Swan magazine sept2013

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Mt Helena Tavern IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR

RENOVATIONS AND WILL RE-OPEN IN SEPTEMBER

WATCH THIS SPACE REVIEW IN OCTOBER’S SWAN MAGAZINE

Review Page 13

agement n a m w e n r e d n ‘U siness’ and open for bu

1

The Darlington Theatre Players at

MARLOO THEATRE Marloo Road, Greenmount www.marlootheatre.com

HILLS FESTIVAL of THEATRE A celebration of short plays

Join us on Sunday for a sausage sizzle $5 - including soft drink Adjudication and awards Sunday presented by Peter Clark

September

Sessions at 10am, 2pm and 8pm as applicable

Fri

Sat

Sun

20

21

22

BOOKINGS Gwyne 9255 1783 ALL TICKETS $10 per Session Season Ticket $30

SEPTEMBER 20 ~ 22, 2013 2

in this issue PAGE FEATURES Art and Artists

The Cutting Edge of Art Variety and Colour

20 20

Books and Writing Reviews

16 KSP - What’s On

16 Business Card Board 27,28 Business Community Five Ways to Attract Business

Attention

9 Community The Whim Festival Mayor Recognised

6 8

Dining Out

13

Editorial Education

26 22

Finance Food

21 12

Gardening Jane Brook Foreshore

Rehabilitation A Zero Mower

7 7

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

PAGE

Health Matters Love Ya Bugs 3 Benefits of Feng Shui 4 Acupuncture Without Needles 5 Nutrition Basics part 2 4 Ken Wyatt MP

10

MCC

9

Networking With Lesley Night Sky

Notes From Parliament

8 25 10

PC Surgeon Pets

18 24

Rotary

5

SAFE

26

Theatre Reviews

19 The Idler

17 The Voice of Swan Hills 11 How Green Is Our Valley Part 2 Weddings What’s On

14 25

Cover Picture: HM Govt of Australia Photograph Courtesy of Liberal Party of Australia

Swan Magazine Published by: Synhawk Publications Pty Ltd WEBSITE:

www.swanmagazine.com.au Editor: Jan Patrick editor@swanmagazine.com.au Office: 14 Ridge Road, Glen Forrest, Western Australia Phone: 9298 8495 E-mail: office@swanmagazine.com.au Postal Address: P.O. Box 554, Mundaring Western Australia 6073 OCTOBER DEADLINES: Advertisements: 25th September Editorial: 20th September Copyright: Synhawk Publications Pty Ltd 2013 1

How do you judge the value of a property?

When it comes to judging a property to get a reasonable indication of its value and probable sale price there are three options you might consider.

First, a real estate agent can give an appraisal which is largely an educated guess based on their current sales experience and local knowledge. This is informal but usually pretty helpful as an indication.

Second, an owner or buyer can hire a professional valuer to produce a more formal and authoritative report. These reports are based on sales information held at Landgate and from information obtained

from real estate agents on recent sales not yet reflected in the government data.

Usually these are the reports which banks and legal bodies will accept as valid for lending and legal purposes.

A professional valuation removes any perception that there might be a bias on the part of real estate agent appraising a property and is regarded as more independent.

Thirdly is the option to pay for a property report from one of the many private companies which are not valuers.

However, people thinking of doing this should be aware there can be limitations to this. Most of the companies which provide this service are based on the east coast of Australia and have few or no staff here.

of the property and not rely simply on historical sales information.

Better still, engage a local valuer if you need a formal, legal valuation or contact a REIWA agent for an appraisal if that’s all you require. Either way, it pays to use the local services of those who know your neighbourhood.

The best way would be to ask one of our many talented sales representatives for a current market appraisal and they will provide you with an RP Data valuation (used by the banks) free of charge.

The best of both worlds!!

This means that the reports are largely put together based on Landgate data showing the last sale price and then calibrated to place the property in the context of the current market. While that might sound quite reasonable, such reports can only be based on the unimproved value of the property since its last transaction. If you solicit a property report from a company that deals in real estate data, make sure it can measure the current improved value

Experience the difference” with Ruth or Kylie.

A better type of Property Management.

TO discuss call 9297 8107 “WHETHER IT IS SELLING, BUYING, RENTING OR MANAGING YOUR PROPERTY INVESTMENT….

TALK TO HKY REAL ESTATE. GOOD OLD FASHIONED SERVICE WITH THE BENEFITS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY.”

2

IBS ad 120 x 60 V1.pdf

1

22/03/12

8:34 PM

health matters community love ya bugs!

eddie enever ND he human body is an amazingly complex This is basically the lymphatic system of the contraption made up of somewhere in the digestive system. Within the digestive system you vicinity of 100 trillion cells. house around a hundred trillion micro-organisms Each individual cell is an ultra-complex which play a critical role in your immunity. What factory comprised of hundreds to thousands of happens when these are killed off? Your immune other components making your body absolutely, system to some degree is also negatively impacted. undoubtedly, the most complex machine you will Now, back to our example. A child presents ever own. with a head cold, antibiotics are given, this helps To keep this machine working at a high level it clear the cold, but due to the side effects, immunity needs attention, like regular servicing as you would is lowered, leading to another infection, this time a your car. Good nutrition, regular movement and a middle ear infection. Again antibiotics are given, positive outlook to name a few. the side-effect a sinus infection. And so it goes.

There’s another very important side to health Please don’t feel that I am bagging antibiotics. that you will probably not be aware of and this is to Antibiotics are a crucial medicine and have keep all the creepy crawlies that you house happy. saved millions of lives … when used in the right I mentioned that the human body is made up of circumstances. Unfortunately these days they are around a hundred trillion cells. Now that’s a large over-prescribed leading to poor gastro-intestinal number, but believe it or not the amount of micro- health and the knock on impact of poor immunity organisms that live on and in you out numbers that in some cases. by a factor of ten!

Your “bugs” are your best friends, they That’s a hundred trillion multiplied by ten – help nourish and protect you. Be kind to them. that’s a lot of zeros. So, if your “bugs” outnumber Remember disease grows in unhealthy soil. When you by a factor of ten, that means there’s more of your body is strong, nourished and vital, ill health them than you… so…. does this mean you are only is uncommon. When you do get ‘sick’ what is ten per cent human. your body telling you? It communicates to you via Think about it! This is an important thing to symptoms. A cold, flu or cold sore isn’t an ‘illness’ think about in relation to health. Ever since the likes struck onto you because you are unlucky, it’s a of Pasteur, Snow and Koch and the advent of the result of the way you are treating your body.

‘Germ Theory of Disease’ poor bugs have gained Maybe you’re working too many hours, your a bad reputation. This reputation stems from old diet’s lapsed, you’re in a job you hate or you aren’t accepted ways of thinking of which many are, quite giving your body enough sleep. Don’t blame your frankly, out-dated. body; it’s doing the We humans like to think we are somehow best it can. Your “soil” special and different from the rest of nature but we is the environment are not. We have evolved from and with nature. We you set for body – your evolved next to our bacterial friends and rely on bodily conditions them for our health. or parameters. They They play crucial roles in the body such as are things like your maintaining our immunity, helping to digest food, nutritional status, protecting against pathogenic ‘invaders’ as well as systemic pH, the amount producing specific vitamins and nutrients essential of toxicity in your life, for health. levels of stress etc.

To kill them off in many circumstances actually I say to all my promotes dis-ease! A familiar scenario I see almost patients, your body is daily in clinical practice is children with recurrent doing the best it can infections. These kids typically present to their GP with the conditions you and are prescribed antibiotics which are designed have set for it. to help to kill off bacterial infections, which they do. If the level of health The unfortunate side effect is that as they are you are experiencing non-specific they also kill off many of our own isn’t good enough inhabitants leading to - wait for it… a weakened for you, change the immune system. How? environment but don’t Up to 85% of your immune system resides in blame your body! your intestines in an area called the Gastrointestinal Courtesy of Mundaring Associated Lymphoid Tissue.

Wellness Centre

T

16 Craig Street, Mundaring (formerly Verissima House)

• headaches • abdominal fullness • nausea • lower back pain • skin rashes • indigestion • mucousy stools • constipation • diarrhoea • wind • bloating • abdominal spasms • fatigue • urgency to go Believe it or not, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is not hard to treat. There can be many causes for an “irritable bowel”, so it’s important to find out exactly what’s causing your IBS. Don’t let this condition decrease your quality of life Book in for a Naturopathic Health Appraisal with Mundaring Wellness Centre and find out what's causing your “irritable bowel” and arm yourself with the tools and knowledge to stop IBS in its tracks.

CALL NOW 9295 2221

If you would like to learn more about your body and how to boost your level of health by working from this new revolutionary paradigm of health “nothing is wrong, only your soil.”

Mundaring Wellness Centre is pleased to offer Swan Magazine readers 20% off their Health Essentials 101 one day workshop, written and presented by Edward Enever ND.

The workshop will be held on 28th September and bookings and payment are required by 21st of September.

To book your place please call the clinic on 9295 2221 or email info@ mundaringwellnescentre.com.au.

3

health matters nutrition basics - Part 2

G

ood nutrition is easier to maintain than you think. If your goal is to tone up and burn fat there are some basic guidelines you should follow to help you get into great shape.

When you know the basics of what healthy eating is it empowers you to make better decisions when you’re food shopping or eating out at a restaurant. Here are some more basic guidelines to help you get into shape:

s of t s i k n s t o c ne ’ s b ur i ma x

4

v Take away food – Most takeaway foods are not ideal nutritionally so you must be very careful with your choices. High carb foods like pizza and pasta are ok for an occasional treat but in general should be avoided.

Deep fried foods like fish and chips are also bad as they combine high fat with high carbs.

Hamburgers, wraps and various fast food meal deals also tend to be high in carbs and fat.

Better choices include salads, some v Processed Foods – Most foods that come in sandwiches, and many Asian dishes of vegetables packets, bags or boxes fall into the category of and meat, although some sauces can be high in processed foods. fat.

Processed means that the food has been either mixed, cooked or treated in some way to v Alcohol – If you are dieting change it from it’s raw state. to get into great shape then alcohol Be careful of processed foods because many intake should be substantially reduced have added sugars, fats, salt and other food or eliminated. It adds empty calories to additives that can have a negative effect on a your diet and can play havoc with your shaping and toning program. metabolism.

If you are going out and want v Eating out – One of the big challenges for to enjoy a drink or two, that’s ok, anyone who is watching their weight is what to but remember moderation. Drink choose when eating out. at least a glass of water for every Basically you need to stick to the alcoholic drink you have. principals of a good quality protein source,

Limit yourself to a few drinks fresh vegetables, while keeping carbs and spread over the night. Choose fats moderate. Fish, chicken or red meat with drinks than have less kilojoules like vegetables or a salad are great dining out dry wine. Mixed drinks can be very options. high in sugar so avoid these.

Go easy on breads, pastas and rice dishes, Courtesy of Maxine’s BURN and and if you must have dessert then share with a Arlena’s General Store friend or choose a lighter fruit based dish.

BENEFITS OF FENG SHUI

Claire Lynn eng Shui (meaning wind and water) originated the location of beneficial and stagnant chi. in ancient China and involved the observation This complex school of Feng Shui is superior and analysis of landforms, waterways and due to its consideration of the influence of time.

