march 26 - april 1 | 2014
regional extra >>> 25,000 readers every week
north east
north east jobs www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
inside page 7
circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts
Sharing the country By KYLIE WILSON
NEW LIFE:
Brenda Pomponio, her husband Lou and children Miranda and Jude are making the most of their new found rural lifestyle, with Brenda sharing her discoveries with the world via her 13 Acres blog. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
WITH
JOAN
RSPCA
FILM
EVIE
NOAH
WITH
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
continued page |
3
Simple,
friendly & easy.
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GARDENING
AFTER some 12 years surviving Melbourne’s corporate rat race and raising a family, Brenda Pomponio and her husband Lou knew it was time for a change. “We were questioning our way of life and our lifestyle,” Brenda said. “We were over our Melbourne lifestyle and wanted a challenge.” They thought back to their carefree family holidays spent in Beechworth, and discussed their desire to create a low key and sustainable lifestyle on an acreage, and took the plunge. “It was about getting back to nature,” Brenda said. Moving to the North East in spring last year, the family recently moved into their newly constructed sustainable home, built using local tradesmen, including builder Rob Humphries. The move to their dream property has also been the catalyst for Brenda to share her experiences with the world, via her blog, 13 Acres. The couple have established an olive orchard and vegetable garden, are raising four cows for future meat needs, and supplementing their food where they can from local organic suppliers. Lou has also established a local real estate business. Brenda said her family are thriving on the rural lifestyle, particularly children Jude and Miranda. “The kids are outside all the time, and sneak snacks of snow peas straight from the garden,” she said.
march 26 - april 1 | 2014
YOUR GARDEN
GARDEN HINTS
Surrounded by beauty
The snails are blooming
Name: Town:
Joan and David Butler Hamilton Park
COLORFUL: Joan Butler in her Hamilton Park garden.
What’s in your garden? I have around 150 roses, crepe myrtles, gladioli, irises, dahlias, lots of natives, and a beautiful big peach tree. A lot of our garden has been planted to attract native birds. What do you enjoy about gardening? Every little bit of it. Favorite plant/spot in your garden? My roses. Water saving/conservation tip? We have a large compost
heap and a compost bin where we put kitchen scraps, so nothing gets wasted. We are also very careful with water and have water tanks. Your tips to keep gardens in top shape: Manual weeding, making our own compost, fertilising with cow and chook manure and dynamic lifter, and aerating the lawn with a fork.
CALLING ALL GREEN THUMBS...
Do you live in the Rural City of Wangaratta, Alpine or Indigo Shires and want to showcase your garden on this page? Call Kylie Wilson on (03) 5723 0135 or email kwilson@ nenews.com.au to find out more.
ONE of the prettiest flowers Mother Nature has created is that of the snail creeper. This climbing vine has fragrant flowers that resemble snails, hence the common name. The flowers start off as creamy white buds, gradually turning to shades of pink and purple as they open into snail-shaped blooms. As they age they fade to a yellowy cream color. These beautiful flowers hang from the vines mid-summer through into autumn contrasting against the lush green leaves. The snail vine, botanically known as vigna caracalla, is named after the Italian botanist Dominico Vigna and its place of origin, Caracas, in Venezuela. This native of South America is tough and needs little maintenance. It is suited to the conditions in the North East, thrives on any hot exposed site and does well in any type of soil. The snail vine is not too fussy about being fed either, but can be fertilised with an organic fertiliser during the spring growing season. It is frost tender and tends to die back a bit during winter, but resprouts in spring. Although they are slow growing in the first year, once established, they take off vigorously.
WITH DEBBI GIBSON, HORTICULTURALIST
They may need an occasional haircut to keep them under control. The old tangled growth can be cut back in late winter and clip the tendrils in late spring to induce flowering. If the tendrils are running it won’t set much flower. An average plant can live for around ten years and they are easily propagated. They can be grown from seed, which can be harvested when the seed pods are dry. Soak the seeds in warm water overnight to improve germination. The flowers are mostly pollinated by ants so if there isn’t any ants, the vine won’t produce pods or seeds. Snail vines are also easy to propagate from cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is in early spring when the foliage is growing. Plant a snail vine and delight in its exquisite flowers and perfume for a few months every year. Happy gardening.
