valley. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a dealer looking to open a low-rent shop-front, talk to Annie - she can probably help.

FRINGE 2019 REVIEWS Title: Reviewer:

worked for Ford – admittedly on different continents and in different departments – but still … The facts are interspersed with some of John’s finest songs from Sadie, the Cleaning Lady right up to The Voice. There was quite a lot of audience participation from the almost capacity crowd and a thoroughly good time was had by all. Very Highly Recommended. ~oOo~

The Age of Stephen Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

Long Live the Mullet t is entirely possible that musician and comic Stephen Valeri may just be John (Farnsey) Farnham’s biggest fan. Certainly he knows a hell of a lot about his idol, including where his father worked and a host on minor details, but more of that later. The Fringe World show, Age of Stephen, takes place in the

Title: Reviewer:

Sense and Spontenaity Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

Jane Austen versus Jess and Esther and the audience wins f it is true that Fringe is like a box of chocolates as has been said elsewhere, then Sense and Spontaneity must be the doubledipped liqueur cherries with added sparkle. The premise of this improvised show is simple. You take a couple out of the audience, ask them a few simple questions – how they met, special interests, hobbies, etc then you create a one hour story in the style of the late sainted Jane Austen using the facts given you - often. Not only using them but interweaving them seamlessly, creating a hilarious, joyous confection that never falters for a

Stephen Valeri

intimate, subterranean, Lion’s Lair situated in the basement of His Majesty’s Theatre. One gets there via the stage door entrance and going down (and down) several flights of stairs (Disabled access? Not hardly) past lots of memorabilia of stars and shows long gone to the intimate performance space. The show opens with Stephen bursting onto the stage belting out one of Farnham’s best wearing a blond, slightly unconvincing, mullet. Backed by a guitarist and a keyboardist Stephen has a really nice voice and a most professional style and a wry comic timing. Stephen soon admits he’s not really John Farnham, the wig falling off was a clue, but maintains that he and John have a spiritual connection and takes us through a list of similarities, some fairly tenuous – both Stephen’s and John’s father

Esther Longhurst and Jess Mess

minute. Stage actors, even stand-up comedians, have it easy compared to improv actors – they can prepare, learn their lines beforehand and only have to make it seem as though they’re saying the lines for the first time. With improv, you are literally hearing the words for the first time when they come out of your mouth. A good improv show is a hot air balloon, requiring constant feeding to stay afloat, light, airy and seemingly effortless. Actors Jess Mess and long-time friend and collabarator Esther Longhurst (was there ever a more Jane Austen name?) are supremely professional in this, their fourth foray at Perth Fringe World. 24

The Misses Mess and Longhurst

Sense and Spontaneity is incredibly funny, witty in the best sense of the word and I think, probably the best thing in Fringe this year. With a selection of hats, incredibly sharp wits and boundless charm, the two seduced us and took us on a gallop through 1810, with sharp asides to the audience. Both are gorgeous, which certainly doesn’t hurt their attraction, but the real attraction is their lightning-fast vocal reflexes, mobile faces and an almost Joyce Grenfell-like ability with accents and voices. The two work together in perfect harmony, appearing to know what each other thinks, picking up a thought and carrying it further before handing back. Not since Dame Hilda Brackett and Dr Evadne Hinge have I seen such flawless teamwork in comedy. No two shows are ever going to be the same, with different material every time, so you could see them several times and never get a repetition. The remainder of the run at Fringe is sold out, but if you’d take my advice try and sneak into the back of the tent or follow them on Facebook and see when the duo are next performing. Incredibly Highly Recommended. ~oOo~ Title: Reviewer:

Vintage Modern Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

The velvet notes and corduroy voice of Swing, Jazz and R & B ringe is like a box of chocolates, as the late Mrs Gump might have said, you never know what you’re going to get. At first glance, for example, one might not think that something called Vintage Modern might be your cup of tea. It does sound a tad pretentious, and if there’s one thing you can find at any Festival it’s pretension. In fact, the air is usually so thick with it you can cut blocks out of it with a blunt knife and build a replica Great Wall of China. But, when you look a little closer and see that it has Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys; Mark Turner; Perth’s busiest double bassist Kate Pass; Matthew Hanson on drums and Anthony Dodos

on trombone and Sousaphone, well then, think twice. Running as the second show at the Edith Spiegeltent in Yagan Square (do have supper at The Shoe Bar before you go, their food is delicious and the coffee beyond criticism, Vintage Modern arises out of an idea Adam had of styling modern songs and ballads as if they were Swing hits - certainly a novelty.

But it’s not just that this really, really, talented group run the whole gamut of music from the 30s to the naughties. The hour, which seemed to go by in a flash, began when Adam in his trademark midnight blue brocade le smoking started us with a lovely version of St James Infirmary. With a little chat, most professionally and neat, thought out links we went through R & B, Swing, Big Band and Jazz, jazz, jazz. A really engaging cover of the re-named The Lady is a Champ was enthusiastically received by the audience, Matthew’s virtuoso drum solos, Anthony in his huge, glittery Sousaphone (something I’ve never seen outside of a marching band) were just magic. The Fringe show runs until the sixteenth, but you can catch Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys whenever they’re at home and not touring. Try the Ellington, for example. 25

Or buy a CD (I bought two) and just relax and enjoy the sound of a real original. A magical hour. Very Highly Recommended Indeed. ~oOo~ Title: Reviewer:

Glamourpuss Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

Glamour has never been so glamorous hat do you get if you combine the lovely Cougar Morrison, the talented Mark Turner, gorgeous showgirls and the Perth Cabaret Collective of nine musicians (or, as the old joke has it – eight musicians and a drummer). The answer is: a hell of a good time, that’s what – or Glamourpuss. The band, all jokes aside, are really terrific bashing out the classics with great verve and musicality, bringing 1920s jazz a hundred years into the future. The repertoire is pure Vegas, the dancers (eight of them) are glittery, gorgeous, athletic and rather seductive in a Burlesque kind of way. The banter was appropriate and very funny. Cougar: “I’m from Midland, so don’t expect a lot of class. But I do know how to kill you with a plastic spoon and make it look like an accident.” Both Cougar and Mark are marvellous at the Swing standards – together in The Lady is a Tramp and individually in their own songs. Cougar’s rendition of Edith Piaf’s anthem Non je ne regrette rien (No, I Regret Nothing) was just stupendous, bringing the audience to their feet, hooting, stamping their feet and clapping as if their hands were on fire. Glamourpuss runs at the Edith Spiegeltent in Yagan Square until the sixteenth of February. Tickets cost $35 and can be booked online here. Please note this is 18 plus venue and anyone less than that should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The venue is licensed. Very Highly Recommended.

Jake Dennis

Title: Reviewer:

Chocolate Blues Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

Ray, Nina, Billie, Aretha and Jake irst of all, let me say without equivocation that Jake Dennis has a lovely singing voice, rich, smooth like liquid milk chocolate and he’s very talented as a singer. His Fringe show Chocolate Blues was Downstairs at The Maj with accompanists Clive Dennis on guitar and Hannah Kim on piano was a cabaret-style celebration of Blues music. The whole genre of Blues is very old as modern music goes – the 1870s from the Deep South of America, although the name

Cougar Morrison and friends at Glamourpuss 26

is even older ‘Blue Devils’ meaning melancholy and sadness goes all the way back to the 1600s. Arising out of African musical traditions Blues includes spirituals, chants, jazz, rhythm and folk music it gained ground early in the twentieth century with the publication of the first sheet music I Got The Blues in 1908. It became famous with singers such as Robert Johnson (1911-38) and Ma Rainey (1886-1939). In the 50s Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf brought a rich gravelly tone and slide guitars. Since the 1980’s Blues has been even more popular than ever with great stars like BB King, Bessie Smith, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Billie ‘Lady Day’ Holliday and Eric Clapton and Little Richard. It is a wide and fruitful field and one that Jake Dennis has chosen for his Cabaret style show Chocolate Blues. Now I admire Jake’s voice very much, and I like the Blues (in moderation), but I think his voice is too smooth and velvety for the deep angst of true Blues. You need a voice with pain in it for Blues – Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles. Jake is just too liquid. A lifetime of booze and cigarettes is what is needed for the real Blues sound. My other problem with the show, and a bit more of a hurdle, was the banter and links from one song to another. He had a number of props – coffee cups, a suitcase, hats and so on to help, but they felt too clumsy or possibly under-rehearsed for ease. It would not be too much to say it verged on the embarrassing. But his voice is lovely, the singing melodic and excellent – I just wish he’d stuck to that and in a genre that really suits his marvellous voice. It could have been so much better. But it won’t stop me going to his next show. The season has finished. ~oOo~ Title: Reviewer:

10 Things I Hate About Taming of The Shrew Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

Gillian Versus William (I know who I’d back - Gillian) t last, stand-up comedy for the literate. It’s always good to see someone passionate about a subject and willing, even eager, to espouse causes in public. Gillian English is such a person – strong, eloquent, articulate, opinionated and, dare I use the word, feisty. One of the things she feels passionate about is Shakespeare. He died more than 450 years ago, but she feels much the same way about him that such luminaries as Leo Tolstoy, Samuel Pepys, Voltaire, JRR Tolkien and George Bernard Shaw did, who said ‘there is no eminent writer … whom I can despise so entirely as I despise Shakespeare …, that it would positively be a relief to me to dig him up and throw stones at him.’ Gillian, who hails from Nova Scotia and whose accent betrays her origins when deeply moved, didn’t actually offer to dis-inter the Bard and heave bricks at him, but she did offer to ‘rip the throats out’ of men who displeased her. I believed her. As pure stand-up, she is very, very funny. As a feminist, her mantra is ‘equality and pockets’ and she is deeply believable. As a performer her energy is boundless, her language ‘salty’ and her conviction in what she’s saying obviously sincere.

