1
Mo H th ap er py ’s Da y
EDITORIAL CHANGES, NEWS AND MUSING hen we started Swan Magazine, back in 2000, W the intention was that we would specifically focus on those clubs, societies and organisations
that might otherwise not have their voice heard as well as being a sort of a literary back fence where neighbours could chat and tell each other the things they need to know. Restaurants that are good, and bad, plays worth seeing, movies they might enjoy; what the Scouts are doing, where the Machine Knitters are meeting this month; where to get a bargain and who’s doing what. In addition we vowed to provide important background information that we felt our readers needed to be able to make informed decisions about issues that really mattered. Because we made an editorial decision that we would limit advertising to less than thirtythree per cent we had space to explore issues in some depth and not clip length off articles to make way for advertising. And because there were fewer of them, the advertisements were more effective and brought results to the advertisers. In the beginning, this was easy. We were a printed magazine of 5,000 copies home delivered to a specific area we designated. Many readers we knew by name and we certainly knew their concerns because they were our neighbours and our concerns also. Then we went colour, got bigger, readership got bigger, the circulation rose and before long we were reaching 80,000 readers all over the City of Swan, Kalamunda and the Shire of Mundaring. We had long thought that the future of printed media was finite and a quick count up of the trees cut down to supply the more than 10,000,000 A4 pages we had used up to that point terrified and saddened us. In addition printing and paper was rising in cost and putting a limit on the number of pages we could produce for each issue. So, with a huge leap of faith we went digital after talking to every one we could and running a survey among readers and advertisers which encouraged us. It’s our belief were the first magazine of our kind to go purely digital which lead to some immediate results. Firstly advertising costs came down with a thump, making it much more affordable for small and ‘mom and pop’ businesses.
If you would like to receive a free copy of the 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. 2
Secondly, the readership shot up as we disseminated the pdf through Issuu, the on-line publishing site, direct mailing to subscribers and through social media to the point where we’re well over 130,000 readers for both the current and past issues, which are now immediately available for anyone who want’s them. Thirdly, we had far more pages to play with and fill with goodies. We started to attract some more quality contributors to join Steve Blizard (Finance Writer) and Douglas Sutherland-Bruce (Food Writer). We now have writers and editors such as Gordon the Optom on community theatre, James Forte on film, Glennys Marsden writing as The Idler, Kirsty Noakes as Fashion Editor and our latest addition, Sharron Attwood as Social Editor, who is active in the networking and social scene and who will be providing us with ‘who’s been seen where’. The down side to the expansion was that we no longer know exactly who reads the magazine. We know, for example, that it gets onto other newsletters as attachments, such as Sue Hurt’s excellent Swan Valley and Regions Networking, which goes to many thousands of interested readers. It goes to Tasmania where it’s read nostalgically by retired West Australians; it goes to South Africa where they wonder at the high costs of food and rent and it goes to the UK and the USA. What benefit a farmer in Montana gets out of reading how to grow Jacarandas in coastal Western Australia I don’t know, but they do. The Swan Magazine is now read all over the world and we have contributors from other countries, such as Ingrid Shevlin, renowned food writer in South Africa, writing about the food scene there, of considerable interest to our many expatriate South African readers. Nothing else has changed in our approach or editorial policy. We still chat over the back fence, only it’s a back fence the size of the RabbitProof one. But no matter the size of the fence, we have common concerns - education, health, the leisure pursuits of eating out, reading, gardening and going to the theatre and movies. For example, in this issue we have an article on breast cancer in men, a possible health concern for all men and one which is seldom discussed. (Page 37) Finance and retirement is of concern to all of us and we have a world-class advisor in
Steve Blizard giving us sound financial insights. We have always listened to our readers that cared to write or ring, but now, more than ever we rely on feedback to let us know if we’re doing right or if there’s something more we need to cover. We solicit your opinion and look to you to direct our attention to areas that we may not have considered or do not get the attention you feel they merit. Other issues addressed in this edition include a free concert to thank those residents of Guildford who have supported the ‘Say No to McDonalds’, reviews of the films Viceroy’s House and Colossal, plays Love Me Slender, So You Think You’re Charlie Smith and The Mozart Faction as well as information about upcoming entertainments - Life After George and the Hills Choir concert. We cover big tourist attractions such as The Toodyay Fibre Festival and The Perth International Jazz Festival. We publish poetry (one of the very few that do), fiction and actively encourage and nurture writers by publishing and advising of literary competitions while promoting the KSP Writer’s Centre, the Peter Cowan Writers Centre and the Society of Women Writers. Next month, for example, we’re running a ‘Winter Reading’ issue with lots to read during the long chill evenings in front of an open fire when its too cold and wet to garden and you don’t feel like going out. We have a new short story by Karen R Treanor, a murder mystery by acclaimed new writer James Forte as well as submissions from readers and regular contributors. Happy reading.
IN THIS ISSUE PAGE
FEATURES
PAGE
Books and Writing
Books 34 Editorial Inside Cover Letters to the Editor 39 National Poetry Compitition 35 Poetry 26 The Idler 33
Business
Business Card Board Finance with Steve Networking
40 29 28
Toodyay Fibre Festival Perth’s Revived Treasures Federal Notes Notes From Parliament Out and About With Sharron SAFE Say No to McDonalds SVRN Giving Young People a Go The SBCG is Reforming No Need to Reconsider Glyphosate Magic Millions Moves 2018 Grants Now Open
3 14 5 4 6 39 11 30 30 30
Community
30 31 31
What’s On in Swan What’s On
28 9
Film Reviews with James Film Review - Viceroy’s House Life After George at Garrick Jazz Returns to WA Theatre with Gordon The Hills Choir Review - Love Me Slender
24 25 21 23 22 13 27
Douglas’ Wineries & Dineries Food Trivia Letter from South Africa Katch-Up Food - Bite, Sip, Stroll
20 17 19 16 18
Aussie Women and Stroke Kick-Starting New Stroke Research Understanding Breast Cancer In Men
37
Transform Your Garden Heartlines Returns May at Mac
15 35 36
Entertainment
Food & Wine
Health
Leisure
37 37
Front Page Photograph: Charming mother carrying her cute child. Photographer: Konrad Bak. See editorial on page 4 ...
DISCLAIMER The information in this publication is of a general nature. The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and or issues canvassed. Swan Magazine does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein.
Annie’s Vintage Wonderland Your One Stop Vintage Prop & Decor Shop 0430 456 586
Shop 3/121 James St., Guildford www.anniesvinatagewonderland.com
SWAN MAGAZINE WEBSITE:
www.swanmagazine.com.au
Email: editor@swanmagazine.com.au Registered Address: 18 Tokay Lane, The Vines, Western Australia 6069 JUNE DEADLINES: Advertisements: 25th May Editorial: 1st June Copyright: Swan Magazine 2017 1
2017 TOODYAY
FIBRE FESTIVAL SUNDAY 4 JUNE 2017 10 - 3.30PM TH
Memorial Hall, Stirling Park & Stirling Terrace, Toodyay
FASHION PARADE DISPLAYS & STALLS YARN BOMBING QUILTING YARN SPINNERS LACE WEAVING FELTING TEXTILES IN ART
LOTS OF FUN ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS
MAD HATTERS TEA PARTY GIANT FRENCH KNITTING GOLD COIN
ENTRY
OR FREE ENTRY F RERS! MAD HAT WEA
An alcohol & drug free event. No dogs. 2
toodyay fibre festival
ENTERTAINMENT BY
SYDNEY
OR THE BUSH
AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK HERITAGE SHOW
SHEARING
DEMONSTRATIONS MUSIC BY
Wheels Elanor Fr h & Linda Dagleish
SAX APPEAL DUO
COMMUNITY TOODYAY FIBRE FESTIVAL JENNIFER CORNWALL
ollowing a successful 2016, we are hoping the Fbigger 2017 Toodyay Fibre Festival will continue to be and better as each year progresses.
The Working Group for the 2017 Toodyay Fibre Festival includes a dozen volunteers from in and around Toodyay who are passionate about every aspect of Fibre. We would love for you to join us on Sunday 4th June 2017 between 10am – 3.30pm in the main street of Toodyay, Western Australia. A beautiful town set in the picturesque heart of the Avon Valley. It will be a celebration of all natural fibres from paddock to wearable art and all in between. There will be many activities including music and entertainment relating to natural fibre for all ages. There will be a variety of venues to cater for the plethora of fibre animals. fibre related displays, Mad Hatters Tea-Party, Mad Hatters Competition, Stalls and our fourth Festival Fashion Show. The main street hosts a variety of shops, cafes and hotels to choose from plus some additional food vans to cater for your likes and tastes. We are now proud to advise our creative band of volunteers from Toodyay and surrounding areas have been busy yarn bombing the centre of town. Come along to the Toodyay Fibre Festival and see fibre displays of antique shearing, production of different fibres, through to the end results on the catwalk. Also lots of stalls selling goods, mostly related to fibre. The committee would love to see all previous stallholders, display providers, food suppliers and entertainers join in for the 2017 festival. They welcome expressions of interest from new
participants, who wish to join in the fun - for St Stephen’s Hall – quilt display more details go to their website: Any questions please do not hesitate to fibrefestival.com. au. contact the committee. VENUES MAD HATTERS COMPETITION For 2017 We are looking forward to the third the festival Mad Hatters Competition. This is your will be held at chance to show your creativity and artistic the following talents. Entry is free for children and adults venues: alike. Memorial Hall During the event our anonymous judge will be – fashion wandering around to pick out the winners of show & the children and adult categories. The winners displays will be announced at 2.30pm in the main hall. FASHION SHOW Due to the generosity of two of our local residents in Toodyay, we are excited to announce that there will be two prizes OF $200 each awarded during this years fashion show. Do you enjoy creating exciting and artistic wearable art using natural fibres? Would you like to have the opportunity to see your garments show- cased on the catwalk? then why not be a part of the next Fibre Festival Fashion Show! It’s free to enter! Please take into account and bear in mind suitability of the outfits for our models. If the outfit is deemed not suitable the Organising Committee reserves the right to not include on the day. Where: Memorial Hall Stirling Terrace Toodyay There will be two showings during the day, and we are very pleased to welcome back once again, the very talented Cantik models. (All catwalk pictures are courtesy of Cantik Models). Avon Link events train leaves Midland at 9am and leaves Toodyay to return to midland at 4.32pm.
Stirling Terrace – stalls & displays, Federation Square – stallholders & workshops, Stirling Park – animal displays, CWA Hall – displays 3
NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT HON DONNA FARAGHER JP MLC Member for East Metropolitan Region
DISCOVER GUILDFORD’S HISTORY
s a patron of the Swan Guildford Historical Aopening Society I was delighted to attend the reof the historic Guildford Colonial Gaol
exactly 176 years after the building took its first prisoners in April, 1841. The Gaol, which is now used as a museum, has received a series of much needed renovations to ensure it can be enjoyed by future generations for many years to come. The City of Swan provided the Swan Guildford Historical Society with $300,000 funding to complete the significant heritage restoration. The renovations include the installation of a new drainage system, the restoration of windows and floors throughout the building as well as the removal of any dry rot and the re-rendering of interior walls. A number of the finishing touches such as door colours and hearth reconstruction have also been restored to reflect the building’s original state as much as possible. Established in 1841, the building was used to house people who were alleged to have committed a range of offences and over the years the Gaol housed a number of high profile in-mates, including Western Australia’s infamous bushranger Moondyne Joe. The museum, which is run by volunteers from the Swan Guildford Historical Society, is a rare example of colonial architecture and I strongly
4
Donna with the President of the Swan Guildford Historical Society, Celia Miller
encourage members of the community to visit the museum which is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 2pm. For further information about the
Gaol’s history and opening times visit swanguildfordhistoricalsociety.org.au/. Congratulations to all those involved in this significant restoration.
FEDERAL NOTES HON KEN WYATT AM, MP
Member for Hasluck, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care always, April provides a great opportunity Aoursforfellow reflection on the service and sacrifice of Australians in the lead up to Anzac Day.
OUT AND ABOUT WITH KEN
I have been fortunate enough to attend many Anzac services across Hasluck this month and it is always warming to see our community come together at this time of year, as we pay our respects to our fallen soldiers. I especially enjoyed baking Anzac biscuits at Yule Brook College with the talented Home Economics class, it was a great opportunity to spend some time with local young people and reiterate the significance and importance of the 25th of April and the spirit of the Anzac. It was wonderful to see so many friendly and familiar faces at my stall at the Kalamunda Show on the weekend of the 8th of April. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and had a chat or shared your story with me. Congratulations to the Kalamunda Agricultural Society on another successful year. I recently gave my first answer to a question as Minister for Aged Care in the House ADVERTISEMENT
KEN WYATT MP Federal Member for Hasluck 9359 0322
ken.wyatt.mp@aph.gov.au
kenwyatt.com.au
kenwyattmp
Authorised by K.Wyatt MP, Shop 10-12 Forrestfield Marketplace, 80 Hale Road, Forrestfield WA 6058.
Ken Wyatt baking Anzac biscuits with the students of Yule Brook College
of Representatives during ‘Question Time’. I informed the House of the 350,000 Australians experiencing dementia and the impact of dementia within our community. It is anticipated that in the first half of 2017 we will release the new National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions, which will move away from a disease-specific approach and provide a high level of guidance to facilitate a more effective and coordinated national response to chronic conditions, including dementia and its risk factors. I am wholeheartedly committed to making sure we provide better opportunities and a better future for those experiencing and living with dementia in our Hasluck community and throughout Australia. If you have a moment this month, I invite you to visit my newly updated website where you can now easily request a flag or congratulatory message and find out about Federal grants that are on offer. You can also find contact information on our local shires or nominate someone you
know as one of our celebrated #HasluckHeroes. It is an honour representing our electorate of Hasluck in Parliament and I will continue to do everything I can to advocate in Canberra for the issues that you believe matter most to our community. Please do not hesitate to contact my Electorate Office in Forrestfield on 9359 0322 if I can be of assistance.