Catch Debbi Gibson’s ‘In Your Garden’ program on 1566 3NE every Saturday morning from 8 to 9am. Call in your enquiries on 5722 2999.
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march 26 - april 1 | 2014
FEATURE STORY
from page |
VETS CORNER
1
It’s not a tumor COUNTRY TRANQUILLITY: Emma Keith shares her rural lifestyle with the world via Instagram.
“My kids are so much happier. “And the families here are wonderful. “Not only is Beechworth a tourist driven town, but the people all care for each other.” Having formerly run her own craft blog, and wanting to do something more flexible than working 9 to 5, Brenda said the choice to begin a blog about their new lifestyle was an easy one. She has also started sharing projects and experiences on Instagram and on Pinterest, and hopes the family’s rural lifestyle inspires others. “We’re basically a real life example of people who have made the move,” Brenda said. “It’s about not being scared to have a go. “Going back to basics is not that hard. “Our long term goal is hopefully to set up an environment to teach what we have learned.” Using new media to help promote the North East and their rural lifestyle also comes naturally to Hansonville resident Emma Keith, who as well as running King Valley Premium Beef alongside husband Adam, works as a tourism development coordinator at the Rural City of Wangaratta. “We moved back to North East Victoria to be closer to family,” Emma said.
“The lifestyle on offer here is incomparable and was a huge drawcard also. “Our farm venture allows us to have fun and spend time together. “From the fast paced city lifestyle we once enjoyed, to working the land is very different. “I wouldn’t trade our neighbors, our lifestyle or the work involved in farming for city lifestyle.” As well as having her farming business online, Emma is prolific on promoting farming, tourism and rural life on new media – particularly on Instagram – and even set up her own hashtag, #cowtography. “It’s about telling the story of our ‘ladies’ (cows), our lifestyle and also the wider region,” she said. “I consider myself an amateur photographer and for me, social media has provided an outlet to share my passions in a photographic way.” Emma said digital promotion was a way forward for businesses and the tourism industry and was a different way of creating community. The 13 Acres blog can be found at www.13acres.com.au and Emma can be found by searching for Emma Keith on Instragram or Twitter.
AT any age, our pets can develop various lumps on or in their bodies. Sometimes these are temporary and not that serious, whereas in other cases they can be very serious and even life threatening. Lumps can come up as a result of various reasons. Some are due to inflammation or allergic reactions, such as a bee sting or hives. Others are due to bleeding, such as hematomas from trauma or from poor blood clotting that we see with rat bait toxicities. Infection is another common reason for a lump to come up. These infected lumps are often in the form of an abscess that may need lancing and draining. Blockage of ducts in the skin can cause cystic lumps to develop as the material produced by the gland accumulates upstream of the blockage. Finally, some lumps arise because of a cancerous change. Cancers are caused by an abnormal multiplication of tissue cells. The body is regularly replacing its tissue cells by processes of cell
division and replication, but cancer occurs when this process occurs abnormally and without normal regulation. Cancers are broadly defined as benign or malignant based on the way the abnormal cell mass behaves. Benign lumps tend to be slower growing and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant cancers are defined by the fact that they are invasive in their growth and also spread to distant parts of the body in a process known as metastasis. Malignant cancers are therefore much more dangerous because they not only damage the area in which they are growing, but can also damage tissues where they spread to (often the lymph glands, lungs and liver). Benign cancers are not as serious but in some cases can cause problems. Large benign lumps can put pressure on the internal organs causing dysfunction or they may interfere with normal movement of the legs. In some cases benign tumors
PETS CORNER EVIE, a female domestic medium hair cat who is 14 months old and tabby in color, is this week’s pet of the week at the Wangaratta RSPCA. To see more animals up for adoption at the Wangaratta RSPCA, visit the shelter in Connell Street or phone (03) 57222874.
WHAT’S ON AUTUMN 2014
Curious about your career in early childhood education? FRIDAY
Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Goulburn Ovens TAFE (GOTAFE) are offering course information sessions to help you pursue your future career in early childhood education.
April
The information sessions, to be held at CSU in Wangaratta and GOTAFE in Shepparton, will focus on:
47.30
0 GOTAFE’s Diploma of Children’s Services 0 CSU’s Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years) offered by distance education Both courses meet the professional qualification and learning requirements of the Early Years Framework and prepare graduates for their role as early childhood educators.