Gillian English

While seemingly not liking any of his plays, particular scorn was poured on The Taming of the Shrew, which is frankly, deserved, but also on Romeo and Juliet, not because of the language, plot or the writing, but because of the behaviour of the characters – Juliet was a mere ‘thirteen summers’, and as Gillian remarks (several times) ‘teenagers are stupid’. The various later incarnations of rom-coms and musicals based, often loosely, on Shakespeare’s plays such as The Lion King (Hamlet – think about it); Let It Go (Midsummer Night’s Dream); Kiss Me Kate (The Taming of The Shrew); 10 Things I Hate About You (The Taming of the Shrew) and Forbidden Planet (The Tempest) among others. She didn’t mention West Side Story, but I’m prepared to bet money she didn’t like it. An equal opportunity hater, she also didn’t care for Walt Disney and his Princesses (Snow White’s only fourteen) and generally managed to offend and scare almost every man in the room. As a long-time actor and director of theatre, including Shakespeare, I am happy to listen and consider Gillian’s opinions on Shakespeare, especially when so beautifully and hilariously expressed, but I think she’s on shaky ground when looking at Macbeth, King Lear and Julius Caesar. Overall a fabulous evening’s entertainment and very highly recommended. If I were to offer one tiny piece of constructive criticism as a director it would be ‘learn the material and don’t refer to notes.’ I’d also look out for her other shows in Fringe – A Booklover’s Comedy Show and She Wolf (about Margaret of Anjou). Very Highly Recommended. 27

Title: Reviewer:

Yummy Deluxe Sharron Attwood

a row. So I was expecting quite a bit and she delivered. The thing I appreciate the most was how all the performers came together for the ensemble pieces – as if they had been doing this forever. Funny and full of glitz but oh so polished – long may they reign. Very Highly Recommended. ~oOo~

rag, music, circus, burlesque, audience participation and some things you just can’t put a label on – Yummy Deluxe certainly fulfils the brief of what a great Fringe cabaret show should have. It also boasts a swag of awards – Melbourne Comedy Festival (Winner Greenroom Award Best Ensemble – Cabaret and Best Production – Cabaret) Adelaide Fringe Festival (Winner Adelaide Fringe Weekly – Cabaret) and Fringe World Perth (Nominated Best Cabaret). I can see many more in their future. As sexy and somewhat surprising as the performances are, you can see the talent. All the performers are accomplished artists in their own right and you could envisage them being fabulous at whatever they turned their stiletto-heeled boots to. The skill and fitness level amazed me.

Title: Reviewer:

#SingleLife Sharron Attwood

I really, really loved this show thought Polly looked familiar – and I knew her story certainly sounded familiar! As she went on to explain – 10/10 people experience being single at some time in their lies – so we can all relate. Yes it hurt my brain to mull that one over as well. Turns out Sara ‘Polly’ Polanski is a former television and radio journalist, having worked for the Nine Network, Network ten, ABC and Seven before venturing to Fringe. So yes, I had seen her before – but not quite like this. It did make her ‘TV voice’ pieces extra amusing though. Having started her comedy sketch writing journey as a child, Polly went on to produce a You Tube video series which was adapted to a stage show for the Fringe World Festival 2019. And we are all the better for it! Apparently there is a funny side to being single in Perth - after thirty and amidst a self-confirmed man drought! I couldn’t help but agree. Even a quick audience poll showed the dire state of affairs here in Perth. Was she going to offer us hope? Nope. From the sound of her stories – told so well and backed up by video snippets – you could almost taste the wine, diluted with tears, as she dissected the break down of another relationship. Maybe the next one will be the baby daddy she has been searching for? Nope. The audience were certainly on her side – and yet it made us examine our own single situations. Here is a single, pretty, independent, intelligent woman and this City is working against her. My plus one for the evening is happily married – and said she intends to stay that way since being alerted to the alterative. Polly shared how if felt to almost run into her ex’s pregnant partner – and it seemed a completely reasonable response to hide under one’s desk until the coast was clear. You are never too old to hide from an uncomfortable situation! As she shared, “Honestly, if I can hysterically laugh about my ex and his new wife moving into a mansion merely months after our break up, then any one can.” Agreed! And laugh hysterically we did! We also had a chuckle over the cushions and the things we choose to leave behind and the things we choose to go back for. It’s not always the monetary value – it’s the principal! #SingleLife is Sara Polanski’s first foray into writing, directing and starring in a one- woman stage show and I can only pray for a sequel as I need an update, and a good laugh. Very Highly Recommended.

Whilst trying to just enjoy the show I just couldn’t help being impressed by what they could all do in heels, and eyelashes. Yummy Deluxe has a fluid cast of yummies – allowing them to showcase a wide variety of acts. Perth certainly got their fair share of variety – with singing, dancing, hula hooping and an onstage sandwich making routine the likes of which I struggle to explain. I couldn’t help but hum the tune as I made the kid’s lunches the next day. Original and long standing cast member Hannie Helsden was amazing to watch – her facial expressions constituted an act all by themselves – all smiling, all ecstatically happy, all the time! It’s not wonder she is referred to as their living doll. Hulahoops, a human sized slinky and a set of pasties that had me admiring her faith in the glue that held them on. All glitz. Zelia Rose was a guest performer at the festival - having previously toured with Dita Von Teese and won ‘Best Debut’ in the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas to a standing ovation. Miss Rose is also the titleholder of Miss Burlesque 2014 and has ranked in the top ten burlesque artists worldwide three years in 28

FRINGE 2019 BUSSELTON FRINGE 2019

JAMES FORTE

efore beginning this comment on the plays in the 2019 Busselton Fringe, it is necessary to record two caveats. First, most of the people mentioned below are my personal friends. Second, a play of mine was included in the programme. From this we can deduce that there will be some bias in the comments, but that I also have a certain inside knowledge of the events. Given its limited budget and an organizing committee of just six, the Busselton Fringe, held from Thursday 28th February to Monday 4th March, was particularly impressive. There was the full range of entertainments – burlesque, cabaret, theatre, circus, comedy, singing, dance and a family fun day. A few artists had made it down from the Perth Fringe Festival but most of the entertainers were local – a major purpose of fringe is to draw out new L to R: Therese Edmonds and Donyale MacKrill talent. When I arrived on the Thursday, the jetty end of Queen Street was cordoned off and under-rehearsed and I could not get hold of a programme. a carnival and markets with street art and acts were definitely The second play was Caught Inside, written and directed by crackling. Therese Edmonds. Lochie is a middle-aged, unreliable has-been I will restrict my comments to the theatre scene – as that is who lives in his dreams of the past – particularly his surfing all I had time for. I suspect committee member Terry Thompson exploits. When he heads down to Yallingup to commemorate the of the Busselton Repertory Club was responsible for the theatre life of an old friend, he is confronted with reality. The cast did events. Thanks Terry – an impressive line-up. a fine job of bringing this drama to life – Lochie’s epiphany was Most professional were Jess Messenger and Esther particularly effective. Longhurst in Sense and Spontaneity and Jess again in Jane The Circuit was produced by Oceans Edge and consisted Austen Private Eye. There are many reviews of these shows of three monologues and a duologue positioned at points which are an absolute hoot (including one by our editor - see around the GeoArt complex. This worked particularly well as page 24). the performances were designed for minimal set, lighting and They have been in the Perth Fringe for several seasons and sound. An usher waving a flag (and a giant possum) guided the the performance is highly polished. It is now off to the Adelaide audience to each stage and introduced the play. Fringe where I am certain it will be super-successful. For a taste Busselton Jetty 1969 (by James Forte) and The Smallest of their humour see “Dear Mr Darcy” on YouTube: www.youtube. Unit of Grief (by Donyale MacKrill) were directed by Donyale and com/watch?v=ekVdhO7P4Nw. were hard hitting stories of memories and loss. Fran Gronow The Jane Austen shows were complemented by two (endorsing a company which reproduces memories) and Sarah classics. Wild Capers performed the Talking Heads 2 Barclay (talking to a possum about the loss of their children) monologues by Alan Bennett (author of The Lady in the Van). gave fine and effective portrayals. The first was complemented Why don’t we get more Alan Bennett in WA? A R Gurney’s Love by projected slides of the old Busselton jetty. These were Letters was a finalist for the 1988 drama Pulitzer Prize. Kristina excellent at setting the scene but later distracted from the Gauci and Michael Taylor of the Repertory Club read the series actress and the story. of letters recounting the fifty year history of their relationship. The Kindness of Strangers (by Andrew Turk) was a moving This play is popular with both actors and audiences and is totally depiction on film of an old man (Terry Thompson) still able to engrossing. affect others’ lives and find a job for a young aborigine (Samai When Stages Playwrights’ Consortium closed several years King). The last item was the short farce Valerie Gets Hitched (by ago a splinter group continued to meet. This became Western Therese Edmonds). Edge and it runs an annual competition – South West Shorts – of It is good programming to end on a comedy and this ten-minute plays (this year’s closes on March 18th – see www. was truly over the top as Mel Principe became steadily more edgeperformancewriters.com.au for details). Two similar inebriated, discussing her new husband. The last two were groups, based in Busselton/Dunsborough and Margaret River directed by Therese. I understand there were full houses for all have now formed to support local playwrights. eight performances and the audiences I talked to were inspired The one-act plays at the Weld Theatre were written by by the stories. members of Western Edge. For myself, it was a wonderful opportunity to see the The Hunt for Gold December is by Michiko Parnell, directed innovations of the directors and actors in the staging of a play. I by John Lee. A huge goldfish has been seen in a local waterway. now have several new ideas to incorporate in future scripts. As an exotic species it must be removed and the hunt is spurred Congratulations to the organizers and sponsors of the 2019 on by a large bounty. This is a light comedy with many farcical Busselton Fringe and their theatre programme. I shall certainly moments. Sadly I saw it on opening night when it was clearly be going again next year. 29

REVIEWS Film: Reviewer:

FILM

Maria by Callas - In Her Own Words Ruby Westral

egendary opera diva, Maria Callas, was, even in her own lifetime, an enigma. Her artistry and vocal technique enthralled an adoring public. Media interest was invasive and aggressive. Her own personal vulnerabilities, alongside her public persona, made her life (and indeed her early death) the stuff of operatic legend. A lot has been written about La Diva Assoluta, and a lot has been surmised. Her singing polarised (and still polarises) operatic aficionados, from the public who worship her every vocal utterance, to those who compare her as second to Joan Sutherland or Renate Tebaldi. But love her or not, Maria Callas was the diva that awakened passion, one way or another. None could deny her acting skills although plenty argued about her vocal quality, her technique, her private life and her public life. Born in New York City to Greek immigrant parents in 1923, Maria was taken back to Greece by her ambitious mother in 1936 when she was about thirteen. Lying about her age to enable her to enrol in the Greek National Conservertoire, Maria was recalled by her teacher Mary Trivella as "Mary, a very plump young girl, wearing big glasses for her myopia" But this movie refuses to judge Maria by other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words and deeds. The title of the movie In Her Own Words underscores the premise of the film.