Energy and its influence is changeable because in structures to establish the best place to occupy.

It is a complex discipline that incorporates nature nothing stays the same. What’s good today many sciences including mathematics, geography, is not necessarily good for tomorrow. astrology and psychology. Its purpose is to find The location of positive and negative chi equilibrium between the static and dynamic is unique to individual premises and as such a thorough analysis of each site is required in order forces in nature.

These forces incorporate stored and flowing to formulate this information. energy. Energy (or Qi or Chi in Chinese) is If you occupy areas of your home or work everywhere – it runs, radiates, vibrates and environment where the chi is unfavourable your reflects within and between all things. Similarly to luck, finances and health can suffer. acupuncture, which locates and manipulates chi Feng Shui aims to assess energies at play in your in the body, Feng Shui serves to locate favourable environment in order to resolve specific problems you may be facing and to generally improve the and unfavourable chi in our environment.

We may then occupy areas with optimal chi potential wealth, health and prosperity of those and minimize the influence of negative chi. The occupying the premises. Despite its complexities, influence of excess negative chi can be devastating the application of Flying Stars Feng Shui is simple, to our luck and impede an optimal level of practical, non-invasive, cost effective and requires minimal effort. functioning.

There are different schools of Feng Shui and Who can benefit from Feng Shui? Anyone with then some that have evolved in the Western world, a home or business, anyone developing a site or which has resulted in some confusion, “pop” Feng designing a new home, anyone choosing a new Shui and misconceptions about what it is and home or selling one, anyone wanting help with a specific problem impacting them or anyone simply entails.

The Flying Star or Xuan Kong method wanting to enhance harmony and prosperity in however is an ancient and well practiced one that their lives. provides accuracy and practical knowledge about Courtesy of Bing Lynn Feng Shui Consulting

F

health matters acupuncture without needles

A

cupuncture is an effective natural healthcare system and its history dates back thousands of years.

In Australia it is practiced by Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners who are now nationally registered with AHPRA. Acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points along the body’s meridians.

Stimulating these points clears energy blockages and encourages the normal flow of Qi throughout the body thereby treating the underlying cause of a disease as well as the symptoms.

Photonic therapy This is the application of light to particular areas of the skin with increased electrical conductivity to produce particular physiological results.

The energy of light (photons) is transformed into electrical energy by the connective tissue under the skin.

This electrical energy is transmitted to the brain via the nerves. Stimulating specific combinations of points on the skin will cause the brain to release particular hormones and other chemicals to relieve pain, increase immune response, and promote healing.

Instead of using a needle to stimulate an acupuncture point, a metal torch with a red light on the tip is held to the skin on this point for a few seconds.

The light is then moved to the next appropriate point until all the necessary points have been stimulated.

There are several advantages: • This is a safe, pain-free, non-invasive method.

• It is easier to stimulate inconvenient located

birga krieger acupuncture points, or points that, whilst very effective, would be painful if stimulated with a needle.

• This is an excellent method to treat children, from babies to teenagers.

• Because the treatment can be done seated on a chair or lying down on a bed it is also suitable for people with limited movement.

Children respond very well to acupuncture treatment. Despite this, many parents are hesitant to let their child have acupuncture with needles.

Photonic red light therapy is a great solution to this problem.

The baby or toddler can sit on mum’s lap, and there are no needles put into the skin. Instead the red light torch touches lightly the appropriate acupuncture points on the skin with the same effect as the needles, and as an added bonus they don't have to sit still for a very long time.

Colds, snotty noses, sore throats, ear infections and coughs are common in young children. Their immune systems are often not

capable of battling the infection.

A head cold quickly spreads into their throat or ears as they are are not fully grown.

The infected sinuses are situated very close to the Eustachian tube of the ear and to the throat tonsils, thus letting the virus or bacteria spread into these areas. Common colds in children should be quickly dealt with so that it does not become a recurrent monthly problem.

The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner will expel the pathogen first via light therapy, prescribe Chinese Herbs and give diet and lifestyle advice. After the cold has left the body the TCM practitioner will work on building up the child's immune system.

Bedwetting is often difficult to treat by Western Medicine and responds very well from acupuncture treatment. The cause can be constitutional weakness, long-term or severe illness, emotional trauma or to many antibiotics.

The TCM therapist can use Photonic Light Therapy on the acupuncture points to strengthen the weak constitution, expel the lingering pathogenic factor from the illness, balance the emotions and prescribe Chinese Herbs.

Hay fever usually occurs from springtime to early summer; characterized by a change in temperature from cold to hot and a high pollen count.

The conventional approach is usually desensitization treatment with variable results or antihistamines causing drowsiness in people.

Acupuncture can open up the nose, clear phlegm and tonify the lungs and also treat the underlying causes. To get optimal results it is best to start treatment one month before the actual hay fever season.

Courtesy of K alamunda Wellness Centre

5

community the whim festival Gwyneth Dean

T

his year’s Whim is expanding in several directions. There may be other festivals in the Hills come spring, but the Mount Helena Whim Festival has its own unique charm.

Being very much a community affair, the music, activities and market stalls are provided by local people who welcome everyone to come along for just a sample of Living in the Hills.

As usual, entertainment on the

Big Stage, Small Stage and the Festival Arena is on all day. There will be a new round up of local bands as well as the Concert Bands from the high school. The committee are looking for buskers again this year – any takers out there?

The new Gourmet Tent promises to be a drawcard for those who like to eat and drink –

everyone we hope. There will be wine tasting of the local drops but also tantalising titbits of local products – oil, cheese, honey, coffee and so on.

If you are a local producer and would like to reach a wider clientele this is the place for you. We encourage any small producer who is seeking a wider base to take part.

There is a very minimal charge so it could be a very cost effective way of promoting your goods.

Vince Austin, a local artist, has agreed to organise another new initiative, Sand Sculpting.

This is a competition open to all ages, although there will be a separate sand pit activity for the younger set. Be prepared to get right into it, as well as the popular Bendigo Pavement Art. There will be a new slant on the big boards – murals with the finished product to be on public display.

Then there is the popular Whim Photography Exhibition and Competition. The theme this year is Altered Landscapes - again in the Hills, but it could be anything from a barbed-wire fence to a Town Hall and all that impacts on the earth between. Let your imagination free and perhaps win a prize.

Stalls, pony rides, cars, activities, games, food (plenty this year) – in fact all the features of a community event are to be found at the Whim Festival on Sunday October 27th. Entry is free as are almost all activities.

For photography entry forms contact Tania 0404 633 461 or rtpayne@bigpond.com For anything else contact Gwyn 9572 1447 or secretary@mthelena.og.au 6

gardening Jane Brook foreshore rehabilitation

megan dolling he Jane Brook Community Association is starting a new round of rehabilitation works on the Jane Brook Foreshore Reserve, with help from a City of Swan grant.

Working in accordance with the City of Swan's Jane Brook Environmental Management Plan, the group will be planting native species along a section of the creek system, and controlling and eradicating exotic weed species within the Reserve.

The group received a grant of $20,000 from the City of Swan, and a $50,000 grant, over two years, through the State Natural Resource Management Program Community Grants.

Volunteers from the Association, real estate group Mirvac, and sixty Mazenod College students will be working on the project.

City of Swan Mayor, Charlie Zannino said the project will support previous work undertaken along the Foreshore Reserve in 2011 and 2012 when 21,000 seedlings were planted.

"Involving local residents State Natural Resource Management Development Officer Helen Newman, City of Swan Midland Ward and school children will provide a sense of community Councillor Mark Elliott, Jane Brook Association President ownership that will contribute Mathew Merson and City of Swan Mayor Charlie Zannino to the long-term success of the bushland rehabilitation, and these works will compliment the City's Bush Regeneration crew's GEOFF FRANCIS works in the area," he said. ith the recent rains, the grasses are thriving.

President of the Jane Brook Community The mowers and grass slashing machinery is Association, Mathew Merson said the project coming out of the shed. would have many benefits.

"This work will contribute to the If you are thinking that you might purchase a environmental value of the Jane Brook Foreshore ride on mower this season, then may I suggest you Reserve, improve and protect remnant vegetation, consider the new style of machine, now readily contribute to water quality improvements of the available.

Swan River, and provide refuge for the Carnaby's This is the "Zero radius turn" machine. Once these were the province of commercial contractors Cockatoo" he said.

Midland Ward Councillor Mark Elliott said only. Now they are becoming more popular for "The rehabilitation works will enhance the health their speed and maneuverability in larger private and lifestyle of the local community by providing properties. an attractive public space for residents to walk A ‘Zero’ Turn machine is so called because each drive wheel operates independently, around and enjoy".

Following the seedling planting and exotic enabling the machine to literally turn on the spot. weed eradication, a healthier system will start ie; ‘Zero Radius’ Turn. They are very fast and much to regenerate and protect itself against weed better where some obstacles need the machine to be able to turn very quickly. infestation in the future.

Once a Zero turn machine was way above the price bracket of a conventional mid-mounted mower. Not so now, they are very competitive.

Perhaps you should consider a "Zero" on your next upgrade. Ask for a test drive. It is like riding a horse.

The machine only does what you tell it to do.

Courtesy of Eastern Hills Saws and Mowers

T

A ZERO MOWER

W

W

herever you see this symbol you will be able to get more information by scanning it with your smartphone, laptop or iPad. The relevant can be downloaded free from your App Store.

Saws and Mowers

cnr

Grt Est Hwy & Chipper St, Mundaring

9295 2466

~ Sales ~ Spares ~

Repairs

7

networking with lesley is your facebook strategy working for you?

Lesley dewer

L

ike any marketing exercise, a Facebook page can work very well for a small business – or magnify a strategy that is neither well planned nor executed with style.

Unlike passive advertising, (in magazines, newspapers, Yellow Pages and on billboards), a Facebook page needs a different approach to the one you would use for print media.

A recent invitation to attend an Event on how to market to clients mentioned in the event writeup about getting away from ‘flashy websites and the latest fads’ and it struck a deeply discordant note with me. Like all strategies for customer attraction, your Facebook page needs to respect your potential clients.

Posts, comments and promotional messages must be in line with your intended market and you need to be consistent and dependable.

Facebook is live and active – needing regular input and interaction from both the page owner (the business) and their “fans” (followers of their page) to get the best ROI (which some think is difficult to measure when compared to more traditional types of advertising).

The best strategy is to create customers, referrers and advocates. This is especially productive in social media, for two reasons: 1. Social media doesn’t scale. Its reach is exponential when compared to traditional advertising and marketing. Unlike newspapers and TV Channels which report their market segments and size to potential advertisers, in Social Media there is no way of knowing how many new eyes will see someone else’s interaction with your page, by them liking it.

Consumers will continue to increase their adoption of social technologies and it will not be affordable or sensible, time wise, for you to try to get to them all with direct advertising /marketing.

Already, some small businesses are struggling with the work social media adds to their existing workload – and are not sure how to maintain their online presence without collapsing under the pressure.

2. WOM (Word Of Mouth) advertising by a satisfied customer is the “holy grail” of business growth. Today, Facebook users vote with their “Like” buttons to show they trust the posts of their friends and do that more frequently than Liking those by businesses about their own product.

Never have personal relationships between friends counted for more, in building your business by WOM through Facebook likes, than they do today.

