FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020
» What’s on in WA » Member benefits » 10 of the best
Win
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The full tank We sort the myths from the facts about fuel
Older than the pyramids Why WA’s rock art is so precious
Collision course
Looking for clues after a major crash
THE 13 BEST CARS ON AUSTRALIAN ROADS
A D E L A I D E , & M U R R A Y
K A N G A R O O I S L A N D R I V E R P A C K A G E
Enjoy 15% off Escape to South Australia MEMBER OFFER
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Ranging from 8 to 12 days, these holiday packages include accommodation and sightseeing in Adelaide, a 2-day tour of beautiful Kangaroo Island and your choice of a 3, 4 or 7 night cruise on the Did mighty Princess. youMurray knowRiver thataboard ThriftytheisPS theMurray exclusive car rental partner of RAC? That means, as an RAC
Member you’ll get 15% off the dayTerms rate, free additional driver and $5 a day off protection and a conditions apply. options in Australia and New Zealand. So, whether you’re moving house, doing business or off on a road trip of your own – you know where to go to find your wheels. #
rac.com.au/thrifty F L I N D E R S R A N G E S & B A R O S S A E X P E R I E N C E
The Outback & Vines 6 Days/5 Nights, from $2371pp twin share^ Explore in-style the rugged landscape of the Flinders Ranges with this exclusive small-group tour. Enjoy the very best accommodation and cuisine while discovering the amazing history, scenery, geology and wildife of this famous region.
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Departs at 8:30am daily from Barrack Street Jetty, returning at 5:45pm • Complimentary CBD hotel pick-ups *Adult and child fares, excluding Government Admission Fees.
^T&C’s apply. All rentals are subject to the terms and conditions of the Rental Agreement. For full terms go to rac.com.au/thrifty
R17015
RAC Travel
Winner of the 2019 Canstar Travel Insurance Most Satisfied Customers Award Planning for unfortunate circumstances can save you thousands and not to mention, a lot of stress. Our range of travel insurance plans are flexible to suit your needs and budget. Protect yourself, your loved ones and your possessions with RAC Travel Insurance.
Why RAC Travel Insurance? » RAC members save 15% off all policies » Unlimited medical cover, emergency expenses & more » 24/7 emergency assistance » Compensation for luggage and travel delay » Cover for your family: Your kids and grandkids are covered for free (up to 25 years old and not working full time). And we’ll get your dependants home safely if you can’t. And so much more.
Call 1300 655 179 or go to rac.com.au/travelinsurance Limits, exclusions and conditions apply. This is general advice only. We do not provide any advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please refer to the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement available from RAC before making a decision about this insurance. This insurance is issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd (Tokio Marine & Nichido) ABN 80 000 438 291, AFSL 246548. R.A.C. Travel Services Pty. Limited (ABN 17 009 164 176, AR NO. 228577) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine & Nichido. Its managing agent, Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty. Ltd. ABN 69 004 488 455 (TMMA) is authorised to act on behalf of Tokio Marine & Nichido to issue its policies and handle and settle claims in relation to those policies, subject to the terms of the authority. #Medical cover will not exceed a maximum of 12 months from the time you first received treatment for the injury or illness. ^Conditions are covered providing certain criteria is met and is subject to approval. Members save 15% off the standard rate.
Applecross 6150 6459 » Carousel 6150 6454 » Dianella 6466 2300 » Joondalup 6150 6477 » Mandurah 6150 6456 » Midland 6150 6468 » West Perth 9436 4830
Editor Vanessa Pogorelic Graphic Designer Renee Smith
Your RAC magazine Feb/Mar 2020
Advertising Gail Raj (WA only) Tel. 08 9388 7844 gail@mediatonic.com.au Kerri Spillane Tel. 03 8520 6444 kerrispillane@hardiegrant.com Horizons® Published by RAC WA Cover photo Mark Rogers Magnum Photography Australia
Northern treasures Why WA’s rock art is so important
CAB audited as at September 2019 is 611,281 households
Our plastic wrapper is biodegradable
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Member lounge People, places and offers
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Member benefits RAC members save every day
Australia Post ISSN No 0810 8285. The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.
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Contact
facebook.com/RACWA @racwa rac.com.au editor@rac.com.au For deaf, hearing or speech impaired members: Emergency Roadside Assistance SMS number 0434 182 877 All queries relayservice.gov.au For more contact details, see page 81.
