Swan Magazine October 2017

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BOOKS JUST OUT Title: Author: Publisher: ISBN:

A

A Superior Body of Men M.S. James AuthorHouse UK 9781 5043 0887 8

Superior Body of Men is the culmination of author M.S. James’ years of research in repositories in Australia, India and the United Kingdom.

The book documents both the military service details of the 1,192 Enrolled Military Pensioners who elected to serve as guards on the convict transports to Western Australia as well as many of those military pensioners who chose to remain in the colony after their discharge.

The book also records the ship name information.

“This current publication gives extensive biographical data on members of the Enrolled Pensioner Force in Western Australia with over 1,000 entries,” says James. “After thirty years it is now the most up to date and authoritative composite portrait of Military Pensioners residing in Western Australia and will serve as the first point of reference for historians interested in any aspect the Enrolled Military Force in Western Australia.”

A Superior Body of Men serves as a reference work for academic and social historians who can data mine the information for quantitative analysis. The book is also designed to enable family historians to trace the ancestry of their “Old Soldier” ancestors in Western Australia Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Have a book to publish?

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

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

About the Author M. S. James is descended from one of the original families who came to the Swan River Colony in 1829. The author has been researching the history of military pensioners in a professional capacity since the mid 1980s and is, at present, studying for a postgraduate degree in the United Kingdom.

~oOo~ Title: The Tree: Book one of The Child of

Destiny Author: F. (Rotten) Robert Publisher: Balboa Press Australia ISBN: 9781 5043 0802 1

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n a universe where both the improbable and the impossible happen, there exists an immense and magnificent planet. It is located in a galaxy in the far reaches of the universe.

The planet, called Centerforce, is endowed with a never-ending wilderness, vast fresh water oceans and gigantic mountain ranges. Centerforce is the home of Richard, a gifted and chosen boy – “The Child Of Destiny.”

Richard is drawn to “The Tree,” a vessel of all known human knowledge, which it shares telepathically with Richard only.

Together they fight the ravages of an alien invader. They are joined by Eddie, Richard’s brilliant brother; Killie, the beautiful clan girl; Hayward, the commander of the remnants of the Centerforce army; and many other denizens of the planet as they all strive to protect their precious home.

“I have found that Science Fiction, Fantasy Fiction manuscripts are all the product of the mind of the writer,” Robert says. “Each is unique in its own way. This book is only different in that it is the product of my mind.”

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author F. (Rotten) Robert is a graduate electrical engineer with years of banking and accountancy experience; in later years he operated a building company.

With retiring he and his wife, Kaye travelled throughout the world until a genetic condition prevented Kaye’s traveling.

Many of his teenage years were spent exploring the vastness of the Australian Alps and the Australian Never Never. It was in this period he derived an immense joy of wandering in the wilderness.

Now his “overactive” mind has turned to writing. He currently lives in Wanneroo, Western Australia.

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~oOo~

REVIEW

Title: River City Dead Author: Nancy G West Reviewer: Karen R Treanor

D

espite her daily work as an agony aunt, advising the lovelorn and problem-beset public how to handle their lives, Aggie Mundeen is not doing all that well with her personal affairs.

Her relationship with Detective Sam Vanderhoven of the San Antonio police has been hovering on the edge of intimacy for some time.

Just when it looks as if they will finally get their act together during San Antonio’s famous Fiesta, a dead body in the penthouse of a posh hotel tears Sam from Aggie’s waiting arms.

The dead woman is Monica Peters, daughter of Aggie’s friend Grace. A maid at the hotel tells Aggie about two men seen leaving Monica’s room, and that Monica thought she might be pregnant to her (married) boyfriend. Plenty of scope here for murder motives, you’d think.

Aggie can’t resist investigating, which leads her to making friends with a number of the Fabulous Femmes and other womens’ groups which have come to San Antonio for Fiesta Week.

Before you can say Grand Ol’ Opry, she’s joined a dance troop and started an informal selfdefence class, while trying to juggle her daily work as adviser to the lovelorn.

Sam is less than happy that Aggie keeps putting herself in harm’s way, but he’s under a lot of pressure to solve the murder which is casting a dark shadow over the festivities.

Then there’s another murder, by a seemingly impossible method.

Aggie figures it out but Sam is distracted—so of course she sets out to trap the killer on her own. Is this a smart idea? You be the judge.

Award-winning author West has produced a light-hearted look at murder, with no unnecessary gore or scatological conversation, and provides a lot of interesting details about a little-known part of the country.

Recommended to readers who like a cosy read with an appealing protagonist.

3 ½ acorns.

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.

IN THIS ISSUE PAGE

FEATURES Books and Writing

PAGE

Books

Letter to the Editor Prose The Idler The Ute What’s On at KSP Writing a Life Story

2 12 33 31 19 30 30

Business Card Board

Finance with Steve Networking

43 32 37

Australia Day Awards Ballajura Aquatic Centre Community Festivals The Whim Festival Darlington Arts Festival Ellenbrook Community Weight Loss Club Federal Notes Get Local and Vocal Halloween Jessica Shaw MLA Local Government Elections Cr David McDonnell

35 14 5 5 7

Business

Community

14 8 8 10 13 11 11

Frank Alban 11 Claire Scanlan 23 Midland’s Basketball Competition 14 Mozzie Control a Priority 14 Notes From Parliament 7 Out and About With Sharron 16 SAFE 38 SVRN 38 2017 Family Twilight Festival 36 Open Letter 37 Roly Poly Produce 36 Statement 36 The Compassionate Friends 39 The Track Due to Open 12 What’s On 18 Win a Beauty-Full Playground 9 Entertainment

Beatriz at Dinner - Review The Glass Menagerie James Forte Theatre with Gordon

24 25 29 28

House and Garden Style with Kirsty

15 27

Leisure

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

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SWAN MAGAZINE WEBSITE:

www.swanmagazine.com.au

Email: editor@swanmagazine.com.au Registered Address: 18 Tokay Lane, The Vines, Western Australia 6069 NOVEMBER DEADLINES: Advertisements: 1st November Editorial: 1st November Copyright: Swan Magazine 2017 3

Front Page Photograph: Sunset over the Valley Photograph: Douglas Sutherland-Bruce (2017)

MOUNT HELENA

WHIM FESTIVAL

Presented by Act - Belong - Commit CREATING CONNECTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Sunday, 29 October 2017 Pioneer Park, Mount Helena 9am - 4pm ANIMALS COMPETITIONS ACTIVITIES LIVE MUSICÂ FREE ENTRY COFFEE LOCAL PRODUCE FOOD Brought to you by Mount Helena Residents and Ratepayers and:

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COMMUNITY FESTIVALS THE WHIM FESTIVAL 2017 GWYNETH DEAN

Sunday October 29 the Mt Helena Residents and Ratepayers O nAssociation will be holding their Whim Festival.

This is a fabulous fun day out for everybody, entry is free and so are

most of the activities.

Local businesses have donated products for our raffle – ten great hampers and vouchers, so make sure you purchase a ticket. All proceeds go straight back into the Whim Festival.

Members will be selling tickets at the Mundaring Markets, Chidlow Markets, outside Coles and Woolies and on the day.

Local business will have their products and services on display. This is a great opportunity to learn about what is happening in the hills community.

There is still an opportunity to set up a stall; the Tradies Corner may be the spot to promote your business. Contact us on whimfestival@gmail. com Eastern Hills Senior High School bands will be playing; we are very fortunate to have such a great music program in the hills for our youth.

Blues Confusion, Storme, and other local groups will also be preforming across two stages, so come along and listen!

Claude Woodwood will be there to introduce his latest sonic venture.

This is a real treat which has been enjoyed by all Whim Festival lovers.

There will be a wall climbing, lazar tags, arts and crafts and all sorts of activities to enjoy! Alpacas, snakes, sled dogs, native animals and animals looking for good homes will be on display. One new attraction will be train rides for the young folk.

There will be a coffee van, High tea, hamburgers, sausage sizzle, noodles, juices and fruit salads and more to eat!

You have one last chance to get your photographs in. My Family and Other Animals is the theme, and there are great prizes in all sections.

The Open section is worth $400! Get your entry form from Greg whimphotocompetition@gmail.com The Ratepayers and the Whim

committee wish to acknowledge the invaluable assistance given

by Bendigo Bank Mundaring. This is not only sponsorship, but also practical help and advice and on the day of the Whim they will once again host the Pavement Art competition. Now that is dedication!

Living in the Hills is different, so come along and celebrate our great environment.

Event: Whim Festival Presented by Mt Helena Resident & Ratepayers Association Where: Mt Helena Pioneer Park When: Sunday October 29 from 9.00 am until 4.00 pm 5

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COMMUNITY FESTIVALS DARLINGTON ARTS FESTIVAL 2017 CHRIS PEMBERTON

Arts Festival is near - get ready T hetoWithjoinDarlington us! the Festival now so close we are all

looking forward to a wonderful weekend.

The festival has a proud tradition of presenting excellent art exhibitions and a host of things to see and do - art workshops, continuous performing arts on the main stage, street performers and buskers providing more entertainment around the oval (including a magician and a pirate), food stalls, craft stalls and lots more.

This year will be no exception.

We are very pleased that Marloo Theatre will once again be serving Devonshire Teas on the hall verandah and the wine tent will be open from Friday night until Sunday afternoon with the ever popular band Blue Manna performing on Saturday

limited amount of time - the deadline has been extended to 13th October and all the information you need is on the festival website www. darlingtonartsfestival.org.

And while on the subject, our bright, new, user-friendly website is live and being continuously updated as entertainment and worskshop programmes are finalised. Check it out - it's well worth it.

Good news - our major sponsor Lotterywest is on board again and we greatly appreciate the continuing financial support of the Shire of Mundaring and the Darlington Review.

Their assistance is hugely important however it is individuals and small businesses that make the difference by sponsoring art prizes, donating raffle prizes or providing general financial help.

No matter how you choose to support the festival you can be sure that whatever you can contribute will be acknowledged with pleasure.

But the most important thing you can do is to let friends and family know and join us in Darlington's great annual event - we look forward to seeing you there.

night.

Then there's the raffle with some excellent prizes to be won this year: 1st Prize "Wattle Dam Nugget" from Ramelius Resources Value $1500

2nd Prize Richard Woldendorp limited edition print Value $1400

3rd Prize Six bottles Mintaro Shiraz "Royal Flying Doctor" series in a presentation case Value $250 - so make sure you buy tickets.

Plus a silent auction at the Festival Informationn Tent for a great range of items from our generous donors.

If you were thinking of entering artworks in the DAF Reserve Art Prize or Open Art exhibition but thought it was too late, there still is a 7

COMMUNITY GET LOCAL AND VOCAL

FEDERAL NOTES HON KEN WYATT AM, MP

he City of Swan wants you to get local and TGovernment get vocal this October and vote in your Local election.

The election, which will be held on October 21, 2017, is your chance to have a say on who you would like to represent you on your local Council.

City of Swan CEO Mike Foley said residents and rate payers should keep an eye out for their postal voting packages arriving in the mail.

“The package will include a list of candidates, ballot papers, instructions on how to vote and a declaration - to vote, simply follow the instructions included in the package.”

Western Australian Electoral Commissioner David Kerslake said City of Swan electors should have recieved their papers by the 10th October.

“Eligible electors will automatically receive their ballot papers in the mail and will have about two to three weeks to return them by post or drop them into the Council Office.

“However, it is important that electors return their completed postal votes as quickly as possible as ballot papers must be with the Returning Officer when polling closes at 6.00pm on Saturday 21 October to be included in the count.”

Mr Foley said that while voting in a local government election was not compulsory in Western Australia, it was important to get involved. “By voting in your local government election you are having your say on how you want your issues and interests to be represented and I would encourage all electors to take part.”

There are eight vacancies available in this election; three in Pearce Ward, two in Altone Ward and one each in the Midland/Guildford Ward, Whiteman Ward and Swan Valley/Gidgegannup Ward.

For more information on the City of Swan’s election process or candidates go to the WA Electoral Commission’s website or visit the City’s website.

For more information on electoral boundaries or to check which ward you are in, visit www. boundaries.wa.gov.au.

Member for Hasluck, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health

SPECIAL VISITORS

here is lots happening in Hasluck this month TCommunications and I was pleased to be able to host two local Forums on the 5th of October.

The first in Wattle Grove followed by the second in Gidgegannup, they were both attended by special guest Senator the Hon. Mitch Fifield, the Minister for Communications who was be on hand to answer questions and discuss issues with local residents.

In September I facilitated an Environmental Forum at my Forrestfield office with local Hasluck organisations. We worked on identifying areas for improvement and protection and discussed community projects that make a difference. It is important for everyone to have their say about environmental issues affecting our local areas.

Members of the Hasluck Girl Guide Troop meet the Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP with local MP Ken Wyatt.

During the last sitting week in Canberra I had the absolute honour of introducing some of our Hasluck Girl Guides to the Prime Minister in his office at Parliament House.

They had the rare opportunity to ask the leader of our county questions and to be given a tour of his office and court yard.

I am currently running mobile offices around Hasluck to ensure that those in my electorate are able to communicate important issues.

If you would like more information or would like me to hold a mobile office in your area please feel free to contact my office. The number is 9359 0322 and my email is ken.wyatt.mp@aph. gov.au.

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

COMMUNITY WIN A BEAUTY-FULL PLAYGROUND MEG PEARCE

an Australian first, Garnier and Ito nTerraCycle are giving away a playground the school that recycles the most used

beauty products.

The inaugural Garnier & TerraCycle Recycled Playground Competition was launched on October 9, offering schools the chance to win a new playground made of recycled beauty products.

By sending any brand of empty cosmetics, skin care and hair care packaging to TerraCycle to be recycled, Australian preschools and primary schools can be in the running to win.

Sending these products to TerraCycle is entirely free, so schools can participate in the contest at no cost.

The national recycling contest is run by innovative recycling company TerraCycle in partnership with Garnier Australia, and will be the first recycled playground made from beauty products in Australia.

“Garnier is thrilled to be giving away such an incredible prize to one lucky Australian school while also engaging students with the practice and understanding of recycling and sustainability,” said Jon Arnold, General Manager, Consumer Products Division, L’Oréal Australia.

“Garnier is committed to sustainable practices and continuously looks to improve our ecological profile and biodegradable indices of

our packaging, so partnering with TerraCycle to encourage younger generations to do their bit to help the planet is exciting.”

Participating in the contest is easy: Preschools and primary schools simply need to The images show playgrounds TerraCycle has given away in the United States . Note that these are examples of playgrounds made of recycled waste, but the one given away in Australia may differ in shape and size.

register at Garnier.com.au/Playground, then start collecting as many empty beauty products as they can.

Each unit of received by TerraCycle between October 9 and December 8, 2017, will count towards the school’s total Playground Credits.

Playground Credits are earned by sending in used beauty products for free, and also through voting for a chosen school.

Throughout the competition, schools and members of the local community will be able to cast votes for individual schools to help them gain Playground Credits. The winner of the competition will be the school that receives the most Playground Credits by the end of the contest.

Garnier is also giving away two runner-up prizes to the schools that place second and third. The first runner-up will receive a $2,500 donation for their school and $500 worth of Garnier products, and the second runner-up will receive a $1,000 donation and $500 worth of Garnier products.

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The winners will be announced on December 13, 2017.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to support your local school in their recycling efforts,” said Jean Bailliard, General Manager, TerraCycle Australia.

“It’s time to start gathering your used beauty products from home and donating them to your local school to help them try and take out top prize!”

The 2017 Garnier & TerraCycle Recycled Playground Competition is part of the broader Beauty Products Recycling Program sponsored by the L’Oréal Australia Group, which includes brands such as Garnier, Maybelline, L’Oréal Paris and La Roche-Posay.

By joining the program and sending in their empty beauty products, participants can also raise two cents per piece of accepted waste received, which can be donated to the participant’s chosen school or not-for-profit organisation.

All contestants in the 2017 Garnier & TerraCycle Recycled Playground Competition will also be eligible to raise the same donations.

The Beauty Products Recycling Program looks to extend the lifecycle of used cosmetics, skin care and hair care packaging.

The items will be pelletised and can be recycled into generic products such as playgrounds, park benches, watering cans and waste bins.

