Swan Magazine December 2016 by Douglas Sutherland-Bruce

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

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

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

Happy New Year Please note our office is closed until Monday, January 11th 2017

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Bushfire

Fire Danger Ratings

Factsheet

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LOW-MODERATE

Fire Danger Rating

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The Fire Danger Rating is based on the weather forecast and gives you advice about the level of bushfire threat on a particular day

If you live in a bushfire risk area you need to know what the Fire Danger Rating is for your area, monitor local conditions and keep informed. Understanding the FDR categories and what they mean will help you make decisions about what to do if a bushfire starts. FIRE DANGER RATING TODAY

CATASTROPHIC

What should I do? You need to act now

CATASTROPHIC

• Put your survival first and leave bushfire risk areas the night before or early in the day – this is your best option. • Act immediately – do not wait and see:  leave now.  avoid forested areas, thick bush or long, dry grass.  take shelter if you cannot leave.

You need to get ready to act

EXTREME

SEVERE

• Only stay with your property if you are prepared to the highest level. This means your home needs to have been constructed to bushfire protection levels e.g. enclosed eaves, covers over external air conditioners, metal fly screens etc. • You must be well prepared and able to actively defend your home if a fire starts. This means you have the right equipment and resources to put out fires around your home e.g. enough water supply, petrol/diesel portable pump, generator, protective clothing etc. • If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving bushfire risk areas early in the day is your safest option.

You need to be aware

VERY HIGH

HIGH LOW-MODERATE

• Well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety. This means you have the right equipment and resources to put out fires around your home e.g. enough water supply petrol/diesel portable pump, generator, protective clothing etc. • • • •

Check your bushfire survival plan. Monitor conditions. Action may be required. Leave if necessary.

The information contained in this material is provided voluntarily as a public service by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). This material has been prepared in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. Nevertheless, the reliability and accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and DFES expressly disclaims liability for any act or omission done or not done in the reliance on the information and for any consequences whether direct or indirect, arising from such act or omission. This publication is intended to be a guide only and viewers should obtain their own independent advice and make their own necessary inquiries.

September/2015/V3.0

For more information visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au or contact DFES Community Engagement 9395 9816

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES

PAGE

Art & Leisure

Gardening MAC at Christmas

19 13

Books Poetry The Idler Bronze Quill Winners First Impressions Writing Groups Can Help Gypsy Dreaming

34 15 40 25 25 35 36

Business Card Board Finance with Steve

44 33

Child Abduction Nesting Box Surprises Education Federal Notes The Perth-Darwin Highway Mad Tatters Do it Again Notes From Parliament SAFE SVRN Household Bills Reduced Holiday Camps

36 6 32 5 7 18 5 43 8 8 8

Books and Writing

Business

Community

Boneseed Eradication Community Commended Grt Northern Hwy Closure The Compassionate Friends What’s On The Price of Innocence Community Initiative Entertainment

SWAN MAGAZINE PAGE 8 9 9 41 14 37 38

Cinderella at Ellenbrook Film Reviews with James Cinema Under Starlight Kookaburra December Theatre Reviews with Gordon

26 30 27 29 26

Chef-Explorer Douglas’ Wineries & Dineries Food Trivia The Gold-Plated Valley Elmar’s Pandemonium Estate Rose and Crown Turns 175

2 20 24 21 22 23 24

Styled by Kirsty

From St Nikolaos to Santa

Food & Wine

Style & Fashion Christmas

WEBSITE:

www.swanmagazine.com.au

Email: editor@swanmagazine.com.au Registered Address: 18 Tokay Lane, The Vines, Western Australia 6069 JANUARY DEADLINES: Advertisements: 25th December Editorial: 1st January Copyright: Swan Magazine 2016

herever you see this symbol you will be able to get more information by scanning it with your smartphone, laptop or iPad. The relevant application can be downloaded free from your App Store. Web addresses printed in blue are live links that clicking on will take you to that web page thus: www.swanmagazine.com.au

Front Page Photograph: Emily Schinkel as Cinderella in Cinderella. Photograph: Ellenbrook Theatre Company Inc See story on page 27 ...

CHEF EXPLORER A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE BRENDAN MURPHY

s a Chef and Cookery Teacher, I just love the festive season. Despite modern over-commercialization, to me it is still a time to relax, catch your breath and most importantly “Eat, Drink and Be Merry!” Of course, as a chef for over thirty years Christmas has always been a busy time of year when I cooked commercially, but even then it was still a time to party after service. And originating from the British Isles, my childhood memories are happy. I remember waking up in the early hours with presents scattered over my bed, then creeping downstairs, ignoring the bitter cold, as the coal fire had gone out, to open more presents under the glittering tree and indulge in a Chocolate ‘Selection Box’ whilst reading my new annual Beano book. Even now, I can still feel the warm happy glow of breaking up for Christmas school holidays and enjoying every minute of the build up to the great event. Add in playing out in the snow, with soggy gloves from building a Snowman, sledging down the once green slopes of our local park and indulging in many a snowball fight. It was fun! Although I grew up in England, I have an Irish heritage and influence too including one of my favourite Christmas books by the Irish Author Alice Taylor and her The Night Before Christmas. Meanwhile, my wife Anna is Danish, so our own kids have a very diverse experience of Christmases’ past from their childhood in England, a few very cold Scandinavian Christmases and many a hot West Australian one! Maybe we need reminding sometimes (or the kids do!) but Christmas is overall a religious event. It literally means ‘Christ’s Mass’ that incorporates the ancient Christian church service that gives praise to God and their belief that when Jesus Christ was born over two thousand years ago, that he is the Son of God. Christians worldwide have been celebrating that event ever since. I am sure we have all attended many a school Nativity play in our time, which celebrates that birth with traditional old songs; Christmas Carols which are songs about the birth of Jesus. The Three Wise Men arrive on the scene after following the Star of Bethlehem and bring gifts. Which is why we have a star on top of our Christmas tree and why we give each other presents. However, before Christmas Trees, before Carols and the Chocolate Yule Log, there existed ancient winter festivals that celebrated the old Gods and adopted customs that celebrated the

end of winter and hence hoped for spring and a new harvest of food. Somewhere along the line, these ancient customs and the birth of Jesus merged together over time and Christmas Day became people’s main focus in a curious mix of pagan and Christian. So there you go, time to get ready for our celebration then, and my first recipe is one which is a bit special: partridge. Not that easy to come by in Western Australia, although they are farmed and available through specialist poulterers at this time of year. Don’t be afraid to keep it simple when it comes to partridge - young partridge, simply grilled or roasted and served with a light gravy from the cooking juices, is a delicious dish that only needs sweet, roasted vegetables, or traditional game chips (very thinly sliced potato crisps), as an accompaniment. Don’t treat partridge as you would a chicken these birds need far less time in the oven, and are best served pink and juicy. However older birds, as a rule of thumb, benefit from slower braising and stewing (try classic combinations such as bacon, with a side of Savoy cabbage) to make the most of their intense, rich and robust flavour. However a far better bird for Christmas is a goose - there’s far more of it, for example, and although it’s a tricky dish the results more than repay the work.

hour and a half. Pour all the fat from the tin again, baste, then return to the oven without foil to brown for a final 30-40 minutes until golden brown. 7 Transfer the goose to a large platter to rest in a warmish place for 30 mins. 8 To make the gravy, while the goose is roasting, heat the oil in a sauté pan until very hot, add the pieces of goose neck, then fry until browned and caramelised. Add the veg to the pan, then fry for about 10 mins until brown and just starting to burn slightly. Throw in the herbs, then pour over the cider and boil down by about two-thirds, skimming off any froth that comes to the top. Pour in the chicken stock, reduce by half, then strain into a large jug and set aside. (The stock can be made the day before). 9 Once the goose has come out of the tin, pour off the fat, reserving about two tablespoons, keeping in any brown juices. Place the tin on the heat, scatter in the cornflour and stir to make a brown paste the texture of wet sand. Slowly pour in the cider stock and stir to make a smooth gravy. Season to taste, then strain again into a gravy jug. 10 Serve the goose on a platter with the herby onions from the cavity scattered around.

ROAST CHRISTMAS GOOSE

Ingredients A 5kg oven-ready goose, trussed for roasting 6 small onions, halved 3 bay leaves Bunch thyme 2 Tablespoons sunflower oil For the cider gravy 1 Tablespoon Sunflower oil Goose neck, chopped into a few pieces 2 Carrots, cut into small chunks 2 Onions, chopped fine 2 bay leaves Small bunch thyme 500ml bottle Cider 1 litre chicken stock 4 Tablespoons cornflour Method 1 Preheat oven to 200C (fan forced 180C). 2 Remove all the fat from inside the bird and use a skewer to prick the skin all over, especially under the wings. 3 Season the inside and stuff the goose with the onions and herbs. Rub the breast and legs with the oil; season generously with salt. 4 Sit the bird, the right way up, in a large roasting tin. Cover with a large piece of foil, scrunching it up at the sides so it’s a tight fit. Roast for 1 hour 30 minutes. 5 Take the goose out of the oven, then remove the foil, carefully ladle the fat out of the tin (or use a baster to suck it out) into a bowl, then lightly baste the goose. 6 Re-cover with foil, then roast for another

Chef-Explorer is Brendan’s vision in which he combines his love of good real food, (only cooking with the freshest, natural and preferably local and seasonal ingredients), travel, culture, teaching and writing into a business. His aim is to entice families and especially children to join him and explore great food and culture themselves and get back around the table as a family should do, and discuss their findings. His first book A Taste of the World was published in 2010. THis next book A Taste of the World Cup was an extension of that theme. The third in the series is A Taste of Christmas, from its ancient traditions and customs to more modern Chef Explorer Christmas stories and again recipes old and new. So come along and join him on this great culinary, cultural and festive journey. Copies of the epub version may be obtained from Swinburne Press (6296 5161) for $4.99. As you will have seen from recent media reports Brendan’s son Jamie had some problems in Bali recently (see page 37) and all proceeds from A Taste of Christmas will go towards Jamie’s massive legal bill.

Your Local Liberal East Metropolitan Members of Parliament

Here to Help

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the East Metro Team! Legislative Assembly

Hon John Day MLA

Member for Kalamunda T: 9293 4747

E: john.day@mp.wa.gov.au

Frank Alban MLA

Member for Swan Hills T: 9296 7688

Nathan Morton MLA

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

Member for Forrestfield T: 9454 6415

Hon Tony Simpson MLA

E: nathan.morton@mp.wa.gov.au

Member for Darling Range T: 9525 4822

E: darlingrange@mp.wa.gov.au

Legislative Council

Hon Helen Morton MLC T: 9452 8311 E: helen.morton@mp.wa.gov.au

Hon Donna Faragher MLC T: 9379 0840 E: donna.faragher@mp.wa.gov.au

Hon Alyssa Hayden MLC T: 9274 8484 E: alyssa.hayden@mp.wa.gov.au

Candidates

Daniel Parasiliti

Rod Henderson

Jim Seth

Liberal for Midland

Liberal for West Swan

Liberal for Bassendean

E: daniel.parasiliti@wa.liberal.org.au

E: rod.henderson@wa.liberal.org.au

E: jim.seth@wa.liberal.org.au

Authorised by A.Cox 2/12 Parliament Place, West Perth WA 6005.

NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT HON ALYSSA HAYDEN MLC

Member for East Metropolitan Region

PROPOSED PARTIAL PUBLIC FLOAT

he Liberal National Government has announced, if re-elected, it will progress a public float of fifty-one per cent of Western Power, with the proceeds used to create jobs and stimulate the economy by building the State’s future infrastructure needs. Using its network of poles and wires, Western Power is responsible for bringing electricity from power stations to homes and businesses in the South West of WA via the South West Interconnected System. This stretches from Kalbarri in the north to Kalgoorlie in the east and Albany in the south. It is worth noting that Western Power is not the generator of electricity, nor does it send electricity bills to customers. Western Power is simply the poles and wires. Synergy is the producer and provider of electricity and it is Synergy that invoices its customers. It is important to understand that Western

Power and Synergy are two separate entities. In our role as Government, it is vital that we always look ahead to generate employment and improve our way of life. The sale of this asset will make a significant contribution to achieving both. Western Power is conservatively valued at $14 billion based on experience in other states. By selling more than fifty per cent of Western Power, the Government estimates it will raise $11 billion and will be able to remove $8 billion of debt from its books. This should leave $6 billion in equity and the 51% public float should provide the Government with about $3 billion from the sale proceeds. This $3 billion will go into the creation of the Next Generation Account and will be used to fund long-term investment in infrastructure such as rebuilding local schools and TAFE facilities, building new transport links and improving electricity reliability in country areas.

These projects will stimulate the State’s economy and create thousands of jobs for builders, tradies, construction workers, engineers, technology providers as well as their support staff within our communities. The State Government will remain the largest shareholder. Thirty per cent will be available to Australian superannuation funds and the remaining twenty per cent will be available to Australian retail investors including Western Power employees. This will allay any national security concerns around foreign ownership. It is important to note there will be no increase in the cost of electricity for consumers or any reduction in the safety and reliability of the electricity network as a result of the proposed partial public float of Western Power. Continued on page 6 ...

FEDERAL NOTES HON KEN WYATT AM, MP

Member for Hasluck, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care

’d like to take this opportunity to wish all readers and their families a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous 2017. It has been a very busy year, and I’m looking forward to spending some precious time with my wife and family. Most of us are fortunate enough to spend Christmas with our loved ones, but there are some in our community who will be alone this festive season. Sadly, many of those will be elderly people in aged care. As the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, I visit many aged care facilities not only in Hasluck, but across the nation, and the stories I hear about loneliness are very similar. About forty per cent of aged care residents never have any visitors. It’s a confronting and sad fact. We don’t seem to give our ageing Australians

CHRISTMAS WISHES

the same level of attention they gave us as doting parents and grand-parents. Many of us use the excuse that we are time poor; we seem to give the elderly conditional love based on our availability. So, I encourage you this festive season to make an effort to visit elderly friends and relatives, hold their hands and spend some quality time listening and talking to them. The importance of family was highlighted in the theme of this year’s Hasluck Primary School’s Christmas Card Competition – My Family Christmas Tradition. We received hundreds of entries and I was very impressed with the quality and creativity of the art work. I spent an afternoon with my electorate team, Kalamunda Shire CEO Rhonda Hardy, Community News reporter Montana

Ardon and Express Newspaper reporter Juanita Shephard looking at the entries and awarding prizes. Thank-you to every student who took the time to show me what they do on the Christmas holidays, and their very special family traditions. Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up. Once again, best wishes for Christmas and I hope you all have a happy and safe New Year and I encourage you to reach out and show some kindness to members of our community who may be lonely this holiday season. ADVERTISEMENT

Christmas competition judging day – Ken Wyatt, Electorate Staff and Kalamunda Shire CEO Rhonda Hardy (with the green lanyard around her neck) 5

COMMUNITY NESTING BOX SURPISES CARLI ALEN

n endangered Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo chick was among the variety of species found during a recent check of nesting boxes in Shire of Mundaring Reserves. Shire President David Lavell said following the Parkerville, Stoneville, Mt Helena Bushfire in 2014, a variety of nesting boxes were installed in Shire reserves to encourage local wildlife to return to the area. “Local environmental expert Simon Cherriman was commissioned to install the boxes in early 2015,” he said. “On Friday 25 November 2016, a number of local volunteers checked around seventy boxes, which were located in Milligan, Sunninghill, Gilfellon and Mardo reserves, as well as along the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail. “The group discovered some incredible wildlife including broods of Australian Ringneck Parrots, Red-capped Parrots, Common Brushtail Possums with joeys, hatched duck eggs, spiders, geckos and even the discovery of several Brushtailed Phascogale nests inside some of the boxes.” Cr Lavell said it was fantastic to see such a diverse range of wildlife using the boxes. “The Shire is incredibly lucky to have local expertise in Mr Cherriman who has the right equipment to install and maintain the boxes which provide shelter

to local fauna,” he said. The seven-week old Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo chick discovered in one of the nest-boxes is the third record of the species breeding in this area. As part of the WA Museum’s ongoing cockatoo research, the chick was successfully banded and measured

“It is just wonderful to be part of a community with so many enthusiastic people willing to donate their time to assist with monitoring local wildlife,” he said. “And the practical activities that this work presents play a huge part in helping educate the next generation.”

JOHN

DAY

MLA

Liberal Member for Kalamunda

Your Strong, Local Voice in Parliament. John.Day@mp.wa.gov.au JohnDayMLA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Authorised By J.Day, 16 Mead Street, Kalamunda WA 6076.

Emma and Jolene Wallington with a Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo chick which was tagged in a Shire reserve as part of the WA Museum’s ongoing cockatoo research

Concluded from page 5 .. Western Power's network costs make up about 40% of the average residential consumers’ electricity bills. Western Power is a regulated monopoly, meaning those network on Friday 2 December. charges will continue to be independently set Mr Cherriman said friends, group volunteers by the regulator, which is currently the Economic and children were lucky to be able to attend the Regulation Authority in WA. banding event and learn about techniques used This independent oversight will continue to research the species. regardless of who owns the business. Labor and the union's claims that electricity bills will increase as a result of a sale are false, baseless and nothing more than scaremongering. The sale will also outline strict employee protections, including no forced redundancies and ensure an annual apprentice traineeship intake. The partial sale of Western Power is part of a long-term economic plan for our State Government to balance the books, stimulate the economy, fund infrastructure and create real jobs for real Western Australians. As always, keeping you in touch with my activities.