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Donna
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
FARAGHER
mlc
Member for East Metropolitan Region Shadow Minister for Education; Training; Women’s Interests
Ground Floor, 108 Swan Street Guildford 6055 9379 0840 | Faragher.eastmetro@mp.wa.gov.au Authorised by D.Faragher, 108 Swan Street, Guildford WA 6055.
5
OUT AND ABOUT WITH SHARRON NETWORKING AT THE CROOKED SPIRE
T
he Swan Chamber runs monthly networking events, giving local business owners the chance to meet and stay up to date with local issues. Showcasing a different business every month as the event host gives attendees the chance to really explore our local area. This was April’s networking event at The Crooked Spire in Midland.
Vincenzo and Rosalba Valletri with Tom Dawson loved the venue Board Member Russell Goodrick and Natalie Sandon from Swan Chamber
emb er Board Ms with d n a r lo Council Williams- JoneSpycher Patty d Christine n Stefan a
Lizelle Ha chance to rtley and Bob Litc hfi catch up a t these m eld enjoy the onthly eve nts
6
ented c o mm y v le on it was ine D Lorrandly group d n a r ie Frase what a fr Kate on
OUT AND ABOUT WITH SHARRON
President of Swan Chamber of Commerce Gerry and his wife Thor Hanssen with Vice President Josie Daniel and Greg Martin
Rebe had o cca Bigg, K nly go od th ate Walke ings t r o say & Cathy L ab o u y t t he do n fo o d
SWAN CONNECT
A great community initiative showcasing all the wonderful groups in and around Ellenbrook.
The Vipers (Ellenbrook Rugby Union Club) volunteers Kate and Adam Monro welcomed enquiries from new players
Aveley Avengers Junior Football Club Linda and Ross King with Glenn and Michelle Crotty ready to recruit the next big AFL star 7
OUT AND ABOUT WITH SHARRON
Gaye Kara and Lesley Shugar from Eastern Regional Family Day Care Offered free craft activities for the kids. One ended up on my fridge.
Katie, Lauren and Bianca from Autism West were excited to chat with Darth and his Storm Trooper as they visited the event.
Rachel, Eleri and Renee from Aveley Playgroup were excited to sell me a fundraising cook book.
CORRECTION AND APOLOGY Sharp-eyed readers may have noticed (and certainly the people involved did) that the picture supposedly of Suzanne and Tony Perry was actually that of Kelli Francis and Anne Marie Chapman. This was a lay-out error and absolutely regretted. In no way does it reflect on Sharron Attwood. Our sincere apologies to all concerned. An actual photograph of Suzanne and Tony Perry has been supplied by them. It was taken of them in cosplay as Thor and Loki.
SOCIAL EDITOR SHARRON ATTWOOD Photograph by ShaBo Studio 8
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. 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 of Way, Koongamia. A qualified ABA counsellor instruction with your Mac computer? Have an iPad is present at each meeting to give confidential or Android tablet and don’t know what it will do? information and support on breastfeeding issues. We can help. Cost is $3 per session. Classes are Contact Natalie 9572 4971. 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. Northam Group meets each second Tuesday of the month at the Bridgeley Community Centre, Wellington Street, Northam 10am to Noon. Fourth Tuesday each month at Toodyay Playgroup, Stirling Terrace, Toodyay. Noon to 2pm. Please phone Louisa 9574 0229.
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.
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.
HILLS CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP
1st Wednesday of each month Hilltop Grove Estate, 1645 Jacoby Street, Mahogany Creek. Morning tea provided, between SWAN WOODTURNERS GROUP 10.30 - 12.00 noon. The group meets in the rear hall of The Senior Enquiries Terina 9572 1655. Citizens’ Centre, The Avenue, Midland, at 1-00pm. on 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Tuesday, and at 7-00pm. MIDLAND MEN’S SHED on 2nd Tuesday of each month. A demonstration Every Tuesday morning and cuppa are the norm. Men and Women are We meet socially every Tuesday morning from welcome. Enquiries to Ted 9295 4438. 9.30am to 11.30am in the Bellevue Baptist Church Hall and our usual attendance is around fifty-five. TALKING HORSES At least once a month we have a guest speaker on Wednesday evenings 6:00pm a range of topics. The WA Horse Council equestrian radio We also go on excursions to various places program is now in its seventh year. The of interest (e.g. HMAS Stirling, Aviation Museum, programme is broadcast on the Community Radio Fremantle Ports, ALCOA, etc.). Station 91.3 SportFM. To ensure that your club, Our workshop with wood working and metal event, breed or business gets coverage, call working is now in Midvale and for the opening Diane Bennit 0409 083 617. hours and further details please contact Rob Cutter on 0419 967 873. SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE Also in operation is our music group – the Monday Mornings Rockin’ Shedders which is going from strength to The Art Group meets at Baskerville Hall from 9am strength and their repertoire of songs increases – 12pm for just $5.00 per session. each week. The group leader is Gilly, she can help and For more information on the Shed please advise with most media. Feel free to come and contact Kevin Buckland on 0417 961 971 or by have a look and meet our local artists – they are a email to kebinsv@tpg.com.au. very friendly lot, new members welcome! For more information call 9296 1976 or EASTERN DISTRICTS MACHINE KNITTERS E: enquiries@swanvalleycommunitycentre.com Friday - second and fourth W: www.swanvalleycommunitycentre.com. We meet from 9:00am to noon at 10 Brockman Road, Midland. SWAN HARMONY SINGERS Feel welcome to join us for morning tea and Wednesdays see how easy it is to make your own garments. Come and sing with us! Swan Harmony Singers For more information contact Pat 9309 3260; is a community choir that meets, 7-9pm, to Liz 9572 7074 or Pat 9295 2793. sing music ranging from jazz to pop, plus the occasional classic. No auditions. Join us at the Salvation Army Church Hall, 371 Morrison Rd, (opposite Swan View Primary School), Swan View. Enquiries: call Anna on 9299 7249, or Chris on 9298 9529 or 0435 062 728. 9
Music in the
FREE
CHILDRE N ACTIVITI ’S ES MARKET STALLS FOODIES HUB
Square
STIRLING SQUARE
Stirling St, Guildford
SUNDAY MAY 21
11am - 4pm
ort of
supp A FREE EVENT in
LDFOR I U G N I ’S D L A ON SAY NO TO McD
10
SAY NO TO McDONALDS IN GUILDFORD
@
D
Featuring
JERE SOSA BLACK CHOOKS CEOL DESERT MIST MIDNIGHT RAMBLER GUILDFORD PS VIOLINS
nomcdonaldsguildford@gmail.com
COMMUNITY SAY NO TO MCDONALDS FREE CONCERT ay No to McDonalds in Guildford is a grassroots Sapplication community organisation fighting a development currently with the City of Swan for a twenty-four hour dual lane drive-through McDonalds restaurant with play space in the carpark of the Guildford Hotel. The Guildford community are strongly opposed to this development, with residents rallying upon hearing of the development application. To date the Facebook action group, Say No to McDonalds in Guildford has attracted 1,000 plus members. More than 5,000 signatures have been collected from Guildford residents, business owners and patrons petitioning against the McDonalds restaurant on planning grounds There is overwhelming community opposition to this development for a variety of reasons, including traffic implications at Johnson and James St, an already busy intersection, insufficient parking for both the Guildford Hotel and McDonalds along with the announcement of a restaurant space behind the hotel. There are concerns about environmental impacts such as noise, cooking odours and litter, design concerns, heritage impact, loss of amenity of residents and the Guildford Primary School, which is just 150 metres from the site. Many parents whose children attend Guildford Primary School are concerned about safety of children walking to school past the drive-through, the pressure on school parking which is already difficult and greater traffic issues along with the health impact on children. The proximity to school is not a planning concern, however we believe it should be. The McDonalds application does not meet the criteria of many City of Swan planning documents, including the Guildford Conservation Policy, Local Planning Scheme, The Strategic Community Plan 20172027, or the Guildford Heritage Precinct Local Planning Policy. The application directly contravenes the recently released Western Australian Health Promotion Strategic Framework 2017-2021, as well as the WA Public Health Act 2016. These documents clearly state that health promotion responsibility belongs to the community,
Ceol in
c o nc e r
t
BROMWYN FACER
health professionals, local government, state government and federal government. Health is not currently considered to be a planning issue, so the Heart Foundation are working towards implementing a fast food exclusion zone of 80 metres around schools. However, this will not pass before the development decision for McDonalds in Guildford is made.
Jere Sosa
Des
er t M
i st
While the City of Swan will compile a report on the application from the submissions they receive, it will not make the final decision. The final decision will be made by the Metro East Joint Development Assessment Panel comprising of two City of Swan Councillors and three experts in planning. Should they approve the development there is no avenue of appeal for the Guildford community, however the developer has right of appeal to go to the State Administrative Tribunal. The
community can appeal an SAT decision, at an estimated cost of $200,000, and only of there is a legal failing in the SAT decision. With the deadline for submissions having passed on Monday, 8 th May it’s time to come together and thank the community for their support with a free concert in conjunction with the Stirling Square Market in the picturesque grounds of historic Stirling Square on Sunday, 21st May from 11am – 4pm Enjoy music throughout the day as diverse as Guildford’s rich cultural heritage with an eclectic mix of folk, a touch of soul along with a few toe-tapping country rock tunes along and some good old rock n roll to get you up on your feet. The music line up includes Jere Sosa, who’s Taste of Honey from his latest album has been nominated for WAM song of the year; Folk music group the Black Chooks; Ceol; Desert Mist; Midnight Rambler and Guildford PS Violins. Courtesy of the Say No To McDonalds In Guildford committee
The Bla
c k Ch o
oks
11
Sunday 11th June 2017 2.30pm
Eastern Hills Senior High School Music Auditorium Keane Street, Mt Helena Choral Director:
Storme Reeves
Accompanist:
Libby Patrizi
Featuring the Hills Choir and Guest Artists
Tickets: Tickets available from Choir members, Ian on 9295 6103 or the Mundaring Community BankÂŽ Branch Bendigo Bank on 9295 6411 Tuesday to Friday. For further information call Margie on 9295 6103. Website : www.hillschoir.org.au 12
email: thehillschoir@gmail.com
Adults: $20.00 Children (under 12): $ 5.00
ENTERTAINMENT THE HILLS CHOIR MARGIE WRIGHT
Hills Choir has been singing in the Perth Hills now for over thirty years. The Thills.hechoirJocelyn was founded by Mary Marsland in 1986 from her home in the Mundaring Clarke was the choir’s first conductor.
Past choral directors have been Margaret Fong, Doug de Caux, Jean Bourgault and Elizabeth Aitken. Jean Bourgault looked after the choir for thirteen years before she retired the first time. Elizabeth took over from Jean for two years and when she left to pursue other challenges, Jean was coaxed out of retirement to lead the choir for its Thirtieth Anniversary Year. We have now welcomed Storme Reeves who has taken over the reins from Jean. The choir is fortunate to have Storme Reeves as its choral director. Storme comes from a strong musical background. She accepted a music scholarship into Perth Modern High School studying mainly voice, alongside piano, clarinet and choir studies. After finishing high school, she accepted a Music Scholarship into the WA Academy of Performing Arts studying classical voice and graduating with high distinctions. The choir puts on two major concerts each year – a Winter Concert in June and a Christmas Concert – which are held in the beautiful Eastern Hills Senior High School Auditorium.
Both concerts feature The Hills Choir and invited guest artists. As part of its community commitment, the Choir performs free of charge at nursing homes in the Hills and Midland/Guildford area. The choir is practising hard for its concert “Hearts in Harmony”
Retiring choral director Jean Bourgault and current Director Storme Reeves
on Sunday, 11 June at 2:30 pm. The choir practices on Monday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Mundaring Uniting Church on Stoneville Road, Mundaring. If you love singing and are interested in joining or would like more details, contact The Secretary, The Hills Choir, PO Box 699, Mundaring 6073 or please contact Margie Wright on 9295 6103 or email: margie.wright@westnet.com.au. 13
COMMUNITY PERTH’S REVIVED TREASURES KAREN JAMAL
painstaking restoration of Perth’s State TtopheBuildings has been rewarded with the state’s property award. FJM Property was presented with the Property Council of Australia’s RLB WA Development of the Year award at a cocktail reception recently. The Property Council’s Executive Director in West Australia, Lino Iacomella, says: “FJM Property’s vision, $80 million investment and
eight-year commitment has restored a heritage icon, changing the streetscape of our CBD and creating a new destination for tourists and locals alike.” The history of the three interconnected buildings, often called the Old Treasury buildings, stretches back to 1874, serving as the city’s the post office, treasury, public offices, the office of the Premier and Cabinet, as well as a police cell block. The State Buildings had been lying dormant for nearly two decades before they were purchased and transformed into a vibrant hospitality and retail precinct, and the home of the luxury forty-eight suite hotel COMO: The Treasury. The State Buildings Perth have been reinvented as Perth’s first six-star hotel, and 14
demonstrate why thoughtful development can breathe new life into tired parts of our city. The RLB WA Development of the Year award is part of the national 2017 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards program. The State Buildings Perth also vied for the S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage Development at the national awards, held in Sydney where the $80 million restoration of Western Australia’s State Buildings achieved national acclaim after taking home a coveted prize at the 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards. Beating seven other national finalists, the State Buildings, won the S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage Development. This project has restored an important part of Western
Australia’s history, returning it to the people of Perth and creating a world-class destination,” said the Property Council’s Chief Executive Ken Morrison. “The development has delivered an influx of tourist dollars, and has become a new destination on the tourist and foodie trail. The painstaking restoration including reinstatement of plaster ceilings, external balconies and the slate and copper roof. Decorative lacework was meticulously recreated from historical photographs. “The largest and most ambitious adaptive reuse project of its kind in the state, upgrading the State Buildings provided a welcome injection of employment into the WA economy,” says Managing Director of RLB WA, Mark Bendotti. “More than 800,000 hours of labour were required during the construction phase. This thoughtful and thorough restoration will ensure this grand old dame remains at Perth’s heart for many more generations.”
