Swan magazine april2015dp

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EDUCATION

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IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

PAGE

Anzac Tip Of The Spear Dambusters Concert Books and Writing Business Card Board

24 25 26 27,28

Chef-Adventurer 28 Community Swan Valley

Community Centre 4 Bickley Harvest Festival 11 Left in Tatters 23 Editorial 2 Education Inside front cover Entertainment The Rainmaker 30 It’s My Party 31 Dinner - A Review 29 Finance 33 Food 27 Gardening Saws & Pools 5 Health Matters Honey Month

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SWAN MAGAZINE

Published by: Synhawk Publications Pty Ltd WEBSITE:

www.swanmagazine.com.au

Publisher: Douglas Sutherland-Bruce editor@swanmagazine.com.au Editor: Jan Patrick office@swanmagazine.com.au

Literary - The Idler MCC

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Notes From Parliament

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People Oliva Patmore Poetry This Old Cat Musical Appreciation Obituary - Sir Terry Pratchett Rotary

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SAFE 35 Style by Kirsty 32 Toodyay Special Moondyne Festival Attractions History of Toodyay Toodyay Farmers Market Dining Out in Toodyay Toodyay Doings Toodyay Tidiest Town The Voice of Swan Hills What’s On

12 12 14/21 16 18 19 20 20 8 36

COVER PICTURE Moondyne Joe Makes His Escape

Photograph courtesy Moondyne Joe Festival See story on page 12.

Office: 14 Ridge Road, Glen Forrest, Western Australia Phone: 9298 8495 E-mail: office@swanmagazine.com.au Sales: Jessi Ford 0400 181 372 E-mail: sales@swanmagazine.com.au Postal Address: P.O. Box 554, Mundaring Western Australia 6073 MAY DEADLINES: Advertisements: 25th April Editorial: 3rd May Copyright: Synhawk Publications Pty Ltd 2015

Printed in Western Australia by Vanguard Press using petroleum free inks and green electricity on plantation sourced paper. Both paper manufacturer and printer are certified to ISO14001, the highest environmental standard.

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EDITORIAL

OBITUARY

SIR TERRY PRATCHETT LETTERS 1948 - 2015 TO THE he world became a little bit duller last month raging at the petty cruelties of minor bureaucrats EDITOR Twith the passing of Sir Terry Pratchett, writer, has gone.

satirist, philosopher and creator of the Discworld Sir Terry was sixty-six and he died from a rare - world and mirror of worlds. form of Alzheimer’s disease, at home surrounded The Discworld rides through space and time by his family and with his cat sleeping on his bed. on the back of a giant space turtle (sex unknown) In one of his recent books, a collection of Dear Editor: non-fiction writings, speeches, dedications and so You pose this question: "Why is the level of supported on the backs of four elephants.

The world supports several strands of on called A Slip of the Keyboard, he wrote about personal hatred for Tony Abbott so high, high to stories, that all intertwine to a lesser or greater Michael Ayrton, sculptor, novelist and artist. He the point of dementia?" [Editorial March 2015] extent - Granny Weatherwax, leader of the spoke of Ayrton’s then recent death and said: I met Try reframing your question, for a moment, to: "Why is the level of personal disrespect for Tony coven that doesn’t exist, His Grace the Duke of him twice. I can think of no other person whose Ankh-Morpork (Sam) and the City Guard; Arch- death has affected me so much, even so.’

Abbott so high, high to the point of dementia?"

Chancellor Ridcully and the Unseen University; That is how I, and thousands and thousands A likely answer lies in this image: Teppic, Maurice and his Educated Rodents, of others regard Pterry’s passing. I met him Brother Brutha and his last, possibly greatest perhaps five or six times at various signings and creation, the Wee Free men and Tiffany Aching, speeches, and on one level I hardly knew him, but apprentice witch. on another, deeper level I knew and loved him for In all of these stalks the tall, commanding nearly thirty years. figure of death, often accompanied by the As long time friend and fellow writer Neil skittering sounds of the little hooded figure of the Gaiman wrote in the introduction to A Slip of the Death of Rats. Death, or Death finds humanity Keyboard, knowing that Terry would die soon: intriguing though often puzzling.

As Terry walks into the darkness much too Terry, or Pterry as he was affectionately soon, I find myself raging too: at the injustice that known to his vast fan club on the internet from deprives us of - what? Another twenty or thirty How can you or I have any respect for the ‘alt.fan.pratchett’ treated Death as the conduit books? Another shelf full of ideas and glorious person who deliberately posed in front of these to how each individual conceived the afterlife. phrases and old friends and new ... the loss of Clowns, for example, were reassured to know it these things does not anger me as it should. It noxious signs? would not include custard. saddens me, but I ... understand that any Terry Cheers for now, Incidentally, Terry was once asked in a radio Pratchett book is a small miracle, and we already Name and address withheld. interview what he made of ‘alt.fan.pratchett’. A have more than might be reasonable, and it does moment’s thought and he replied: “I don’t know not behoove any of us to be greedy.”

The Editor replies: This is a simplistic view of the world that - a nice risotto, perhaps’.

Terry’s simple creedo in some respects one might envy. An opinion of life after death was, and untroubled by deep reflection, with no pondering of cause and effect, no contemplation of ethics, is, comforting to a lot of people and it was a rare day morals or an acceptable code of conduct.

The editorial last month was intended to that Terry’s mail did not raise points for discussion, to provoke rational, include letters of thanks from relations and friends who reasoned, civil debate.

The denigration of the political office of Prime found the passing of loved Minister did not begin with Tony Abbott, and ones eased.

He created memorable certainly will not end there. books besides the Discworld series - The Bromeliad Trilogy, The Carpet People, The Long World and the book he personally considered his greatest - Nation.

All of them are friends, good honest, true friends that I can visit by the opening of a cover and they are there, waiting for me.

But the If you would like to receive a free copy mind that of the new, expanded digital created Swan Magazine them, warm and kind, sent to you electronically and entertained save a tree’s life, send an email to: by life’s editor@swanmagazine.com.au m y s t e r y, with ‘Subscribe’ in the subject line. furious at injustice, 2

HEALTH MATTERS WHAT IS ENERGETIC KINESIOLOGY? LIANE CUGLEY Dip Kinesiology

This can include acupressure (needle-less acupuncture) using the Chinese meridian system; Tibetan figure 8 energies; chakras; sound (tuning forks); flower essences; holograms; age recessions*; neuro-lymphatic reflexes; neurovascular reflexes or emotional stress defusion points, to name a few.

Kinesiology can improve many health issues, including: Stress and anxiety, physical pain and injuries, phobias and fears, emotional issues, depression, learning difficulties, tiredness and low energy, addictions, high or low blood pressure, asthma, hormonal issues, digestive problems, nutritional and allergy issues, weight loss, poor self esteem, skin problems, unresolved issues and more.

Kinesiology is suitable for all ages including infants, it is natural, safe, pain and drug free.

Courtesy of Complete K inesiology * (Age Recession is a technique that allows the practitioner and client to find out either the age The author, Liane Cugley, conducting a kinesiology session on a client at which an event occurred that is the root cause of their current situation, or the age at which they nergetic kinesiology is a dynamic holistic muscle, does a number of "pre-checks" to ensure understood the full impact of something that had modality that incorporates Western that the client’s body is ready to proceed with the happened earlier in their lives) physiological medical science with Eastern balance. energetic healing techniques.

The practitioner "asks" the body direct As every muscle is connected to your brain, questions, mostly by the use of hand modes, any stress the brain registers, the body will have touching different points on the body and verbal a muscle response, also known as direct bio- requests. feedback.

As kinesiology uses a muscle response to This response guides the practitioner to what "answer" these questions, it is the body that is corrections are required to balance a body which driving the treatment and indicating where the means that each session is unique to the client stress is. being treated.

As the subconscious is also accessed during The client lays on a massage table, fully the session the client is able to change and enhance dressed. The practitioner, via the monitoring many areas of their life, whether it be physically, emotionally, mentally, sporting, professional or personal.

Once the practitioner has completed the setup section of the session, they will again ask the body what correction is needed to stabilise and shift the stress that has been indicated.

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SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE CHARLOTTE GOSATTI

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ur early beginnings take us back to the mid 1970s when a group of ladies formed the “Swan Ladies Friendship Club” as an opportunity for outings, social gatherings, creative pursuits and to meet other ladies in the area.

They met at Baskerville Hall on a Wednesday night and organised other activities during the days, such as pottery, spinning, badminton and macramé.

Guest speakers and short courses were also organised.

Subsequently we took on the name Valley Learning Centre, and during the week days, Baskerville Hall became a place for young mothers and their children.

Four Year Old kindy groups and Playgroups were a strong part of the programme and the crèche ran to capacity on most days.

There was also still a very creative & artistic trend in the adult classes offered as well as health and wellbeing activities.

In 2014 we applied to the Department of Commerce to change our name to the Swan Valley Community Centre. The Committee felt that over the years, and with a changing society – The Valley Learning Centre did not accurately reflect ‘who we are’ and ‘what we do’.

We still offer a wide variety of adult courses;

including art and crafts, fitness, music and singing as well as playgroups and a Pre Kindy programme for Three Year Olds getting ready to go to school the following year.

We are a self-funded Community group, run by a Committee of volunteers, with most of our tutors offering their skills and their passion for free!

We are always looking for new tutors, so if you have an interest or a hobby you would like to share with others, please feel free to contact us.

We like to get involved with our Community, and we often hold stalls at local events, to promote our programme and sometimes selling our crafts and handmade treasures.

We hold an annual Art, Craft and Quilt Exhibition at Baskerville Hall in October, as well as hosting Friendship Days for Quilting Groups and our famous Annual Soup Lunch where $10.00 will get you the opportunity to taste many soups and indulge in delicious desserts.

Contact details: Email: enquiries@swanvalleycommunitycentre Web: swanvalleycommunitycentre.com Phone: 9296 1976 Location: Baskerville Hall, Memorial Avenue, Baskerville WA.

ROTARY UPDATES GEOFF FRANCIS

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otary Club of Mundaring was recently addressed by our two exchange students on their European experiences last year.

Both these youngsters were great ambassadors for Australia and Rotary. It was interesting to hear their experiences and the different ways in which Rotary works in various countries. They both certainly had a fantastic time.

It was also very interesting to hear a past exchange student, now a senior police officer give his experience and enthusiasm for the exchange programme.

Annie’s Vintage Wonderland Your One Stop Vintage Prop & Decor Shop 0430 456 586

Shop 3/121 James St., Guildford www.anniesvinatagewonderland.com 4

Our Rotary Club is currently involved in a joint project with the Rotary Club of Swan Valley to erect two shelters which were destroyed in the Jan 2014 fires.

These will be erected on Sunday 3rd May. ... just a day after several of our club are involved in the Rotary Club of Osborne Park's big Challenge ride from Northam and Bakers hill to Swan View.

This is to raise funds for research into Multiple Sclerosis. We have a team of five mountain bike riders and several volunteer road crossing marshalls helping the Osborne Park team on this day.. Saturday, the second of May. BICYCLES FOR HUMANITY Another project which our local club supports is the "Bicycles for Humanity" which repairs adult bikes and sends them to places in Africa where they assist locals in becoming independent.

Recently we were pleased to deliver a total of twenty bikes which were donated by you, the members of our community. Thank you.

This project is ongoing, so if you have old bikes, no longer needed by you, please ring Geoff on 0407 447 150 or deliver them to Eastern Hills Pool Supplies, 4 Morilla Road Mundaring so they can be put to use by someone.

GARDENING LAWN FOR ALL GEOFF FRANCIS

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etting a beautiful finish on your lawn requires many things, most importantly the right mower for the job.

Naturally the right grass for your conditions is also essential.

Now there are two basic types of cutting principles used in modern lawnmowers. The most common mower is a rotary mower.

The blade underneath (or maybe four blades) spins in a rotary plane slashing the grass as it stands up.

The blades on such machines have an upward curve, commonly known as a "lifter"" to create an updraft lifting the blades of grass vertically before they are slashed off.

The Lifter also helps create the air pushing

the clippings into the catcher. This type of mower is quite satisfactory on the average lawn and is certainly effective on longer grass.

However, if you require a bowling green finish, then a cylinder or reel mower is the way to go.

These machines use a scissor like action cutting much more evenly and cleanly. The negatives are that a cylinder mower costs a great deal more and requires more maintenance, especially sharpening, but the resulting excellent finish is well worth the cost if you are a "Lawn Fanatic".

Note, cylinder mowers are useless on long grass but give an excellent finish on good lawn.

Courtesy of Eastern Hills Saws and Mowers

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. Synhawk Publications Pty Ltd does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein.

SAWS AND MOWERS

cnr Grt Est Hwy & Chipper St, Mundaring

9295 2466

~ Sales

PREPARING FOR WINTER GEOFF FRANCIS

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s the cooler weather arrives, we pool owners should start thinking about preparing the pool for the dormant winter season.

Now correct care as you ‘wind down your pools activity’ will save you a great deal of money next time you start it up.

A recommended winter treatment is to ‘Winterise your pool with the right dosage of "Winteriser" additive.’

Use of a quality pool blanket during the winter period will also help in several ways. ie; less evaporation. Less loss of chemicals and a vast

~ Spares ~

Repairs

reduction in dirt or organic material into the pool. (hence algae reduction) By using the right dosage of a winterizer for your pool during the months of non use you will save yourself several hundred dollars at start up next spring.

The role of a winteriser is to keep algae under control while the pool is not in use, hence filters and pumps are used considerably less.

We suggest calling in to your local pool shop to check dosages of winteriser for your pool.

Courtesy of Eastern Hills Pool Supplies

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SUNDAY MAY 3RD 2015

THE HONEY FESTIVAL 10am-4pm FREE EVENT The House of Honey 867 Great Northern Highway, Herne Hill.

Highlights Discover how to become a beekeeper Ezyloader demonstrations from NSW company M & K Stafford Engineering Nuplas Beehives display of plastic beehives John Guilfoyles display of beekeeping equipment, see how a bee hive is made.

Aboriginal dance group Wadumbah performing the Honey Bee Dance at 11am Have fun with the SCITECH gang (lots of fun for the kids) Three Beekeeper talks at 1pm Waggle Dance for the children at 12pm and 2pm Best Dressed Bee outfit judging at 12pm Light a smoker competition at 1.30pm Honey Judging completion at 2.30pm Watch beekeepers loading their trucks Scientist from UWA with lots of bee biz Refreshments available Luce Candles – learn about the benefits of beeswax candles.