While we do hear opinions and thoughts on Maria from her beloved teacher, Elvira de Hidalgo (with whom she maintained a life long deep and meaningful relationship) and words from Rudolf Bing, the Austrian born impresario who ran the Metropolitan Opera, most of this movie is footage and words sourced from Maria herself. Sensitively read by renowned operatic mezzo Joyce Di Donato, the letters of Maria to her teacher, Elvira Di Hidalgo, her friend Princess Grace of Monaco and others offer insights into the mind of this most elusive of divas. Footage of an interview with David Frost, recorded in 1970, shows an eloquent thoughtful woman, not lacking in self awareness, justifying her seemingly outrageous behaviours with great clarity. For the lover of Maria Callas, this movie is a treasure trove of unexpected delights. For the lover of opera in general, this movie elucidates and enhances the reputation of this most wonderful artiste. For the student of human behaviour, this movie educates and provokes thought. For the more casual observer, one cannot help but be struck by the similarity between Maria Callas and Diana, Princess of Wales. Both media fodder, both misunderstood, both raked over after their early deaths. The relationship between Callas and the media, like that of Diana, was one of mutual need but mutual mistrust. Her divorce was front page news. Her affair with Onassis was front page 30

news. His marriage to Jackie Kennedy, which Callas learned about through the media, was front page news. His subsequent resuming of his long standing affair with Maria over his marriage vows was front page news. Maria Callas was an icon of the ages. Like Elvis Presley or Freddie Mercury, her star power did not wane with her early death. This movie allows her voice to be heard amongst the clamour of the other voices that tried to dictate to her in her lifetime. Viva la Diva Assoluta! ~oOo~ Film: Reviewer:

Border James Forte

Out of your comfort zone ou must brace yourself to go and see this film. It should be essential viewing for anyone who loves cinema. But beware. It is going to push you out of your comfort zone within a few minutes of the start. And every time you think you understand, you can cope

the forest. She gets a little money from a creep of a boarder who breeds aggressive dogs. She does not get along with her widowed father who resides in a retirement home. Her only joy is walking in the forest and swimming (nude) in a lake. Despite being repulsive, she is highly respected by her colleagues because of an unusual attribute. She can smell contraband. “You! You with the cap.” She hands the young man over to another inspector – “He has three litres of alcohol in that bag” - and returns to sniffing the departing passengers. More than that, she can smell human emotions. Fear, shame, embarrassment or bravado. Then one day, a similarly ugly man, Vore (Eero Milonoff), gets off the ferry. Tina can sense something wrong with him. But despite intensive searches of his luggage and body, nothing can be found. Is Tina losing her skill? She decides that Vore is worthy of further investigation. Border is visually bleak. Industrial ports, customs halls and dark forests provide a perfect background in which Ali Abbasi can explore what makes us human. The acting, pace, direction, camera-work and editing is first class. This is a movie you will not forget. One to be discussed in morning tearooms and dinner parties. Border is currently showing at Luna Cinemas. Five stars. ~oOo~ Film: Reviewer:

The Guilty James Forte

Small room thriller ne can sense from the start that policeman Asger Holm is a fish out of water. He belongs in a patrol car – out investigating the idiocies of society. Because of some unknown transgression, he has been taken off active duty and is filling in at the emergencies call-centre. He does not want to be there and he is irritating his fellow officers. He gets warnings from the shift supervisor about his behaviour. He treats with contempt a call from some man who has just been mugged by a pro in the red light district.

Eva Melander and Eero Milonoff as Tina and Vore in Border and are becoming comfortable it will ram you out again. Over and over again. There is no safe place to go. You sit there while the pictures hit you between the eyes with a sledgehammer. And at the conclusion, you will stagger out saying “Well that was different”. Border is a Scandinavian film (original title Gräns) directed by IranianSwedish Ali Abbasi. It is based on a short story by John Lindqvist. It is about an ugly woman, Tina, played magnificently (and under a great deal of facial reconstruction) by Eva Melander. Seriously ugly. I do not mean to be disrespectful to ugly people – I am old and obese - but this woman makes me look like a young Adonis. Tina works as a customs inspector at a Swedish ferry port. She is middleaged, single and lives in a lonely hut in

Eva Melander with and without the makeup required for Border 31

And then he gets a call from a woman who is being kidnapped. And we quickly discover that he is intelligent, competent and committed – the right person in the right place at the right time. The screenplay (by Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen) of The Guilty (Den Skyldige) is highly disciplined and constrained. The camera never leaves the small window-less emergency room. The film is in real time. There is only one point of view. The information we get is from his headphones – the same messages with the same timing as for the policeman. We have to assimilate it and decide what we would do in such circumstances at a rate appropriate for despatch rooms. This style of film gets you on the edge of your seat, desperate to hear of the success or failure of the latest decision. Apart from voices down the line and an occasional comment from coworkers, this is a one-actor movie. Jakob Cedergren produces a close to perfect performance as Asger. Directed by Möller (his first feature film), the action is relentless. What action? The man hardly moves from his desk. The action is what we imagine is happening at the other end of the phone calls. The camera closes in on the policeman’s face as we identify more and more with his desperate efforts to save the woman. Over the last thirty years, Scandinavian stories have seized top place in crime literature and pictures. Probably the best know is the Wallander series by Henning Mankel although The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson gained many converts. This Danish film maintains the standard. There are reports that Jake Gyllenhaal will be doing an American remake. See the original first. See it now. Quite simply, The Guilty is the best thriller I have watched in many years. It is currently showing at Luna Cinemas. Five stars.

FILM SILVER FOR CINEFESTOZ LUCY GIBSON

Busselton Mayor Grant Henley with CinefestOZ CEO Malinda Nixon, Busselton Jetty Chair Jenny Sheehan, CinefestOZ Chair Helen Shervington and Busselton Jetty CEO Lisa Shreeve at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

inefestOZ was recently awarded silver in the Festivals and Events category at the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Launceston. The awards, which showcase the best in outstanding customer service, innovation and ongoing business excellence, were attended by more than 800 tourism industry representatives from across Australia, including a stellar line up of awards finalists. CinefestOZ was recognised in the same category as the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, which won gold, and the Parkes Elvis Festival, bronze. CinefestOZ Chair Helen Shervington and CEO Malinda Nixon attended the evening and accepted the award on behalf of the Board, staff, volunteers and festival partners. “CinefestOZ was grateful to receive the silver award and we dedicate it to our incredible Movie Crew, Board, team, longstanding partners, the film industry, audiences and everyone who contributes to our success,” Ms Nixon said. Daniel Gschwind, Chair of the Australian Tourism Awards, congratulated all the winners and finalists from across Australia. “To reach the finalists stage of the Australian Tourism Awards is a great honour in itself and all finalists should be immensely proud of their efforts,” he said. “... It is businesses like these that drive the growing contribution that tourism makes to the economy and communities right across Australia." CinefestOZ premieres feature films, shorts, documentaries and events in the south-west's cinemas, wineries, small bars and galleries, making it a feast for the senses and an unforgettable five-day getaway. Over the years it has consolidated its position as the premiere destination film festival in Australia with record numbers of high calibre film guests, a sensational line-up of new Australian and unprecedented audience numbers. This year's festival will take place from August 28th to September 1st. For more information visit www.cinefestoz.com

Jakob Cedergren in The Guilty 32

REVIEWS

THEATRE

and out within seconds. Great planning by stage managers Sarah Connelly and Hayley Neil. Stephen Carr’s lighting design was operated by Chloe Production: Machinal Palliser, in close coordination with John Congear’s audio visual Producer: Hayman Theatre Company design. The effect was outstanding, each time the acting tension Reviewer: Gordon the Optom came to a climax the lighting seemed to explode followed by a dramatic blackout. Stunning. Machinal – French for ‘mechanical’ – is an The production was managed by Stephen Carr and Jemima expressionist play for adults, by Californian Hill. playwright and journalist Sophie Anita Helen (Amber Gilmour - outstanding) lives with her Treadwell, who died aged 84, forty-eight nagging, overbearing mother (Dylan Dorotich) in a very poor years ago. area of town. She cannot even eat what she wants. She has never Deserted by her father, Sophie and her mother had a had a boyfriend and so the presence of men fills her with fear. On very hard life. Treadwell was also a prolific theatre director the subway, Helen often has to get off before her station, just to and part-time actor, but she was perhaps best known in those avoid the throng in the compartment. exceptionally politically incorrect days, for her partial Mexican At the office, her workmates – the filing clerk (Jonathan heritage and outspoken defence of women’s issues. Hoey), the stenographer (Shelby McKenzie), the accountant The play was first performed in the UK at the Royal (Jacob Kotzee) and the telephonist (Gabriella Munro) all mock National Theatre in London in 1931. It is based on the true her innocence, tardiness and general disorganised attitude. As if that is not bad enough, her lecherous boss, Mr Jones (Max Gipson) is drawn to her naivety and insecurity so manipulates her into marriage. Soon a baby arrives, but even the doctor (Samuel Addison) and the nurse (Chelsea Gibson) have her submitting to their uncaring requests. In her desperate attempt to find ‘someone’ who will care or simply ‘like’ her, Helen goes to a bar with a girlfriend, where they meet a man (Callan Hodge) and his vivacious friend, who works in Mexico (Matthew Arnold). Her life is about to change. The costumière, Kyra Belford-Thomas, and design consultant Kiri Siva correctly avoided the camiknickers that were starting to go out of date by the mid-20s, instead choosing a silk envelope chemise with the horrendous baggy bloomers. The fine costumes included a dozen silk dresses, cloche hats, a priest’s cassock Some of the the cast of Machinal in rehearsal and even the aprons worn by the prison guards. Very well researched. Beautifully constructed by Rebecca Penn, Cameron Norton, Emma Hulbert, story of Ruth Snyder who was executed in 1928 for murdering Chloe Palliser and Bianca Roose. The whole effect was topped her husband. This powerful and disturbing ninety minute play off with Lauren Beeton and Amber Gilmour’s hairstyling. continues its revival with this, the West Australian premiere by The play has nine, named episodes, each attacking Helen’s the Hayman Theatre Company. fragility a little more. It is therefore essential that they all flow Machinal is the closing event of Fringe World Festival 2019 together smoothly in order to keep up the tension. The dialogue and is a showcase for students studying Theatre Arts at Curtin is built with short, snappy – often interrupted – sentences, University. delivered at a cracking pace. The scene is 1922 in America. Directed by Teresa Izzard, her assistant director Molly Rebecca Penn and her assistant Amber Gilmour’s set Earnshaw, and with added dramaturgy by Cameron Norton and comprises a line of one-metre high, matte black daises with Samuel Ireland, this piece incorporates has a blend of the cast’s industrial welded square mesh, artistically stapled to the front. ideas. This décor theme was carried on as a filing wall and a Several acting skills were called upon, such as singing telephone switchboard – most effective and original. A fine set a Spanish love song (muy bien!). The voice coach was Donald constructed by Nelson Fannon, T ‘Mutta’ Beilby and Stephen Woodburn, with Molly Earnshaw and Dylan Dorotich acting as Carr. voice captains. Several actors were required to foxtrot, which Ella Randle and Emily Bell oversaw the props, and with the they did very well thanks to Gabriella Munro’s choreography. careful selection of quality pieces the effect was better than a This sounds a minor detail, but few youngsters can do ‘old room full of rubbish. The General Electrical brass candlestick fashioned’ dancing, or even have the correct timing. telephone was a rare item, and the busy pub convincing. Fabulous performances, no weak links. Amber Gilmour? A The scene changes were carried out by the cast members. rare talent with a great future. Even major items had to be moved, but the slick team were in 33