HOUSE AND GARDEN TRANSFORM YOUR GARDEN WITH TREES KATE PHILLIPS
cooling now as we head into winter, I t’slongBut,rapidly cold night, open fires and toast with soup. as Shelley reminds us, ‘If winter comes,
You should also consider the growth rate of the tree. There's not much point in buying a small tree that will give shade in twenty years time if you're not still going to be living in the house. can spring be far behind?’ As the weather heats up, trees can become Over this month and next we’ll be looking at your best friend in the garden, providing much- some of your options, their pros and cons and needed shade from the summer sun. In addition, some needs. shade trees can act as a windbreak, reduce noise, JACARANDA attract birds to the garden and have considerable A particularly popular shade and street aesthetic appeal. "Living shade is so much cooler than tree all around Australia, Jacarandas are easily being an underneath a roof or veranda," said horticulturalist and landscape designer Neil Hansen. When planting shade trees, the location of the tree would determine its success. I recommend planting on the eastern or western sides of the house which get the most sun so they get quite hot and a shade tree will provide extra insulation. The space you have available will also be a deciding factor in the both the size of tree you choose and where you plant it. If you've got a large shade tree of six to twelve metre spread, you'll want it about eight to ten metres from the house. It's not so much that it would do damage as that you'll get leaves in the gutter and scraping on the roof. Considerable thought should also be given to whether the type of tree you have selected will grow well in your area - coastal conditions, for example, will not suit all trees - and whether an evergreen or deciduous tree would be most appropriate. Deciduous trees provide summer shade and recognisable for their woody seed pods and winter sun and the fallen foliage can act as a long-lasting flowers, which are usually purplishmulch after breaking down, while evergreens are blue, though some species have white blooms. ideal for year-round shade in warmer climates There are a number of species within the jacaranda family (nearly fifty) but the most and make a good screen.
common is the blue jacaranda, or Jacaranda mimosifolia. A native of South America the standard jacaranda, which can grow up to fifteen metres tall, is not suitable for small blocks. But, it is a beautiful tree if you've got room for it. Smaller varieties such as the Port Wine jacaranda (Semiserrata) may be more appropriate for restricted spaces. Continued in June’s issue ...
15
DINING OUT
The Thoughts of an Ageing, Balding Foodie
KATCH-UP
Douglas sutherland-bruce I found myself in Margaret River on a Rtheecently Sunday night at a loose end. I was down for weekend to be one of a panel of judges for a
literary competition. The competition had been fun, with entries of a very high standard and we’d all got along really well and agreed without acrimony (not always the case, let me tell you) but it was over and I was in that slightly gently melancholic frame of mind that sometimes comes after concentrating. So I thought I’d cheer myself up with some good food. Driving out to the vineyard where the competition was to be held I had noticed an eatery with the intriguing name of ‘Katch-Up’, so I determined to give it a try. I wasn’t sure what kind of a place it was ‘Katch-Up’ doesn’t give much away, after all. It could be a burger joint and the name was a pun on ketchup, or possibly a cakes and tea place offering respite and catch-up time for busy mums before picking the children up after school and taking them to soccer practice. In any case there wasn’t a huge choice handy at seven o’clock on a Sunday night, so in I bowled, hungry, ignorant and a very pale blue. Instantly, I was cheered by the warmth of my greeting and the rich, welcoming interior of glowing wood and glass, low lights and that indefinable something that relaxes you and envelopes you in hospitality. One enters through an enclosed verandah brick paved with rustic outdoor tables, infrared heaters and a blackboard menu. The chairs have knee blankets draped over the backs if care it gets chilly (a nice touch). Inside the restaurant proper, there is a long bar with a blackboard above with ‘welcome’ chalked in many, many languages - more than I could recognise, certainly. For winters there is an open fireplace faced, floor to ceiling, with fieldstone. Greeted, seated and with drinks and food menus, I had a chance to look around and was mightily impressed with what I saw. Busy, with swift, pleasant servers zipping between the tables, there was a pleasant low buzz of conversation. The menu explained the name which is, in full, the Katch-up Seafood Grill and More. So ‘katch’ as in ‘katch of the day’ seafood. Which makes sense with the sea so close. Incidentally, the name is about to change 16
to Katch-up Seafood Restaurant and move towards a more formal presentation of signage to reflect the degree of sophistication actually presented. The dishes offered obviously heavily feature seafood - entreés, for example Salt and Pepper Baby Squid with house-made lemon aioli ($16; Australian oysters, au naturele or Kilpatrick in three’s, half or full dozen (ranging from $12 to $48); Fremantle mussels in either French or Italian style ($21); Seared Exmouth Banana prawns with green tea Japanese soba noodles ($21); Poached Donnybrook marron on a salad of white beans, sumac spiced roasted pumpkin, baby spinach, red onion, cherry tomato and Italian parsley with a citrus yoghurt dressing ($26) and so on. In addition they had on offer my very favourite seafood dish of all - Seafood Chowder ($19). I’ve eaten this all over the world and in almost every variation. I even cook what I consider a pretty fair variation myself. I’ve had it so thick it eats the spoon and with
FOOD TRIVIA R If you’re into natural beauty, boil some beetroot in water and then wash your hair in the water - it helps to cure dandruff (but may not smell as nice as Fructis). R A cluster of bananas are called a ‘hand’ and a single banana is known as a ‘finger’. You can kind of see the thought process there, can’t you? R Egg yolks are one of the few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D, which the body usually activates from sunshine. R You may be a little shocked to find out peanuts are an ingredient in dynamite. Thus: peanuts contain an oil that is used in the process of making glycerol. Glycerol is one of the main ingredient in nitroglycerin and nitroglycerin is the main part of dynamite. Simple. almost every possible combination of stuff that swims of hangs on to rocks under water. Katch-Up’s seafood chowder is possibly the very best I’ve ever eaten. Served in a bowl with an impossibly wide elegant lip the delicious, thin broth had great chunks of fish, scallop, prawn and black mussels alongside house-baked baguette magnificent, balanced and supremely tasty. If I’d known how good it was going to be, I’d have ordered it for main course as well. Mains included Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli ($34); Seafood Tagliatelle ($36); Pan Fried Barramundi ($44); Katch-Up’s Seafood Platter for Two ($159) which a combination of cold and hot seafood on two tiers. I saw several of those going to other tables and that’s what I’m having next time. Instead I ordered Eye Fillet Medallions with potato gratin, broccolini, roasted cherry tomatoes and a house shiraz jus ($43), which was delicious, although I’d call those potatoes ‘dauphoise’. The seafood ‘Platter for Two’ is served with a fresh salad, hand cut cajun style wedges or steamed Thai jasmine rice, aioli and tartar sauce. Desserts are mostly cakes baked daily or mousse, pannacotta, semifreddo and the like, although one caught my eye as being unusual Peach Carpaccio marinated in a ginger and mint syrup, served with a lime sorbet and topped with crushed caramelized, roasted almonds ($15).
However, what I craved was Margaret River cheeses - and Katch-Up serves only hand-made local cheeses ‘Heidi Matured’ (soft, French style cheese from goat milk) from Koonac, Rosabrook; Petit Fromage (a soft, white mould cheese from sheep milk handcrafted in the spring flush with a smooth creamy texture) from Cambray, Nannup and Blackwood Blue (mild blue cheese from cow milk) from Cambray, Nannup all served with fresh rustic baguette and fresh fruit. (Single Serve $14, Selection of Two $26, Three $38). These were magnificent, particularly the Petit Fromage. Rounded off with some very nice local cider (The Cidery, Bridgetown) and blameless coffee, one of the better meals I’ve been fortunate enough to eat in quite a while. I had a chat to the owners, Silvia and Herbert, whose story is almost as fascinating as their food. Silvia is Swiss and in a previous career was a wine importer (which explains the quality of the wine list) and when she and Herbert were on their honeymoon they visited Margaret River and fell in love with the wines, the food and the climate so they settled here, and we should be very glad they did. Katch-Up use and promote local produce and producers and we should support them, too. And feel virtuous while having a very good meal at the same time. Very Highly Recommended Indeed.
R It is acknowledged that if you run a hot tap whilst cutting an onion, it’ll prevent you from crying. The theory behind it is that steam from a hot tap will dissipate the vapours. Now you can say goodbye to those goggles... R There are approximately 350 different pasta shapes around the world. Italian chefs insist that the shape can affect the taste so you should make sure you pick the right one. R Processed cheese was first invented in Switzerland over a hundred years ago but the first commercially available slice was manufactured by an American, James L. Kraft, just after World War II. Typically slices contain less than 51% cheese. R Greek yoghurt contains up to double the amount of protein than other types. R The first food ever to be microwaved was popcorn. The second was an egg which exploded in the face of the experimenter. 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 dioxide. R If you put tonic under black light, it’ll shine bright blue. It’s not magic sadly, it’s because it contains quinine which reacts with the light.
Licensed Premises Thursday to Monday and all Public Holidays 12 noon to 9.30 pm (last orders) Bookings highly recommended Phone: 9757 3232 Email: katch-up@katch-up.com.au Hw Margaret River 2/151 Bussell Hwy, www.katch-up.com.au
R A raw oyster is likely to be still alive when you eat it but it’s also regarded as an aphrodisiac. R The first product to use bar codes was Wrigleys chewing gum. It was back in 1974 in the States and it was a ten pack of Juicy Fruit. R Canned peach was the first ever fruit to be eaten on the moon. RChicken soup was once considered an aphrodisiac in the Middle Ages. 17
FOOD BITE, SIP STROLL DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE
I
don’t know if you remember but some years ago in Perth there was a fashion for
‘Progressive Dinners’ which were entreés at one home, mains at another and sweet course at a third, maybe coffee and liqueurs at the fourth. It’s a lovely idea and based, patently, on the European habit of dining at several restaurants in an evening spreading the meal over various venues. This is obviously really only possible in cities with a very high number of restaurants, into which category Perth now happily falls. It was, after all, heightened awareness of drink driving that put paid to progressive dinners, but you can certainly walk after a few wines. This continental culture was brought to Australia by siblings Ben Daley and his sister Carly Griffin and Ben’s partner Maddy Magi-Prowse and is now running happily in Brisbane, Sydney and now Perth. Their brainchild is called Bite Sip Stroll and this unique dining
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event is about to launch its new Perth season starting on May 20.
The premium culinary adventure offers an un-matched opportunity to experience some of Perth’s finest restaurants and wines. The afternoon gourmet exploration involves guests visiting four of the most awarded restaurants in town enjoying distinctive dishes prepared by the head chefs of each establishment with wine to match, selected by experts from Wine Selectors Tasting Panel. The award winning Perth restaurants involved this year are The Flour Factory, Varnish on King, 1907 & The Trustee. Ben says: “It’s just a great way to experience the city’s finest food and wines in a single day and meet new people along the way”. “Last year’s Perth event was a sell-out so was are expecting a rush of bookings when word gets out about this
year’s event.” The three and a half hour food and wine stroll starts at noon and includes food and wine pairing at each restaurant, a glass of sparkling upon arrival and free wine tasting. Tickets to Bite Sip Stroll are $129 and available at www.bitesipstroll.com.au
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA CAFE LA PLAGE INGRID SHEVLIN
Cafe la Plage, a restaurant in The Pearls in Umhlanga, beetroot and a crumbed, poached hen’s egg. There are five open sandwich options and three is making waves burgers, one, lamb, one beef and one chicken. Cafe la Plage (the beach cafe) is one restaurant The are four red-meat mains – fillet mignon to tomahawk ribeye – plus king prawns at R220 you are unlikely to forget. Ever. For several reasons, some good and some ($22AU) and line fish of the day. A speciality not so good. Firstly the decor. The furniture is section includes deboned oxtail; duck confit; baroque-like with a distressed paint finish, the a seared salmon with braised fennel and a flooring looks like retro lino, but is in fact tiles. cucumber cream topped with caviar at R220 Long metal beams line the low ceiling over ($22AU); and butter-poached crayfish with the large bar area, the lighting is purple, and two truffle mayonnaise, shaved truffle and caviar for gilded thrones take pride of place in the lounge R420 ($42AU). Also a “ragout of chicken breast” in a sherry cream sauce. area. The overall effect is ... startling. It’s a look I can only describe it as Housewives If you’re vegetarian, butternut risotto is your of Hollywood meet Housewives of Bollywood. But it’s not quite as startling as the gold plastic thrones (toilets) in the bathrooms, which are generating serious chat on social media. The decor looks as though it had been conceptualised by a committee of Kazakhstan designers. On the other hand, reviewers on Trip Advisor described it variously as “well-designed”, “very upmarket” and “elegant”. So perhaps it’s a matter of taste. Borat would definitely approve, though. On the positive side was our food, which ranged from pleasant and just a hair’s breath away from Frank Chemaly at home on the throne being very good to superb. Some tweaking needed here. Another positive is the efficient service. – and only option sadly. I started with a wild mushroom ravioli, friendly vibe. Cafe la Plage describes itself as a “fresh, R120 ($12AU), in a truffle ricotta and shiitake cosmopolitan and French infused restaurant and consommé. Enjoyed the consommé, loved the bar that serves signature dishes, cocktails and wild mushroom selection and would have enjoyed the ravioli if it hadn’t been quite so al dente. music mixes.” The menu is interesting and contemporary. The dish reminded me of one I had tried at There are four salads plus a starter section, Harvey’s in the days of Andrew Draper. the which ranges from octopus ceviche with slaw of As it turned out, apple, shaved fennel and radish in a lemongrass head chef at Cafe vinaigrette, to a goats cheese beignet with prosciutto,
Prawn ri
er sotto start
La Plage once worked at Harvey’s. This is a inspired dish when all the elements are prepared correctly. My dining companion was Frank Chemaly, food writer for the Mercury. He started with a seared tuna Nicoise salad, R90 ($9AU). Nice enough, but it lacked real vroom – as well as the pickled quail’s egg that was promised on the menu. For his main he opted for a starter; a butterpoached prawn and avocado risotto with tomato jelly and lime aioli, R120 ($12AU). The prawns were large, plump and perfectly cooked, and the risotto – about two heaped tablespoons – disappointed Frank. He thought it was a little sweet, but I quite liked my sample taste. Not a generously portioned dish. My main dish was ambrosial. Grilled dorado served with vegetables and a lemon beurre noisette. Perfectly cooked, succulent fish and lovely vegetables. Often simple is the best. Cost was R160 ($16AU). Will always remember that dorado. [Dorado is also known as Mahi-mahi and dolphinfish] For dessert we shared a cardamom creme brûlée with homemade rooibos ice-cream, R8o ($8). Nice, but far too sweet. Cafe La Plage is a welcoming restaurant run by people who care about what they are doing – and your wellbeing. There is live music on some nights and a terrace with a direct view of the sea. The food is on the expensive side. There is a comprehensive selection of champagnes, wines, spirits and beers, none of which is particularly cheap. The gold plastic toilets were imported, I understand, from the Middle East. They will long be a talking point.