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COMMUNITY FLYOVER: PDNH OVER MUCHEA SOUTH ROAD, RAILWAY ROAD AND RAIL LINE

THE PERTH - DARWIN HIGHWAY PROJECT MARION LOGIE

MUC

issues and future actions was produced detailing the need as we saw it and presented the report to the then Minister for Transport. Colin Barnett visited the proposed road alignment in Ellenbrook and agreed that the project would proceed subject to federal government funding. Unfortunately funding was not forthcoming during the Federal Labor government tenure. However the member for Pearce Christian Porter was able to secure $1.12Billion for the project when he was elected. It must be remembered that Hon Judi Moylan was an active supporter of the project before her retirement doing much of the work needed for funding of this major infrastructure project. The alignment was changed from being along Lord St to off the end of the Tonkin Hwy. This change, which was the original community preferred path, has opened up new possibilities for north bound traffic. The highway will now bypass the Swan Valley tourist route and in doing so there will be a 100kph freeway from Kewdale to Ellenbrook and onto Muchea. It will significantly reduce heavy transport time and cost and will be opening up connections from the city to Ellenbrook for commuters. An intermodal transport hub will interface industry and rail connections further reducing traffic flow to the south. R TH SOU

PERTH DARWIN NATIONAL H IGH WA

HEA

he story of how the Perth Darwin Highway Project became a reality is a long and convoluted one. The need for such a highway had been becoming more apparent and increasingly urgent to a number of people who had been watching with concern the level of traffic up the North East Corridor. Transport in the North East Corridor has been tackled by a number of dedicated people over many years. Following zero commitment to infrastructure from the Labor Party during their term of office from 2001, Rod became actively involved in building the argument that urgent investment was needed. In May 2010 community leaders throughout Perth’s Eastern Region and Perth’s North East Corridor came together to discuss how best to advocate to government regarding urgent construction of the Perth to Darwin Highway along its proposed 1995 alignment. This came together under the banner of the East Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) representing almost a third of greater Perth. The working group consisted of representatives from members of parliament, councils, land owners, developers, transport industry, business associations and chambers of commerce, Swan Valley grape growers, wine makers and tourism operators and community representatives. Together a strategic report detailing key

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Works have already commenced to expand Tonkin Hwy from four to six lanes up to Reid Hwy. Overpasses are being built on all intersections with a massive interchange at Reid Highway. These major works will create significant improvements to the north east corridor reducing congestion and travel time as well as cutting traffic from the Swan Valley tourist route. Part of the freeway works includes long term planning for rail when it becomes viable, bike paths and a split to the west creating a freeway to Yanchep including rail. Councillor Rod Henderson said that he was proud to have been an active participant in the process as chairman of the working group and with the Liberal Party. These works will see new opportunities for industry, work, tourism and growth in our region. “Without the support of Judi Moylan, Christian Porter and the Liberal State government we would be years behind with infrastructure needed in our region. Any proposal to slow these work for other projects that are being proposed by the Labor Party must be opposed” Rod Henderson said. He said that these works must be finished and that he would actively push to keep the project on track if elected in 2017.

Rod HENDERSON Liberal for West Swan

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ELLENBROOK

Rod is a proud local who will be a strong voice for West Swan

Fighting for family and community 0428 944 781 Rod4WestSwan rod.henderson@wa.liberal.org.au rodhenderson.com.au

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Authorised A Cox, 2/12 Parliament Place, West Perth WA 6005.

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK HOUSEHOLD BILLS REDUCED

HOLIDAY CAMPS

KATE PHILLIPS

ouseholds across the City of Swan have significantly reduced the amount of water, electricity and gas they use by taking part in a free eco home audit program. A total of eighty-one households took part in the City’s Eco Audit program, which was offered to residents as part of its ‘Thinking Green Program’. An experienced auditor worked with participants to identify ways they could use water and energy more efficiently and reduce household waste, and gave them advice on how to implement those changes. City of Swan Mayor Mick Wainwright said the programme had produced impressive results. “On average, the households that took part reduced their water consumption by up to twenty per cent, electricity by hirteen per cent and gas by three per cent, which is a fantastic effort,” he said. City of Swan Councillor Rod Henderson said

that by making some relatively small changes, the participants had already made a big difference. “Simple changes such as sealing off ceiling vents, replacing their light bulbs with LED lights and collecting shower water in a bucket to use on their garden, have allowed the participants to make real reductions in their consumption and their weekly budgets.” he said. Beechboro community centre Brockman House also took part in the eco audit, with similarly notable results. The centre fixed gaps in ceiling insulation and installed additional batts, which along with its current solar photovoltaic system, is set to reduce the centre’s electricity bill by $2000 a year. The City will offer a new series of Thinking Green workshops in early 2017, to continue to educate the community on sustainable living. For more on sustainable living, go to www. swan.wa.gov.au/sustainableliving.

NATALIE SANDON

wan Valley Adventure Centre – previously known as Swanleigh Camps and Conferences – now offer action packed adventure activities for School Camps, Groups, Corporate teambuilding. Our Air, Land, Water and Environmental adventures including high ropes, rock-climbing and kayaking are just some of the challenging activities our adventure centre has to offer. Our Universal Access ropes course is designed to enable people of any ability to enjoy will be open early 2017 along with our Black Out Zone which will test your skills in the dark! Come and join us in what promises to be an evening of fun and entertainment! When: Tuesday 13 December Time: 5.30pm – 8pm Where: Swan Valley Adventure Centre 58 Yule Avenue, Middle Swan. For further information please contact Swan Chamber of Commerce on 9374 5000.

BONESEED ERADICATION

recent field trip to a remnant Banksia woodland in the Swan Valley region addressed boneseed eradication under the Weeds of national significance status. The site was selected due to previously removed boneseed infestations and staff were looking for new seedlings and manually removing them. Boneseed is a Weed of National Significance and there are small populations in WA. Spring is an ideal time to ID and eradicate as that is when the bright yellow flowers are noticeable. Boneseed has been found in: Perth Hills, Upper Swan, Nabawa, Toodyay, Wyalkatchem, Boddington, Wandering, Narrogin, Woodanilling, Albany, Many Peaks and Busselton. All infestations were caused by seeds escaping from residential gardens, as boneseed

examples first recorded in gardens in Sydney in 1852 and Melbourne in 1858. Boneseed was planted extensively to stabilise coastal sand dunes and control erosion, particularly from the mid-1940s to the 1960s. By the late-1960s Boneseed had come to be recognised as a significant weed and proclaimed a noxious weed in Victoria in 1969. The Australian Institute of Agricultural Science estimated that by 1976 Boneseed had colonised around 405 hectares in the You Yangs. Since when the population’s expansion has been dramatic, and by 2003 it was estimated that Boneseed had extended its presence to around 1300 hectares of the 2000-hectare park.

Disturbances such as fire can assist Boneseed to spread as the plant produces seed that can persist in the soil seed bank for ten years or more, and this reserve in turn enables the species to quickly recolonize a burnt area.

fruits are spread quickly by birds and other animals. Boneseed produces enormous quantities (up to 50,000 per plant!) of viable, hard-coated seed that is able to remain dormant in the soil for many years before germinating. Boneseed is a subspecies of Chrysanthemoides monilifera, an invasive species in Australia introduced to Australia as an ornamental garden plant from the mid-nineteenth century, with

It was listed on the Weeds of National Significance in 2000 and is one of the twenty most significant weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and environmental and economic impacts. Boneseed has been particularly successful in invading natural bushland. In part, this is due to the species’ ability to establish on relatively nutrient-poor soils and in areas exposed to salt such as coastlines, as well as the ability of the seeds to germinate readily.

If you recognise the plant in your garden, please destroy new infestations before they flower or set seed. Shallow roots make Boneseed easy to hand-pull or dig up when small. Nonfruiting plants can be left to decompose as long as roots are not near the soil surface. Bag fruiting plants or stems and dispose of them at the tip. Larger plants can be cut down and herbicide applied to stumps immediately after cutting. When large plants are removed, new seedlings will sprout from the seedbank and should be hand-pulled immediately. The Boneseed Management Manual is available: www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/bitoubush.

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK COMMUNITY COMMENDED KATE PHILLIPS

ity of Swan officers have inspected more than four thousand properties so far this bush fire season, as part of the City’s annual inspection program. City of Swan Mayor Mick Wainwright said all properties must now be compliant with the City’s Fire Hazard Reduction notice, and remain compliant until April 30, 2017. “The City has also undertaken significant fuel reduction works on the land it manages, including the installation of fire breaks and slashing and pruning, to ensure its properties remain bushfire ready,” he said. Inspections across the City to date have resulted in: 4035 properties being deemed compliant Thirteen education letters regarding Building Protection Zones being issued 357 caution letters (abatement notices) requesting property owners undertake hazard

reduction works being issued Gidgegannup Ward Councillor Rod Henderson said that any property owners, who received a property improvement or infringement notice, should read it and take action immediately. “These notices are not generic and are only sent to properties that are not compliant with the City’s requirements,” he said. Cr Henderson said recent inspections in Gidgegannup had resulted in a significant improvement in the preparation of land in the area. “This is a great result and I would like to thank the many landowners in the Gidgegannup area who have made a substantial effort to prepare their properties for the fire season,” However, even well prepared properties in fire prone areas can still be at risk. “Property owners are encouraged to ensure they have a bushfire survival plan in place and

monitor the new www.emergency.wa.gov.au website and ABC radio for bushfire information.” Residents should also be reminded that the City has now entered a prohibited burning period, so no burning will permitted from now until March 31, 2017. For more information on how to prepare your property and the bush fire season visit the City’s website: www.swan.wa.gov.au.

GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY CLOSURE MAIN ROADS WESTERN AUSTRALIA

his is to advise that Great Northern Highway is scheduled for closure at its intersection with Reid and Roe Highways from 7pm Friday the 20th January to 5am Monday the 23rd January 2017 due to urgent asphalting repair roadworks. During the closure, access from Reid and Roe highways to Great Northern Highway northbound will be restricted and only westbound traffic on Roe Highway will have access to Great Northern Highway southbound. Traffic on the Reid and Roe Highways will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the intersection and 40 km/h speed restrictions will be in place. Access to Great Northern Highway northbound, including all local restaurants, cafes, wineries and other attractions, will be maintained throughout the weekend via the following signed detour routes: Westbound traffic on Roe Highway will be detoured via Toodyay, Campersic and Oakover Roads. Eastbound traffic on Reid Highway will be detoured via West Swan Road. Road users are advised to plan ahead, seek alternative routes where possible and allow extra travel time as delays are expected. Main Roads WA apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and thank road users for their patience while these important works are completed. Please share this information with your staff, customers and stakeholders prior to and during the weekend closure. Please note that these dates are subject to favourable weather. If weather conditions are unfavourable over this weekend, the works will be rescheduled for the weekend of 3-6 February 2017. If you have any further questions about these works please call 138 138 or email enquiries@ mainroads.wa.gov.au.

IMPORTANT ROADWORKS NOTICE Great Northern Highway at Reid/Roe Highway Intersection Closed 7pm Friday 20 January – 5am Monday 23 January 2017* Road users are advised to plan ahead, seek alternative routes where possible and allow extra travel time as delays are expected.

* Theseworks are subject to weather conditions. If inclement weather is forecast, they will be rescheduled to the weekend of 3-6 February 2017.

More information Email: enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au Tel: 138 138 www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

CHRISTMAS EDITORIAL FROM ST NIKOLAOS THE WONDERWORKER TO SANTA CLAUS

he idea that there is a benevolent father figure that watches over us, that rewards good behaviour and punishes bad, is a very ancient one. Arguably most religions are based on roughly the same concept, so it comes from a basic, atavistic, need within us. This figure is now the familiar figure of a rotund, white bearded, spectacled man in a red suit trimmed with white fur who lives at the North Pole and visits good children on Christmas Eve with gifts. (And bad children with coal). In America he is now called ‘Santa Claus’ while in the UK and former colonies he is more likely to be called ‘Father Christmas’. Both incarnations have had a fascinating evolution from the same figure, a fourth century Catholic saint called Nikolaos (Nickolas) the Wonderworker. To understand why, we need to have a look at this extraordinary man as a historical personage first. He was born in what is now Turkish Anatolia of a Greek family on the 15th March, 270CE. He was the only son of a wealthy Christian family. He was deeply religious as a child and when orphaned early he was brought up by his uncle the Bishop of Patara and ordained as a priest. In 305CE he was part of a group who founded a monastery in Judea and stayed there for twelve years before returning to Myra when he was

consecrated bishop and attended Constantine the Great’s Council of Nicea in 325CE. He died, aged seventy-three, in 343CE and some seven hundred years later his bones were moved to Bari in Italy. His reputation during his life was of a kindly defender of the strict orthodox faith and almost immediately after his death the stories of his exploits, some miraculous, began to accumulate, culminating with his canonisation and eventual sainthood. He is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers and students. The most famous story of Nicholas is how he helped a poor man with three daughters and no dowry for any of them, which meant they would remain unmarried and probably have to turn to prostitution. Nicholas threw a bag of gold through the window as each of the first two girls came of age so they could make good marriages. When the third girl came of age her father hid outside the window to discover who his benefactor was so Nicholas dropped the bag of gold down the chimney. Nicholas had a reputation of secret giftgiving, slipping coins into the shoes of those who left them out, a practice still celebrated on his feast day - the 6th December. By the middle ages nuns would leave baskets of food at the doors of the needy on Nicholas’ Feast day in his name. On the same day Nicholas Fairs were held at which sailors would buy gifts for their families and especially the children. This was particularly common in the Low

Countries where sailors make up a huge percentage of the population. In Dutch Saint Nicolas is Sint Niklass, or Sinterklaas. It’s no great leap from Sinterklass to Santa Claus.

Sinterklaas is an elderly, stately and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. He wears a long red cape or chasuble over a traditional white bishop’s alb, a red mitre and ruby ring, and holds a gold-coloured crosier. He traditionally rides a white horse. He carries a big, red book, called The Book of Sinterklaas, in which is written whether each child has been good or naughty in the past year. An interesting aspect of the history of the feast is that in 1941 the Royal Air Force dropped boxes of sweets for the children in then Germanoccupied Netherlands. The huge Dutch migration to the USA took the tradition with them where it developed further towards our now familiar figure. In 1823 a poem was published anonymously called A Visit from St Nicholas, often better known by it’s first line T’was the night before Christmas’. Authorship was claimed by Clement Clarke Moore, although there has been some dispute about that, some claiming the actual poet was Henry Livingston Jr. The poem is important as it cements into the public Russian icon depicting St Nicholas with conscious so many of scenes from his life. Late 15th century. the current traditions

CHRISTMAS - the flying sleigh; the eight reindeer including their names (Prancer, Dancer, Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Vixen and Cupid); gifts for the children; the sack of gifts; entry through the chimney and most importantly moving the celebration from Christmas Day with its heavy Christian connotations to the night before - the Eve of Christ’s mass, thus making it more secular. The image we now have was the work of several gifted artists, starting with ‘The Father of the American Cartoon’ Thomas Nast.

cartoon depicting Santa Claus giving gifts to the Union troops the American Civil War was still raging), including a small toy labelled ‘Jeff’ and looking remarkably like Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America. He depicted Santa Claus many times moving ever closer to the figure we know today. St Nicholas the magazine had as its cover illustration in 1906 Santa in a bright red suit, trimmed with white fur, replacing the tan and Stars and Stripes of Nast’s cartoons. And then in 1920s the Coca-Cola company came along. They were looking for an advertising campaign that would encourage the public to drink Coke in winter, when carbonated soft drinks were less popular. The first were Nast-style Santas in magazines like the Saturday Evening Post and in 1930 artist Fred

In 1863 he published on the front cover of Harper’s Weekly, the ‘Journal of Civilization’ a

S u n d b lo m’s images were used very extensively from 1931 to 1964, T he showing Santa f i r st S un delivering toys (and d b lom M iz e n dep playing with them), i c tio painted a n of pausing to read a letter S an department-store Santa t a in and enjoy a Coke, visiting 193 in a crowd drinking a bottle of 1 with the children who Coke. stayed up to greet him, and The advertisement was given wide circulation raiding the refrigerators at a and the following year Coke engaged the services number of homes. of artist and illustrator Haddon Sundblom to And that brings us up to the modern image create a series of adverts showing a wholesome and persona of Santa Claus the one etched on Santa who was believable, realistic and symbolic, our brain and used in so many movies, TV shows, but the actual Santa, not one of his ‘helpers’ - a paintings, cartoons, drawings from Miracle on man dressed in a Santa suit. 34th Street, and the Santa Clause through Bugs Sundblom specifically drew his inspiration Bunny, Deck the Mall and Santa Claus Conquers the from Moore’s (or Livingston’s) poem and produced Martians. a warm, friendly, pleasantly plump and human However, what did the real Santa look like? Santa. Concluded on page 12 ... 11

CHRISTMAS Concluded from page 11... Once, the western world was full of relics. The bones and skin, fingernails and even heads of saints were preserved, bought and sold, stolen and cherished. Relics of holy people and of Jesus Christ were at the heart of medieval Christianity. The devotional importance of relics and the economics associated with pilgrimages caused the remains of most saints to be divided up and spread over numerous churches in several countries. (As an aside, there is still a thriving trade in relics - go to EBay and enter ‘relic’ in the search field). St. Nicholas is unusual in that most of his bones have been preserved in one spot: his grave crypt in Bari. The archdiocese of Bari has allowed for one scientific survey of the bones. In the late 1950s, during a restoration of the chapel, it allowed a team of hand-picked scientists to photograph and measure the contents of St Nicholas’ grave. In the summer of 2005, the report of these measurements was sent to a forensic laboratory in England. The review of the data revealed that the historical St. Nicholas was barely five feet in height and had a broken nose.

centuries before then. English personifications of Christmas were first recorded the 15th century, with Father Christmas himself first appearing in the mid 17th century in the aftermath of the English Civil War. The Puritan-controlled English government had legislated to abolish Christmas, considering it papist, and had outlawed its traditional customs.