Roadside Assistance, Battery Services
Vehicle Condition Appraisals
13 11 11
1300 797 078
Membership, Motoring Advice, Insurance, Finance, Travel, Touring, Security Services
13 17 03
RAC Auto Services
1300 135 667 RAC Tyres
1300 651 042 Corporate Enquiries
9436 4111
February-March 2020 / Horizons
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President’s message Road safety education
Member feedback Your views and opinions
What’s on Great events around WA
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Snapshot News from RAC
The early years Finding stranded motorists
Sea rescue A race against time
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Australia’s best We reveal 2019’s top 13 cars
Lifting the lid on fuel Answering your questions
Investigating a major crash Piecing the puzzle together
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Travel brief News from RAC Travel
Best of Boston Explore with our city guide
Motor news Everything on wheels
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Test drive Putting new cars to the test
Car doctor Your questions answered
The 10 best Perth hawkers’ markets
Horizons / February-March 2020
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Doing more for WA and for you That’s the power of membership Your membership is helping to create a better WA – from young driver education, to road safety and sustainability initiatives, and the sponsorship of the RAC Rescue helicopters. And we give back to you with discounts on RAC products and services plus great everyday savings.
RAC Rescue helicopters
RBRA0525
Everyday savings
Find out more at rac.com.au/power The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). Member Benefit Terms and conditions apply.
YO U R R A C
President’s message Preparing our next generation of drivers Young drivers are amongst Western Australia’s most vulnerable road users, and those aged between 20 and 29 years of age continue to be overrepresented in road trauma. This is why it is so important that we ensure inexperienced road users are aware of their responsibilities on the road, whether driving a car, riding a bike or motorcycle, or as a passenger.
Attendees hear from guest speakers, whose lives have been forever changed by road trauma, and emergency personnel who respond to these crash scenes far too regularly.
RAC has maintained a strong focus on road safety education through the years. As early as 1928, RAC assisted with the formation of the Safety First Council and its focus on educating the public about safe practices on the roads, particularly in relation to the location of schools and the dangers associated with crossing the road.
Last year, 9000 students experienced RAC bstreetsmart. Due to demand, the event has now been expanded to two days in 2020 to cater for more schools.
One of our most important initiatives today is RAC bstreetsmart — a free road safety initiative exposing year 10-12 students to the life-changing realities of road trauma. Held annually at RAC Arena, the event features a crash scene re-enactment with real-life emergency service personnel, attending as they would a real crash site. Since launching in 2012, the event has reached more than 53,000 students.
Horizons / February-March 2020
Rural communities remain a key focus for RAC, which led us to launch RAC Project Road Smart last year. Held in Albany, 900 students registered to watch a filmed re-enactment of a car crash and listened to real-life emergency responders explain the devastating consequences of risky driving. RAC Project Road Smart is scheduled to visit Bunbury in February, Kalgoorlie in May, and will visit more regional communities over the remainder of the year. Joining RAC bstreetsmart and RAC Project Road Smart is our long-running Community Education Program, run in partnership
with organisations such as the Paraplegic Benefit Fund and Network Teach. These initiatives continue to deliver road safety education to future generations across our State reaching nearly 50,000 primary and high school students each year. By educating the next generation of drivers our aim is to prevent thousands from being killed or suffering life-changing injuries on WA roads.
Jacqueline Ronchi RAC President
RAC President
Jacqueline Ronchi RAC Council Club Patron His Excellency the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia President Jacqueline Ronchi Senior Vice President Professor Ross Dowling Vice President John Driscoll Members of Council
Event details
Leanne Bishop Allan Blagaich
RAC bstreetsmart 7 & 8 April 2020
Is your child’s school attending RAC bstreetsmart in 2020? Registrations are open to schools across WA, so make sure yours is on the list. Visit rac.com.au/ bstreetsmart School registrations closing end of February.