Coming back to relaunch my own business after an eight month interruption has virtually meant starting my Facebook marketing strategy from scratch. I have spent a considerable amount of time and money on webinars and training courses that have mostly focused on the technical 8

aspects of Facebook – which are forever changing – and frankly, technical stuff was not going to fix it, without a very substantial advertising budget as well.

The first thing I did was clearly define “who is my ideal client”; who would buy my product, love it and rave about it on Facebook AND in the “real world”?

Next – how would I find those ideal clients on Facebook? Then – how would I know if they were responding to my marketing?

The great advantage of Facebook is that you can get almost immediate feedback on the results of your marketing. To increase the exposure of the page for Stories My Nana Tells, we implemented a $6.00 a day maximum advertising plan, just asking people (carefully identified as our ideal clients) to Like the page.

Why? Because every time someone new liked my page, her friends would see it. Curiosity is a big driver among women and that brings new fans to look at the page.

After spending only $24, we had a 3% increase in individual fans –and great result in our Facebook demographics, where participation on our page by our target demographic is much higher than the general Facebook population.

In addition to the advertising to get new Likes (new people who have actually Liked the page for the first time), I started posting lots of different content, using the 25/25/30/20 rule.

• 25% - what is on the mind of my ideal clients? What are their concerns?

• 25% - what are the interests of my ideal clients? What topics do they post about?

• 30% - what drives interaction on the page? Which posts get the most activity?

• 20% - what will attract them to become my clients? Which posts will actually bring them to my business?

By checking my Facebook insights regularly, I can see which posts get feedback and interaction; then post more of the same. When a fan leaves a comment on the page, I acknowledge it with a Like, or a reply and I have not actively Liked any comment that does not add constructively to the post.

This focus on content has dramatically increased my page traffic, in terms of alerts to many more people about page activity which brings them to page to interact or mention it in their own posts.

The increased traffic has come from content changes, with 513 unique visitors clicking 1095 times to read various posts and then voting “Like” 400 times – and all this in just five days.

One post was shared twenty times, personally viewed by 2,675 people, had 26 comments and 217 interactions. My response: “Absolutely stoked. Damian Martin of the Wildcats has contacted me through FB and things are in train. Thank you FB community. You are AWESOME.” If you are not convinced Facebook has a place in your marketing strategy as a way to network

with customers, and get increased market share, think how good it would be to have this comment left on your Facebook page.

“I would just like to say i had the best ever service from any shop i have ever been into today..........your store in bunbury wa they helped me with everything and made me feel so comfortable and welcome i will defiantly be shopping there again....well done.” (sic - in all cases).

community Mayor recognised Megan Dolling

C

ity of Swan Mayor, Charlie Zannino, has been recognised for his contribution to Local Government with an Eminent Service award.

Mayor Zannino was one of seven people presented with an award in this category at the Western Australian Local Government Convention and Trade Exhibition.

City Chief Executive Officer, Mike Foley, congratulated the Mayor on the win.

"This is an award from the Western Australian Local Government Association and is judged by his peers," he said.

"It recognises the Mayor's personal commitment, eminent service and contribution, not only to the City as a Councillor and Mayor, but also to Local Government in Western Australia.

"Mayor Zannino has given 20 years of service and continues to dedicate himself to Council business at all levels.

"This is a much deserved award and, on behalf of the City, I thank the Mayor for the work he has done for the region."

W

herever you see this symbol you will be able to get more information by scanning it with your smartphone, laptop or iPad. The relevant can be downloaded free from your App Store.

Business Community FIVE WAYS TO ATTRACT BUSINESS ATTENTION

rotary congratulations

SASHA WASLEY

I

t’s not just signage and advertising that will draw attention to your business. There are many other proven ways to drive business your way – if you can just invest one to two hours per week in doing them. Here are my top five.

Press Releases Also known as media releases, statements or alerts, press releases are a fantastic way to achieve unpaid editorial coverage for your business.

Many business owners cynically believe they have to spend advertising dollars in order to get any editorial coverage in newspapers and magazines, but that’s not necessarily so.

In fact, if you have a strong news angle, many editors are very supportive of writing about local businesses (especially community newspaper groups and the Swan Magazine).

A word of warning – make sure your news really is news, and do a little research to find out the best way to present a media release. If you try to pitch your regular services/products as ‘news,’ the editor will smell the sell a mile away.

Another tip is to send a good quality (high resolution) image with your story as the editor will love you and your story will get more attention from readers.

when your customers are ready to spend.

Eleven million Australians are using Facebook – and they aren’t just kids or teens; they’re your customers. The fastest growing demographic on that social media platform is actually 45+.

Explore the possibilities: consider Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linked In, Instagram, Vine, YouTube, Flickr, or other available platforms, depending on what’s right for your business. You should also definitely register on Google+ so you can create a Google Place for your business if you have a trading street address.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) This is an enormous field I can’t fully address here, but I recommend attending a course in SEO to help your website stay on page 1 of Google.

Less than 10% of web users bother to go past page one in a Google search so if you’re not there yet, it’s time to start working harder. You should aim to be in the top three on that first page. Start by reviewing your best keywords using Google’s free Keyword Tool.

Geoff Francis

t

he Rotary Club of Mundaring was recently host to the Rotary District Governor, Hand de Smith, who spoke on the future of service clubs in our changing society.

The challenge for so many community service clubs is to encourage a slightly young membership to keep the clubs alive.

Only a few years ago, we had Apex, Lions and Rotary service clubs active in the Hills. Now only Rotary survives.

On a brighter note, the Mundaring Sunday Markets (our club’s main fundraiser) is going well.

In September, we have the “Charger” Car Club visiting for a couple of hours.

In October, we have a display of Old Indians!

Well, “Indian” motorcycles, that is!

The markets are very popular with both locals and visitors to the Hills and provides much needed funds for a variety of local projects.

Blogging and content marketing SEO (point 3) benefits from fresh, updated content on your website. Try adding news articles about your business and/or use a blog on your site.

Your blogposts should feature the keywords you’re targeting, they should be interesting and useful – but most of all they should be relevant.

Check out my own blog for tips on blogging for your business (you’ll find it on the first page of my website - www.razzed.com.au).

Social media I can hear your collective groan from here!

Yes, it’s true, social media does draw attention to your business.

Not necessarily because people will start flocking to your door, but because you are engaging with your market and taking feedback on board, you are showing off the amazing things Registering on online directories you can do or sell, and you’re staying top-of-mind If you register on some of the top online Australian business directories, you will build your online presence.

This means your name will be associated with the kind of business you offer, and there will be links to your website coming from reputable geoff francis sources – both of which help your SEO and visibility on that all-important page 1 of Google. he members of Mundaring Chamber of Some of the online directories to focus on are Commerce had their AGM on 6th August at True Local, Bloo, Hot Frog and Come on Aussie. the Ming Restaurant and elected the committee It takes a little time but listing your business is for the 2013-14 year. free and you will see benefits pretty quickly.

Chairperson – Ruth Hampton Courtesy of R azzed Communications.

Vice – Jan Rose www.razzed.com.au.

Secretary – Eva Marjanovic Treasurer – Michael Brown Other Committee Members – Lisa BarnettTaylor, Geoff Francis, Peter Meade, Leona Gu, Sylbie King It is good to see some new names in there with fresh ideas.

The committee has already met to discuss direction and projects for the coming year.

The big event is the Gala Dinner for the Business Awards night. To be held on Saturday 12th October at El Cabello. This promises to be a great night, so come along and see who are the winners in the six catergories.

For details email chair@mundarng.org.au

mcc update

T

9

ken wyatt mp community safety

T

hank you for your support over the past three years. Since I was elected in 2010 I have been working hard to build a safer local community. I believe that everyone should be able to feel safe in their own home, in their own neighbourhood in their own local shopping centres and in their own local parks.

Sadly, some of the feedback that I receive when I am out doorknocking in our local suburbs is that people are fearful about what they feel is the increasing number of anti-social incidents, hooning behaviour and break-ins in our community.

I don’t want people to be nervous about going away on holidays for fear of a break-in or be nervous that their children are in danger from hoons driving dangerously in their local street.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ken Wyatt MP Federal Member for Hasluck

...Thank you for all of your support!

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

Advertisement

Your local Liberal East Metropolitan Members of Parliament

Here to help!

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hon Helen Morton MLC Ph: (08) 9452 8311 Fax: (08) 9452 8366 helen.morton@mp.wa.gov.au

Hon Donna Faragher MLC Ph: (08) 9379 0840 Fax: (08) 9379 0845 donna.faragher@mp.wa.gov.au

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

10

That’s why I have been working closely with local community groups, shopping centres, police and local and state government to reduce crime and create a safer local community. I have brought this issue up in Parliament on a number of occasions and have called on the government to address it.

Over the past year I have been running a Crime Hot Spot survey to have people report notorious problem areas so that we can call on the police to increase their resources to these particular areas.

We have had a great response to this survey and have identified a number of crime hot spots – and I have contacted the State government regarding these areas.

Thankfully we have had a great response from the State Minister for Police who I have had out to suburbs in our community to speak with residents and local business owners about what we can do to improve community safety and reduce crime.

But more needs to be done. I have been fighting for more CCTV cameras for our community because I believe this will have an enormous impact on deterring local crime and

directing law enforcement to where it is needed, when it is needed.

I’m pleased to announce that under a Liberal government the Midland and Ellenbrook CBDs will benefit from $500,000 for additional CCTV resources.

Already local government has a good CCTV program in place, but this needs to be dramatically expanded to make Midland and Ellenbrook safe and reduce crime.

This investment will allow local government to provide a rapid response to any activities and protect businesses from damage.

We live in a great local community and together with the Liberals, I want to make sure it is safe for everyone to enjoy!

notes from parliament HON donna faragher jp, MLC Member for East Metropolitan R egion

L

construction milestone

ess than a year after construction commenced in August last year, the new Midland Public Hospital is more than thirty per cent complete.

To recognise this latest construction milestone, I recently joined the Western Australian Health Minister, Hon Dr Kim Hames MLA, and my East Metropolitan colleague, Hon Alyssa Hayden MLC, on-site to inspect the Hospital’s progress.

The Midland Public Hospital is the first major health facility to be built in the Swan region for more than fifty years. Once completed it will deliver free public health care to approximately 29,000 inpatients each year.

It is fantastic to see how fast the Hospital is taking shape. The southern clinical block has already reached full height and two of the five storeys have been erected in the northern ward block.

The Hospital will enable more residents from Midland and surrounding areas to be treated closer to home. It will provide 307 beds, a larger emergency department as well as new services in chemotherapy, high dependency and coronary care.

The State Government is in partnership with St John of God Health Care to design, build and operate the Midland Public Hospital which is expected to open in late 2015.

A private hospital will also be integrated with the public hospital to increase health care options in the region.

Delivering quality health care for all Western Australians is very important and the State Government is investing $7billion in building, expanding or refurbishing hospitals across regional and metropolitan Western Australia.

the voice of swan hills how green is our valley (Part 2) Frank Alban MLA

“One of the most pleasant ways I know of spending a Sunday afternoon is to drive through the Swan Valley, pausing from time to time to sample some of its delights…” o wrote Richard Court, Leader of the Opposition, 1993.

It’s hard to imagine the Swan Valley without tourism.