Father Christmas, as illustrated in Josiah King's pamphlet of 1658.

Until Victorian times, Father Christmas was concerned with adult feasting and merrymaking. He had no particular connection with children, nor with the giving of presents, nocturnal visits, stockings or chimneys. Charles Dickens’s 1843 novel A Christmas Carol was highly influential, and has been credited both with reviving interest in Christmas in England and with shaping the themes attached to it. The evergreen fir tree was traditionally used to celebrate winter festivals (pagan and Christian) for thousands of years. The first Christmas Trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830s. They became very popular in 1841, when Prince Albert (Queen Victoria’s German husband) had a Christmas Tree set up in Windsor Castle. As later Victorian Christmases became more child-centric family festivals, Father Christmas became a bringer of gifts. The popular American myth of Santa Claus arrived in England in the 1850s

The facial reconstruction was produced by Dr. Caroline Wilkinson at the University of Manchester and was shown on a BBC2 TV program The Real Face of Santa. FATHER CHRISTMAS Although these days identical and indistinguishable one from the other, Father Christmas come from a entirely different tradition than Santa Claus. Although now known as a Christmas giftbringer, he was originally part of much older English folkloric tradition. The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period, but Christmas had been personified for 12

Royalist political pamphleteers, linking the old traditions with their cause, adopted Old Father Christmas as the symbol of ‘the good old days’. Following the Restoration in 1660, Father Christmas’s profile declined. His character was maintained during the late 18th and into the 19th century by the Christmas folk plays.

and Father Christmas started to take on Santa’s attributes and by the twentieth century the two had become one. “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!”

THE ART OF CHRISTMAS MAC AT CHRISTMAS Dear MAC Members and Friends: As yet another year comes to a close we would like to thank you for your continued support of Mundaring Arts Centre. It has been a very busy year and we hope that you have enjoyed all that we have had to offer. The excitement is not over yet with all the Tied Up With String art boxes now unveiled and on display for everyone to enjoy in Gallery 1. In Gallery 2 we are thrilled to present the 'gifts' of two new studios in part two of Gifted, Golden Wattle Hookers and VIBE Ceramic Studio. As we say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in 2017 we would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing voluntary Board of Management for their hard work and dedication to our local arts community. We are sad to say Erin Taylor has stepped down from her position as Deputy Chair to focus on her interior design career, however we know Erin will continue to be a part of the MAC family. Mary-Louise Carbone has recently been appointed as Deputy Chair and we look forward to her vision and direction in the future. MAC will be closed during January to take a well-deserved break before the excitement of our 2017 exhibition and public program begins. There is a fantastic line up of community projects, artist residencies and workshops scheduled for the new year which we think you will love.

EXHIBITIONS

TIED UP WITH STRING GALLERY 1 until 21st December MAC celebrates the festive season with a cornucopia of contemporary craft secreted in fifty identical wooden boxes. In a twist of fate, this covert exhibition happened almost before the official opening, as buyers purchased a secret artwork, sight unseen, and only found out who’s artwork they ‘bought’ at the Opening of the Boxes event. There were only fifty clandestine works of art, contributed by an impressive list of WA artists, which were ‘raffled’ off to the first fifty buyers who let fate, luck or the alignment of the stars set their destiny. These art boxes are now laid open for all to marvel at the enginuity and creativity of some of WA’s finest artists.

yarn and a variety of recycled fabrics. Suitable for students nine to fifteen years of age. The workshop runs from 12.30pm to 3pm at MAC Gallery 2. Cost $33 ($30 MAC Members) Materials supplied.

NEWS

MACHINES AND MAKERS ON THE MOVE We are proud to announce our application to Art On The Move to tour the Machines and Makers exhibition has been approved. Machines and Makers, initially conceived by Jude van der Merwe and driven by a large group of community members, celebrated and explored the exceptional craft skills of the past with an exhibition of sewing machines from the 1850’s-1950’s, paired with artistic responses by invited contemporary artists. The touring exhibition will build upon the incredible success of the 2016 Machines and Makers Project that saw unparalleled community GIFTED engagement and attracted visitors from across GALLERY 1 until 21st December West Australian artists create installations the state. to display their ‘gift’ through residency and invite The subject, beauty of the objects and caliber people to take part in workshops to create gifts of artistic interpretation is bound to appeal to regional audiences of all ages. for Christmas. HOLLY AND JILL O’MEEHAN also known as the Golden Wattle Hookers crochet the gallery into a gloriously colourful installation. They will be in residence from 11:00am to 3:00pm from Tuesday the 13th to Friday the 16th December. DENISE AND PATRICK BROWN - the VIBE Ceramic Studio creators share their latest hues in tableware plus mixed media works. They will be in residence from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Tuesday the 13th and Thursday the 15th December.

MAC MEMBERSHIP MAC Memberships are now due for renewal. As a not-for-profit organisation, MAC relies on Memberships to help us continue to bring arts workshops, exhibitions and projects to the community. For as little as $48 per annum, members not only help local artists but they get 10% off Shop purchases and Workshops (excludes Exhibition purchases) at MAC, 15% off at Jacksons Drawing Supplies, invitations to all our exhibitions and notification about our workshops.

Mary-Louise opening her blind box as part of the Tied Up With String exhibition

We will launch the 2017 MAC Exhibition Program on Friday 10 February 2017 with the Shire of Mundaring Retrospective Art Acquisition Exhibition featuring the a survey of influential artist Ben Joel alongside a selection of works by his former students, Geoffrey Drake Brockman, Angela McHarrie, Stuart Green, Gina Moore and Bevan Honey. On behalf of all of us at MAC, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year!

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS CROCHET A BOWL FOR CHRISTMAS Friday 16th December Holly and Jill O’Meehan Join GIFTED artists Holly and Jill O’Meehan for a workshop to create a tactile crocheted and woven bowl. Holly and Jill will show participants how to experiment with the materials and methods to create their own unique vessel out of t-shirt 13

WHAT’S ON IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN EVENT LISTED IN THIS COLUMN RING OUR OFFICE ON 6296 5161 Entries for non-profit entities are free, commercial entries are welcome at $10 per fifty words. 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.

MORRIS DANCING All welcome. It’s like bush dancing, with sticks and bells. It’s aerobic exercise and great fun! Tuesdays 7-9pm practice, Guildford Town Hall, cnr James St and Meadow St, Guildford. And drinks later at the Woodbridge Hotel with live Irish music For more information please contact: AUSTRALIAN BREASTFEEDING ASSOC. Christine Hogan: 9279 8778 Discussion groups, guest speakers, morning Email: madtattersmorris@iinet.Net.Au tea. Free breastfeeding counselling. Expectant Website: madtattersmorris.Myclub.Org.Au mothers, mothers, babies and children welcome. National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 2686 MUSTARD SEED - DISCOVERING COMPUTERS is a 24 hour 7 days a week service. Mustard Seed is a fifteen year old non-profit organisation and teaches all aspects of everyday Swan/Mundaring Group meets every Monday, 9:30- computing. Ability levels from beginners 11:30am at the Gumnuts Family Centre, 8 Mudalla onwards. Want help with Windows 10? In need Way, Koongamia.  A qualified ABA counsellor of instruction with your Mac computer? Have an is present at each meeting to give confidential iPad or Android tablet and don’t know what it will information and support on breastfeeding issues. do? We can help. Cost is $3 per session. Classes Contact Natalie 9572 4971. are heldat 56 McGlew Road, Glen Forrest. To gain a place enrol now. Kalamunda Group meets fortnighly on a Thursday, Phone 9299 7236 or 0478 604 163 or 9:30-11:30am at the Maida Vale Baptist Church, E: mustardcomputers@gmail.com Edney Road, High Wycombe. W: noodlebytes.com Contact Jenny 9252 1996. SWAN WOODTURNERS GROUP Northam Group meets each second Tuesday of The group meets in the rear hall of The Senior the month at the Bridgeley Community Centre, Citizens’ Centre, The Avenue, Midland, at 1-00pm. Wellington Street, Northam 10am to Noon. on 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Tuesday, and at 7-00pm. Fourth Tuesday each month at Toodyay Playgroup, on 2nd Tuesday of each month. A demonstration Stirling Terrace, Toodyay. Noon to 2pm. Please and cuppa are the norm. Men and Women are phone Louisa 9574 0229. welcome. Enquiries to Ted 9295 4438. TUESDAY BADMINTON CLUB Tuesdays Join us for Social Badminton from 9am - 11am at Brown Park Recreation Centre. Beginners Welcome. Contact Miriam 9274 5058. THE HILLS CHOIR Monday Evenings Do you enjoy singing and joining with others to make beautiful music? Come and join the Hills Choir. We meet from 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Uniting Church on Stoneville Road, Mundaring. Contact Margie on 9295 6103 for further information. SWAN VALLEY SQUARES – ELLENBROOK Every Friday Night Modern Australian Square Dancing from 8.00 pm – 10.00 pm Woodlake Community Hall, 1 Highpoint Blvd, Ellenbrook. Friendly, fun and low cost. No previous experience necessary. All Welcome. Contact Greg Fawell 0417 912 241 or www.swanvalleysquares.weebly.com 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. 14

ELLENBROOK AND DISTRICT MENS SHED INC. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday We are open at 4 Transit Way Ellenbrook from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Potential members can turn up on those days and there will be someone to explain what we do and give membership details. Annual fees are low and members can do their own thing, participate in projects for the community or simply just come in for a chat and a cuppa. We are considering extending our days to include Saturdays or evenings if there is enough interest. SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE MUSIC CLASSES Tuesday mornings Learn to play tunes on piano or keyboard immediately – the SIMPLY MUSIC method. Play songs, chords, blues and classical in small groups at a reasonable price. Call Heather 9296 4181 for more details.

GET FESTIVE WITH SWAN HARMONY Sunday December 11 Swan Harmony Singers perform songs ranging from jazz evergreens to pop and folk classics at a fesive season concert beginning at 2:00pm followed by afternoon tea at the Salvation Army Church, 371 Morrison Road (opp. Swan View Primary School), Swan View. Tickets (incl. afternoon tea): Adults $20, Concessions $15, groups 10 or more $150. Children under 10 free. Enquiries: Anna Wright 9299 7249; TALKING HORSES advance bookings: Mundaring Community Bank Wednesday evenings 6:00pm The WA Horse Council equestrian radio 9295 6411. program is now in its seventh year. The programme is broadcast on the Community Radio HILLS CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP Station 91.3 SportFM. To ensure that your club, 1st Wednesday of each month event, breed or business gets coverage, call Hilltop Grove Estate, 1645 Jacoby Street, Mahogany Creek. Morning tea provided, between Diane Bennit 0409 083 617. 10.30 - 12.00 noon. Enquiries Terina 9572 1655. SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE Monday Mornings The Art Group meets at Baskerville Hall from 9am MIDLAND MEN’S SHED Every Tuesday morning – 12pm for just $5.00 per session. The group leader is Gilly, she can help and We meet socially every Tuesday morning from advise with most media. Feel free to come and 9.30am to 11.30am in the Bellevue Baptist Church have a look and meet our local artists – they are a Hall and each month we have a guest speaker on a wide range of topics. very friendly lot, new members welcome! We also go on excursions to various places For more information call 9296 1976 or E: enquiries@swanvalleycommunitycentre.com of interest (e.g. HMAS Stirling, Aviation Museum, ALCOA, etc.). There is the chance to also do some W: www.swanvalleycommunitycentre.com. woodworking or metal work at external sites. Our music and art groups are functioning SWAN HARMONY SINGERS extremely well and welcome new members. For Wednesdays Come and sing with us! Swan Harmony Singers more information please contact Kevin Buckland is a community choir that meets, 7-9pm, to on 0417 961 971 or by email: sing music ranging from jazz to pop, plus the kebinsv@tpg.com.au occasional classic. No auditions. Join us at the Salvation Army Church Hall, 371 Morrison Rd, (opposite Swan View Primary School), Swan View. Enquiries: call Anna on 9299 7249, or Chris on 9298 9529 or 0435 062 728.

POETRY

nowmen, reindeer, wassail bowls and other trappings of Christmas in Northern climes don’t really fit our Christmas with its sunny skies, flowering gum trees, and very hot temperatures. We need more Christmas songs that fit the life we really live. As a start, here’s a rewrite of an old classic. ~ Karen Treanor

THE TWELVE DAYS OF A WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS

n the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me A possum in a gum tree

Two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree. On the seventh day of Christmas My true love gave to me Seven black swans swimming, Six bobtails hissing, five bronzewing doves, Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos, Two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree. On the third day of Christmas My true love gave to me Three cockatoos, two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Eight Bettongs burrowing, Seven black swans swimming, Six bobtails hissing, five bronzewing doves, Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos, Two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos, two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree. On the fifth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Five bronzewing doves, four wattlebirds, Three cockatoos, two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree. On the sixth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Six bobtails hissing, five bronzewing doves, Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos,

On the ninth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Nine yabbies scrabbling, Eight Bettongs burrowing, Seven black swans swimming, Six bobtails hissing, five bronzewing doves, Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos, Two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Ten spotted chuditch, nine yabbies scrabbling, Eight Bettongs burrowing, Seven black swans swimming, Six bobtails hissing, five bronzewing doves, Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos, Two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree. On the eleventh day of Christmas My true love gave to me Eleven numbats nibbling, ten spotted chuditch, Nine yabbies scrabbling, Eight Bettongs burrowing, Seven black swans swimming, Six bobtails hissing, five bronzewing doves, Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos, Two Bandicoots and a possum in a gum tree. On the twelfth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Twelve ‘roos a-leaping, eleven numbats nibbling, Ten spotted chuditch, nine yabbies scrabbling, Eight Bettongs burrowing, Seven black swans swimming, Six bobtails hissing, five bronzewing doves, Four wattlebirds, three cockatoos, Two Bandicoots …And a possum in a gum tree!

BUSH POETS RETURN TO TOODYAY BILL GORDON

embers of the WA Bush Poets & Yarnspinners gathered at Toodyay for their fourth annual Act, Belong, Commit, Toodyay Bush Poetry Festival & State Championships. It proved to be an enjoyable event for all concerned, with many visitors coming from Perth and Mandurah for the weekend. The Memorial Hall is an ideal venue, with the décor and history making a magnificent setting for Bush Poetry. Popular winner of the competition was Christine Boult from Perth, with Roger Cracknell runner up and John Hayes third. This is the second occasion Christine has been successful having won in 2014. It is not long ago that Roger was competing in the novice section, and it is encouraging to see him progress so quickly with his performances. John is a proven poet of long standing. He was right behind the winners in a very close contest. Winner of the Yarnspinning was Dave Smith from Collie. Everyone was pleased to see Dave back to the fore after some health issues. He has a knack of weaving a good yarn, having been the top yarn spinner at Boyup Brook in 2011. The festival was off to a great start with a workshop presented by one of the judges, Rob Christmas. Rob gave a very detailed presentation on different rhyming patterns and how rhyme

and metre create feeling and emotion in a poem. When she gave examples considerable discussion followed, with participants were challenged to write their own lines. Many who attended told me that it was the best workshop they had attended. Social activity began on Friday night when we packed a school bus for a magnificent evening meal and some well received poetry at the Jennacubbine Tavern. Visitors came from as far as Dowerin for this evening. Competition poetry and Yarnspinning kept the large audience entertained throughout the day. The Roadwise challenge was well supported with fourteen poets presenting a poem on the topic Distracted Drivers are Dangerous. Peg Vickers won this, and she also won the Poet’s Brawl which was held on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday night people gathered in the

Memorial Hall for dancing and singing brought to us by two of the new poets, Steve Roberts and Michael “Oxo” Barclay and their partners. A very enjoyable and relaxed evening was enjoyed by all. Toodyay Lions Club did a great job catering for the Bush Poets Breakfast on Sunday morning before the competition resumed for the day. The weekend concluded with presentations to the winners. 15

COMMUNITY MAD TATTERS DO IT AGAIN Perth's "Mad Tatters Morris" team chosen to dance awarded the "Best Creativity Award" by the Chinese judges. in Shanghai again! Fifteen team members (dancers and he Mad Tatters Morris were selected to musicians) from Perth and one from Toodyay represent Australia again at the Fourth travelled to Shanghai. International Folk Dance Festival in Shanghai which is organised every t w o years and were

"We were so excited when we were chosen in 2014 to represent Australia and even more elated to be invited back again in 2016". When Christine Hogan, the Squire (Team Leader) asked why the Chinese committee decided to invite us back again, they replied "Because you connected so well with the Chinese audience". The Mad Tatters Morris dancers are women and men who perform traditional dances originally from English villages along the border between England and Wales. The team is based in Guildford, however, dancers and musicians BOOTCAMP come from all over Perth.