Esme Bowen Freda Crucitti Jill Darby Tony Evans Dalton Gooding Alden Halse Brian Hanson Emmerson Richardson Julie Wadley Jim Walker
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YO U R R A C @racwa editor@rac.com.au
Member feedback
Sign up to receive RAC’s For the Better enews rac.com.au/racenews
Winning feedback
Going solo Your travel article the Power of One (Horizons, October/November), brought back lots of happy memories for me. In 2000 I started my own solo travel journey which was to last 16 years. At that time travelling as a single lady was unusual, with lots of comments like ‘You’re on our own?’. While travelling our beautiful country I spent a lot of time bush camping which I enjoyed. To support myself I worked in various jobs and met some lovely people. My mode of travel was a Toyota Hiace motorhome. Quite often I read my diaries to remember those days. Dawn Brines
Kids locked in hot cars Junior patrol My son is obsessed with all things RAC! We recently had to use your Roadside Assistance and my son had to have a picture. Lee Tupper
Indicator optional What I would like to know is when did indicator use become optional? I think people are either unable or unwilling to move their arm or hand to use an indicator. It used to be a pleasure to drive but having to use my psychic powers all the time to guess what the other driver is doing has taken most of that away. Kathy Erickson
Never let your child hold your keys to play with in the car while you get other kids/items into the car. They can lock themselves in! This happened to me. Thank goodness I hadn’t locked my front door and could run to get the spare keys. Marie Cossmann I put my handbag on the front seat then put my daughter in her car seat. I walked around to get in the driver’s side and the car auto-locked itself. I’d only had the car two days and didn’t know it was auto locking. Thankfully I was in mum’s driveway in the shade so rang RAC. They were there in less then 10 mins. After that I kept the keys in my hand. Helen Radcliffe
Get social with @RACWA. Tag your snaps with #RACWA for Facebook and Twitter and with #greatdrivesWA for Instagram, and you could feature in the next Horizons.
Send feedback and win Send us your opinions and feedback via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email or post and you could win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance. For assistance or more information call 13 17 03 or visit rac.com.au Terms and conditions on page 81. Published letters may be edited for style and length. While we try to respond to all letters we receive, a response cannot be guaranteed.
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
EVENTS
What’s on
Events around the State in February and March
Perth Festival
7 February – 1 March Various venues
Now in its 67th year, Perth Festival is Australia’s premier curated multi-arts festival. Known for commissioning major new works, the festival celebrates Perth’s diversity through its eclectic program of music, dance, theatre, film, opera, visual arts and large-scale public works. perthfestival.com.au
Sunsmart Busselton Jetty Swim 8-9 February Busselton Jetty
An estimated 7500 people will descend on the Busselton Foreshore for this year’s 3.6km Jetty Swim, One Mile Swim to Shore and Busselton Jetty Kids Swim. Now in its 25th year, the event attracts novice, experienced and elite swimmers and features music, entertainment and activities for spectators. busseltonjettyswim.org.au
Sculpture at Bathers
15 February – 2 March Bathers Beach Art Precinct
This popular biennial art exhibition will return to Fremantle’s Bathers Beach this February with a presentation of 100 sculptures by established and emerging artists. This year, a work created by artist Bruce Abbott will encourage members of the community to fill sandbags and build a seawall over the course of the exhibition.
ABOVE: RAC Karri Valley Triathlon.
Wagin Woolorama 6-7 March Wagin Showgrounds
The Woolorama is one of WA’s largest regional agricultural shows. Held in the heart of the State’s wool growing region, the event features a competition with over 1000 sheep, cattle, horses and chickens, and this year attendees can use VR technology to take to the sky on board the RAC Rescue Experience.
RAC Karri Valley Triathlon
14-15 March RAC Karri Valley Resort This unique racing experience showcases the South West’s picturesque scenery on a course through the stunning forest around RAC Karri Valley Resort. There are two course lengths to choose from, plus team events for the kids to get involved in.
sculptureatbathers.com.au
woolorama.com.au
stadiumtriclub.com/karri-valley-tri
Nannup Music Festival
Mandurah Crab Fest
Taste Great Southern
This annual festival presents an eclectic mix of musical acts, art exhibits and workshops. Held within the stunning South West bushland, the festival highlights new, emerging and Indigenous music across various venues, and also plays host to an array of street performers, poetry readings and artisan markets.
There’s no better time to visit Mandurah than during this vibrant annual festival where visitors can sample delicious crab dishes, attend celebrity cooking demonstrations, listen to live music and visit a popup gallery of local artworks inspired by the town’s iconic Mandjar Bay.
Prepare your tastebuds for this festival of culinary experiences showcasing the diversity and seasonality of foods within the Great Southern region. The event’s program of long lunches, degustations, community markets and chef demonstrations are sure to leave you spoilt for choice.
crabfest.com.au
tastegreatsouthern.com.au
28 February – 2 March
nannupmusicfestival.org
Horizons / February-March 2020
14-15 March Mandurah Foreshore
26 March – 5 April Great Southern region
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Cape York
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Travel up the wild and sparsely populated Cape York Peninsula to the tip of Australia on this unique 4WD adventure. Highlights include the Daintree, the ‘Quinkan Galleries’, Lakefield & more!