PM
When Dad Married Fury The old man is worth 100 million. He’s gone and married Fury, an American beauty queen half his age and there is no pre-nup... A $42 C $39 15/under $21 Grp 6+ $37
Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (TOID 3094). A1045 RE
Credit is available for CSU’s Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years) for students who have completed the Diploma of Children’s Services.
THURSDAY
INFORMATION SESSIONS WILL BE HELD:
SHEPPARTON Monday 31 March 2014 5pm - 6.30pm
WANGARATTA Wednesday 2 April 2014 5pm - 6.30pm
GOTAFE Shepparton Campus Fryers Street, Shepparton
CSU Wangaratta 218 Tone Road, Wangaratta
can get bumped or knocked and end up bleeding, which although not life threatening can become problematic for the dog. It is important to have any new lumps checked that you find on your pets as even relatively innocuous looking lumps can be very serious and it is always easier to deal with a nasty lump when it is small and hasn’t spread. We can take needle biopsies or surgical biopsies that can tell us what a lump is, and hopefully allow us to report back that it’s not a tumor. Tim Craig BVSc, Warby St Veterinary Hospital
May
8 10.30
For more information or to RSVP, contact: Ms Robyn Farley 03 5723 6132 | rfarley@csu.edu.au
AM
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march 26 - april 1 | 2014
CATCH OF THE WEEK
FISHING FOCUS
A few cod at Mulwala BY ROB ALEXANDER, WANGARATTA ONCE again I have received quite a mix of fishing reports from around the region this week. The fishing seems to be okay across the board at present, but not outstanding anywhere in particular. Lake Mulwala is, however, probably the stand out at the moment. It has really picked up in the last four to six weeks and is fishing better than it has for a few years. I have seen photos and had reports of Murray cod over 100cm being caught using all techniques. Surface lures have accounted for a few fish after dark around the shallow margins of the lake, while spinnerbaits have been taking a few cod in the shallow water among the standing timber, and hard body lures trolled down deep in the submerged creeks and Murray River have been picking a few up as well. Bait fishermen have been catching a few cod as well. Several reports I have had from bait fishermen have come from the far upper reaches of the lake and up in the Murray River closer to Rutherglen where a 72cm Murray cod was landed on cheese at Stanton’s Bend, along with a couple of smaller undersize cod. Lake Nillahcootie has been fishing pretty well for yellowbelly with ‘average sized’ fish being caught in the top end of the lake on baits of worms and small yabbies fished from a boat close to the timber. Wayne and Cindy Love fished the Mitta Mitta River near Eskdale with six year old Billy Johnston on Saturday where they managed to catch four carp and one small brown trout on scrub worms. Wayne said the river looked fantastic and they had an absolute ball.
Name:
Grace Webster, Wangaratta
Catch:
Redfin
Size
1.4kg
Bait:
Yabbies
Location:
SUDOKU EASY
Hume Weir
6 1
7
9
9 2
8 8
1
2
5 3
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LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION
GOOD FUN: Six year old Billy Johnston with a fat ‘Mud Marlin’ caught in the Mitta Mitta River near Eskdale on a bunch of scrubworms on the weekend.
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march 26 - april 1 | 2014
ENTERTAINMENT
THE KITCHEN PHILOSOPHER MOVIE
Noah [M] ACADEMY AwardÂŽ winner Russell Crowe stars as Noah, a man chosen by God for a great task before an apocalyptic flood destroys the world.
DVD
1. JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA (MA15+) Comedy. Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll
2. ONE CHANCE
(PG) Drama. Stars: James Corden, Julie Walters
3. VIKINGS SEASON 1
(MA15+) TV Series. Stars: Travis Fimmel, Clive StandenÂ
4. THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
(M) Action. Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson Â
5. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2
(G) Animated. Stars: Bill Hader, Anna Faris Courtesy of Network Video Wangaratta
CD
Symphonica by George Michael THE ‘Symphonica’ album comprises lovingly arranged and sung versions of carefully selected highlights from George’s sumptuous back catalogue plus interpretations of songs by some of his favorite artists. George’s ‘A Different Corner’, ‘Praying For Time’ and ‘Cowboys and Angels’ are well-known and well-loved, but they blossom in their new setting, and the inspired covers include ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’ and ‘Wild Is The Wind’.