While the Valley isn’t the same as it was some years ago, it has, as we covered in last month’s column, always been progressive and willing to redefine itself.

In the early 1990s, the Valley was at a crossroad, with key industries having diminished.

Since then, it has become a uniquely positioned tourism destination. This future was further cemented by the Swan Valley Planning Act 1995.

While it’s history has often showcased the great success of grape growing in the region, in recent decades more and more vineyards have value-added to their primary business, creating restaurants offering fine meals situated in beautiful locations, and highlighting just what the Valley has to offer.

It’s not just great food and views though; the Valley has diversified and become a tourism destination that, in many respects, rivals Margaret River. The difference? Location!

Less than a half hour from Perth, our Valley offers a great range of attractions for visitors to spend a day.

From 2012, it’s shown that the Valley attracts 2.1 million visitors a year, spending over $284m. More than half those visitors stayed 3-4 hours and visited (on average) 2.5 places. 30% of visits to venues were spontaneous. 20% of visitors said they heard about the venue from someone else.

What does this all mean? It demonstrates that the density of venues and attractions within the Valley is not only helpful in getting people’s attention, but the businesses themselves are effective at catching the eye of people and making an impression enough to be recommended to others.

In addition to wineries there are now microbreweries and distilleries, but two of the biggest attractions are perfect for the whole family. Mondo Nougat, an Italian-influenced patisserie, relocated from Midland to the Swan Valley and since opening their new factory to the public in 2005 they have become a key attraction in the area.

Likening their on-site shop as being influenced by the cellar door sales of wineries in the area, they are a popular destination for families.

The Margaret River Chocolate Company had long been a popular attraction in the South West, and by opening a factory, store and café in the

S

Swan Valley, they have been able to give the same experience to those who need a quicker fix!

The Valley’s focus on tourism is its most recent development. The visitor’s centre, now located on Meadow Street in Guildford, was not initially run by the City of Swan as it is now.

It was first opened and financed by my wife Shauna and I, and staffed by a dedicated group of Guildford volunteers. Paul Omedei, the then Minister for Local Government, officially opened the centre in 1999, when it was in its initial James Street location.

The City of Swan used to focus on funding single tourism-based projects, as opposed to the year-round service it now offers, promoting the tourism potential for the Swan Valley and winning many tourism awards.

Gone are the years we were content to sit in the shadow of Margaret River, we are now showcasing the strengths of the Valley.

We are home to Spring in the Valley, one of Australia’s largest food and wine festivals. We have a focus on tourism as being a key facet of the Swan Valley.

We have the Avon Descent, a unique two-day white water event, pitting power craft against paddle craft. We have The Vines; a top-class golf course that has hosted both the Heineken and Johnny Walker Classics over the years.

However, these successes are not without their headaches. Of the issues facing the Swan Valley at the moment, traffic could easily be considered the biggest.

Recent successes like new roundabouts at the intersection of West Swan and Gnangara Roads and West Swan and Benara Roads are helping.

The construction of the Perth-Darwin Highway will significantly ease the impact of large trucks going through the Valley. Further improvements on Gnangara Road’s western end will ease the traffic heading in and out of the popular West Swan Road drive.

Solutions like this do not come overnight. But some are here and more are coming. They will continue to benefit the community and tourists for years to come.

The Swan Valley is a unique destination, the closest wine region to any capital city in the world, a wonderful day trip for tourists and locals, and a showcase of some of the best food and wine the state has to offer.

It has shown time and time again its ability to progress, develop, and come out even stronger.

This is perhaps the Valley’s greatest asset.

Office: 28 Main St, Ellenbrook, WA 9296 7688

11

food pick it, cook it, eat it

N

Read our review

Read our review

douglas sutherland-bruce

ow and then I get a great idea. Not too often, I grant you, but every now and then. And one of my better ideas was to attend one of Edgecombe Brothers Asparagus Master Classes.

I spoke to Alf Edgecombe at Edgecombe Brothers a while ago when I wanted some information on asparagus and he told me about the classes. The whole concept sounded interesting and Alf invited me along to try my hand.

The classes are due to start shortly and so we, a happy band of four PR persons and food writers, were the advance guard so to speak.

We gathered at Edgecombe's on a slightly overcast day and were warmly welcomed with a nice hot cup of coffee and a plate of home-made Anzac biscuits from a recipe provided by Trooper Bob Lawson, an Anzac who was actually at the Gallipoli landings. Delicious.

Fortified and gum-booted, courtesy of Edgecombes, we trooped out to the asparagus fields some 200 metres away. We had all walked past them without noticing at all.

The fields were planted some twenty years ago by Walter Edgecombe (one of the brothers) against some pretty scornful opposition from the rest of the family.

He showed great foresight, however, as the fields now produce some four tonnes each year and Edgecombe's are a major producer in Western Australia.

Alf provided us with a sharpish knife and pointed out what a rising spear looked like and we spent a happy half an hour or so cutting slightly below ground and feeling like real farmers.

The spears are delicious straight out of the ground, tender and tasty. As it is so early the spears were fairly few and far between, but at the height of the season the field gets picked over twice and sometimes three times a day.

Carrying our spoils we returned to the bbq at the side of the main building and watched as Alf gave a short and hilarious lesson in breaking them to dispose of the

slightly woody half and retain the tender tips.

He blanched them in briskly boiling water for two minutes and then drained them, tossed in garlic olive oil, covered them in parmesan shavings and we sat down to eat while sampling

Asparagus with Parmesan (Photo courtesy of Sasha Wasley)

the whole range of Edgecombe Brother's wines some delightful wines - and chatted in an informal but informative way.

We should be very grateful to Walter as the asparagus his wisdom has provided is absolutely delicious. Eaten so freshly picked the vegetable needs little or nothing by way of sauces or dressings. We did, however, take away with us some other recipes provided by Alf, which I am

quite eager to try.

After the asparagus we had some of the Edgecombe marsala-marinated 'Extravagant Figs' in dark chocolate for dessert - just as good as the last time I had them.

We sat, chatting companionably in the warm sunshine drinking some excellent wines having feasted on food we had picked less than an hour previously and congratulating ourselves on being there.

We left about 1:30pm, having spent three of the most pleasant hours I can readily recall. Of course, a good deal of that was the company, but Alf's warmth and hospitality, the surroundings and the food made a very enjoyable three hours.

Very highly recommended indeed.

12

dining out

mundaring hotel douglas sutherland-bruce

I

don’t think it’s any big secret that I like Pub food. I also like fine dining food. Let’s face it ... I just like food.

But above all, I value professionalism.

Watching or experiencing someone do something well is always a joy, and when it’s food that they do well, it’s a double joy for me.

Which is why eating at the Mundaring Hotel over the past few years has become an increasing pleasure. The management of the hotel know what their customers want and ensure that

t hose wants are fulfilled is their highest priority.

When the present management took over the hotel was showing its age, a grand old lady ready for retirement, a good lie down and possibly a Bex. Under the inspired and energetic management she has had a face-lift, a rejuvenation and looks set to last another hundred years.

The restaurant within the pub has had an even bigger overhaul. On the occasion of my last visit, well over a year ago I was pleasantly surprised at the substantial improvement in the food and service. Standards are hard to maintain in the hospitality industry and it was with some

trepidation that I returned to see how things were going. The chef that was there previously had moved on, as chefs are wont to do, and been replaced by Chef Donna.

The menu, while retaining all the things that a pub menu should have, has added a few extras, which made selection of dishes just a bit difficult.

Of course the temptation is to order their famous steak sandwich, a finalist in the last three years’ ‘WA’s Best Country Pub Steak Sandwich’ competition and one-time winner.

But, some of the more exotic dishes caught my imagination and I began with Pork Belly and Scallops ($21) while James chose an old favourite - Lemon Pepper Squid ($17).

The dishes when they came, which was pretty swiftly, were just beautifully presented.

The pork in particular was a work of art - not at all what one expects in a Pub. The scallops were cooked to perfection, and I know from personal experience just how hard that is - there’s a window of about twenty seconds between perfection and disaster.

The pork, in darling little squares, was wonderful, the crackling crisp and

own recipe was the magic needed to push an excellent dish into that rare category of ‘superior to great’. The chips were pretty damn good too.

Nothing to look at, the ribs are a dish best appreciated by eating.

James’ ‘Beef and Guinness Pie’ ($22) was outstanding - the meat chunky but tender and you can actually taste the flavour of the Guinness.

We were too full even to contemplate dessert, which was a pity because I would have liked to try what, in a auto-correcting error was described as a ‘Duo of Mouse’ (sic).

The management of Mundaring Hotel have taken over the Mt Helena Tavern and are refurbishing it for re-opening later this month.

I can hardly wait to see what they’ll do with it and look forward to sharing my findings.

Very highly recommended indeed.

the meat tender and savoury. Both rested on a sweet pea puree, that just set off the flavours of the two meats to a nicety.

James’ squid was tender, well-seasoned and delicious.

We washed this down with the server’s suggestion of Strawberry-Lime Cider from Rekorderlig, an excellent choice - crisp, not too sweet and deliciously refreshing.

By this stage we were making small grunting noises of appreciation and commenting on how good the food was with our mouths full.

Main course for me was, again at the server’s suggestion, the modestly named ‘Ribs and Chips’ ($26). This was magnificent. It came with a finger bowl, but wasn’t needed the meat just fell off the bone in tender deliciousness.

The sauce, of orange and bourbon, to Chef’s 13

weddings lauren and luke thatcher

L

auren and Luke chose the beautiful surrounds of Rosehill to celebrate their marriage.

The bride wore a stunning gown made just for her, by herself, thus making the gown unique and a one-off.

The bridemaids and flower girl complemented the bride, the boys looked just as handsome in their suits, moving away from traditional black into grey.

With the weather keeping them on their toes, it wouldn’t stop the day from unfolding with laughter and fun.

The reception was shared with eighty of their closest family and friends, travelling from all over, they had a few more surprises up their sleeves with another stunning outfit from the bride and a few special moves for their first dance as husband and wife. Work, travel and family is in their future together.

14

weddings janet and rick

J

anet & Rick choose the beautiful surrounding of the Cottesloe Sundial for

their marriage.

With fifty-five of their closest family and friends to share in their special occasion, a few tears and a lot of cheers once they were pronounced husband and wife.

They decided not to have the traditional bridal party. Instead, they opted for their children and grandchildren to do the honour of walking the gorgeous bride down the aisle. One grandson deciding he wasn’t going to let Nanna go during the whole ceremony!

Once the formalities were done, it was off to the beach for some photos and the sunset was the perfect ending to a beautiful start in their marriage.

15

books and writing reviews Colleen Castello and Julie Little.

ksp - what’s on Free Event Day 15 September, 1.00pm – 5.00pm Come one and all to a Free Event Day at the beautiful Greenmount Centre. From 1.00pm, Dr David Reiter, CEO and Publisher of IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd), will deliver a presentation on digital publishing with question and answer time.

Then, from 3.00pm, have a cuppa and a bikkie and enjoy the launch of Writer-in-Residence Guy Salvidge’s new book, Yellowcake Summer, which has been endorsed by best-selling fantasy author Juliet Marillier. Both David and Guy will sign books purchased on the day.

Free – but seating is limited so please book in advance.