HONEY MONTH HONEY FOR SALE & TASTING Honey Month is a fantastic concept by the beekeeping industry and is proposed to be a national event with the aim to promote Australian honeybees and their products to a broader public. In 2012, Honey Month was organised for the first time in Western Australia and at present is exclusive to WA. The small scale festival proved to be extremely successful, attracting far more visitors than originally anticipated. The general public was excited to learn about beekeeping and honey. Beekeeping is a career that is declining in numbers through a retiring workforce. With this in mind one of the driving forces behind Honey Month is to develop an interest in beekeeping by the younger generation as well as to educate the public to support WA honey and their beekeepers.

Bees are also under threat by disease, climate change and though dwindling forest resources. The public need to understand and value the importance of bees in Australia as a master pollinators and how important they are to our food diversity here in Australia.

On the 3rd of May, when again we have organised a honeybee festival, our central aims are to educate and sensitise the public about the importance and problems of honeybees and to generate a new generation of beekeepers and bee scientists.

Our goal is for the festival to become an integral part of the Swan Valley’s tourism calendar creating an event in the same category as the Food and Wine trail events and Wine Makers Valley and Vines Festival. Swan Valley is one of the oldest wine regions inviting tourists to feast on award-winning local produce such as fruits, honey and wines. We plan to make this event an award winning Tourist Event that depicts the WA honey industry, one of the finest in the world.

DID YOU KNOW? You can visit SCITECH to see the honeybee exhibition and see a live bee display all year round!

An exciting informative display, don’t miss out.

This event is proudly sponsored by the Bendigo Bank, The Centre for Integrative Bee Research at UWA, Capilano Honey, City of Swan The Future Bees Fund, The House of Honey Label Magic and John L Guilfoyle Beekeeping Supplies.

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HONEY MONTH WHAT’S HAPPENING TO OUR BEES?

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here would we be without bees? As far as important species go, they are top of the list.

They are critical pollinators: 90% of the world’s food comes from roughly one hundred crops - bees pollinate seventy of them. Honey bees are responsible for $30 billion a year in crops.

And hat’s only the start of our troubles. We may lose all the plants that bees pollinate, all of the animals that eat those plants and so on up the food chain.

Which means a world without bees could struggle to sustain the global human population of seven billion. Our supermarkets would have half the amount of fruit and vegetables.

It gets worse. We are losing bees at an alarming rate and we don’t really know why.

Honey bees live short lives. Their lives are often measured in weeks. Bee numbers increase in the hot weather and decline over the cold months of the winter.

In the past, keepers expected 10-15% of the bees to die during the cold months. That number has almost doubled. Losses during the rest of the year are also believed to be on the rise.

The number one cause of poor bee health named by bee experts is the Varroa mite. This is a pest that attaches itself to bees somewhat like a tick and drains the bee of its resources.

Currently Australia is largely free of the mite, but this cannot remain the position.

Poor nutrition is another major stress. Bees need flowers to obtain nectar and pollen. When there aren’t enough flowers, beekeepers have to feed their bees sugar syrup and the costs of that syrup add up quickly when you’re managing hundreds or thousands of hives.

Recent colder winters have impacted hive health as has drought. The lack of

LESLIE HERBERT

forage for the bees also impacts their nutrition, making the bees and their colonies weaker.

It’s also true that insecticides kill bees if sufficient exposures occur. You’ve probably heard about Neonicotinoid (neonics for short) as a lot of controversy currently surrounds its use. Interestingly, these treatments actually replaced spray applications of organo-phosphates and pyrethroids because they result in a reduced risk to humans and wildlife.

Neonics are less toxic to mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles than many of the chemistries they replaced but, as insecticides, they are targeted to affect insects. Bees are insects.

When applied as a seed treatment, the plant takes up the neonic and is protected for several weeks against insect damage.

outside your home. If you have a lot of bees starting to come to your new garden of native plants, wildflowers and flowering herbs, put a little water basin out (a bird bath with some stones or marbles in it for them to crawl on does a nice job).

WHAT CAN WE DO? Plant bee-friendly flowers and flowering herbs in your garden. Bees are losing habitat all around the world due to intensive monoculture-based farming practices, sprawling suburban lawns and from the destruction of native landscapes. Just planting flowers in your garden, yard, or in a planter will help provide bees with forage.

A lawn full of clover and dandelions is not just a good thing—it’s a great thing! A haven for honeybees (and other native pollinators too).

Wildflowers, many of which we might classify as weeds, are some of the most important food sources for bees.

Don’t use chemicals and pesticides to treat your lawn or garden. Yes, they make your lawn look lush and pretty, but they’re actually doing the opposite to the life in your biosphere.

Buy local, raw honey. Strive to buy local, raw honey that is from hives that are not treated by chemicals. Go to your local farmer’s market.

There are beekeepers at nearly every farmer’s market selling their honey and other products. Have a talk with them, find out what they are doing to their hives, and how they are keeping their bees.

If they are thoughtful, respectful beekeepers who keep their bees in a sustainable, natural way, then support them!

Bees are thirsty. Put a small basin of fresh water 7

THE VOICE OF SWAN HILLS BALANCING ACT FRANK ALBAN MLA

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ith Perth’s recent fascination with the International Arts Festival’s incredible display of The Giants, it seems apt to mention that Swan Hills is home to its very own giant – the Owl Stone.

A ten metre tall body composed of three individual boulders and balanced atop large stone, the Owl Stone, also known as the Boyay Gogomat (or Gogomit, depending on where you read it), is a striking piece of indigenous history.

The name varies throughout documented history and spellings or names such as Boya Gogomat or names like Hanging Rock have been used over the years.

In a March 2009 report prepared

by Ken Macintyre and Dr Barbara Dobson, Consulting Anthropologists, the Owl Stone is described as consisting of “a prominent standing stone which is a natural feature composed of weathered granite, made up of three large, remarkably balanced stones.”

That same report also notes the contemporary Nyungar views and ceremonial “rituals of respect” performed by Elders when visiting the site. Other reports note that engravings sited at another location pointed towards something significant in the direction of the Owl Stone.

This is where things become more complex, as the Owl Stone is located within an area of Hanson’s quarry in Red Hill. Quarrying creates vibration through the earth as material is blasted.

To that end, there is a buffer zone surrounding the Owl Stone with the intent to protect it from such tremors, with Vibration Management Plans a key part of the quarrying process.

The balance between our needs of retaining our environment and the needs of our infrastructure are shown in example of the

The Owl Stone at Red Hill

Susannah Brook, located near the Red Hill quarry.

With ore bodies located on either side of the brook, Hanson has retained a buffer of fifty metres either side, although current works are not within two hundred metres of the Susannah Brook.

With $15 million contributed back into the community each year between wages, goods and services, the quarry in Red Hill provides significant contribution to the local economy.

To put Western Australia’s needs into perspective, every man, woman and child in the state requires some ten tonnes of quarry material each year towards roads, houses and infrastructure.

The Hanson Red Hill Quarry has mined

A 1911 photograph from the Western Mail featuring the Owl Stone

material for use at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth Children’s Hospital and Midland Public Hospital.

The Gateway WA project and Perth Airport redevelopment have used materials sourced from the quarry, as have a number of schools within or near the electorate of Swan Hills.

When the Premier toured Swan Hills in late January this year, he met with Jeff and Carolyn Williams of the Swan Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association to discuss concerns from within the community, including the effect of potential scarring on the escarpment due to quarrying.

Later that day, the Premier met with operators at Hanson’s quarry in Red Hill, located near the Owl Stone.

Unit 8 Vale Town Centre 31 Egerton Drive Aveley WA 6069 Phone: 9296 7688

Email: frank.alban@mp.wa.gov.au

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Premier Barnett viewing operations at Hanson Red Hill Quarry, January 2015

Raising the concern of Hanson’s obligations to protect nearby Aboriginal heritage sites and the community’s needs for rehabilitation, the Premier appeared satisfied with the operations and the company’s efforts to maintain visual amenity of the area and protecting the site of the Owl Stone.

The Owl Stone remains an important local landmark, not only for Aboriginal culture but also for the historically-inclined in the area.

The Swan Valley has a rich tapestry of history, from the migrants that pushed the grape-growing and wine-making focus that has developed into a tourism destination, to the early settlers from Guildford at the southern end of the Valley, right back to the pre-settlement history of the area’s indigenous population. A balance between protecting the past and providing for the future is required.

It is essential that the visual amenity of the Valley is retained and limit the impact of necessary industry. Its vistas provide a backdrop to our significant wine and tourism industry worth some $200 million annually.

How we ensure that we balance these needs against the resource needs of the broader metropolitan area will remain key, not only today but well into the future.

Thanks to Mr Jeff Williams, Swan Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association and Mr John Symonds, Development Manager, Hanson for their assistance with this article.

MCC GROWING

GEOFF FRANCIS President, Mundaring Chamber of Commerce

A

s membership is gradually increasing, we are very pleased to acknowledge the fantastic support of the local branch of Bendigo Bank.

Not only have they provided significant financial support, but also office space for our administration assistant.

The Bendigo board are also providing us with a meeting room for our monthly committee meetings....... absolutely fantastic support. Thank You Bendigo!

At our March breakfast we had a very interesting talk by Glennys Marsden on branding, imaging and some of the secrets of promoting your business.

(Ms Marsden’s articles are also to be found in each edition of the Swan Magazine where she writes as ‘The Idler’ - see page 22 of the current edition.

Our next function is a sundowner scheduled for Wed 22nd of April at the Mundaring Arts Centre.

With monthly breakfast speakers and monthly sundowners, the Mundaring Chamber of Commerce is quite active and an excellent venue for small business operators (especially home based businesses) to meet other owners and spread the word of your services.

Should you be an owner/operator of a local small business, may I suggest you get on board with the Mundaring Chamber and help the business voice in the hills .

Contact Geoff on 0407 447150

NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT HON ALYSSA HAYDEN MLC Member for East Metropolitan R egion

T

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

here were many events held throughout WA and indeed across the world, in the lead up to International Women’s Day on 8th March 2015.

“Make It Happen” is the theme for 2015, encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women.

One of the events I attended was the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) 2015 Women in Resources Awards Presentation.

Now in its sixth year, the Awards recognise and celebrate the power of workforce diversity in the Western Australian resources sector.

Congratulations to the award recipients, their inspirational achievements provide fine examples of the contributions made by outstanding women in our State.

Women are a much needed addition to the resources sector’s labour force bringing valuable skills and diversity of thought. I commend the resources sector for recognising that cultural change is a challenging process and it is implementing best practice strategies to address gender imbalance.

Leadership from executives and boards of a clear vision for workplace diversity is essential and helps create an environment where women feel valued.

Certainly workforce diversity is strongly associated with improved business performance and I applaud CME’s member companies for working towards ensuring the resources sector is at the forefront of realising the benefits of diversity.

By addressing the gender pay gap, embracing flexible work practices and critically, employing Aboriginal women, makes the industry an attractive option for rewarding careers.

Supporting WA women to achieve economic independence and success is a priority for our Liberal-led State Government.

I am pleased to report another election commitment has been delivered with the establishment of a Women’s Consultative Forum that will form the primary mechanism for the way Government receives advice and develops strategies to address matters affecting women.

The inaugural Forum was held last month, the first of three scheduled aiming to improve strategies to address issues affecting women. The result will

Hon Alyssa Hayden MLC; Reg HowardSmith, Chief Executive CME; Annabel Crabb MC of the event; Andrea Mitchell MLA, Member for Kingsley.

be even greater economic growth and job creation for communities across Western Australia.

I also took the opportunity of celebrating International Women’s Day with the very caring professional team at the Midland Women’s Health Care Place. The MWHCP is a non-government, notfor-profit organisation whose purpose is to promote the total health and wellbeing of women and their families in the Eastern Metropolitan Region.

I congratulate the very great work they provide in a very compassionate environment.

We can all look forward to the results of the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women – Make It Happen!

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Hon Alyssa Hayden MLC Another International Women’s Day event held at the Midland Women’s Health Care Place in Midland, celebrating the many achievements of women past and present.

Ph: (08) 9274 8484 Fax: (08) 9274 7874 alyssa.hayden@mp.wa.gov.au

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PEOPLE OLIVIA PATMORE

‘N

ot just a pretty face’ was never more true than with local teen Olivia Patmore, crowned Miss Teen Galaxy Australia 2015 at The Arts Centre Gold Coast recently.

One of seventy finalists from across the country Olivia went to the Gold Coast to compete for the coveted titles of Miss Galaxy Australia, Miss Teen Galaxy Australia and for the first time ever, Mrs Galaxy Australia!

Whilst on the Gold Coast, contestants had a busy schedule of rehearsals, photo shoots by the pool, a hula party and of course the grand finale.

Contestants were judged over five different categories; Photogenic appeal, Interview, Fashion Wear, Swim Wear and Evening Gown, but it was sixteen year old Olivia Patmore, who won over the judges, winning the title of Miss Teen Galaxy Australia 2015, as well as Best in Interview!

Also crowned on the night were Colleen Boyle (Miss Galaxy Australia 2015) and Candice Sherriff (Mrs Galaxy Australia).

The three will head to Florida for the Galaxy International Pageant in August, where they will represent Australia and compete in for the titles of Miss Teen Galaxy, Miss Galaxy and Mrs Galaxy!

Whilst in the USA, the girls will visit Hollywood, Los Angeles, as well as go to the amazing Disney theme parks.

Olivia’s journey began when she entered as Miss Teen Galaxy Edgewater. The WA final was held at the Forrest Centre and she was one of six finalists chosen to take part in the National Finals The Australia Galaxy Pageant contestants are expected to raise funds for charity, and recommend two - the Make A Wish Foundation and Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors.

Contestants, including Olivia, have raised $99,000 for these two charities alone, and a total of $300,000 for charities in general in just four years.

Olivia has been a guest on a radio station, appeared at a Make A Wish Foundation High Tea, Arbonne Australia events and other public outings, volunteered at the Christmas Pageant, horse stables and Senior Citizen homes in her area.

She has made numerous fundraising efforts through Arbonne Australia, a Garage Sale, Swap Meets, Horse stables, raffles, and an ‘Amazing Race’ event in the Wanneroo and Joondalup area.