BOOK
The Runaway Woman by Josephine Cox WITH her 40th birthday fast approaching, Lucy decides to leave her normal life behind, realising that her husband is having an affair with her sister, and her children have started to mimic her husband and belittle her. Mustering all her courage, she leaves both her family and home to start anew. Published by HarperCollins
World deprivation I MUST admit, I’m probably about as addicted to technology as the next person. Although there are some who might say more so (ie the spouse who feels there may come a time when I will need my iPhone surgically removed from my hand). But I defend myself by insisting that I’m using it as an ‘enhancement’ to my daily life. After all, who among us doesn’t need to play online Scrabble, check Facebook, browse eBay or send the odd text or email? I mean, come on. Get with the program, will ya. But even I must admit to seeing some quite disturbing trends in the amount of ‘screen time’ many people are putting in – and especially the amount of time some little children seem to be spending with their faces jammed up against a screen of some description. More than once, on a beautiful early spring day – with a warm breeze blowing, birds singing and gardens bursting forth in leaf and color – I have noted a toddler in a pusher gazing intently at an iPhone, completely oblivious to the world around him or her. With eyes so averted, how does a child like this get to engage with the world? To see and interact with other people? To learn from close up, real-life, living color experience? Oh, yes, I do understand that being a parent is a tiring and often frustrating job. I know that propping a grumpy, tired child in front of the telly or flicking on a movie on the iPad must sometimes seem like a great way to get you through the next few minutes or hours. I know because I’ve done it myself occasionally. So it’s not that I’m criticising using technology, per se. I can see how they might be a sanity saver at times. But I am worried that our little children could be becoming very dependent on these devices. And more than that, I’m worried they are missing out on some of the best sights, sounds, fun and learning experiences in doing so. I was thinking about all this the other day as we drove along the freeway. I looked at the dry paddocks, some with grass heads as high as a small child.
BY CATHERINE WARNOCK It occurred to me that there are probably some kids today who’ve barely ever seen a paddock close up, let alone walked in one. They’ve never felt the dry, stubbly grass under their bare feet, smelled the scent of parched earth or touched the spiky, fragile, grassy heads. My eyes wandered to a craggy-edged dry creek bed – the kind of place I would have loved to explore when I was a kid. I could feel the patches of green grass and the smooth stones that lay in its deeper ruts. I could see myself and my friends building huts from sticks and making up our own little games. And my own kids too, luckily, enjoyed that freedom and connection to their world. Yes, sometimes they got hurt and sometimes they took risks but, as I mentioned in a recent article (the one about the primary school in New Zealand that allows children to play with junk and play risky games) these rough and tumble games allow children to build resilience, use their imaginations, problem solve, test their skills, socialise and learn about their world. How can kids whose primary source of entertainment is an electronic gadget get to experience those things? What important information about the world is a child whose eyes are glued to a screen missing out on? And not to mention all the other things they might be seeing and hearing that are inappropriate for their ages. Or the scourge of cyber-bullying. My only solace is that I’m sure most parents want the best for their children and will hopefully see to it that screen time is closely monitored (pardon the pun). But if there are any mums and dads out there who are worried their kids are becoming addicted to screens, please don’t be afraid to turn the things off for a while. You are not being mean by doing it (even if your kids might give you a hard time about it). By consciously limiting screen time, you are giving them the chance to take part in real life. And that’s a gift no gadget can ever supply.
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march 26 - april 1 | 2014
WINE TALK
IN MY KITCHEN
Serengale Vineyard
Shortcrust pastry for tarts
2010 Analisse Chardonnay Around $30.00
WITH ANITA McPHERSON where it enjoys the mild climate and sandy granite soil. I enjoyed it in a big, fishbowl glass where I could enjoy the rich golden color and soak up the aroma of toasty baked pear and lemon cream. Then there is the full body and flavors of pear, vanilla and maple, thanks to the French oak. `There’s plenty of length to enjoy and it’s capped off with a pleasant, mineral acidity. It’s the sort of wine which would convince even a tight fisted party pooper like me. Available at the Cellar Door Wine Store in Beechworth or find out more at www.serengale.com.au.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Back to Thoona, 1978
THE Back to Thoona of Easter 1978 not only provided a chance for past residents of the town and district to get together and enjoy a reunion, but it also managed to break the drought of 1978. Rain fell on the Easter Saturday, and by the first week in April, everyone was sure that the drought had finally broken. Thoona’s historic St Andrews Church was opened on the Sunday for the first time in many years, as part of the celebrations.