Journey down the longest historic stock route in the world. Travel in a convoy of specialised vehicles and camp in comfort with delicious cuisine, hot showers and flushing toilets.
Red Centre Field of Light
Outback South Australia
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Explore the spiritual heart of Australia on this 6 day tour into the Red Centre. Highlights include Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, the highly acclaimed Field of Light installation and more!
Discover outback South Australia on this unique adventure. Highlights include the Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound, Lake Eyre scenic flight, Coober Pedy, Kangaroo Island & more!
*Conditions apply. All flight offers are subject to specific fare class availability in economy. If fare class unavailable, a surcharge may apply. Flight offers are return ex Perth and include taxes. Flight offers applicable to selected departure dates only. Additional $600 per couple discount for Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure available for selected departure dates only. Must book by 29 February 2020. For new bookings only. Enquire or visit our website for further details.
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Number of nights stay
13 Day Arnhem Land Adventure Nhulunbuy - Darwin | $13,695 pp twin share Fully Accommodated | Departs May - Sep 2020 Discover a vast and mystical land on this exclusive adventure through the heart of Arnhem Land. Travelling from Nhulunbuy to Darwin, you’ll visit sacred areas that no other tour company can access, and that few outsiders have ever seen. Along the way, stay in our network of luxurious safari camps and wilderness lodges, including the iconic Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula. As part of the adventure, you’ll also enjoy a host of authentic cultural activities with Indigenous guides, learning about this extraordinary region from those who know it best.
Call 1800 688 222 outbackspirittours.com.au
Highlights of the adventure include: • Spend 7 nights in our network of luxurious safari camps and lodges • Discover the vast Arafura Swamp, location for the film ‘Ten Canoes’ • View ancient rock art galleries and cruise magnificent wetlands at Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris, Mount Borradaile • Enjoy a Welcome to Country performance at Yirrkala, followed by a special bush medicine and healing demonstration • Explore historic Victoria Settlement at Port Essington, Circa 1838 • Discover the pristine waters of the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary • Fish for barramundi & enjoy a range of breathtaking marine adventures • Enjoy an array of 4WD safaris and be immersed in this sacred land
YO U R R A C
News in brief from the RAC and beyond
Roadside animal rescues Each year the Native ARC wildlife rehabilitation centre in Bibra Lake admits more than 4000 sick, injured and orphaned native animals to its hospital, many of which have been injured by vehicles. If you come across injured or sick wildlife by the roadside and want to help, Native Arc recommends taking the following steps:
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Approach the animal slowly and carefully. A towel or blanket can be thrown over small birds and for large birds, place a towel over their head and wings to minimise stress and escape. The same approach can be used for lizards, however, thick gloves should be worn. Small mammals can be caught by placing a towel over their entire body and picking them up.
Stress can kill an animal so reduce handling and keep it in a quiet, dark container. Do not attempt to feed or provide fluids.
To maximise an animal’s chance of survival keep it warm but do not overheat - keep a check on the animal’s temperature.
Cardboard boxes lined with newspapers and towels can be used for transporting animals. You can also use pet carriers, shoe boxes, small bird cages and plastic tubs with ventilation.
Contact Native Arc 24 hours a day on 9417 7105, and for large animals call the Wildcare Helpline 9474 9055.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
Report reveals biggest petrol savings in Perth Perth motorists who filled up at the lowest priced fuel retailers throughout 2018, would have saved an average 8.1 cents per litre each time, or $211 across the year. A new ACCC petrol report found that 8.1cents per litre was the difference between the average annual petrol price of the lowest and the highest priced fuel retailers in Perth in 2018. It also found independent fuel retail chains had the lowest petrol prices across eight major Australian cities. The ACCC report looked at average retail petrol prices and compared the highest and lowest prices among the major petrol retailers. “Motorists that always filled up at these independent chains would have come out ahead when it comes to petrol,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said. “While some motorists decide where to fill up based on reasons other than price, such as convenience and related offers, for many consumers price is the biggest influence on where they buy petrol. “Motorists who want to save money on petrol should use fuel price apps and websites,” Sims said. In WA, the FuelWatch website provides daily fuel prices throughout the State, with fuel retailers required to notify their next day’s retail price for each fuel they sell by 2pm. See our fuel myths and facts on page 23.