For more information or to register for the competition, visit www.garnier.com.au/ playground.

COMMUNITY HALLOWEEN Catholic Church allocates days to celebrate Tforhespecific saints - St Barnabas is the 11th June, example. Traditionally the day is either the

date of their birth or death.

However as the number of saint exceeded 365 Saints’ Days were moved around a bit. The total number of saints varies by definition and sect but it ranges between 810 and several thousand.

Pope John Paul II alone canonised 110 individuals, as well as groups of martyrs from China, Mexico, Vietnam and others.

But only day celebrates all saints in the Christian calendar, logically called All Saint’s Day, or All Hallows Day. It is celebrated on the 1st of November each year.

The day before is the Eve of All Hallows, or ‘Hallow ‘een’. The horror aspect of the modern Halloween harks back to the religious function of the celebration, which is dedicated to remembering the dead.

Many of the Halloween traditions are widely believed to have been incorporated from the Celtic Harvest Festivals such as include trick-or-treating include trick-ortreating (known in Scotland as guising), attending Halloween costume parties,

MARION LOGIE

decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing and divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories and watching horror films.

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In America, widely misunderstood as the home of Halloween, trick or treating began in the 1920, while guising has been going on in the UK since the 1500s.

But the biggest aspect of Halloween is the dressing up for parties or doorto-door.

Whether this is for celebration, religious observance or any other ostensible reason, we all really know why it happens its fun.

Have a safe and happy All Hallow’s Eve.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS CR DAVID MCDONNELL

ELLENBROOK WARD (COUNCILLOR EAST METROPOLITAN REGIONAL COUNCIL) hen you elected me as Councillor for the Ellenbrook ward in 2013 • Purpose Built Swimming Pool and Aquatic Centre I promised safer roads entering and exiting our neighbourhoods, • Indoor Recreational facility Inc Basketball and Netball Facilities more community facilities, improved and new recreational areas for our • Designated Youth Hub to support all youth enterprises and activities children to play and a strategy to help protect and enhance the lives our • Skate Park and Activity Precinct in Bullsbrook youth.

• Integrated Seniors Space and Activity Precinct in Ellenbrook and I am happy to say that over the past four years, as your elected Bullsbrook member I have been able to deliver on my promises. Together we have • Upgraded intersection to West Swan and Great Northern Hwy achieved the following: • Upgrade to the Yagan Bridge allowing Dual Traffic Flow • Duelling and Upgrading of Gnangara Road – Completed • Upgrade to West Swan Rd and Millhouse Round Intersection • Upgrade of Reid Hwy Intersections – Completed • Better Public Transport and bus shelters • Ethel Warren Community Facility & Library Bullsbrook – Completed • A major review of our rates and • Millhouse Road and Chateau Roundabout – Completed rating strategy • Aveley Skate Park – Completed • Protecting the amenity and lifestyle • Egerton Dr and Millhouse Rd Traffic Lights – Completed of Bullsbrook • Upgrade and Duelling of Lord Street – In Progress The last four years I have proven to • Upgrade and Duelling of Hepburn Avenue – Completed be an honest, open and transparent and • Ellenbrook District Open Space & Community Facility – delivered on my promises. I am a local Completed Councillor who is always happy to meet • Ellenbrook Synthetic Playing Fields & Community face to face with any resident to achieve Facility – Completed the best possible outcome for all.

• Aveley Playing Fields & Community Facility – Completed The Pearce ward is a very special As the communities of Ellenbrook, Aveley and the place and is growing at an extremely rapid inclusion of Bullsbrook in the new Pearce Ward continue rate, over the next four years it is critical to grow and expand, it is critical that you select the best that you choose the RIGHT candidate to representatives to ensure the services and facilities that represent your best interests at Council. are desperately required are delivered.

I would be honoured to receive your vote Over the last four years I have kept my promises to our once again. residents and proven my ability to deliver the key projects If you would like to chat or get a coffee, our community needs, ahead of schedule and on budget. please contact me on the below.

If you chose to elect me for another term of office I will David McDonnell continue my fight to deliver projects our community needs M – 0418 222 541 and expects, but I need your support – help me fight for: E – david.mcdonnell@swan.gov.wa.au

W

FRANK ALBAN PEARCE WARD

MUCH MORE TO DO llenbrook, Aveley and Bullsbrook which now Eformed constitute the City of Swan’s Pearce Ward, a large part of my electorate of Swan

Hills, which for over eight years I fought for and had many successes such as Northlink & Gnangara Road together with three primary and three senior high schools.

Northlink’s development will provide many local job opportunities, but also raise challenges in it development. The bulk of City of Swan’s economic future is dependent on this region for growth.

Issues such as safety and road access, together with the proposed thirty thousand new residents in Bullsbrook, will need consideration for its future planning. This should include a new Bullsbrook police station to cope with the anticipated population increase.

Properly managed, the growth of revenue within the Northlink development area should enable the City of Swan to restrict its rate increases into the future for all residents.

Authorised by : Shauna Alban, 118 Terrace Rd., Guildford WA 6055 11

COMMUNITY THE TRACK DUE TO OPEN NATALIE JARVIS

The little league that can brings new sports facility to Albany he Track is an amazing new venue set to open this December in Albany, WA. Albany Roller Derby League has worked hard to secure a space perfectly designed for smaller indoor sports and community groups in the Great Southern.

The venue is over 1000 square metres and has a mezzanine floor perfect for smaller groups as well as an 825 square metre playing area. The Track has team rooms, showers, kitchen area and

T

Natalie Jarvis said “We needed a space that accommodated our increasing needs as an indoor sport. We have been looking around Albany for the last two years and found nothing suitable.

“We are the little league that can and so we have. Many hours of volunteer time from our members have gone into the development of The Track.”

Michael Stephen from Albany construction company MCB Construction Pty Ltd came to the table with a very supportive attitude and Michael

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, Have you read a good book lately..?

As an avid reader, I have almost a thousand books of my own at home.

But just recently I have added another one...

S 'pose I Die, by Hector Holthouse, the life story of Evelyn Maunsell.

This story rivals and is a parallel of our own Albert Facey of A Fortunate Life fame.

Evelyn Maunsell, whilst born in England married a Queensland stockman at the turn of the 19th/20th century, where they were the managers of a cattle station on the western side of the Atherton Tableland.

The book tells her life story, of living on a station ill-equipped for life's survival, an amazing story of survival against the elements, with malaria, losing her first children, snakes and possibly the hardest life that God could have thrown at anyone.

If you haven't read it, then look forward to an experience of an adventure yet endured.

I would like to see both this book S ‘pose I Die and that of A Fortunate Life become compulsory and required reading at all levels of a school curriculum.

This book was also banned in Queensland due to its truthful content and accurate depiction of the aborigine, as experienced by Evelyn Maunsell.

But you cannot tell the truth about something, because the unions and government don't like it.

Enjoy.

Terrance Weston JP has been amazingly helpful in getting this project modern reception area.

Secret Harbour off the ground.

It is an Australian first to have

“MCB Construction Pty Ltd a space to train and compete that is felt privileged to be a part of this Footnote - as a fifth generation Australian and operated by a roller derby league. project and creating history for the from stories told by my own family, much of The Track is located on Albany Roller Derby League and being what is written within these books upholds Roundhay Road just off Lower an integral part in helping establish the hard life of our pioneers that my father and Denmark Road. Albany Roller Derby a very exciting and promising local grandfathers and others also endured.

League want to see all community sporting club. It excites me nothing I know that the Facey family were also groups able to access safe spaces more than to see a small local group acquaintences of my father and as such his story to run physical wellbeing programs. is much closer to our home. succeed and reach their goals” The Track will be accessible 365 days a year at any time of the day for indoor Albany Roller Derby League is running a The story of Eveyln Maunsell, while I have not sixty day campaign on Pozible www.pozible. known this family, I have visited over much of the events, training and competitions.

Albany Roller Derby League President com/project/the-track-albany-australia to fund terrain and towns mentioned in her story, so I can the final and most vital relate to this also.

As I read her book I was able to visulise her element of The Track.

The flooring experiences... very sad! required to make the venue a truly multipurpose DISCLAIMER area will cost $70 000 and supporters can buy The information in this publication is of their own piece of track, a general nature. The articles contained campaign shirts, or add herein are not intended to provide a discussion on each subject and their name to the Wall of complete or issues canvassed.

Love by contributing to Swan Magazine does not accept any the Pozible campaign. liability for any statements or any opinion,

The Track: built or for any errors or omissions contained by the community, for the herein. community.

Artist’s impression of the sports facility The Track

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STANDING UP FOR SWAN HILLS CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT aving lived in the hills for well over a decade, Himportance our natural environment is of special to my family and me.

JESSICA SHAW MLA – MEMBER FOR SWAN HILLS

and regulatory changes to roll out these solutions and I'm excited to see the opportunities for rural areas throughout the State, including the rural We have such unique local flora and fauna parts of Swan Hills. and Western Australia is one of only thirtyfour biodiversity hotspots in the world. As your FRACKING local MP, I'm keen to raise awareness about I share the community's grave concerns environmental issues. about Fracking. On 5 September, the McGowan Government implemented a fracking ban for CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY INNOVATION Perth, Peel and the South West.

Climate change is an issue that I'm particularly We have also introduced a State-wide passionate about, having spent the last decade moratorium and announced an independent working in the energy industry. I firmly believe Inquiry to thoroughly examine this matter. that renewables have an important part to play in our electricity mix and it seems a lot of people in PROTECTING THE SWAN AND CANNING RIVER Swan Hills share this view!

CATCHMENTS A study published recently by SunWiz Energy Swan Hills is a key catchment area for the Consultants revealed that the Ellenbrook postcode Swan River. I was at Noble Falls with my family area has the highest penetration rates for micro on Father’s Day and the place was absolutely and medium commercial solar installations in jam-packed (despite it being a freezing cold day!)

Australia.

Bells Rapids is also a particularly beautiful spot, Ellenbrook is also one of WA's top ten suburbs enjoyed by many people. for household PV, with over 4100 residential It's vital that we look after the entire systems. catchment.

On completion, the new Aveley Secondary From 2018-19, we will deliver $900,000 per College will have one of the largest rooftop annum for community groups to restore and solar installations on the entire Western Power protect the Swan and Canning river catchments. network, producing enough electricity to power An additional $14.6 million has also been set aside in the Natural Resource Management I am passionate about the environment, Program to protect the environment. committed to a sustainable energy future and want to protect the natural beauty here in Swan Hills for generations to come.

WESTERN SWAMP TORTOISE

Speaking of Swan Hill's river If you'd like more information on any of these systems and wetlands, ours support issues, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Australia's most critically endangered reptile. It is estimated that there are MLA only fifty Western Swamp Tortoises LOCAL MEMBER FOR SWAN HILLS remaining in the wild, located at the Twin Swamps and Ellen Brook Nature @JessicaShawMLA Reserves.

Jessica.Shaw@mp.wa.gov.au

I recently met the Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise, to 9296 7688 150 homes. The 600kW system will abate 770 discuss their work to establish sustainable wild HERE TO HELP tonnes of CO2 per annum, which is the equivalent populations. We should support and be proud of Aveley, Bailup, Belhus, Brigadoon, of saving 2,900 trees each year. their efforts to protect this exceptionally rare Bullsbrook, Chidlow, Ellenbrook, When I doorknock in our electorate, I always species – it would be tragic to lose such a key part Gidgegannup, Melaleuca, find it interesting when people chat about their of our local biodiversity.

Mount Helena, Sawyers Valley, home installations. People like the idea that The Vines, Upper Swan, and Wooroloo. they can control their energy production and BANNING SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS AND consumption and see the benefits to their power CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME Office Address Postal Address bills. Many also care deeply about climate change I am always saddened to see the extent of 8/31 Egerton Drive PO Box 2265 and want to take real action. litter in our local area – particularly en route to Aveley WA 6069 Ellenbrook WA 6069 Solar power also has its place in the rural parts Red Hill tip. Plastic bags can also significantly harm of our electorate. Swan Hills takes in some 980 marine wildlife and birds when they inadvertently square kilometres, extending past Bullsbrook, eat or become entangled in plastic waste.

Gidgegannup, Morangup and Wooroloo. In the From 1 July 2018, the McGowan Government outer-reaches, the electricity network serves will ban single-use plastic bags. We want to make sparse populations, is expensive to maintain and sure marine life, wildlife, and our very special has severe reliability issues. environment is protected. We are also working to Western Power has recently completed a achieve a voluntary phase out of microbeads, and stand-alone power system pilot for rural 'fringe are on track to deliver this by mid-2018. of grid' communities, using solar PV and batteries. Work is also underway to implement the The trial proved highly successful, with the Container Deposit Scheme in early 2019, with community experiencing far higher reliability and $1.68 million allocated over three years. This at much lower cost. scheme will reduce litter, increase recycling and Standing up for Swan Hills The Government will now consider legislative protect the environment.

Jessica Shaw

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

13

COMMUNITY BALLAJURA AQUATIC CENTRE

MICK WAINWRIGHT want to reassure residents that the Ballajura That strategy contained a number of future options for the City’s aquatic centres, including Aquatic Centre will not be shut down.

Incorrect information regarding the Ballajura one that stated if a new larger facility was built Aquatic Centre has been circulated as part of a in the future – in that area - then the Ballajura local government election campaign; however Centre may close at that point.

However this is a long term position and there was no cause for concern.

The City of Swan Council has not voted to shut it does not mean the centre is being or will be down the Ballajura Aquatic Centre, the centre will closed. remain open and will continue to be maintained The Ballajura Aquatic Centre had been earmarked for a major upgrade in 2018/19, and upgraded into the future.

The information being circulated had similar to that of the recent upgrade at Altone Park Leisure Centre. misconstrued the facts.

In 2015, Council adopted a City-wide Aquatic I hope this knowledge helps to put concerned Facilities Strategy to ensure the City’s aquatic residents and users and members at ease. centres could continue to cater for the City’s Ed: Mick Wainwright is the Mayor of the City of Swan growing population and their needs.

I

ELLENBROOK COMMUNITY WEIGHT LOSS CLUB LESLIE HERBERT

W

e have just celebrated our tenth year of helping - past and present members attended our celbrations and it was great to see old faces.

In addition Life Membership was awarded to both our Treasurer Brenda Bettis who has been the Treasurer for the whole ten years years and Club President Shirley Sardelich who started this club ten years ago.

Ms Sardelich is also the State Weight Watchers Federation Treasurer.

Committee members of Weight Watchers Federation are always looking to start up clubs around the Metropolitan and Country areas.

There are two new clubs starting this month in Karatha and Katanning. If you do-not have a club near you and someone is interested in starting up a club in any area, please contact Shirley on 9276 7938 or email shirleysardelich@ aapt.net.au.

All committee members are volunteers as we are Not For Profit low-cost Weight Watchers group.

We would also like to invite anyone with a weight problem to join Ellenrbook Community Weight Loss Club. Our members are aware of living a healthy lifestyle, by trying to do some type of exercise and eating plenty of fresh food products.

It has been a long winter, have you got a weight problem? Well, now we need to lose those kilos we have gained over the winter months and probably before winter.

So come and join us. We are not expensive. We have lots of incentives to help encourage you to lose the weight. Both men and women of all ages are very welcome.

We meet from 6.30pm to 8.00pm at the Woodlake Community Hall, Meeting room 1.

Highpoint Blvd, Ellenbrook. Contact Shirley 9276 7938 shirleysardelich@aapt.net.au.

MOZZIE CONTROL A PRIORITY GRETA JASIAK

he City of Swan is ramping up its mosquito Tseason. control program ahead of the pest’s peak

City of Swan Mayor Mick Wainwright said the program, co-ordinated by the City’s health services team, aims to prevent mosquito breeding and halt the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

“Aside from their nasty bites, mosquitoes can be serious pests and transmit diseases, so we must do all we can to minimise their occurrence throughout the community,” he said. “Our staff regularly monitor and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites around the City by setting traps and inspecting water areas for larva.