A dora
do to re
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DOUGLAS’ WINERIES AND DINERIES
These are the restaurants and eateries, casual and formal, and wineries that I personally reccommend and eat at for pleasure.
Fully Licensed Lunch & Dinner A Great Family Friendly Restaurant Only Minutes From Home!
Hours: Mon, Tues & Pub Hols Closed Wed & Thurs 5:00pm – 9:00pm Friday 5:00pm – 9:30pm Saturday 11:30am – 9:30pm Sunday 11:30am – 9:00pm
9453 9698 BOOK ONLINE
quills.com.au
Wattle Grove Shopping Centre, 338 Hale Road, Wattle Grove
I cook in your kitchen
I will prepare seasonal, wholesome, personalised meals from scratch in your own kitchen for around $10 per serve
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ENTERTAINMENT LIFE AFTER GEORGE AT GARRICK Rayson is an award-winning HSheannie Australian playwright and scriptwriter. has written fourteen plays and her
television credits include Sloth (ABC, Seven Deadly Sins). Life After George was premiered by the Melbourne Theatre Company in 2000 and was the first play to be shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award in 2001 and now opens at the Garrick Theatre, in Guildford, on May 25 with a local cast led by former Royal Shakespeare Company actor Peter Clark and directed by doyenne of Perth community theatre, Lynne Devenish. Clark, a graduate of the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London, plays a dead husband - charismatic, left-wing professor Peter George, who meets a sticky end with a mystery woman in a light-plane crash, leaving behind two ex-wives, a young widow, a son and daughter. The four women get more than they bargained for when they get together with his best mate, Duffy, to plan the funeral and the true nature of the man they loved unfolds. “George’s approach to relationships and monogamy is probably questionable, but I like his outlook on life,” Clark said. “There’s an overarching desire in him to simply want to build a better future, so despite his foibles, his heart is in the right place.” Clark works in hospitality as general manager of a conference venue in Perth, but his heart is in theatre. He met and proposed to his wife, Nyree,
change, from the student barricades of Paris in the late 60s to the new millennium in which the university had become a corporate institution with an emphasis on commercial success. Director Lynne Devenish said the Garrick’s light and sound expert, Geoff Holt, had to upgrade the theatre’s system to accommodate the play. “Having directed a Hannie Rayson play before, I knew it would be demanding technically due to the number of scenes, the to-and-fro over three decades and multiple acting areas to be crammed on to our tiny stage,” she said. “The use of coloured lighting is crucial to indicate locations and passage of time. Each scene needs to flow to the next with minimal disruption because if there are delays, you lose your audience.” The hugely talented cast is Peter Clark (George), Michelle Dayman (Ana), Andrew Govey (Duffy), Anna Head (Poppy), Lis Hoffmann (Beatrix) and Kath Jones as Lindsay. Life After George runs from 25th May until June 10th at Garrick Theatre, 16 Anna Head is Poppy Meadow St, Guildford at 8pm and 2pm for a WA Academy of Performing Arts graduate, matinees. on stage at the Garrick, which marks its 85th Tickets cost $22 and may be booked anniversary this year. through Elaine on 9378 1990; email bookings@ He said the key to playing George was garricktheatre.asn.au or online: trybooking.com. juggling a script that covered three decades of intellectual and political
Peter Clark and Kath Jones 21
COMMUNITY THEATRE REVIEWS THEATRE WITH GORDON
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. - Helen K eller
selected for a TV series, ‘The Platform’. The three have been selected for being extremely self-assured, to the point of their being classed as exceptionally arrogant and egotistical. The trendy programme’s presenter (James McMillan) is supercilious, ingratiating, and obnoxious. When coupled with the show’s producer (Megan Hollier), the bitch from Hell, who simply revels in the contestants’ degradation and suffering – anything to ensure good ratings. When Gwyn (Hollie Hines), Joe (Ben Thomas) and (Phoebe Sullivan) are faced with a physical challenge, the friendships fall apart. Who will become the supreme winner?
SO YOU THINK YOU’RE CHARLIE SMITH o You Think You’re Charlie Smith is a black pseudo-documentary. It was written by local playwrights, Jackson Used and Ben Thomas, and mentored by much admired Finn O’Branagáin,
S
This beautifully written and constructed play makes one wonder just how true to life the TV shows are, and how much is creative editing. How well are the contestants respected by the producers?
who has had a couple of major shows at the Blue Room. This sevemty-five minute, adult show, by Sandpaperplane Productions, can be seen in the main theatre in the Blue Room Theatre complex, 53 James Street in Northbridge. With reality TV shows like My Kitchen Rules and Married at First Sight, the producers are often looking for the dirt, the grubbier the better. If there isn’t any, then it must be created. The set is simple. A black shiny floor, a large projection screen is hung high on the rear wall and at the side of the stage is a small set for TV interviews. Rhiannon Petersen’s lighting design had a great deal of thought put into it. When coupled with the sound design by Robert Woods, the mood was most powerful. Woods made good use of a subtle, lowfrequency rumbling noise as the tension crept up. Robert Woods was also responsible for the superb AV presentation, a most complex, and professional piece of filming and editing. Some of the photographic images were by Jamie Breen. The show was stage managed by Georgia Smith.
Director, Jackson Used had dramaturg help from Finn O’Branagáin, and directing mentoring from Will O’Mahony, they have given us an original tale of power versus the average person in the street. The play moves at a cracking pace, and the actors all gave good solid performances. A mental challenge for the characters, and the audience, as loyalties swing. A clever, quality piece of theatre to start off The Blue Room’s new season.
After having signed a most demanding contract, three contestants find themselves 22
~oOo~ THE MOZART FACTION This is a riveting, black comedy by an awardwinning, local playwright Kate Rice. This play was first produced at the Blue Room Theatre in Perth ten years ago, when it won the theatre’s People’s Choice award. Kate and her husband Jeremy have both been big supporters of Community Theatre, and have acted as key judges at various competitions. AWGIE winner, Kate Rice is at Curtin University completing her PhD, on ‘the ethics of creating theatre based on real stories’. Both of Kate’s young daughters are also talented screen actors. The Mozart Faction was on at Melville Theatre, Stock Road, Palmyra.
The scene is evening in a Perth community hall. The stage is typical of a rehearsal area, with half-painted flats, a semicircle of plastic chairs and a trestle table for tea and coffee. Stage managed by Brenda Oliver-Harry. Barbara Lovell smoothly operated Lars Jensen’s light and sound design. Shirl (Valerie Henry), the mother figure of a small suburban choir, is laying out the coffee cups and awaiting the arrival of choir members. Two young girls, Val (Briana Dunn) and Sophie (Elouise Martin) are arguing over who is going to sit next to whom, when the choir mistress, Evie (Victoria Dixon) arrives. She sternly tells them that there will be no moving around the group. Sophie is wrestling with her conductor’s music stand, when she demands that the group’s young tearaway, Ari (Callum Yardley) help her out. The score folders for the rehearsal piece, Mozart’s ‘Requiem’, are handed out to the singers by school headmaster, Terry (Karl von Zwol), who is also the group’s administrator. Shy and ever helpful, Morris (Daniel Wilson) arrives, closely followed by the immaculately turned out Anne Marie (Susan Veart), a diva with a model-like figure and a beautiful soprano voice. The rehearsal begins, but the choir sings barely a note, when a young man, dressed in a labourer’s luminous, bright yellow shirt, bursts through the door wielding a gun. A shot is fired into the air. Wolf (Steven Hounsome) has arrived. In panic, the whole choir hit the floor as Wolf screams and struts his way around the stage. Living next door, he has tolerated their depressing, semimelodic efforts for years, but enough is enough. He has decided that their singing must cease instantly. This powerful production was guided by Siobhán O’Gara, who has – around the world – three decades as a director under her belt. Her years in Perth have seen her gain two nominations at the prestigious Finley Awards. Siobhán’s experience has covered most aspects of theatre from lighting to directing, from the smallest of community theatres, up to UWA’s Dolphin Theatre. Siobhán has selected a strong cast, some have little experience and one or two are returning after a few years away from ‘the boards’. This is a particularly difficult play to stage, as Wolf challenges each choir member in turn. The choristers display how their outer shell, as seen every day, is not necessarily their true character. A wide variety of personalities is exposed as this story oscillates on its rocky rollercoaster ride. The cast is shown as a simple ensemble of friends enjoying themselves, but subtly their characters have to change with the pressure. In all, the actors are expected to be happy, stressed, nervous, distraught, cunning and caring. Concluded on page 28 ...
ENTERTAINMENT JAZZ RETURNS TO WA Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF) Tcityhemakes its much anticipated return to the for its fifth consecutive year, from Friday
26 May – Sunday 28 May 2017 Presented by Brookfield, over forty incredible jazz performances will take place across various venues throughout Perth and York. The three-day festival will feature a blend of ticketed and free community events by a host of celebrated local, national and international jazz artists.
Minness
Juliana Frassatti
wr y Jo La
program from a wide range of popular and innovative international, national and local jazz artists. Graham Wood felt that the highly talented pool of Jazz players from Perth deserved a platform and dedicated event to reach the fans of this celebrated and talented art form. “Perth International Jazz Festival is a fantastic celebration of music that can be enjoyed by a huge range of people. There really is something for everyone in this program and it’s fantastic to see so many talented artists converge on our wonderful city for a weekend of great music, food, wine and fun – don’t miss it”, said Mr. Wood. With over thirty-five Jazz festivals across Australia, PIJF is the only dedicated Jazz festival in Western Australia.
T h e festival returns with an enriched line-up, headlined by saxophonist and composer Greg Osby. Osby will collaborate with one of the hottest local young jazz talents, pianist Tal Cohen, to launch Cohen's latest album Gentle Giants in performances at both The Palace and Brookfield Place. Regularly touring with the likes of Sting and Paul Simon, Australian vocalist and songwriter Jo Lawry has also joined the bill and will return to Perth to captivate audiences at Brookfield Place. Hailed as one of the most original voices in jazz today, Satoko Fukii from Japan will team up with trumpeter and composer Natsuki Tamura for a unique performance premiering a new suite called Fukushima, composed in the memory of the people of those affected by the 2011 Japan earthquake. In a first for the event, the town of York will play host to a number of performances by revered local artists including Adrian Galante and Mia Simonette Quintet on Friday 26 May, and Bean Bumas’s Boys of Rhythm, Ali Bodycoat Quartet, James Flynn Quartet, Victoria Newton and Howie Morgan on Saturday 27 May. Unmissable festival highlights also include saxophonist and composer Will Vinson; pianist and composer Steve Newcombe; flautist and percussionist Vivan Sessoms and bassist and composer Rafael Jerjen among many others. M ia The Festival will S im o ne deliver the highest quality Jazz tte
The Festival’s aim is to bring inspiring music by many talented musicians to Perth in an accessible and vibrant way. Ticketed performances will play at Brookfield Place, The Palace, The Ellington Jazz Club and York. Numerous free events will also be performed at Brookfield Place, St George’s Cathedral and Four Points by Sheraton. PIJF is supported by a range of sponsors, including presenting partner Brookfield, community partner Lotterywest and the City of Perth. For tickets and detailed program information, please visit the official website: www.perthjazzfestival.com.au.
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FILM REVIEWS WITH JAMES
What if?
COLOSSAL
time to time someone in Hollywood steps Fcopiesrom out of the conventional spate of sequels and of European films and does something
particularly interesting. They start a sentence with ‘What if’ and then add an illogical proposition. These are sometimes termed ‘high-concept’ movies. Groundhog Day springs to mind. Also Big with Tom Hanks playing a small boy inside a man’s body. Colossal is such a movie and it is going to be a success and do for Anne Hathaway what Groundhog Day did for Bill Murray. It is a children’s film for adults. In the tradition of Japanese and Korean monster movies such as Godzilla, there is a very large (think fifty
storey building) creature stamping its feet all over neighbourhoods of Seoul in South Korea. Why do monsters wear boots with ripple soles? To give the humans a chance! In the 1930s, Albert Einstein attacked the theory of Quantum Mechanics and particularly particle entanglement with the phrase “spooky action at a distance”. That is, two particles are so closely coupled that even though they may be a great distance apart, action upon one causes an immediate change in the other. OK, enough with scientific theories and bad jokes. Back to the film: Anne Hathaway plays Gloria, a New York writer with alcohol problems. After alienating her boyfriend, Tim, she returns to an empty family home in small-town America. She is taken under the wing of Oscar, an old schoolmate, who sadly now owns a bar. In no time flat, she is partying with Oscar and his cronies – particularly the younger Joel.