Obligation Free Consultations, Site Visit, Quotations X Kitchens - Vanities - Wardrobes - Laundries X Soft Silent Drawers are standard X Superior Quality stone Benchtops h X Glass Splashbacks, Flatpack Kitchens X Schweigen Silent Rangehoods X Baumatic, Euromaid, Elica, IAG Appliances
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the vegetables, and bake until set approximately 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with a salad.
Every Flair kitchen is designed and custom built to suit you!
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NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
Shortcrust pastry for tarts >300gm plain flour >½ tsp salt >160gm cold unsalted butter >70ml ice-cold buttermilk
DREAM KITCHEN?
Wangaratta Chronicle contacts:
BULLY ’S
WITH BRONWYN INGLETON
Why would you go anywhere else for your
Reach over 25,000 readers every week FRIENDLY TEAM: Bully’s Barber Shop staff members (from left) Graeme Bull, Rachael Bigham, Julie Nankervis, Iris Cameron
THIS is a great recipe for shortcrust pastry, as it holds up to double cooking and travelling for a picnic. You can use it to make tarts, quiches, all sorts of things, sweet and savory. This will make a 24cm tart or 6 small ones. We also double the quantity at the café when we make our tarts, blind bake them and store in an air tight container for later use. These cases will last in the fridge for one week. Method In an electric food processor blend flour, butter and salt into fine bread crumbs mix, add cold buttermilk just until the mix comes together into a ball. Tip onto a lightly floured surface, knead for a few minutes then wrap in clear wrap and rest in the fridge for 30 mins before use. Take out of fridge and roll out to ¼ inch thick, place into a greased tart tin, prick the bottom of pastry with a fork and blind bake in a 160 degree oven until edges are lightly brown, take out the beans and return to the oven, finish cooking the bottom of the pastry. Your tart is now ready for the filling of your choice. Suggested filling Roast some vegetables all the same size in oil and herbs, cool. Grate cheddar cheese on the bottom of the tart top with the cooled vegies, mix two eggs into some crème fraiche or cream, pour this over
INGREDIENTS
THERE is a plastic container clogging up my cupboard which is missing its lid, but it stays there as a reminder of why I don’t go to party plan events. It was purchased at the only one I was ever coerced into attending a long time ago, hosted by my boss, which made it difficult to say no. After cask wine, dips and party games, I left having ordered a snap and seal container which cost an arm and a leg, but was guaranteed to keep a two dollar packet of macaroni fresh for a lifetime. I don’t know which was more disappointing; my own foolishness for purchasing something ridiculous, or the cheap and nasty plonk. Pigs would fly before I ever hosted such an event, but if I did I would guarantee my guests would buy up big and come back again by serving a bold Chardonnay. The 2010 Analisse Chardonnay comes from the Serengale Vineyard in the Everton Hills,
7
march 26 - april 1 | 2014
NorthEast JOBS
Circulating in Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Bright, Mt Beauty, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Rutherglen, Chiltern and districts
To place an ad, phone 5723 0101 or email classifieds@nenews.com.au
Employers view social media profile when recruiting graduates ACCORDING to Graduate Careers Australia’s (GCA) new 2013 Graduate Outlook report, employers are increasingly using potential recruits’ social media profiles as additional indicators for selection, with one-third of responding recruiters reporting having done so. GCA’s Executive Director, Dr Noel Edge, advised “graduates may have greater job prospects if their social media profiles present an appropriate image when they prepare their graduate applications. “Today’s employers are looking for graduate candidates who convey professionalism both in person and online.� The report also highlights that almost one in five employers did not recruit any graduates in 2013, as they remain cautious in the post-financial crisis economic climate. Graduate Outlook 2013 figures reveal that 19.3 per cent of
surveyed employers recruited no graduates in 2013, compared with 12.5 per cent in 2012. Most surveyed employers blamed financial considerations for this decrease in hiring, with 34.9 per cent citing economic conditions as the primary influence on their graduate recruitment intake, and a further 26.4 per cent naming budgetary constraints. “These new findings suggest that the recruiters of graduates remain cautious in their hiring plans,� said Dr Edge. Dr Edge stressed that the longterm outlook for university graduates remains bright. “There is typically a lot of attention paid to the percentage of graduates who secure full-time employment immediately after graduation. “Our research has consistently shown that graduates experience strong growth in employment rates in the first few years after the completion of their studies.�
When asked about the selection criteria they use when recruiting graduates, interpersonal and communication skills were ranked by employers as the most important. “While technical expertise is important, graduates wielding strong communication skills will have greater employment prospects,� Dr Edge explained. Graduate Outlook 2013, now in its ninth year, is an annual investigation into recruitment practices and trends in the Australasian graduate labour market. A total of 484 employers responded to the 2013 survey.