Asked which person in world history most inspires you, and why? Olivia answered: “Maya Angelou, because although she suffered deep oppression because of her race throughout her life, she expressed her suffering through her poetry to help send a positive message throughout the world. She has been a positive influence to many people, and conveyed the idea that all people are equal and should be given equal opportunities in life.”

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COMMUNITY BICKLEY HARVEST FESTIVAL

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he Bickley Valley Harvest Festival is in its eighteenth year and once again the Valley will come alive for a whole weekend – Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May from 10am to 5pm..

Rustic sophistication is what this Festival is all about; as the cool mornings of autumn surface the valley shines with its award winning boutique wineries, a cider house, local clubs, gourmet food, stunning flowers, local artists exhibiting their works and the freshest fruit direct from the growers.

This year there are an amazing nineteen separate venues taking part – offering you the best that the valley has to offer: * Aldersyde Estate​​​​​ * Ashley Estate ​* Core Cider House * Bickley Valley Cottage & Asparagus Farm * Carldenn Homestead Wines ​* Brookside Winery & the Vineyard Kitchen * Fairbrossen Estate * Due Jolly Winery​ * Lesmurdie Club * Rose Heritage Cafe * Erasmus Designs Gallery & Café * Melville’s Rose ‘N’ Gardens ​* Grower Direct Fruit and Vegetables * Hainault Vineyard & Café * Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre​ * Hidden Valley Eco Spa Resort ​* MyattsField Vineyards * Paul Moro Metal Craft ​* Plume Estate Vineyard There is something for everyone at the Festival award winning wines, ciders and beers to taste, beautiful locally made produce and cakes, local artists to visit in their studios, a photographic display and a stunning spa retreat to indulge your senses. There are many treats for the children, bouncy castles, face painters and pony rides at certain venues.

Spend some time looking at all of the artisans in the valley then sit for a while as the valley comes alive with local musicians. Book in for lunch at one of the stunning venues, grab their takeaway option or order a picnic hamper to pick up on the day…………book in now to ensure you are not disappointed.

The Scarecrow walk at Myatts Field Vineyard is amazing and each year the themes become more extravagant – all proceeds from the Scarecrow competition go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Western Australia, so drop in over the weekend and see what all the fuss is about.

Check out the website now for all the information from each venue – www. bickleyharvestfestival.com or like us on Facebook (Bickley Harvest Festival) and see our daily updates!

You will find a myriad of opportunities for Harvest Festival weekend, all brought to you by some of the youngest award winning vignerons in Western Australia – yes there is something special about the Bickley and Carmel Valley so indulge yourself now.

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TOOD TOODYAY MOONDYNE FESTIVAL LINDY STUART

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he town of Toodyay shall step back in time to celebrate the annual Moondyne Festival, bringing the infamous West Australian bushranger Moondyne Joe and his escapades to life.

The Moondyne Festival is Western Australia’s first and foremost Colonial festival.

The festival celebrates the life of Moondyne Joe, Toodyay, Western Australia’s legendary bushranger. Joe’s main claim to fame was his ability to escape prison, despite a special reinforced cell having been constructed to keep him in.

Toodyay’s Moondyne Festival is a family focused fun day with the entertainment non-stop from 9am to 4pm.

We promise you a day of interesting things to see and do. Join in the fun with street theatre as Moondyne Joe runs around town wreaking havoc, robbing shops, escaping custody and being a general menace.

Joe may be found flaunting with the floozies, defying the tedious temperance ladies whilst trying to evade the local constabulary, intent on locking him up and throwing away the key.

There will be “Joe’s Gang”, coppers, floozies, swaggies and a town crier.

The Festival celebrates Toodyay’s colonial past and the town is transformed into a lively festival of community fun and entertainment.

Everyone is invited to dress in 19th century costume for a colourful procession down the main street, headed by the musket-firing Rifle and Artillery Regiment 1860 with the boisterous entourage of colonial Floozies.

Attractions include a variety of stalls, displays, entertainment and demonstrations. A Local Art Exhibition is held in the CWA Hall and Irish and Highland Dancers provide ongoing entertainment in the main street throughout the day.

We also have a moustache competition - All Gentlemen, Swaggies and Visitors are welcome to showcase their moustache’s at the Freemasons Hotel. The

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floozies have a lot of fun choosing the winner!

Prize kindly donated by the Freemasons Hotel plus the 1860 Volunteer Regiment in their scarlet coats, blacksmith, wood turning, art exhibition, antique collectors fair, car club display and children’s activities.

The childrens’ programme is based on an Early 20th century Sunday School Picnic. Activities include a range of races: egg and spoon, sack race run several times during the day. There will be a number of homespun attractions: Rubber boot throwing, rat in the down pipe, and apple dunking.

Winning participants will be given a small prize but the emphasis will be on having fun.

There will be vintage cars and bicycles on display and visitors may experience the historical art of

Morse Code Telegrams with the Morscecodian Society. Engage with the Sherlock Holmes Society of WA, admire the displays of the Hand Tool Preservation Society of WA. Visiting the Antique and Collectors Fair is also a must. The Festival flows through the main town site to the beautiful Stirling Park resting on the banks of the Avon River where you

DYAY will find the ever popular fun fair.

Festivities include the log chop, stilt walkers, Clydesdale horses, Sheep shearing, watch the blacksmith and the wood-turners procuring their art.

Spectators may follow the Organ Grinder who wanders the streets playing his original music box or listen to the talented Duo playing a variety of instruments including the saw.

The Captivating Toodyay Community Singers maybe found performing near the Stage in the main street. The Kalamunda Pipe Band will be a new and enthralling attraction this year, not to be missed and the ever popular Swaggie Stew at their makeshift camp.

Enjoy Bush poetry and Moondyne Joe laments throughout the day.

Families shall be invited to join the WA Circus

School for children’s games and perhaps having a ride on the Toodyay Miniature Railway, Lil Louie, the Toodyay Lions “Wiggly Worm” or perhaps a camel ride. Face painting, balloon twisting and the adorable baby animal petting zoo will delight visitors.

Join in the fun at the annual Moondyne Festival - an event for the whole family of all ages and interests.

Details: FREE entry and entertainment What: Toodyay Moondyne Festival When: Sunday 3rd May 9am – 4pm Where: Toodyay town site.

Web: www.moondynefestival.com.au.

This is a dog free event.

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TOODYAY ATTRACTIONS MONET SOAPS & GIFTS ntering the Monet store, the first thing you notice is the beautiful fragrance that fills the air because of the perfume sticks, bath salts and hand made olive oil soap.

Owner Trish Butun recently re-located from a store in York where she operated for five years.

She has been making the glorious olive oil soap for some ten years, and now produces something like twenty-four different scented soaps.

The soaps are very popular and have a large following from local and interstate customers.

Monet also has an eclectic range of gifts, for adults and children, shabby chic, twee posters, some women's clothing, a small range of children’s clothing (some of which Trish makes herself), leather bags and homewares.

The store is a symphony of muted pastels and redolent with fragrance and a delight to browse.

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IPSWICH VIEW HOMESTEAD B & B njoy a peaceful getaway overlooking the stunning Toodyay hills at Ipswich View, a charming circa 1860s homestead, just minutes away from historic Toodyay townsite.

Set on nearly seven acres, this popular Bed and Breakfast offers tranquility, warm hospitality and a homely atmosphere. The outlook is spectacular and upon arrival the first comment our guests make is "Wow, just look at that view!"

The Homestead offers five beautifully appointed rooms, all with

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their own en suites - the ideal getaway for a romantic weekend, one of there hosted murder mysteries, quality time with the family, or just winding down in a rural setting. Facilties also include a swimming pool, tennis court, outdoor sitting areas, barbecue, air conditioned rooms, a crackling fire on those cold winter evenings and a real home made country breakfast.

Hosts Alan and Bonnie invite you to experience it all.

They guarantee you will come as guests and leave as friends.

Lot 45 Folewood Road, Toodyay 9574 4038 ipswichview@gmail.com www.ipswichview.com.au

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TOODYAY ATTRACTIONS KATE AND TED he entry to Kate and Ted Toodyay’s quirky Free Gift wrapping is available as well as Lay By, Home ware & Gift shop cannot be missed, Gift Vouchers and Eftpos. with its pretty flower cart out front and delectable goods spilling out down the steps.

Open weekdays: 10 to 4pm Weekends: 10 to 3pm Kate and Ted carries a rustic/ shabby range of products as well as Ladies Fashion, Jewellery Scarves and Bags.

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The shop is redolent with the indulgent aromas of WIX A GLO brand Soy Candles which are all locally hand poured.

Pop into Kate and Ted and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in which to browse.

THE TOODYAY LOLLY SHOP ake a trip down memory lane with our range of old fashioned sweets or treat the kids to a lucky dip or lollipop from our lollipop tree.

We also stock a large range of chocolates, boiled sweets, English sweets, Dutch Licorice , fudges, toffees and candy for those with a sweet tooth.

For those who need to watch their sugar intake there are sugar free jellies and humbugs. If gluten free is what you are looking for we have a small range which we are looking to extend in the near future.

On your next trip to Toodyay make sure you pop in and say hello. You will be We will also be at the Craft & Vintage Fair welcomed with friendly service and offered a taste test from our ever-changing sample basket being held at the Claremont Showgrounds on 26th and 27th April. or from one our jars.

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TOODYAY EMPORIUM Be Surprised - Be Inspired at The Emporium, the largest furniture and homewares store in the Avon Valley.

Situated over two properties in a tranquil garden setting in the main street of Toodyay the large showroom showcases a range of antiques, contemporary and Australiana furniture with a

varied range of kitchinettes, all fully restored.

To compliment the furniture they carry a range of soft furnishings, including cushions, footstools, table linen and accessories.

Feature lighting completes the theme with leadlights – featuring both antique and vintage styles. A range of

fashion accessories – leather handbags, scarves and nighties are also available.

The garden is also a major category with an extensive range of garden pots, bird baths, garden benches, outdoor settings and water features.

Opening Hours:

Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9am – 5pm Sunday & Public Holidays 10am – 5pm Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Lyn & Andrew Barr Ph: 9574 2062 16 Stirling Terrace, Toodyay

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TOODYAY HISTORY OF TOODYAY

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he Ballardong Noongar people lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans.

The people called the area Duidgee, meaning ‘place of plenty’ and from which the word Toodyay is derived.

Life revolved around the practical aspects of food-gathering and survival interwoven with a rich and complex culture of spiritual beliefs and traditions handed down over generations through stories, dance, symbolic art forms and songs.

The river was central to life as provider of water and food and a sacred site on the banks a burial ground.

In 1829 a British colony was established on the Swan River, and the townsites of Perth and Fremantle were gazetted.

Colonists began to take up land along the Swan River to cultivate crops and grow vegetables.

Before long the best of the land was taken, and the colonists began to look further a field.

Ensign Robert Dale was the first British person to discover the Avon Valley, in 1830. He reported that the region was fertile and possessed a good supply of water.

Over the next five years colonists took up Avon Valley land grants in the Toodyay area. In 1836 they set out from Guildford with a Noongar guide named Babbing, in order to inspect the land.

“I learnt from Babbing that the place was called Duidgee and that it was a favourite haunt of the natives, no doubt on account of its natural productions” (James Drummond, Perth Gazette, 21 & 28 May 1836).

The townsite of Toodyay was established three kilometres down stream from the present townsite, at a bend in the river.

A small town grew there with government and commercial buildings, although it was subjected to regular flooding. By the 1850s there were three inns and two schools, as well as a gaol.

In 1850 convict transportation to Western Australia commenced. Convict hiring depots were established at Toodyay and York, and the buildings for this were established away from the Toodyay townsite on the opposite riverbank.

A commissariat, depot, pensioners and sappers’ quarters were built there.

In 1859 while surveyors were marking out new allotments at Toodyay, the townsite once again flooded.

Plans were then made to create a new town near although it was eventually abandoned. the convict hiring depot.

During the late 1800s the towns of Toodyay In 1860 the town of Newcastle was surveyed, and Newcastle lived side by side. at the site of the current townsite of Toodyay.

By the beginning of the twentieth century The original Toodyay townsite was still occupied; the townsite of Newcastle had grown, while the

CHRISTMAS 360 or Christmas lovers everywhere, Christmas can be almost all year round. This huge store; Tardis-like it’s so much bigger than it appears from the outside, Christmas 360 on Toodyay’s main street is open Wednesdays to Sundays from April to September and for October, November and December is open seven days a week.

They have all anyone could possibly want for Christmas and more ... Christmas Trees from 75 centimetres to three metres tall in stock and every size in between, even outdoor trees. We have more than thirty decorated Christmas trees on display to give you ideas and choose from a dazzling and unique range of decorations from yesteryear to the very latest fashions and styles. LED lights for inside and out, solar or mains powered, Christmas wreaths in all styles or unique to our design or yours (pick up next day). You can even arrange a wreath workshop.

Christmas 360 is a West Australian company that do rentals, sales, in-home designs as well as on line sales.

Corner Stirling Terrace & Duke Street, Toodyay Ring Sean on 0419 199 367 or 0409 997 367 or email on sean@sbyron.com.au Website: www.christmas360.com.au - ‘Like’ us on Facebook

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TOODYAY federal government asked the Newcastle Road Board to consider a name change in order to avoid postal confusion arising out of the town of the same name in New South Wales. The Road Board and the community agreed and the name of Toodyay was the obvious choice for the ‘new’ name.

The old townsite of Toodyay became known as ‘West Toodyay’.

Toodyay is one of the oldest inland towns in Western Australia and Toodyay townsite had disappeared. In 1910 the much of its heritage is preserved and protected

by the high value placed on its heritage by the community.

Not only are many of the historic buildings extremely well preserved in terms of integrity and authenticity, their histories have also been well documented and explored.

Bejoording Homestead Complex & Central Square Butterly House Connor’s Mill (former) Donegan’s Cottage Hasell’s Cottage (ruin) Newcastle Gaol and Police Station Complex Toodyay Fire Station Toodyay Post Office & Residence Toodyay Public Library To discover more of Toodyay’s heritage, visit the Toodyay Old Gaol Museum and Connor’s Mill or visit the Toodyay Visitor Centre, which has a number of local history books on sale.

COORINJA WINERY Coorinja, which is an Aboriginal word for ‘the place of seven springs’, was established in the 1880s, and has operated continuously since then. The Wood family has had it since 1919.