Writing Competitions – closing in September You have to be in it to win it. KSP’s Short Fiction Awards and Karen W Treanor Poetry Awards close 20 September. Many prizes are available so send your submissions in today; visit our website for entry forms and guidelines. $7 per entry, youth sections free to enter.

‘Design a New KSP Logo’ Competition Closes midnight, 20 November Calling all graphic designers and creative people! Can you modernise the KSP logo? The objective is to update the image of the Centre through a modernisation of the logo. For more details please visit the Competitions page on our website.

Free to enter, no limit to entries Publishing Panel 21 September, 10.00am – 1.00pm & 1.00pm – 4.00pm Come to KSP for a day of all things publishing.

From 10am learn about the modern world of SelfPublishing: how to do it, how not to do it, and everything in between, with digital publishing guru Rosanne Dingli.

Then, from 1pm, meet prestigious UWA Publishing publisher, Terri-ann White, and learn all about Traditional Publishing. These two workshops with experienced industry professionals will offer valuable tips and insider advice on the best path to become a successful published author.

Each workshop: $30 KSP members, $45 nonmembers Visit kspf.iinet.net.au or email kspf@iinet.net. au for details. Booking and payment in advance to 9294 1872.

16

Copies are available for purchase from the Title: Tales of Times Past City of Swan.

Compiled and edited: Vasanti Sunderland and Recommended.

Maxine Laurie Publisher: City of Swan Title: Forget Me Not Reviewer: Douglas Sutherland-Bruce Author: Margaret Telfer Publisher: Couper Press Memories of Swan Reviewer: Douglas Sutherland-Bruce hen my son was little at Primary School one of the more popular days’ events was the talk by grandparents on times past.

This, I think, is something we can all identify with, this connection to previous generations experiences. I recall being held spellbound by my grandmother’s stories of life under Queen Victoria and I once met a retired Colonel of the Black Watch who kept me entranced with tales of skating at Baden-Baden with the Kaiser’s daughters in 1913.

The programme ‘Tales of Times Past’ run by the City of Swan aimed to bring senior residents of Swan togerher to share memories of their lives in the first half of the last century.

The stories have a strong common streak of humanity and that bond that makes the whole world kin.

Some of these stories have now been collected, compilied and edited by Vasanti Sunderland and Maxine Laurie and now published under the same title.

Some of the stories are poignant, some funny, many touching and showing strength and courage in the face of adversity almost unimaginable in today’s society, where if we want water, we turn on a tap; if we want food we drive down to a supermarket and electric services, refrigeration, dish washers and washing machines commonplace.

Stories like that of John Edgecombe, one of the well-known Edgecombe Brothers who describes how the family came to arrive in the Swan Valley - a chance meeting between a horticulturist specialising in table grapes and living in Sussex in England and a passing visitor from Perth.

The topics covered include such things as arrival in Swan, housing and home life, growing up and school days. Occuaptions, courtship, marriage and children and the War, its conduct and effects of the home front.

Tales of Times Past is a book for dipping into and browsing. It speaks with a clear voice in varying accents from a range of people of different backgrounds, ages and sex.

People like Min Plunkett, John Edgecombe, Neil and Jean Outred, Joan Ewers, Sybil Gordon, Maurice and Shirley Tomlin, Doreen Sweeny,

A Story of Five Women orget Me Not is a difficult book to classify.

It’s not a history, it’s not historical fiction as it’s neither entirely fiction nor nonfiction, it’s part set in the past, part in the yet unlived future.

The book is written by Guildford resident Margaret Telfer, after nearly two decades of research.

Forget Me Not tells the tales of five women from the Chester, Robins and Devenish families set in both England and Western Australia.

Ms Telfer started researching the book about eighteen years ago with significant help from her cousin in England.

“At times the stories we were uncovering were all consuming and sometimes deeply emotional. The stories of some of the women were marvellous,” Ms Tefler said.

The tale trails through several generations and five women and their connection with Western Australian political radical Joseph Chester.

There is Caroline, his mother; his sister the actress Eliza Jane.

Miss Chester was famous during the 1820s and early 1830s for playing the lead roles in comedies and especially for her appearances as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing and Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal.

She was known for her beauty and elegance rather than her acting ability or her voice. She had a wealthy and influential patron, and later became a favourite of King George IV. An interesting fact is that she bought John Keats house in 1838 and extensively re-modelled it.

It is her portrait on the front cover as painted

by John Jackson in 1820.

This is a book that should be read by those who enjoy family sagas, genealogy, local history or those who just enjoy a damn good read.

In a truly ironic turn of events Margaret Telfer chose to launch Forget Me Not at the historical Mechanics Institute in Guildford – from which Joseph Chester was expelled after challenging government policies.

Copies of the book are available from Arlena’s General Store, Guildford, the City of Swan and the author.

THE idler

The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind

The Green Flash

L

ast month, something kept niggling away at this idle mind of mine. While reading about beetle number two, a little voice kept nagging in my ear something was missing.

The “WOW” factor from the story about beetle number one and its introduction to Australia. Not just about the history of the beetle in Australia but about cochineal itself, as part of the spice trade of the 1500’s and beyond.

In pursuit of pictures of old sailing ships which were part of the spice trade hundreds of years ago, like those which carried the cochineal powder to trade in Europe and the far east, I went down to Fremantle to see the Dutch Tall Ships which were in port in August.

There were three: Tecla, Oystershell (translated) and Bark Europa. All three had a tenday trip to the Houtman Abrolhos Islands on offer; with two weeks and no pressing engagements, I made a long telephone call to my Dad from the main deck of Bark Europa and signed aboard as a paying crewmember.

Boarding was the next day, so there was a bit of a flurry in my household as I shopped, cooked, found some fabulous Hello Kitty wellington boots in Target and bought some sea sick pills (just in case).

I have been to the Abrolhos once before, on a luxury catamaran, where I had a double room and bathroom to myself. This time, I was sharing a tiny cabin of four bunks and a bathroom, comprising of a toilet and handheld shower, with two other ladies.

The wardrobe was so shallow my soft-sided carry bag ($20 at Good Sammy’s – and no wonder, it has a wonky wheel) was about an inch too long to fit into it. So, I slung it on the bottom of my bunk and used it as a footrest while I slept. As it turned out, it was very handy to have it on the end of my bunk, because once we got under way, there were times it would have been almost impossible to access it in the wardrobe with the rolling and pitching.

Ten days at sea on a sailing ship is an experience of a lifetime. We welcomed all kinds of weather – from strong gales that meant reefing in the sails, to being virtually becalmed.

The stars were glorious; the sunrises took your breath away and pulling yourself hand over hand along the deck or making the jump into the Zodiac to speed away to a nearby island are memories I will never forget.

Fish caught from a line trolled at the end of the ship were quickly cleaned and filleted. A very appreciative assortment of passengers and crew enjoyed them: barbequed, they were delicious.

My WOW moment came when I discovered the Batavia, the ship whose wreck we had come to see, was carrying cochineal in her cargo. She was indeed a ship of the spice trade. Her cargo is long gone, swept away by the waves that pounded the ship and her hapless crew and passengers against the reef.

On a snorkeling adventure, some of the passengers went out to the reef and dived over the wreck site where the anchor is still clearly in view.

In my new reef walking shoes and equipped with snorkel and mask, I swam over fabulous coral reefs, thriving in the warm Leeuwin current.

I loved the watch, being on the helm or on lookout and volunteered to stand anchor watch in the middle of the night for three of the four nights we were at anchor in the islands.

Being on watch is one of the best parts of sailing on Bark Europa. You are not there just to look. It’s about becoming one with the ship. Of being aware of how the wind feels against your face; noting if it has moved to cut across the back of your neck instead of chilling the end of your nose.

Watching to see if the helmsman has repointed the ship into the wind or if, as the sails begin to flap loosely, the crew must man the ropes and haul the sails down because the wind shift will drive the ship towards the land instead of the open sea.

Hearing the slap of the waves against the hull; listening for any new sounds from the squeaking spars or ropes that strain against the pull of the

sails billowing in the gusty southwesterly squalls takes close attention. You scan the horizon to see if that is indeed a lighthouse in view, with its beam shining clearly into the night or is it still only the loom of land lights, reflecting off the clouds lining the horizon.

One night, the Leeuwin current caused us to turn 180o and head north-west out to sea, it was so strong and bearing us too close to land. It was a very exciting time to be on lookout and part of the watch team that was keeping the ship safe, in those treacherous waters.

In a calm sea, the sound of dolphins blowing caught the ear of this lookout, long before I saw their glossy, sleek bodies. They love to surf the bow waves, teasing us with fleeting glimpses of their bright eyes as they roll from side to side under the bowsprit.

One evening on helm, with Michael - an experienced sailor - we had a chance conversation with Chay, a young voyager, who asked if either of us had ever seen the Green Flash at sunset.

His father had seen it but Chay never had, and he wondered if it was a delusion of his father.

Michael said he had seen it often while watching sunsets over the ocean; his wife had not and she wondered if it was a delusion of his.

We were watching the sun setting, while I reprised that I had never heard of it until a week or so previously, when a friend in Perth had posted about it on his Facebook page. Chay wandered away, back to the lounge.

Suddenly, we saw it! There was an undeniable bright green flash along the surface of the horizon.

Michael and I shouted at each other "Did you see that?" and gave ourselves a hi-five.

Michael said he wished his wife had seen it. Then, it was amazing!

It happened again - but differently.

The first green flash was long and thin, laid along the horizon. The second was a huge V-shape of two fingers of bright green light, spearing up into the fading light of sunset. Michael had never seen it like that. Chay didn't get to see it, at all.

It made me think of the Sci-Fi movies of the 50's - when a scary green light would mark the landing of an alien craft, just over the horizon. It was a very special time to be at the helm of Bark Europa, where we had no time at all to be idle.

Lesley hasn’t forgotten the second beetle - see next month’s issue.

www.facebook.com/StoriesMyNanaTells 17

Care and feeding of your PC Final Key Question Content Now you can ask yourself: What exactly will be my site’s content?

Text? Images? Tables? Forms?

a site for sore eyes

M

P C Surgeon

any folk these days are keen to have a website for any of several reasons – generating a bit of income is usually the major one, but sharing information is a close second. Whatever your reasons for wanting a site you must first decide your answers to several key questions, before you start worrying about content.

First Key Question Clarify your aims * Why do I want a site? To make money? To share information with the wider world? To share information with just family members? Or just work colleagues? Or….?

Second Key Questions Site production * Will I pay to have my site produced? * Or will I produce the site myself?

Third Key Questions Hosting * How will my site be hosted?

You have three options: * a pay-for host * a free host * host it yourself

A Sick Home PC? Police Clearance Low Cost Home Visits Servicing most areas

PC Surgeon

9295 5238 (All Hrs)

18

GS Alternatives Once you start looking you will find dozens and dozens of “free” options.

Free is a bit loose because your site might not be free of advertisements. You must put up with them polluting your site as a trade-off for free An Example hosting.

For the sake of a closer look at those questions So read the fine print before signing up let’s say: anywhere. Free does not necessarily mean ‘free * your aims and reasons for having a site (or of unreliability’ sites) are varied There have been numerous instances of * you want to produce the site yourself free hosts suddenly sinking, and dragging down * you want a free host hundreds of sites that disappear forever. * you want to provide a variety of content All that work wasted…

A couple of worthy alternatives come to mind.