www.northeastjobs.com.au
FARM HAND
Food & Beverage Service Supervisor
Position exists for an experienced farm hand for a modern mixed farming enterprise. Duties include use of farm machinery, header, air seeder, splitting, etc. Also sheep and cattle handling required. PHONE
0428 361 862
Credit Card &Eftpos facilities Why not charge your advertisement to Mastercard or Visa?
Feathertop is a progressive, class leading destination and winery located in the Alpine Valleys. We are seeking an experienced front of house supervisor to manage daily service delivery of our Alfresco Dining restaurant and function business. We will appoint a strong leader with a high service ethic who is committed to driving strong financial results. Forward CV and application to alfresco@boynton.com.au Applications close 5pm April 18th
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Does your business advertise? Do you see a response? Don’t throw money into the air use a medium that works! We know that print advertising in the Chronicle will reach your customers and drive potential clients to your door. John Wohlers, Allister Neely and David Munnery know that too. I had an amazing response to our advertisement on April 29 highlighting an exclusive range of rings we had in stock. Customers came in as a direct response to seeing this advertisement.
We advertised in the Chronicle on April 24, the response was immediate and sustained. The advertisement created really hit the mark with people wanting to know about the benefits of solar. It was the best response I have had to advertising. SAVE MONE AND THE Y ENVIRONMENT
We advertised a vehicle run out promotion on the Subaru Forester X Luxury and it worked a treat. We had customers come in with the advertisement from the North East Motor Guide and ask specifically about this vehicle. To me that is advertising that works.
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The Elect-Solar wa BY ALLISTER NEELY
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Wangaratta
Solar hot water and energy efficient LED lighting are also great ways inverters and panels Managing Director to reduce your energy and are able to source bills. Solar major water heaters are Elect-Solar most brands available able to meet households’ in today’s market. hot water needs without the Call Allister Neely use of electric or and the team at Elect-Solar gas boosters AS anyone who for most of the year to eliminate your TODAY pays a power bill and LED lighting rising power costs: for their home operates at or business would a fraction of the 5722 3093. have noticed, power wattage of conventional prices are on lighting, the rise. Prices have Elect-Solar do not resulting in substantial risen as much as believe in loans with savings. 40% in the hidden last 2 years and costs that will increase Elect-Solar can even there is little chance the overall price put together a package for any sort of of reprieve in the future. your purchase. combining solar power, solar hot water and LED One of the best ways Hume Building Society lighting for the ultimate to protect yourself Offer in savings and low from these costs. We offer inevitable future running No application fee price rises is to a free onsite assessment on personal loans install solar power. for solar with a Most people are packages. Contact detailed quote tailored aware of solar power Mark to at your specific needs Hume Building Society and realise it recommendation can help reduce on 03 5723 7670 with their power bill but s given to help you to learn more. don’t understand make informed how it works and ‘Elect Solar is not decisions. We only how much they can a representative or recommend quality, benefit from agent of, or proven having it installed. otherwise affiliated Elect-Solar, an experienced with Hume Building Society’ reputable local solar and company, use a one on one approach and can talk you through the steps required to pick the right solar solution for your home. With solar system’s recouping their initial cost with the electricity they generate in as little as 4 years it makes perfect sense to install one on your home. Businesses can also stand to benefit enormously from solar power. Due to the daytime running of most commercial and industrial businesses, a solar system can be designed so that it can effectively power premises during the day, saving money from higher peak electricity rates. In this scenario, a solar system can recoup its initial outlay in as little as 3 years. With state of the art electricity data logging equipment, Elect-Solar can design the optimum system for any business. 30KW GRID CONNECT SOLAR Sun Earth Panels and SMA Inverter
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Let the Chronicle team help you get more for your advertising dollars with a tailored campaign to suit all budgets. Call Noel Gilbert 5723 0139 today.