The current manager is Michael Wood. It’s a tiered three-storied building built of stone and brick. Coorinja specialises in fortified wines and is famous for its ports and masalas. Michael Zekulich, wine writer, described Coorinja as “a fortified haven” Coorinja produces a large selection of both table and dessert wines, including ports, sherries, muscats, liqueur muscats, ginger wines and marsalas. Their table wines include Shiraz and Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Alexandria and Moselle.

5914 Toodyay Road, Hoddys Well 5 kilometres from Toodyay on the Perth side.

Opening Hours: Fri, Sat and Monday 10 am-5 pm and by appt.

Tel: 9574 2280 E: jack.wood@hotmail.com, sandsplus1@gmail.com AMBER SPRING GARDENS Hans and Tanya welcome you to our farm eleven kilometres north west of the historic town of Toodyay. Amber Spring Gardens is a working farm of 106 acres in picturesque undulating country.

We have sheep, friendly alpacas, a cow, two cats, Saffie and Gypsy, and lots of friendly ducks, chickens, geese and Walt, Terri, Snow and Blue the peacocks.

There are two very private self contained cottages with spas on the verandahs and five B and B rooms There is lots to do. Take a beautiful walk down to our creek that runs all year round with occassional sightings of wild kangaroos. Enjoy the native birds and animals, and admire our stunning views.

There is a half acre of garden maze to get lost in and a giant game of snakes and ladders and a new game of Mills. We would like to share our patch of paradise with you as it is definitely the place for relaxing and enjoying the peace and tranquility. We are working on getting our extensive gardens planted for everyone to enjoy.

270 Harders Chitty Road, Toodyay

Tanya and Hans 0409 181 404 amberspringgardens@hotmail.com www.amberspringgardens.com

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TOODYAY TOODYAY FARMERS MARKET KARLA HOOPER

and 11am. At our first market you can enjoy learning about Enjo from our local Toodyay representative, learn how to make delicious healthy chocolate (yes you heard right!) by the extremely talented Courtney from the Naked Bakery and create connections by joining our yarn circle with a very special local leader.

If you have something that you’re really passionate about and want to share with others – get in touch and organize a session at a future market, we’d love to have you involved.

These markets are so much more than just buying and selling, we aim to create lasting friendships, contacts and networks.

For us, ‘community’ is not just a word. We care deeply about the local community and creating a space for people to flourish and unite.

Would you like to keep up to date with market news? You can join our email list by getting in touch via toodyayfarmersmarket@gmail.com or you can add yourself via our website www. toodyayfarmersmarket.org.au by going to the he Toodyay Farmers Market starts THIS are hand grown, hand raised, hand produced… Contact page. month! This is a huge achievement for the you get the picture.

We really look forward to the community Toodyay Farmers Market Team and we hope you embracing this event by spreading the word and share our excitement and enthusiasm. sharing the enthusiasm.

The farmers market will be held on The Toodyay Farmers Market team looks the third Sunday of each month and it is forward to seeing you there! intended that they will be hugely successful and continuously improve with time.

Please join us for the first farmers market, held at Stirling Park (next to the Anglican Church on Stirling Terrace), on Sunday 19th April from 8-12pm.

So much more than your average market – all goods sold are artisan, which means they

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COMING markets are 19th APRIL 2015 a unique event and our mottoOuris ‘Supporting

Sunday from 8-­‐12pm at Stirling Park Stirling Terrace Toodyay

Come and experience the wonderful array of UNIQUE local and regional stalls from around the Avon Valley & Wheatbelt area.

Would you like to be a seller? If it’s handmade, grown, raised or produced – We want YOU! Please get in touch with the Toodyay Farmers Market Committee on the below details.

J PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY J For More Information: E: toodyayfarmersmarket@gmail.com P: 0421 288 805 or 0417 938 158 W: www.toodyayfarmersmarkets.weebly.com F: www.facebook.com/toodyayfarmersmarket

3rd Sunday of each month STARTING 19TH APRIL 2015

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Local ~ Creating Opportunities’.

If this sounds like something you’d like to be involved in, other than being a shopper, please get in touch, as more stallholders are welcome.

Not only will you find excellent, quality items for sale, but there is also the opportunity to add to your knowledge bank.

At each market there will be education/ demonstration session each hour – 9am, 10am

DINING OUT IN TOODYAY

The together brilliantly. Each ingredient contributing to the whole, but not dominating with any one bacon was there as a base note, the tomato Thoughts the present and the herbs perfect in their balance. came with two slices of excellent garlic bread of an This and had my entire attention until the last drop. you just wanted something light for lunch, Ageing, this Ifwould be a complete meal in itself.

I, however, entirely in your interest, dear Balding reader, forced myself onwards to the main course of slow cooked lamb shank, mash and peas Foodie ($26.50).

FREEMASONS HOTEL

DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE oodyay is a charming little country town not far from Perth, York or Northam.

It’s the sort of quiet town where cars stop in the middle of the high street to chat to someone crossing the road; where everyone knows everyone and everyone is welcoming and kind.

It’s almost a story-book town, with it’s history, Art Deco library, small shops and Federation buildings, homes and hotels.

One such is the Freemasons Hotel, where the potions are hearty, the floors ancient Jarrah and the service unpolished but friendly.

I dropped in for lunch recently and to be absolutely honest I wasn’t expecting much. No matter how often the lesson is rammed home, one persists in judging books by their covers.

One orders from the counter and pays, wandering off with a number on a stick to wherever you’d like to dine. I chose the outside verandah where I could see the passing parade.

In a very short time my food arrived with a smile and a genuine ‘Hope you enjoy’, which as far as I am concerned is better than silver service from a waiter who despises you.

The menu is pretty big, with a selection of ‘Starters’, ‘Something Light’ and ‘Mains’ as well as the daily specials chalked on a board.

It was from here that I chose my entrée of ‘Tomato, onion and bacon soup’ ($12.50). This arrived looking like the wrath of God, but tasting like something the Angels elbow each other out of the way to get to. Absolutely delicious.

The flavours were strong, but melded

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As you can see, presentation is not the Freemason Hotel chef’s strong point, but frankly, when your food is as good as this was, who cares?

The lamb, I’m assuming local, was deliciously tender, rich in flavour and dropped off the bone at a touch. The potatoes were roughly mashed, giving a rather nice texture and the peas were, well, peas.

The gravy, however, was something else again. As it arrived in a soup bowl I thought ‘Dear God, look at all that gravy’. Once I’d tasted it, I thought ‘Damn, not enough gravy.’

The only change I would make to this dish is a couple of slices of bread so that one could avoid wasting any of the smears of

gravy left in the bowl.

Had I not had the rudiments of good manners beaten into me as a child by my grandmother I swear I’d have licked the bowl clean.

And that brings me to an aspect of the meal that might not be immediately apparent. It is pure comfort food. Food that your granny probably prepared from recipes handed down to her from her granny.

There is plenty of modern, fashionable food on the menu - Greek Salad ($16.50); Steak Burger ($18.50); Souvlaki ($17.90); Chicken Parmagiana ($26) and a whole range of what are doubtless impeccable steaks, but it is the specials where the true, big, country heart shines through.

Comfort food is slightly disparagingly spoken of by critics as a rule, but to me it fulfils a large part of what food is all about.

When granny urges you to a third helping, she isn’t wanting you to put on weight, she’s saying ‘I love you’. Food is a way of communicating one person’s feelings to another.

The chef at Freemasons Hotel is saying ‘I want you to be happy, contented, filled with good food and to share in my skill at preparing food.’

It is the very best sense of the word ‘country’ - warm, generous, welcoming and hospitable.

For obvious reasons I was unable to have sweet course, although I have to say the ‘Home made sticky date pudding with caramel sauce and ice cream’ ($9.50) was incredibly tempting. Maybe next time.

Very highly recommended indeed.

Freemasons Hotel

Motel/Hotel Restaurant ~ Counter Meals Accommodation ~ Bottle Shop Historic Pub ~ Air-Conditioned Groups and Corporate functions

Before

After

125 Stirling Terrace, Toodyay Phone: 9574 2201 Email: faultytowers@westnet.com.au 19

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TOODYAY JOSEPH BOLITHO (MOONDYNE JOE) JOHNS

oseph Bolitho Johns (c.

1826 – 1900), better known as Moondyne Joe, is Western Australia's best known bushranger.

Born into poverty, he became a petty criminal and robber with a strong sense of self-determination. He is best remembered for his multiple escapes from prison.

He was born in Cornwall, the third of six children. Joe was a tall man with black hair and hazel coloured eyes.

In 1848, Johns and an associate were arrested for "... stealing from the house of Richard Price, three loaves of bread, one piece of bacon, several cheeses, and other goods".

He was sentenced to ten years and transported to the Prison Colony of Western Australia. After his conditional pardon he settled in the Avon Valley at an area with the Aboriginal name of Moondyne. Johns made a living by fencing the springs in the area, and trapping escaped stock and horses.

In 1861, Johns caught an unbranded stallion, and branded it with his own mark. This was effectively horse-stealing, and the police arrested him and Johns was placed in the Toodyay lockup.

Some time during the night, Johns broke out of his cell, and stole the horse once more. He was caught the next day, but while on the run

he had killed the horse and cut his brand out of the hide, thus destroying the evidence.

Consequently, he received only a three-year sentence for jailbreaking In 1865 a steer was killed, and Johns was accused, he was arrested, found guilty and sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.

Johns was to protest his innocence of this crime for the rest of his life. He was determined not to serve what he felt was an unjust sentence, and heabsconded. They were on the run for nearly a month, during which time they committed a number of robberies and it was during this time that Johns first adopted the nickname Moondyne Joe. They were finally caught and Joe was sentenced to twelve months.

Early in August, he succeeded in escaping again but was re-captured at Boodalin Soak. As punishment for escaping and for the robberies committed while on the run, Moondyne Joe received five years hard labour on top of his remaining sentence. After more escapes Moondyne Joe was eventually given a ticket of leave in 1871.

In his later years, he began acting strangely, and was eventually found to be mentally ill. He died of senile dementia in the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum in 1900. His tombstone bears the word rhyddid, meaning ‘freedom’ in Welsh.

THE BALLAD OF MOONDYNE JOE ANONYMOUS

It were Moondyne of course That took Ferguson's horse.

He'd hidden the same In the hills of that name.

When he found it had gone Ferguson searched all the Swan, And offered a pound For when it was found.

But Joe has it hid And he pockets the quid.

In a month to the day Again the horse goes astray.

But Ferguson's no fool Goes along to Moondyne Pool.

To see if it's true The police comes too.

When his sentence is gone Joe is done with the Swan.

They call me bushranger— I'll feel quite a stranger; So by the Mass I'll try the Vasse.

At Ellensbrook The silly old rook Gets a job At Fifteen Bob. No more I don't know That's the story of Moondyne Joe.

TOODYAY, TIDIEST TOWN IN AUSTRALIA

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oodyay has been declared the national winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Tidy Towns Awards 2015 at a prestigious event held in Sheffield Tasmania earlier this year.

This is a huge accolade for Western Australia and only the fourth time that this State has been accorded that honour. Australia's Tidiest Town Awards were introduced in 1990. Past national winners from WA include Denmark (1998); Wyalkatchem (2003); and Collie (2006).

According to the national judge, Jill Grant, Toodyay is a dynamic and environmentally aware community with friendly, enthusiastic and dedicated residents that care for their unique cultural and natural heritage.

She said that "volunteers play an enormous role in ensuring the town achieves positive social, environmental and economic outcomes. The many anti-litter, historical and environmental groups work in partnership with the Toodyay Tidy Towns group across a range of projects and are well supported by the Shire of Toodyay."

Amazingly, Toodyay also won three of the eight Award; and the Environmental Protection & their sustainable community as well as their national category awards at that event! They were: Innovation Award. approach to protecting their environment, the 'Dame Phyllis Frost' Litter Prevention Award; This was significant recognition of the managing litter, recycling and disposing nonthe Resource Recovery & Waste Management community's innovative approach to developing recyclable materials appropriately.

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This page appears only in the digital issue

TOODYAY ATTRACTIONS TEA FOR TOODYAY ea, it used to be said was ‘the drink that cheers but does not inebriate’. Certainly it is a drink for all occasions, whether gulped out of a tin mug while builing a garden shed, drunk out of a plastic cup at a fete or sipped gently out of bone china at a High Tea. And there is as wide a variety of teas as there are tea drinkers. Newly opened shop Tea for Toodyay offers a huge range for the discerning tea drinker - organic, loose leaf, and packaged teas such as Licorice Root, Summer Berries, China pearls, Gunpowder Green to name just a few.

As well as the actual tea there is a whole huge range of all the accessories for enjoying the real amber fluid - strainers, infusers and tea pots, teacups new and vintage in china, porcelain and glass.

Proprietress Adela loves good china and offers antique, vintage and modern - Royal Albert, Noritaki, Masonware, Wedgwood and much more.

Best to pop in and have a browse ... and don’t forget, the milk goes in last.

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TEA FOR TOODYAY Specialising in Organic, Herbal and Flavoured Teas.

Vintage and Modern China

112b Stirling Terrace, Toodyay

0431 263 053 Hours

Mon-Fri: 8:30am to 3:30pm Saturday: 8:30am to 12:30pm Sunday : 10:00am to 2:00pm (April to October)

TOODYAY GROWERS MARKET very day we are urged to have our five veggies and two fruits, but how many of us really, really want to spend that much time every couple of days in a supermarket selecting seasonal fresh produce. Do we, in fact, all have the knowledge to select what is nearly ripe, in season and at the best point to eat.

What we need is someone we can tell on-line to do all that hard work for us, pick the produce within our budget and deliver it to our door. How fortunate for us then is that is exactly what Toodyay Growers Market will do for you.

Most particularly important is the fact that you set the price you want to spend and how reasonable the prices are. Recent specials - A $40 Mixed Fruit and Vegetable box: potatoes, carrots, apples, bok choy, asparagus, lettuce, pears, bananas, zucchini, cucumber, plums, tomatoes, brown onions, capsicum and cabbage. In the $25 Fruit and Vegetable box: potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, bananas, apples, cucumber, lettuce, celery, onions and oranges.

As well as fruit and vegetables, Toodyay Growers Market offers on-line Cheese, Herbs and Spices and Sauces, Dressings and Oils. Check out their website www.toodyaygrowersmarket.com for all these and more.

112B Stirling Terrace, Toodyay 0431 263 053

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THE GOLLY EMPORIUM AND TOY MUSEUM o truer friend ever exists than Teddie, or Golly, profits from the entry donation go to Princess Margaret Hospital for children. or Mr Woofy or Snoopy.