Awakening after another drunken night she hears about a monster which has just appeared in Seoul; one which seems to have nervous twitches similar to her own; one which lurches along in a drunken stagger. And then comes the realization (early in the film) that when she raises her left arm, so does the monster on the other side of the world. Spooky actions. The film is written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo (maker of the quirky Time Crimes, a Spanish time traveling murder mystery). He has created an impressive story which interweaves the monster theme with a morality tale of relationships. Anne Hathaway does a remarkable job of sustaining a drunken slob as a sympathetic character. But which of the three men, Tim, Oscar or Joel, is she going to end up with? The suspense is maintained to the end. From the opening titles (the word ‘Colossal’ is written in tiny letters) to the removal of the monster menace, this film is full of amusing paradoxes. By the time you read this, all your friends will have mentioned it to you. Four and a half stars.
Concluded from page 26 ... For seventy-five minutes, there is no respite as they are faced with the terror. The cast must be 100% focused for the whole play, very demanding and tiring. I saw the first night, and the pace sagged a little for a minute at the forty minute mark, but the group got their second wind and presented a very powerful and dramatic ending. Most impressive work. The ‘average’ choir (deliberately so) that was an embarrassment at the start, band together, blossomed and showed us in the end that they did have musical talent, thanks to the musical director, Janice Miller-Eves’ skills. Steven Hounsome was outstanding as the wild mad man, producing some convincing and unsettling moments. A very well structured play that is most demanding of the cast, but I am sure will give the actors great satisfaction to perform, along with a chilling joy for the audience. Highly recommended.
24
FILM REVIEWS
VICEROY’S HOUSE DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE
A valiant film about a terrible time of India's past espite the fact that it such recent history the Partition of India in 1947 is largely ignored by writers and filmmakers as regards drama. Fact-based movies such as Lord Attenborough's movie Ghandi and Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierreare's book Freedom at Midnight are more common than novels like John Master's Bhowani Junction or Scott's Staying On. One reason for this might be that India's independence, partition and the previous Raj are so complex, so convoluted, so capable of easy misinterpretation than just one movie or book cannot make it clear, or even comprehensible.
D
Chadha has collected a hugely talented cast for her film - Hugh Bonneville, Michael Gambon, Simon Callow, Gillian Anderson, Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi, Denzil Smith and Tanveer Ghani. Hugh Bonneville, who resembles Mountbatten in nothing except charm, nevertheless does a great job in portraying what Chadha describes as "thoroughly British sense of civility and fairness" faced with an almost impossible task or reconciling contending claims. Concluded on the next page ...
Director Chada's movie Viceroy's House begins with the quote 'History is written by the victors', often mis-attributed to Sir Winston Churchill, who himself created more history than he wrote. The quote is important since the British mostly wrote and taught the history of Partition under the concept that they handed a unified India back to the inhabitants who, faced with the prospect, immediately began fighting along religious lines of Hindu/Muslim/Sikh faiths. Lord Louis Mountbatten was sent as the last Viceroy to sort it all out in a speedy and peaceful manner, which he did - we were taught. This is so simplified as to be entirely wrong, but it is what most people remember of the history, which as Sellars and Yeateman remind us is all that matters. Into this dramatic void steps renowned Indian film-maker and author Gurinder Chadha, who presents Viceroy's House, the story of the transition of power from various perspectives over the five months leading up to Independence with Mountbatten balancing the demands and desires of the Congress Party (Gandhi, Nehru et al) who wanted a unified India; the All India Muslim League (Muhammad Ali Jinnah). the Sihks and the British Government under Clement Atlee and Sir Winston Churchill (in opposition, but still a force to be reckoned with) who wanted Britain's interests in the Persian Gulf to be protected. While most histories tend to overlook the fact that the religious tensions were fomented and encouraged by the British Raj after the 1857 Indian Mutiny (or First War of Independence, depending on your perspective) Viceroy's House faces it head on. Against the rising tensions, riots, unrest and rapine as Mountbatten struggles to find a solution within an increasingly reducing time frame Chadha has chosen to present a Romeo and Juliet style love story between a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl to give the massive sweep of story some human perspective. 25
POETRY THE INTERIOR DESIGNER WAYNE PANTALL
grano worker’s laugh alerted each and ev’ry TThehebloke. ceiling fixer heard the din, and suddenly awoke. The brickie gave a splutter and the architect a choke. The window man looked down to say, “What seems to be the joke?” ‘The Interior Designer’ made a big impression. Rarely had the tiler’s mate seen such an odd procession. The plast’rer’s lab’rer’s helper even lost his dull expression. Shifting sewers senselessly slid plumbers to depression. ‘The Interior Designer’, with elegance and poise, came strutting down the catwalk, to the chuckles of the boys. “Oh, turn that music down at once; I cannot think for noise.” The builder seemed somewhat subdued to those that he employs. “As Interior Designer, I say it must be there. I’d rather not go apricot, I’d like it done in pear. Exquisite, I must have it – If I don’t, I will despair.” The builder took his notebook out and wrote something in there.
“This is far more comf’table – I like it round this way. The ombulonce and vista, tend to point to a display.” The builder scribbled something down in quite a pointed way.
IF I’m to weave my magic for my client’s modest fee”. At this the engineer queried “How much left for me?”
Concluded from page 25 ... (The movie does not touch on his successful efforts to persuade Indian Princes and Rajahs of independent states to join what became India) His wife, Edwina, (Gillian Anderson) was an altogether more layered personality and this shows in the writing and certainly Anderson walks off with the acting honours against stiff opposition. Aided by an almost uncanny likeness, Anderson IS Lady Mountbatten. Casting the Indian characters with ethnic Indians was a given, even though many were born or educated elsewhere. (Chadha herself was born in Nairobi). The charming star-crossed loved were played for sentiment by Manish Dayal and Huma Qureshi and the interplay between Nehru, Gandhi and Jinnah was masterfully handled. The reality of the partition is forcibly
rammed home towards the end of the movie in no uncertain terms and it's worth reminding ourselves that by the act of Partition some fourteen millions of men, women and children were made refugees, on the 'wrong' side of the border and that somewhere between half and two million people died of starvation, exhaustion, disease and fighting and arson, rape, murder and looting among already poverty-stricken peoples caused misery of many millions more. This is a worthy, excellent film (although I could have done without the contrived Hollywood ending) of a complex subject little-known outside India. Very Highly Recommended Indeed. Fun trivia fact - Lord and Lady Wavell (the previous Viceroy and Vicereine) are played by real life husband and wife acting team of Simon Williams and Lucy Fleming (Ian Fleming's niece).
‘The Interior Designer’, with entourage in tow, Emphatic’ly insstrructed all “No no no… no no… no! “Oh, what’s two hundred extra grand – my darlings, This window, wall and wardwobe won’t work, this is art? therefore they then go.” My audaciatronic theatre is a spiffing place to start. The builder, trembling pen on pad, muttered So pull that window out of there, and take the roof something low apart.” At which the builder seemed to have a flutter in his ‘The Interior Designer’ said, “My style is unique. heart. It’s my minestrone touch, and what pompulance I seek. ‘The Interior Designer’ then rearranged the pool, Your science is my canvas, Darling - heed that what the waterfall and outside loo from the directors I speak.” stool, The fluttering eyelashes made the builder go quite the placement of the air-con near the statue of the weak. mule. This dumbfounded the carpenter who fumbled for ‘The Interior Designer’, and Builder indiscreet, a rule. together found their common ground, as hearts all skipped a beat. “The builder and my client, have a contract - I “I’m sure we’ll fill the void where art and science agree. rarely meet. But I’ve artistic licence, therefore precedence, you So take me home” his notebook read, “Oh big boy, see, we’ll be sweet.”
“That thingy with the doover lacky goes up in the air. I don’t know what will hold it up, but frankly I don’t care. And take away the ghastly wall, that’s holding up the stair.” The workers wondered what which way, and which one went up where? “A goldfish bowl upon a pier; now that would be unique. Yes, cut the concrete, move the pipes and make sure they don’t leak to stain my lovely mural and aurora that I seek.” The builder writing something down, gave out a little squeak. ‘The Interior Designer’ stated, “Don’t do this like that. The Feng Shui Man will not accept what is not square and flat. And build a ledge for Sooty-toot, the snow white fluffy cat.” The builder turned another page, so so that that was that. The electrical contractor, whom we know to be Frank, in earnest, queried why the gas pipe split the goldfish tank. “Because it’s art my darling and it’s money in the bank.” The surrealist painter with ‘brrochures’ felt the concept ‘swank’. ‘The Interior Designer’ adjusted the bidet. 26
THEATRE REVIEW LOVE ME SLENDER AT KADS DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE
Dramatic Society’s latest production, by actor/director/ K alamunda playwright Vanessa Brooks and directed by Anita Bound is Love Me Slender. I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night and was mightily
impressed with the quality of the acting, set, direction, pace and choice of actors. I have some difficulties with the script, which I’ll get to shortly, but first, a doff of the titfer to the cast and crew. Briefly, the plot centres on a self-help group, a branch of ‘Slim for Life’ run by Siobhan (played in a curious co-incidence by Siobhan Vincent) a weight-loss success story and her six protegees. More a faith-based exercise than anything else each of the ladies has a back story which we learn over the course of the play. The group, ranging from the comfortably chubby to the worryingly thin, are a mixed bag with only their desire to lose weight as a common denominator. Siobhan Vincent, making a welcome break from farce, gets a chance to show what she can really do with a good, solid, meaty role and, my God, does she shine. A marvellous part, she squeezed every drop of emotion out of it and poured it into the audience. Rosie (Sarah Langridge) plays a mousy church worker, who is sure that another five pounds and the love of her life will propose. Played beautifully in a muted and downcast, down-trodden way Rosie is Siobhan’s ‘special’ girl. Claudette (Cathy Parr) is a bar manager and probably the best-adjusted member of the group. Cathy performs stand-up and that depth of experience shows in her simply impeccable timing of her comic lines, and the masterful use of her expressive face. Charlotte Weber, playing Jean the indecisive (and slender) success of the group is a relative newcomer to Kads, but I would very much like to see her in more. She brings a wealth of experience to the difficult role of Jean. Celia (Raelene Cover) and Lucinda (Marsha Holt) represent sanity in the group and are played with the usual workmanlike professionalism we expect from these two stalwarts of community theatre.
Which brings me to Kelly (Laura Goodlet) a thin, unemployed, dogsbody of Siobhan’s and arguably the hardest role in the play as it has so few lines and Laura must make her points mostly with body language and business, which she does with a subtlety that belies her years. As far as I can make out this is Laura’s first role outside of school and I predict a great future for her if she chooses theatre. Her instinctive grasp of the part, guided I imagine, by the director, is impressive and appealing. Scene changes and improvised dialogue was provided by Sandro Sando (Props) and Lesley Broughton (SM). So much for the production of the play - excellent, satisfying and given the exceedingly short rehearsal period, impressive. The Daily Telegraph described it as “A satisfyingly humane and perceptive play that memorably nails one of the great issues of our times” The author calls it ‘a comedy’. Both, in my view are entirely wrong. My difficulty with the play operates at several levels. Firstly, it’s too long, it is a good ninety minute play that runs for two hours. The continuity is poor and several scenes are in the wrong order. Previous productions (all in the UK, this is the Australian premiere) have hacked great chunks out of it, including deleting the ambiguous last scene - I don’t know that I’d go that far, but it would immensely benefit from a good editing or some work-shopping. Secondly, while it has comic elements it is most certainly not a comedy, not even a black comedy. In my opinion it is a satiric attack on organised religion and faith as way of life. The use of religious themes and language is strong throughout the play, and Siobhan, as the main voice of the play, has some pretty damning things to say about religion. The only ‘sort of’ cleric ends up being guilty of an unpardonable sin
and the theme of sin, confession and redemption is very strong throughout, if you transpose ‘weight-loss’ for ‘religion’ and ‘diet’ for ‘dogma’. Lastly, while Siobhan is revealed within the first few minutes of the play to be a bully and an egocentric domestic tyrant, her punishment, eventually meted out by the women, far, far outweighs her sins. ‘Tell me the virtue of a proportional response?’ asks President Bartlett in The West Wing - this play answers that question in which the women descend on Siobhan like the Wrath of God unleashed. None of which should for a moment stop you from going to see the play, a highly professional production with good, solid performances, some outstanding acting, and a thought provoking plot line. Bear in mind, despite what you may take from the play, that morbid obesity is not healthy. Love Me Slender runs at Kalamunda Community Theatre, Barber Street, Kalamunda, at 8:00pm until May the 13th. Tickets cost $20.00, ($17 concession). Bookings may be made at the Lucky Charm Newsagents, Central Mall, Kalamunda on 9257 2668. As Siobhan says: “Remember girls - not slim for today. Not slim for tomorrow. But slim for life!” Very Highly Recommended. 27
BUSINESS - NETWORKING WHY SHOULD I CARE? SHARRON ATTWOOD
So what do you do and why should I care? hen you are out and about representing W our business and yourself you just know the question is coming…..”So what do you do?”