A very powerful production – possibly the first student production that I have given a standing ovation to in decades. A MUST SEE. ~oOo~ Production: Producer: Reviewer:

is devastated by the unnecessary loss, and furious that her husband just seems to stand emotionless. Adam, however, is hurting inside, and doing the macho thing of controlling his feelings. A year later, Adam is still making frequent trips to visit his son’s shabby shrine. He hates these trips, but he is slowly coming to terms with the numerous unanswered questions that the accident has thrown up. Mary has become introverted, refusing to visit the site, and is starting to isolate herself from her husband. Our children are on loan to us, not ours to own forever. On one trip, Adam meets young June (Jessica Brooke) who once worked in his vineyard wine cellar. She is one of the ‘weird’ Fenton’s, a neighbouring family. Being stressed, Adam decided to sell his winery. Like most parents, Adam and Mary thought they knew everything about their only child, but soon began to learn all shades of his past. In her confused mind, Mary desperately recalls her happy beach days with her dear Jack as a youngster (Jack Churchman). June tells Adam of her meeting on the beach, with Jack and of his two so called friends. One boy, Will (Alec Fuderer), is an arrogant self-centred bully, and the other lad is the sensitive and quiet Ben (Jacob Lane). In a semi-drunken stupor, the group shared Jack’s last night together. There can hardly be a family in WA that has not been affected by such a tragedy. A catastrophe that even for friends can last for decades. Suzannah Churchman was amazing as the mother, totally hollowed out by the loss of her own flesh and blood. On the other hand, at first Phil seemed wooden, but he was actually correct in underplaying the emotion, slowly releasing his feelings throughout the play. You could sense the deep grief that he was feeling as his defences dropped. Hannah Strobos’ costumes and Samantha Davies makeup were inventive. With very little stage experience, Jessica under Kayti Murphy’s fine direction, conquered her tough script and portrayed the girl, heartbroken but hanging on with the joyous moments she shared. The whole cast melded well, giving powerful but restrained performances. The cast had perfect pace and chemistry. They had all good projection of their dialogue when there was normal interaction, but when the script called for quiet sensitive delivery or if the accents were ocker, it could be difficult to catch what was being said. Good, slow projection of sensitive or intimate dialogue is a special art that requires training. It was a pity, because the concentration required to catch the words often disturbed the interpretation of their meaning. I am a huge fan of playwright and author, Tim Winton but occasionally his dialogue can lack punch; in this play the characters turn to the audience and talk in ‘direct address monologues’, letting the listeners know in depth what the characters are actually thinking. This gives a much richer and more satisfactory depiction of their thoughts. This play has its harrowing moments, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable as it reminds us of our own children and their secret lives – the lives that parents know exist, but shudder to think about. Here Tim Winton is at his very best, backed by a strong cast. ~oOo~

Shrine Black Swan Theatre Company Gordon the Optom

Shrine is a Play in One Act by WA’s leading writer, Tim Winton. This fast-paced play, that is 100 searing minutes with no interval, can be seen at the Melville Theatre, within the Roy Edinger Centre. This is a beautifully written, almost poetic and deeply moving story which not surprisingly has no lightness. Even the second story thread is filled with horror and is deeply disturbing.

The scenes are: the present day on a country road in a WA karri forest, a family beach house and a south coast beach. The sets: on the right stage apron is a shrine at the base of a large tree. The shrine comprises items that brought joy to a youngster who recently died in a car crash at the spot. The beach home fills half the stage; it shows a clean, middleclass combined sitting room and kitchen – looks genuinely ‘lived in’. On the other side of the stage was a beach scene with a realistic log fire. The set was constructed by James Fryer, Howard Fryer, Greg Murphy and Peter Bloor. Stage manager Shaun Griffin and his assistant Claudia Sciano were fast and efficient with the minor scene changes. Kayti Murphy’s sound design included a perfect selection of country music. May I suggest that a full volume car crash sound effect immediately before the ‘curtain up’ would have chilled the audience, and made the father’s visiting the grave more poignant? Lighting design by Ginny Moore Price was most effective. Ginny also acted as technical operator for both sound and lights. There was a short ‘over the shoulder’ video in the hospital which was clever and added to the depth of the tragedy. In the forest, a distraught father, Adam (Phil Barnett) curses the shattered tree trunk for his son’s car accident. In the next scene the parents are in a hospital ward staring at their dead son. Adam is dazed but coldly coping by denial. His wife, Mary (Suzannah Churchman) however is hysterical, desperately wanting to hug the corpse of their only child. She 34

Production: Producer: Reviewer:

Machinal Theatre Arts Ruby Westral

I went to this play with very little knowledge of the author, Sophie Treadwell, and after seeing this production and travelling through the emotional journey of the main character “Helen Jones” ( a wonderful, layered and deeply moving performance by Amber Gilmour) I was disappointed to read on a leading research site: “When her seminal play Machinal premiered on Broadway in 1928 with Clark Gable playing the male lead, her reputation as a successful playwright may have appeared sealed.”

Ruth Synder (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) linking projections by Sebastian Boyd. Costuming, headed by Kyra Belford-Thomas, was effective although some of the detail was slipshod, the hemming of the ladies dresses in particular. In a close quarters venue such as the Hayman Theatre, this kind of detail is very noticeable and poor execution can be Zita Johann and Clark Gable in Sophie Treadwell's distracting. Lighting design was atmospheric and the use of Machinal, November 1928 the “blinding light” technique at the end of most scenes was effective in denoting the passage of time as well as And therein lies the basic premise of the play, unwittingly foreshadowing the final execution scene. reinforced by this biographical entry. Because however fine an The young actors that took on the ensemble roles were all actor Clark Gable was, he was never the lynchpin of this play. very capable. Some diction loss, even in this intimate venue, was Whoever the unnamed actress was that played Helen, was*. And unfortunate, and some scenes became gabbled. yet, she is unnamed, unimportant, forgotten even. A cog in the Never guilty of this, Amber Gilmour sailed above every machine that feeds the hierarchy. emotional climax that was presented to her. Her resonant voice Let me backtrack a little. was used to enormous effect. I would have liked to have seen Machinal. What is this play about? The dramaturg’s more vulnerability in her early portrayal of Helen as she became programme notes read that “Machinal seeks to interrogate the difficult to sympathise with. But, this observation aside, Ms ways in which the patriarchal and capitalist power structures Gilmour presented the audience with a very mature and well that build our society trap people in specific roles based on rounded main character. their gender, and how those power structures coerce their Playing the aforementioned Clark Gable’s leading man constituents into perpetuating those gendered expectation, role of George Jones was Max Gipson. A young man finding his even against their own best interests” feet could not really be expected to do this role justice, and Given that this play was written in 1928, shortly before this is what we observed: a young actor, discovering his craft, the Great Depression hit worldwide financial markets, there is attempting a more complex mature role than he is capable of at also a sense of the hedonistic, unsustainable “Greed is Good” this stage. philosophy that pervades the text. I look forward to seeing Mr Gipson’s development in Set firmly in its original time period, the director Teresa the future. There is no doubt that he will be capable of better Izzard informs the action with the forward knowledge of work. We never really understand why he asks Helen to marry how this historical period directly relates to the now, and the him, apart from the comment that he admires her hands. message of the play, although cloaked in Art Deco symbolism, is It is, however, obvious that he has no empathy with her, no very pertinent to the early 21st Century. Disturbingly so, in fact. understanding of her deep emotional needs and this paves the Taking on the duties of Director and Movement Coach, way to final denouement. Izzard presented the audience with a highly intelligent, clean, Mr Roe, Helen’s secret lover, played by Matthew Arnold yet deeply moving production based firmly in the Art Deco was played with not quite enough abandonment, although period, enhanced by strong geometric shapes, bold colours and gifted with a very beautiful singing voice. Mr Roe’s betrayal of strong contrasts. Helen in her trial should have been much more appalling but his Set design by Rebecca Penn referenced the period well and somewhat facetious reading of the character’s blind acceptance the different scenes were smoothly transitioned with elegant 35

of his freedom, contrasted with Helen’s sense of captivity, was not given enough honesty. In supporting roles, Samuel Addison, Dylan Dorotich, Chelsea Gibson, Callan Hodge, Jonathan Hoey, Jacob Kotzee, Shelby McKenzie and Gabriella Munro all proved their value, and the courtroom scenes perhaps showed these ensemble actors off to their best abilities. It is of great encouragement to see Donald Woodburn’s name on the programme as voice coach, as this innovative and highly respected technician can only heighten the value of any actor he works with. It was an interesting choice by Teresa Izzard to use the idiomatic vernacular of the late 1920’s American with a neutral Australian accent. This meant that some of the dialogue felt false and unwieldy but that a lot more of the dialogue took on new life and direction. I think this was an educated choice that mostly paid great dividends. Machinal was a deeply moving theatrical experience, mostly due to craft and passion of three women. Sophie Treadwell, the author. Teresa Izzard, the director. And Amber Gilmour, playing Helen. Thought provoking, disturbing, challenging and ultimately tragic, this play is as relevant in 2019 as it was when it was written nearly a hundred years ago. * Editor’s Note: The actress’ name was Zita Johan, and it was Clark Gable’s first appearance on Broadway. ~oOo~ Production: Producer: Reviewer:

wonderfully balanced actors, who perform their roles with such honesty and intensity, the audience is never left unmoved. The set is simple in its white starkness. I particularly liked the clever “beach” which was made up of cushioned material, designed to shift underfoot in much the same way as beach sand. In the role of Peter, the young man, Jaxon Barclay makes his Garrick Theatre debut. Mr Barclay has an endearing quality to his stage presentation that is instantly likeable, and even as the more sordid details of his life’s choices unfold, he is still so caring and open with the visitors to “his” beach that one feels his chances of redemption are secure. Rhett Clarke as Ben, the deceased soldier, brings to this role great intensity, longing and pain. His life cut short by the ghastly reality that is war, Ben appears and interacts with all the characters equally. He is recognized by all of the characters, even though the only one that knew him in his lifetime was his wife Charlotte. His ghost seems forever destined to remain on the beach where he died. Douglas Sutherland-Bruce as the aging paramour Leonard gives great sympathy to this role. Leonard could come across as sleazy, or perhaps grasping, or even desperate. Instead, Mr Sutherland-Bruce imbues his character with a natural bonhomie and empathy. We want the relationship between the elderly couple to bring them both happiness, despite the obstacles in their way. Not least of these obstacles is the age of each of them. Charlotte is in her 80’s, Leonard his late 70’s. They have both experienced tragedy and loss. And they are both searching for comfort and companionship. This is something to which we can all relate. Playing Charlotte, the widowed mother of Enid, Kerry Goode brought to the stage all the shades of light and dark that only an experienced actor can call upon. Whimsical, honest, vulnerable and yet oblivious to her daughters turmoil the role of Charlotte was in excellent hands. But the story is, really, Enid’s. And Siobhan Vincent was more than adequate to the task. What a beautifully expressive, understated actor Ms Vincent is. Enid’s disappointing life is worn