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Music and dance is a fantastic way of communicating across cultures. We chose to fuse our traditionally based dances with a famous, Chinese folk song, entitled Mo Li Hua or Jasmine Flower composed in the 18th century, Qing

dynasty. "It was hard work learning a song in Mandarin, but You Tube is a great help! It was worth it and soon we could not get it out of our heads!" "When we danced on with our traditional yells and leaps, the audiences laughed …then we stopped dead and faced a sea of faces (bigger audiences than we ever encounter in Australia)… a short pause and then our flautist played the first line of the song and there was a gasp! Some joined in with us singing whilst others, clapped along with obvious joy and appreciation. It was magic and united us for those few minutes". The climax of the Festival was when the Tatters performed on a huge stage in Binjiang Square beside the Huangpo River, opposite the famous Bund in Shanghai in front of twenty judges, numerous TV cameras (which relayed the concert to millions of people across China) and an excited crowd. There were eight Chinese teams representing the diversity of cultures and history of China and seven international troupes including teams from Sweden, Egypt, Argentina, Peru and Sri Lanka. It's really Morris dancing with attitude with lots of yelling and stick clashing which mimics fighting. The Morris Border Tradition goes back five hundred years. Originally, this kind of dancing was performed by poor farmers and miners trying to obtain extra money to feed their families during the harsh winter months in England. They made colourful costumes or "tatter coats" out of scraps and decorated black top hats with feathers. The "Mad Tatters Morris" practice weekly in Guildford. The team is now four years old. Bookings and new dancers are always welcome. For more information The Mad Tatters Morris please contact Christine Hogan 9279 8778, were presented with the “Best creativity Award” by or check out the Mad Tatters Morris website: www.madtattersmorris.myclub.org.au. the Chinese judges.

GARDENING RAISED GARDEN BEDS

or both novice and experienced gardeners, raised garden beds take a lot of the hassle out of horticulture. Here are tips on planning, building, protecting and irrigating raised bed gardens. Experienced gardeners use raised beds to sidestep a long list of gardening challenges. Poor soil is never a problem, because you fill a raised bed with a custom soil-and-compost blend. Drainage is built into the bed walls, which hold the soil in place to keep erosion in check. Greater exposure to the sun warms the bed, which allows more plant diversity and extends the growing season. Plants can be spaced closely together, so yields go up, water-use efficiency is maximized and weeds are crowded out. Finally, raising the soil level by even thirty centimetres reduces the backbreaking effort needed for jobs such as planting, weeding and harvesting. Beyond the comfort and ease is the control— as you grow your favorite foods, you feed and soak your plants with just what they need for optimum growth. A raised bed is most productive and attractive as a bottomless frame set into a shallow trench. The sides can be almost any durable building material, including railway sleepers, rock, brick, concrete or interlocking blocks. Watering troughs, claw-foot tubs or old fibreglass garden ponds can work, as long as they have the capacity and drainage. But by far the most common material for raised beds is timber. The major caveat, since raised beds are often used to grow edibles, is to steer clear of wood preserved with toxins. Avoid creosote-treated railroad ties; opt instead for naturally rot-resistant cedar or redwood. The EPA considers wood infused with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) to be safe for food crops, but if you use this pressure-treated wood you may want to line the bed interior with weed plastic or shade cloth - an air-and-waterpermeable screen - to prevent soil contact. Whether using pressure-treated or naturally rot-resistant wood, put the bed together with galvanized or stainless screws or bolts. A bed should be wide enough to support sprawling tomatoes, but narrow enough to reach easily from both sides. The ideal height is roughly 60cm tall — you can go taller, but you need a

LESLIE HERBERT

considerable amount of soil to fill a 90cm high bed. Don't fill the bed with soil from the garden. Instead, use peat moss, compost or a soil mix for planters. Use a plank to level the soil, then plant. If possible, build more than one bed, which makes it easier to rotate crops and meet the watering needs of specific plants. Aligning beds in straight rows simplifies the installation of an irrigation system. Finding a flat spot spares a lot of digging— you want the walls to be level. In general, a north-south orientation takes full advantage of available light. Stay close to the kitchen, but avoid sites shaded by the house or beneath messy trees. Leave at least 45cm between beds for walkways, or 60cm if you need room for a wheelbarrow or lawnmower. To prepare the site, get rid of turf and weeds. Outline the bed dimensions on the ground with chalkline or string, then dig with vertical strokes along the outline, just deep enough to bury about half of your first course of lumber. Raised beds are designed so water trickles down, eliminating most of the problem of poor drainage. But if your only viable location is n clay you can prevent the “bathtub effect” by drilling weep holes at the base of the sides.) Between your beds, put down some heavy PVC and cover it with pavers or a layer of gravel to improve drainage— after running out in the rain for a fresh bell pepper, you’ll appreciate the mudfree shoes. Level the earth or gravel layer at the bottom of the bed, then put down a layer of weed-suppressing shade cloth that extends to the outer edge of the wooden frame. Build each wall separately, then fasten them together and put the bed into position. Raised-bed builders often

sink posts into the ground for stability, either at the inside corners of the bed or halfway along the side walls. These help hold the bed in place, but can also reduce the outward pressure that a full bed exerts on the frame, which can dislodge the timber after a single season. A cap railing that runs around the top of the bed ties everything together. Plus, it provides a handy place to set down gardening tools while working, or when you’re done, a seat to admire the fruits of your labour.

DOUGLASâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WINERIES AND DINERIES

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MICRO GLASS BREWERY RESTAURANT SMALLGOODS

Try our world class German food and award winning beer at the home of the largest micro glass brewery in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the ambiance of our authentic German restaurant or our two-acre shaded beer garden, our playground, small good store and gift shop. Open for Lunch Wed - Sun; Dinner Fri - Sun. (08) 9296 6354 marketing@elmars.com.au

FOOD THE GOLD-PLATED VALLEY DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

e hardly need to be told that there are world class wineries, dineries and tourist attractions here in the glorious Swan Valley. But every now and then, it’s nice to have our opinions confirmed. For more than forty years, the Western Australian Tourism Awards have been recognising excellence within the tourism industry. Tourism operators can gain great benefits from participating in the awards program, including public recognition of their achievements and commitment to excellence; exposure both within the industry and to the greater public. The awards process consists of an online submission and site visit, and entrants also receive support to assist with their awards submission. The Hon. Colin Barnett MLA, Premier and Minister for Tourism: ‘The Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards recognise excellence in all areas of tourism achievement in Western Australia across thirty-two categories. ‘The Awards continue to set a standard for excellence in our State’s tourism offerings at a time when the industry is perhaps more important than ever in contributing to our economic prosperity.’ Among the many winners were the following local businesses: Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services Gold – Sandalford Wines Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries Gold – Sandalford Wines Silver – Entopia Wines

Excellence in Chinese Tourism Gold – Sandalford Wines GOLD PLATE AWARDS I served as a Gold Plate Judge in the last century during the 90’s and I know how high the standards are, so that even to be considered a finalist is a considerable achievement. The Gold Plate Awards are a well regarded and highly successful hospitality industry awards programe that have been conducted by The Catering Institute of Australia since 1967. For fifty consecutive years, operators of many restaurants, cafes and the like from all over Western Australia have participated and received the benefit of the aims and objectives of the award programme ‘To reward excellence and to encourage the endeavours of committed industry professionals by giving them a means of improving and promoting their businesses’ 2016 was a record year being the 50th anniversary and a particularly high number of quality entrants. These are the finalists: Licensed Casual Dining Metro Caversham House Caversham Restaurant/Cafe Within a Winery Perth/Surrounds Riverbank Estate - Caversham Mediterranean Dining Fillaudeaus - Caversham High Tea Cottage Tea Rooms - Henley Brook Tourism Restaurant Metro & Regional Sandalford Winery - Caversham The CIA Venue Caterers Award Caversham House Sandalford Winery and the winners: Bill Thompson Award Jake Tolich - Sandalford Winery Licensed Casual Dining - Metro Caversham House – Caversham Restaurant/Cafe within a Winery - Perth/Surrounds Riverbank Estate - Caversham Tourism Restaurant Sandalford Winery - Caversham 2016 Prix D’Honneur Award Recipients Chesters Restaurant Sandalford Winery Our sincere congratulations to all finalists and winners - it well worth noting that in fact this is Caversham House’s third consecutive win having won Licensed Casual Dining – Metro in both 2014 and 2015. 21

DINING OUT delectable smallgoods. If we had known how filling and extensive it was going to be I’m not sure we’d have ordered main course as well, but we did. James had the Hungarian Goulash, rich and satisfying, but not at all appetising-looking, stew is, after all, stew and it’s hard to present it artistically while maintaining the generous portions that Elmar’s always serve. DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE I looked at the Classic have a particular soft spot for Elmar’s in the Caesar Salad with longing Valley. Many years ago when my mother was Cos lettuce, Elmar’s bacon still alive we took her as a Mother’s Day treat to b i t s , a particularly flash and well-known restaurant in the valley which I had booked weeks earlier. When we arrived we were told, the family and I to get into line to confirm our booking. The line extended about fifty feet and there was nowhere to sit. I looked at the line and then at my eighty-two year old mother balanced on her two sticks. I said something along the lines of ‘Oh dear’ (I am renowned for the sweetness of my temper) and we piled back into the car and off to Elmar’s to throw ourselves on their mercy. Oddly enough they didn’t laugh hysterically when we arrived on Mother’s Day without a booking but couldn’t have been kinder. They rustled around and got us a table in the really garlic croutons, topped gorgeous Beer Garden until a table became available in the with shaved Parmesan, boiled egg and creamy restaurant proper and really made my mother’s dressing (no anchovies, however) ($21.90), but my baser, greedier nature took over and I ordered day a bit special. She didn’t have all that many left and I shall the Bratwurst Plate ($39.90) always remember Elmar’s superb attitude to This is a huge serving of really delicious service that turned disaster into a great memory. traditional German sausages, all made by Elmar’s I have visited them on many occasions since and served with mashed potato and sauerkraut and have always found the welcome warm, the and a side of mustard and, for me, a further side of bratkartoffeln (Fried potatoes with onion and service friendly and the food excellent. My most recent visit was at luncheon with a bacon - $10.90) playwright friend to talk theatre, writing, murder The sausages are a traditional Bratwurst, a and locked rooms and to eat and possibly have a Cheese Kransky and an Elmar’s specialty - a coarse beer. The restaurant grew out of Elmar and Anette Dieren’s German smallgoods business and the MICRO GLASS BREWERY RESTAURANT SMALLGOODS menu is quintessentially German - the menu has German translations, so one can, with confidence, order knoblauch-kräuterbrot off the bread side dishes (Cheesy garlic bread $11.90) and feel truly international. Incidentally that garlic bread is just heavenly, rich and aromatic and with just the right amount of garlic. We shared a tasting plate for two ($37.90) as an entrée (or vorspeisen, for us world travellers) these alter from day to day but always include a selection of excellent cheeses and some of Elmar’s

ELMAR’S

The Thoughts of an Ageing, Balding Foodie

beer Bratwurst - all delicious, all large and succulent. If, unlike me, you’re not that keen on sausages the menu has a wide range of options - pork, fish, German pasta, salads, steaks, duck, quiches and seafood. The have vegetarian options, gluten free options as well as dairy free for the lactose intolerant. Elmar’s is broken into several distinct areas. The restaurant proper, all high ceilings and glossy polished wood with comfortable chairs as well as the beer garden, and the beer sampling bar and a retail area for smallgoods, gifts and souvenirs. Although, God knows, we were replete with good food, we decided to end with a shared Sticky Date Pudding (Dattel fruchtkuchen) ($16.90) and butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. It was absolutely superb. Very highly recommended indeed. Try our world class German food and award winning beer at the home of the largest micro glass brewery in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the ambiance of our authentic German restaurant or our two-acre shaded beer garden, our playground, small good store and gift shop. Open for Lunch Wed - Sun; Dinner Fri - Sun. (08) 9296 6354 marketing@elmars.com.au

WINING IN PANDEMONIUM ESTATE

he walk to the cellar door at Pandemonium Estate from the car park is a precursor to the experience you’re about to have. The walk is between cool crisp green working vines that are just beginning to carry the fruit that will become next year’s wine. The cellar door itself is a cool relief to the already burgeoning summer heat outside. It’s spacious and wide with a comfortable deep bar, couches and local art for sale on the walls. Stainless steel and natural wood predominates but this is very much a working cellar with vast vats and floor to ceiling glassdoored fridges filled with the glowing bottles of wine in a rainbow array. I was fortunate enough to chat to one of the two owners, Loraine, and sample some of their exciting wines. She was kind enough to take questions, and the first one, predictably, was ‘Why Pandemonium?’ She laughed and explained that it was a fair description of their lives at the time, having bought the Upper Swan property while still owning the previous winery, moving, trying to set up the new business while still working full time at busy demanding jobs as medical professionals. It wasn’t until later that the other meaning of ‘pandemonium’ occurred to them - ‘the abode of all demons’ (from Milton’s Paradise Lost) Not all demons are evil however and Loraine and Martin have used demon names for their wines. The first I tasted, for example, the 2013 Chenin Blanc is called the ‘Frutimer’ after the demon who rules over parties. The wine itself ($18 a bottle - or two for $25, a real bargain) is crisp with a light bouquet and lovely summery sherbert-y flavours. Perfect for cheese, a lazy summer afternoon and friends. It is made from fruit of the old vines that were there when Martin and Loraine bought the property, so they’re about thirty years old now. Since buying Pandemonium the two have planted a goody acreage under new vines, which have thrived. The Tempranillo in particular have fruited well and are used in the Barbas (secret things, disease and shape-changing) Shiraz Tempranillo.

DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

This is an outstanding wine and a real snip at $25. It’s sinuous, rich, balanced and complex. While perfectly drinkable now, this will be fantastic is a couple of years. As well as classic whites and reds, Pandemonium produces excellent examples of two increasingly popular wines - the sweet Moscato, although Pandemonium’s has a lovely astringent underlay that gives it a nice balance and elegance. The other is the Rosier (romance and sexual love) rosé - not my favourite, but I can appreciate the work that has gone into producing this perfectly balanced, highly popular wine. It is entirely made from Grenache grapes and enjoys rich, full berry flavours and a rosy pink blush. The wines show strong Spanish influence,

and reflects Loraine and Martin’s love for the country and an appreciation of our Western Australian Mediteranean-style climate. The views from the cellar door towards the hill are spectacular as is the prospect before Pandemonium - a bright future. Pandemonium Estate is a newcomer to the valley’s richness and a welcome addition, too. Make them feel welcome, if you are a true wine lover, they have some excellent wines that will repay attention. If your taste is broader, they can cater for groups - early in the new year tasting plates of local delicacies will be available as will a neat Bed and Breakfast for short stays. Well worth a visit. Very Highly Recommended Indeed.

FOOD ROSE AND CROWN TURNS 175 ALLEN NEWTON

aving spent millions of dollars on its refurbishment, owners of The Rose & Crown Hotel in Guildford, Mark and Tracy Weber, have decided to throw a party to celebrate the 175th birthday of the old girl. And those who love the laid back feel of the old pub will adore the birthday celebrations on Thursday December 15th. Mark and Tracy have invited 10 of the Swan Valley's best wineries to come along and offer a twilight tasting of their wines in the outdoor restaurant area which will be converted into a market style environment. Tickets are for sale for $25 and include a voucher

T h e sup

unted ce posedly ha

llar at the

Rose & Cro

for finger food tastings, a premium commemorative wine glass and musical entertainment for the evening running from 5pm to 8pm. They will also be offering tastings and sales of local beers and ciders. Bar and food will be available for those who want to stay later and have a meal and drinks.

FOOD TRIVIA R There are approximately 350 different pasta shapes around the world. Italians often insist that the shape you cook with can affect the taste so you should make sure you pick the right one if you want to impress.