A Recommended Solution Definitely Google Sites. (GS). Advantages Weebly include: On a really small budget? Just like the idea of * Single-click page creation getting something for free? * Customizable look and feel Weebly, an entirely free service, might suit * Dozens of pre-built templates you. Named one of TIME’s 50 Best Websites of the * Settings for accessing and sharing information year in 2007 and claiming at least three million * And it's free! (free = no charge for hosting) customers Weebly must be doing something right!

GS is particularly well suited to creating and Importantly, Weebly will NOT place ads on sharing group websites. your website. There are currently no bandwidth Start a site from scratch. Or, better still, use a restrictions, and if you already own a unique URL template. (domain name) you can point to it for no extra Example templates include: cost. * Family website (exchange news and photos) Weebly offers a blog, ecommerce capabilities * Club site (communicate with members) and the ability to connect with Google Adsense to * Project wiki (communicate with all involved) start making advertising money. * Company intranet (two-way internal Weebly offers a choice of over 100 professional communications) themes. Each can be further customized via the * Classroom (site for teachers, pupils and theme editor. parents) Also available are a gallery/slide show * Project work site (you can guess that one!) function, audio and video players, a custom form If you don’t use a template then it’s easy to builder and built-in blogging platform. create a site using drag’n’drop elements onto a The company has existed for at least five years. page.

Revenues come from several paid subscription You can toggle settings as-you-go. Save drafts plans.

-- avoid angst when the power cuts off.

So, with an established income base, Weebly For more details, a video and help: could be around for a while. www.google.com/sites/help/intl/en/overview.html www.steegle.com/websites/google-sites-help WordPress The day you grow out of Weebly, or you Final Word On GS want to go a bit more commercial, you might If your site is to be a serious money-making consider WordPress with a low-cost host. www. venture then GS really is NOT suitable. millermattson.com/blog/wordpress-vs-weebly/ Pay for a reliable host offering as close to You can even migrate your stuff from one-to100% uptime as possible. t’other: www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how You also want timely and responsive support to-properly-move-from-weebly-to-wordpress/ for when you have a problem. Live support 24/7 is a plus, of course.

Not much point in flogging your ebook that took you years to write if nobody knows your site even exists.

So also pay to have your site professionally constructed so it ranks well in searches and is search-enginefriendly.

THeatre trilogy - REVIEW

Theatre Bites Back

roxy callaghan

Scary siblings, screaming sisters, singing sensation rilogy means three of anything and the three at Marloo Theatre's One Act play season collectively called Trilogy offer excellence in three forms.

The first play is Political Correction and about 'We the young people of today' being heartily sick of 'you, the political vermin of today' and what they intend to do about it.

The play is written by local aspiring playwright, James Forte, and is one of a series of one act plays he has written for young actors.

The three actors in this play are Alex Sutton as the wily politician Frank Armstrong MP. Alex is nowhere near the right age for the part but he makes up for it with acting and style.

The shrewd siblings, Colin and Sarah are played respectively by Melissa Scott and Harrison MacLennan. Melissa is by turns crafty and scheming or sweet and innocent.

She is, for one so young, quite experienced and it shows. Harrison is lovely as the bewildered and terrified brother dragged into her schemes and his playing of the hapless Colin is a treat to watch.

The play was well directed by Douglas Sutherland-Bruce, whose other plays at Marloo Theatre include Romeo and Juliet and My Fair Lady. He is also directing Macbeth which goes up as a part of the big Shakespeare Festival in April of 2014.

The second play, Holly and Ivy, is also by a local playwright, Noel O'Neill and examines the lives of two sisters - the eponymous Holly (Catriona Coe) and Ivy (Sandra Sando) who have lost their mother on Christmas Eve. The scene is somewhere in Scotland and the accents are authentic but understandable. They

T

are joined by a tipsy friend of the family, Tommy (Ray Egan) and together the three explore some of the family tensions and causes.

The play is very sensitively handled by the highly experienced cast and while it deals with some hard subjects ends on a note of hope and love. I found it very moving and beautifully acted.

The last play is quite different. La Divina Speaks is Maria Callas (La Divina herself) in conversation at a party given at the home of Elsa Maxwell some time in the sixties. It is written by Douglas Sutherland-Bruce, the director of the first play of the evening.

Maria Callas is played by Elisa Wilson, an opera singer of international repute and glorious voice. This is, she tells me her first 'straight acting role' and she does it incredibly well.

She starts and ends the play with an aria. O Mio Babbino Caro to begin with, a tremendous crowd pleaser and ends with Vissi d'arte from Tosca.

Both are by Puccini, and as sung by Miss Wilson, raise hairs on the back of your neck and the power and warmth of her voice are something you have to experience to believe.

In between the two arias Callas entrances with stories of growing up in America, her early life, the war years in Greece and snippets about opera.

She is by turns beguiling, bitchy (about Jackie Kennedy), sad, vicious and always vivacious.

At the end one feels that you have been given a glimpse into the heart of Callas and treated to a tour de force by Elisa.

Community, but by no means amateur, theatre at its best.

Trilogy runs until the 14th September and there are still seats available. Book by ringing Gwyne on 9255 1783.

Sorority House of the Dead Hayley Derwort

W

ith today’s modern love of everything vampire, blood, rock and roll Phoenix Theatre Company have nailed the current media obsession with the blood-sucking creatures of the night in their latest show Sorority House of the Dead.

Brought to life by Dark Psychic Productions, directed by Ryan S McNally this eighties horror, written by Mitch Brian, presented a dark yet deliciously fun atmosphere through characters and setting.

Set in the midst of the roaring eighties in the sorority house of the sisters of Delta Pi Sigma where our three characters Deb (Jayde Clark), Janet (Kate Lloyd) and Tonya (Jessica Lowes) learn that not everything is as it seems about this odd sisterhood.

The stand out performers for this show included the stylish Kathleen Uhlmann as the house mother Mrs B who stole the show with her dark magic and enticing characterisation.

Also of note was newcomer Jessica Lowes sinking her teeth into the lead role of Tonya, giving a wonderful first time performance. Leah Fitzgerald, who portrayed the southern belle Sissy, gave an endearing performance as a kick-ass vampire killer in training.

At times it was difficult to understand what the actors were saying. Due to the copious amounts of screaming involved in this production it is important to balance this with clear and audible speech. This reduced the overall impact of the show as the audience was straining to hear what was being said.

Despite this it was enjoyable show and for a deliciously dark and bloody night out don’t miss out on your chance to enter the Sorority House of the Dead.

The Darlington Theatre Players at

MARLOO THEATRE Marloo Road, Greenmount

Trilogy

A season of three one-act plays Holly & Ivy by Noel O’Neill

La Divina Speaks Political Correction by by D Sutherland-Bruce James Forte

Wed Fri Sat August 30 31 September 4 6 7 11 13 14

Sun 1* 8*

Curtain up 8:00pm, *Matinees 2:00pm

Harrison MacLennan, Melissa Scott and Alex Sutton in ‘Political Correction’ at Marloo (Photo by Steve Scott)

BOOKINGS: Gwyne 9255 1783 ADULT $18 CONC/CHILD $16 MEMBERS $14

August 30 ~ September 14, 2013 www.marlootheatre.com

19

art and artists THE CUTTING EDGE OF ART? Variety and colour

P

CLARE STROUD

S

pring has arrived! – and with it a new flush of colour and excitement at the Darlington Gallery.

Jenny Preston and Terry Curtis have both joined the growing list of exhibitors. Jenny's pastels of birds are so realistic they look as if they might take flight at any moment.

The gallery is also stocking prints of Terry Curtis's intricately detailed drawings. Her painstaking attention to detail, rendering scales on Koi and fine markings on insects, has to be seen to be appreciated.

Regular exhibitors including Elizabeth Dumont and Paul Fox have also been hard at work.

Once again, Elizabeth's compassion, humour and zest for life shine though in her imaginative and colourful naïve paintings and collages.

Paul has continued his love affair with the West Australian landscape. His new work includes several of local scenes – Lake Leschenaultia and Boya Quarry amongst them.

The featured artist for September is Megan Fraser. Her Things with Wings exhibition is an exploration of vibrant angels, scarab beetles, symbols and spell boxes made with found objects and precious things, using texture and lively colours.

Megan's paintings are renowned as vivid, decorative and highly symbolic, created to bring a sense of fun and enchantment to busy lives.

The exhibition is free and the gallery may be found at 20 Brook Rd, Darlington and is open Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm, Mondays 8:30am to 5:00pm.

apercut is an ancient art form that has seen centuries of artists use the humblest of materials to create the most intricate of designs.

In the accelerating pace of contemporary life, artists Mikaela Castledine, Sue Cotton, Renée Farrant, Pam Langdon, Jennie Nayton, Jeannette Sangen and Thurle Wright, share their explorations of old and new methods of paper art forms, to serve as a timely reminder of the joy to be had in creating and experiencing art that is not in a hurry.

Through cut, paste, fold, wrap or twist, these artists offer a meditative and meticulous approach to the most intricate of designs, in order to create artworks that are at once simple and complex.

Mikaela Castledine forms intricate pictures using the range and depth of colour found in collected and recycled printed paper.

Sue Cotton takes everyday comments her Mum used to say and, using wire and different types of paper, builds her characters to suit these words.

Renée Farrant takes a conceptual approach to the common threads of humanity by extracting every possible use of a single sheet of paper in One of the 2012 Mundaring Environmental Award continuity. winners painting her banner (Photo by MAC) Pam Langdon's work reveres the encyclopaedia as a source of artbooks are cut, bound and metamorphosed into knowledge. Intricately folded and rolled, her precious specimens.

Jennie Nayton examines the shape of the universe by creating forms derived from scientific theories. Mind boggling and stranger than fiction, these theories give rise to fantastical shapes.

Jeannette Sangen is interested in exploring the relationship between humans and animals, focusing on society's treatment of animals as a commodity and our growing disconnection to the origins of our food sources.

Thurle Wright's intricate paper works stem from her interest in the systems and structures of language and in the ordering, storing and disseminating of knowledge and information to determine our identities.

In Gallery 2, for works with paper of a different kind, local Primary school children investigate the habitats of some of the Perth Hills most endangered species for this year's Mundaring Environmental Art Awards. Hundreds of delightful, insightful images in this amazing display of budding creativity.

Paper Cut and the Mundaring Environmental Art Awards continues until Sunday 6 October.

Mundaring Arts Centre is situated at 7190 Great Eastern Hwy (corner Nichol St) in the heart of Mundaring. Entry is free and the Centre is open Tues-Fri 10 am – 5 pm; Sat/Sun 11 am – 3 pm (closed Mondays and P/Holidays).

“A Heart in Love with Beauty” by Elizabeth For more information, contact 9295 3991.

Dumont at Darlington Gallery

20

Finance legislation lapses

D

steve blizard

uring the early 1990’s, as a fledgling investment adviser, it came as a shock to discover that the biggest single risk to Aussie investors wasn’t the stock or property market, but the Federal Government.

The saying “No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session” reinforced the lesson.

It is attributed to Mark Twain; however others say the phrase was coined by Judge Gideon J. Tucker, around the year 1866.

An American Lawyer, newspaper editor and politician, Tucker was pointing out that an error had happened during the winding up of a deceased estate because the attorney involved had failed to note relevant legislative changes to inheritance law.