And while you’re there, Joanne Sherar, owner of the revelling in nostalgia, working Gollywog Emporium and Toy up a thirst, you may feel the Museum in Toodyay came late need for a cuppa and a hometo Gollywogs, falling in love made scone spread with homewith them some thirty years ago. made local jam and cream.

Since then she has steadily Joanne’s rustic High Teas added to what was first a include lovely fresh sandwiches, small collection, then a large miniature delicious pies, glossy collection and now pretty glazed fruit tarts and marzipanmuch fills a whole large house covered Battenburg cakes. in the Stationmaster’s House, Well worth a visit to see commercial Gollys and Teddies the toys and revisit your lost jostle together with handknitted youth and have a delightful Granny-made and patchwork Devonshire or High Tea. ones from craft shops.

There are some Gollys and The Stationmaster’s House other craft for sale as well as is an historic Federation home various giftwares and some in Toodyay and the museum, rather nice clothing. which spills into several rooms,

N

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The Golly Emporium and Toy Museum The Old Stationmaster’s House 61 Stirling Terrace, Toodyay

Gollies, Giftware, Homewares Coffee, Devonshire Teas High Teas

0421 113 620

Saturday & Sunday 10:00am and 4:00pm Other days by appointment Entry by donation All museum profits to Princess Margaret Hospital

21

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COMMUNITY LEFT IN TATTERS CHRISTINE HOGAN

POETRY MUSICAL APPRECIATION

S

TARJA HETTONNEN

he’s on the piano again.

You can tell that it’s her by her touch And the way her arpeggios run up the scale.

One a scale of one to ten It’s one In the morning And she’ll wake all the neighbours.

They beat on the walls As if they were drums But their sense of timing’s abysmal.

They drown out her singing (they say caterwauling) by screaming and banging the ceiling.

She affects not to hear them.

Her total concentration On the notes’ concatenation Makes her deaf to confrontation And threats of termination.

So she just ignores the faces At the window as she places Her furry little kitten paws Upon the ivories

T

he English Cricket Team "were left in tatters" following a 15-run defeat in Adelaide. The Bangladesh Tigers wiped them out of the World Cup! But help is on hand! The "Mad Tatters Morris" team of Guildford, Australia have the answer. If the cricket team learnt to do traditional English Morris dancing with bats and balls all would be solved!

“Mad Tatters Morris” dancers are women and men who perform the traditional vigorous dances from English villages along the Welsh border.

They perform at community events in colourful “tatter coats”. Dancing with sticks, bells and hankies accompanied by musicians playing melodeons, whistle & drum.

They practice weekly on a Tuesday evening from 7pm to 9pm at the Guildford Town Hall. If you want to see the sort of dancing they do have a look at some videos taken during Fremantle Heritage Festival on their website: www. madtattersmorris.myclub.org.au.

Come along and watch and/or join in. New Dancers are always welcome.

THE PM IN THE SWAN VALLEY

Alain Gaudet from Mallard Duck, City of Swan Councillor Patty Williams, local author John Edgecombe and Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the Black Swan winery event hosted by Christian Porter MP.

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23

ANZAC THE TIP OF THE SPEAR

I

t is evening - a golden evening in late summer in a hotel beer-garden.

‘Tip of the spear? What was it like… being the tip? You ask what I thought? As I flew through the air?

‘Thanks for the beer. Good drop. Nearly as good as the stuff before the war.’ There is a thoughtful pause. They all want to know… what made me so special. The first to land on enemy territory.

‘It’s simple. I wasn’t special. Definitely not.

‘I wasn’t an officer, screaming “charge” or “follow me” and leading from the front. There were some very hard men no more than thirty seconds behind me. But they weren’t following me. They were just, sort of, going in the same direction!

‘So when you ask: “what was it like?” I have to tell you I was bloody petrified.

‘What was I thinking? Not “Hurrah, there’s a hundred thousand men landing here today.”

A million by the end of the week. Didn’t know anything about them ’til later. Reading the papers.

No. When I crashed down in those brambles… as far as I can remember… I was thinking: “this isn’t supposed to happen”.’

He paused to gather his thoughts. He took a long pull at his beer.

‘Become a glider pilot they said. It’ll be glamorous they said. You get to put wings on your uniform. Above all the medals you might get. The girls will love you. Just like real pilots who fly Spitfires or Mosquitos or Lancasters.

‘They don’t have glider pilots any more.

They’re all gone. They started in 1940 and ended in 1945. Just five years. After that helicopters were better. Much less dicey.

‘So the young people of today don’t know what I’m talking about.

‘They know about gliders of course. Sailplanes, they call them. And I’ve met the people who fly them. On green fields in the sunshine with windsocks barely moving. They talk about flying with eager eyes. It’s not dangerous, they stress… as they offer to take you up.

‘Of course, they say, with a laugh, you only get one chance at landing. Sure. You can’t open up the engine and go ’round again ’cos you don’t have one. So you’ve got to get it absolutely right first time. Right. But don’t worry. The modern glider has so much control you can put her down anywhere. And our main runway is so long…

‘Not like putting a big, overloaded glider down in the black of night into a tiny swamp where you’ve never been before. Packed full of obstacles. With strong wind gusts. Oh yeah, and German machine guns at the end.

‘That’s not dangerous. It’s a fu, er, screeching, nightmare.

‘But I don’t say that, because it would shut them up. And I don’t want that. I love their enthusiasm and energy.

‘Other people, kind people, people who study military history… They tell me that it was miraculous… the most fantastic ten-minute flight ever. They say they’ve read the books about what

24

JAMES FORTE

happened. It was suicide. My god, some authors exaggerate.’

He lent forward andlowered his voice confidentially, ‘One thing about wars – they give you loads of yarns to tell. Give you a f’rinstance.

We found out later that Jerry thought the field far too small for landing a glider. But when Rommel said every field was to have anti-glider traps, he meant every field.

‘So when the RAF showed us photos of thick poles being planted in concrete, the major was a bit concerned. “Not to worry, sir”, I told him.

“If they rip off my wing tips, it will slow us down nicely.” You know, I think he believed me!

‘True! And one Air Chief Marshall, no less, called it – and I quote – “the greatest feat of flying of the Second World War”. He was very kind… but he didn’t see my plane afterwards! The shape I left it in.

‘Perhaps … if I tell you about that flight. You might understand…’

There was another long pause to remember, another pull at the beer.

‘We trained hard. Over and over again. Six gliders. Forty-two landings each, into a short field, in daylight, then night with lights, then without lights.

‘Had a pal in the Special Air Service. He used to say: train hard; fight easy. You’ve bust a gut practising it so much, so that when you come to do the real thing … it’s a piece of cake.

‘When we came to do it ... Well it wasn’t easy, but it was ... it was just very calm. Sort this out.

Now sort that out.

‘We were flying Horsa gliders. A big throwaway wooden tube with wings and a tail.

Explosive charges in the back to blow it off after landing so you can get out quick.

‘Towed by Halifax bombers to the Normandy coast. We could carry a jeep and anti-tank gun or twenty-five men.

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‘This night … just after midnight it was ... men. Thirty of us crammed in and every one had packed extra grenades and ammunition.

Laughing and singing and shouting. Anything to keep your mind off where you’re going. Except you can’t take your mind off …

‘When we crossed the coast, six thousand feet, we could see the surf breaking in the moonlight … I bunged off from the tug. Then they all shut up. Knowing the only way is down into …

That sobered them up. Thank God. I couldn’t concentrate with all that racket.

‘When you’re landing in an airliner, you do a beautiful shallow approach. Smooth and serene.

It ain’t like that in an army glider. You push out full flap and dive down, as steep as you dare …

Give the bad guys no time to shoot you ...

‘Those men sitting behind me. They had guts. Trapped in a thin wooden tube. Black as hell. Can’t see a thing and feeling the crate going straight down. At least I had something to keep me busy. Checking the compass for each leg against the stopwatch.

‘Anyway, the tow planes just kept going as if it were some normal bombing raid. Copping all the flak. The gliders were silent, invisible. Even with the new black and white invasion stripes on the wings, we would have been hard to see. Just a blackness passing under a black sky.

‘Of course, we didn’t know much about the invasion fleet that was churning across the Channel to the west. All we knew was that we had to capture some bridges. Across a river and a canal.

‘I looked down and the view of the LZ, the landing zone … it fused with my memory of the photos and models. Two silvery stripes of water.

The tug crew had made it so easy for me.

‘Not like that stuff-up in Sicily where I barely made it into the LZ. Most of the guys went into the sea… loaded down, full kit.’

ANZAC THE DAMBUSTERS TRIBUTE CONCERT Another long pause, lost in memory. Another long restorative swallow.

‘The major was sitting right behind me. At the briefing he wanted me to put the Horsa right up against the end of the canal bridge. Bust through all that barbed wire. Right, I thought. He wanted to just stroll onto the bridge and accept the German surrender. OK! Let’s do it!

‘When the moon came out, I could see everything.

‘There were high winds gusting every which way. Trees whipping about. The generals had already postponed the invasion once because of the weather. This wasn’t much better. But I could plot a path between anti-glider stakes and barbed wire and a pond and trees. Time slowed right down…’

His voice took on a flat, clam quality as he went into the wellremembered routine, “Flaps down. Air brakes ready.” ‘Around fifteen hundred feet I called “doors open”, then “tighten harness, link arms, brace”. Barely glanced at the instruments. A feel for where the horizon was and the sound of the air over the cockpit, tells you your speed. Ninetyfive knots. Bit fast.

‘We landed exactly where I wanted and I yelled “stream”. The tail chute gave a massive yank on my harness. It slammed the nose down and all our wheels were torn off. But I was terrified of being rammed by the gliders behind us so I ordered “jettison” and the chute was chopped.

‘We had bounced back into the air and came down still doing sixty knots skidding across the wet grass. Juggling the airbrakes to get us to the wire.

Trying to keep the wings level. Ramming the rudder left and right to avoid the obstacles … and the bleedin’ cows!

‘Here you go, major, one canal bank coming up. We went through the wire and smashed into the embankment.

‘Stopped dead, so that my seat mounting tore loose … and I went through the glider’s Perspex nose … flying through the air … look Ma, no plane!

A long moment’s silence. ‘I’m sure I never screamed. I was concussed and just lay there feeling to see if there were any bones broken. Blood dripping from some hole in my head. One knee felt terrible. Likely said a few swear words. Can’t remember.’

A long drink.

‘So there you have it. One British soldier sprawling in French mud.

D-day had started. Not with a bang… but with a weird silence. Maybe a moan from someone in the glider. The sentries on the bridge heard a bit of a crump but took no notice. Boy, were they in for a surprise.

‘The major climbed out of a hole in the fuselage. He looked stunned… muttered something … sounded like “well done”. a’course might have been “I’m never flying with you again”.

‘There was a very short fire-fight. The canal bridge was captured.

Sappers were cutting wires and checking for demolition charges. The pill-box and machine gun pits contained only dead men. A few minutes later we had the river bridge too.

‘We lost two men. Good men. One drowned in the wreck of the third glider when it ended up in the pond. The other was hit as he crossed the bridge. My mate kept asking me if I was all right… but he was the one trapped under the smashed cockpit. Somehow, lifted the nose off him. Then we grabbed our weapons and started unloading extra ammo; carting it up to the lads.

‘Then all we had to do was hold the bridges against a panzer division.

Poor sods. Didn’t they know they were taking on the Airborne? Rather busy for twelve hours. ’Til the rest of the British and Canadian and American armies caught up with us.

‘Back to England. More training. Took another Horsa into Arnhem.

That was a bit hairy too.’

He took a last swallow of his beer.

‘So was I really the tip of the spear? The first Allied soldier to land on the sixth of June? That’s what the histories say, but who knows? We were all committed. We trained to be the best we could.

‘Somebody had to be first’.

He looks at his glass – it’s empty - and goes off slowly to get another, an old, slightly shrunken man, coat dragged down to the left with medals, one of the ordinary chaps that helped make us free.

T

he Perth Hills and Wheatbelt Band is a group of highly talented youngsters drawn from schools in the Perth hills, foothills and wheatbelt high and primary schools under the direction of Peter Hind and Phil Robertson.

Formed as recently as 2007, the band has won international renown and many awards and honours, most recently an invitation to perform at the 2018 New York International Music Festival, held in April of 2018, with a performance at Carnegie Hall.

This was following the band's outstanding success in taking out a Gold Award at the Australian International Music Festival in Sydney at the Opera House in 2013. This was only the latest in a string of awards. Only a year after they were formed, the band won a silver award at the same festival in 2008.

The band plays a variety of music, from movie themes to light jazz to big band to marches, to fanfares to classics and in addition to entertaining concerts, have performed for corporate, ceremonial, and vice regal functions.

In 2010 the band was invited to represent WA at the World Youth Music Carnival as part of the World Expo in Shanghai and Beijing in China where they shared the stage with university ensembles from Yale, Harvard, Cambridge, Utah and Eton.

In 2012 the band was accepted into the Pacific Basin Music festival in Hawaii, where they again received a silver award and were the highest placed concert band at the event. The following year the band were the first visiting band to play at the Changing of the Federation Guard Closing Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Curiously enough, the band seems to be far better known overseas than locally, even though they have performed at more than 100 public events in the last three years, while still keeping up their school work.

Later this year the band will be touring Europe where they will be playing at battlefields significant to both the First and Second World wars - Gallipoli, Omaha Beach, Arnhem, Menin Gate and more.

But before they leave they will be performing a Farewell Concert of all the war years' hits on the 72nd Anniversary of the famous Dambusters Raid, Sunday, the 17th May at the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre at 3:00pm.

The Dambusters Raid was the one which deployed Sir Barnes Wallis' 'bouncing bomb'. Tickets to this amazing event are only $15 and are available from their website.

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25

BOOKS AND WRITING POETRY COMPETITION REVIEWS

E

ntries are now open for the annual Patron’s Prize for Poetry from the Peter Cowan Writers’ Centre.

In addition to the Open Category open to all writers, the Centre has established a new category for 2015 entitled the Novice Poet Award.

This award is to encourage beginning and fledgling poets to enter who may feel they have no chance against established poets entering the Open category Entries are now open for the annual Patron’s Prize for Poetry Line Limit: Up to 50 lines per entry Theme: Open Age:

Open Entrants must be currently residing in Australia Prizes: First $200, Second $100, Third $50.