R The expiration date on bottled water is actually not for the water but for the bottle. Water doesn’t have proteins or sugars which means that it won’t “go off” in the way that food does. However, if it is left open to air, it’s chemical composition will change as it absorbs carbon R Processed cheese was first invented in dioxide. Switzerland over 100 years ago but the first commercially available slice was manufactured by R Chicken contains 266% more fat now than an American, James L. Kraft, just after World War it did 40 years ago. That’s 33% less protein II. Typically slices contain less than 51% cheese. and that’s all down to our modern day farming methods. That’s why it’s always best to opt for R Greek yoghurt contains up to double the free-range or organic meat. amount of protein than other types. R If you put a can of Diet Coke in water it will R The first food ever to be microwaved was float but regular Coke will sink. popcorn. The second was an egg which exploded Although no one outside the Coca Cola in the face of the experimenter. (Who was left company knows the ingredient of the drinks, it’s with egg all over his face - boom, boom! Apologies thought that the amount of sugar in regular coke to Basil Brush) makes it dense enough to drop. 24

The Rose & Crown is Western Australia's oldest operating hotel and owner Mark Weber said every effort was being made to bring the facilities in the hotel into the 21st Century while maintaining its fabulous heritage. Famed for its ghosts and the mystery surrounding a walled off tunnel in its hotel the Rose & Crown is rich in history. Mr Weber said the origins of the hotel lay in the establishment of a haberdashery store on the site in 1839 by a man called Thomas Jecks. "He apparently bought the land for the price of a goat," Mr Weber said. The main building is Georgian in style and built from local hand-made bricks laid in a Flemish bond. The steeply pitched roof is built from local and English hardwoods and was originally covered in timber shingles. There are extensive cellars below the hotel and a four-metre deep well still exists in the cellar. "It was reportedly used to draw water for making illicit grog. The tunnel was supposedly used to heave the heavy barrels down the tunnel to the river," Mr Weber says. The tunnels may have been for contraband or it may just have been that the English were good at building tunnels and it was an easy way to get things from the river underneath what would have been swampland in those days." The cellar and tunnel was built by convict labour using handmade nails and hand-sawn Jarrah beams which still support the weight of the building. Mr Weber says he and his wife Tracy are proud to be custodians of the historic hotel. Tickets to the birthday twilight tasting are available from www.rosecrown.com.au.

WRITING BRONZE QUILL WINNERS SUE MORLEY

ifty-two people attended the annual Bronze Quill Luncheon at the Gallipoli Restaurant, ANZAC House, Perth, hosted by The Society of Women Writers WA which also celebrated its 35th anniversary year. Our Guest of Honour was Molly Smith of Albany who has been a member for all of those thirty-five years. Louise Mooney of North Perth has also been a member for 35 years, but was unable to attend the luncheon due to poor health. Special guests included the Society's Patron, Ruth Reid AM Cit WA; Lennie McCall Chairperson of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society Inc.; Emeritus Professor Dennis Haskell; Shane McCauley, WA Writer and Poet; and Tabetha Beggs Chairperson of Katharine Susannah Pritchard Writers Centre. Susan Midalia, writer and freelance editor, judged the entries in the Bronze Quill Literary Competition for Short Stories. The results of the Bronze Quill Short Story Competition are: 1st Prize: Beneath Still Waters Author: Wendy Stackhouse of Two Rocks Second Place: Scylla and Charybdis Author: Astra Warren of Albany Highly Commended: Died in the Wool Author: Astra Warren of Albany Highly Commended: The Foam Passage Author: Anne Summers of Kingsley Commended: Contagion Author: Madeleine Tingey of East Victoria Park Commended: Auf Wiedersehen My Love Author: Anne Davies of Ascot

Judge Susan Midalia, Winner Wendy Stackhouse and Patron Ruth Reid

The winner, Wendy Stackhouse said ‘When Susan Midalia called out my name as the winner of the Bronze Quill Award for 2016, I remained frozen in my seat at first, never having won anything for my writing before. ‘Writing, to me, is all about challenging myself, something I know is shared by other members of the Society, and I look forward to many more challenges next year.’ In giving her insightful judge's report on the sixty-two short stories submitted, Susan Midalia said, ‘There were some notably recurring subjects and themes:

the pleasures or disappointments of love and family; history and memory; suffering and victimization; the beauty of the natural world; the ugliness of violence and cruelty. ‘There were humorous stories and melancholy stories; crime fiction and romance; stories of adventure and suspense. The most memorable ones were often unexpected, not because they relied on the overused sting-in-the-tail ending but because of shifting levels of reality, or surprising changes in a character. ‘Other stories were memorable for their creation of an engaging sense of voice, skillful use of structure or evocative use of language.’ The judge's report may be read on the Society's website: www.swwofwa.com.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS DERECK ROOKEN-SMITH

n 1974 I was young, reckless and adventurous. I had “done” Asia and Europe on the cheap. Now it was Africa’s turn. Finances were low, so I decided to hitchhike from Nairobi to Johannesburg. The first day went well and I was dropped off in the early evening on the outskirts of Arusha in Tanzania, a sprawling, dusty town. It grew rapidly darker as I trudged from one hotel to another in search of inexpensive lodging. I was having no luck; compared with Asia, prices were high. I tried to bargain, but with no success. Finally, one innkeeper mentioned that he had a “share room” that might suit my budget. He led me to a large concrete space, quite bare but for a bed against each wall. On one lay an old Kikuyu man, wrapped in a dusty greatcoat, with a felt hat on his head. Beneath the bed were his belongings — a cluster of knobkerries (fighting sticks) and what appeared to be a short spear. He glanced at me with complete lack of interest. On the other bed sat a young high school student. He had a cheerful grin and spoke some English. I settled in for the night, but not before squeezing my rucksack between the bed and the wall and surreptitiously tying it to my watchstrap (prudent in any dorm accommodation). We all dozed off. Suddenly I woke with a start. The door had burst open and the naked light bulb flashed on. In

the centre of the room stood the innkeeper with a decidedly shady-looking character, inebriated and with a large machete hanging from his belt. I must have gone quite pale. “This is it,” I thought. “I’m done for. This is what you get for being such a cheapskate.” The two intruders had a heated exchange. And then, suddenly, the new guest mumbled something, spun around and left. The door slammed shut and the light went out.

My room-mates whispered together and burst into raucous laughter. “What was that about?” I asked the student. “The owner was trying to sell him the last bed,” he replied. “I thought so,” I said, “but why did he leave?” “He said he couldn’t possibly stay here. It looked too dangerous. He might get robbed.” I, too, chuckled and then slept well. In my minuscule travel diary is a short entry: Arusha — didn’t get robbed.

ENTERTAINMENT CINDERELLA AT ELLENBROOK THEATRE COMPANY DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

here are a lot of things the British do well - monarchy, for example; and tea, pomp and ceremony, drag, tradition and most importantly - humour. One of the better combinations of these attributes is the traditional English pantomime, defined as ‘a theatrical entertainment, mainly for children, which involves music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy and is based on a fairy tale or nursery story, usually produced around Christmas.’ It has a very long history in Britain and developed out of the 16th century Commedia dell’arte Italian theatrical tradition of Pierrot, Colombina, Pantaloon and the zanni (servants). From the beginning of the nineteenth century it began to develop its uniquely English characteristics and conventions - the principal boy (Aladdin, Jack, Dick Whittington etc) is always played by a young woman; the dame (often the principal boy’s mother) is played by a man in drag and heavy makeup. A u d i e n c e participation - calls of ‘He’s behind you’ and ‘Oh, yes he is!’ and ‘Oh, Director Chris McRae ELLENBROOK THEATRE COMPANY INC

Emily Schinkel is Cinderella.

PRESENTS

17-21 DEC 2016

Saturday 17th December 2.30pm (Matinee) 7.30pm Sunday 18th December 2.30pm (Matinee) 7.30pm Monday 19th December 7.30pm Tuesday 20th December 7.30pm WEDNESDAY 21st December 7.30pm

Tickets

Featuring Perth's only "Pink" tribute "PINKed" as the Fairy Godmother

ADULT CONCESSION FAMILY (4) UNDER 12

www.trybooking.com/194 206

Ellenbrook Performing Arts Centre || 100 Main St, Ellenbrook Contact Jan Oliver on 0414 298 611 || ellenbrook.theatre.company@gmail.com

$20 $16 $55 $11

no he isn’t!’ and the destruction of the ‘fourth wall’ between cast and audience, with the cast engaging the audience in the action. The script contains at least three kinds of humour - broad slapstick, simple jokes for the children and sometimes subtle risqué double entrendes designed for adult appreciation only. There’s always singing, often well-known tunes with re-written lyrics and goodies appear from the left and baddies from the right (a convention that goes back to the medieval mystery plays where left was heaven and right, hell. The plot is usually based loosely on a folk tale or fairy story, such as Cinderella, which is the selected panto for Ellenbrook Theatre Not looking all that wicked, Meredith Corr plays Baroness Stoneybroke Company, which for

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA UNDER STARLIGHT RETURNS IN 2017 CARLI ALLEN

ills residents can enjoy free outdoor movies close to home this summer, with the return of the popular Cinema Under Starlight series. This school holidays, four movies will screen at local ovals and parks in

such a young theatrical company has racked up some solid successes in their annual pantomime. Last year they mounted the highly-regarded Aladdin and this year’s looks fair set to be at least as good. Director Chris McRae, head of Music and Drama at Holy Cross College in Ellenbrook has drawn together a large and talented cast of both new and familiar faces. The lovely, put-upon, Cinderella who works amongst the cinders and embers of the kitchen (Emberella?) is played by Emily Schinkel and her Prince Charming by Jordan Lenihan. The wicked stepmother so beloved of folk tales is local favourite Meredith Corr and her two repellent children by Giordarna Rigoli and Rebecca McRae. A large, talented and agile chorus of nineteen has been co-captained by Max Hughes and Renae O’Neill.

In addition to all the traditional trappings pantos often feature famous stars as the Fairy Godmother or suchlike, so naturally ETC have done the same. The Rock Star Pink was unfortunately busy, so they got the next best thing - Perth’s only Pink tribute, Pinked (Sabrina Morris). The sets are magnificent and have been painted by Stacy Gardol from The Painted Room and the elaborate gorgeous costumes organised by Jan Oliver from Masquerade Costume Hire. Cinderella, which promises to be a very great deal of fun for the inner and outer child of all ages runs from the 17th December until the 21st at the Ellenbrook Performing Arts Centre, 100 Main Street, Ellenbrook. Tickets cost $20 for adults ($16 concession) and may be obtained from the Trybooking website here; www.trybooking.com/194206. Book early, tickets are selling fast.

January and February. Mundaring Shire President David Lavell said the series was a great chance for the whole family to come together and enjoy a night out. “There’s nothing quite like a picnic during our perfect summer nights,” he said. “Each event will have a face painter before the movie, which starts when the sun goes down. It’s a great free night out, with some excellent movies on show.” The following program will run this series: Saturday 14 January (Mundaring) - Oddball G Saturday 21 January (Glen Forrest) - Angry Birds Saturday 4 February (Mount Helena) - TMNT: Out of the Shadows PG Saturday 11 February (Wooroloo) - Zootopia PG Cr Lavell said the events would run at a number of venues which were recently upgraded. “This is a great opportunity to show off Mundaring Community Sculpture Park, Morgan John Morgan Reserve and the new pavilion at Elsie Austin Oval,” he said. “We are proud of our facilities and excited to be able to deliver this much-loved community event series in refreshed spaces. “These movies would not be possible without the support of Lotterywest, Linley Valley Pork and Acciona Trility Joint Venture who operate the Mundaring waste water treatment plant.” Food and refreshments are available for sale at each event. Gates open at 6pm and the films begin around 8pm. People can bring a blanket or chair to sit on. For more information call 9290 6773 or visit www.mundaring.wa.gov.au.

Stacy Gardol with the palace gardens, some of the sets for Cinderella. 27

COMMUNITY THEATRE REVIEWS THEATRE WITH GORDON

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. - Helen K eller

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

he Rise and Fall of Little Voice was richly written in 1992 by Lancashire born dramatist, Jim Cartwright. It was the Winner of an Evening Standard Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award, both being for Best Comedy of the Year. The story was made into a prize winning film in 1998. This delightful, Kalamunda Dramatic Society presentation, just short of two-hours, was seen at the Kalamunda Amateur Dramatic Society Theatre in Barber Street, Kalamunda. This fabulous show finished its three-week season on Saturday 3rd December. The scene is the present day, in the sitting room of a rundown house in the North of England. The stage apron and the auditorium aisle became the local club. The artwork was by Olivia Peters. The set designer (Alastair Woodcock) has stripped the small stage back to the bare brick walls. The furnishings are meagre and tatty. To one side of the stage is a staircase leading to a teenager’s bedroom. The bedroom walls are pink and adorned by the LP covers of singing stars from the 1960s and 70s. The props were few but probably very difficult to source, well-done Linda Murray. The busy stage manager was Karen Woodcock. The lighting (Stephen Marr) and sound (Julie Hickling) designs were very well thought out. With several special visual effects required from a limited lighting rig, a most impressive result. The efficient technical operators were Alexis Marr, Lesley Broughton and Anita Bound. Greg Rusha engineered the sound. After her husband died, Mari (Sandra Sando) feeling abandoned, took to the drink. She is desperate for affection – and a regular sex life. However, life has passed her by, and this tarty woman finds herself throwing herself at any man that shows even the slightest interest. Her immature, 15 year old daughter, Laura ‘Little Voice’, or ‘LV’ as her Dad called her (Madeleine Shaw) was devastated by her loving Dad’s death. With only a mug saying ‘The World’s best Dad’, a photo of him on her bedroom wall, and his LP record collection, LV locks herself away. All day she listens to his discs, hoping to find some ethereal,

paternal connection by impersonating the singers. Mari’s friend, Sadie (Rose Weighell – enchanting) is short of a few brain cells, but understands the circumstances of her friend and her daughter, and shows LV genuine affection. As Mari and Sadie are having an afternoon nip of Bacardi, the telephone men arrive to install Mari’s lifeline to her clients. Mari moves in on the older technician, Clark (Stephen Marr) whilst the very shy young assistant, Billy (Jack Williams) smiles fondly at introverted, nervous LV. No sooner is the ‘phone installed but the village’s ‘impresario’, Ray Say (Keith Scrivens – best I have seen him) arrives to ‘see’ Mari. Her neckline lowers and there is more flesh on show than in a butcher’s window. He hears LV singing in her bedroom and cannot believe the quality. Anticipating being the agent to an international star, Ray calls the local club owner, greasy Mr Boo (Derek Russell). Could fame be just around the corner for LV? Will Mari find the man of her dreams?

Director Terry Hackett has once again worked her magic. This is basically an absorbing comedy, but with her clever direction and a magnificent cast – not a weak link anywhere – Terry has brought out the frustrations, deep sadness and pathetic lives of the mother and daughter. There are several poignant scenes where the mother grasps at ‘affection’, and poor LV just feels totally unloved and reclusive. Narelle Belle mentored Madeleine’s numerous vocal characterisations, and in one scene, Madeleine rattled through several well-known personalities, with a confident, powerful, and beautifully melodic voice with the perfect style

of the person she was impersonating. The cameos changed in microseconds, requiring a modification of vocal delivery, accent, and body action. A stunning performance. Sandra Sando was outstanding as the debauched and pathetic mother, filled with jealousy and frustration. Her rough Edinburgh accent grated, and her whole demeanour was daring and repulsive. Superb. Every aspect of this show was exceptional.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown is a 1967, award winning musical, based on Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts. The playwright was John Gordon (this name is thought to be a joint pseudonym for Gesner and his cast), he shows us a day in the life of Charlie Brown and Peanut’s gang. On the advice of the producer Arthur Whitelaw, Clark Gesner added the music and lyrics later. It took Gesner about five years to get the use of these copyright characters for his play. The show ran on Broadway for 1597 performances over four years. This updated version has had extra dialogue added by Michael Meyer, with the lyrics modified by Andrew Lippa. The Murdoch Theatre Company actors, in their last show for the year, bring you this twohour upbeat sparkling, light-hearted spectacular. The scene is Charlie’s schoolyard. The set is symbolic, being a delightful replica of the cartoon strip that we all love. A background of blue skies, clouds, a lone fir tree, a mailbox and a water hydrant; all painted in primary colours. There is a big, red kennel with a flat area on the roof – where Snoopy sleeps. On each side of the stage is a 4 x 12 metre high flat, showing reproductions of Peanuts cartoons. In the centre of each flat is a curtained doorway. The set design and much of the artistic construction was by Jess Bennett-Hullin, who had helpers working eighteen hour days to meet the deadline. Stage Manager Meagan Dux controlled the large cast flawlessly. The flies’ operator, Sean Wcislo, was also prompt and efficient. Everyone seems to like the dim, shy, insecure Charlie Brown (Oliver Kaiser), but is he really a ‘Good Man’? His friends come out to praise him, but all with reservations. Today he is late for the school bus again, and despite Pig Pen (Mike Casas) holding the bus back, Charlie misses it, watching as his friends Violet (Paige Mews), Tapioca Pudding (Claire Tebbutt), Peppermint Patty (Tijana Šimić), Marcie (Rhiannon Moon), Pig Tail Girl (Brianna Dunn), Patty (Isla McLeod), Peggy Jean (Grace Pusey) and Sherman (Justin Crossley) disappear into the distance. Snoopy (Thomas Dimmick) just turns over and goes back to sleep on top of his kennel, even when his yellow friend, Woodstock (Nashyhithah MD Zaini) arrives for a chat, he remains asleep. Continued on page 31 ...