Salonika Garrick Theatre Ruby Westral

alonika written when the playwright Louise Page was twentyseven, is an extraordinarily multi-layered play, revolving around deferred hopes, disappointment, disillusionment and ultimately, death. Being able to depict the follies of age alongside the follies of youth and giving each audience member a character to whom they can directly relate, no matter what age group they fall in to, takes an extremely gifted playwright and it is no wonder this play won the prestigious George Devine Award in 1982. Played by three men and two women, it is on one level an interesting story of human relationships, but on another an allegory worthy of the ancient Greeks themselves. Coming to the beach at Salonika, on a kind of pilgrimage, are the widow Charlotte and her elderly spinster daughter, Enid. They have come to visit the war grave of Charlotte’s husband (and Enid’s father), Ben Swift who died during the Salonika Campaign of World War 1. Sleeping naked on the beach in sundrenched glory, is Peter, a dissipated young English man who embodies the youth lost to them both, and his nakedness the antithesis of the strictures they have placed around their own lives. Leonard, with whom Charlotte “has an understanding” also turns up at the beach, having hitchhiked from England to spend time with her, unaware that she and Enid are visiting Salonika to honour Ben’s sacrifice. Enid (Siobhan Vincent) and Charlotte Swift (Kerry Goode) in Delicately directed by Raymond Salonika at the Garrick Omodei and Jake Newby, this production at the Garrick Theatre brings to the stage five 36

like a shield of armour around her, protecting her and yet stifling her. Fathered while Ben was on leave, born after her father’s death at Salonika, living with and looking after her mother, giving up ballet when she “grew too tall” , and never finding “the right man” – one that could live up to her hero father, Enid is expecting, always expecting, her mother to die soon and leave her free her to live her own life. The realisation that it is too late, that she is herself now old and life has passed her by drives her to offer a desperate bargain with the young Peter. Regretting her choices, aching for freedom, idolizing her father who is, for her, forever young, when the shameful secret of Ben’s death is revealed to Enid at last it destroys all the long cherished dreams she has built her life around. Ms Vincent gave us all of this, and more. The Pieta tableau towards the end of the play was as moving for the unexpected death of Peter as it was for the haunting image of Enid as the Virgin Mary, grieving over the loss of promise and the loss of the future. With set and lighting design by Jake Newby and wardrobe and props by Grainne Friel, Garrick Theatre have once again presented a production of outstanding quality. ~oOo~ Production: Producer: Reviewer:

Salonika Garrick Theatre Chris McRae

the characters in the play and poses questions related to purpose, love, honesty and integrity. Kerry Goode and Siobhan Vincent are believable as mother and daughter and there are some beautifully poignant moments between the two. Douglas Sutherland-Bruce is cast perfectly as Leonard, demonstrating moments of cheek contrasted by flashes of vulnerability as he explores what he has lost in the past and what he has found for the future. Newcomer Jaxon Barclay is very natural as the carefree Peter, demonstrating an ability to play for laughs as well as moments of poignancy. Lastly, Rhett Clarke poses a mysterious and at times eerie figure as Ben, giving the play its underlying subtext and moments of heartbreak. The set has been cleverly designed with a raked stage wrapped in canvas representing the white sands and sharply designed flat backdrops to represent the Grecian setting. The lighting design subtly reflects the movement from morning to afternoon, to evening, almost providing a sense of naturalism to the play. Overall, the humour in the play is refreshing with each character displaying moments of light natured fun as well as tenderness and vulnerability which is what makes the play work so well and leads the characters to being so identifiable. Split into three parts (Morning, Afternoon and Evening), the play is separated into a longer first half and a shorter second. A slightly ambiguous ending and a sudden twist was unexpected and slightly ‘unresolved’ but nevertheless, Salonikia, produced by Garrick Theatre is highly entertaining with excellent performances and a real intimate nature! Remaining shows are being performed at the Garrick Theatre in Guildford on the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th March and can be booked directly through the Theatre by calling 9378 1990 or at www.trybooking.com.

e are invited into the intimate environment that is the historic Garrick Theatre in Guildford by a soundscape of lapping waves and seagulls, establishing the serene coastal setting of Salonika (also known as Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece). Before the play even commenced, there was an air of mystery in the air as the stage was dimly lit, revealing a clever set design to symbolise the beach setting and the iconic white buildings associated with the Greek coastline. The naked, tanned body of an unidentified man lay still on stage creating an air of suspense and surprise. The play, written by London born playwright Louise Page and first premiering in the Royal Court in 1982 has been directed by Perth Theatre identity Raymond Omodei, who first directed the play for the Hole in the Wall Theatre in 1985. On the beaches of Salonika we meet 84 year old Charlotte (Kerry Goode) and her spinster, 63 year old daughter Enid (Siobhan Vincent), two Englishwomen who have travelled to Salonika to visit the grave of Charlotte’s late husband Ben (Rhett Clarke), killed in action on the very shores of where they sit. Their relationship is one of both tenderness and frustration and it soon becomes clear that Enid disapproves of her mother’s new relationship with Leonard (Douglas SutherlandBruce), an ageing lethario with a bit of cheek to his nature. All the while, the young, carefree Peter (Jaxon Barclay) lies on the beach and his purpose is slowly revealed. On the surface, Salonika appears as a familial drama with standard relationship tension and tenderness. However, there is plenty of subtext in this charming story as the spirit of Leonard (Douglas Sutherland-Bruce) and Charlotte Swift Ben, Charlotte’s former husband impacts all (Kerry Goode) in Salonika at the Garrick 37

THE IDLER The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind

by the Sea, Cottesloe 2019. The shop owners, if they haven’t already, will be pleasantly surprised when they see the innocent outcome. Even more surprised were the two artists when Deputy Chairman of Tourism WA, Manny Papadoulis announced they’d won the prestigious $10,000 Western Australian Sculptor Scholarship. “I’m covered in goose bumps, even in this heat,” said Berenice Rarig, later adding, “each one is individual. The final shape was a collaboration between us and the material. We think with our fingers and our brain catches up.” Donated by Gavin Bunning & Julienne Penny since 2013, the scholarship provides invaluable support for the advancement of the artist’s career, including the opportunity to travel and study their craft. It also includes an invitation to exhibit at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2019.

THE ARRESTING PROPERTIES OF ZIP TIES GLENNYS MARSDON

hen I think about cable ties, or zip ties as some people call them, a few things come to mind. Some positive, some negative but none worthy of a $10,000 scholarship. But that’s exactly what happened at Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2019. First invented in 1958 by electric company Thomas and Betts, employer Maurus C. Logan, they were initially employed as airplane wire harnesses. Made from nylon the flexible ties have grown from their humble beginnings into an almost indispensable part of modern life. At the end of last year I was amazed to watch thousands upon thousands of black zip ties be used during the recent Ozone New Years Eve concert at Langley Park. The speed with which the installers used the ties to secure metres of promotional banners around the perimeter of the venue was impressive. Meanwhile the blue ties contain a metal additive, so they can be easily detected while used in the food industry. Then of course there are the PlastiCuffs. A plethora of television police dramas have educated us about the arresting properties of zip ties. Within seconds a criminal is lying prostrate on the ground, hands secured behind his back by the black ties. Sadly, the same shows have also highlighted their application by the odd psychopath or two. Given this perhaps you can imagine the reaction Ardross and Canning Vale residents Rima Zabaneh and Berenice Rarig received, when they took trip after trip to purchase 70,000 zip ties. The sellers must have had many a sleepless night about their customers intensions. No doubt there were several discussions about not closing up alone late at night. Perhaps the innocent white colour of the ties gave them some reassurance. Little did they know that the two unassuming ladies would use the ties to comment on the potential to reuse items beyond their original purpose. Their message was clearly demonstrated by the white and purple coral shaped Pods, currently on show as part of Sculpture

Rima Zabaneh and Berenice Rarig Pods (Photograph by Clyde Yee) Bernice added, “Being in the exhibition has always been on my bucket list but I was too afraid to try. This collaboration gave us the courage to exhibit. Sculpture by the Sea gives room for every type of sculptural practice no matter your medium, it’s a welcoming invitation to create. We feel so honoured to have received this award.” Continued on page 52 ...

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TV WITH CHRIS Sex Education

Miracle Workers

Netflix

Stan With a growing trend of unique and off beat comedies providing a welcome relief from the never ending stream of reboots, remakes and sequels littering film and television screens (The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine Nine and The Kominsky Method to name a few), the latest offering from Stan is another solid addition to the slate. Miracle Workers, starring Steve Buscemi as God and Daniel Radcliffe as the likeable yet lowly prayer answering angel Craig, is a laugh out loud and highly original comedy based on the novel What In God’s Name by Simon Rich (who has also written for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons. The series opening sees Buscemi’s all powerful (and borderline alcoholic layabout) God, plan to blow up Earth due to all the ‘bad stuff’ that is going on down below. This is much to the disappointment of the entirety of Heaven Inc. along with Craig, who is joined by rookie angel Eliza (Australia’s Geraldine Viswanathan), fresh from the department of dirt. Eliza strikes a deal with God in order to try and save the world and must get Craig and his prayer-answering smarts onside in order to save the earth from destruction. Tackling the unknown or the impossible in comedic form is often a concept that either sinks or swims. When it comes to Miracle Workers, the script is sharp and the comedic chemistry between Buscemi, Radcliffe and Viswanathan provides some very funny moments due to their differences in character and approach. Daniel Radcliffe has successfully shaken the ‘Harry Potter’ tag with some truly diverse roles and this is no different. His comedic chops provide some laugh out loud moments as his bumbling angel tries gallantly to stop the destruction of the world. Buscemi, a true veteran of the screen plays God with a real sense of swagger and ‘carefree’ attitude which is ironic considering he is the ‘big guy in charge of everything’. Relative newcomer Geraldine Viswanathan (most recently seen in Blockers and soon to be seen alongside Hugh Jackman in Bad

n an ever changing world where young people have more pressures on them than ever before when it comes to relationships, sex, self identity and gender stereotypes, the smash British hit Sex Education has arrived just at the right time. What Skins did for the noughties generation, this latest Netflix original is an absolute gem.