Whilst a canned and thoroughly rehearsed answer will generally come off as rehearsed and therefor insincere – I still recommend you give your reply some thought. The best response is built on a foundation of preparation. But what do you do? The better answer would cover – who do you help and what problem do you solve. What we really want to know is what you can do for me and the people I know. Tune in to WII FM – what’s in it for me? There are lots of formulas for how to compose your response – your ‘elevator pitch’ – your ‘BBQ spiel’ – your moment. I recommend you start with a core statement – like a tag line. Something that is consistent to your business brand – and in particular your personal brand. That way – weather you are in an elevator, at a BBQ or have ninety seconds to address the room at a breakfast, you can still be on brand. I’ve had the same line for ages and build on it. Sometimes it’s just the one line – if it works well just stop there. Often the issue we have is not in saying too little – it’s in saying too much! It’s better to leave people wanting to ask you a question than wishing you’d sit down and be quiet. Admit it – we’ve all been there. Just because they offer you ninety seconds doesn’t mean you have to use it all. Like a great print add – you need some blank space to highlight the product. Some quiet in juxtaposition to the noise. [Editor: Sharron is SO right about that.] If speaking one on one or in a small group – it’s also nice to ask others about themselves first. In my first column we discussed The Law of Reciprocity – meaning if you ask them first – they will find themselves having to ask you, and being happy to listen to your reply. Though rapidly becoming a lost art form, it’s how a conversation works. Let’s bring it back into style. You will also need to be an effective and courteous listener. How amazing does it feel to be not just heard, but actually listened to? One of my favourite quotes outlines the issue that too often we listen with the intent to merely respond rather than to actually hear. Are you hearing others – or are you too busy composing your reply? It’s a great exercise to check in with yourself and 28
decide to actively listen at an event or during a conversation. Ask questions and clarify your understanding instead – you will soon see how much this is appreciated – and realise that you aren’t always this attentive. You can effectively build on your core statement using formulas such as ‘You you know how (insert problem here) affects (insert issue)? Well I solve that problem’. This works well as you get an agreement from the listener early on – they buy into the problem, agree that it’s an issue and will be excited that you can solve it. I still use this framework from time to time – especially at Speed Networking events as it’s fast and precise. It also naturally invites a question of ‘How?’ This is not the time to run down the opposition however. Shine your own light. We all have competition – but they are not the opposition unless we think of them that way. Make it positive – make it interesting. There is generally nothing to be gained by being negative or making accusations about others in your industry. You may well be asked if you know so and so or have heard of such and such as someone tries to make comparisons and understand where you fit into their frame of understanding. Just acknowledge them and move on. When your business is intertwined with your personal brand you really have no opposition, which is why I’m such an advocate for establishing a great personal brand. The one thing you want your response or introduction to do is invite further inquiry and build a relationship. So the aim is a reply of ‘that’s really interesting, I bet you are busy’ or ‘how do you do that?’ or even ‘ I know people who need you’ is a great outcome as is an invitation to catch up later. “So what do I do?” you may well ask me. “You know how people ask what you do and you need them to care? I solve that problem.” Courtesy of Brandetiquette
SVRN WHAT’S ON SUE HURT
Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day Featuring some great entertainment including; Discovery Trail, workshops, truffle growing, pygmy goats, orchids, vintage tractors, Slow Food Long Table Lunch and much more on Sunday 28 May at the Gidegannup Showgrounds from 9am – 4.30pm. Adults $10, 16 years and under FREE. No dogs allowed. Enquiries please telephone 9574 7065 or visit gidgegannup.info HeARTlines Children’s Literature & Illustration Festival Hosted by the Mundaring Arts Centre, this year’s festival will be held at the re-invigorated Midland Junction Arts Centre from Saturday 20 May to Wednesday 21 June. The festival features a month-long exhibition of artworks from recently published children’s books, complimented by a series of hands-on workshops, events and talks by prominent authors and illustrators. With an exhibition, public program, school program and open day, there’s something for everyone! For further information please visit mundaringartscentre.com.au Are Robots Coming to Steal my Child’s Job? The world is changing faster than it ever has before. Right now six out of ten students are currently working towards jobs that will be radically changed or not exist due to automation in the next ten years. As a parent this is scary. How do we prepare our children for this future. Presented by Education Changemakers, come along to a free parent evening at Swan Christian College, Great Northern Highway on Wednesday 31 May from 7pm – 9pm. Bookings essential please visit trybooking.com/PIYD Chidlow Districts RSL Sub-Branch Interested in supporting returned and serving military and associated personnel? Interested in knowing about Chidlow’s military history? New members welcome. For more information or to find out the next meeting date, please contact Bill on 9572 4875 or Corrina on 0427 966 443 Google My Business Take advantage of your location in the Swan Valley - Let Google work for you. Google My Business is a free tool available to business to enhance your business profile on Google. Build your profile - show your opening hours, enter or update your information, add pictures, download the app to track how your customers find you - all this with minimal effort and no cost. Go to: google.com/business and follow the prompts or download the flyer for more info Tourism Council WA – Workshops Tourism Council WA is bringing more of its popular tourism specific training workshops to Perth in May and June. These workshops are short, practical training sessions which are updated regularly to ensure they remain relevant to industry.
FINANCE BUDGET PLAN FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS STEVE BLIZARD
Treasurer, Scott Morrison, who brings F9, ederal down the budget on the night of Tuesday, May seems likely to focus on those thirty percent
of Australians who rent, including potential first home buyers but for steep prices rises. There is growing community concern about skyrocketing house prices which are seen as being too expensive and what can be done to bring young buyers back into the market, especially in Sydney and Melbourne. Expect a series of measures to build housing supply and help first home buyers even though there is no magic fix. “One budget will not turn these issues around in isolation, but we can make a start,” says Morrison. “There are no single or easy solutions and the payback is achieved in some cases over a generation — not an electoral or budget cycle.” Among other foreshadowed measures expected in the budget are restoration of funding to 190 community legal centres; more work to keep welfare payments under control; further changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; company tax cuts; and a renewed focus on transfer pricing where companies shift profits offshore to benefit from lower foreign tax rates. Sydney Airport’s decision to decline an offer to run a second airport at Badgerys Creek has also cleared the way for the Federal government to build this $5 billion dollar project, with details to be released in the May budget. TAX TAKE Economist Chris Richardson at Deloitte Access Economics says the twin engines of a China boom on top of a house price boom together support the national tax take at the same time. “China is doing the Federal Budget favours at the same time as housing prices puff up revenues for some states,” Richardson says in his latest business monitor report. HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Morrison says the main cause of declining housing affordability is the failure of housing supply to adjust to increased demand, which is being driven by higher economic growth.
The Treasurer is wary about changes to negative gearing as it could lead to lowering of economic growth. “Our policy response must be careful and calibrated, lest we spark a negative housing shock that would undermine our economic confidence, negatively impact household consumption and retard economic growth,” Morrison says. “The more than two-thirds of Australians who live in owner-occupied homes would agree that reducing the value of their home is not a good plan, and it is not the Government’s plan.” FIRST HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE There is speculation that a different kind of first home buyers’ savings plan is on the cards. Reports indicate that a savings model is likely to appear in the budget papers, giving young savers an incentive to put away dollars for buying their first property. Similar to salary sacrificing, the plan will allow buyers to direct some of their pre-tax income into a savings account, cutting the first home buyers’ overall income tax bill. Junior cabinet minister Matt Canavan told Sky News the government is “alive” to the problem of young people being unable to afford a home. The thirty-six year old Queenslander said he and his wife had found it very challenging to purchase their first home. “My wife and I have had five kids but the hardest thing we had to do was save up for our first home,” he said. “It was very difficult in the current circumstances, but we will, I’m sure, do what we can, as a federal government, to ease that burden for young Australians and make sure they can reach their promise and potential.” “We are focused on making sure Australians can afford a home, it is a fundamental principal of the Liberal-National government people,” Mr
Canavan said. The two major parties remain divided on whether the problem of housing supply can be solved without major interventions in tax arrangements. Labor continues to insist nothing will improve in the long-term without changes to capital gains tax concessions and negative gearing, while the Coalition has ruled out any major changes on these fronts. Senior government MPs now believe the salary sacrificing plan would be a way of offering tax breaks to first home buyers after an earlier proposal to allow employees to redirect their super contributions to a savings account was rejected. BACK TO THE FUTURE However, any first home owner savings account model would see the government move back towards a policy it ceased two years ago. A similar savings system introduced by former prime minister Kevin Rudd was abolished by the Coalition in 2015 due to a lack of take-up. First Home Owner Savings accounts, which allowed savers to receive matching government funding of up to seventeen percent, were abolished in July 2015. Under that scheme, prospective home buyers could contribute just $5000 of their pretax earnings to a savings account, effectively reducing their taxable income by $5000 in that year. An additional $5000 a year post-tax income could be added to the account, taxed at a concessional rate. Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews backed the move, saying first-home buyers weren’t in a “fair fight” and deserved to have the balance tipped back in their favour. The Property Council of Australia also backed the plan, saying closing the deposit gap was a vital part of dealing with housing affordability. “A scheme that contributes to resolving the challenge people face in building towards a deposit has the potential to be a plus,” Property Council chief of policy Glenn Byres said. Courtesy of Roxburgh Securities 29
SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE A GO NO NEED TO RECONSIDER Member for Pearce, Christian Porter, “Many local young people who are keen to GLYPHOSATE Federal visited Tass 1 Trees, a local business that is get into work to build a better life feel that they
participating in the Coalition Government’s $760 million Youth Jobs PaTH program. The elements of Youth Jobs PaTH are; Prepare — Employability Skills Training to help young people better understand what employers expect of them in the workplace and equip them with the skills, attitude and behaviours for them to be successful. Trial — under the $250 million ‘Trial’ component, the Government is encouraging local businesses to take on a young person aged 17 to 24 in an internship for a period of up to 12 weeks where the business will receive an upfront payment of $1,000 and the intern will receive an incentive payment of $200 per fortnight on top of their income support payment. Hire — a Youth Bonus wage subsidy of up to $10,000 has been available since 1 January 2017 to help more businesses hire young people. J o e Tassone, owner of Tass 1 Trees in Middle Swan, recently recruited 24-year-old Jayden Radford under the scheme.
lack the practical experience to succeed in the workforce,” Mr Porter said. The Youth Jobs PaTH program appealed to Mr Tassone as it provided an opportunity for a young Australian to become self-sufficient. “I had a second chance when I was younger so it’s really good to participate in a program that gives young blokes the chance to set themselves up,” Mr Tassone said. Further information about Youth Jobs PaTH is available at jobactive.gov.au/path
Susannah Brook Catchment Group Would you like to join us?
√ Are you concerned
about the ecological health of Susannah
Brook?
√ Do you enjoy working outdoors in the local environment?
Susannah Brook Catchment Area
KAI TAN
ollowing concerns raised by the International FAustralian Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines
Authority (APVMA) has undertaken a detailed assessment of the human health risks associated with the use of glyphosate and determined that a full reconsideration is not required. The APVMA conducted a weight-of-evidence evaluation that included a commissioned review of the IARC monograph regarding glyphosate by the Department of Health, and risk assessments undertaken by regulatory agencies in other countries and expert international bodies. The APVMA concluded that the use of glyphosate in Australia does not pose a cancer risk to humans, and that products containing glyphosate are safe to use as per the label instructions. There are currently no scientific grounds to place glyphosate under formal reconsideration and the APVMA will continue to monitor any new information, reports or studies that indicate that this position should be revised. As Australia’s agvet chemical regulator, it is the role of the APVMA to consider all relevant scientific material when determining the likely impacts on human health and worker safety— including long and short term exposure to users and residues in food before registering a product. Health Canada, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) have all recently assessed glyphosate and concluded that glyphosate does not pose a cancer risk to humans.
City of Swan
√ Would you like to be involved in a committee to help manage the health of the Susannah Brook and it’s catchment? If the answer is YES, PLEASE JOIN US! The Susannah Brook Catchment Group (SBCG) is reforming and is currently recruiting volunteer members to be a part of this friendly and active group. There are a number of ways to become involved, from actively working outdoors in the local bushland to taking on an administrative role within the steering group. Please help us to take care of the ecological health of this catchment.
30
THE SBCG IS REFORMING
Susannah Brook
Susannah Brook Catchment
Brook Catchment Group (SBCG) is reforming Tof thisheandSusannah is currently recruiting volunteer members to be a part friendly and active group.
Shire of Mundaring
Map courtesy of the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC).