During the election campaign, the Federal Labor Government promised, yet again, that it will make no major changes to superannuation for five years, if it is re-elected.

So it is ironic that many of the sweeping changes to superannuation announced in April by then Minister for Financial Services, Bill Shorten, have effectively lapsed as a result of not being passed prior to the last sitting day of parliament.

Parliament is now in caretaker mode following the dissolution of the lower house on Monday and will not sit again before the 7 September election.

This means that many of the announced changes still rely on a Labor re-election win to make it into law.

The amount of legislation and regulation impacted by the calling of the election has been detailed by the consultancy group Towers Watson.

In an August 5th update, Towers Watson pointed out that the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Reducing Illegal Early Release and Other Measures) Bill 2012 — which provided for criminal and civil penalties for promoters of illegal early release schemes — had failed to make it into the Parliament and had lapsed.

Its update said the following measures had been announced by the Government, but not yet introduced to Parliament:

account-based income streams commenced on or after 1 January 2015; • Extension of concessional tax treatment to deferred lifetime annuities — announced to commence from 1 July 2014;

• The Government's proposal to require superannuation funds to report to members as to whether contributions have been received for them either quarterly (in electronic form) or half yearly (via a paper statement) — released in consultation draft only; • Establishment of the Super Council and the Charter of Superannuation Adequacy and Sustainability; and • Further increases in the threshold below which small inactive superannuation accounts, including inactive accounts of uncontactable members, are required to be transferred to the Australian Taxation Office, announced on August 2nd, 2013.

For these measures to take effect, they would need to be reintroduced by the new Parliament.

The Towers Watson analysis said the new requirements for reporting of superannuation on pay-slips were introduced by the Tax and Super Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No.1) Act, which received Royal Assent in June, last year, "however, the supporting regulations setting out the details of the disclosure requirements have never been made".

Given the Coalition’s publicly stated opposition to a majority of changes to superannuation proposed by Labor, it is unlikely that many of these measures, if any, would be reintroduced to parliament under a Coalition government.

However, among the changes that have passed the Senate are a phased increase in the superannuation guarantee from nine per cent to twelve percent, an increase in the concessional caps by $10,000 for people over sixty, and for people over fifty from 1 July next year, and the abolition of the fifteen percent tax on super for people earning under $37,000 per year.

Which all makes for an interesting year • Capping of the tax exemption for earnings ahead. on superannuation assets supporting income Steve Blizard is an authorized representative of streams at $100,000, with a concessional tax rate Roxburgh Securities. of 15 per cent applying thereafter — announced to commence on 1 July 2014; • Extension of the normal deeming rules to superannuation account-based income streams — announced to apply to new

W

herever you see this symbol you will be able to get more information by scanning it with your smartphone, laptop or iPad. The relevant can be downloaded free from your App Store.

21

education

22

education BUILDING GREAT BRIDGES!

T

hree Year 9 Guildford Grammar School students proudly presented a cheque for $1000 to the Headmaster, the result of placing second in the Western Australian leg of the Aurecon Bridge Building Competition.

The boys’ entry, which withheld a weight of 41kg, was made from a combination of balsa wood, string, cardboard and glue.

The boys, Crawford McRoberts, Travis Fluck and Henry Diddams, competed against 42 teams from 21 West Australian schools.

The annual competition for Year 8 and 9 students provides an opportunity for students to design and build model bridges in teams of three, using materials supplied by Aurecon. The bridges are then tested to see which one holds the greatest load. Competition judges assess each bridge for workmanship, creativity and visual appeal and this score is combined with the maximum load supported to determine the overall score.

The students enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the competition and especially enjoyed presenting the big cheque to the Headmaster in front of the senior school!

GREAT PLANS

The Guildford Grammar School Master Plan 2012-2022 was recently launched to the School community. The ambitious, visionary plan will see some exciting and innovative changes take place around the School over the next ten years.

Progress is currently underway on the construction of new classrooms and an administration building in the Preparatory School.

The Master Plan can be viewed on the School’s website at www.ggs. wa.edu.au

ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION

The annual Guildford Grammar School Art Exhibition will be held from 10 – 13 October in the School’s gymnasium. The exhibition is open to the whole community, with a wide range of works on display and available for purchase. Further information will soon be available on the School’s website at www.ggs.wa.edu.au.

WOULD YOU LIKE A TOUR?

Are you interested in learning more about life at Guildford Grammar School? Our next school tour will be held on Thursday 7 November from 10.00am. If you cannot make this tour, we can arrange to take you on a private tour of the School.

For further information or to book a tour, please contact our Registrar, Mrs Tamara Laurito on 9377 9247 or email registrar@ggs.wa.edu.au Contact us Guildford Grammar School

Tel. 9377 9222

Email. registrar@ggs.wa.edu.au

Web. www.ggs.wa.edu.au

23

safe Having been together for so long we know each other pretty well, and actually like each other. A home that would take us both would be great. We’re a great couple, totally house proud, easy on the eye, and love children and dogs – what more could you ask for?

What SAFE says: Well, PK pretty well sums it up, but just a few other points about these two.

Having been together since kittens they are the best of friends. They curl up and sleep each night hat PK says: Well hello there! Please take the in a tight little ball, so you won’t have to share time to read about us (me and Petra). your bed!

We have been together for five years, so I These cats have been clipped in the past, as a guess you could call us a couple. Kittens are not household member had allergies. While for most

W

Petra and PK

a possibility as we’re both desexed and we have also been vaccinated and microchipped.

My better half Petra, the long haired princess, is a little shy until she gets to know you, so I will tell you about us. (I’m Mr Confident and an allround nice guy.) I am at my happiest when sitting on you, or at least touching you, and do head butt kisses with great passion.

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

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

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

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

Have a look at our website: www.safe.asn.au 24

pets HELP RSPCA OP SHOPS TIM MAYNE

R

SPCA’s four op shops, otherwise known as society stores, are in desperate need of quality second hand goods as they are running out.

RSPCA runs four op shops in Bibra Lake, Port Kennedy, Mirrabooka and Palmyra and every dollar raised from the sale of quality second hand goods goes to helping the abused and neglected animals that RSPCA takes in every day.

RSPCA stores are desperately in need of quality second hand goods such as clothing, furniture, jewellery, CDs, DVDs, books, toys or other goods.

“RSPCA’s stores play a vital part in raising badly needed funds in helping keep RSPCA Inspectors on the road in the fight against animal cruelty,” RSPCA CEO David van Ooran said.

“In the last financial year, RSPCA WA took more than 20,000 calls regarding incidents of animal cruelty and neglect and we provided more than 103,000 days of animal care at our Malaga shelter. In addition, our small, dedicated vet team conducted more than 5,000 vet treatments and 1,200 clinical examinations.” he said.

RSPCA’s stores are also an inexpensive and fun way to shop, knowing that you are supporting a worthy cause. You can find the stores at the following locations.

Please call the Palmyra store if you have bulky items that need to be picked up, such as furniture.

59 Carrington St, Palmyra WA 9319 1985.

1/2 Port Kembla Dr, Bibra Lake WA 9418 3300.

20 Cobbler Pl, Mirrabooka WA 9207 1893.

Unit 3/1- 5 Sunlight Dr, Port Kennedy WA 9524 5257.

cats this is traumatic, these two actually enjoyed it! They still love to be groomed, so no scratches from them when visiting new places, going to the vet, or groomers. PK is slightly hearing impaired but this has never been an issue, as they have always been inside cats or in a cat enclosure.

Petra loves to run through a play tunnel; that is really the only toy that will get used if you offer one. Meal time is appreciated; they enjoy a sachet of moist food for breakfast and are happy with dry biscuits for dinner.

They both love dogs and used to be found snuggled up to the household dogs. Amusingly, PK does think of himself as dog-like and entertains by mimicking what a dog does. He still comes up and gives the back of your hand a lick if offered.

These two are truly child-friendly, and PK especially enjoys his ears being pulled and general young child attention. The extra squeeze (even a pull of the tail) are all happily accepted.

Never a meow has been heard out of either of these cats in the last five years, so quiet cats – amazing. They would also be just as content having one or two adults who are open to a “share household”--perhaps a couple just like them, but in human for.

0417 953 Call SAFE 9185 4634 website www.safe.asn.au

situations vacant commission sales Swan Magazine is looking for someone to sell advertising.

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

We offer generous commission rates, training and advice.

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

467

what’s on IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN EVENT LISTED IN THIS COLUMN, RING JAN ON 9298 8495 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.

AUSTRALIAN BREASTFEEDING ASSOC. Discussion groups, guest speakers, morning tea. Free breastfeeding counselling. Expectant mothers, mothers, babies and children welcome.

National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 2686 is a 24 hour 7 days a week service.

Swan/Mundaring Group meets every Monday, 9:30-11:30am at the Gumnuts Family Centre, 8 Mudalla Way, Koongamia. A qualified ABA counsellor is present at each meeting to give confidential information and support on breastfeeding issues. Contact Natalie 9572 4971.

Kalamunda Group meets fortnighly on a Thursday, 9:30-11:30am at the Maida Vale Baptist Church, Edney Road, High Wycombe.

Contact Jenny 9252 1996.

Northam Group meets each second Tuesday of the month at the Bridgeley Community Centre, Wellington Street, Northam 10am to Noon.

Fourth Tuesday each month at Toodyay Playgroup, Stirling Terrace, Toodyay. Noon to 2pm. Please phone Louisa 9574 0229.

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

UNIVERSAL HEALING ARTS YOGA CLASSES Saturdays 09.30-10.30 ONGOING Thursdays 1900-20.00 ONGOING Beginners welcome, bring your own mat.

Mechanics Institute next to Guildford Post Office on Stirling Square Contact Niki 0447 154 333 for more info or universalhealingarts@gmail.com HILLS CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP 1st Wednesday of each month Hilltop Grove Estate, 1645 Jacoby Street, Mahogany Creek. Morning tea provided, between 10.30 - 12.00 noon.

Enquiries Terina 9572 1655.

Elleenbrook Gardening Club Last Wednesday of each month The Club meets between 2 and 4.pm at Parkland Villas, 25 The Parkway, Ellenbrook. Each month we have a speaker to talk on various subjects pertaining to gardens and gardening. Each month “scratchies” are awarded for the best flower and fruit/vegetables grown by members. Every meeting concludes with a cup of tea or coffee, a bite to eat and a change to have a natter with a very friendly bunch of folks. Our annual fees are $12 for single membership and $18 for couples, visitors and non-members $2 per meeting.

For further information contact the President, Dottie Smith on 9297 3015 or Secretary, Marlene Jefferies on 9297 6206.

LA SALLE COLLEGE 60TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIES If you are a past student or parent of La Salle (De La Salle) College and would like to be part of a short film commemorating the life of the College for our upcoming 60th Anniversary in 2014, please contact Danielle Calleja on dca@lasalle.wa.edu.au

night sky september

Greg Lowe t this time last year there were no bright evening planets. Now we have Venus standing out as the "evening star" (there's no such thing) and dominating the western sky at dusk.

For those who like the idea of a Christmas star (there's no such thing), Venus will still be visible in the western evening sky until late December.

Anyway, back to the present: this month Venus will feature in some encounters worth seeing.