“We use very low toxicity larvicides to eliminate larva before they are able to mature into adult mosquitoes and disperse into the community. “Unfortunately, mosquitoes do not KATE PHILLIPS recognise local government boundaries and can he City of Swan’s junior basketball competition travel a long way, so we’re working closely with at Swan Park Leisure Centre (SPLC) has taken our neighbouring local government agencies to off, with more than two hundred young people tackle mosquito control together.”

“We encourage you to follow three simple registering to take part.

The number of teams in the competition has also more than doubled since the same time last year, with thirty-four teams now taking part.

City of Swan Mayor Mick Wainwright said the peak in popularity was the result of hard work from the team at SPLC. “The Swan Park team has worked hard to build and develop the junior basketball competition at the centre across all age groups and it has certainly paid off,” he said. “This not only reflected by the exponential increase in numbers, but the fantastic feedback they have received from members and their parents.”

Midland Guildford Ward Councillor Mark Elliott said the competition had been getting rave reviews.

“The City has received a number of emails steps to minimise the presence of mosquitoes and praising the competition, the conduct of the reduce their impact on your health and lifestyle. umpires and the excellent behaviour and team “Cover up by wearing loose fitting and preferably light coloured clothing which covers as work of the kids involved,” he said.

“That kind of feedback is a real testament to much of your body as possible, and repel by using the competition and the staff and teams involved repellents containing DEET or Picaridin. and goes to show just the positive impact of team “Clean up the areas mosquitoes can breed by keeping your pool well chlorinated, filtered and sport on young people,” “Not only does it help those involved develop free of dead leaves; empty and clean your pet’s a love of playing sport, but allows them to drinking water regularly; and empty stagnant learn new skills, gain confidence and make new water from unused containers. More than 300 mosquito species are found throughout Australia friends.”

Swan Park is now taking enrolments for next and almost 100 of those are in Western Australia. season, which begins on October 14, 2017. The In WA, the most common mosquito-borne competition has been expanded to include under viruses are Ross River Virus and Barmah Forest 16’s and there are currently spots available for Virus – which both present similar symptoms. If you notice symptoms such as painful or swollen teams in all age groups.

So, if you’d like to get involved, get in touch joints, sore muscles, aching tendons, skin rashes, fever, tiredness, headaches and swollen lymph and register your interest.

To sign up or find out more call the Swan Park nodes, visit your General Practitioner.

Leisure Centre on 9207 8888 or email swanpark@ For more information on the City’s mosquito control program, call 9267 9153. swan.wa.gov.au.

MIDLAND’S BASKETBALL COMPETITION

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14

HOUSE AND GARDEN TRANSFORM YOUR GARDEN WITH TREES MARION LOGIE

our series of trees for the Western C ontinuing Australian garden.

This month we’re looking at purely decorative

and/or flowering trees for the Perth warm temperate climate.

Everyone looks forward to the bright, fragrant flowers of spring that signal the end of winter and the arrival of the warm, sunny months ahead.

What better way to welcome the spring season into your yard than with an eye-catching flowering tree?

Select trees that bloom in your favorite color.

From vibrant red and classic pink, to pure white and soft purple, there is shade to match any taste.

Whether you’re looking to work with an existing scheme, or find a showpiece to set the tone for a new one, there is no limit to what you can achieve in your landscape with a beautiful flowering tree.

Plus, many flowering trees have some great advantages that make them even better.

Many of these beauties are highly adaptable to various growing conditions, require very little maintenance, and will not be bothered by pests and disease.

mid green turning to luminous golden in autumn with tulip shaped scented flowers of yellowish green with orange centres. Blooms are only produced on trees approximately seven years or older.

Tolerant of air pollution and acidic soils.

CERCIS – JUDAS TREE The Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum) has a slow to moderate growth rate with an upright habit when Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum) young maturing to a round open tree.

A very popular blossom tree for the Perth It will benefit from pruning to remove lower and inner branches. area. Best foliage colour and flowering is achieved Large heart shaped leaves open in spring. in full sun.

Generally exhibits brilliant yellow autumn Flowering Plums grow to four meters and the same width, making a round shape for colours.

Masses of small purplish pink, pea like landscaping. flowers borne in groups along the bare branches It’s growth rate is moderate to fast with before the leaves appear in spring. The Judas new foliage growth emerging red-purple then Tree is suited to a wide range of soil types but maturing to a bronze-green for summer, The prefers a moist, deep well drained position. Will flowers are a double rose pink borne along bare not tolerate very dry or overly wet soil. Avoid hot branches during spring.

More next month ... exposed windy positions.

It can grow to six meters with a spread of four. Of moderate to slow growth, the foliage turns yellow in autumn with strong pink flowers in spring.

FLOWERING PLUM Flowering Plum (Prunus x blireana) is an attractive small flowering plum suited to a variety of positions.

Tulip Poplar Liriodendron Fastigiatum)

TULIP POPLAR Tulip trees (Liriodendron Fastigiatum) live up to their name with spectacular spring blooms that resemble the bulb flower. The tulip poplar tree is not a poplar tree and not related to tulip flowers but is actually a member of the Magnolia family.

An excellent specimen tree suitable for medium sized gardens. It’s upright form suits narrow spaces. Plant in full sun, prefers well drained, improved soils.

It can rise to twelve metres, spreading to four metres, It grows moderate to fast, so regular pruning is recommended.

The foliage consists of large, four-lobed,

Flowering Plum (Prunus x blireana) 15

OUT AND ABOUT WITH SHARRON

BUSINESS NETWORKING

uch an informative morning as the Ellenbrook chapter of Business Networking group, District 32, Swelcomed Jessica Shaw MLA to share an update on all the amazing things coming to our area!

The members also had the pleasure of meeting Kelly Marshall - recently appointed General Manager of the Swan Chamber,

who shares Jess’s enthusiasm for supporting business growth in the area!

Kelly Marshall, Gene Chamber of Commerce ral Manager Swan and Jessica Shaw MLA

SOCIAL EDITOR SHARRON ATTWOOD Photograph by ShaBo Studio

16

OUT AND ABOUT WITH SHARRON 80S FLURO KONGA NIGHT WITH SAM

6th October saw KONGA with Sam (based in Ellenbrook) host a charity KONGA exercise event F riday with all proceeds going to The Sparkly Umbrella, a local fundraising group supporting the Cancer Council of WA.

Hard to believe exercise could be that much fun! With many first timers attending – Sam made sure there was an activity for all abilities – even me!

Your correspondent with Tracey Maguire and Kelli Francis of The Sparkly Umbrella The reception table of Sam Summers and her team who hosted the event

STEP UP SHOWCASE

tep Up Dance Academy hosted their Annual Showcase at the Morley Recreation Centre to give parents, students and supporters a chance to see what the students get up to as these groups prepared for upcoming competitions.

It was a great opportunity for the students to get valuable stage time and for the rest of us to support the school by buying raffle tickets and clapping loudly.

The Step-Up Adult Jazz class who performed Kinky Boots 17

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

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 Tuesday 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.

18

FICTION THE UTE JOHN TAYLOR

CHAPTER 5 – THE SEPARATION he end of Janey’s time out from uni was fast approaching.

It would be necessary soon to re-enrol or apply for an extension. Letters from home were increasingly underlined with this message. Her poor mum would be particularly worried, what with infrequent letters and virtually no telephone correspondence over the past twelve months; there was very little hope of her being happy with Janey’s situation.

Fortunately, there was no chance of her discovering, via news media or local gossip, the events of the past few months. The cops had kept the lid on everything; old Bob would not be featuring on Australian Story!

I’ll have to make a decision shortly, Janey thought. It’s getting dreadfully hot and they keep on about a big wet.

Humidity was becoming more oppressive by the day and Billy seemed more aggressive in his attitude towards work, repairing motor vehicles, fences, troughs and mills.

Billy seemed intent on remodelling the place, from pipelines to painting. Fortunately, there was some help and companionship from the Aboriginal family who had called by and stayed a few weeks back. Janey could not work out how or where they came from or, for that matter, went.

After having discussed with these people on many occasions the whys and wherefores of their lives she concluded the need to observe more and hopefully learn. The only property these people had was what they happily stood up in and lay down to sleep on; perhaps a motor car or maybe that one would be coming sometime.

Janey’s thoughts often returned to the cave; in a roaring, racing whirl of half-dreams, merging back on a line of care and survival, carried through pitch-black bush to Billy’s ute and comfortable camp. No thank yous; no-one to thank; safely delivered and gone. Maybe the same people that are here on the station. They would know, but never say; just look and look away.

Mail day was fast approaching. The decision to stay or go crowded Janey’s mind, wanting to talk to Billy or at least an encouraging sign to stay; tension building as days crept slowly by; Billy returning late, exhausted by whatever projects he’d accomplished, often singlehandedly that day.

Several times the Aboriginals had brought him in quite late at night, Janey alone with the generator’s soft popping in the yard, masking night noise; Janey on edge, too frightened to walk down past the darkened generator shed to the camp and enquire.

How much fuel was left? Were the Aboriginals there? For that matter, who had started the motor? What if it ran out of fuel?

What then? Janey’s thoughts raced, shouting out for company, a prop against impenetrable roaring silence. Headlights swept across the kitchen window.

T

Janey’s trembling hands parted the curtains, picking up familiar guttural pidgin, relief washing over in waves, realising it was Billy. The Aboriginals had done it again; they knew everything: where he was, that he was broken down, and had gone out and towed him in.

The generator had been topped up. They knew, but they could no more come up to the homestead and tell the missus what’s going on than she could walk down in the night and ask them.

Billy wearily tramped into the house, discarding clothing as he headed for the shower, pausing briefly at the fridge for a cold beer, enquiring casually, “How’s your day?” in Janey’s direction.

Janey had settled on the big, cane lounge, flipping an ancient once glossy magazine.

Billy, returning from the shower, peered in the fridge for food, settled for a beer, kicked back on one end of the lounge and casually draped his arm on Janey’s shoulder.

“Billy!” Janey exclaimed, shrugging him off.

“It’s late; I’m tired, stressed and going to bed.

Anyway, what happened to you? What about me, not knowing what’s going on?”

“She’s right, Janey. The blackfellas were there.

You’d be right, and I was okay. Could have done with a beer, though. Took the boys a while to come out. Must have walked 20Ks. Think I’ll get some tucker and turn in. Don’t worry about the genny; fridges need a bit of a run. I’ll shut it down later.”

Janey lay quietly in the night, Billy snoring softly beside her.

He was lucky to make it to bed, Janey thought.

Asleep on his feet; going way too hard in this heat.

That’s it, Janey thought, as they say around here, you’re on the road, my girl. If he wants to come, come on down! She slipped quietly off into a beautiful sleep, dead to the world as dawn pinked, accompanied by carolling magpies.

Janey woke with a start, warm sunlight pouring into the room. Billy had risen earlier, no doubt to repair the offending vehicle. She moved quickly through the house, closing windows, doors and drawing curtains against a hot wind and sun as day began. Janey working methodically as her mind moved on.

Onto the road: onto the road of her life with or without Billy or anyone else for that matter who “couldn’t see the wood for the trees” as dad would say.

Biting her lip, steeling herself for crunch time, which she knew was night, moving busily about, waiting on the kettle and then clasping two steaming pannikins of tea, as she had so many times before in cattle camps, taking Billy a drink.

Often laced with rum, she reminisced, when he’d worked on bull buggies late in the night.

Janey trembled nervously as Billy straightened up from under the bonnet, dusting off his hands, accepting the pannikin with a beautiful smile.

An exclamation on how silly he was for not spotting the mechanical problem last night cut short by Janey blurting out, “I’m going home!”

And something about “Dad’s wooden trees”, as she turned abruptly on her heel, heading for the house, sloshing tea from her pannikin, sobbing in rage, throwing her mane of hair, normally tied up, in frustration and anger at “this rotten situation in this rotten country”, with people looking and looking away, pointing with chin and lip, kicking idly at stones with calloused bare feet.

“Jeez!” Billy exhaled. “Wonder what that was all about? Still, it is getting a bit hot.

Maybe that’s it?”

Billy loitered in the shed awhile, tidying up gear until finally he could no longer avoid the issue. He cleaned his hands, patted down his hair and fired up, heading for the homestead.

As he approached Billy noticed several people sitting on the verandah, partly obscured by palms. He was grateful of the anonymity offered by the palms and verandah shade, waiting awhile before moving towards the small group, making them aware of his arrival.

Several Aboriginal women had come up to the homestead, intuitively, or maybe requiring medical or food supplies. Janey had kindly offered them a cup of tea and was sitting comfortably amongst them, inquiring of Billy if he’d like a cup.

Beats working, Billy thought, sipping tea in the shade. Janey looks the part, playing the Besides, what for? Only a patch on a patch. Clyde’s missus to a tee. Very lovely young lady when she spent his life like this! Janey’s mind became very gets her dander up. Be interesting, though, when clear; soft moonlight lit the veranda, illuminating it’s only the two of us. After a while the women furniture, potted palms and lattice. excused themselves, returning to their camp.

19

Billy shifted a little nervously in his chair as the women, attended by Janey, moved off the verandah; Billy having received a very definite “back soon; don’t leave” from Janey.

Jeez, Billy thought, pressure’s on, right here in the catching pen, no motor car bonnet to duck under or urgent cattle business to attend. He slowly sipped his tea as Janey returned up the couple of stairs into the shade and sat purposefully in her wicker chair. Jeeze, Billy said to himself, the cards are out and she’s cutting the pack.

Lucky those women came up from camp. I’d be hung out to dry by now, Billy reckoned.

“Now, Billy!” Janey quietly opened the bidding.

“I know things have been pretty hectic around here these past couple of months and it has been most enjoyable, bordering on dangerous at times, but very interesting. However, there are things I need to attend to: Mum, Dad, Auntie Pat and my university commitments. I would like us to plan a trip back home and to consider our future!”

What a girl! Billy thought, settling back a little.

“Of course, I realise Clyde needs to return to look after things, but he’s been gone five weeks or so and the patches have improved out of sight.

Clyde won’t know himself.” Janey exclaimed, pouring tea into Billy’s cup. Billy sat back, mulling over possibilities.

Time out was definitely interesting and with the mail truck tomorrow, pending on weather, seemed a reasonable proposition for Janey to wend her way home. Of course, he would have to wait for Clyde who you reckon would call soon, but he seemed to have taken up well with the touring as days passed without much telegram over the Flying Doctor.

Phone’s been pretty average since the wet’s set in and no doubt will deteriorate. Ah well, Billy thought. Tomorrow’s probably a good time.

That night they lay quietly in the moonlight, touching a little, cranky with each other and the impending radically changing situation. Previously passionate sex exchanged for structured mechanical movements producing a light sheen of perspiration at very average effort, searching out cooler spots on sheet and pillow as night dragged by to mail day, with unspoken agreements in place for tomorrow.

Way out in the night, a noise foreign to other bush noises slowly took over, waxing and waning, until Billy’s dreaming, fitful, drifting brain snapped into gear on a particularly sharp exhaust note from what he now realised was the mail truck; not stopping as the driver normally did at the bottom paddock gate till daylight.

Obviously there was a need to move, and a cuppa would be in order. Billy had cranked the genny, throwing light out over the yard, waking Janey abruptly as house lights activated. She rose and dressed quickly, moving into the kitchen, looking out, observing the men unloading drums of fuel and stores, ticking off a manifest at the storeroom bench and reloading empty 44s.

Janey tipped a measured amount of loose-leaf tea in the pot, observing them tumbling, mixing in the stained bubbling tea water, reminiscing of times in cattle and road camps when tea, colas and early starts were major staffs of life and wondering why the rush, being only a little after 3am, then realising after her many experiences in the bush that something’s on and to be ready to

move. The men came over shortly, finding a fresh pot of tea, salt meat and bread set out for cribs.

Janey was clattering about in other parts of the homestead, appearing briefly between the office and bedroom, holding some books and files.

It hit Billy that she was packing.

Indicating to Red, the mail truck driver, to help himself and make more cribs he hurriedly excused himself from the room, hoping, as he rushed down the corridor, he was wrong and Janey was only involved in another of her many projects.

He slowed, upon reaching their bedroom; a swag was already rolled, laying against the door, books and files being packed in a carry bag, ready for the track.

“Mail truck driver okay, Billy?” Janey asked.