Novice Poet Award $50 Judge’s Encouragement Award for Youth $50 Four Highly Commended certificates Four Commended certificates Entry Fee: $10 each, $20 for three entries or $30 for five.

Closing date: 29th May 2015 Full competition Rules of Entry and Entry Forms are available on the Peter Cowan Writers Centre website at www.pcwc.org.au, by phoning the Centre on 9301 2281 or emailing the Centre on: cowan05@bigpond.com.

Have a book to publish? v Family History v Non-Fiction v Autobiography v Biography v Fantasy v Fiction v Poetry Get expert advice on layout, editing, costings, publishing and marketing from professional editors First consultation free Free quotes

Swinburne Press (founded 1989) P: 6296 5161 E: douglassb@iinet.net.au

26

Title: Author: Publisher: Reviewer:

Obsession In Death J D Robb Piatkus Books Karen Treanor

Title: Author: Publisher: Reviewer:

The Richebourg Affair R M Cartmel Crime Scene Books Karen Treanor

his is the fortieth outing for J D Robb’s top here’s a lot to like in this debut novel: cop Eve Dallas, and it’s as good a read as any France, wine, food, family drama, and of the ones that went before. the very topical problem of how a middle-aged The murders Eve has investigated in the New man with a busy career copes with the sudden York City of 2060 have always been unusual and realisation that his father is suffering dementia broadly fall into two categories: those committed and the ramifications that has for the family wine by totally bad people with no possible justification, business. and those committed by mentally unstable folk At another time, Inspector Truchaud of the who think they have a cause worth killing for.

Paris Police could have left the problem to his Obsession In Death falls in the latter category. brother Bertin, but Bertin has apparently died Eve suspects she’s got a gnarly case when she finds in his sleep and Truchaud must go home to sort the prominent defence lawyer’s tongue in a candy things out. dish at her bedside - then there’s the personal Perhaps a policeman is by nature suspicious, message from the killer neatly printed on the wall. but not long after returning to Nuits-SaintThe message indicates that the killer thinks Georges, Truchaud wonders whether Bertin’s he or she is helping Eve by killing someone who death was natural. insulted her and who did not serve justice.

The discovery of some fiddle-faddle with the Reviewing the security disks from the family winery’s production that year increases the building, Eve and her faithful sidekick Peabody Inspector’s concern. Despite his being home on discover that the killer gained entry by pretending compassionate leave, he is soon involved actively to be a delivery man and managed to use the in a murder investigation that may tie up with his delivery to shield his features most of the time. brother’s death and a possible black-market wine A lot of planning clearly went into this murder; scandal. all indications are that the killer is smart, patient, His Paris boss sends Sgt Delacroix down to dedicated to the idea of justice, and fixated on Eve Burgundy to lend a hand but, his help is shortas a hero figure. circuited by an apparent murder attempt.

Consulting her friend and police profiler Dr With Delacroix out of action, Truchaud Mira, Eve gains further insight into the killer. and a friendly local police captain continue the Mira warns that the killer is unlikely to stop at one investigation. Not all the local police are nice murder and clearly has an agenda; also that if Eve guys, and with a nice touch of irony, the pistoldoes anything that the killer regards as betraying inept Truchaud has to shoot one of them with their special relationship, she herself may become his own gun. “Sometimes you just got lucky” a target.

(Truchaud paraphrasing Eastwood).

Further, the killer may regards anyone close Meanwhile, Truchaud is having to keep an to Eve as a barrier between them, so everyone eye on his father, whose dementia often results from Eve’s old friend Mavis to her husband Roarke in his wandering off to do work on somebody and his major domo Summerset may be target. else’s vines. The problem of how to manage the Sure enough, there’s another message at the family vineyard now that Bertin is gone becomes scene of another murder, tailored to the killer’s urgent: Truchaud’s nephew Bruno is too young perception of what the dead man deserved. and inexperienced to take over; his sister-inA third attempt is foiled by the merest chance, law has previously only been involved in the but it provides a bit more insight into the killer’s administration and book keeping, and the old thought processes. It also establishes that the man is no longer reliable. killer is a woman, something Eve suspected quite Will the Truchaud family have to sell early in the investigation. the vineyard that’s been in their keeping for All the usual suspects are here: Morris the generations? Will Truchaud himself have to retire medical examiner, the boys and girls of the NYPSD from the work he bullpen, Roarke, world’s richest, handsomest loves to resume the man; the fat feline Galahad, and all the other life of a rural vintner? familiar faces from the series.

You’ll learn a lot One minor quibble is that for some reason about life in smallEve has taken up the frequent and to my ear town France and unnecessary use of “the F-word”. In previous the grape-growing books Eve has shown her toughness by her and wine-making actions, not cheap talk. Words of emphasis, business in this book, whether Anglo-Saxon in origin or not, lose their and I await with impact and edge by common use. interest Book II in the Yeah, OK, everybody says it these days.... promised trilogy. still... Courtesy of Courtesy of NewMysteryR eader.com NewMysteryReader.com This page appears only in the digital issue

FOOD WINE & CHEESE EVENING DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

T

he Rev Sydney Smith once remarked that ‘his idea of heaven was eating pate de fois gras to the sound of trumpets.’

Perhaps a strange opinion for a Church of England Vicar, but you get the general idea.

Personally, I can think of little more irritating than trying to eat while all that noise was going on, but each to his own.

My preference would be a few really good wines, matching cheeses and nibbles in the cool of the evening looking out over vines while someone plays softly on a melodious guitar.

And, just by chance, that is exactly what is going to happen at the Ugly Duckling Winery on the 16th May. Andrew and Joanne Huxtable from Ugly Duckling Wines have joined forces with Elizabeth Jenkin from The Little Deli in Guildford to match some of Elizabeth’s superb cheeses with the best of the West Swan vineyard.

I was kindly invited to the selection meeting and to put my tuppenceworth in the choices.

It was surprisingly difficult, since the cheeses Elizabeth selected were far from the run of the mill cheddar, Gouda and Blue Vein. The Ugly Ducking’s wines are not exactly purely traditional either, so there were some unusual matchings, as far as conventional choices go.

Generally one might pair a deeply sweet sticky dessert wine with a good blue vein cheese, but here the blue vein - Fourme d’Alembert - is a

smooth light, semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from the Auvergne that is both mild and delicate.

This is not at all what one might expect from a blue vein, and may be a way for nonblue vein cheese eaters to find their path to this delectable cheese. We paired this with Ugly Duckling’s Unwooded Chardonnay, late picked so the sweetness is there, but as a subdued note - an unusual choice perhaps, but I think the right one.

Similarly, the Ugly Duckling Shiraz, a classic Swan Valley, rich and full bodied with a long finish. Deep red in colour, it combines classic plum, chocolate, peppers, and spice with black currants and oak on the nose. A complex wine melded to a truly magnificent cheese selected by Elizabeth - Le Conquérant.

Of all of The Little Deli’s vast range of cheeses, including some very fine cheeses indeed, this, is to my mind, one of the very best. It’s a soft, strawcoloured, cow’s milk cheese from Normandy that looks rather like a ripe Brie with its velvety white rind, and tastes like pure heaven - a rich fudge

texture with a complex nose and distinct truffle flavours. A magnificant cheese.

The evening will begin at 5:30pm with a chat about the wines and the cheeses presented - roughly five or so pairings, an olive tasting and then the opportunity to buy some of the wines and cheeses and enjoy them while listening to live music from WAAPA student, highly talented musician and Ugly Duckling regular favourite, Blake Skinner.

Tickets cost $30 a head and are available from either The Little Deli and the Ugly Duckling.

Places are limited, so don’t delay - this looks like being a fun and informative evening.

Blake Skinner (Photograph by Jarrad Seng Photography)

W INE & E S CHE E ING TA S T Y TH MA 16

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27

CHEF-ADVENTURER go for a hike in the Pyrenees, walk the pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago or even join ‘the running of the bulls’ festival in Pamplona.

Get there and eat Paella, watch Flamenco, bullfights, fiestas, football or explore their wonderful beaches. You must especially get to do a ‘Tapas Crawl’ along the many bars around town, washed down with some excellent Rioja wine of course.

BRENDAN MURPHY I have to admit though, like a lot of teenage English lads, I first set foot on Spanish soil in fter perusing through all my past stories I Benidorm in the late ‘70s, like it was a rite of cannot believe I have not written an article on passage. However, beside the English beer and Spain. fish and chips we did venture into eating lots of Considering I was there last year and at Paella, which seemed quite exotic back then. present one of my best selling Chef Explorer I returned again in ‘86, this time as a qualified Cooking Courses is Spain and especially the Chef living and working in Gibraltar, but had Tapas menu. many an excursion into Andalusia and Malaga.

Tapas! Fiesta! Flamenco! Just three words I remember visiting early hour cafes where the and already I feel like a party! fisherman gathered and many a Tapas were It is said that per capita the Spanish spend consumed. more on food than anyone else in Europe. Sounds But to be honest, beside a night out in Madrid good to me! I should have been Spanish; maybe I in 2010, I have not explored Spain as much as was a Matador in a past life (Unlikely, mind you). I would like to, but I put that to rights in the Spain is quite simply astonishing in its European summer of 2014, by spending a good architecture, old and new, and in its cuisine, week in Barcelona, and really exploring the again, a mixture of old and new. cuisine of Catalonia.

I witnessed Gaudi’s greatest creation first Staying in the ‘Placa Moilna’ we were only a hand last year when I explored Barcelona, the short walk from the great Metro system which unbelievable the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de made it easy to get out and visit the sights, la Sagrada Família cathedral, which is still a including the huge Basilica, the fantastic view work in progress! from Park Guell, an inevitable ramble along the famous boulevard of Las Ramblas and taste many a Tapas along the way.

We also tasted the divine ‘Caviar of Hams’, the many cured hams of Iberia, made from the native black pigs that are often fed on Acorns. This Iberian or Serrano (from a white pig) is one of the main ingredients of my recipe for you this month.

After many tasty Tapas, my ultimate dining experience was to be found in Catalonia’s oldest restaurant (and Spain 2nd) the Can Cullerettes.

Majestic, divine, heaven! My teenage son had his first taste of rabbit, and my wife and I sipped on Cava and indulged in the likes of a Catalan Chicken and Chorizo casserole, Spinach and Pine nuts, Suckling Pig and these delicious Tapas with a creamy filling of that Iberian ham and cheese sauce, that is the subject of my recipe.

I have demonstrated this dish many times since, in my regular The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família cooking courses for adults in the city and most recently at Ballajurra Community School.

It is also a country studded with great scenery, and yet besides old and new innovations the Then I was even persuaded to again prepare them at a family barbecue in Melbourne where Spanish still live very much in the present.

For the really adventurous you could always two ten month old baby ‘Food Critics’, declared them superb, well, in their own baby language of

A TASTE OF SPAIN

course, which meant if they were not given any more they would start crying.

Therefore these croquettes are, as one student declared, “to die for”, but maybe also to cry for too.

A

28

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SPANISH CROQETAS IBERIAN & PAPRIKA MAYONNAISE (Makes 30 Tapas)

Filling 80g butter 80g flour 500ml hot milk Salt & pepper 70g grated Parmesan, 2 tabs chopped parsley, 1 small chopped onion 150g Iberian or Serrano ham, diced Coating 300g approx. breadcrumbs 3 Eggs, lightly beaten 150g flour Paprika Mayonnaise dip *200ml REAL mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Method 1. Make the white sauce for the filing by melting butter in a saucepan then adding the flour. Cook out to a white ‘Roux’ stage, then cool a little.

2. Bring the milk to the boil, and gradually add this to the white roux to make a Bechamel sauce.

Cook out each ladle full gently, before adding the next.

3. Simmer for about ten minutes, then add the cheese and season.

4. It is meant to be very thick sauce.

5. Meanwhile in a separate pan fry off the diced onion and ham in a little olive oil for a few minutes, then take off and mix in one tablespoon of chopped parsley.

6. Add this mix to the white sauce, mix well, place in a container, cool and cover. Then store in the fridge for an hour or so until firm.

7. Meanwhile, line up three bowls, one with flour in, the next with the whisked eggs and the third with breadcrumbs.

8. When ready, shape tablespoons of the mix into 5-6cm long rissoles.

9. Dip into flour, egg and crumbs and place onto a fresh tray.

10. Mix the Mayo dip and place in a service bowl.

11. Deep-fry the croquetas at 180c in a good Rice Bran oil for a few minutes until golden brown.

12. Drain on kitchen paper and serve with Paprika mayonnaise and extra parsley.

ENTERTAINMENT DINNER - A REVIEW DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

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Kenneth Ransom, Alison van Reeken, Steve Turner, Greg McNeill, Rebecca Davis, Tasma Walton at Dinner. (Photograph by Gary Marsh)

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lack Swan's latest offering on the menu dinner parties, hostess Paige (Tasma Walton) of entertainment was Dinner, a blackly invites two couples to celebrate her husband Lars' humourous commentary on the lives of those new book on 'psyche drive' self-help, and presents whose minds are wide but shallow, like soup food significant to the diners and the guests, bowls. which include a possible burglar from next door, I have been fairly critical of some of Black and a waiter hired for the occasion.

Swan's recent productions, as in some cases they The play starts lightly enough, with Tasma appear to have swapped the allure of a 'name' for giving a bravura comic performance as the actual skill, and the staging of some has not been play slowly descends darker and darker, to its of the standard we expect from the State's own inevitable, shocking end. theatre company.

A point that struck me was that the play was However, no criticism of any kind can accrue written for the UK, set in London, and director here - this was a faultless production. The staging, Cherry has chosen to leave it there. A brave move the direction, the acting, the choice of play, timing, and one to be applauded, since it would seem we the costumes, lighting, even the music in the very are finally overcoming the cultural cringe. fast blackouts were all perfectly wonderful.

Even only a few years ago, Ms Cherry would The play's plot is simple. Giver of famous have been under pressure to transport it to a penthouse in Melbourne.

A truly ensemble cast, with all performances uniformly high; a wonderful evening's entertainment, as the rapturous applause showed.

A must-see show: Dinner, at the Heath Ledger.

The show has adult themes and very coarse language.

Very highly recommended indeed.

FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH of A Taste of Europe or indeed A Taste of the World follow The Chef Explorer on Facebook, with more anecdotes on Travel and Food or listen to Brendan on his weekly radio show on Radio Ellenbrook 88fm.