ENTERTAINMENT KOOKABURRA’S BACK - DECEMBER PROGRAMME

ell, after a well-earned rest over winter Kookaburra Outdoor Cinema is back, opening on Friday the 18th November which is the Hills’ icon’s twenty-first programme, both varied and interesting: Robinson Crusoe: The Wild Life (PG) US. Animated Family Screens: Fri 16th December only Director: Vincent Kesteloot Tuesday the parrot and his friends wake up on their tiny exotic island after a strong storm to find a strange creature on the beach: Robinson Crusoe. Tuesday immediately sees Crusoe as his ticket off the island to explore new lands. Likewise, Crusoe soon realises the key to surviving on the island is through the help of Tuesday and the other animals. Animated fun for the whole family. I, Daniel Blake (M) UK Drama Screens: Saturday 17th; Sunday 18th December Stars: Dave Johns, Hayley Squires Director: Ken Loach Daniel Blake is a 59-year old joiner living in the North-East of England who attempts to seek a disability pension in the wake of a massive cardiac arrest. While he endeavours to overcome the red tape

The Light Between Oceans (M) US (English Subtitles) Comedy Screens: Friday 23rd December only Stars: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson Director: Derek Cianfrance On a remote island in the years following WW1, a couple rescue a baby from an adrift rowboat and decide to raise the child as their own, unaware of the devastating consequences. Years later they discover the child’s true parentage and are faced with the moral dilemma of their actions.

witches and wizards in New York—seventy years before Harry reads his book. Please note: CLOSED CHRISTMAS EVE and CHRISTMAS DAY KOOKABURRA CINEMA TURNS 20 The cinema was officially opened on the 3rd January 1997 and the first public screening was on Saturday the 4th. Come and celebrate twenty years of screenings with us on Saturday the 7th January 2017, we’d love to see you.

NOW OPEN Fantastic Beats nd Where to Find Them (PG) US Comedy Screens: Monday 26th, Friday 30th, Saturday 31st December and Sunday 1st January 2017 Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz Director: David Yates Author J.K. Rowling and director David Yates return to the Harry Potter universe with this spinoff story, starring Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) as writer Newt Scamander who discovers an underground community of

involved in getting this assistance, he meets single mother Katie who has her pension sanctioned because she arrives late for her appointment. Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival 2016. See James Forte’s review of I, Daniel Blake on page 30. 29

FILM REVIEWS FILM WITH JAMES

suspension of his dole payments. While at the Centre he encounters a single mother and her two young children. Katie (Hayley Squires) is also getting the run-around after being forced to move from London (where she had some family support). Dan and Katie need each other. There are some lighter moments. Daniel is computer illiterate and discovers that all the Social Security processes must be completed online. Phoning for help merely achieves a wait in an automated queue for nearly two hours. It is hard to fault any part of this film. The screenplay by Paul Laverty provides a firm basis for the excellent acting (for me Squires takes the honours over a brilliant Johns). Ideally, society should provide overlapping Cantata for the Common Man safety nets for those who have fallen on hard Directed: Ken Loache times. Laverty has over-simplified things to just n all likelihood, this will be the most powerful one and when that fails, you are in big trouble. Cleverly he has contrasted the friendly help film you will see in the next twelve months.

This French romantic-comedy, grabs you right from the start and does not really let go until very late in the piece. The story is extremely simple: Alexandre has found Diane’s misplaced mobile phone and wishes to return it. The directory includes ‘home’ (maison) which he rings.

I, DANIEL BLAKE

Yet again, Ken Loach, an elder statesman of British cinema, has set out to jab the conscience of modern society. Yes, the film is political. If you have left-wing sympathies, you are going to find a fair amount of reinforcement here. If right wing, go and rejoice in the dignity of man. And discover just how good you have to be to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes - twice. The story is straightforward (and was filmed in chronological order to steadily push the actors up the emotional scale). Daniel Blake (Dave Johns) is a sixty-ish widower, a joiner working in Newcastle, who has had a severe heart attack. During his recuperation and needing assistance for the first time in his life, he turns up at his local Social Services Centre. There some (faceless) young airhead bureaucrat categorises him as fit for work and a malingerer. He is put on the treadmill of logging applications and interviews for jobs he cannot accept under doctor’s instructions. This leads to 30

the pair get from the citizens of Newcastle with the cold uncaring manner of the government office. When one worker shows some sympathy she is chastised for the inefficient use of her time. Can Katie and Dan retain any semblance of dignity? As the advertising material suggests, you really will leave the cinema with a lump in your throat and a fire in your belly. I, Daniel Blake opened at Luna Cinemas on November 17th and will be showing at the Kookaburra OutdoorCinema on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December.

UP FOR LOVE

Height Challenged Rom-Com Directed by: Laurent Tirard

ou know you are going to enjoy a film when you start laughing out loud within the first five seconds.

She answers and it is immediately clear that they are attracted to each other. He is a single parent of a twenty something son. She is going through a messy divorce from her company partner. Both are looking for love. There is just one problem (this is a rom-com – there has to be some hurdle for them to get over): he is four foot five and she is approaching six foot (the measurements are given in ancient units for the American market). Not that the height asymmetry is a problem for the lovers. But for their relatives, workmates and society at large – tut, tut. The taboo is almost as bad as the rule for the ages of lovers. The French devised a formula for that as welltake his age, halve it and add seven to get hers. Stray too far from that and watch out for the gossip columnists. Needless to say, they both have interesting occupations. She is a high-flying lawyer, he is an architect (when he talks of houses, he means opera-houses). Thus they are able to afford the very best art in their lives. I was particularly drawn to some magnificent stained-glass in the law offices. And does he know how to show a girl a good time? Within an hour of them meeting, he is taking her sky-diving. He knows of the very best (clandestine) dining-places in town. He has great moves on the dance floor. Only not for the waltz. There are many height-inspired jokes. At one point he is exploring the inside of a model, of an auditorium, on his hands and knees. He rises too quickly and has to explain that he bumped his head on the ceiling. The energy slows a little towards the end. After all, this is a rom-com with a single theme. Predictably, the lovers have to end up together

despite all obstacles. However, if your day has Concluded from page 8 ... been a tad difficult and the weather just a little Charlie is infatuated with the red-haired too warm, go and see this piece of froth and fun. girl whom he sees each lunchtime, but Take a glass of champagne in with you. In French cannot even look at her without becoming with English sub titles. nervous. Recommended. Musical prodigy, Schroeder (Launcelot Up For Love opened at Luna Cinemas on Ronzan) is fixated with Beethoven, and December 1st. constantly plays the Moonlight Sonata on his piano. Lucy (Paige Morawiec) adores Schroeder and explains to him how someday

MORGAN

smoothly and the smiles never left the chorus’s faces. Snoopy’s solo number about his food and sloth was hilarious. The play’s copyrighters supplied the quirky, lively music on CD. This ensured a well-balanced musical accompaniment, but CDs are unforgiving if a performer mixes up their lines or stumbles over a phrase. Musical director (Kelly Buckle) gave the cast vocal and singing guidance; with some of the

Classic Science Fiction Directed by Luke Scott

n my youth (many years ago) there were dozens of cinemas in central Perth as well as most suburbs. The programme always consisted of short clips of coming attractions, some colour film of the Queen during the National Anthem (everyone stood – one should always have audience participation), newsreels, a colour cartoon (Bugs Bunny) and the B Picture. All before the interval and only then, the main flick. The reason for the above preamble is that, for me, Morgan is a classic B Picture. First-film director (the son of Ridley Scott), limited budget, capable but not A-list lead actors and a screenplay derived from a dependable storyline. Screenwriter Seth Owen has taken the classic Frankenstein’s monster novel by Mary Shelley and updated it with modern commercial experiments on Artificial Life with genetic engineering - and a sting in the tail that most viewers will be able to guess. Somewhere in a deep forest (it was filmed in Northern Ireland but with American lefthand-drive cars) in an old house surrounded by high-security fences, scientists are creating and raising a new life form (in appearance a teenage girl) which they have named Morgan. It is doing extremely well, apart from one small problem. It stabbed one of its team of handlers in the eye with a pen. A company risk-assessment specialist arrives at the house to investigate and halt the experiment. What follows is a violent horror homage to Terminator. Ah, the nostalgia! Classic drive-in material. Morgan opened at Luna Leederville on December 1st.

she will marry him and become Queen. The Intellect of the class, Linus (Will Moriarty), explains to his sister Lucy, that royalty is inherited – but Lucy is not discouraged. Despite his brains, Linus is a child at heart and is devastated when he mislays his security blanket. Charlie’s attractive, but dumb sister Sally (Corina Brown) cannot understand why her art class sculpture, made from coat hangers, only got a ‘D’. To cheer Sally up, Snoopy takes her rabbit hunting, but the ballet dancing bunny (Emily Botje) seems to escape every time. Snoopy sits on his kennel, and fanticises of the years he was a fighter pilot in World War I and how he defeated the infamous Red Baron. Director, Keaton Howe and his assistant director Claire Mosel had to find a cast that could sing well, dance gracefully and have good stage presence, whilst displaying exuberance and energy throughout the show. What a great cast they gathered. The show’s vocal coach (Thomas Dimmick) ensured the whole cast were speaking precisely and with the same drawl. With numbers like ‘Linus’ blanket’ and the ‘Beethoven tribute’ combined the choreographers (Kelly Buckle, Sara Bluntish, Emily Botje) demanding routines led by the dance captain, Emily Botje, the tongue twisting lyrics flowed

major performers being talented singers, the musical numbers were perfect. In such a musical, maintaining the characterisation is more important than the vocal range or richness of tones, so that Schroeder, Lucy and Sally were most entertaining. Jess Bennett-Hullin’s costume designs were well tailored and colour co-ordinated in simple primary colours. A great deal of attention has been given to matching any patterns with the cartoon characters e.g. Charlie’s zigzag shirt design. Lighting designer and operator, Shannen Precious again gave us the primary colours as sky light, with some delightful effects for a star-lit sky and Snoopy’s fighting plane attacks. Shannon has teamed up well with the sound designer and operator, Katie Southwell to ensure a bright and lively event. Finally, a quality, comedic delivery was essential. This cast had good chemistry and perfectly captured the essence of the Peanuts cartoons. From Charlie’s deadpan ‘loser’ expression; to his temperamental sister, Sally, who was too thick to realise her failures. With the fine work of the directors the characters really came to life. This would be the perfect show to bring your kids along to – as an excuse to see it yourself! This very professional musical is for everyone! It is not often these days to have a theatre show that ALL of the family can enjoy – from age 5 to 95. An absolute delight. 31

FINANCE THE ‘TRUMP EFFECT’ SHAPES WORLD MARKETS STEVE BLIZARD

nexpected for some, an incoming Donald Trump administration in the USA has the potential to dramatically change the global economy and financial markets. Economic unrest is as much behind the resounding Trump victory as it was behind the disenchantment that saw twenty-two per cent of Australians refuse to vote for a major party at the last Federal election. Tapping into the backlash against the Washington status quo, Trump’s 100-day plan is a radical departure from the Republican Party tradition on trade, security and entitlements. While Trump will have a relatively friendly Congress over the next four years, the degree of friendliness that he will enjoy will determine the investment significance of his presidency. Many commentators attribute the Trump win to his messages on immigration, law and order, plus race relations. In reality, it was his leftof-center policy position on trade and fiscal spending that particularly appealed to voters in Midwestern states, which helped get him over the line.

the election clearly suggests many hold this optimistic view. Of course, this assumes Trump can gain approval for these proposals through a Republican Congress that has some unfriendly and austerity-focused proponents, likely to attempt to water down his fiscal proposals.

INFRASTRUCTURE On election night Trump repeated his election promise to fix US inner cities, rebuild highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, and hospitals. The president-elect’s infrastructure plan could total at least US$500 billion, based on his informal pledge to roughly "double" what his opponent campaigned for. If a stimulus of the size he's discussed was to be dispersed over a five-year time frame, it could add up to half a percentage point to US gross domestic product annually over that period. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, it will cost in excess of $US3.3 trillion to merely maintain existing infrastructure over the coming decade. NARRATIVE DOWNPLAYS Any attempt by RISKS Washington to take on more debt to finance Understanding Trump’s economic platform, infrastructure will also be met with resistance by in light of any obstruction from a Republican- the Republican-controlled Congress. dominated Congress, will be essential to determine the direction of future investment INTEREST RATES markets. Markets have priced in significant financial To date, most economic narratives have stimulus arising from Trump’s election win, espoused the view that Trump’s "pro-growth" expecting the US Federal Reserve to begin policies will unquestionably be good for US increasing rates faster than prior to the election. economic growth and the nation’s share market, US Federal debt is likely to increase under a while surprisingly downplaying risks. Trump presidency, placing upward pressure on The rise in some sectors of the US share interest rates. market, a sharp increase in US bond yields and As a flow-on effect, ten-year government the US dollar, and a fall in the gold price following bonds in Australia have also increased.

Trump's statements about monetary policy have been inconsistent. Early in the campaign he described himself as "a low interest rate guy" but more recently he’s been critical of current Federal Reserve policy, claiming that while higher interest rates are justified, the Fed is keeping them low for "political reasons." It seems certain is that Janet Yellen will be replaced as Fed Chair when her term expires in February 2018. But Trump will get the opportunity to reshape the composition of the Fed's Board of Governors as soon as he is sworn in. Currently, two board seats need filling and given that many of Trump's economic advisers have "hard money" leanings, it’s likely both appointments will go to inflation hawks. TAX CUTS Assuming they are enacted, Trump’s policies on taxation should be supportive of growth. Trump plans to reduce the number of federal income tax brackets from seven to just three of twelve per cent for couple joint-filers earning less than US$75,000 annually; twenty-five per cent for those earning more than US$75,000 but less than US$225,000 annually; and thirty-three per cent on those earning more than US$225,000 a year. For individuals, the net boost to household incomes could be relatively modest, as the lower tax rates would be compensated for by reducing existing deductions and loopholes. Tax cuts should be immediately accepted by Republicans in both Congressional chambers. However, it will be interesting to see how successful Trump will be in pursuing some of his other political promises. He also plans to remove estate taxes and to reduce the business tax rate from 35 per cent to fifteen per cent, further incentivising investment in the US for small and large businesses. The fifteen per cent tax rate for business was borrowed from Paul Ryan’s economic platform and is therefore likely to pass Congress. Trump has also stated he plans removing the deferral of taxes on corporate incomes earned overseas. If this occurred, it could result in US firms running down domestic cash stock piles to pay tax rather than increasing US investment (so as to maintain their offshore capital). These changes also have ramifications for future Australian tax policy. In a recent article by WA Liberal Senator Dean Smith, he said: “Australia already has a company tax rate that is uncompetitive with many of our regional competitors. “We can't afford to compound that situation by failing to reduce our rate of company tax while the United States slashes its own.” Courtesy of Roxburgh Securities Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons 33

BOOKS REVIEWS Title: Author: Publisher: Reviewer:

Den of Wolves Juliet Marillier ROC/Berkley Karen R Treanor

hen you finish the last book of a trilogy there’s a feeling of accomplishment— and, if it was a good story, a feeling of let-down. Remember when you finished the last page of The Lord of the Rings, and then slowed down to read the appendices, to try and make them last? You’ll feel the same as you read the last page of Den of Wolves—delighted with the ending, yes; but still downcast for a few minutes with the thought that this is the end of a long, arduous and fascinating journey. One need not have read the previous two books to be able to pick up the threads of the story of the wisewoman Blackthorn and her devoted guard, guide and helper Grim, although it would add to the depth of the reading experience to have done so. Book III begins with two strange requests: Blackthorn is asked by Flidais, wife to Prince Oran, to help with the fostering of the strange, almost mute, daughter of a local noble, Master Tola of Wolf Glen. Cara is fifteen, on the edge of unwilling womanhood, happier to be climbing trees and talking to the wild birds than to simper over honey cakes and embroider fripperies. Tola hopes exposure to a wider—but circumscribed— existence will help her learn to interact with

Have a book to publish? R Family History R Non-Fiction R Autobiography R Biography R Fantasy R Fiction R Poetry