“Too bloody bad if he’s not!” Billy retorted. “Do you have to go, Janey?” Billy enquired, knowing full well the answer, but he still had to ask. “Clyde could return soon, and we could drive down steady like, in the ute”, he suggested.

“Come on, Billy. Red doesn’t unload at 3am for practice. Something’s happening. Rain somewhere or whatever. Who knows out here. Clyde could easily be rained out! As we discussed last night, my education, Mum, Dad, Auntie Pat, my many other friends require attending to.

“Come on, Billy, help with the gear!” Janey patiently called as she burst into the kitchen, Billy following in her wake with a big “hello” to Red and a “do you mind giving me a lift, please” as if Red, hurriedly applying butter to chunks of bread at the sink, stood a chance.

Red mumbled something, his mouth full of salt beef, indicating the kitchen door to Billy and Janey.

“Chuck it all in the dry goods container, Billy”, he yelled, simultaneously grabbing cribs and gulping tea, legging it out the door.

“Come on, girlie, jump in”, he urged. “Elliot Creek’ll be coming down. We may just beat it.

Should be there by daylight. If there’s no message by last Flying Doctor schedule tomorrow, Billy, let someone know, will you?”

Easing the clutch, Red steered off down the road, Janey beside him, peering apprehensively back through the window.

Billy fumbled the mailbag from one hand to another, staring after the fast disappearing lights and exhaust note, a tidal surge of loneliness engulfed him, suddenly he realised that there were two mailbags. In the rush he’d forgotten to hand Red the outgoing bag. Billy ran straight to a vehicle nearby and gunned the engine.

No problem, he thought, catch ‘em at the bottom paddock gate.

Janey was just closing the gate when Billy roared up. A startled look in her eyes betrayed her previously confident stance.

“I’ve got the mailbag, Janey!” Billy blurted out.

“Got ‘em both! Should check it out, eh?” He carried on, both hanging on the moment, fumbling with the bag until finally Billy planted a lingering kiss on Janey’s receptive lips.

“Mm’hmm,” Red coughed apologetically, rounding the back trailer. “Haven’t I seen you somewhere before, young man?” He enquired. Billy dropped the mailbags and very nearly head-butted Janey in his haste to pick them up, grabbing her as she overbalanced towards Red, who skilfully sidestepped the manoeuvre.

“Billy!” Janey exclaimed. Settle down and let’s 20

check the mail.” Deftly opening the bag she tipped the contents on the bonnet. “Two for me, Billy, from mum and Auntie Pat. There’ll be uni stuff in mum’s. I’ll write soon, Billy, and let you know.” She promised.

“Going to miss you, Janey!” Billy said.

“Well, don’t be long silly”, Janey replied, running her hand through his hair. “Don’t be long feller!” Giving Billy a long, lingering look and pressing her lips on his arm as she backed away to the truck cabin, clutching the mailbag, stumbling on the darkened verge, not daring to look back at Billy framed in the buggy’s headlights.

Could be more than I can handle, she thought.

Bloody mailbags, she cursed. I wasn’t too bad till now; wiping moist eyes as she reached up to climb aboard. Red had discreetly turned the cab light off and let the clutch immediately the passenger door had closed. He allowed a little time to elapse before enquiring.

“You all right, girlie? Chuck the mailbag in the sleeper cab. Any time you like, jump in yourself.

There’ll be no sleep for me tonight, what’s left of it.”

Jeez, Billy thought. What a life! He was still standing in the hard headlight glare, but now watching lightning flickering way off in the direction Janey, Red and the mail truck had recently taken.

On his return to the house Billy shut the genny down and flopped on the cane lounge, chasing the cool. The Elliot’ll be down, or something worse, Billy half hoped, realising it didn’t matter, it had to happen, and anything different will only prolong the inevitable.

Who’s this Auntie bloody Pat anyway? And as far as education’s concerned, a master in makeshift doesn’t come easy, particularly when you throw in PhD’s in shoeing, breakin’ and bull running, notwithstanding the twitch. ***** The trip in was fairly uneventful, although the Elliot Creek crossing was higher than hoped, but with Red’s experience the mail truck’s ability and Janey silently saying prayers with crossed fingers and other neat tricks they made it to town and the bus depot which was even equipped with modern press-button phones.

Red stopped by the Flying Doctor base to send a sched out, informing all of their safe arrival in town, dropped off mailbags, empty drums and gas bottles and went home for a well-earned rest, taking Janey under his wing as the bus did not depart until early a.m. tomorrow.

Red’s wife was happy to have another woman to talk to as there were few enough people, let alone women, in these one-horse towns; Janey retired early, exhausted by the long drive and the emotional rollercoaster ride of the past days.

Red’s wife had booked Janey a seat on the bus to the coast where there were plenty of connecting flights for the city. Anne was a bit older than Janey.

A local station girl, she knew everybody who knew anybody which was very comforting to Janey as favours were called in to ensure connecting bus and air flights. Janey’s plastic card, which had not been used for months, stood up well under the strain, thanks mainly to government input after the accident at Willow Pool.

No money had been collected since then,

although many hundreds of working hours had been amassed between herself and Billy. What a wonderful experience, Janey thought, from Mattie’s store on the coast, through the stock camp ramble to Billy.

Catching her reflection in the big coach window Janey turned a little, admiring her profile, feeling very pleased with herself and looking forward to whatever turn life may deal.

Snuggling back in airconditioned comfort as the big coach sped through the night to rendezvous with an aircraft in the early hours on the second leg home.

Mum, dad, Auntie Pat and all my friends will be waiting with a big welcome home.

Dozing off to dreams of parties, family and comfortable cosy friends, waking occasionally as countryside rolled by, rushing into pitch black creeks, onto moonlit plains; scrub tree lines jagged back against the dawn, pinking out to the east, long stretches of dry cream-coloured buffalo and wind grass plains, at last reaching a remote airstrip terminal shed and refuelling facility, bordered by a link-mesh fence, with a modest patch of grass down one side, several vehicles waiting, doors wide open, catching any breeze, bodies, swags, empty stubbies and tinned food containers littering ute backs in a semi-circle round a dead campfire.

Janey roused herself as the bus eased to a halt, headlights and spotties dim in pre-dawn light, sun still not risen to drive away remnants of desert cool. Janey stretched and rose, moving towards the opening coach door, grinning wryly at the half circle of Toyotas, stubbies and tins, reminiscing occasions where she’d enjoyed similar meetings, which now seemed so long ago.

She received her baggage from the bus driver, who was busily pulling gear from the locker, including freight for locals, booking some on, repacking and pulled away.

Apart from a strong diesel smell and pile of gear, one could be excused for wondering if the coach had attended this place at all, let alone what colour it was or the driver’s name.

As if with the ring of a bell, right on cue, with the strengthening sun behind, an aircraft taxied into position from refuelling. Baggage was borne swiftly across, weighed and packed neatly into the cargo hold; tickets punched, another seat occupied with belt fastened firmly; mandatory comfort and safety procedures mimed over static announcement speakers.

The plane taxied to the far end of the strip as Clem Baxter, the one and only local refuelling, ticket punching, undertaker, JP and shire president, did a quick run up the strip to clear wandering wildlife and livestock as he proceeded, tooting the vehicle horn and banging his palm on the door, blue heeler dogs in the back straining hard on short chains and adding greatly to the cacophony of noise.

He hurried back to his base as the aircraft roared down alongside, satisfied with his early start sorting freight, baggage and people before commencing his other day, starting with the mail.

He took a moment to relax and watch the aircraft take off; rising quickly, wheels and struts disappearing in wing bays immediately upon take off, leaving a rapidly shrinking Clem.

Janey kicked back, feeling good: Things are moving fast. Two more linkups and then home!

And so the day passed, sun following, now turning

out west on over parchment country, creeks and ranges falling slowly behind as dusk appeared on the rim.

Battlement clouds etched in gold, darkening slowly as wing lights forged onward; close up on stars in the night. One more connection flight and then home. Better call. I’ll need change, Janey thought. Don’t want to be locked out on my first night home!

A large town’s lights spread out before them.

Shortly after the aircraft banked around, lining up to a well-lit strip.

My word! Janey exhaled. This looks like the big smoke. No motor cars lighting the air strip in these parts! She exclaimed, excited by the big town feel. Taxis, restaurants, hairdressing salons, she thoughtfully anticipated as her fingers drew absently through her now, rather lank, coarse hair.

Then a soft bump as they connected with the concrete strip. Janey, fumbling for phone money, calculating time here and home, decided, It doesn’t matter; they’ll be so pleased to hear from me. She moved quickly from the plane as baggage was transferred efficiently onto airport trolleys.

A large welcome sign, Winnimurr City: Capital of the King Prawn and Tropical Banana, lines of telephones, food bars and facilities greeted Janey as she pushed through the heavy glass door, out of a hot humid night into frigid airconditioned, neon arc lit, sterile marble and chrome.

Janey exhaled slowly: This is too much. Picking up a telephone handset she pushed money into the slot and dialled home, remembering the number by heart even after all this time. The phone rang out twice before the call of nature required attending to, followed by coffee and snack food, before a few more attempts also produced dial-out results. This worked a little worry furrow on Janey’s brow.

She had similar results trying to phone her brother, which worked a little more on her concerns. Not wishing to phone anyone else at this hour and not being sure of the time at home she had at least left a message.

Janey, preceded by her baggage, presented herself at departure Gate Five, armed with her last boarding pass, compliments of Anne, the mail truck driver’s wife at whatever the settlement’s name she presided over, way out back of whoop whoop and Billy still further out with a big wet imminent.

As the big aircraft smoothly got airborne, Janey wondered about Clyde and his family’s whereabouts. Janey gave a little chuckle at these seemingly now distant memories: Only yesterday!

Sleep followed by in-flight food, diary notes, more sleep and light reading whiling the hours away to home. The little worry line niggled again as the aircraft touched down and taxied to the city terminal.

Home at last, Janey breathed comfortably, thinking positively of the unanswered phonecalls.

In the melee at the carousel, trying to identify her luggage amongst the multi-coloured ridges and lumps of mobile baggage, Janey felt a little overwhelmed, then relieved upon spotting her faded swag and bags amongst the flow.

Overwhelmed by this vast mob of strangers who seemed to be so totally out of step with her new ways, recent experiences having changed her so much that it felt like another lifetime, Janey moved laboriously, scanning the crowd for a familiar face at exit signs, burdened by 21

cumbersome swag and bags, conscious of her rather bedraggled appearance, almost ready to sit down and have a bloody good cry.

Janey was despairing, thinking, Billy, mum, dad, where are they when you need them, when Auntie Pat materialised, hawk-eyed at the main exit.

She’d been waiting some time, not knowing which airline or flight number due to Janey’s dad having pressed erase on the answering machine.

“Still, way he’s been going lately we can think ourselves lucky he remembered the day, let alone to be sure it was an afternoon arrival.”

“It’s no problem, Janey!” Auntie Pat explained, helping with baggage, taking great care not to brush any of it on her clean, neatly pressed slacks.

“Mum and dad are fine, though a little absent minded. We’ll leave a message for a meeting tomorrow morning; breakfast will be fine. They will be worried. We’ve all been worried, dear. How have you been? You look, well, if not a little weather beaten. Still, I suppose where you’ve been one could expect that!”

She gave Janey a little cuddle as they crossed the car park; at great risk of a red smudge from well-travelled baggage. If only that swag could talk, Janey smiled, Auntie Pat would drop her end like a hot potato!

“We’ll go straight home to my place, dear.”

Auntie Pat stated. “Your parents would be well tucked in by now. I have a nice roast lamb on.”

Janey was happy to leave it at that, badly needing a hot tub, meal and rest, not looking forward at all to question time. Mum and dad will be fine. Auntie Pat, Janey mused, now that’s another story!

Dinner went well, Janey stealing herself against question time, which surely would come after dessert with a nice cup of Earl Grey tea, “in the living room, dear; just make yourself comfy; I’ll be there shortly and we can have a nice chat.”

Auntie Pat arrived presently, serving tea and cake, Janey wilted into the chair, wishing she could paddle off to bed, leaving all this till tomorrow or whenever.

“It’s your father, dear”, Auntie Pat started.

“He’s become the main problem, getting very forgetful. That’s why it’s not important to see them tonight. He’d have completely forgotten your message, and your poor mother has been worn to a frazzle, driving him, in daylight mind, she can’t see much after dark, to and from hospital for tests and every other whim or want under the sun. Too much, dear!” Auntie Pat tutted.

“Far too much and nobody seems to know what to do. She just carries on. Wonderful woman, your mother, but enough is enough. Something really has to be done! Now, dear, what about you? Enough of your parents for now. We’ll catch up with them tomorrow!”

Janey started to unravel her travel story, “sticking to the bitumen”, as Billy had advised.

“Don’t let ‘em get you in another rough!”

Commencing after her money had dwindled, obtaining a job at an emporium store, touching on how well looked after she’d been, meeting Billy, whom she had already mentioned to Auntie Pat in her infrequent letters, upon which, of course, Auntie Pat’s eyebrow twitched.

Janey wandered on with the story, sticking mainly to the bitumen, well aware that any rough

spots would get a lot more than an eyebrow twitch.

“Heaven forbid if I’d have rocked up here with Billy in the ute, without breaking the ice to some extent.” Janey exhaled, succumbing to food, comfortable chair and relief in the knowledge she’d passed the first test, not for one minute dropping her guard on Auntie Pat’s question time, which tended to pop up out of the blue.

“Stick to the bitumen, girl, don’t let ‘em get you in the rough” was Billy’s sound advice. Miss you, Billy. Glad you’re not here, though. Things would get rough.

Auntie Pat insisted Janey retire for the night, assuring her there was no need for an early start and that she’d be right with the wash up and tomorrow would bring a brand new day. “Hopefully with not too many surprises!” Janey turned a deaf ear to this last remark, intent on a long comfortable night’s rest. ***** Daylight was well advanced when Janey finally stirred, observing a Jacaranda’s purple bloom through her bedroom window.

Auntie Pat’s wonderful garden spread out to a neatly trimmed hedge on the road verge with lattice work concealing a garaged car on the house corner. No doubt, by now, reticulation, sweeping and general chores had been attended.

Auntie Pat was indeed ready to get on with her external day, which, of course, prioritised around her, still quietly dozing niece, appearing from God only knows where in the world to her dear sister, always caring for her husband of whom Auntie Pat never did approve.

“Off playing golf, no help at all in the garden and almost flatly refusing to holiday unless there was some club convention or whatever on.” No wonder her dear sister had curled up in her shell.

Only to be called upon later in life as his carer.

“It’s not fair!” Auntie Pat had been heard to say. In fact repeatedly, “It’s just not fair!” Janey rose, moving around quietly in her room; her room because Auntie Pat kept it as her room since she visited as a child.

Brother Kim’s room was out the back, as Auntie Pat said, “Outside is a good place for boys.” Mum and dad hardly ever visited let alone stayed. Janey loved the room as a little girl and appreciated it even more as she grew older. Proximity to town made for an interesting nightlife, well positioned to a uni in a wonderfully quiet neighbourhood, when one really had to knuckle down and study.

Auntie Pat did not approve of Janey’s late night rambles, but always left the key in the meter box, with hardly an eyelash twitch at breakfast, albeit mid-morning, after a particularly hectic night out.

Janey had wondered about Auntie Pat in those halcyon early uni days, until realisation dawned regarding the extra effort required and it all became a bit much, prompting Janey to put things on hold and escape out bush; what a wonderful idea that was.

She stretched luxuriously, soaking up the ambience of her familiar room and view, as opposed to stark summer sun, rising rapidly over rugged ranges across bar bigger flats seeking out cool shaded spots in creeks and caves till al was one in light and glaring heat.

Janey rose, showered and changed into as

presentable clothes as she could muster, well aware without prompting from Auntie Pat that washing and shopping were high on the agenda; very likely on the way to her parents’ house.

“Washing will not bring those clothes back to life!” Janey heard Auntie Pat remark as she approached the dining room, aware breakfast was prepared.

Auntie Pat’s timing was up to its normal high standard, moving efficiently around her kitchen, looking up briefly, cracking eggs into simmering water and her eyes travelling disdainfully down Janey’s apparel.

“We’ll have to do something about those!”