It centres around Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) who’s sexual experience is limited but his knowledge vast. This is due to his mother (Gillian Anderson) being a sex therapist. When word spreads, fellow classmate and rebel Maeve (Emma Mackey) proposes a money making scheme which sees Otis set up a secret sex therapy clinic at school. Soon he is inundated with requests and uncovers his fellow peers’ dirty laundry. Firstly, Sex Education is hysterically funny in a ‘cringeworthy yet can’t look away’ kind of fashion. There are plenty of awkward sexual encounters and gross out moments and much of the comedy comes from the characters’ inability to navigate these socially and sexually frustrating moments. Alongside these laugh out loud moments comes some poignant and startlingly relevant plot lines. Otis’ best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) is openly gay and several plot points (including some confronting moments) deal with his struggle to fit in, his family’s concern for his safety and the challenges of finding a sense of self identity in an often cruel world. Already renewed for a second season, Sex Education is not only funny but very clever. It provides moments which provide important social messages and looks at how sex is portrayed in society, all through the lens of awkward teenagers just trying to fit in like everyone else. Highly recommended. ~oOo~ 40

Education) is terrific and possesses some great comic timing as Radcliffe’s co-angel Elize. With new episodes weekly on Stan, I for one am excited to see how it will all end and where the show runners will take Heaven Inc. next. Highly Recommended. ~oOo~

Umbrella Academy Stan

The age of the superhero is well and truly alive and well with the Marvel juggernaut proving the biggest brand in film history and event films such as Avengers: End Game on the horizon. Superhero films and series’ have evolved. Ever since The Dark Knight and the expansion of figures such as Daredevil and the Punisher onto the small screen, comic book and graphic novel adaptations are at an all time high. With the risk of the tried and tested ‘superhero genre’ running stale, film and television makers are finding new heroes, anti-heroes and stories to adapt and put their unique spin on. Enter Netflix’s newest offering, the very off beat Umbrella Academy. Taking a leaf from, the book of the X-Men franchise, the show focuses on a group of beings with extraordinary powers. It is October 1989 and around the world, women who were not pregnant at the beginning of the day all give birth at the same time on the same day to forty-three children. Seven of these individuals are adopted by the mysterious billionaire industrialist Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore) and brought into the world of the Umbrella Academy. Their powers are harnessed and at times exploited under his roof in the interests of ‘preparing them to save the world’. In their teenage years, the family disbands and years later, the six remaining individuals reunite in the face of their father’s mysterious death and an imminent threat to the world’s very existence on the horizon. Right from the outset, it is clear that this series is utterly unique. Each character has an eclectic style and gone is the spandex and lycra of the stereotype, replaced instead by a Steampunk inspired industrial look and feel. With elements of Watchmen in the sense of visually gorgeous sequences and unique character aesthetics down to Deadpool inspired knife fights, violence and fight choreography, this series is a sight to behold. Umbrella Academy is dark but, boy, is it well executed. Each character’s backstory is integral to the overall plot and as the elements start to come together, moments become even more gripping. Fans of superhero series’, gothic literature and graphic novels rejoice. This unique thrill is for you! Very Highly Recommended. ~oOo~ 41

SPORT AND LEISURE ESCORTED SPORTS TOURS CHRIS MCRAE

ith the aim of inspiring and educating through sports and travel, Escorted Sports Tours has started 2019 with a bang. Company director Shane Morup has accompanied two tours to the US across January and February 2019, covering both the West and East Coasts and experiencing some of the biggest cities, stadiums and arenas in the world in the process: January Slapshot Tour (with the Melbourne Ice) Ice Hockey was the primary focus for the company’s Slapshot Tour which kicked off on New Year’s Day earlier this year. With months of meticulous planning, Escorted Sports Tours teamed up with one of the Australian Ice Hockey League’s most successful franchises, the Melbourne Ice for a once-in-a-lifetime ice hockey experience for fans and members of the club. Eighteen enthusiastic Melbourne Ice members and hockey fans kicked off the tour in Hollywood itself and had a day to explore the dizzying and almost overwhelming range of attractions of Los Angeles, California. Before the hockey action kicked off, the tour group managed to catch several incredible games including a trip to the magnificent Memorial Coliseum to see eventual Super Bowl qualifiers the Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49er’s as well as an impromptu NBA game at the Staples Centre in LA between the Philadelphia 76ers and the LA Clippers. For the Escorted Sports Tours team, adding games at the spur of the moment can be an amazing experience and a great feature of the tours for fans. The game, although not the result the local fans were after, saw Australian Ben Simmons (playing for Philadelphia) seal the game for the 76ers, much to the delight of the Aussie tour group. Some time spent exploring the thrills of Universal Studios and attractions such as the famous Rodeo Drive and Venice Beach followed along with an unforgettable LA City Tour. The first scheduled hockey game was held back at Staples Centre where the basketball court was traded for the home ice of the LA Kings as they lined up against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The tour group not only got to experience the unique atmosphere of North American Ice Hockey but also stepped onto centre ice and fist bumped players in the entrance tunnel, experiences like no other! A trip down the highway was next on the agenda as the tour group released their inner children, heading for Anaheim, the home of Disneyland. As well as experiencing the happiest place on earth, Australia and the Melbourne Ice were put on the map as the tour group received a ‘scoreboard shout out’ at the game between hometown team the Anaheim Ducks and the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights would prove to be a popular team to follow on the Slapshot Tour as the group soon travelled to Sin City itself, Las Vegas. Upon landing, hockey was

on the agenda once more as the newest team in the National Hockey League put on a show against the New Jersey Devils at their home T-Mobile Arena. A highlight for many as the group explored Nevada was witnessing the iconic Grand Canyon littered with snow, an incredible sight. To wrap up the once in a lifetime sporting experience, the group headed from Vegas to San Jose where they took in a fantastic game between the San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers. The tour wrapped up in yet another iconic city as the group jumped on the train and headed north to San Francisco where they got the opportunity to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, experience Fisherman’s Wharf and get involved in some retail therapy in Union Square. Being one of the first major hockey themed tours for Shane Morup and Escorted Sports Tours, the January 2019 Slapshot Tour in association with the Melbourne Ice was a huge success. Members of the tour group described it as “one of the best experiences ever” and “everything was pretty damn great”. February Slam Dunk Tour With no rest for the wicked, several weeks after the successful Slapshot Tour, the crew from EST were once again on a plane bound for the United States, this time for a Basketball centric tour of the East Coast which would explore the sporting and historical landscape of several more iconic cities, including the nation’s capital. The team touched down in New York City for the first stop of the tour and were met by sub zero temperatures, a stark contrast to sunny Australia. Prior to the basketball action everyone was here to see, an incredible experience awaited as a tour of Yankee Stadium, home to one of the MLB’s most popular teams, was on the cards.

History and sport collided in this iconic and amazing behind-thescenes experience. Soon it was time to kit up with the NBA essentials as the tour landed at Madison Square Garden in the heart of NYC for a match up between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics, the first of six games across nine nights for the group. Upon settling into the Novotel overlooking Times Square, the tour group prepared to make the most of their time in the city that never sleeps. The following day, a return to ‘The Garden’ was on the itinerary but this time, hockey was on the agenda with the New York Rangers hosting the NHL’s top team in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Another behind-the-scenes tour of the famous arena made for a memorable day at one of New York’s premier sporting venues. The buzz of the city’s sports themed bars and restaurants was at fever pitch the following day with Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams set to be broadcast live from Atlanta. The crew settled into the Slate NY Nightclub for the big game and although not live in the stadium, the atmosphere of being in the US for one of the biggest games on the world sporting calendar was an experience in itself. Plenty of sightseeing also took place with the group exploring key locations such as Times Square, Central Park, Bryant Park and Wall Street before departing NYC. Jumping on the subway from Penn Station, the next destination was Philadelphia as the group headed south. The Super Bowl fever continued as the group undertook a behind-the-scenes tour of Lincoln Financial Field, home of Super Bowl LII champions, the Philadelphia Eagles with the 2018 Vince Lombardi trophy proudly on display. The experience of Philadelphia hockey was up next as the Philadelphia Flyers and the Vancouver Canucks went head to head at Wells Fargo Centre and the tour group was lucky enough to take in the action from a private suite. Soon after, the arena

underwent the famous ‘quick change’ as ice was replaced with the basketball court for the Philadelphia 76er’s match up with the Toronto Raptors. Another behind-the-scenes tour, this time of Wells Fargo Centre gave tour-goers a fascinating insight into the day to day operations of a professional sports venue. With Philly done and dusted, the tour group hopped on the Amtrak train and headed south once again, this time to the nation’s capital, Washington DC. The stop in DC was not only a chance to witness the sporting culture in the capital but also the history of the district. A tour of the department of defence at the Pentagon was first on the agenda and provided a fascinating insight into the workings and history of organisations such as the US Navy and Coast Guard. With some history in the books, sport was back on the itinerary as the tour group descended on Capital One Arena, home of the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. The game between the Capitals and the Avalanche was a tightly contested match up and proved to be highly entertaining battle. The group’s experience at the arena itself was memorable, complete with a floating Dolorean and self serve beer stations. After some time to explore the historic sights of the capital, it was the Washington Wizards’ turn to entertain with a NBA match up with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a stroke of luck, Aussie basketball superstars Matthew Dellavedova and Deng Adel lined up for the Cavs on Australian Heritage Night. The tour concluded with a chance to take in some more sights in the historic District of Columbia including the Smithsonian Museum and Capital Building. Escorted Sports Tours is going from strength to strength with the aim of inspiring and educating through sports and travel. To keep up with all the future tours and developments, check out Escorted Sports Tours at: www.facebook.com/ESportsTours www.escortedsportstours.com.au 43

FINANCE STEPS TO CLAIMING A SUPER DEDUCTION STEVE BLIZARD

f you are considering claiming personal super contributions as a tax deduction in the 2018-19 financial year, there are certain steps necessary that need to be taken. Many people make personal super contributions and claim a tax deduction. By doing this, they can give their super a boost and reduce their taxable income in the contributing year. However, there are specific steps that need to be completed so as to ensure eligibility to claim the deduction intended for personal contributions made to super.

The contributions are usually made electronically by BPay, or paid by cheque. Generally, a contribution to super is considered ‘made’ when accepted by the super fund trustee. However, it’s also possible to make ‘in-specie’ personal super contributions into certain super funds, such as SMSFs, subject to various conditions. This is achieved by transferring ownership of an asset (i.e. direct shares) owned by the person, into their super fund. It’s important to remember that contributions must be made by 28 June 2019 in order to claim a tax deduction for the 2018/19 financial year, as 30 June falls on a Sunday this financial year. You should also check with your super fund provider as to their requirements in relation to making ‘last minute’ super contributions, as the fund may have an earlier cut-off date for contributions.