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people. Meanwhile Master Tola has hired Blackthorn’s companion Grim to build him a Heartwood house, a complex structure requiring a bit of every wood in the forest. In charge of the building but unable to build due to badly damaged hands is Bardán, the man who began the project long ago but who vanished mysteriously. There is an air of obsessive and probably unhealthy secrecy hovering around Wolf Glen; Tola demands utter discretion from his builders: no gossiping, no hiring in strangers, no questions about the past. The job would be accomplished much faster with a crew of workmen, but that’s not allowed. Grim puts up with the long commute from the cottage in Dreamer’s Wood every day in order to spend the evenings with Blackthorn after his hard labour. Then Cara runs away from Winterfalls and nearly comes to grief in the dark woods as she attempts to get home and demand some explanations from her father. Grim and his hound Ripple go searching for the lost girl with Gorman, Tola’s forester. They find her and bring her home, only for Tola to pack her back to Winterfalls under even more onerous security than before. He now insists that Grim stay at Wolf Glen until the project is completed to keep an eye on the wild man Bardán. Grim feels oddly responsible for the man, as well as curious about what happened to him during all those long years lost. Blackthorn befriends the girl, who is able to speak fluently to her most of the time. It’s apparent there is something mysterious and possibly fey in this gawky child’s history, but Blackthorn must be careful about letting on what she suspects. Readers of the series will have guessed that it wouldn’t be long before the appearance of the arch-villain Mathuin, the man responsible for the deaths of Blackthorn’s husband and son and the prolonged torture of Blackthorn, Grim, and many others in his unspeakable dungeons in Book I. One of the conditions of Blackthorn’s rescue from the horror by the fey lord Conmael was that she reside in Dreamer’s Wood and serve the local people as a healer, rather than pursue her whitehot rage-fed desire for vengeance. It’s been hard to be patient, but Blackthorn has become a valued member of the community, and there are days when she can almost forget the driving need for retribution. Now Mathuin has committed one atrocity too many, which could present a chance for Blackthorn to testify about his heinous activities. She’s frightened, but excited--but then is presented with a tormenting choice: see Mathuin

brought to justice, or leave her companion of years to suffer pain and possibly death at the hands of another twisted but dangerous man. What choice she makes and the reasons she makes it will determine her future life, and Grim’s as well. Publishers require books to be classified as to type, which sometimes limits their potential audience. This book is categorised as fantasy but would as easily have slotted into a new genre called ‘quasi-historical fiction-cum-adventure’. Marillier takes the reader back into Dark Ages Ireland with its many warring kinglets, complex relationships, and hints of another world just across an unseen barrier with the ease of one who has done her homework and is comfortable in another era. Fantasy fans and general readers alike will find Den of Wolves a valued addition to their bookshelves—and perhaps allow themselves to hope that this is not the end of the trilogy, but merely the end of the first trilogy about Blackthorn and Grim. With thanks to NewMysteryReader.com -oOo-

JUST OUT Title: Author: Publisher: ISBN:

Newlands Gary Langford Xlibris AU 9781 5144 97951

elbourne, Australia – Reynolds Updike reflects the human experiences of the 20th century through two wars and two depressions, to a brave new world of market forces. He is an extraordinary human being who leaves his imprint on everyone he encounters, reflecting human behaviour from poverty to wealth until such time he raises his glass to all as an unforgettable man. Newlands - A Wickedly Funny Novel (published by Xlibris AU) written by Gary Langford is one of the outstanding novels of New Zealand literature, reflected in being broadcast by Radio New Zealand repeatedly in the ‘90s, along with chapter one being published by the Australian newspaper. This is a novel that draws on historical and personal events as intimate studies of all. Randy, opinionated, unscrupulous but above all loving Reynolds Updike leads readers to the eve of his second 100 years on this planet. Will he get there? About the Author Gary Langford is a painter writer, poet and author of thirty-four books, including fiction, poetry, textbooks and drama. His poetry CD is Gary Langford Reading From His Poems His latest works are A Teacher’s Guide to Drama and The Sonnets of Gary Langford. Nearly half of his books use his paintings and graphics as illustrations. In another period of his life, he ran a Sydney theatre where he wrote, directed and acted in five musicals.

WRITING WRITING GROUPS CAN HELP SHANNON COYLE

f you live in the Perth hills and have ever been interested in writing, then here’s some great news for you! Thanks to the long-term support of the Shire of Mundaring and a dedicated team of volunteers, the Katharine Susannah Prichard (KSP) Writers’ Centre – situated on Old York Road in Greenmount – is the most active writing centre in Perth. ‘At a time when we are becoming disconnected from each other as a society, the KSP Writers' Centre is a rare place where community is flourishing.’ - Nathan Hobby, historian and winner of the

wax lyrical. Want to write your life story or record your family history? Try the Non-Fiction Group or the Past Tense Social History Group, both held monthly on Saturday mornings. Perhaps you write (or want to write) s h o r t stories, scripts or children’s fiction? Gain tips to polish

them up and submit to competitions and journals. Your writing tribe can be found at the Tuesday Writers’ Circle, Writefree Women’s Fiction Group or Thursday Night Group. Fans of sci-fi, fantasy and horror, you will find your place on Sunday mornings at a bi-monthly group. Those who love writing romance can flutter their eyelashes and debate the sometimes tragic and blissful nature of love at the weekly Friday morning Women’s Fiction Writers group. If you’re working on a novel, then join the Marathon Writers on Friday afternoons to get some serious writing done each week. More details on all our groups plus costs and times are available on the KSP Writers’ Centre website. Visit www.kspwriterscentre.com or phone the office 08 9294 1872.

2003 T.A.G. Hungerford Award. The Centre offers nine regular writing groups plus an annual program of workshops, retreats, author talks, writing competitions, manuscript assessments, social events and youth activities. Also, as part of a new collaboration with other Perth writing organisations, members of KSP can purchase a discounted subscription to Westerly magazine, access discounted tickets to workshops held at Peter Cowan Writers Centre, WA Poets Inc, Fellowship of Australian Writers WA and Out of the Asylum group, plus gain discounted entry to poetry readings hosted by Voicebox in Fremantle. If you’re a budding poet, then the Poets@ KSP group held on Monday afternoons is the perfect place for you to 35

WRITING

COMMUNITY

GYPSY DREAMING - THE BEGINNING

CHILD ABDUCTION

KARLA HOOPER

ELISA WILSON Child abduction across borders and your legal rights.

t all started when I was 29… and having a quarter life crisis. I had a professional career in the Oil and Gas industry, had my own house and life, on the surface, was pretty sweet. But I couldn’t stop thinking ‘is this it?’. In societies eyes I’d made it, but it wasn’t enough for me, I felt empty and unfulfilled. We had a close knit group of people at my workplace. We’d get daily updates from everyone on their lives, and one lady had proudly been giving us updates about her son’s upcoming wedding. And then the news came… the bride’s father had just been diagnosed with a brain tumour and it was unsure if he’d still be alive for the wedding in a few short weeks time. You know when that one story has an impact on you? Something you hear, experience, see or do, that has a lasting effect. This one was mine. It was like a wake up call. This gorgeous couple were retired, had bought their caravan ready to take off around Australia, and were just putting the finishing touches on their house renovations before hitting the road. And then, the rug was pulled from their feet, and he passed away not long after the wedding. This was profound for me and it made me question my own death. Did I want people to get

up at my funeral and say ‘She was a good citizen who paid her mortgage on time’ OR did I want people to say ‘She lived her life to the fullest, always following her heart, giving it her all and inspiring people along the way’. My choice was clear. But what next? I’d never done much travel as I’d always had a menagerie of animals, particularly my gorgeous American Bulldog – Rusty – who I’d had since I was eighteen. But I liked the thought of traveling and it made sense to do my own backyard – so Rusty and I could go together. But, I wanted to travel with a reason, a purpose. Enter the book Tracks by Robyn Davidson and my solution was born! I’d always dreamt of travelling Oz by horseback, but knew it was unfeasible due to the arid climate. And I loved the idea of using animals as a form of sustainable transportation. Camels, of course, were my solution!! I promptly quit my job, shaved my head, rented my house, packed a few prize possessions in my car and Rusty and I hit the wide open road. Ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Shitting ourselves, but happier than pigs in my mud. And so, the adventure of becoming a gypsy and chasing camels around the outback began. To be continued…

ith the advent of the internet and relatively inexpensive international travel, it is becoming more and more likely that you, or someone you know, will meet, fall in love with, and start a family in Australia with someone from a different country. The children from these unions will have a multi-cultural upbringing, may be blessed with dual nationality, will probably learn more than one language, and in the best of all worlds, will help break down racial stereotyping, xenophobia and racism. But, what if it goes wrong? What if, for one reason or another, the international parent decides that they cannot live in Australia any longer. Maybe the relationship has broken down, or the differences in culture and expectations are too difficult to overcome. The international parent makes the decision to return to their home land, and they take the children with them, without the Australian parent’s consent. This scenario is being played out regularly across Australia. As we saw in the ill fated 60 Minutes attempt to reclaim Sally Faulkner’s kidnapped children from Lebanon, the frustration, anger and fear felt by the left at home parent is enough to drive people to extreme measures. The Hague Convention of 1980 is a multilateral treaty in force between Australia and a number of other countries and is administered in Australia by the Australian Central Authority in the Attorney-General’s Department. Under the Hague Convention it is a criminal offence to kidnap children (even your own) from their home country, and there are powerful legal procedures in place to ensure the children are returned. In next month’s issue of the Swan Magazine, we will look at countries covered by the Hague Convention, and the processes required to make an application for the lawful return of children to their home country. If you require information urgently on this issue, contact the Attorney-General’s Department at www.ag.gov.au/

COMMUNITY THE PRICE OF INNOCENCE

BRYANNA HEARD & DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

e all saw the news - ‘Perth School Leaver Arrested on Drug Charges in Indonesia’. And if we’re honest most of us thought ‘Silly bugger, to get caught’, and automatically assumed, as the Indonesian police obviously did, that he was guilty. But he wasn’t. Jamie Murphy is an athlete, a highly talented footballer and the last person to take drugs that would impare his valuable skill. What happened to Jamie Murphy is a parent’s worst nightmare and what happened to Jamie could happen to anybody! Jamie’s father is Brendan Murphy, wellknown to the readers of the Swan Magazine as the author of the popular Chef-Explorer monthly column. An eighteen year old lad went on his first holiday abroad with his best friends and ended up being locked away in Bali; in a foreign country charged with alleged drug possession. The charges were soon dropped and he was proved to be innocent of any crime and yet spent three days incarcerated and has to pay huge legal costs to his legal team. Jamie Murphy is an amazing young man highly committed to pursuing a career in soccer. He has been playing soccer for fourteen years and recently won Young Player of the Year Award from Football West. He has been playing for Bayswater City Football Club for the last two seasons and is still really popular at the club, who are outraged at what happened to their popular and respected

young player! He is currently training with Perth Glory Football Club’s Youth Team and is so passionate about football that he has been coaching young kids at Grasshoppers most weekend mornings for the past year. On the 20th of November, Jamie set off to Bali with six close friends. Mountain hikes, water sports and ATV adventures were all on the itinerary for the group of friends until on the 22nd of November, on only their second day in Bali, Jamie’s life was turned upside down. Jamie was returning to his hotel feeling sick, intoxicated, alone and vulnerable when he was arrested for suspicion of alleged drug possession. During his three-day stint in custody, Jamie quickly became the subject of worldwide media attention that led to the defamation of his character. The substance in question was eventually tested and was discovered to be mostly paracetamol. Jamie’s blood and urine tests came back negative, proving him to be completely innocent and just a teenager in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was later released into the custody of his distraught parents at 10pm on 24th of November and they flew back home the next day. Jamie and his family are extremely thankful for the rapid and exceptional work of his lawyers. However, this proud hardworking normal family has been left with an immense legal bill that they are unable to cover without asking for help from our incredible community. Many people in Jamie’s position would sell their story to one of the many tabloid newspapers or magazines that have been clamouring for the rights to publish. But Jamie does not wish to go to the media and sell his story, as he is concerned for the dignity and privacy of his family. However, he would be immensely grateful to rid himself and his family of these debts and move on. As one of Jamie’s friends who were in Bali with him when this ordeal occurred, we have witnessed first-hand the hurt and stress that has come along with it. Accordingly a

Jamie Murphy receiving his football award

GoFundMe appeal has been set up on his name and on behalf of the Murphy family, we would be very grateful for any donations to try and help Jamie rid himself of debt and move on with his life, and this would also try and warn others about the dangers. The GoFundMe page can be found here: www.gofundme.com/thepriceofinnocence. Note: Bryanna Heard is a personal friend of Jamie Murphy Douglas Sutherland-Bruce is the publisher of Swan Magazine and a personal friend of Brendan Murphy, Jamie’s father.

If you would like to receive a free copy of the new, expanded digital Swan Magazine sent to you electronically and save a tree’s life, send an email to: editor@swanmagazine.com.au with ‘Subscribe’ in the subject line. 37

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY INITIATIVE FRANCESS DAY

fter twenty years of home ownership, I suddenly found myself homeless in 2008 after experiencing domestic violence. Finding somewhere to live on a long-term basis was very difficult. Mature single women with no children (like me) are not eligible for crisis accommodation with the federally funded Supported Accommodation Assistance Programme or similar services. Furthermore, such services as there are, are overloaded. Angela Hartwig, chief executive officer of the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services, has explained that, “The status quo is there are no vacancies in the metro area more than two or three hours before they are filled.”1 Older people have difficulty finding private rental accommodation. The Community Housing Coalition of WA’s executive officer, Barry Doyle, has stated that “We are seeing the growth of a large group of people who have simply been priced out of the private rental market or having difficulty securing a rental.”2 In the same article, the then chief executive officer of St Bartholomew’s House highlighted the increasing number of older people facing homelessness. Research in NSW carried out in 2010 by Ludo McFerran and Dr Sonia Laverty has shown similar trends. There has been a steady increase in the number of women aged over forty-five seeking crisis accommodation at government-funded homelessness shelters. Women have outnumbered men in requests for services in 2007/8 and 2008/9 for the first time on record, and the number of women aged over sixty-five seeking crisis accommodation in Sydney had more than doubled from 2007/8 to 2008/9. I stayed with relatives and friends for brief periods. Moving ten times in three and a half years took a toll on my capacity to finish my university study, to work and to represent myself legally in a protracted property settlement. Furthermore, I found that the Violence Restraining Order was no protection from ongoing financial, emotional and social abuse. Profoundly influenced by my nightmare experiences, I began to dream of helping others by providing accommodation for mature, single women without children who needed crisis accommodation. I would set up a trauma recovery sanctuary, with no limits on length of stay. With my skills as a specialist trauma counsellor with psychology degrees, I could help women recover from their experience of domestic violence and other difficulties. With this in mind, I wrote to government ministers, all kinds of charities and other funding institutions seeking funds to secure a property for the trauma recovery sanctuary. At last I found a house with five bedrooms which was funded partly by my property settlement. Towards the end of the third year of providing

cheap shared accommodation, my ultimate dream of providing a trauma recovery sanctuary began to be realised. I received my first referral from Mental Health Service social workers: a woman who had nowhere to live following a relationship breakdown, which had triggered her psychological collapse. A second woman self-referred direct from hospital, and in the first week she needed to be referred on to supported accommodation. I learned from the experience that people with serious mental health issues need to live in individual dwellings, preferably in the social housing model (that is, built and run by government or by community housing groups), with the support of paid workers. However, Barry Doyle3 has pointed out that social housing is just four per cent of the entire housing in Western Australia, compared to at least ten percent in most European countries. In their 2010 report, McFerran and Laverty recommended government finance for social housing and secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, and an easing of restrictions on such buildings. Fortunately, recent legislation in Western Australia has eased such restrictions and encourages the development of more granny flats. After housing twenty-four women in just over three years, I am now seeking a not for profit organisation to help establish a private accommodation network of women home owners willing to share their homes. Funding is needed for support workers to handle advertising, screening of referrals, and the placement of suitable applicants with compatible home owners. The support workers would manage any difficulties which may arise, and the umbrella organisation would provide advice and support to residents and to potential accommodation providers. Rent payment and contract management is also best handled by a person external to the living situation. This would facilitate equal relationships between the home owners and residents. There is a need for private investment in accommodation solutions for our ageing population. My ultimate dream is to build solar passive dwellings comprised of four granny flats around a communal large kitchen, lounge area, and dining room. Each common area could be closed off for separate social gatherings. It would also have a large guest room and, for elderly residents, perhaps a live-in private carer. If the four residents each owned a quarter of the complex, strata ownership issues after one resident passes on are challenges which can be overcome with enough collaborative cooperation. A bank has indicated some interest in assisting with strata legal structures. Another possibility is to invest ownership in a trust, from

which each resident will rent her granny flat and twenty-five per cent of the common areas. A considerable number of women become homeless following a relationship breakdown. No matter how smooth, it leaves each party with approximately half of the shared assets, principally their home. If they don’t own a home, it would be half the shared income which goes to pay the rent. Many of those women who have stayed with me have been recovering from a recent relationship breakdown and, due to the trauma, were not working. Each woman I have helped has a different story, with a different set of circumstances, but they all have one thing in common – the need for crisis accommodation. SALLY’S STORY (In the stories that follow no real names are used) ‘Sally’ is a typical example. When her relationship with her husband broke down, there were no assets left to divide. Her ex-husband had taken loans against the family home to fund bad business deals and pay debts. With only Newstart income, Sally couldn’t afford to pay for rent on her own. During her stay in the original main room of my house, she sorted through all her belongings and re-established her small home based business until her granny flat in Melbourne was vacated by her daughter when she gained employment in Darwin. DEBBIE’S STORY Like a number of other residents, ‘Debbie’ had bought her own property but could not find work in her specialised profession in the greater surrounding area. The only way she could afford the mortgage of the property in the Queensland hills was to rent out both cottages, and then negative gear her high income while working in a mining boom town. She moved to the Perth hills and sub-leased rooms in an old, hot house in a bad area. She was very stressed from dealing with her young male tenants on top of working two or three jobs, and she saw my advertisement offering to share a rental house. Debbie redrew her mortgage when the opportunity for me to buy my place became a possibility. As she wanted the security of a stable tenancy in my granny flat, she advance paid a year’s rent. Eventually she was able to find work near her own home and moved back to Queensland. She asked me to buy furniture from her previous rental for the rooms in my property. The mutual assistance we gave each other was a key factor in my being able to purchase a house which has more than one large bedroom. RINA’S STORY Another woman, 57 year old ‘Rina’, had been made redundant from her high level computing

job, which had transferred her from overseas. There was no job or home in her previous country where she was widowed. She had to wait three years for permanent residency, and she was using up her savings, paying escalating rent for a city apartment in 2013. She asked me if she could downsize to my granny flat when it next became available. She worked hard updating her skills with online computer training, and worked around the yard to pay for rent and replace working out at the gym. Within fifteen months she obtained a contract in Canberra. English was her second language and she did some work for me in exchange for my assistance with her CV and applications. Ageism was a rampant obstacle in her case, and often terminated job negotiations which were progressing well until she had to give her DOB for security checks. Her contract in Canberra continued, and so after keeping the granny flat as a home base just in case, she finally moved out a year later. MARY’S STORY “Mary’ was trying to escape domestic violence at sixty-three years of age. Her ex-husband had turned her adult children and friends against her. The house she had inherited from her mother and was renting out to her daughter was denied to her when the daughter refused to move out. The friend she had been staying with turned against her; rifling through Mary’s handbag where she found my contact details and got her daughter to phone me as another woman seeking crisis accommodation. By means of this trick she obtained my address. Mary found out and phoned me to advise me that it was no longer safe for her to move to my house. This story highlights the need for an agency to manage the advertising, screening and referrals. This would replace my direct advertising via