Horizons / February-March 2020
School zone congestion – take extra care During the 1970s, only around 16 per cent of school children were dropped off at school by car, with most finding their own way by foot, bicycle and public transport. Today around 64 per cent are being driven to school each day in the family car, according to a 2018 report by Live Lighter. With increasing numbers of cars converging on school zones at drop off and pick up times, it’s more important than ever to drive slowly around these areas. From early February, as school returns for the new year, remember to take extra care driving in school zones, and always slow down to 40km/h during school hours. On school days, 40km/h zones are in force from 7.30am to 9am and 2.30pm to 4pm. For parents, if your school has designated drop off and pick up zones, make sure you use them. Where possible, park on the same side as the school and always get your children out of the car on the kerb side, not the road side.
Buying a demo? Know your rights Demonstrator vehicles, used by car dealerships to allow customers to take a test drive, can be a great way to get into a new model car at a lower price when the dealership comes to sell the demo. But car buyers are often confused when it comes to the warranty on these vehicles. Many are led to believe that the warranty starts from the date the dealership registers the vehicle. This is not correct. The manufacturer’s warranty starts from the date the buyer signs the contract to purchase the vehicle. If you purchase a demo from a dealership in WA, under the
Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, you are entitled to the full period of the manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase. The only variation from purchasing a new car is that the kilometres travelled by the demo will be deducted from the kilometres covered under the warranty. There is no need to purchase an extended warranty to cover any gaps in the warranty entitlements on demos. For more details about your rights when buying new, used and demo vehicles, visit Consumer Protection at commerce.wa.gov.au/ consumer-protection
CORRECTION: In our ‘Starting your caravanning adventure’ feature (Horizons December/January) we stated that a Toyota Fortuner, which has a Gross Combination Mass of 5450kg and a Gross Vehicle Mass of 2750kg, filled to its limit with the heaviest caravan allowed (2800kg), equals 5500kg and will be 5kg overweight. The correct amount is 100kg overweight, before tow ball download is accounted for. We also assumed a 280kg ball weight but didn’t implicitly say so.
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YO U R R A C
Finding stranded motorists
How the first RAC patrols got the job done With 2020 marking 115 years since the club that would become the RAC was formed, we look back at the early days of our best-known member service. It is a Thursday afternoon in May 1926 and your Ford Model T has just broken down near Fremantle. Luckily RAC’s Roadside Assistance service is on the road. There’s just one problem – how are they going to find you? When the service began in May 1926, with no way of getting information about the location of vehicle breakdowns, RAC patrols would simply drive around the metropolitan area looking for motorists in need of help.
a patrolman’s home. The only challenge? Actually finding a telephone to make the call. In 1929, the Club had telephones installed at select roadside locations around the metropolitan area, with a patrol stationed at each one waiting to be contacted. When a stranded motorist called Club headquarters for assistance, the patrol closest to the incident would be dispatched.
On weekends and public holidays, the Club would advertise the routes they would be patrolling in the newspaper. These were generally popular touring roads or were chosen due to sports fixtures or other attractions running on the weekend.
During the very first year of roadside service, RAC patrols attended 880 incidents and travelled 10,863 miles. It was a remarkable effort considering there were initially only two patrols on the road. A third was added during the first year to keep up with demand. They rode Matchless motorcycles fitted with sidecars to carry their equipment. Motorcycles remained in use until the late 1940s when patrol vans were introduced.
In 1927, the roadside communications system took a small leap forward. Stranded members could now telephone RAC headquarters and have their call transferred directly to
RAC Roadside Assistance is now the largest roadside network in WA. Last year we rescued more than 300,000 motorists and got 94 per cent of their vehicles moving again.
That was from Monday to Friday.
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FROM TOP: The original Road Patrol Matchless motorcycles, 1926; A Ford Escort roadside van coming to the rescue of a member, circa 1980; Today, RAC Roadside Assistance is the largest roadside network in WA.