1. Consider work test if 65 to 74 In order to be eligible to contribute to super, individuals aged 65 to 74 need to have been employed or self-employed for at least forty hours over thirty consecutive days during the financial year so as to be eligible for contributing to super. 2. Consider assessable income If assessable income is less than the amount to be claimed as a deduction, the deduction is only available to the extent of the amount of assessable income earned. Also, a deduction below the tax-free threshold isn’t recommended, as an unnecessary fifteen percent tax on concessional super contributions will be incurred. In such a case, making a non-concessional (after-tax) super contribution would make more sense.

Furthermore, to be eligible to claim the deduction, a personal super contribution can’t be made to a: · Commonwealth Public Sector Superannuation scheme in which you have a defined benefit interest · Constitutionally protected fund (e.g. GESB West State) or other untaxed fund that would not include the contribution in its assessable income, or · other super funds specified in the regulations.

3. Consider Concessional Contribution cap Personal deductible super contributions count, along with certain other amounts, towards the Concessional Contribution (CC) cap, which is $25,000 in 2018/19, regardless of age. CCs exceeding these caps should generally be avoided, as any excess will be included in the individual’s taxable income and taxed at marginal rates less a 15 percent tax offset.

5. Complete valid notice of intent A personal super contribution will be treated as a nonconcessional super contribution and counts towards the nonconcessional cap unless a valid ‘notice of intent’ is submitted (as per s290-170 ITAA97) and the tax return is lodged. In other words, unless a “notice of intent” form is lodged, a tax deduction for your personal super contribution cannot be received. Your super fund will supply you with a form, or the ATO form (NAT 71121) may be used. The notice of intent can be lodged with the super contribution. However, if this doesn’t occur, it must be supplied by the earlier of: · the date the tax return is lodged for the year the contribution was made, or · the end of the financial year following the financial year in which the contribution was made. A notice of intent cannot be accepted by the super fund if: · the fund member has exited the fund · contribution(s) being claimed have been paid out as a lump sum or used to start a pension · member has already submitted a contributions-splitting application that hasn’t been rejected by the fund · member has requested a release under the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS).

4. Make a personal contribution When all the conditions and restrictions outlined above have been considered, a personal super contribution may be made. This is a contribution that a person makes themselves into their own super fund. The contribution cannot be made by an employer even if the person is employed by a related entity, such as a private company or family trust, or as a spouse contribution.

Continued on page 52 ... 44

BUSINESS - NETWORKING FIRST IMPRESSIONS - NOT WHAT THEY WERE SHARRON ATTWOOD

’ve been asked to speak about First Impressions for face-to-face Networking – as in how to make a good one. I’ve looked at it several ways – starting with the obvious – entering the room. You need to enter a space like you belong – with confidence and a great handshake at the ready. Registering ahead of time can help – ensuring you are greeted with a name badge, a place at the table or just expected in general. How nice is it to have someone say ‘Well hello, we’ve been expecting you’? Do your research! I’d never attend an event without knowing as much as I can about it. Who are the organisers? Are they on LinkedIn and if so – consider sending a connection request. As we know, you always connect with a personalised message and I find it works well to go with, ‘Looking forward to your event tonight……….’ As a minimum peruse their profile and look for standout points or conversation starters. I’ve attended many an event, having already connected with organisers or hosts and formed a great connection as we build on rapport built online. I also look at previous events to get clear on the flow of the event. What is the venue like? The food – what can I expect? You can look back at past events to discover the dress standard and ensure you arrive appropriately attired. That sense of being at ease goes a long way towards making a great first impression. You will feel confident and self assured – which shows. You will also look organised. Have you ever been to an event and seen someone fidgeting around – way overdressed or underdressed? It mostly comes down to how you feel about it though. I’m a fan of being a little overdressed at all times. It’s my brand – what’s yours? If Jeans and t-shirt are your brand – would you get a way with it at a cocktail event? It’s also helpful to know the schedule of events. Are you walking into open networking or right into a sit down event? How are the introductions done? Some events allow everyone to introduce themselves to the group, meaning you need to give thought to your spiel or pitch. Even in a face to face setting – how do you answer ‘So what do you do?’ Your full sixty-second pitch just won’t cut it here. You also need to keep others in mind – getting to know them and consider how you can assist them or

provide referrals. Be ready to connect. Again it shows confidence and increases your opportunity to make a great first impression. Know that you have business cards if that is the way of the event. Make sure your profiles are ready for connecting. I am flabbergasted at the amount of times I mention that I’ll be sending LinkedIn connection request only to be told – ‘Well I won’t accept it just yet – my profile’s a bit of a mess’ or I’ll ask about their Facebook Business page – but that isn’t ready either. I understand the desire to just get going – but these fundamentals of connecting need to be a priority. Perhaps you won’t have a professional headshot or eloquent profile statement – but be far enough over the line that you are happy to connect. When you start out a selfie and a snappy statement will do in most instances. However, if it’s not enough for you to confidently move forward then fix it. Let’s pivot here – and look at how having a great online profile can also assist you to make a great first impression offline. In many circles, it can be rare to meet all new people at an event. I would have seen so many of them on line – commenting in group conversations – posting on LinkedIN – even in videos or interviews. I have not met all of my connections face to face (yet) – it’s not a requirement for me as I believe we can build rapport and relationships online just as effectively in this day and age. So, walking into an event with people already having an awareness of you is a definite bonus. It certainly makes for a great first impression at a face-to-face event when an attendee says they read your blog, have enjoyed your videos or saw your interview. It gives people a desire to meet you and a reason to talk with you. It also sees you both further along the rapport building journey. I am always amused to enter a room and be addressed by my Instagram handle – and to then discover their handle – by good planning I always follow locals back. We have a laugh and feel connected right away. How do you feel at the thought of facing a room full of people? Is it a challenge or an opportunity? Perhaps both, which is fine. How you feel will show on your face and in your body language. Lastly, you may have had a hard day – outside factors can conspire to derail even the most organised attendee. Do not let it taint the opportunity. What gets you back into the zone? Calm your breathing – perhaps try tapping. I also use music – some songs just really work! Some tunes to pump you up or perhaps calm you down? Using the tips above - know the vibe of the occasion and pitch your energy to match. Don’t bring it down. Take the time, take a minute, take a breath – and make a great first impression every time. 45

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK PRIME MINISTER’S SCIENCE PRIZE CHRISTIAN PORTER MP

strength in these sectors generates more jobs and higher living standards for all Australians. To nominate someone you need to hold a professional qualification in a similar field as your nominee, get their agreement and their CV, and submit 500 words on why they deserve a prize. For more information visit: www.industry.gov.au/fundingand-incentives/science-and-research/prime-ministers-prizesfor-science.

he quest to find Australia’s top scientists, innovators and science teachers is on again with nominations opening for this year’s Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. From pure research to innovative commercial applications to teaching excellence, the prizes recognise our best and brightest. I encourage those within the science fields to nominate their impressive peers, particularly women. The Liberal Government wants to increase the participation and recognition of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, so this is a great chance to nominate a woman in the electorate if Pearce. Nominations close on the 12th March, with $750,000 in prize money to be distributed across seven categories. The main prizes for Science and Innovation are each worth $250,000. Five other prizes of $50,000 each recognise early to mid-career researchers, innovators working towards commercialising their research and science teachers - in both primary and secondary schools. The Liberal Government recognises the importance of science and technology as key drivers of Australia’s economy, and the jobs of the future. It has invested $2.4 billion in Australia’s research, science and technology capabilities in the 2018-19 Budget, underscored by a $1.9 billion investment to update National Research Infrastructure – ensuring ongoing

The Prime Minister's 2018 Prize for Science was awarded to Emeritus Professor Kurt Lambeck for transforming our understanding of our planet

BALLAJURA CELEBRATES HARMONY DAY GRETA JASIAK

Middle Eastern food. City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said the event was held as part of the State Government's Harmony Week which encourages everyone to experience, explore and appreciate the State's cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity. "The City is incredibly diverse, with around 33% of our population born overseas, so we certainly have a lot to celebrate," he said. "Harmony Day is a chance to celebrate everyone who calls Australia home. "From the traditional owners of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world, on this day we take the opportunity to look at how far we've come and how much we can learn from each other." Whiteman Ward Councillor Maria Haynes said one of the best things about the event was seeing everyone come together and build a stronger community. "It's an opportunity to get to know people in your neighbourhood, and also learn and understand how we all have our own unique story to share, but we all belong here and together we make it a better place to live," she said. This free event will be held on Sunday, March 17 from 12-4pm at Karijini Oval in Ballajura. For more information on the day and how to get there, visit www.swan.wa.gov.au/ events

he City of Swan invites community members to come along and join the festivities in Ballajura this Harmony Day. Every year the City provides a family fun event for the community, celebrating the diverse cultures and people that make up the City. There will be plenty of entertainment available to all ages including inflatables, origami, cuddly animals and the West Swan Fire Brigade’s fire truck. The event will also feature cultural performances such as English folk dancing, belly dancing, an Italian choir, Chinese Dragon and Lion dancers, as well as performances from the Ballajura Primary School and Education Support Centre. Also on offer will be ample choices of cuisines for attendees to try including Polish, French, Burmese, Mexican and

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK UPPER REACH TWILIGHT CONCERTS RETURN

he hugely popular Twilight Concerts at Upper Reach Winery will be back for their 15th year this summer to celebrate the new wine vintage. The 2019 vintage, which winemaker Derek Pearse says had a great start because of the long, cool (almost cold) Spring looks like being a fabulous year and will help make the four concerts even more of a celebration. Upper Reach owner Laura Pearse says the focus for the concerts in February and March will be on up-beat, get up and dance style music from the jazz and blues era. "Derek and I look forward to the concert season each year as a way of supporting local Perth musicians and celebrating the year’s vintage," said Laura. “The Twilight Concerts are my favourite nights of the year, and it’s fantastic to see so many people having a really great time.” Laura says the concerts are a great way to enjoy a summer evening with a picnic and as the sun sets you’ll be up and dancing to the music. Feel free to pack a picnic (no byo alcohol though) or book dinner and the show, with two-courses at the RiverBrook Restaurant including the concert ticket for $99. For fans of Upper Reach wines, a $120 ticket provides a six pack of white wines delivered, which usually sell for $152. General admission for the concert is $40 per person, and admission is free for children under four. For five to 17-year-olds entry is $18. A general admission season pass to all four concerts costs $120 per person. Upper Reach is the perfect place to relax over a platter, share small plates and enjoy a glass of wine with friends and family. What a great experience to have over the long summer days but get in quickly as these outdoor concerts sell out quickly! The last concert is on Saturday, March 16, The Velvet Playboys & Adam Hall; A feast for your eyes in jazz, rhythm

and blues music (See review on page 25.) For all booking details please visit the Swan Valley website.