Gumtree and other websites. Mature women often say to me that the concept of a network of home owners with rooms to share is a great idea, as they would like to meet other women who might like to share their home. A fifty-eight year old woman recently emailed me to say that she has been unable to find work for nine months, and she was really worried that she might lose her home if she was unable to continue with mortgage payments. She had been working all her life but was made redundant. When she saw my webpage, she asked if I knew any women looking for shared accommodation in her area. Another email asked for a mature woman to share house with a young mum to help with her little children. At present, there are limited options for mature single women seeking affordable accommodation. The next step is to invite women interested in forming a support network of home owners wanting to provide accommodation for other women. Network members with experience in sharing their homes can provide knowledge, information and support to new members. They can also support each other in the screening and interviewing process, as well as provide assistance with mediation if difficulties arise. Contact us if you are interested in any of the following: finding or providing shared accommodation, joining a support network of women sharing accommodation, helping with funding for a more formal service, or in the development of purpose-built accommodation. Visit us at our website: www.broadeninghorizons.com.au. References The West Australian Nov 22-23, 2014. 2 The West Australian Aug 4-5, 2012 3 The West Australian, 2012 1

FRANCESS DAY has over twenty-five years professional and personal experience, specialising in Traumatic Stress [PTSD] and has published two books (Putting Together The Pieces and Self-help Workbook), plus journal and media contributions about post trauma stress recovery. Francess is a fully qualified Imago Relationship Therapist, with degrees in Psychology [1st class Honours], Behavioural Studies, along with Health, Education and Addiction Studies and work experience. She has also completed training in EFT and Motivational Interviewing. Francess is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society and a Full Member of the International Relationships Institute. Counsellors and psychologists need to undergo constant supervision and ongoing training. Since 2006, Francess has been studying toward a Masters in Clinical Psychology.

PEACEFUL HILLS GRANNY FLAT FOR RENT • The accommodation is for single women only. • New separate bedroom, separate kitchen and en suite bathroom. • Spacious living area, with new reverse cycle air conditioner. • Furnished or you may bring your own bed, and other things • Clean, healthy living in a light, bright little house in peaceful garden. • Weekly rent $220, plus utility costs of $30. • All payments can be exchanged for work on the property, if you are under employed. • The living space is bright, light and is nearly six metres long, by nearly five metres wide. • There are four moveable wardrobes. The house property is a smoke-free zone and residents are non smokers. Reverse cycle air conditioning cools and warms the whole building. You can arrange the space as you need either with provided furniture or you can bring your own belongings. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster, and a portable two hotplate electric cooker. If you are or know someone who is a single,

mature, clean, responsible woman who would As many women aim to have their own home, like to enjoy the secluded, standalone flat in there is a lot of flexibility in how long the resident the large back garden who may be in need of could stay, with a written agreement being negotiated. There is a step up into the security screendoor. There is also a security screen on another window. Many large windows also provide good daylight, views to the gardens and ventilation. Enjoy Hills lifestyle in a quiet, spacious secluded block with mainly trees, natives and vegetables in a safe and peaceful neighbourhood. It is just six kilometres away from the train and bus station, a 10 minute drive. The bus-stop is twenty minutes walk and it’s only six kilmetres from an extensive shopping and business precinct. It is a healthy environment and we strive to do our bit to live sustainably:- natural products, composting, recycling, conservation of power, water and reuse of water; and growing vegetables if you want to join in the garden. But we are normal down to earth, often accommodation perhaps due to relationship professional, women. My priority is for a good breakdown or other life crisis – please contact compatibility fit so that each woman’s stay is a me on 0417 997 016. truly settling and healing experience. 39

THE IDLER The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind Dami Im, glistened on stage while singing her featured in the celebratory dinner.

2016 THE YEAR OF THE UNDERDOG

Glennys Marsdon

ecember; ah December, the craziest month of the year, full of endless to-do lists and unrealistic deadlines all completed under the promise of carefree days to come. For freelance writers December presents another conundrum, the ‘Year That Was’ piece. One thousand words that succinctly sum up the preceding twelve months, easy right? I’m pleased to say that this year’s theme started emerging in late September and arrived fully formed after the American elections. 2016, ‘The Year of The Under Dog’. The trend began in March with a group of media starved celebrities entering the African Jungle for another round of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. Doubts were high whether the inclusion of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, would cause a repeat of the 2015 Freddy Flintoff lovefest. But we were proven wrong when a surprise contender rose to the surface. AFL bad boy Brendon Fevola stunned us all. His ability to conquer all food and physical challenges was impressive. His candour about past indiscretions, refreshing. But it was his bromance with Anthony Callea, his love-hate relationship with the utterly unique Laurina Fleure, and his tender fatherly approach that helped Warne conquer his fear of spiders, that made the show unmissable. His own shock at taking out the crown only further cemented his position on the ‘Year Of The Underdog’ achievements board. Roll on to May when Australia was invited to the 61st Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden, thanks to the outstanding inaugural appearance of Guy Sebastian the year prior. Competing against forty-two countries, X Factor winner

song, the Sound of Silence. The nation watched on as one of the closest Eurovision countdowns played out. Australia, was sitting on 511 votes with one vote to go. Missing out by only twenty votes Dami Im came second overall, and took out first place in the jury vote. Australia number two in only its second outing in the competition. Also in May, Australian expat Englishmen tuned in to see if Leicester City could win the English Football Championship cup for the first time. The odds were 5,000 – 1 against them at the start of the season. Their draw with Manchester meant it came down to whether Tottenham would beat Chelsea. The match ended 2-2 giving Leicester the crown without kicking a ball, and as the party began that night, Mark Selby, ‘the Jester from Leicester,’ won the World Snooker championship. Leicester was on a roll. Meanwhile back in Australia, Adelaide United had been languishing at the bottom of the Australian A-League Football table after eight rounds. The grand final saw them take on the Western Sydney Warriors and eventually hold the cup aloft for the first time in thirteen years. Come June the American NBA saw the Golden State Warriors enter the grand final with a 3-1 win behind them, meaning history had them destined to win the title. That was until the Cleveland Cavaliers proved otherwise, taking out the championship for the first time in their fortysix year history. They were the first team to win from a three game deficit. The year moved on and Western Australians hunkered down into a winter that saw dinner table discussions focus on who still had a job, versus whose family or friends were facing the ‘r’ word, redundancy. If ever there was the need for a good Davo and Goliath story this was it. By October the American World Series Major Baseball League was wrapping up. The Cleveland Indians were sitting on a 3-1 record and with the home town advantage they were facing certain victory. They were playing the Chicago Cubs who, legend has it, have been cursed since 1945 when someone brought a goat to the game. Both teams were facing the longest droughts in World Series titles, with 176 years between them. When the Cubs defeated the Indians it marked their first World Series victory in 108 years. There was no mention of whether the goat

Also in October, 6.5 million Australians grabbed a party pie and sat down to watch the AFL grand final where perennial winners the Sydney Swans took on the Western Bulldogs. This was only the third time the Bulldogs had graced the final in their 91-year history. Our love of underdogs and desire for some good news had us crossing our fingers, which made it very hard to pick up a devilled egg. When the final siren sounded the television audience numbers were up 16% on 2015, making it the highest ratings for the match in a decade. The final score was 89 to 67. The Bulldogs had achieved their first win in sixty-two years. Redundant workers around the nation stood defiant raising their beers in a gesture that could only be read as ‘take that Goliath’. The outcome was only topped by what has gone down as one of the best acts of sportsmanship, when Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge handed his coaches medal to injured skipper Bob Murphy. Hearts swelled across the nation. The very next day in the NRL grand final the Cronulla Sharks faced off against the Melbourne Storm. The Sharks were looking to break rugby leagues longest premiership drought of fortynine years. Ninety thousand Australians packed into ANZ Stadium and thousands more at home, many whom had never watched the game before. We sat mesmerised. Could David steamroll Goliath again? In a thrilling game of changing leads the result came down to the very last minute. The score 14 – 12. A victory for, The Sharks. David had nailed it. Away from the sporting field October saw Perth receive a shock accolade on the world stage. The luxury Como Treasury hotel was named the second-best hotel in the world in the Conde Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Award. Not bad for a hotel that’d been open for just over a year. The very next month Italy’s rugby team beat the South African Springboks for the first time and Australia beat an embarrassed Wales 32 – 8. What’s more the all-conquering All Blacks were beaten by Ireland for the first time in 111 years. One hundred and eleven years people. In hindsight, was it any wonder then that in the same month some sixty million Americans placed a tick next to Donald Trump’s name? We should have seen the signs. In the madness that followed the American election it was interesting to read the plight of a young Perth teenager whose Schoolies Week rite of passage ended with a possible drug conviction in Bali. Released into the loving arms of his family after just 48 hours, surely that constitutes the ultimate David and Goliath story of the year. On a personal note, after a series of rejections this would-be writer had a short story accepted into an anthology. Watch this space for more news around February. In signing off on 2016, the ‘Year Of The Underdog’ I wonder if maybe next year the meek shall inherit the earth. In the meantime, thank you for your support over the past twelve months. Merry Christmas and safe holidays.

COMMUNITY

he Compassionate Friends of Western Australia strives to support families who have lost a child, regardless of that child’s age throughout WA. We are a non-profit, non-government funded charity that provide peer call support, group meetings, a drop in centre, sending out quarterly newsletters, Anniversary Cards, we hold Walk of remembrance and a candlelight service (nonreligious) at Christmas. We are run by volunteers and bereaved parents that are further along in their grief and wish to help others who have suffered this tragedy. Although everybody’s grief is different it helps to talk to someone who has actually had this tragedy happen to them. They won’t say “I know how you feel” as no one can, but they will say “I don’t know exactly what you are feeling but this is how I felt when my child died”. We raise funds by holding events, charity drives and donation from our members and outside bodies.

Thank you to Sharon & Ian for all their generous prize contributions and to all the sponsors along with anyone else we have not personally mentioned. Without your support and generosity, nights like this would not occur.

DONATIONS Donations allow us to purchase stamp so we can send our booklets and other information to the newly bereaved, community groups, doctors surgeries and hospital throughout Western Australia. They help us cover advertising cost in newspapers throughout Western Australia, pay for our office and utilities allowing us to QUIZ NIGHT A SUCCESS What a night! We had over a hundred and sixty have Peer Support Workers come in and contact people attend our annual quiz night, which was bereaved that wish to have contact, help pay for meetings and coffee mornings. held at the Belmont RSL this year. As the jokes flew and the questions were VOLUNTEERS NEEDED answered, everyone enjoyed themselves. Over 200 raffle tickets were sold in different price We are always looking for volunteers to help ranges along with some fantastic Silent Auction man Sausage Sizzles, Charity Shopping Centre items, such as a signed caricature of Dennis Lillie Drives and other events along with peer support volunteers (bereaved parents) for telephone and Jeff Thompson, which raised $200.00. A full page spread in the Swan Magazine support and group meeting facilitation. was donated thanks to the publisher, Douglas Sutherland-Bruce, and was sold for $250.00. All together we raised a whopping profit of $4500.00. A big thank you again to the Belmont RSL for allowing us the use of their hall for free and for organising staff for the bar. Another big thanks to Sue and Geoff Worth for selling over sixty tickets to their golf club and to the Helena Valley Lifestyle Village. A PLACE OF REFLECTION, KINGS PARK We would also like to thank all the members of The Compassionate Friends of WA for talking The Compassionate Friends of WA were their friends and family into coming along, as instrumental in the design and implication of this well as all the volunteers who helped on the beautiful place where you can go to talk, think night ensuring that the evening was such a great and reflect about your loss success. WALK OF REMEMBRANCE HELD IN MARCH EACH YEAR Events like these above give the bereaved

some hope of a life after the death of their child. They connect with others that have been through the same tragic experience. In doing so its helps them to feel that they are not alone in their grief, that there is a worldwide connection to other suffering the same.

SUPPORT AVAILABLE Meetings: Fremantle & Heathridge Please contact office for dates and times. Phone call support also available NEW to TCFWA Starting on the 1st February 2017 at 10:00am we will be holding coffee mornings in our lounge room at City West Lotteries House for any bereaved parent, grandparent and/ or sibling who wish to join us Tea, Coffee, Cake will be supplied, gold coin donation appreciated but not essential. 1st Wednesday of each Month 10am – 12pm Call 0439 991 277 for bookings Room 2 City West Lotteries House 2 Delhi Street, West Perth.

CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE

Drop in Centre Mondays and Wednesdays 10am – 2pm Please call first. City West Lotteries House 2 Delhi Street, West Perth

9486 8711

This i s the Swan Valle y Time to get cosy with a glass of Swan Valley Red

COS02019

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR SAVING

AFE set its photographers a challenge this month – Christmas photographs! It’s always hard to capture Christmas in an image and when it was suggested it would be ‘ideal’ to have both a cat and a dog in the one shot the bar was set pretty high. As always the SAFE volunteer photographic team rose to the challenge and with two adorable young (and thankfully sleepy) pups Jaine and Joey and kitten, Arnold, they created these fabulous images. All three youngsters were in foster care at the time of the photo shoot, which is so much better for their physical and mental health than being confined to a cage. This model of care is reliant on people making their homes available, but it doesn’t need to be an ongoing arrangement – you can be a foster carer for a few weeks or a few months. This year SAFE is asking Perth residents to open their homes to fostering one of our animals over the holiday season when many of our regular carers are on holidays. Fostering is an excellent way to help save a life even when an animal doesn’t fit into your busy life during the year or your lifestyle longer term. SAFE animals make wonderful companions whether for a short term foster or longer term adoption. Our success stories can be viewed on the ‘Happy Outcomes’

page on our website: www.safe.asn.au/Happy_ Outcomes.htm Importantly, if you are thinking of adding an animal to your home this Christmas, please help us to bring down the numbers of re-homeable animals being euthanised and #adoptdontshop. And if you can’t find the animal you want from a rescue program, please use a reputable breeder and don’t get your animal from a breeding farm or pet shop unless they are rescued pets. The beautiful animals in these photographs can only survive and be rehomed thanks to support from our community. So, this Christmas, give a SAFE animal a new lease on life. If you’d like to talk to us about adopting or fostering an animal call SAFE Karratha at (08) 9185 4634.

rescue animal has to be desexed, vaccinated and microchipped. If you’d like to donate, information can be found on: www.safe.asn.au/How_to_help/Donate.html If you’d like to make a difference and join our team of volunteers and foster carers, please email karratha@safe.asn.au or phone us at SAFE HELP US TO MAKE THIS A SAFE CHRISTMAS Karratha at (08) 9185 4634. We are a not for profit organisation that Seasons’ Greetings. saves re-homeable animals from euthanasia. We have ten branches around the state and are always in need of donations to pay vet bills - every

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TV ANTENNA

Have a book to publish?

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

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

WEB DESIGN

Your business could be here being seen by more than 100,000 readers for only $40. Ring 6296 5161 45

ELLENBROOK THEATRE COMPANY INC

PRESENTS

17-21 DEC 2016

Saturday 17th December 2.30pm (Matinee) 7.30pm Sunday 18th December 2.30pm (Matinee) 7.30pm Monday 19th December 7.30pm Tuesday 20th December 7.30pm WEDNESDAY 21st December 7.30pm

Tickets

Featuring Perth's only "Pink" tribute "PINKed" as the Fairy Godmother

ADULT CONCESSION FAMILY (4) UNDER 12

www.trybooking.com/194 206

Ellenbrook Performing Arts Centre || 100 Main St, Ellenbrook 46

Contact Jan Oliver on 0414 298 611 || ellenbrook.theatre.company@gmail.com

$20 $16 $55 $11