On the 6th Venus and the star Spica, also known as Alpha Virginis, will be side by side.

On the 8th the 3-day-old crescent moon will be beneath Spica and Venus will be above and a bit to the right of the star. On the 9th the 4-day-old moon will be above Venus and Spica, with Saturn being above and a bit to the right of the moon.

The setting times for Venus go from about 8:50pm in early September, to 9:15 mid-month and 9:40 by the end of the month. Its latest setting time this year will be about 10:20pm in early to mid November.

Saturn's the other evening planet of note. It's not nearly as obvious as Venus, but is a much finer object to see in a telescope. Venus is just bright and exhibits phases, rather like the moon does. Saturn's ring system can be seen in even a modest telescope.

The first view of it makes a big impression on most people. Saturn looks like a medium-bright, yellowish star in the western sky, well above and to the right of Venus at the start of the month. Having the crescent moon go past it on the 9th and 10th will help you locate it. On the 18th, Saturn and Venus will be side by side. After that, Saturn will be setting before Venus. Saturn's setting times go from about 10:15pm in early September to 9:20 mid-month and 8:30 at month's end.

Mercury will be visible in the early evenings from the middle of the month. Look for it low in the west at dusk. By late September it'll be easy to spot, with a setting time of about 8pm. Jupiter is the dominant morning planet, showing out as a bright starlike object in the NE sky at daybreak.

Its rising times go from about 3:45am at the start of the month to 3am mid-month and 2:15 by month's end. Mars is the other morning planet - it doesn't look like much, remaining low in the NNE at daybreak throughout the month.

Strange to relate, the stupid story about Mars looking as big as the full moon in late August is still doing the rounds, ten years after it surfaced at the time of close approach in 2003. It was rubbish then and it's still rubbish.

The major phases of the moon in September are: new moon on the 5th, first quarter on the night of the 12th, full moon on the 19th, and last quarter on the 27th. On the 19th the full moon will be rising just as the sun's setting - a good time to be on a high vantage point where you can watch both sunset and moonrise; or maybe out in a boat, or on a salt lake …. anyway, in a place where you can see low down to the west and the east.

The spring equinox (the autumn one in the northern hemisphere) occurs on the 23rd at 5am WA time. That's when the sun's crossing the equator, heading south, and the days are about 12 hours long.

Courtesy of Perth Observatory

A

25

editorial

W

ell, it’s over for the moment. The longest, most drawn-out election campaign in our history. It was vicious in parts, new lows in political discourse were reached and the ‘will he, won’t he’ aspect of the Labor leadership has worried and disgusted both sides of the political divide.

To no one’s surprise the Coalition has won the vast majority of the lower house seats and is now the elected government of Australia.

The road ahead for the new Prime Minister will not be easy, but before we consider that, let us just briefly look how we arrived at this point.

This is perhaps the most commented on election in living memory. The ready access to Facebook, Twitter and social media generally has meant that individual opinions can, and have, been bruited about and seen by far more than ever before.

Both sides have made claims demonstrably exaggerated or untrue, both sides have made valid points and more than ever before has the Labor party fallen under the tempting spell of the cult of personality.

Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke and Kim Beasley were men of character and charisma with strong personalities, but they were also men of substance who had more to offer than just their winning ways.

My grandmother, a smart lady in many ways, always said that you could judge the measure of someone by how they treated the servants and those who were in no position to assist that person’s career in any way.

For me, this is possibly best summed up in Mr Rudd’s concession speech when he said of his opponent in the seat of Griffith: ‘It would be unprime-ministerly of me to say “Eat your heart out, Bill Glasson”, so I won’t’, getting a cheap laugh at the expense of a distinguished man who fought a good and clean campaign.

He also failed to congratulate his political opponent, Mr Abbott, on his win, something every other defeated leader has done. Ungracious. But Mr Rudd is not gracious in defeat.

I am reminded of something Winston Churchill said about Montgomery - ‘In war, unbeatable; in peace, unbearable’. Not that I am comparing Mr Rudd to Viscount Montgomery.

Most of the comments from Labor politicians laid the defeat firmly at the feet of ‘party dis-unity’ and while that certainly didn’t help I have strong reservations that is the prime, or even one of the main, causes of the coalition victory.

Certainly the unedifying spectacle of Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd hacking away at each other and grabbing photo opportunities at the expense of good government was distressing.

Two examples, one each. Ms Gillard and six senior staff spending a day on a photo spread showing her, an avowed Republican feminist, knitting a toy kangaroo for the then unborn child of the Duke of Cambridge - who’s vote was that possibly going to attract?

Or Mr Rudd, having the letters from home to soldiers on active service in Afghanistan removed

26

election 2013 from the plane so that he could take his wife and extra staff on a photo opportunity trip to Afghanistan of only a few hours at Christmas.

Selfishness, ego and drive are, self-evidently, requirements for the job of Prime Minister, but surely there are limits?

These two instances have nothing to do with the rivalry between the two. Rather are they a reflection of a self-absorption and ego verging on the morbid.

In a cynical and fairly desperate move, the Caucus brought back Mr Rudd, over their freely-expressed personal opinions to ‘save the furniture’.

The intention, I am sure, would have been for him to call an immediate election and capitalise on the popularity that he gained by being deprived of the ‘fair go’ as Prime Minister that all Australians felt that he was owed.

He did not do so. He appears to have felt that his personal popularity would only increase the Labor vote and so Australia embarked on a period of uncertainty about when the election would actually happen, the one certainty being that it would definitely NOT be on the 14th September.

From what I have had told to me, given the option Mr Rudd would have left it to the last possible minute to allow himself time to work his magic on the population, but the opinion polls forced his hand.

Certainly Mr Rudd speaks well and presents an open, honest and engaging personality to the camera that is not an accurate reflection of the man.

Ms Gillard also spoke well, but her manner was stiff, lecturing and entirely without passion.

Her most famous speech, the ‘misogyny’ speech, was given in defence of Peter Slipper, a man who, without question, has a much lower view of women that Mr Abbott does.

Mr Abbott, by comparison with these two fares very badly in the presentation. He is hesitant, not a naturally eloquent man, and one plainly uncomfortable in the spotlight of media.

But, appearances are just that - a surface which may not, indeed often does not, accurately show the person beneath.

As the campaign progressed Mr Rudd became increasingly erratic and the promises more and more wild without reference to staff, other interested parties or common sense. And it was this ultimately, combined with the last six years of what may fairly be seen as a total squandering of a golden opportunity of the resources boom.

Yes, the Australian economy is in a better position than most, yes, we can recover, but we should not need to. Instead of ‘doing relatively well by international standards’ we should be leading the field.

Labor have said a coalition government will make cuts of seventy billion, that the debt is irrelevant and that interest rates are the lowest ever and that’s a good thing.

I am sure that given the choice between unpopular budgetary cuts and popular porkbarrelling any government or potential

government would choose the latter, so why is the Coalition saying that the cuts are necessary?

We shall see how Mr Abbott performs in office.

He has been vilified and demonised by his opponents for his ‘misogyny’, Catholicism, ‘thuggery’ and opposition to gay marriage.

He has been lauded by his own party as ‘a good bloke’, praised for his contributions to volunteer fire-fighting, charity work, surf lifesaving and so on.

The truth is somewhere near the middle, I suppose, but where both sides are agreed is that he is totally dedicated, focussed and highly disciplined.

If Mr Rudd was intended to ‘save the furniture’ and in his concession speech he seems to be claiming the credit for that then the probably fifty-eight seats in the lower house will make an effective opposition, always a good thing in a democratic society.

But, this is more due to Australia’s preferential voting than Labor’s appeal. The fact is that Labor attracted roughly one third of the voting public’s primary vote, a lower primary vote than Labor have received in decades. The Greens primary vote is down by about a quarter and the Coalition’s primary vote is up - but not by much, enough to have a comfortable working majority of about fifteen but representing forty-five per cent of the country’s first preference.

The smaller, less well-known parties had a major percentage increase of primary votes which would seem to indicate that the two major parties are less attractive than they would have hoped and the Greens have lost support, not to the major parties, but to other small, fringe parties - the Sex Party, One Nation, Family First and, of course, Palmer’s United Party.

The unique system in play in the Senate means that very minor parties are likely to hold the balance of power. Parties like the Australian Motoring Enthusiasts Party and the Sporting Australia Party, which attracted only 225 primary votes, but may well hold a senate seat requiring a quota of 123,000 votes as a result of preferences.

On the subject of preferences the Greens directed their preferences to a climate sceptic party ahead of Nick Xenephon’s running mate, who actually believes in climate change and thinks something should be done about it.

Clive Palmer, a miner, directed preferences to the Greens ahead of many other, more sympathetic parties. The make up of the Senate after June next year will be interesting and control slips from the Green/Labor parties and into the hands of some ten or so minor parties.

All that lies in the future, what we have now is a coalition government that attracted slightly less than half of Australia’s primary vote, although by far a very long way ahead of the next party.

It has been said that ‘The grown-ups are back in charge’. Let us hope that differences can be buried and we can all work together to return Australia to its pre-eminence in civility, credibility compassion and stability.

BUSINESS CARD BOARD AcCOUNTANT

carpet cleaning

electrical

brickpaving

ceilings

firebreaks

CLEANING

gardening

Specialising in Brickpaving & Soakwells

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

building designer

Ovens Microwaves

Cook-tops Grills

Extractors/Hoods BBQs non caustic fume free process

1300 683 625 (1300 ovenclean)

business opportunity

dry cleaners

garden services

COFFEE LOVERS Let us introduce you to THE COFFEE THAT PAYS For more information contact 04 8866 0399 or seriouscuppa@gmail.com **** We do not discriminate **** hot chocolate / tea drinkers also welcome

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

Phone 9295 1488

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

Your business could be here from as little as $40.

glass

Ring Jan on 9298 8495 building inspection

BUILDING: Written Pre-purchase & Hand-over Inspections. Email felcon@wn.com.au INSPECTIONS: Reports. Faulty Workmanship Investigations.

Ph: 0427 770 500 27

BUSINESS CARD BOARD plumbing and gas

health

Tree services

Just Trees

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

Phil: 0458 158 850

~ Fully Insured

~ Call for a Free Quote

9299 6977 email: justtrees@bigpond.com

maintenance

natural health

tuition

rubbish removal

security

call for a free assessment Mundaring - 9295 6255 Ellenbrook - 9297 3654

TV ANTENNAS

Natural, Effective & Safe Health Care

* allergies, hay fever * coughs, colds, flu * stress, anxiety * and much more Madeleine, Homeopath 9296 0152 www.perthhomeopath.com

Painting

Stockfeed

web design

picture framers

theatre

weight loss

Your business could be here for $40.

Ring Jan on 9298 8495 28

29

le See Aerti1c2 Pag GLEN FORREST COMMUNITY FAIR

Sunday October 20th

10am to 5 pm At Glen Forrest Sports Club McGlew Road, Glen Forrest

FREE ENTRY!

Relaxing Fun for the Whole Family!

• sausage sizzle • tea, coffee, cakes etc all day • special activities for younger children • hands on sport and recreational activities • entertainment • showcase of community activities • judging of Glen Forrest Bakery Bake Off • and much more.....

Read our review

ENQUIRIES call GF Sports Club 9298 8343 Sponsored by Lotterywest and Bendigo Bank

30