The Susannah Brook’s headwaters are within the Shire of Mundaring but the greater portion of the catchment runs through the City of Swan. To register your expression of interest in joining the SBCG or
for further information please contact:
Kathryn Johnson e: kathandtodd@bigpond.com Sandy Stone e: sandyroger.stone@gmail.com
There are a number of ways to become involved, from actively working outdoors in the local bushland to taking on an administrative role within the steering group. Please help us to take care of the ecological health of this catchment The Susannah Brook’s headwaters are within the Shire of Mundaring but the greater portion of the catchment runs through but most of its catchment sits within the City of Swan To register your expression of interest in joining the SBCG or for further information please contact: Kathryn Johnson E: kathandtodd@bigpond.com M: 0429 990 861 Sandy Stone E: sandyroger.stone@gmail.com
SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK 2018 GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
T
he Swan Alcoa Landcare Program (SALP) is a Community Landcare Grants Program Funded by Alcoa of Australia and the Department of Parks and Wildlife. SALP aims to protect, restore and manage natural assets with consideration to a broad ecological context, by funding the community to enhance and restore critical habitat and ecological linkages within the Swan Region. The key objectives of the program are: • To retain or restore habitats in our river, wetland and coastal foreshores and our bushland • To protect and enhance the quality of ground water and surface water in our river systems and wetlands • To improve ecological linkages across our region Applications are to be submitted electronically through the Perth NRM Grant Portal. Applications close on Friday 2nd of June 2017 at 4.30 pm The following documents relating to the grant can be downloaded below and are also available
for download from the portal: Funding Guidelines -The Guidelines provide information on the application process and the criteria that will be used to assess project proposals submitted under this grants round Example Application – The full application is able to be viewed on the portal. This document reflects the content of the online application to assist you in preparing your responses Budget Template – For preparing budgets
Site Description Template – For listing project site details If you have difficulty in accessing the on-line application, please contact the SALP Manager Melinda McAndrew on melinda.mcandrew@ perthnrm.com or 08 9374 3333 for assistance or to discuss alternative application options. perthnrm.com/projects/swan-alcoalandcare-program/salp-funding-applicationsand-guidelines
MAGIC MILLIONS MOVES agic Millions Sales Pty Ltd, the Australian M Thoroughbred racehorse auction house which holds a sale each January at Surfers
Paradise has committed to Western Australia by purchasing land in the Swan Valley for a new yearling sale venue. Magic Millions is co-owned by retail entrepreneur and horse breeder Gerry Harvey (he’s the Harvey in Harvey Norman) and his wife and business partner, Katie Page. The four-hectare property in the Swan Valley will be the home of the Magic Millions Perth yearling sale as early as next year. Belmont Park racecourse has been home to annual yearling sale since the 1970s. It is set to be demolished and replaced by a new $67 million facility that was given approval last week Western Australian manager David Houston said Magic Millions owner Gerry Harvey decided to buy the land to give some stability to the industry. “He has great belief in WA and hopefully with this development, we will give some more stimulus to the breeding industry,” Houston told West Australian racing writer Jay Rooney. “It’s now a matter of getting the council approval to
Magic Millions owner Gerry Harvey
have the land rezoned so we can develop the sales complex and we’re keen to be there in 2018.” The February yearling sale will be hightened with the new complex to feature about three hunded boxes. “Having 350 yearlings is
probably too many,” Houston said. “WA is very relevant and has good credibility, with horses like Black Heart Bart and Silent Sedition winning Group 1 races in Melbourne. Magic Millions is considered to be a top level auction in global racing circles, with buyers coming from Hong Kong, Japan, Europe and the Middle East. 31
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THE IDLER The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind incorrect comments about women, personal added a further troublesome dimension, and yet
accusations and ultimately brooding regret about lives half lived. Meanwhile the wives simply bemoaned their husbands’ lack of performance in the boudoir. With a cast including the legendary Graham Kennedy and Graeme Blundell of Alvin Purple fame (think a younger, handsome, naked version of Benny Hill), the movie offered a high-level of profanity, full frontal nudity and sex scenes, made all the more titillating as they collided with Baby Boomers last years of high school. And so it was that forty years on, a I Glennys Marsdon tentatively accepted an invitation to an election night after party. Unlike Don’s Party this was no simple suburban affair held in someone’s front room. No nyone remember the award winning 1976 this was a Thank You party for volunteers, put on by one of the major players of the W.A. 2017 movie Don’s Party? Set in 1969 in the northern suburbs of Sydney, election. There was a lot to consider. Don’s Party followed the Australian Federal Election through the eyes of everyman Don Henderson, played by John Hargreaves. With all predictions pointing to a Labor win, school teacher Don decided to invite a few friends over to watch the countdown. Amongst the mix were: Kath, Don’s wife who was none too happy knowing she’d be lumbered with all the work; Mal, a psychologist turned management consultant and his wife Jenny; Grainger Cooley a sex-obsessed, loudmouthed lawyer; Mack, a recently separated design engineer; Evan an uptight, socialist dentist; Susan a nineteen First, those who know me well, have heard year old university student; and Kerry, a stuck- me bleat on about how my day job renders me up painter who’d had four major art exhibitions. apolitical. Cameos from director Bruce Beresford and As a professional freelance researcher, I’ve ex-Prime Minister John Gorton were thrown in for spent the past three decades maintaining my good measure. The real trouble however was the objectivity during discussions about politics or arrival of Simon, a nervous accountant plus his other divisive social issues. My presence at this party could instantly undo all those years of lipwife Jody, both Liberal supporters. biting. All those years of desperately wanting to What could possibly go wrong? As the election results started coming in it join in the argument but knowing I couldn’t, not was clear that life wasn’t going to script. Labor even when I had insider information guaranteed to win the argument. was losing. What to do? In an era of exploration and new found sexual The perceived correlation between party freedom, for the menfolk the answer lay in beer, attendance and political leanings could not be beer and more beer, followed by politically ignored. The presence of television cameras
DON’S PARTY, NOT
A
as I sat watching the count begin on television I knew I had to go. My reasons for attendance had nothing to do with politics. I had to attend to show my support for a person I had come to admire for their professionalism and unflappability during immensely difficult situations. As I dressed in neutral colours, visions of Don’s Party played in my head. Aside from a personal aversion to public nudity, and the subsequent hours behind bars, two months without waxing meant there would be no divesting of clothes for this little duck. As I arrived at the party the first thing I noticed was the obligatory colour combination, whether on t shirts or balloons there was only one colour for the evening and the hue set the tone for the room. I wondered if the same colour-led atmosphere was happening at the opponents’ party. Perhaps I could gate crash that party after this one and thereby maintain my objectivity, I pondered. Looking around, a little part of me felt like I’d entered a movie set, The Manchurian Candidate perhaps. Though if I were on a movie set the lighting director should be shot. Bright fluorescents lights sapped any modicum on life from the room. Any thoughts of political wrangling in dark corners would have to wait for another day. No sooner had I lifted a ham and tomato baby quiche to my lips than the large television screen flashed. The election results were in. Unlike Don’s Party, Labor had won. Don Henderson would have been proud. Also unlike Don’s Party the quick result meant most of the beers bottles had yet to be opened. There’d been little time for alcohol fuelled deep and meaningfuls. Little time for romantic solicitations. All but a few patrons were still next to the person they’d arrived with. More importantly there’d been far less nudity amongst the discussions about crippling state debt. In 2011 a sequel called Don Parties On premiered in Melbourne. Should another sequel be based on the 2017 election I’d put my money on Don Slips On His Politically Correct Tartan Slippers and Carries His Mug Of Cocca Into Bed. Don Henderson would be ashamed. DISCLAIMER The information in this publication is of a general nature. The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and or issues canvassed. Synhawk Publications Pty Ltd does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein. 33
BOOKS JUST OUT Title: Author: Publisher: ISBN:
The Last Load John Caban Xlibris AU 9781 5035 0543 8
A
uthor John Caban experienced many traumatic accidents in his life, but he is one who will not just sit around and feel sorry for himself. He was inspired to share his story in The Last Load to raise awareness among handicapped people for them to not just give up and instead must keep on working even after surviving an accident. This book shares the life and several neardeath experiences of Caban, known affectionately to his friends as J.C. It tells of his early life growing up on the farm, the hardship of working long hours for an ungrateful father, his school days, his early working life and meeting the love of his life before finally joining the logging industry where he met several accidents that almost cost him his life. “This is not a book for the squeamish and pulls no punches, but it just tells it how it has been for me,” Caban says. “It encourages people to endeavor to make a difference in our world.” The Last Load shows to readers the courage and determination to survive against the odds and how the body can endure and survive massive shocks and traumas and still keep going.
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It tells of people who have helped along the way and also of a few who have not. Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author John Caban considers himself once as a young kid who was not very bright at school. He was taken out of school when he was fourteen years old to work on the family farm.. Title: Survival Wisdom: Motivational Thoughts to Help You Prevail Author: Rich Hungerford Publisher: Balboa Press AU ISBN: 9781 5043 0305 7 is a new book of motivational truths, Treaderhisanecdotes and affirmations geared to help the prepare for, accept and maintain a survival
mindset through any crisis they may face. Author Rich Hungerford wanted to contribute to the future of humankind in a positive way, so he wrote Survival Wisdom. “I felt the need to provide people with a set of tools that they could draw on to cope with all manner of challenges and problems in their lives and in particular to deal with survival situations,” Hungerford says, adding that little is written about the emotional intelligence needed to prevail in a survival situation. “I sincerely wish to empower people and assist them in being more resilient.” Hungerford says the book is important and will appeal to readers because, “We live in a time of increasing uncertainty and a world facing dynamic change on numerous levels ranging from global climate change to individual disconnection from nature. “We are increasingly stressed and anxious about our future and a lot of that is to do with our perceived inability to cope with change, crises and disasters.” He says his book provides simple, easy-tounderstand steps that promote positive thoughts to cope with all types of challenges. Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Rich Hungerford is a former Australian SAS solder who now teaches survival, tracking and bushcraft skills at his Bush Lore School. Hungerford continues to explore his passion for the natural environment and enjoys passing on his extensive experience to others. He lives in rural Australia with his wife and daughter. This is his first book. More information is available at www.bushloreaustralia.com.au.
~oOo~
REVIEWS Title: Author: Publisher: Reviewer:
A
The Bronx Kill Phillip Cioffari Livingston Press (University of Western Alabama) Karen R Treanor
t first glance this appears to be a crime novel. There’s an unexplained death, a missing girl, a conspiracy of silence, and a vengeful police office. It’s only when you get into it that you realise there’s a great deal more to this book than a formulaic story of guilt and retribution. The “Kill” of the title cleverly references both the obvious meaning, and the obscure but apt old Dutch word for a stream, where much of the story’s action takes place. Five friends went swimming in the murky East River one night. One drowned, one vanished and three agreed never to talk about what happened. It’s only when the older brother of the dead boy Timmy Mooney begins stalking the survivors, determined to get ‘the real story’ of what happened, that the festering sore threatens to burst. The three friends have coped with the events of that August night in their own way—Johnny by taking refuge in the Church, trying to become a priest to expiate his sin—Charlie by living a mostly nocturnal life, managing a sleazy bar--and Danny, the main protagonist, by leaving town and trying to make a new life in Florida where he’s been attending university and teaching. The friends reunite when Johnny leaves the seminary and prepares to marry Lorraine, a strong-willed woman who is finally about to get her way. It should be a happy time, but Tom Mooney’s constant presence is a dampener. His hints and threats become more frequent; but does he know, or is he just guessing at the events of the night river race? Is someone feeding him information? Tom Mooney has a reputation for being a tough cop, a mean cop, and probably a dirty cop. The three friends know that they are in serious trouble. There are some violent incidents; Charlie is nearly shot one night and then really shot; Danny is stalked and threatened by anonymous thugs. Somehow the friends are going to have to deal with Tom Mooney. The book is full of deceptively simple but telling phrases. “The history of the world could be written in what fathers and sons don’t talk about,” says Danny’s father. He knows there’s a lot Danny hasn’t said about the night Timmy died; he’s uneasy about Tom Mooney’s looming presence, but he doesn’t know what to do to help his son. Author Cioffari has won awards for previous books; it will be surprising if this latest book doesn’t also garner critical as well as popular acclaim.
WRITING NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION oets of all ages and experience are encouraged PCompetition to enter the 2017 Patron’s Prize for Poets run by the Peter Cowan’s Writers Centre in WA. This national poetry competition has an open theme and entrants, who must be Australian residents, may submit poems up to a maximum of fifty lines. Entries must also be unpublished and not have received any previous awards or recognition
in any other competition. In addition to the Open category for writers of all ages and experience, there is the category for ‘Novice Poet Award’. This aims to encourage beginning and fledgling poets who may feel they have no chance against established poets in the Open category. The competition also caters for youth with the ‘Judge’s Encouragement Award for Youth’. This is for young writers aged from twelve to eighteen years to encourage and support our upcoming poets of the future. The ‘Open’ category carries a $200 First Prize, with $100 for Second Prize and $50 for Third Prize. The ‘Novice Poet Award’ is $50. The ‘Judge’s Encouragement Award for Youth’ of $50. Four, Highly Commended and Commended Certificates will also be awarded in the competition. Full competition Rules of Entry and Entry Forms, are available on the PCWC website at pcwc.
Peter Walkinshaw Cowan OA (1914-2002)
org.au/competitions/2017-patrons-prize-forpoets-competition/, or by phoning the Centre on (08) 9301 2282 or email on: cowan05@bigpond. com.