ART AND ARTISTS SCUPTURE ON THE SCARP

Background Image: Up the Creek by Dimity Gregson 2018 (Photograph by Sam Hopkins)

SCULPTURE ON THE SCARP 2019

A new jewel in the crown of Darlington Arts Festival

pplications are now being sought for Sculpture on the Scarp 2019, an outdoor sculpture exhibition that runs over the first weekend in November. Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural Sculpture on the Scarp exhibition attracted an overwhelmingly positive response. This was an idea that had been floating around the Darlington Arts Festival Committee for quite some time but local resident and community gardener Stacey August took the challenge and got it up and running in 2018. With a short timeframe and no budget, the volunteer team and Curator, Denise Pepper, pulled together an exhibition that drew people out into the station reserve between Darlington Oval and Darlington Post Office in droves. 2019 Coordinator, Amy Pepper, said the exhibition site teemed with life without any of the stress or overwhelm of a busy art gallery combined with excited children. There was something for everyone with around thirty artists engaging with both the space and the public over the weekend. Thousands of people came to the sculpture exhibition and it was clear that this new face in the festival catalogue was hitting the spot. Asked why exhibitions that are interwoven into a community event like this are important, 2019 Curator Mikaela Castledine said: bringing art out of the galleries - bringing art to the people instead of trying to encourage people to come to the art is a really positive thing. An exhibition like this becomes a gateway to art appreciation in a diverse community. An outdoor exhibition also encourages discussion and critical analysis of art which broadens our understanding. With the rise of public art works around the city it is important to teach people how to respond to and talk about the art works that we essentially own. It is not enough to dismiss works with a glib throw-away line. If you don't like a piece of work you should look at why you feel that way does it make you uncomfortable? Is that what it is supposed to do? Do you like it? Why? Sculpture on the Scarp offers a truly unique bush setting. 2019 Coordinator, Amy Pepper, said last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extension to the Darlington Arts Festival, which has

kins 2018 Sa m H o p ) y b ia lg d Nosta opkins Fragmenteotograph by Sam H (Ph

Curator, Mikaela Casteldine (Photograph by Evalyn Photography) 48

Re -an imate d b (Phot y Vince A Pollenato us ograp r h by tin 2018 Sa m Hop k in

ART AND ARTISTS SCUPTURE ON THE SCARP been running for more than fifty years, made this unique heritage space in the village centre come alive. The site has a strong heritage story as a drop off point for drays carrying grapes and the like when Darlington was home to vineyards and the train passed along the trail now known as The Bridle Path. The station platform remains at one end of the reserve and was used to showcase the People’s Choice Winner, Fragmentia, by Sam Hopkins in the inaugural Sculpture on the Scarp exhibition. The entire area is lovingly maintained and developed by the Friends of Darlington Station Reserve, who meet regularly to weed, plant and water throughout the year. Explaining her role as Curator of Sculpture on the Scarp, Mikaela Castledine posited that the curator of an art exhibition is like the director of a play or a choir. You take a piece of creative work and find a way to present it to an audience in a fresh and innovative way by assembling your players and finding the best way for them to shine individually as well as harmonise together. Sometimes the curator has a vision or is presented with a theme for an exhibition and they pick out particular artworks to make that idea come to life, sometimes they choose particular artists to interpret the vision and sometimes, as in this exhibition, they are given a concept and they shape the exhibition out of the submissions that come in from an open call-out. Ms Castledine suggested that every now and then she goes to an exhibition and sees a work of art that stops her in her tracks; something that makes her gasp out loud and causes the gallery security guards a momentary panic. It doesn't happen often but every time I go out to look at art there is the possibility that I will see something amazing. Wondering exactly what she might be looking for in submissions for Sculpture on the Scarp this year, Ms Castledine told me “the things that make a piece of art amazing are difficult to define but for me they come down to a greatness of concept and a largeness of skill. “Most works of art balance somewhere between these two points; sometimes the conceptual thinking is important or revolutionary or resonates particularly with your own thoughts; sometimes the skills involved in the making are evident and impressive and the medium perfectly chosen, but to have both in one piece of work is a joy. ‘If you can add that the time and place of showing the work enhances your viewing of it then you end up with a transcendent moment.” I think Darlington Station Reserve, especially at the beginning and end of the day when the lighting is quite magical, offers that possibility. Mikaela summed up the importance of art nicely in that “I don't need everything to be amazing, I am happy to see work that I like, work that is interesting and even work that I am not drawn to - I really like looking at all art, but I love the thought that every morning when I wake up there is a day in front of me which could contain something wonderful. This is how I approach every art exhibition and it is how I will approach this one.” Application details can be found at www.darlingtonartsfestival.com/art-exhibitions/sculptures-on-the-scarp/ Applications close on 1 May 2019. For more information, contact Amy Pepper on sculptureex@darlingtonartsfestival.com

Fragility by Gin a Scriven 2018 (Photograph by Sam Hopkins)

I Se e (Pho You by S to g r a h p h b ona M c G y s) re in Sa m pk Ho Hop k g o r (Photograph by Sam 18 20 e in Ja n rti 49 Ma ins) Nest of Eggs by

#AdoptLove

PLAYFUL PARSON Parson is a fabulous, obedient and polite pup. He was rescued by the rangers in remote Onslow. He loves food and will do anything you ask in return for a treat! His carer has been practicing sit, lie down and wait with him. When it’s dinner time, he’ll sit and wait when told before he gets stuck in! He doesn’t dig or bark in the garden. After a few practices on the lead he’s already got the hang of it - he really is a quick learner. He loves people, other dogs and just wants to play with everyone and anyone. He’ll fuss all over you then fall asleep at your feet. He’s four months old and his adoption fee of $500 includes his vet check, microchip, up to date vaccination and a desex voucher for when he’s old enough - cheaper than being given a dog for free and then paying for the vet costs privately. So, you save money and save a life! He can fly to Perth for a discounted airfare of $150. His foster carer says he’s awesome and will be a great addition to someone’s family.

PHOTOGRAPHS: HELEN OSLER

Contact the team at SAFE Karratha on 08 9185 4634 if you need a cuddly, loving friend.

Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (SAFE) is an animal rescue organisation that has saved and rehomed more than 23,000 homeless animals since its beginnings in 2003. It has grown to be WA’s largest volunteer-based animal rehoming organisation using foster care instead of cages. SAFE has 12 branches state-wide. In 2018 it was the national winner “Outstanding Rescue Group” in the Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards. SAFE is the Western Australian arm of Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA). FOSTER CARE means animals live the lives of normal pets, with no time limits, enjoying love in their place of care, and socialisation in the home and community. Their carers’ knowledge of how they respond to different situations means SAFE can make a great match. Would you like to help animals on their journey to a new life? To become a foster carer, the first step is to contact 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 50

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

Concluded from page 44... 6. Receive an acknowledgement Fund members must ensure they receive a confirmation from the trustees that the fund has received and recorded the notice of intent. Once the notice has been recorded, it cannot be revoked. However, a member can vary their deduction notice (within the permitted time) but only to reduce the amount being claimed (including to nil). A variation notice is not effective if, when it is made, the taxpayer has ceased to be a member, the fund no longer holds the contribution, or the fund has commenced to pay a pension based in whole or in part on the contribution.

Concluded from page 38 ... Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea, David Handley said, “I was absolutely delighted to hear Rima and Bernice were chosen to receive the WA Sculptor Scholarship. Their work takes you by surprise and after a double take you realise it is simply stunning.” This year marks the 15th anniversary of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe, which is Perth’s largest free to the public event, attracting an estimated 240,000 visitors to explore the art. Over seventy sculptures are on display from a broad range of West Australian and interstate artists, as well as a large gathering of international artists from USA, Israel, China, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Greece and Andorra. In addition to acclaimed international artists, the exhibition shines a spotlight on works by some of WA’s leading sculptors including Anne Neil, Stephen Tepper, Alessandra Rossi, Miik Green, Ron Gomboc, Jennifer Cochrane, Tim Macfarlane Reid, Tony Davis as well as leading emerging artists from Western Australia such as April Pine, Britt Mikkelsen and Jina Lee. While many of the pieces are priced in the thousands, the Pods are for sale individually and are priced from $1,000 to $3,000 each. Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe 2019, is on until March 18. Don’t forget to visit the Sculptures Inside exhibition for smaller pieces. There’s also the Tactile Tours and the Community Inclusion Tour. The popular Beach Access days are on the 13th and 14th of March when special matting is installed. The free shuttle bus, the Cott Cat, is operating again this year from the train station. For more information go to www.sculpturebythesea.com/

7. Lodge tax return You must lodge your tax return for the relevant financial year to access the deduction. If you have been thinking about making a personal super contribution, this may be your last opportunity to do so, as Federal Labor plans to abolish the tax deductibility for personal superannuation contributions if they are elected. For further information, email steve@blizard.com.au or call Roxburgh Securities on (08) 9379 3555. Courtesy of Roxburgh Securities Continued from page 10 ...

COMMUNITY KINDERGARTENS

We are very lucky to have two Community Kindergartens in Swan Hills, being the Bullsbrook Community Kindergarten and the Mount Helena Community Kindergarten. These two locally run community facilities offer supportive, nurturing environments to assist kids to gradually make the transition to school. Presidents Joanne Matthewson and Narelle Thredgold do an amazing job. Many parents who would like to send their kids to community kindies are not aware of the cut off dates for enrolment. The closure date is the first Friday in Term 3, so it is important that parents enrol children now in kindergarten if they will be turning four before 30 June 2020. For more information on these fantastic community kindies, check out their Facebook Pages: www.facebook.com/bullsbrookcommunitykindergarten/ www.facebook.com/MountHelenaCommunityKindergarten/ I wish everyone a great school year and I look forward to working with our Swan Hills schools in 2019! Continued from page 21 ... In 1874, she co-founded London School of Medicine for Women and became a lecturer in what was the only teaching hospital in Britain to offer courses for women. She continued to work there for the rest of her career and was dean of the school from 1883 to 1902. In 1873 she gained membership of the British Medical Association (BMA). In 1878 a motion was proposed to exclude women following her election and in 1897, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (she married James George Skelton Anderson in 1871) was elected president of the East Anglian branch of the BMA. On 9 November 1908, she was elected mayor of Aldeburgh, the first female mayor in England. Her father had been mayor in 1889. She died in 1917 and is buried in a churchyard at Aldeburgh, Britain’s first physician and surgeon; the co-founder of the first hospital staffed by women, the first dean of a British medical school, the first woman in Britain to be elected to a school board and the first female mayor and magistrate in Britain.

Rima Zabaneh and Berenice Rarig Pods (Photograph by Glennys Marsdon) 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. 52

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