Auntie Pat remarked, almost pointing with lip and chin at Janey’s clothing, eye’s everywhere. How Aboriginal was that, Janey chuckled. There’s hope for the old girl yet! Should I try her on a nip of rum this evening or settle on a nice sherry?

But replying dutifully, “Yes, Auntie Pat”, while pecking her gently on the cheek. “I slept beautifully. On the way to mum’s we can do a quick clothes shop, keep these for the garden.” They’ll last well, Auntie Pat cynically thought as Janey and the garden were strictly for her to relax in, finally disposing of the cracked eggshells, wiping her hands on the towel.

Now where are we? Auntie Pat thought, a little nonplussed by Janey’s new confident attitude, buoyed up, no doubt, by a good rest. The girl’s grown up; had to be new experiences over her recent past time out from uni, rounding off a wellgrounded personality. What a pleasant surprise.

“Mm’hmm”, Auntie Pat considered. “Yes, we’ll shop on the way. They’ll be fine for the garden, of course. Perfect”, but eying off Janey’s rather tatty attire she thought, more like the bin! Ah, well, what will be, will be, placing poached eggs and toast on the table, the kettle whistled in the background.

Auntie Pat and Janey selected suitable clothing and shoes at the shopping mall, Pat opting for the ragbag on the changeover, but to her chagrin, Janey carefully folded and placed the worn clothing in a designer carry bag, placing the bag carefully and smoothing it down on the car’s rear seat.

Auntie Pat and Janey proceeded to the other side of town to mum’s, and of course dad’s, Janey reminded herself, a little nervous on what to expect. Auntie Pat turned into their street with a resigned, “Oh, well! Here we are dear.”

Obviously in for a fun time, thought Janey, thankful that she’d bought a few extra clothes.

May be able to send Auntie Pat off and stay home awhile. We’ll see, as Auntie Pat turned into the drive.

Everything seemed okay so far, garden up to its normal standard. In fact, perhaps a little more trim than usual. Mum bending over pruning, dad sitting over on the verandah, partly hidden by the paper, but no sign of Kim. She’d all but forgotten Kim. S’pose I just expected him to be here. He’s always here. Some little reminder niggled into her memory that he’d gone off somewhere. Perhaps mum had mentioned it in a letter or whatever.

Janey had walked halfway across the lawn as her mother rose from pruning, straightening slowly, shading her eyes against the glare, confirming it was her little girl, right here at home on their front lawn, after all this time.

“That distorted message on that stupid 22

machine on that telephone was right.” Damned if she had been going to phone Pat’s place, mum confided later, “and go through more of her nonsense about rights and wrongs of the family, world and any other topic one may wish to listen to.

What will be, generally will be,” she added, “and here we are!” Hugging Janey close as they moved across to the verandah.

“Dad’s not the best, dear, but he’s coming along.” Mum confided. Kim’s up the coast, working on an agricultural experimental station. I made him promise they would not be using any poisons. I think I told you, didn’t I? “At one stage he wanted to come home and help, but we have a lawn mowing man come in and a few times tradesmen have been required. As I said, your father was never much help round the house: You stay where you are and work on your future, young man, so you’ll be as well off to cope as we are”, adding “of course, Christmas dinner as usual.”

It took a while for Janey’s dad to register the people on the lawn due to his Coke bottle reading glasses, impaired hearing and after his stroke his reduced ability to change tack, let alone his glasses.

With help from the girls the glasses were changed and he focussed on his daughter after such a long time apart. Only in recent weeks was he coming out of the mist of his illness.

Rising from his seat with tears brimming was more than all could bear as they hugged and cried in consolation with each other, until Auntie Pat’s discreet cough in the background brought them back to the present; Auntie Pat with a teapot, tray of cups and cakes to disentangle over, laugh and commiserate.

Auntie Pat joined in, failing for the first time ever to advise anyone, present or otherwise, on any and everything.

“Perhaps even a hint of a tear there, Auntie Pat, dear”, mum hinted. Auntie Pat turned abruptly aside, closed book on the interlude, packing tea things, moving off to the kitchen.

Auntie Pat returned a few minutes later, obviously ready to move, taking in the threesome engaged in conversation, unaware that Janey was sticking very carefully, without involving untruths, to the exact middle of the bitumen.

All the characters, bar work, cops and Flying Doctor service had been introduced and teased out. Billy was shaped and polished into an up and coming pastoral icon, remaining, Janey added, a very good friend.

Mum nodded wisely, dad was starting to form a few words when mum interjected with, “The mail truck lady, Janey, she seems very nice: How lovely to find someone way out there with all that knowledge and understanding.”

Janey gazed carefully around the sky, wondering what dad was about to ask, pretty sure it was an enquiry on Billy. Mum knows; she’ll handle it with dad, who seemed to have moved on a little, fumbling around, offering Auntie Pat a chair, who politely declined, very obviously not wishing to stay.

Janey broke the dry spell of conversation that had ended with Auntie Pat’s arrival, by suggesting she stayed home this weekend, happy to spend time around the house and garden, maybe visit friends close by. Auntie Pat accepted gracefully, reminding Janey of uni enrolments early as possible

next week, and with a gentle squeeze on dad’s arm, an economical embrace to mum and Janey, departed.

Silence reigned between the trio on the verandah as Auntie Pat’s car reversed out and proceeded down the road.

“She means well”, mum said, “but sometimes…..” Dad, for all his problems, really just had a little trouble with interpretation, that’s all, and picked up on their conversation, proceeding where he’d left off.

Mum once again steering him away from what may have been a sensitive area, at this stage anyway, by suggesting Janey change into something more appropriate for the garden and they dig up where she’d recently left off.

Janey jumped at the chance, assisting dad back into his reading glasses, gathering her carry bags from the carport and quickly disappearing inside to change.

On her return it was as if she was arriving again, mum bending over her roses, dad poring over the weekend papers, sunlight slanting through branches and shrubs causing an ethereal effect, after all, Janey reminded herself, gardens are holy places and in this case attended by two wonderful people ministering over their lot.

Janey turned soil on garden beds, raked leaves in piles for mulch, feeling very comfortable in her ragbag clothes, enjoyed a lovely wine at dusk with mum.

Dad, having retired early, assured by her mother that he was improving by the day. Another wine or two and dinner was done. Janey, mentally and physically weary, lulled by several chilled wines, curled up in the recliner chair: waking once in the early hours, briefly unsure where she was, almost immediately snuggling in and off to sleep, comfortable in her family home.

Next day followed a pattern, with a visit to friends late afternoon, a few more wines, dad having a light beer, not his usual, but he was happy, back home in time for tea and to plan for tomorrow.

“Auntie Pat will be all right”, her mother explained, although she went further out yesterday than I’ve ever seen her go. It’s been quite an emotional time for us all. I suggest I run you down to her place tomorrow morning, we have a cup of tea and check out what she’ like to do. I’m sure she’d like to accompany you to enrol, and if you’re happy, so am I.” Dinner that night was a fairly subdued affair, dad breaking an all-time after-dinner record, all enjoying a Cafe Royale and with a very feeble attempt at a TV news update, headed for bed before Janey again dropped off to pleasant dreams in the recliner.

End of chapter five Living and working under the harsh but strangely beautiful conditions of the Australian bush, JT (as he is known to his closest friends and readers) appreciates the spirit of those hardy souls that have survived the modern challenge.

If you would like to read the whole novel, it can be purchased as either an epub for kindle or iPad. Go to John’s website - www.poetdownunder.com or www.lulu.com/shop/john-taylor/the-ute/ebook/ product-22566720.html or on the Apple store www.itunes.apple.com/au/book/the-ute/ id1086709294?mt=11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLAIRE SCANLAN MIDLAND GUILDFORD WARD

about the Midland Guildford IlifeamWardandpassionate as I have lived here for most of my always been actively involved in the

the Playgroup WA AGM. I am currently running two community campaigns in Guildford, one against McDonalds building in the carpark of the historic Guildford Hotel and the other to prevent the closure of the Guildford Public Library. It is this work advocating for the community in these campaigns that has led me to run for the upcoming City of Swan seat of Midland Guildford

lived on a large block and I spent much of my childhood climbing fruit trees and exploring creek beds.

When I was ten my family moved to Timor where we lived for several years, then to Pakistan before settling back in Perth.

My childhood experiences have given me a great appreciation of diversity and community. When we moved back to Midland I studied art before pursuing further careers as a veterinary nurse, then registered nurse specialising in mental health.

I met my husband Bill while I was volunteering at a community arts centre, and we moved to France together where I studied at the University of Paul Cezanne. We returned and settled as a family in Guildford, where my husband had also grown up.

It was in Guildford that I discovered an amazing community through running our local playgroup. I have spent the last five years working with an incredible group of families to grow playgroup to all that it can be, and together we have organised major events including a multicultural arts festival at the Midland Town Hall and a National Science Week fair. We have participated in many community activities including local markets and literacy events. This year I am honoured to be the guest speaker at

Ward.

I care passionately about health, community, the arts, safety, families, diversity and creating places for people to be a community together.

I will always stand up for what is right and want to be a voice on council for the issues that matter.

community. My work in the community has led me to realise I want to represent our people on council.

My family have lived in the Midland area for four generations, Great Uncle Jack was the station master at the Midland Junction Railway Station in the early 1900’s. My grandparents

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ENTERTAINMENT BEATRIZ AT DINNER - FILM REVIEW DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

The dinner guest from hell e have all at some time been at an excruciating party. A party where one of the guests hold forth with opinions completely at odds with everyone else.

These evenings of social discomfort linger long in our memories and Beatriz at Dinner will likewise remain in your mind causing you to think long after you’ve brushed the popcorn off your lap and gone home.

The plot is very simple. Beatriz (played amazingly well by Salma Hayek) is a humble healer, working in a cancer centre plying Reiki, hands on therapies and general saintliness.

One of her clients is Cathy (Connie Britton), wife of a wealthy construction tycoon and when Beatriz’s car breaks down she gets hospitably invited to a small dinner party Cathy and her husband are throwing for a fabulously wealthy developer, Doug Strutt (a bravura performance by John Lithgow).

W

Beatriz, who fits in like a warthog at a gazelles only cocktail party, rapidly gets drunk and turns into the guest from Hell, abusing their hospitality and insulting the other guests when they fail to meet her high moral standards.

One definition of an 'art house movie' is that the cast have more back story than plot and that's certainly true here. Gradually we learn why Beatriz is the way she is and the movie winds it way to its surprising conclusion.

It's an odd movie, well acted and directed but with, in my view, a strong flavour of self-indulgence, of hobby horses ridden into a lather and a point of view relentlessly over-sold.

We are invited to sympathise and morally align ourselves with Beatriz, an impulsive, emotional, unstable, immature, bleeding heart whose idea of extensive research is half an hour on Google.

Wonderful acting, strong performances all round, beautifully

presents

photographed but with a morally ambiguous plot I found it, as I hope you will, intriguing and thought-provoking.

Personally, my sympathies are with the tow-truck driver who did nothing wrong and got shafted on his bill. Beatriz at Dinner opened at Luna Leederville and Luna on SX from September 28th. Recommended.

Directed by Christine Ellis Playing November 17 - December 2 at 8pm Matinees November 20 and 27 at 2pm Bookings through Lucky Charm Newsagency on 9257 2668

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ENTERTAINMENT THE GLASS MENAGERIE - GARRICK THEATRE DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE

The Glass Menagerie opens at the Garrick Theatre in Guildford this October.

This iconic play by Tennessee Williams has justified its position in the history of American theatre. It’s been celebrated on the stage, in film and on television.

Williams is one of America’s greatest playwrights. His works include A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

The Glass Menagerie is largely autobiographical and is told through the memories of the narrator, Tom, who represents Williams whose real name was Thomas.

Amanda Wingfield is based on his mother, Edwina, and Laura draws on his sickly sister, Rose.

Director Siobhan Vincent, well-known in the Parth Community Thatre scene, often appearing as an actor at the Garrick, Marloo in Greenmount, Darlington Theatre Players and (Kalamunda Dramatic Society), has put together a stellar cast.

Jacqui Warner (Amanda Wingfield) has just finished a season of Wife After Death with Serial Productions at the Old Mill Theatre in South Perth and won Best Female Actor for her role as Betty Meeks in The Foreigner at Marloo last year.

Laura Goodlet (Laura Wingfield) recently appeared in Love Me Slender at Marloo along side her now director, Siobhan Vincent.

Tim Presant (Tom Wingfield) is a regular at Marloo and made his Garrick stage debut last

year with See How They Run. Kael McGrechan (Jim O’Connor - the Gentleman Caller) is new to the Garrick, but wellknown to Perth theatre goers. He appeared in Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet and in Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the

Way to the Forum, both at the Heath Ledger Theatre.

The Glass Menagerie is an exquisitely crafted play, often described as poetry in prose. It explores the memories of the characters involved: Amanda, the southern belle

25

with seventeen gentlemen callers, who married a handsome young man only to be abandoned along with her two young children, Laura and Tom. Laura, whose memories of a young man she knew briefly at school are all that come between her and her retreat from reality, her little glass animals. Tom, caught between his family and his passion to live life. Jim, whose school days were a wonderful promise of things to come.

But more than this, it is a story of love. The love of family, of a mother for her children, of a brother for his sister, of young men torn between their desires and their obligations.

It is as relevant today as it was when it premiered in Chicago in 1944.

“The play is being performed with dedication to the integrity of the genre – the memory play – created by Tennessee Williams, himself,” Vincent said.

“With a George Boyd/Graeme Dick designed set and lighting by Geoff Holt, it is a magical production.”

The Glass Menagerie runs from October 11th at Garrick Theatre, 16 Meadow Street, Guildford (Behind Town Hall).

Tickets cost $22 for adults, (Concession $19) and may be obtained by phoning Elaine on 9378 1990; emailing bookings@ garricktheatre.asn. au or online at www. trybooking.com.

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26

STYLE WHY FASHION SUCKS My Commitment For Change KIRSTY MILLIGAN

who dream of being in the fashion P eople industry dream in colour.

Photoshoots in glamorous locations, camera

I can still remember the first time I googled 'ethical fashion'. Reading pages and pages of articles with solid facts and figures clearly shutters clicking wildly, sensual fabrics floating stating that the industry I loved was rotten to down a runway, dancing on the breeze or the core. wrapped around alluring models.

I felt robbed. Devastated. Destroyed.

Fast, fun and furious. Not for the faint I remember looking at my one year old

off to work as a slave instead of going to school.

How soul destroying must that be for her?

It's our job to protect our children. They don't even know they're being sent to their death. And for what? For us to be able to buy $5 t-shirts?

What century are we living in?

The information I read that day rocked me to my core. I just can't 'unknow' this stuff. And the more I research, the stronger my resolve becomes.

This industry of fast fashion, throw away clothes, slavery, abuse and underprivilege needs to change. It's unethical to people, it's acceptable to animals and it's unsustainable to the planet.

My name is Kirsty Milligan and I am a shopaholic. It's been one of my addictions of choice for decades.

I have committed to stop shopping for any clothes or fashion accessories for one entire year.

Starting from the 1st of January, 2017.

I won't lie to you. I am worried about failure.

I am worried about sharing this with you because then you'll know if I fail. And I'm worried most of all that it won't mean a damn thing when I'm done. Like a whisper in the wind.

Children aren’t paid to pick cotton. They’re taken out of school to do it or they’re expelled. It’s covered in poisonous pesticides. It makes them sick and sometimes even kills them

hearted, but a world a beauty, strength, innovation and creativity.

But none of us go into this industry thinking 'fashion kills'?

twins playing obliviously on the floor with tears streaming down my face.

I just couldn't get my head around the fact that we would allow a mother to send her child

Rana Plaza Collapse in Bangladesh, 2013. Over 1,100 workers were killed, mostly women and children 27

My promise is to tell you all about how I'm going, what I've learnt, what was hard and what was easy. Just in case you're inspired to have a go too.

Here's one thing I can tell you for sure. When I stand quietly in the middle of a shopping centre and look as far as I can over my left shoulder, then as far as I can over my right and I know that every single thing that I can see has been made by a women or child who either wasn't paid enough to live, wasn't paid at all or died trying, it makes me feel sick.