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This page appears only in the digital issue

29

ENTERTAINMENT THE RAINMAKER ROXY CALLAGHAN

K

alamunda Dramatic Society at the Town Centre Theatre have an excellent reputation for elegant, intimate, intense theatre.

The cosy little theatre suits this style of theatre perfectly, and their next production, The Rainmaker, will showcase this.

The Rainmaker, by N Richard Nash, who died in 2000 aged 87, was an author and playwright active from 1940.

He wrote The Rainmaker as a one act TV show in 1953 and expanded it to a three act the following year.

The play was translated into more than forty languages and made into a classic 1956 film, starring Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn.

The story was also made into a Broadway musical, 110 in the Shade.

The plot is simple, character-driven and ageless in theme. Set in a drought-ridden rural town in the West in Depression era America, it tells the story of a pivotal hot summer day in the life of spinsterish Lizzie Curry.

Lizzie keeps house for her father and two brothers on the family cattle ranch. She has just returned from a trip to visit all male family of cousins, undertaken with the failed expectation that she would find a husband.

As their farm languishes

30

under the devastating drought, Lizzie’s family worries about her marriage prospects more than about their dying cattle. A charming confidence trickster named Starbuck arrives and promises to bring rain in exchange for $100.

His arrival sets off a series of events that enable Lizzie to see herself in a new light.

Directed by the awardwinning Anita Bound, assisted

by Garath Sambridge the cast contains some talented and

well-known faces - Joe Isaia (Macbeth); Sarah Sambridge; Justin Stevens; Norman Faraday; Keith Scrivens (Dr Jeckle & Mr Hyde); John Pomfret (The First Henry) and Rhett Clarke.

The play goes up on the 8th of May and runs until the 30th. Tickets cost $20 (concession $17) for weekdays and matinees. Saturday nights cost $30 and include a fish and chips supper.

Tickets are on sale at the Lucky Charm Newsagency at Kalamunda Central - phone 9257 2668. Group bookings may be made through Lesley Broughton on 6293 1122.

ENTERTAINMENT IT’S MY PARTY (AND I’LL DIE IF I WANT TO) DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

W

riter Elizabeth Coleman is first and foremost a writer for TV. She wrote her first television scripts for The Flying Doctors and she has written episodes of Home and Away, G.P., Flipper, Seachange and most recently Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

Her first, single-act stage play, Sometimes I Wish I Was Jana Wendt, was written in 1988, followed by her first fulllength play, the dark comedy It's My Party (And I'll Die If I Want To). audiences - Siobhan Vincent, Richard Hadler, Laura Williams and Harrison MacLennan.

It's My Party (and I'll Die If I Want To) commences on Friday the 1st of May and runs until the 16th. Tickets cost $20 for adults (concession $18) and may be booked either by ringing Gwyne on 9255 1783 or on the Trybooking website.

And it's this black comedy that is Marloo Theatre's second production of the year, directed by Brendan Tobin, highly experienced in theatre, both here and in the East.

Curmudgeonly old Aussie Ron Patterson (Ray Egan) has been told he has three months to live. So he makes the assumption that it is exactly three months. When, by his calculations, he has slightly less than two hours left to live he throws a farewell party for his awkward, argumentative, dysfunctional family.

It starts off all right, but rapidly descends, as these things do, into vicious, but funny, in-fighting as rivalries are exposed, lies told and secrets discovered.

Apart from newcomer Belinda Djurdjevic as Debbie Patterson, the cast are all well-known to Marloo

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STYLE BY KIRSTY YOUR PERFECT WINTER JEANS

KIRSTY NOAKES he summer sun is fading and it’s time to bring The Inverted Triangle: You have broad your jeans back to the front of the wardrobe. shoulders and narrow hips, (Naomi Campbell).

You’ll find them stacked perfectly, ready You can be bold with your jeans. Try patterns or and willing to see you through another season. bright colours, and wide belts.

There’s ‘ole favourite’ – you’ve had them forever Choose a straight leg or boot cut and show and they fit perfectly! off your legs with details at the hip. Wear with They’re a little worn, but you’ll get one V-necks, wide strapped tops, peplums or collarless more season out them. There’s ‘on a good day’ shirts.

– when the stars align and you’ve been off carbs these jeans look A-Maze-Ing! The Pear. Your hips are Everybody comments! bigger than your bust You love them! If only and weight accumulates they fit more often… below your waist, There’s ‘maybe one (Kim Kardashian). day’ – these haven’t Accentuate your waist been worn in years, with a belt, no hipster maybe decades. But jeans. Wear dark they remind you of a coloured jeans with time when you were same colour shoes. younger, thinner and Choose a straight carefree. or slightly flared And one day, you leg, but if you have promise yourself, you to go with a skinny will get back into those jeans. Then there’s leg pair them with knee high boots. Wear ‘they looked so good on her’ – these probably still with clothes that accentuate your waist and have the tags on. You saw them on a commercial, draw attention to your upper body with scarves, in a promo, online or on a friend and they were V-necks and accessories.

Stunning! They just don’t look any good on you.

When you’re out jeans shopping, take your Weird. time. Wear the jeans in a little so you can tell if So what is the secret to finding the perfect they’re going to be a perfect fit once they stretch jeans? I’m so glad you asked. If your jeans don’t out. And always, always do the sit down test. suit your body shape, you’ll never be happy with If you stick to the shapes that suit you best how you look. Get the shape right and you’ll you’ll be loving yourself every time you wear your have a stunning jeans wardrobe that you’ll feel new jeans! fabulous in Every Day. Oh, and before I go, those other pairs of jeans in your wardrobe go to the Salvos. Someone else The Hourglass: Equal hip and bust needs them more than you do. measurements with a narrow waist (Scarlett Courtesy of Shop & Style Specialists Johansson). This is the balanced figure we’re all trying to emulate. For you it’s skinny or straight leg jeans, keep away from wide flares.

If you’re worried about your weight choose dark coloured jeans with no embellishments.

Style tops and jackets with a fitted waist, and steer clear of baggy tops and jumpers.

T

S

wan Magazine is thrilled to announce that we have a new regular columnist - Perth Stylist, Kirsty Noakes who describes herself as ‘a business woman and a shop-a-holic.’

So it would be only natural that she combine the two passions.

Kirsty knows that her love of all things shopping and styling isn't shared by everyone.

That's why she created simple and affordable ways for her busy clients to save time and money.

Perth Shopping Tours are one of her favourite ways to combine friends, styling and shopping.

Customer experience and satisfaction have been strong focuses throughout Kirsty's professional career. She enjoys meeting with her clients and finding out exactly what they need to look and feel better.

Whether it's sorting out a crowded, messy wardrobe or discovering your personal style, this really is Kirsty's dream job!

Kirsty will be writing about what she knows best - fashion, clothes and that ineffable something we call style.

0421 661 393 Shop & Style Specialists info@shopandstylespecialists.com

The Rectangle: Your waist is about the same measurement as your hips and bust, (Cameron Dias). You can wear just about anything, but to create feminine curves wear jeans with a slight flair, you can wear pleated and even low crutch jeans.

If you’re dead set on the straight leg, choose jeans with embellishments at the hip.

Create shape with padded shouldered jackets, shirts with a peplum or scoop neck knits.

The Apple: Your bust is bigger than your hips and weight accumulates above your hips, (Oprah). Accentuate your legs. Choose bootcut or flared jeans, but if you have to go straight leg create the balance with knee high boots. Wear with empire line tops that skim over your midsection, and jackets with a feminine shape, not boxy. Scarves are great to add vertical lines to your upper body.

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FINANCE YOUNG EAGER FOR SUPER FUND ACCESS STEVE BLIZARD

T

reasurer Joe Hockey has found himself embroiled in a contentious debate about whether using super could improve housing affordability for young people.

He says similar home funding arrangements connected to personal retirement schemes work well in Switzerland, Singapore and Canada.

In early March, the Treasurer released the 2015 Intergenerational Report, highlighting that by 2055 there will be a shortage of workers to support an ever-growing number of non-workers.

While national retirement savings are growing, the government is spending $100 million daily more than it collects, and continues borrowing to meet this unsustainable shortfall.

The debate ensued in the wake of the Intergenerational report, with Mr Hockey suggesting young Australians should have access to their superannuation accounts to acquire property.

Mr Hockey has flagged that a more flexible super system might even allow retirement savings accounts to be leveraged for property or even retraining.

This unleashed a barrage of condemnatory remarks attacks firstly from former Labor prime minister Paul Keating, who’d introduced compulsory superannuation, followed by former coalition treasurer, Peter Costello and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

They argue superannuation should only be used for retirement.

However, following an attack by Labor in Parliament to wedge Mr Hockey on this, he lashed back, reminding the House that it was Mr Keating who had first proposed the idea.

In a 1993 election campaign speech Mr Keating said young Australians should be able to use their superannuation to purchase their first home, Mr Hockey reminded members.

Mr Keating had promised to let all Australians draw down from super up to $10,000 - indexed

- or 75 percent of the vested benefit from their super savings.

"For most people ... a debt-free home is as important a part of retirement security as superannuation income," Labor’s policy document had contended.

Finance columnist, Daryl Dixon, has questioned the self-serving lobbying by many in the compulsory superannuation industry, where the priority has been to control a steady stream of other people’s money, to feather-bed fund managers.

Mr Dixon argued that while the US system grants a tax deduction for interest on home owner debt up to $1 million and provides no assistance to investors, the Australian tax system provides minimal assistance to owner occupiers while offering unlimited tax deductions to investors.

Dale Alcock, managing director of leading Perth construction, property and finance company, ABN Group, said the rules require changing to assist more first home buyers to save for a house deposit.

“Many first home buyers will soon be at risk of losing sight of the ‘Australian dream’ of home ownership without intervention from the Federal Government” said Mr Alcock.

He supports the call for allowing young people to access their superannuation as happens in Canada.

Under the Canadian scheme, first homebuyers are able to access up to $25,000 from their superannuation and it has the requisite safeguard in that the money must be repaid over fifteen years.

“Given that a vast amount of people’s income goes into superannuation, this suggestion makes absolute sense” Mr Alcock added.

Despite modelling by PwC claiming that changing super rules to fund housing would cost the government at least $500 million annually in lost revenue, Mr Hockey may well have found a way of broadening the coalition's political base.

The latest Essential Poll shows young people and Greens voters to have responded well to his idea of allowing first home buyers early access to super to fund to help fund their investment.

While traditional Coalition and Labor supporters are far less impressed, Greens voters

back the Treasurer’s proposal 50 percent to 32 percent, with those under age 24 backing the idea “very strongly”.

They realise that an asset-test free home is far more useful in retirement than having a Centrelink assessable super fund and renting.

The 2009 Harmer Pension Review found that only three per cent of home-owning single pensioners were in severe poverty compared to up to one quarter of those in rental accommodation.

Owning one’s home is so important in retirement, since there is no need to pay rent.

Following sound financial planning advice, many fund members arrange for the maximum drawdown to be paid as soon as it is available, often by telling their super fund trustee they have "retired" at age fifty-five.

After clearing their mortgage from super fund proceeds, they are back at “work” in “no time”.

Being mortgage free sets them up for retirement better than would super alone.

FUND ENGAGEMENT One advantage of enabling first home buyers to access their super for a modest home deposit is that there is a tangible incentive for them to become actively engaged with their own fund.

Tragically, over $700 million in lost super accounts have already been appropriated by the ATO, because many young people find their fiftyyear super fund to be quite intangible.

However by enhancing the system, suddenly their fund has greater relevance as it allows them to use their savings to enter the housing market, which, in many ways, is a kind of tax free superannuation in any event.

So whatever your view the ground-work is being laid for a fascinating federal election campaign.

Courtesy of Roxburgh Securities

33

The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind

THE IDLER

More recently MacKay lamented the Wonderland without the benefits of her ‘grow COMMUNITY - insmaller’ preponderance of high rise apartments describing morsel.

Our backyard was a magical place where them as places where ‘people master the art of LAST RITES giggling adults would suddenly appear. The front avoiding eye contact with each other’, and ‘obsess façades of our houses belied what was happening about privacy’.

OR inside. From the street there was no hint of the So what does this mean for our society?

Are we doomed to lives lived out in little boxes on around the pool table.

REBIRTH partyIt going would be difficult to imagine such a scene with ever decreasing human interaction. Will

GLENNYS MARSDON existing nowadays.

For starters the fences are now made of brick, steel or in some cases asbestos which don’t lend themselves to secret doorways.

Even if a recalcitrant neighbour did attempt a hidden doorway it would instantly be shut down wenty years ago we’d never heard of the phrase by an eagle-eyed pool inspector, who’d slap a ‘a sense of community’. Never spent mornings building maintenance tag on it before the first in Community Development Workshops nor champagne cork was popped. afternoons pouring over case studies about far off What’s more today someone climbing over uncolonised lands. We didn’t have to, we lived it. a neighbours’ fence would result in a swat team Every morning our neighbours’ would wave on the front lawn or the police helicopter lights to us as we stooped to pick up our newspapers trained on the trampoline in the backyard. off the front lawn, or retrieve a stack of paper bills A fully enclosed trampoline naturally, we from our letterboxes, and on Friday nights we’d can’t risk a child breaking their arm and spending invite them over for drinks. the next six weeks giggling at the piece of male There’d be no competitive MasterChef fanfare anatomy drawn on their cast. of themed rooms and stacked vegetables. Just All of this is moot anyway as it’s been well a simple card table covered with a threadbare documented that people no longer know their tablecloth, a bowl of peanuts, and half an orange neighbours, let alone invite them in for drinks. heralding toothpicks of impaled cheese and It’s been argued that our increasing multi-coloured cocktail onions. The food wasn’t population, urban design, fast paced lives and important it was all about the company. growing paranoia have trumpeted the demise of At one minute past six I’d look into our all things neighbourly, and along with it the death backyard and see Mr and Mrs Howard from of the community. over the back sitting on our plastic white chairs, The dawn of the new millennium has seen wineglasses in hand, unopened bottle of red at people retreat behind high brick walls and their feet. automatic garage doors that descend entrapping By ten past six the Taylors from next door neighbours inside before you can catch a glimpse would have joined them. The get-togethers had of their face. become so regular that both sets of neighbours Similarly the rise of the gated community had found ways of getting into our backyard has meant that even if the Howards did bow to without the pesky formality of walking the streets convention and walk around the block to knock and knocking on our front door. on our front door, they’d be left staring at us The Howards, whose property sat slightly from behind heavy iron gates, like two baboons below ours, had propped a step ladder on their anticipating feeding time at the zoo. side of the dividing fence and would climb over Social commentator Hugh Mackay has often onto a wooden bench that we’d placed on our side spoken about our need to belong, that it’s in our of the fence.