march 26 - april 1 | 2014
YOUR HEALTH
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
Irritable bowels
Thinking of an investment in shares? THE last few weeks have seen our sharemarket going in all sorts of directions, so is this the time to be looking at a share portfolio? The experts will say yes, as when we see volatility like we have been seeing in the past few weeks, you should be checking out interest rates. With interest rates so low, the sharemarket cannot be overvalued, and the Reserve Bank has shown it has no intention of lifting rates. So, does a low mortgage rate have anything to do with the share price of AMP or Telstra? No, it’s more about the government bond yields. If you are not in the business of having a punt on the market, then leave your money in the safest, but also the most boring investment around, that of government 10 year bonds. Of course, this investment is safe as the government can always print more money to pay you back when the cupboard is bare. Being risk-free, the 10 year government bond yield is the benchmark for every other return. A 10 year bond yield, which depends on the price it is traded for, is a bit over four per cent. The earnings (as distinct from dividends) from the sharemarket are around seven per cent. So it is easy to see why a low bond yield is the sharemarket’s best friend. With a more normal return on bonds of say six per cent, the less future profits are worth in today’s dollars. The sharemarket could be challenged as investors weigh up whether the extra one per cent is too little to compensate for the extra risk involved and the volatility of the market. Companies should be earning more than
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the brain. Serotonin is a happy hormone. If you are happy and relaxed while chowing down, you will have less of those ‘squirmy, nervy’ feelings. t )FBMUIZ JNNVOF TZTUFN the gut is a compost bin of bugs. If you want to attract the kind of bugs that break down your meals in a healthy way, you need to work on creating a
healthy environment in there. If you place too many acidic food scraps into the compost bin you will attract smells and maggots. Your gut immune system is no different. t )FBMUIZ CPXFM NPCJMJUZ to get things moving, you have got to get moving. Your gut responds well to exercise, stretching and massage.
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its cost of capital, which must be something above the 10 year bond rate and return any profits to shareholders. Even though our economy has been growing at almost double that of the US since the global financial crisis, Wall Street has been returning profits and has now beaten its record from before the global financial crisis, but here in Australia we are still a long way from our peak of 2007. Wall Street has been reporting successively higher profits, not from rising sales, but because of ultra-low interest rates and downsizing. But rates can’t stay low forever, even though comments from the US Federal Reserve are indicating there is another two years left in these extremely low interest rates. The bond rate in the US is still below three per cent. With rates that low – and probably negative after inflation and tax - there’s nowhere for investors to go other than the sharemarket. The US companies have been using higher profit margins to buy back their stock. The pity is our market is more about issuing than buying back shares as we are still in the business of raising capital. Dr Paul Docherty of the University of Newcastle in a study underwritten by Platypus Asset Management says that companies who issue shares underperform those that buy them back by 0.6 per cent a month. So if you still like the idea of better returns talk to your accountant or financial planner about getting yourself started with a share portfolio in 2014.
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Reach over 25,000 readers every week Wangaratta Chronicle contacts:
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IRRITABLE bowel syndrome is a common diagnosis these days. The diagnosis comes about when you have a combination of ‘irritable’ symptoms, but your blood tests and other gut examinations are clear. There is no infection, no serious pathology, but you still feel “off � –your gut is ‘irritable’. The gut is a particularly sensitive organ. It is sensitive to what you eat, what you think, what you drink and what you feel. Your thoughts, feelings and meals are all “digested� in the gut. For this reason IBS symptoms can be treated in two ways. One is to improve the gut’s main role – the digestion process and the other is to improve what is going in, to be ‘digested’ (foods, thoughts, feelings etc). Creating a healthy digestion process? t *NQSPWF TFDSFUJPOT use your teeth and chew and chew and chew. t *U T BMM JO ZPVS IFBE The attitude you have and the thoughts you think will effect how you digest. There are as many serotonin receptors in the gut as in