So, please, come on this journey with me. I'm not asking you to stop shopping too. Just stay with me, help me be strong and reach my goals, and I promise to share with you everything I've done and everything I learn about the industry I love.

Thank You Friends!

Much love Kirsty

COMMUNITY THEATRE REVIEWS THEATRE WITH GORDON

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.

- Helen K eller AFTERNOON fternoon is a play by the contemporary Norwegian, playwright, Jon Olav Fosse. Fosse is listed as one of the top 100 living geniuses, and for this, he has been granted a permanent, honorary residence within the Royal Palace grounds in Oslo.

He has produced several genres of literature, from poetry and children’s books to novels and plays.

The student ensemble has collaboratively

A

reworked the play to suit the theatre.

This wonderful production can be seen at the New Hayman Theatre, Building 302, at Curtin University, Kent Street in Bentley.

The scene is Erna’s, smart modern flat. The attractive set was designed by Bianca Rose, and built by the production manager, Stephen Carr.

The walls are white muslin drapes.

A window ‘hangs’ against the rear wall.

There is a comfortable settee centre stage, with a white leather Scandinavian style chair at the side. A central, opalescent ceiling lamp lights the room, with a standard lamp next to the chair.

Sophie Paice, and the crew of Jemima Hill and Shona Schutz, assisted the stage manager, Chelsea Gibson. As I looked at the four-seater sofa, I cast my mind back to the old Hayman and the ‘joy’ of the poor students having to carry massive pieces of furniture – even pianos – up three flights of stairs, this new theatre is at ground level.

Claire Cockell designed the soft lighting and

operated the slow daylight changes sensitively.

Lauren Beeton and Callum Christie designed and operated the sound and music.

Although there was no accent required, Donald Woodburn was called in as vocal coach, and with the aid of Maddy Mullins, helped the cast have just the right emphasis and speed of delivery for the tricky dialogue.

A warm welcome to Chantal Victor, who has stepped into Leigh’s shoes whilst he is on long service leave.

A young woman, dressed in a black leotard, smiles as she steps forward. She is ‘Time’ (Lauren Beeton – described as ‘The Old Man’ by the playwright); slowly, she explains to the audience, how life is filled with opposites, black and white, night and day, happiness and sadness. Continuing, Time points out how boring life would be if stability was the norm.

Erna (Amber Gilmour) is a happy, tolerant young woman, but her overpowering, jealous, and manipulating partner, George (Sam Ireland) is starting to become a daily nightmare. Erna has decided that the only answer is to sell her pleasant flat, and move on.

One day, whilst waiting for a potential buyer to arrive and view the apartment, an extremely nervous old friend, Asle (Ellis Kinnear) calls to say ‘goodbye’. There is a great deal that Asle would like to say to Erna, however, courage is lacking.

TeresaElise (Molly Earnshaw), who once lived just down the road, has returned to the area to find a home for her mentally retarded, withdrawn sister (Maddy Mullins).

Frustratingly, Asle and Erna’s chat is repeatedly interrupted.

As the house sale progresses, the whole situation takes a strange and dramatic turn.

The unusual, but brilliant dialogue is written in the broken and enigmatic style of Samuel Beckett; however, Fosse ties up the loose ends, and even occasionally has his characters speaking their inner thoughts.

It takes a couple of minutes to get into this genre, but thanks to the skills of director, Teresa Izzard, who has really truly conquered this complex style, and the assistance of assistant director, Dylan Dorotich, the cast was magnificent.

With Beckett, one often takes days to regurgitate, reassess, and discover the hidden meanings, this play just clicks into place and the audience leave totally understanding what they have just seen.

A dialogue comprising partial sentences, make it tricky to be the feed of the next actor.

Often actors miss chunks of the script as they flounder around with a non-naturalistic writing.

This cast were slick, never missing a beat. At one point in the play, during a conversation and when a quick reply was expected, Erna had a massive pause; but her delivery was special, a highlight of the play.

The script was often quite dark and serious, and yet the author has built in many pieces of 28

contrasting dry humour.

The cast showed how even the slightest brush against someone could bring revulsion or joy; clever direction from Teresa and the dramaturg, Maddy Mullins.

An unusual play that all theatre students and creative writing scholars should see. Superb work.

ARE YOU HAPPY? Are You Happy? is a black satire by playwright Scott McAteer. Scott was hatched from an egg in Hobart, and after gaining his degree in Tasmania, left to live in Melbourne with his girlfriend and dog. Being a stand-up comedian, he reached the State Finals of the Raw Comedy festival.

The Black Martini Theatre Group, a Perth theatre company that is committed to putting on ‘new and exciting shows’, is presenting this quirky play. This presentation could be seen at Studio 411, Murdoch University grounds, South Street, Murdoch.

The scene is a community hall. The set is a table with cloth over it, and a wooden chair. Stage manager Shannon Precious.

Injeong Hwang operated John King’s sound and lighting design.

A nervous young man, Tom (Jonathan Maddock) arrives for his ‘liberate your inner self’ class. He sits down and anxiously awaits the co-ordinator. A few minutes later, an energy-packed man, Mr Price (Philip Hutton) bounces into the room.

Mr Price can see that Tom is not simply troubled, but that he is tortured and inwardly collapsing. Mr Price discusses the causes, and promises to show Tom how to clear all his problems away – in several unconventional ways.

Mrs Price (Shannon Precious) makes a cameo appearance at the end.

Although Shannon did very well, I am sure she will not mind me saying that this is virtually a two-hander play.

With only thirty minutes in which to build a situation, and have the audience genuinely feeling sorry for the ‘client’ presents a major task for Jonathan and the director, Jessica Serio – but they succeeded wonderfully. Philip is magnificent in parts where he can be eccentric, and here he was at his best.

A minor suggestion. No matter how good the play, and it was very good, perhaps you are being a little bit optimistic expecting people to travel to a theatre on a cold, wet night for a half hour presentation.

The price was brilliant, but a second play by Scott – and he has some as short as ten minutes, with worldly issues such as schizophrenia, gender roles, social isolation, masculine identity and terrorism – would have seemed more worthwhile to those thinking about going.

Glad I caught this play; it was a fun show that succeeded perfectly, congratulations to all.

JAMES FORTE

AN EVENING WITH GEORGE SMILEY Luna Cinema Notes from a Spymaster August 2016 issue of the Swan Magazine, ILater,nI theconfessed to being a John le Carré tragic. in the July 2017 issue, I commended

the initiative (through Luna Cinemas in WA) of screening near-live performances of current London West-end productions.

Imagine my delight at discovering that there was to be coverage of a talk by Le Carré at The

Royal Festival Hall (on London’s Southbank) concerning his most famous character, the spymaster George Smiley.

It was to coincide with the launch of his latest novel and proceeds were to go to Médecins Sans Frontières. The Windsor Cinema, Sunday 1st October was entered into my diary – using purple, not invisible, ink!

John le Carré (real name David Cornwell) worked in the fifties and early sixties for both MI5 and MI6. In his spare time he filled notebooks with his early fiction.

As he confides in this talk, his pen name

and George Smiley were created on the same day in 1961 - and on the same page of his first book, Call for the Dead. And then in 1963, with his third novel The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, the world discovered what many, Graham Greene included, called the best spy story that they had ever read.

Le Carré retired from Intelligence work and became a full-time author. The novels are now modern literary classics.

Apart from the two books above, Smiley is the protagonist in A Murder of Quality and the Karla trilogy: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley’s People.

Smiley has a supporting role in The Secret Pilgrim. And now we have a new book: A Legacy of Spies. He has been played by James Mason, Denholm Elliott, Rupert Davies and Gary Oldman (the latter nominated for an academy award).

The best-known portrayal, however, was Alec Guinness for the two BBC TV series on Smiley.

The format of the evening at the Royal Festival Hall is simple. We start with a number of thoughts from actors who have been Le Carré characters.

We then have an hour of the author, standing at a podium, providing insights into his books, characters and method of writing. These are interspersed with readings from the novels.

After the interval, we have Le Carré interviewed

by John Snow.

There are many h u m o r o u s comments on the love-hate feelings authors have as their characters are transferred to the screen.

And a few thoughts: “Think of the second half of your life – spies don’t have one”.

My only criticism? Why didn’t it go for four hours instead of only two?

If you like your spies portrayed as someone who might live next door, standing in the rain, watching for that final clue which will see another small victory for the West then read George Smiley.

And some advice: before you read the latest A Legacy of Spies - get and read The Spy Who Came

29

in from the Cold.

John le Carré is now 85. Let us wish him many more years of great writing. ~oOo~ LAIKA: A STAGED RADIO PLAY Blue Room Theatre A new medium?

Let us start with a clarification. This is NOT a radio play. And it is not quite a stage play either. It is something of a hybrid – perhaps a new medium for experimentation.

Writer and director Scott McArdle is one of the most interesting of the new generation of Perth

L

theatre-makers, particularly in his determination to push the boundaries.

Congratulations to the Blue Room theatre in backing a play on an unusual subject, delivered in an original form.

This is the story of the early space flights in the Soviet Union – the decade from October 1957 and the launch of Sputnik.

Building on captured German expertise after the Great Patriotic War, Soviet engineers took incredible risks to achieve dominance in the field.

It is now difficult to overstate the shock felt by the West (particularly in the USA) at having a Communist artificial satellite clearly visible and beeping down at us. Suddenly there was an avalanche of funding for science and technology.

Within a few days of Sputnik, space engineer Sergei Korolev, at the insistence of Khrushchev, launched the first living animal into orbit. This was the dog Laika on a one-way mission.

And then just four years later, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space when his Vostok spacecraft was launched in April 1961. There are theories that earlier flights with cosmonauts had ended in disaster and death.

A fascinating story – not widely known by current generations and well worth the telling.

However Scott had a problem in wanting to put this epic on the stage. How to depict the confines of a space capsule only just big enough to contain Laika?

Do it with puppets? Or shadows on a back screen? Perhaps not have the dog on stage at all – but merely the scientists talking about her?

Scott chose to make it a radio play. He would rely on sound effects to convey the action – a dog barking, a rocket blasting into space.

The BBC broadcast four radio plays a day.

Sadly, not the ABC. But podcasts are making the new medium quite appealing.

Concluded on page 35 ...

WRITING WHAT’S ON AT KSP SHANNON COYLE

Halloween Hits KSP Writers’ Centre KSP Sunday Sessions give you the chance to mingle with and learn from authors who've achieved great things in the industry - and want to share their knowledge with you.

This month, to celebrate Halloween, meet the winner of KSP’s 2017 Ghost Story competition, Scott-Patrick Mitchell.

Scott-Patrick Mitchell is a former journalist for OUTinPerth. His poetry and fiction has been published in numerous anthologies and he has won the 2009 PressPress Chapbook Award and the 2010 Perth Poetry Slam.

BYO drinks and nibbles and take a seat in the Balcony Bar for a great evening of readings and socialising. Complimentary glass of Lion Mill red wine on entry, while stocks last.

October Sunday Session, Sunday, 29 October 2017, 4.00-4.30pm Tickets: $5 KSP/WAWU members, $10 others Book online or pay at the door Halloween Literary Dinner Arrive at 6pm to enjoy live pre-dinner acoustic entertainment from local musician Karina McRoberts.

Then, enjoy three courses of gourmet Italian food accompanied by readings from KSP Writerin-Residence Sarah Nicholson from NSW. Sarah is the author of The Evolutionary Journey of Woman:

From the Goddess to Integral Feminism.

She teaches in the fields of religion and gender studies, literature, and academic writing practice, at a number of universities around Sydney, Australia. BYO drinks. Optional Dress: Scary! Dietary requirements catered for with notice.

Tuesday, 31 October 2017, 6.00-9.30pm Tickets: $35 KSP/WAWU members, $40 others Book online (advance bookings essential) KSP Big Quiz Fundraiser KSP is hosting another BIG QUIZ to help raise money for replacement linens in their three writing studios. A cash bar will be on hand and games will be played in between ten rounds of themed quiz questions where teams of six to eight people will compete for pride and prizes aplenty.

Suitable for ages twelve and over. BYO nibbles. Book by Halloween for the early-bird discount and table cost is only $100!

Friday, 17 November 2017, from 6.30pm Tickets: $120 for table of eight, or $15 per orphan ticket Book online (advance bookings essential) Advance bookings are essential for all events. For more details or to book, please phone 08 9294 1872 or visit the KSP website on www. kspwriterscentre.com .

WRITING A LIFE STORY LESLIE HERBERT

Society of Women Writers WA is hosting Ton heaSaturday creative writing event, Writing A Life Story, 4th November 2017 at Citiplace

Community Centre, Perth Railway Station Concourse.

Helen Iles, publisher and award-winning writer, will conduct two workshops.

The morning workshop, Life Writing, is from 9.30am to 12 noon. Helen will show you how to structure and focus your writing to engage and interest the reader.

Capture the poignant, the memorable, the historic and the truly unique aspects of a life story or memoir. She will also outline a variety of ways you can set up your book and publish your story economically.

The afternoon workshop, Publishing Your Life Story and Photo Restoration, is from 1pm to 3.30pm.

If you have started writing your life story, but are stuck in the development phase, bring your manuscript to this interactive workshop.

You will be helped to steer your project towards completion and publication.

During the second half of this workshop, Helen will teach you how to enhance and restore old photographs.

Men and women of all ages are invited to attend. Light refreshments are included. Bring your lunch, or there are several take away outlets nearby.

Cost is $25.00 per workshop For bookings, please telephone - 0429 116 395, or email swwwabookingofficer@ gmail.com For more information about the Society of Women Writers WA, visit the website www.swwofwa.com.

30

THE IDLER The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind photo album is a large book where hard copy a question was asked.

FROM AVOIDANCE TO ADDICTION

photos were either stuck down with glue, or trapped behind clear plastic sheets that required a three-year degree to master returning them to their original position without crinkling.

Anyway, trolling through the albums, our group of friends reminisced over post-it-note sized black and white photographs, some with white boarders, others with yellowing curled edges.

GLENNYS MARSDON

ast month I found myself flying across the Lbirthday country to attend a friend’s significant party.

In the weeks leading up to the date, my pending attendance had become as fluid as the work deadlines holding my RSVP hostage.

Consequently, my eventual confirmation coincided with me being deemed a surprise feature on the night.

On arrival in said town at twenty minutes passed the bewitching hour, I was picked up at the airport and driven to a safe house (inner city hotel) where I was stashed away until the predetermined unveiling.

Out of sight I took the opportunity to whittle away at a couple of deadlines before venturing out for a walk along the river bank.

It was a perfect afternoon. Blue skies. Gentle breezes. Party boats, paddlers and jet skiers passing by at various speeds. It was impossible not to snap off a few photos, particularly the sight of a three-storey high yellow rubber duck peeking out from behind two skyscrapers.

I was just about to upload them to Instagram, accompanied by a delightfully witty remark of course, when I remembered that I wasn’t meant to be there.

Instead I scrolled through the photos of the birthday boy on my phone and soon found myself pondering how far social convention had shifted in just one generation.

As is usually the case with a significant birthday, a few weeks earlier the call had gone out for old photographs of the victim, er, I mean birthday boy.

Trolling through old photo albums, yes there is another use for the word trolling, oh and a

It was easy to find the usual suspects: baby photos, some taken in professional studios, the child’s cheeks artificially coloured a healthy rose hue; young boy in toy car; first days at school; first sporting teams; first real car.

Also in the mix were: three photos of a 21st cake; one of a 25th cake; a couple with long gone ‘she’s-the-one’ girlfriends; another professional shot this time the subject swathed in a university gown with alcohol induced rosy cheeks; first job suits; and several overseas trips.

The final album was half empty. The last page housed a large yellow envelope containing a series of CD’s. On the CD’s were two hundred wedding day images, plus photos of two growing children, more overseas trips and so on. The sum of one man’s life set out in three of four encyclopedia-like tomes.

Photos were subpoenaed to appear as witness to his life in video that would play on loop at the back of the room. As the video took shape

‘Can you send some photos from the teenage years?’

Days went by.

The question was asked again. ‘We don’t have any photos from high school or as a teenager can you send some?’

There it was in a nutshell - the difference between Baby Boomers and generations entering the world with mobile phones and social media accounts.