DNA to need social contact to survive.

The more industrious Mr Taylor had cut a hole He is quoted as saying that ‘the good life is in the wooden fence that divided our properties, lived at the heart of a thriving community,’ and and fashioned a half sized gate that you had to ‘saying that you don’t know your neighbours is bend at your waist to pass through. A bit like Alice biologically dangerous’.

T

34

society resemble a brood of caged lab test monkeys isolated from one another for fear of contamination?

Fear not my friends.

Having recently moved into an inner-city apartment I can report that the Community is alive and well and living in a two by two in Perth.

It may not be baking the mile high cream sponges of yesteryear but it can unfreeze a packet of party pies and drop by the local store to pick up a sushi platter.

The modern day community can be found having conversations around the pool, debating newsworthy events at the gym, enquiring about a neighbours health in the car park, or just commenting on the weather in the lift on the way up to the tenth floor.

It can be seen comparing shampoos while walking the dog in the park across the road and putting notices in neighbours’ letterboxes alerting them to a pending renovation and potential noise issues. How often do your suburban neighbours do that?

In fact, during my first six months of apartment living I’ve not only met my two immediate neighbours, I’ve also conversed with at least ten couples living elsewhere in the sixteen storey complex.

Moreover during the second last week of December thirty residents gathered in the foyer around a Christmas tree and three card tables, yes card tables, festooned with food.

Having been baptized into this new style of community I get the feeling that as long as there are opportunities to interact, and people are willing to take the risk of smiling at each other, or saying hello, then the community will prevail.

The only thing missing was the cocktail onions.

SAFE Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) was founded by Sue Hedley in 2003. Since then SAFE has developed branches and networks across the state.

SAFE’s dedicated work has had a positive impact on people, pets and wildlife.

SAFE’s innovative foster care program provides temporary care for animals until a permanent home is found. This means there are no cages or time lines on an animal’s life.

Your donation or bequest can ensure SAFE can continue its life saving work.

Have a look at our website: www.safe.asn.au

POETRY THIS OLD CAT ANONYMOUS

ADVENTURE GISELLE NGUYEN

A

re you ready for your next big Adventure? This lovely two-year-old is one of eightyfour cats at SAFE's Karratha branch looking for a new loving home.

She has been in and out of foster homes over the last few months and is currently being cared for at a cattery.

Adventure was found when she followed her original foster carer home from the petrol station last December.

“She was just so friendly and lovable,” the carer said.

She was given the name Adventure by the carer’s young son due to the fact that she had been on a big adventure to find her new friends, and quickly befriended the children in the house, coming into their rooms every night to sleep with them on their beds.

When the children’s friends came to the house, Adventure (Photograph by Emilie Cowell) Adventure was friendly and receptive towards them as well, not running away from them and allowing You can feel confident adopting with them to pick her up. “She was really patient with us because all our animals have a “lifetime them and would let them do what they wanted guarantee” which means if at any point they are with her,” her carer said. no longer able to stay in your care we will take Adventure is an active and playful cat who them back without judgment. enjoys playing with a variety of toys, especially We are hopeful that Adventure will find a balls of wool and soft toys, even if they are bigger permanent home very soon, but would also than she is! love for her to have the opportunity to be social She is sociable and loves to chatter with her again in a foster home while she is waiting to be little voice and especially loves to be cuddled. adopted instead of being in confinement in the “She always wants to know what everyone’s doing cattery. and wants to be there,” her carer said. “She’s very If you’d like to enjoy the affectionate affectionate and likes to sit with you; she really companionship of an Adventure in your home, loves company.” call SAFE Karratha on (08) 9185 4634.

Adventure would be best suited to a loving home with young children and no other pets, herever you as this is the environment in which she is most see this symbol relaxed. you will be able to get Most importantly, she needs a home where more information by she will receive a lot of love and affection, as scanning it with your she has plenty to give back. She is desexed, smartphone, laptop microchipped, vaccinated and toilet trained.

Thanks to our sponsors at QANTAS Air Freight or iPad. The relevant and the Toll Group we can fly Adventure to Perth application can be downloaded free from for a reduced price. your App Store.

'm getting on in years, My coat is turning grey.

My eyes have lost their luster,

my hearing's just okay.

I spend my whole day dreaming of conquests in my past, lying near a sunny window.

Waiting for its warm repast.

I remember our first visit, I was coming to you free, hoping you would take me in and keep me company.

I wasn't young or handsome, two years I'd roamed the street.

There were scars upon my face, I hobbled on my feet.

I could sense your disappointment as I left my prison cage.

Oh, I hoped you would accept me and look beyond my age.

You took me out of pity, I accepted without shame.

Then you grew to love me, and I admit the same.

I have shared with you your laughter, You have wet my fur with tears.

We've come to know each other Throughout these many years.

Just one more hug this morning Before you drive away, And know I'll think about you Throughout your busy day.

The time we've left together Is a treasured time at that.

My heart is yours forever.

I promise . . . This Old Cat.

W

35

WHAT’S ON IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN EVENT LISTED IN THIS COLUMN RING JAN ON 9298 8495 CANCER BIG MORNING TEA Ellenbrook Wednesday, May 20 Doors open 9.30am at the Salvation Army Hall, Ellenbrook for a 10.00 am start. Raffles etc, $10.00 entry plus door prize Phone Brian or Bev on 9296 7640 or Bev on 0417 643 098 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.

HILLS CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP 1st Wednesday of each month Hilltop Grove Estate, 1645 Jacoby Street, Mahogany Creek. Morning tea provided, between 10.30 - 12.00 noon.

Enquiries Terina 9572 1655.

SWAN HARMONY SINGERS Every Wednesday evening Swan Harmony Singers are welcoming new members, especially men, to join us at the Salvation Army Church Hall, 371 Morrison Rd, (opposite Swan View Primary School), Swan View.

We meet from 7-9pm, to sing music ranging from jazz to pop, plus the occasional classic.

As we are starting on a new programme of songs, this is the perfect time to join. No auditions.

For more information, call Chris on 9298 9529 or 0435 062 728. Come and sing with us!

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 THE HILLS CHOIR Monday Evenings a 24 hour 7 days a week service.

Do you enjoy singing and joining with others to make beautiful music? Come and join the Hills Swan/Mundaring Group meets every Monday, Choir.

We meet from 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Uniting 9:30-11:30am at the Gumnuts Family Centre, Church on Stoneville Road, Mundaring. Contact 8 Mudalla Way, Koongamia. A qualified ABA Margie on 9295 6103 for further information. counsellor is present at each meeting to give confidential information and support on breastfeeding issues. Contact Natalie 9572 4971. SWAN VALLEY SQUARES – ELLENBROOK Every Friday Night Modern Australian Square Dancing from Kalamunda Group meets fortnighly on a Thursday, 9:30-11:30am at the Maida Vale Baptist 8.00 pm – 10.00 pm Woodlake Community Hall, 1 Highpoint Blvd, Church, Edney Road, High Wycombe.

Ellenbrook. Friendly, fun Contact Jenny 9252 1996. and low cost. No previous Northam Group meets each second Tuesday of experience necessary. All the month at the Bridgeley Community Centre, Welcome. Contact Greg Fawell 0417 912 241 or www.

Wellington Street, Northam 10am to Noon.

Fourth Tuesday each month at Toodyay Playgroup, swanvalleysquares.weebly.

Stirling Terrace, Toodyay. Noon to 2pm. Please com phone Louisa 9574 0229.

GUILDFORD MARKET Third Sunday of every month At Guildford Town Hall, Corner of James and Meadow Streets. 9am - 3pm.

Situated in the heart of Guildford, within five minutes walking distance from the Guildford Train Station, a visit to the Guildford Market is sure to please.

With a diverse and unique array of locally handcrafted products and produce, there will be something of interest for all. From garden ornaments, homemade jams and relishes to handmade soy candles, cards, bags, cushions, children’s toys, bears, baby and children’s wear. Individually designed 36

and crafted glassware, jewellery and beautifully made wood products and so much more to tempt you. Sausage sizzle, live music all day.

Make a day of it, stroll around the markets and then take the time to wander about the heritage listed town of Guildford. Enjoy a picturesque Heritage Walk Trail or pay a visit to the antique, art and craft shops along the cafe strip.

Enquiries: Bromwyn, 6278 4252.

MUSTARD SEED - DISCOVERING COMPUTERS Mustard Seed is a non-profit organisation and caters for all aspects of everyday computing.

Ability levels from beginner to advanced are welcome and learners proceed at their own pace.

There are desktops, laptops, iPad and Android tablets, scanners, printers and Wi-Fi broadband internet. Cost is $3 per session.

Enrolments in 2014 exceeded 100. To gain a place in 2015 enrol now. Forms and information are available by: Phoning 9299 7236 or 0416 815 822 or E. discoveringcomputers@westnet.com.au.

ELLENBROOK COMMUNITY WEIGHT LOSS CLUB Every Wednesday evening We meet from 6.45pm to 8.00pm at the Woodlake Community Hall, Meeting room 1.

Highpoint Blvd, Ellenbrook. Friendly support group and low cost. Male and females of all ages welcome. Contact Shirley 9276 7938 shirleysardelich@aapt.net.au.

BUSINESS CARD BOARD ACCOUNTANT

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COMPUTER SERVICES

FIREBREAKS

PC Surgeon

Servicing most areas

A Sick Home PC? Treating viruses and software Low Cost Home Visits Professional advice Police Clearance 9295 5238 (All Hrs)

BRICKPAVING Specialising in Brickpaving & Soakwells

DRY CLEANERS

GARDENING

FOR QUALITY & FRIENDLY SERVICE • Wedding & Evening Dresses • Doonas & Blankets • Curtains • Woolens/Silks etc • Alterations and Mending

FREE Quotes No job too big or too small Call Larry: 0431 057 124 or 6278 2301

Shop 5, Mundaring Shopping Centre 7025 Great Eastern Highway, Mundaring

CALLIGRAPHY

EDITOR

Phone 9295 1488

GARDEN SERVICES

Need an editor?

Get expert advice on layout, editing, costings, publishing and marketing from a professional editor.

First consultation free. Free quotes.

Swinburne Press (founded 1989) P: 6296 5161 E: douglassb@iinet.net.au

CARPET CLEANING

ELECTRICIAN

GLASS

Your business could be here in colour from as little as $80.

Ring Jan on 9298 8495 37

BUSINESS CARD BOARD IRRIGATION

PUBLISHERS

Have a book to publish?

Bore installations, all pump requirements Reticulation, pipe and fittings Pump repairs and service. Water tanks Unit C/7 Orchard Avenue (next to Cov’s)

MIDVALE PH: 9274 2201

v Family History v Non-Fiction v Autobiography v Biography v Fantasy v Fiction v Poetry

Swinburne Press (founded 1989)

P: 6296 5161 E: douglassb@iinet.net.au

GRAPHIC DESIGN

MAINTENANCE

PLUMBING

REAL ESTATE

TREE SERVICES

Just Trees

Your Affordable Local Tree Service Pruning - Lopping - Removals - Mulching

9274 3236

~ Fully Insured

~ Call for a Free Quote

7B Bushby Street, Bellevue, WA 6056

TUITION

CALL FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT MUNDARING - 9295 6255 ELLENBROOK - 9297 3654

TUITION

tive c e f Ef uitar G GUITAR TUITION & BOOK SERIES

Graham Rawlins

graham@effectiveguitar.com

T: 9252 0927 • M: 0419 341 251 www.effectiveguitar. com

MARKETS

RUBBISH REMOVAL

TV ANTENNAS

SAW AND MOWER SERVICE

WEB DESIGN

Guildford Town Hall, James Street 9:00am--3:00pm Held on the third Sunday of each

Bromwyn 6278 4652

OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION SALES Swan Magazine is looking for someone to sell advertising.

The position would suit a selfmotivated person who wants flexible working hours.

We offer generous commission rates, training and advice.

Ring our editor, Jan Patrick, on 9298 8495 for an appointment to discuss options.

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SAWS AND MOWERS

cnr Grt Est Hwy & Chipper St, Mundaring

~ Sales ~ Spares ~ Repairs

9295 2466

Your business could be here for $80.

Ring Jan on 9298 8495

Travellers Rest Motel COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION COMPLETELy RENOvATED NEsTLED IN 7 ACREs OF BEAUTIFUL BUsHLAND! (Located between Mundaring and sawyers valley) Adjacent to state Forest and Heritage Trail Gazebo & BBQ Area Come and experience the best in Hills hospitality at the newly renovated Travellers Rest Motel.

See our revamped website for photos!

• Overnight Units • Disabled Unit • Fully Self-Contained One Room Units

8855 Great Eastern Highway, MUNDARING Phone: 9295 2950 Fax: 9295 1593 Email: travellersrestmotel@bigpond.com Web: www.travellersrestwa.com.au

ECHO210614J

• Fully Self-Contained Two Room Units • Reasonable Rates (from $130 per night)

A TASTE OF THE WORLD

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS GIFT & SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL AUTHOR!

$20 FOR 2 BOOKS!!

If you love TRAVEL, FOOD & TRUE STORIES from the HOSPITALITY Industry, containing over 50 RECIPES, then Come and Explore the World with Ellenbrook’s ‘The Chef Explorer’!

TWO BOOKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE, and an IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT OR TWO!

A SUPER SPECIAL FOR SWAN MAGAZINE READERS OF $20 FOR THE 2 BOOKS, (OR $12.50 EACH) * THAT IS A SAVING OF $22 ON AMAZON & BOOK SHOP PRICE!!

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COMING th 19 APRIL 2015

Sunday from 8-­‐12pm at Stirling Park Stirling Terrace Toodyay

Come and experience the wonderful array of UNIQUE local and regional stalls from around the Avon Valley & Wheatbelt area.

Would you like to be a seller? If it’s handmade, grown, raised or produced – We want YOU! Please get in touch with the Toodyay Farmers Market Committee on the below details.

J PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY J For More Information: E: toodyayfarmersmarket@gmail.com P: 0421 288 805 or 0417 938 158 W: www.toodyayfarmersmarkets.weebly.com F: www.facebook.com/toodyayfarmersmarket

3rd Sunday of each month STARTING 19TH APRIL 2015

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