ART AND ARTISTS HEARTLINES RETURNS Act-Belong-Commit TandheheARTlines Children’s Literature Illustration Festival is back and
bigger than ever in 2017! Biennially hosted by the Mundaring Arts Centre, this year’s festival will be held at the reinvigorated Midland Junction Arts Centre from the 19th May to the 21st of June. Welcoming students from the Eastern region and beyond to participate in the festivals interactive school program, the month long series of creative workshops will be accompanied by a captivating exhibition of artworks from locally and internationally renowned artists, including KyleHughes Odgers, Matt Ottley, Terry Denton, Frané Lessac, Aśka, Gabriel Evans, Chris Nixon, Kylie Howarth, Briony Stewart, Moira Court, Brian Simmonds and more. Original artworks will be displayed alongside planning sketches and initial drafts, delivering a rare insight into the artist’s process. The development from idea to final product is particularly thought-provoking for students and the opportunity to engage with the authors and illustrators of featured texts provides further
stimulation. As presenter Mark Greenwood affirms “The outcomes resonate long after the author’s presentations have concluded. The inspiration that echoes in the minds of the young audiences cannot be underestimated”. With over two thousand visitors in 2015, it is anticipated that the substantial reach of this year’s festival will engage the public and further enhance the accessibility of literature and the arts in the community. Presenter Norman Jorgensen explains “… thousands of children have had their lives brightened and their eyes opened to a whole new
experience of meeting talented local creators”. Library readings and workshops for adults and children are just some of the dynamic and entertaining activities as part of the heARTlines public program, providing creative engagement opportunities to the whole community. These activities will run throughout May and June and will culminate on the festivals Open Day on Saturday 17 June from 10am - 3pm. Workshops suitable for the whole family on Open Day include cartooning with James Foley, creative writing with Deb Fitzpatrick and folktales with Frané Lessac. The workshops are complemented by ‘walk-in’ activities throughout the day with heARTlines curator and author Cristy Burne and illustrator Aśka, as well as free guided tours of the exhibition. The heARTlines Exhibition will be available to the public to view from 20 May to 21June, opening from Tuesday to Saturday 11am - 3pm free of charge. The school program runs from 24 May - 21 June and the Festivals Open Day is free to enter Saturday 17 June from 10am - 3pm. For further information and for bookings please visit the website: mundaringartscentre. com/heartlines-festival-2017 35
ART AND ARTISTS MAY AT MAC LOUELLA HAYES
ay sees MAC launches the Act-BelongM Commit heARTlines Children's Literature & Illustration Festival 2017 at Midland Junction
with disability. Cost: $45 ($40.50 MAC Members) Materials Tuesday 23rd May from 1pm – 3.30pm supplied. Suitable for participants sixteen years and over Arts Centre (MJAC). at MJAC BOOK READING AND ILLUSTRATION WITH GABRIEL The festival features a month-long exhibition Cost: $33 ($30 MAC Members) Materials included. EVANS of artworks from recently published children’s Free for People with Disability & Support Join Gabriel to read through his most recent books, complimented by a series of hands-on publication Captain Sneer the Buccaneer. After workshops, events and talks by prominent ZOETROPES WORKSHOP WITH STEVEN AITON the interactive reading session Gabriel will invite authors and illustrators. Steven will teach stop motion animation skills the participants to draw the captain and other With an exhibition, public program, school including twelve frame Zoetropes (a pre-film images from his book! program and Open Day, there’s something for form of animation). Participants will learn about Tuesday 6th June from 10:00am - 11.30am everyone! the historical significance of the zoetrope and Suitable for children under six at Katharine will use a series of materials to craft their own. Susannah Prichard Library, Boya EXHIBITIONS This workshop is part of the FUSION Art This workshop is free. Gallery 1 Project, inclusive workshops that cater for people Until the 18th June with disability. WATERCOLOUR PAINTING AND ILLUSTRATION WITH WA INSPIRED ART QUILTERS Tuesday 30th May from 10am - 2pm GABRIEL EVANS Using needle and thread instead of paint and Suitable for participants 16 years and over at Gabriel Evans has illustrated over fifteen brush the WA Inspired Art Quilters Group, Hilary MJAC books, working in traditional materials including Arber, Roberta Chantler, Meg Cowey, Pat Forster, Cost: $40 ($36 MAC Members) Free for People watercolour, gouache and coloured inks to create Elizabeth Humphreys, Stella King, Stephanie with Disability & Support - Materials supplied his whimsical paintings. Knudsen and Denise Mallon, create contemporary Join Gabriel for a fun-filled afternoon of quilts that share kinship with painters as much as HORSE HAIR JEWELLERY & ROSETTES creative exploration to learn about watercolour they do with traditional hand sewers. WITH KATRINA VIRGONA techniques and apply them to create your own Setting themselves themes, the works on As part of the Habits of Horses project fibre illustrative painting to take home. display represent quintessential WA conditions. artist Katrina Virgona will introduce 3D felting Tuesday 6th June from 1:00pm - 4.30pm using horse hair and wool to create horse-inspired Suitable for participants sixteen years and over Gallery 2 jewellery, rosettes and small sculptured forms. at MJAC Until the 18th June Your creation can be displayed in the Cost: $45 ($40.50 MAC Members) - Materials list ONE HUNDRED AND THREE OF ME community exhibition Horse Tales at Mundaring on request. Artist In Focus - Alastair Taylor Arts Centre from 11 August to 10 September In the course of a not uncommon 2017. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN discombobulation with the dreaded Facebook, Thusday 1st June from 10am - 1pm If you are interested in exhibiting your work local artist Alastair Taylor managed to lose his Suitable for ages sixteen and over at MAC or curating an exhibition in one of our gallery page and, in the ensuing search, discovered an Cost: $33 ($30 MAC Members) Materials Supplied spaces at Mundaring Arts Centre you can apply alarming number of Alastair Taylors all over the before 16th June. Download Application forms world. SANDBOX ANIMATION WORKSHOP WITH STEVEN and Terms and Conditions from the MAC website: To explore our connection to the world AITON www.mundaringartscentre.com.au and through the vast online community, he created Steven will show you how to create your own send all completed proposals to info@ 103 miniature portraits of his namesakes woven stop motion sandbox animation depicting your mundaringartscentre.com.au or Mundaring Arts in a matrix of wire for One Hundred and Three of memories, thoughts and cultural relationship to Centre 7190 Great Eastern Hwy Mundaring WA Me. horses. You will work collaboratively to build your 6073 story and transform it into motion. For more information contact our WORKSHOPS & EVENTS Sunday 4th June from 11am – 3pm Administrator Louella Hayes on 08 9295 3991 or READING WITH KYLIE HOWARTH Suitable for participants sixteen years and over lhayes@mundaringartscentre.com.au. Kylie will read through her latest children’s at MJAC story 1,2 Pirate Stew and then then will invite the participants to join her in a fun colouring in session with images from the book. Tuesday 23rd May from 10.30am - 11.30am Suitable for children under 6 years at the Come in to discover the latest exhibitions Katharine Susannah Prichard Library, Boya This workshop is free. and a wide range of locally made, hand
MUNDARING ARTS CENTRE
ALTERED EGO DECONSTRUCTED JOURNAL WORKSHOP WITH SARAH ZEL CHESCOE In this dynamic hands-on workshop you will create a ‘Deconstructed Journal’ by creating a series of small-scale artworks inspired by you! Using creative drawing techniques, collage and mixed media each participant will produce a creatively bound Journal amalgamating their artworks. This workshop is part of the FUSION Art Project, inclusive workshops that cater for people 36
crafted pieces, many of which are exclusive to the Mundaring Arts Centre
Viewing Hours
10am - 5pm Tues – Fri 11am - 3pm Sat & Sun Closed Mon & P/Holidays + 25 Dec-13 Feb
7190 Great Eastern Highway (corner Nichol Street) Mundaring WA 6073 | T: +61 8 9295 3991 www.mundaringartscentre.com.au
HEALTH AUSSIE WOMEN AND STROKE PETA JAMES
women worry about a number of Amanyustralian issues in relation to their health but for too stroke isn’t something they think about.
of risk factors for stroke, a disease which kills more women than breast cancer. “One in five women are at risk of stroke Research has revealed Australian women are but too many of us are more concerned about more worried about issues such as weight loss, our weight or how much sleep we are getting exercise and a lack of sleep, with only five percent rather than our overall cardiovascular health,” Ms listing stroke and heart disease as a major health McGowan said. concern. “Mothers, sisters and friends’ lives could On International Women’s Day Stroke be saved by knowledge of their stroke risk, or Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sharon treating chronic conditions such as high blood McGowan said there needed to be more awareness pressure. “Other than their longer life expectancy, STROKE AND WOMEN SNAPSHOT research shows women • 25,194 strokes are estimated to have occurred in women in 2016. have an increased • There are around 202,035 women stroke survivors living in the burden of major stroke community. risk factors including • One in five women are at risk of stroke. high blood pressure, • 22 percent of women have high blood pressure. irregular heartbeat, • 56 percent of women are obese. diabetes and obesity. • 47 percent of women are physically inactive. “Stroke is one • 92 percent of adult women do not eat enough fruit and vegetables. of the biggest killers • 12 percent of adult women smoke daily. of Australian women – • 9 percent of women consume alcohol at risky levels. much more must be done • Three out of four carers of stroke survivors are women. to stop this devastating
disease,” she said. Ms McGowan said too many women in the community were unaware that they had a higher risk of stroke over their lifetime than men. “There are a number of stroke risk factors that impact women such as pregnancy, the postpartum period, the contraceptive pill and some hormonal replacement therapies,” Ms McGowan said. “We don’t want to scare people but we need the community to be aware of these risk factors and what steps they can take to lower their overall risk of stroke – 80 per cent of strokes can be prevented “There are simple things we can all do to reduce our risk of stroke – manage your blood pressure, eat healthy, exercise regularly, don’t smoke and limit your alcohol consumption. “Too many women are needlessly dying or living with serious disability every year from stroke – a largely preventable disease. “Be bold for change this International Women’s Day and put your health first by asking your doctor for an integrated health check – it could save your life,” she said.
KICK-STARTING NEW STROKE RESEARCH
UNDERSTANDING BREAST CANCER IN MEN
RACHEL MURPHY
innovative stroke research GStrokeround-breaking, has been given a kick-start as part of the Foundation’s annual grants program.
communication between ambulance and hospital staff, and research into sexuality after stroke. Other funded projects include using Stroke Foundation will provide more than telehealth to deliver memory rehabilitation for $205,000 to eight Australian researchers, stroke survivors and a study into how much underpinning new research projects and exercise is needed to improve fitness in stroke supporting future leaders survivors. in stroke. Stroke Foundation Chief Professor Amanda Executive Officer Sharon Thrift, Chair of the Stroke McGowan said high quality Foundation’s Research research was vital to Advisory Committee said improving outcomes for the grant recipients had Australian stroke patients. the potential to influence “The Stroke Foundation is important change in proud to support the delivery stroke practice, policy and of new research into how knowledge. stroke is treated and managed “Evidence-based in Australia,” Ms McGowan research is critical to helping said. health professionals “Stroke Foundation research Professor Amanda Thrift and governments better program supports health understand stroke, and professionals and academics improve its care and treatment,” Professor Thrift to investigate innovative ways of preventing said. stroke, improving its treatment and supporting “Projects awarded focus on improving the stroke survivors in the community. delivery of high quality stroke care, transitioning “More than 11,000 lives are lost to stroke patients from the acute setting into the every year and many more people are left with community, and management of fatigue. lifelong disability. It is crucial that we continually “Excitingly many of the funded projects are look at how we can prevent, treat and beat this also aimed at determining how new and emerging terrible disease.” technology can help patients with stroke, giving More information about the Stroke us great hope for the future care of stroke in this Foundation’s Research Grants is available at country.” Projects funded included expanding www.strokefoundation.com.au/what-we-do/ the use of a smartphone app to improve research/research-grants.
lthough uncommon, breast cancer can affect Abe diagnosed men too. This year around three men will each week with breast cancer in
Australia. Cancer Australia CEO, Professor Helen Zorbas said that early detection and appropriate referral and treatment are key to surviving the disease. “Breast cancer is considered a woman’s cancer, but both men and women have breast tissue. It’s important that men don’t let embarrassment or uncertainty prevent them from seeing their doctor if they notice a change in their breasts.” The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a painless lump in the breast, often behind the nipple. Other signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men include discharge from the nipple; change in the shape or appearance of the nipple or chest muscle; change in the shape or appearance of the breast, such as swelling or dimpling; unusual pain that doesn’t go away and swollen lymph nodes (glands) under the arm. Professor Zorbas said not all changes in the breast are due to cancer, but it is important for men to see a doctor if they notice any new or unusual breast changes. “Breast cancer in men can be treated successfully. Finding and treating breast cancer early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, is as important for men as it is for women in surviving the disease” she said. For more information visit: canceraustralia. gov.au/men 37
swanvall COS03324
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AU . M O C . e l a d eycideran
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WHY MATURITY IS BEST
here’s no doubting that kittens and puppies Tcleaning are cute but if you can’t face the hard work of up pee and poo on the carpet or dealing
If Tommy is the sweet kind of older cat you’d like to keep you company contact SAFE Karratha on 08 9185 4634 or visit our website to check out with naughty chewing and training have you the other older animals we have available: safe. considered adopting an older animal from SAFE? asn.au. We have many older cats and dogs who, for a variety of reasons, have found themselves WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER FOR SAFE? looking for new permanent homes. Have you thought about volunteering for The bonus of adoption an older animal is SAFE? We’re always on the look out for people to they are all ready to slip into family life without join our multi-talented team of photographers, destroying all your socks in the process. writers, administrators, foster carers and more. During May 2017 SAFE are offering a $100 SAFE is a not for profit organisation that special for adopting older cats which have been saves rehomeable animals from euthanasia. We desexed, microchipped and vaccinated (normally have volunteers working effectively from all over $300 to adopt!). the country performing an array of tasks. Most people aren’t aware that to get Our overheads are kept small as we rely vaccinations, desexing, microchipping, worming on our volunteers to care for the animals, and health checks through a local vet costs take photographs, write profiles, coordinate approximately $655 for a female cat, $465 for a photographers and profilers, do website content male cat, up to $800 for a female dog and $730 management, write stories for publications, do for a male dog. public relations and administrative work. Adopting through SAFE saves a lot of money Email and internet makes volunteering in basic veterinary work. possible from anywhere.
Tabby Tommy is an older gentleman looking for his new permanent home and can be adopted in May for just $100. He’s gentle, loving and affectionate with very young children as well as his grown up loved ones. At eight years old he’s a pretty low maintenance kind of guy who’s happy chilling on the window ledge watching the birds, butterflies and lizards outside and enjoying his food (he has a big appetite!). He’s a curious soul who likes to know what’s happening around the house which is why kids are so much fun for him! Tommy will bond strongly with his immediate family but sometimes gets a little wary of visitors until he gets to know them.
We’d love to welcome more foster carers to our network in Perth and across the state. Fostering is a vital role as it provides rehabilitation, training, caring and loving of animals to prepare them for their new lives with permanent owners. We are always in need of donations to pay vet bills - every rescue animal has to be desexed, vaccinated and microchipped. Volunteer fundraisers and marketers to help raise these much needed funds. If you’d like to donate, information can be found on: safe.asn.au/How_to_help/Donate.html
Dear Editor, I am writing on behalf of headspace to address growing concerns raised by schools, parents and young people across Australia about some content featured in US Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. The series – which debuted in Australia in late March and is currently streaming on Netflix - depicts a young woman who suicides (sic). It presents the viewer with very confronting and graphic messaging and imagery inclusive of suicide method and means. Since its debut both the national headspace School Support Program, which supports school communities in the aftermath of a suicide, and eheadspace, the national online and over-thephone counselling service has received a growing numbers of calls and emails directly related to the program. The show exposes viewers to risky suicide content and may lead to a distressing reaction by the viewer particularly if the audience is children and young people. National and international research clearly indicates the very real impact and risk to harmful suicide exposure, leading to increased risk and possible suicide contagion. Clinicians working for eheadspace have been dealing with a steady stream of concerned parents and young people since the show first aired. There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience – and on a young audience in particular. headspace School Support and eheadspace is urging school communities, parents, and mental health services to be aware of the dangers and risks associated for children and young people who have been exposed to this content. The national suicide media initiative, Mindframe, also has significant concerns and warnings related to this content. Please see the following links for helpful information for schools, mental health services, and parents if they are aware that children or young people have been exposed to the content and have expressed concerns around their own mental health, distress, or suicidal thoughts and feelings. Kristen Douglas National Manager headspace School Support
Managing social media following a suicide: headspace.org.au/assets/Uploads/Corporate/Managingsocial-media-following-a-suicide-web.pdf Grief – How a young person might respond to a suicide: headspace.org.au/assets/Uploads/Corporate/Grief-Howyoung-people-might-respond-to-a-suicide-web.pdf How to talk about suicide with a young person: headspace.org.au/assets/School-Support/How-to-talkabout-suicide-with-young-people.pdf headspace has 99 centres across Australia, for details visit www.headspace.org.au. 39
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