When Baby Boomers embarked on their pimple infused years of angst, the absolutely, positively very last thing ever, and I mean ever, undertaken was sitting around taking photos of each other.

It wasn’t as if they were a generation of no egos, far from it. No, what they were was a generation where capturing one’s image for prosperity meant submitting a roll of film for processing, waiting in anticipation for several days, handing over hard-earned cash for ten photos.

Three photos would be blurry, four close ups of someone’s nether-regions (not yours although you couldn’t be sure from the angle), one of the carpet, one random wedding couple who had been put in the wrong envelope and one good shot of the actual intended subject.

There was another reason for the lack of teen photos - it simply wasn’t cool. Sure, there were segments keen on the lens but the vast majority would turn away or hide behind their Human League fringes.

Consequently, there’s little evidence of the teen years of the Baby Boomer generation, including those now sitting in positions of power, which is a shame.

Sadly, the unique fashion period that included the likes of Punk, Split ENZ, New Romantics, Duran Duran, is lost. Although considering it was also the time of the tartan loving Bay City Rollers maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

How quick the world’s capacity to move from avoidance to addiction.

I’m assuming Millennials will have no such problem, they’ll have a tsunami of embarrassing possibilities.

Although progression from the ever-available printed hard copy photos, to the rapidly changing technology-reliant CD’s, UBS’s and Clouds could be a godsend for some future Prime Ministers.

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

31

FINANCE THE SAMSUNG WAY wenty years ago, several people Ttransform predicted that Samsung could itself from a low-cost

STEVE BLIZARD

JAPANESE ROOTS Samsung’s Japanese connections are strong.

When the company was founded equipment manufacturer to a world in 1938, South Korea was still a leader in R&D, marketing, and design.

Japanese colony.

Founded in 1938 by Lee Byung-chul Samsung’s first chairman, Lee’s as a trading company, the Samsung father, was educated in Japan, Group has grown to employing more and the company developed its than 489,000 workers worldwide, and corporate muscle in industries that revenue at $305 billion in 2014.

Japan once dominated, including Since 2011, Samsung Electronics consumer electronics, memory Company (SEC) has been the world's chips, and LCD panels. largest smart phone manufacturer.

The Japanese hierarchical labour The popular Samsung Galaxy Note model also suited the Korean 8 has just been released, with plans marketing, and design capabilities for emerging context, with the institutions underpinning to release a revolutionary foldable smartphone digital products. model during 2018.

And the outcomes of the New Management South Korea’s managerial labour markets underdeveloped, making mobility across Samsung has been the world's largest initiative were astounding. television manufacturer since 2006, and is the Since 2004, the operating profits of SEC corporations rare. world's largest memory chip manufacturer.

HYBRID MANAGEMENT SYSTEM So how did Samsung become a household However, Samsung’s hybrid management name? style now optimises the best aspects of both the Japanese and American approaches to THE NEW MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE management.

For two decades now, Samsung has been Generally, Japanese management is grafting Western business practices onto its characterized by market share orientation, essentially Japanese management system, and unrelated diversification, vertical integration, combining its traditional low-cost manufacturing emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness prowess with an ability to bring high-quality, and operational efficiency, strict organizational high-margin branded products swiftly to market. discipline, emphasis on employee loyalty, “Samsung went from a no-name company in internal and seniority-based promotion and the global market of the early 1990s to a worldrewards, and participation of both workers and class corporation in the second millennium,” shareholders in management. explains Dr. Jaeyong Song, the lead author of the However, to survive in such an environment, book The Samsung Way. Samsung has adopted the elements of American Little known, the most important factor in management style like bold risk taking, Samsung's success was the New Management securing core talent, strong performance-based Initiative that Chairman Lee Kun-hee proposed in incentives, creative organizational culture, and 1993. high speed.

Lee viewed the emerging digital revolution as At the same time, Samsung strenuously a golden opportunity to get a jump on Japanese strives to reduce costs based on the massive electronics giants such as Sony. manufacturing facilities it has built around the In order to achieve this goal Chairman world.

Lee spearheaded a complete corporate As a result, Samsung’s strategic planning, transformation of Samsung and proposed a famous New Management slogan: have consistently been higher than the sum focused on its CEO system, now mainly using Change everything except your wife and children. of the annual operating profits of Japan’s five American practices, while its operations In particular, Chairman Lee Kun-hee pushed major electronics companies, including Sony and strongly rely on Japanese management practices.

Samsung to invest pre-emptively in R&D, brand Panasonic.

BRING IN OUTSIDERS To compete outside its home markets, Lee knew that Samsung would need to move beyond its well-integrated manufacturing system to engage with non-Koreans in non-Korean contexts.

However, Samsung’s efforts to recruit and retain non-Korean MBAs and PhDs were hindered by cultural, social, and political tensions, all of which were magnified by the language barrier.

To help assimilate recruits, Chairman Lee Kun-hee, in 1997, ordered group headquarters to set up a unique internal management consulting unit, the Global Strategy Group (GSG), which reports directly to the CEO. Concluded on the next page ...

32

Concluded from pge 31 ...

There is little activity in Perth, but a couple of radio stations, including KCR-FM, are recording and broadcasting a short play each week.

For the most part they are recorded in a sound studio with effects from a computer and a great deal of editing.

From time to time, a play may be recorded in front of a live audience – giving valuable, immediate feedback to the actors – and making a feature of the sound effects done by a Foley artist. (As an aside, such a recording was made with one of your reviewer’s radio comedies at Marloo theatre in June of this year.)

Having settled on a radio play format, we find here an immediate divergence from the conventions. Laika is a play within a play.

Five actors, sheltering from a storm, find an abandoned radio studio with a table containing all the objects that a Foley artist could desire, plus a set of scripts telling the story of Laika.

Not that the scripts matter much, within Concluded from page 38 ...

The effect of these employees on the organization has been something like that of a steady trickle of water on stone.

As more people from GSG are assigned to SEC, their Korean colleagues have had to change their work styles and mind-sets to accommodate Westernized practices.

SEC employs about 1,200 foreign employees who hail from fifty-five countries.

Since some employees may want to stay in their home country, Samsung has also set up overseas R&D and design centres to tap their talent and local knowledge.

In 2013, SEC alone employed more than 20,000 researchers at twenty-seven institutes in twelve countries, including Japan, the UK, India, Russia and the USA. DESIGN Lee’s long-term focus has been essential to his most recent initiative: the development of Samsung’s design expertise.

SEC has established design research institutes in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, China, and India.

Each year SEC sends fifteen designers abroad to prominent design schools for one to three years to learn cutting-edge trends, with many design awards as a result.

Combining this design excellence with its traditional technological competence has allowed the once low-cost imitator to sustain a high-price

minutes the actors have discarded them and are playing to the audience in the theatre. The old microphones simply give them a place to stand.

The rear wall has four large panels with captions and projections of Soviet rockets soaring into space. (Question: if you have visual movie footage of the rockets, why do you not have audio? Answer: you want all the sound effects produced (brilliantly) by Andrew David.)

For a radio play, you do not need to worry about lighting or costumes or set. Here we have actors wearing space helmets which glow

theatrically from the inside in green and red. Scott is trying to get the best of both radio and stage – he is having his cake and eating it.

With a radio play, obviously, the audience must be able to close their eyes and still understand the course of the action from the sound-scape alone.

Not so here. The actors have been cast for their acting ability (which is excellent), not the distinctiveness of their speech. Radio listeners must be able to work out who is speaking from the texture of the voices. Here we can see them. And all their actions.

Did I like it? Yes, I thought it a fascinating experiment. A form that will evolve its own conventions and discipline.

Laika: A Staged Radio Play ran at the Blue Room Theatrer. Watch out for a revival.

PROSE MY MOTHER NADIA KELLER (19)

y mother is the most beautiful person you M could ever hope to meet in your whole entire life.

strategy for its TVs and cell phones.

INVESTING IN SAMSUNG International Fund Manager, Kerr Neilson, has been a strong supporter of Samsung for the most part of the last twenty years.

Over this period he’s witnessed the company’s growth into an international leader in technological innovation, with its share price rising forty times in local currency (and around twenty-five times in Australian dollars).

Weeks after rolling out their new Note 8 smartphone, Samsung is set to reveal a massive $14.3 Billion profit with a huge portion set to come from on-selling components to Apple for their new iPhone.

If estimates are correct, Samsung’s operating profit would represent a 63 percent year-on-year increase.

For more information on foreign investing, email steve@blizard.com.au Courtesy of Roxburgh Securities 33

She is not a friend, because friends tell you what you want to hear, she is not like a sibling because they tell you what you don’t want to hear, Instead she is my mother and tells me what I need to hear. Sometimes what I needed to hear wasn’t what I wanted to hear, Like the time she insisted I buy a bike with my own money, that she could afford and I couldn’t or the many times she ignored ‘what every other mother’ did or said and just went her own way.

The love that she gives her family has never and will never be in doubt. I guess you never realize just how much your mother loves you until you explore the attic and find every letter you ever sent her, every finger painting, clay pot, beaded necklace, cardboard Santa Claus, paper Mother’s Day card and school report since day one.

She loved us enough to figure we would lie about parties being chaperoned but forgave us for it… after discovering she was right.

She loved us enough to stand over us for two hours while we cleaned our bedrooms, a job that would have taken her 15 minutes.

But most importantly she loves us enough to accept us for what we are, not what she wanted us to be. I guess what I’m saying is thankyou, thankyou mum for teaching me everything I know, you never told me how to live, instead you lived, And let me watch you.

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BUSINESS - NETWORKING ARE YOU THE BEST-KEPT SECRET IN TOWN? SHARRON ATTWOOD

D

id you see? That new business up the road just closed down!

At least I thought it was new. Turns out it had been there for months- maybe even a year, trying to make a go of things.

But it just didn’t work out and they made a decision that I am sure did not come easily.

At times we all contemplate a change – but by choice, not like this.

I often wonder why this happens. I’ve known businesses to close due to illness, owners moving away, relationship breakdown and many other, very valid reasons.

The reason that perplexes me most though – the one I really struggle to understand, is when a business closes due to a lack of awareness - a lack of marketing – a lack of me knowing they were even there!

Not that long ago a local business, smack bang in the middle of town went out of business.

Their parting shot (whilst advertising a closing down sale) was to slam locals on social media for not supporting them.

The majority of responses were from people saying this was the first they had heard of them.

The real sting though – was that many said they would probably have popped in had they been aware. Ouch!

You can’t just hang your shingle and hope for the best. “Great Location’ is never enough.

Websites, SEO, signage, logo, not enough in isolation.

When I started out on my own – I was told (by my marketing coach) to invest four times as much effort marketing my business as I spent actually working in it.

Ahhh good old “Pareto’s Principle” – the 80/20 rule at it’s finest. I’d suggest you check out this principal as it pops up everywhere in business – statistically and anecdotally.

The same rule that tells us that 80% of your business comes from 20% of your clients. The trick is finding them or better yet, having them find you.

This is not to say you need to spend a lot of money – but you need to get the word out there

in a big way, especially if you are locally based.

You also need clarity and consistency.

I’m sure the statistics are flawed, but it’s often said a plane exerts 80% of it’s energy just getting airborn. The other 20% keeps it moving along. Can you see the similarities now? Hint – your business is the plane. The beginning is hard.

Even if for some reason a business starts off with a bang – will it last? A successful business is akin to performing that circus trick with the spinning plates. You need to keep them spinning or they fall off. You can’t take your eyes off them.

The plates are also easier to keep spinning than to start them spinning the first time around.

I often work with clients who mention how a family member or friend went and did business with the opposition. It may be that the opposition is better (or they don’t like you) – but very often, when I ask if the family member was clear on what they do – the answer is ‘I’m not sure’.

I can understand your desire to not bombard your family and friends with your business – but there are ways to let them know what you do without being annoying. Surely you are doing them a disservice by not exposing them to your awesome good or service?

Same applies to your community. I was at a local networking event just last week, as we discussed how we like to support local, and will often times even pay a little more – but it has to be easy as we are time poor. It has to be easy to find you and we need to know about you. We also have to understand what you offer. Too many business owners aren’t sure how to answer that one.

This is where Business Networking plays it’s strongest hand. Particularly for supporting local business and local business owners. By mixing one on one with your peers or attending larger gatherings of business owners – you get to let others know about you and your awesome good or service. Simple enough.

As an aside however – you will also get very clear on what it is you do as you have to explain it over and over.

You can learn from others, be they attendees, facilitators or speakers. I can also stay up to date with local planning issues by attending local events. It also helps keep me motivated!

Don’t hide, don’t undersell yourself and don’t under market! It can be a challenge – but mixing with your business cohorts can help on so many levels.

“If you build it they will come” only works in the movies. I much prefer “If you come (to build your networks), they will build it”.

Don’t be the best kept secret in town and keep the doors open!

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THE PARETO PRINCIPLE The Pareto Principle is derived from Vilfredo Pareto's observation that only a ‘vital few’ of the peapods in his garden produced the majority of peas.

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80/20 rule, the law of the vital few, or the principle of factor sparsity) states that for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.

Management consultant Joseph M. Juran suggested the principle and named it after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who noted the 80/20 connection while at the University of Lausanne in 1896, as published in his paper, Cours d'économie politique.

AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS you know someone who has made an D ooutstanding contribution to the community?

Then make sure you nominate them for the

Australia Day, Community Citizen of the Year Award before October 31.

The awards, which are run by the State Government, are presented by participating Local Government’s across Western Australia on Australia Day. City of Swan Mayor Mick Wainwright said each year three local citizens and one local community group were eligible for the awards.

“We are looking for City of Swan community members or groups that have made a big contribution to the community, been responsible for an initiative or program that has enhanced the community or has become a role model for those who live in the area,” he said.

There are four award categories: - Community Citizen of the Year - Community Citizen of the Year (Senior) - Community Citizen of the Year (Youth) - Active Citizen Award (group or event) Ballajura Ward Councillor Maria Haynes said the awards were a great way to officially recognise our hardest working community members.

“If they’re making a difference in your area, then we want to know about it whether they are a neighbour, a friend, a relative or a local community group,” she said.

“We have some very inspirational people in the City of Swan, so it is my hope that we are flooded with nominations and we beat last year’s total of eleven.”

Once nominations close, they will be assessed by a committee and the winners will be awarded during the City’s Australia day celebrations.

For more information on the awards and to nominate a community citizen, please go to www. citizenshipawards.com.au.

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK 2017 FAMILY TWILIGHT ROLY POLY PRODUCE SUE HURT FESTIVAL ntroducing you to two young Farmers Declan market garden, we are happy to farm on two SANDY WHITTINGTON

Valley Community Centre has been hosting Ssincewan the Twilight Family Festival at Baskerville Oval 2015.

We have seen people coming from all over the Swan Valley and afar to enjoy the afternoon and evening of events.

We are looking to make 2017 another successful event and are inviting Market and Community Groups to hold a stall on the day.

The free family event features free activities for children of all ages such as petting zoo, bouncy castles and craft, a Christmas market with stallholders promoting local hand made goods and craft items as well as local produce, stalls and performances by local community groups, on-stage entertainment throughout the afternoon, a visit from Santa and Carols by Candlelight to finish off the evening.

Priority for Market Stalls will be given to those who sell homemade items and crafts or local produce (such as honey, jam or Olive Oil).

Community Group Stalls are free and Market Stalls incur a $25 fee.

Please email your interest to enquiries@ swanvalleycommunitycentre.com and we will send you the booking form and the terms and conditions.

The Festival will take place on the 10th December, 2017 at the Baskerville Oval, Baskerville.

STATEMENT SUE HURT

have been queried repeatedly by various “I people who am I voting for at the Local Elections.

I am aware that Mr Charlie Zannino has lodged his nomination for the Swan Valley-Gidgegannup Ward.

“As a past Councillor and Mayor to the City of Swan, and Freeman of the City, Mr Charlie Zannino understands our community; has extensive experience and a proven ability in achieving quality results for our Region.

“Mr Zannino has shown Leadership and Integrity at Local Council and proven Statesman and Stewardship for the City of Swan, by being presented a Freeman of the City. As a community, we also require a person who can discuss at any level of government, be that Local, State or Federal, to that of Leadership in Business.

“With the Changes to the planning of the Swan Valley into the future, a redirection to go forward; our communities will need those qualities.

“I am giving my vote and endorsement to Charlie Zannino who has proven he can bring business and investment funding to the Swan Valley – Gidgegannup Ward, and widely the City of Swan.

I

McGill and partner Melissa. Declan is a Swan Valley-ite and is returning with Melissa to farm during this year (November 2017 ) At present they are farmers and producers without Land however with heaps of experience to support your farm, and are aiming to find some land to lease..

Roly Poly Produce (Declan and Melissa) aim is to establish a small scale regenerative farm close to the Perth CBD. ‘My partner Melissa and I are looking to start a pasture based farm within an hour of the CBD. We will be primarily growing vegetables and raising livestock, ideally pigs but this will depend on the context of the land we can access.

There would be the potential for sheep, goats or cows at a later date. We aim to commence farming at the beginning of 2018.

Both of us have been working at different farms around the world for the past two years, completing internship programs and working as farm hands.

We spent the majority of last year in Northern California at a pasture based animal farm called Pasture 42, raising laying hens, aiding to run a raw dairy herd-share, and rearing pigs, sheep, goats and broiler chickens rotationally out on pasture.

We were responsible for sorting, packing and delivering orders, as well as being the primary sellers of produce at the local farmers markets.

After this, we worked on a no-till vegetable CSA called the Giving Gardens Project, which also raised pigs, rabbits and goats.

We gained a huge amount of skills and knowledge regarding market gardening, farming with minimal machinery, closed-loop farming systems and CSA style farm planning.

After this, we continued onto South and Central America, where we volunteered at a number of Agroforestry projects, learning about functional polycultures and how to integrate them in a diversified farming system.

In April this year, we returned to Australia to do an internship at Jonai Farms in Victoria, where we have been farm managers, raising heritage breed pigs and cattle, and learning whole animal butchery and the art of charcuterie.

Our current home is Old Mill Road Biofarm in NSW, where we are consolidating our knowledge of market gardening and farm planning before we head home to start our own farm.

After spending this time learning and gaining experience, we are ready to return home and put this knowledge to use, however we are currently landless.

We are looking to organise a lease arrangement with someone in the area for fifteen to thirty-five acres for the animals, and 0.5-2 acres for the market garden.

Ideally, we would like to operate both enterprises on the same land base, however, if you believe you have property that is solely suitable for either the animal husbandry or the 36

separate properties, and would love to hear from you.

If within the Shire of Serpentine/ Jarrahdale the property must be within ‘Rural Zoned Areas’.

The only area within this zoning that would not be applicable to the rearing of livestock would be in the Jandakot water mound area. In the City of Cockburn, we will be able to apply for approval for the market garden in both ‘Rural Living’ and ‘Rural Zone’ areas, but the pigs will not be able to be raised in the area. If within the City of Swan, the property/s would have to be zoned under the ‘General Rural Zone’, which is primarily in the Upper Swan/ Bullsbrook/ Gidgegannup area; I think there may be some land in Middle Swan under this category, also.

The pigs will be raised outdoors on pasture in a rotational system, with a focus on maintaining ground cover year round.

Our aim is to enhance the ecological health and aesthetics of the area through intelligent management, rather than degrade vibrant pasture. On the property for the animals, we must have sufficient access to water, and access to drive vehicles with trailers on and off of the property. We would also ideally like to be able to access some mains power to power electric fencing, but if this is not possible, we can purchase and provide our own portable solar set-up.

With regards to the vegetables, we will be managing the area as a no-till garden without the use of pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers.

Although we are not currently interested in registering as Organic Certified, our aim is to care for the soil by increasing the organic matter of the area we are working over time.

This will be achieved through cover cropping and other regenerative practices, such as compost application.

Ideally, we would like to be able to access mains power to plug in our mobile refrigeration unit on harvest days, but this is not essential.

We would also require access to water on this property.

If interested, we would love to incorporate a share of our harvest into the lease agreement.

Our business aims are to be a profitable producer of ethically grown vegetables and humanely raised meat for the local community, at an accessible price for the median consumer.

We aim to provide a model of community integrated, closed-loop farming systems as an educational opportunity for the wider public.

Thank you to anyone who reads through this and feels like reaching out or helping out; we're pretty excited to start farming in the area and growing produce. If anyone has or knows of land that is available in the area, we would love to get in contact.

You can reach us via email at: rolypolyproduce@ gmail.com, mobile: 0423183485, or follow along with our adventures via our Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/rolypolyfarm/.’

SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK OPEN LETTER

From Jane Bremmer, Zero Waste and anti-incineration coordinator, National Toxics Network, Australia to Councillors and Ministers Dear Councillors and Ministers, As many of you are aware, the EMRC have been pursuing Waste to Energy incineration in our state for nearly two decades.

This week you will be asked to vote in favour of your council adopting and signing a participation agreement for the Waste Supply Agreement and the Financier Side Deed, to send our waste to be burnt in an incinerator in Rockingham.

Some of you will remember the decades of civil society opposition in the east metro region to establish an incinerator at Red Hill and Hazelmere.

Some of you will remember the community engagement outcomes over those years that clearly showed the communities opposition to burning our waste in favour of more sustainable Zero Waste strategies such as recycling and composting.

Scandalously, the EMRC have failed to improve waste management for our region and in fact more waste is going to landfill than ever.

We still do not have: V Public place recycling bins in most LGA’s.

V An East Metro Resource Recovery Facility that can ensure higher value outcomes through dedicated source separation for reuse, recycling and composting.

V Dedicated waste education campaigns to generate waste reductions and improve recycling and composting outcomes V Dedicated three bin system to support better waste management outcomes through source separation especially for organics.

However, the EMRC have managed to spend $1,544,420.00 on pursuing this long awaited Resource Recovery Facility(see attached) and has sent many councillors on trips to visit overseas incinerator companies, but not to visit those cities practicing Zero Waste models without incineration or to speak with other Zero Waste and sustainability experts and practitioners around the world.

This has created a biased and misleading perception about the industry, its impacts on health and the environment and the potential options for WA Local Governments….And now the ‘big finale’ is to ensure the implementation of the ‘secret plan’ to send our regions waste to an incinerator in Rockingham…at this week’s meeting, just before a Local Government election!

You may or may not be aware that the EMRC have approval for a Gasification incinerator and an Anaerobic Digestor at Red Hill, Toodyay and a Biomass incinerator at Hazelmere.

Yet the EMRC would rather burn our waste in someone else’s backyard! …And in a region already disproportionately impacted by our states industrial pollution in Kwinana where another incinerator is proposed.

As an environmental justice campaigner for 20 years in WA, I am appalled at the direction the EMRC has taken to manage the our regions waste while knowing full well they do not have the

confidence or permission of our community or the community to which they will inflict a significant environmental health threat upon.

In my recent role as the Asia Pacific Coordinator for the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and now as Zero Waste coordinator for the National Toxics Network, I can confirm that the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, is being targeted by the incineration industry lobby at a time when the industry is failing in the US and the EU and where sustainable zero waste management policies are being pursued instead.

For example, such as in comparable cities like San Francisco - www.sfenvironment.org/zerowaste-in-SF-is-recycling-composting-and-reuse You may not be aware that the European Commission has recently legislated to require all MEPs to remove all organics from their waste streams for composting.

This is a major decision that is already having immensely positive results for the EU. In the Asia Pacific region and many parts of Australia, organic wastes can be greater than 50% of the entire waste stream.

In addition, the EU have also issued policy guidance to all MEPs to decommission old incinerators and not build new ones so as to encourage more sustainable Zero Waste strategies and support the recycling and composting sectors ahead of the polluting and dangerous waste incineration sector.

The EU are pursuing a sustainable “Circular Economic model” underpinned by Zero Waste strategies for Climate Justice. This does not include Waste to energy incinerators.

Both the US and EU have recognised that this industry cannot survive without government subsidies and credits. Indeed the decline of the incineration industry in the US has largely come about because the US government withdrew these subsidies. The EU is now looking to do the same.

On Monday, June 26, 2017, 250 mayors unanimously committed to this resolution, invalidating the incinerator industry’s false claim that waste burning is a form of clean energy. www.no-burn.org/incinerators_denied/ Burning waste for energy can never deliver clean or renewable energy. Waste contains finite resources that belong to future generations and when burnt emits dangerous pollution including more ghg’s and toxics per unit of energy than both coal and gas.

The very standards that WA EPA have used to permit the industry to operate in WA – the European Union Waste Incinerator BREF guidelines (Best Available Techniques) – are currently under review.

While the EU reviews these standards for incinerators and aims to improve them, acknowledging that in many areas the standards have failed to protect public health and the environment, the WA EPA has based our WA regulatory standards for this industry on a set 37

of guidelines that are now obsolete and will very likely be strengthened not diminished. The WA regulations for this industry are outdated before they have even started!

Our Australian report can be found here. I urge you to read it - www.ntn.org.au/wp/wpcontent/uploads/2013/11/NTN-waste-to-energyincineration-report-2013.1.pdf Residual waste can be managed without incineration and will become an ever shrinking fraction of our waste stream as the plastics and packaging industry redesign their non-recyclable plastic products in the future.

Autoclaving, shredding and containership offer a safer long term option for our residual waste than burning it for energy as a dirty fossil fuel.

You may be interested to know that there has been a very different response in the Eastern States of Australia to the threat of incinerators with local councils, Mayors and state and federal politicians united in their opposition to proposals in NSW and the ACT. Given that the federal government is holding an inquiry into waste and recycling should Local Governments lock themselves into thirty year incinerator contracts at this time?

Communities all over the world are fighting and defeating incinerators.

Case studies of EU cities that are practicing zero waste models without incineration can be found here: www.zerowasteeurope.eu/zwlibrary/case-studies/ Before you vote to: V Hand over your communities right to safer more effective waste management options V Establish an incinerator in another communities backyard V Inflict dangerous globally damaging pollution on the host community of Rockingham (and South Metro Region) and the global community through the creation and spread of highly toxic and transboundary Persistent Organic Pollutantsagainst the International Stockholm Convention.

Waste finite resources that belong to future generations on a dirty energy industry that is driving catastrophic climate change…. ...who will look into the faces of our children… children in Rockingham and tell them why you voted to put deadly air pollution and toxic ash into their environment when you had the power to stop it?

Your decision on this issue, this week, will go down in history. How will you vote? On the side of Zero Waste Solutions, sustainability, clean energy, climate justice, hope? ...or will you sell out on future generations for some cheap dirty energy?

We are waiting with baited breath and watching…that much is certain.

For our children, Jane Bremmer Editor: Some portions of this email have been truncated for length, mostly references. These are available on request.

WANTED - FOSTER CARERS

o you enjoy being around animals but don’t want the commitment Dfostering of owning one? If you are a caring person with a secure property, is a great way to help an animal in need. Just like Argus’ foster

If, like Argus’ foster carer, you’d like to enjoy the rewards of being part of our Perth fostering network and meet like minded people, contact Amanda from SAFE on 0439 836 612 And if you’re not able to foster, but would like to help SAFE with our life saving work, we are always in need of donations, particularly for vet bills. Every rescue animal is desexed, vaccinated and microchipped. You can donate by clicking on this link http://safe.asn.au/Donate.html With more than 14,000 Western Australian animals desexed and rehomed so far, we are making a difference.

Become a foster hero today!

carer, you’ll have the pleasure of caring for an animal on a temporary basis, with great support from SAFE, and you will be part of the placement process for your foster pet.

Argus’ carer says “Everything you have mentioned in regards to the process of adoption sounds great. It’s very refreshing to see the amount of care and diligence that goes into it”.

Our foster carers tell us it’s a fulfilling experience to be involved in enabling an animal who had little hope for the future to be placed in a permanent loving home.

WHO ARE WE? SAFE Inc is a not for profit organisation that saves rehomeable animals from euthanasia. We have ten branches and these are located in rural Western Australia. SAFE Inc animals are looked after in foster care not cages - and we have an extensive number of foster carers located all around the rural areas of our state.

WHY DO WE NEED FOSTER CARERS IN PERTH? We really want to develop a wide network of foster carers in Perth, too, as many of our animals are located here. We fly animals to Perth for a number of reasons.

Naturally with the greater population, it means the animals often spend less time in care waiting to be adopted. People like the opportunity to meet the animal they’re interested in to help with their decision making.

Most importantly, it means that we can free up our rural foster carers so that incoming animals in the rural branches can be accommodated.

WHAT SORT OF ANIMALS NEED FOSTERING? We rehome big dogs, small dogs, puppies, kittens, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs – and sometimes other breeds as well! Sometimes we have whole litters in need of care.

WHY DO WE USE THE FOSTER CARE MODEL? Foster care is a healthy option for animals waiting to be adopted – good for their mental and physical health. They can relax so their true personalities show. And that means we can make a good match to their new owners.

WHAT WOULD BE EXPECTED OF ME?

ANGUS

k Provide secure and loving housing of the animal

k Perhaps collect them from or drop them off to the airport

Hey Everybody! I'm eleventh month old Argus. I’m here in Perth and I’m available for adoption!

Gosh I love life! Everything is so fun! Aren't I a handsome big boof? And gosh I am a boof too :) I love to run around and play - me and foster mum’s dog are the bestest of friends!

She's shown me how to play tug of war! That is soooooo fun! Oh and guess what???! I looooove water!!! Better shut that bathroom door if you don’t want to share that bath ‘cause I have no problem jumping in and keeping you company while you splash around!

Foster mum found that out the hard way! it was sooooo much fun and she screamed along with the fun! So going to do that again! I love clam shells with water in the garden too, I can splash all day in them :) I'm learning some things called calm, and wait and what foster mum calls manners. She’s showing me soooo much - it’s ace. I love training and I love making foster mum happy!

Can't wait to show you everything I have learnt! I'm going to make you so happy. I’ll be your perfect big boofa best friend for life! For an application form, please email carnarvon@safe.asn.au Photo by John Cooper

k Provide their food

k Communicate about the animal with SAFE volunteers

k Teach your animal house manners if these need improving

k Make the animal available for photographs with SAFE photographers k Take to vet appointments (paid for by SAFE) k Speak on phone with potential adopters

k Facilitate meets and greets with potential adopters

WHAT SUPPORT WOULD SAFE GIVE ME?

k Information packs for all new foster carers k Pays for vet care

k Arranges assistance from other SAFE volunteers if on occasions you are unable for example, to pick up your animal from the airport k Behavioural assessment and advice where needed k Finds alternative foster placement immediately if you are no longer wanting to care for your foster animal k Arranges online listings for the animal including writing and photographs

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COMMUNITY Compassionate Friends of Western ThaveheAustralia strives to support families who lost a child, regardless of that child’s age

throughout WA. We are a non-profit, non-government funded charity that provide peer call support, group meetings, a drop in centre, sending out quarterly newsletters, Anniversary Cards, we hold Walk of remembrance and a candlelight service (nonreligious) at Christmas.

We are run by volunteers and bereaved parents that are further along in their grief and wish to help others who have suffered this tragedy.

Although everybody’s grief is different it helps to talk to someone who has actually had this tragedy happen to them.

They WON”T say “I know how you feel” as no one can, but they will say “I don’t know exactly what you are feeling but this is how I felt when my child died”.

We raise funds by holding events, charity drives and donation from our members and outside bodies.

Although this is fantastic, we still struggle

with the cost of keeping our doors open so any suggestion on fundraising or donations are gratefully accepted.

WALK OF REMEMBRANCE HELD IN MARCH EACH YEAR Events like these above give the bereaved some hope of a life after the death of their child.

They connect with others that have been through the same tragic experience.

In doing so its helps them to feel that they are not alone in their grief, that there is a worldwide connection to other suffering the same.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are always looking for volunteers to help man Sausage Sizzles, Charity Shopping Centre Drives and other events along with peer support volunteers (bereaved parents) for telephone support and group meeting facilitation.

information to the newly bereaved, community groups, doctors surgeries and hospital throughout Western Australia.

They help us cover advertising cost in newspapers throughout Western Australia, pay for our office and utilities allowing us to have Peer Support Workers come in and contact to DONATIONS Donations allow us to bereaved that wish to have contact. purchase stamps so we can The Compassionate Friends of WA Inc. receives no Government funding in any send our booklets and other

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