Horizons turns 90 Horizons, formerly known as Road Patrol, also has an anniversary this year. It has been 90 years since the magazine was first published for members, providing important news about issues affecting all WA road users along with information about touring around the State.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
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YO U R R A C
MIRACLE AT SEA It was the mission that pushed the RAC Rescue helicopter crew to the limit. This is how they battled time, distance and the elements to save a life. By Wendy Caccetta
As critical care paramedic Ben Harris was winched from the helicopter toward the 18-metre fishing boat rolling in the ocean off the Great Australian Bight he was acutely aware he needed to move fast. Above him pilot Craig Bowman was holding the RAC Rescue helicopter as steady as he could in a gale and aircrewman Garth
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Fitzgerald was calling on all his experience to get Harris onto the boat. Below, the commercial vessel was rising and falling in five metre seas. Deckhand Kye Palmer, one of two people on board, lay covered in blankets, his leg savaged after getting caught in the boat’s powerful net mechanism. Daylight was fading and
Harris had just minutes to get the fisherman out before winching became too dangerous and the helicopter would have to leave without them.
extreme situations in WA’s toughest terrain, from people falling down cliffs to shark attacks off beaches and motor cycle accidents in forests.
“That was constantly in my mind,” Harris says. “That I had just minutes to do this job.”
They carry lifesaving blood for transfusions and specialist drugs and equipment to stabilise trauma patients, along with rescue gear such as a winch and a life raft.
The critical care paramedics, pilots and aircrew are trained for
February-March 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
A paramedic of 17 years, Harris, 41, had been with the unit 18 months and was working the 7am Sunday shift at Jandakot when the call came in about fisherman Kye Palmer just after 2pm.
“The helicopter was flying semisideways, trying to thread me down onto the boat and timing it with the swell and the waves.” Palmer, 27, was on a fishing expedition near the edge of the Continental Shelf when disaster struck. When the alert reached the RAC Rescue crew, the boat was 80km northeast of Israelite Bay and heading for Esperance, its progress hampered by bad weather and 90km winds. Within 15 minutes they were on their way to the site. They flew to rendezvous with the boat, but it was hidden in a heavy mist. Just after 6pm they found it. “As I was about to winch from the aircraft, I thought ‘This is going to be tricky’. The massive reel where he injured his leg was in the middle of the deck. It took us five or six attempts. The
Horizons / February-March 2020
boat was going up and down on the waves. The helicopter was flying semisideways, trying to thread me down onto the boat and timing it with the swell and the waves.”
The West Australian
Even so Harris says the mission on November 6, 2016 “was at the extreme end of what you think you can achieve”.
Eventually Harris reached the deck. “I remember seeing Kye under a pile of blankets and I could see blood everywhere,” he says. “There was so much I was slipping over on it. I got to him and his face was so pale white he was almost the colour of the blankets covering him.” Palmer’s injury was worse than expected. Harris applied a tourniquet to stem the bleeding. “It looked as if he’d stepped on a land mine,” he says. “His foot was absolutely blown to pieces. I remember thinking ‘I can’t winch him like this.’ “I had a few words to the captain, and he came out with the vessel’s first aid kit and he had like a blow-up leg air splint.
“It looked as if he’d stepped on a land mine.” “I managed to get that on and blow it up, which encapsulated everything.” Fitzgerald winched the paramedic and patient onto the helicopter at 6.30pm. While Harris began blood transfusions and stabilised Palmer, Bowman flew
ABOVE: Deckhand Kye Palmer and Critical Care Paramedic Ben Harris.
towards a paddock in Condingup, 60km east of Esperance, to meet local Marine Rescue and State Emergency Service volunteers racing there with much-needed fuel. Harris used the stop to speak to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and organised a plane to meet them at Esperance Airport. At 9.20pm Palmer was transferred to the RFDS, but the RAC Rescue crew didn’t finish the marathon mission until 2.30am when they returned to base.
The extraordinary rescue earned Harris, Bowman and Fitzgerald a Commendation Award at the 2017 Australian Search and Rescue Awards. Harris was also named a St John Ambulance Community Hero. “Everything for that guy on that day was so lined up,” Harris says. “It was kind of a miracle that that happened.” The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
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MOTORING
Ahead of the Game Australia’s Best Cars for 2019 We tested more than 180 cars across 13 categories to find the best new cars on Australian roads. Affordable safety features, the gradual emergence of electric cars and a brace of highly engaging sporty new cars were among the major themes to come out of the Australia’s Best Cars awards in 2019. We saw the arrival of several new SUVs into the market, and a shift among almost all mainstream brands to a five-year warranty, plus the first ever win for Australia’s most popular passenger car, the Toyota Corolla. New brand Genesis also came close to winning with its luxurious G70 sedan. But one of the most notable shifts was the elevation of electric vehicles towards the front of the pack, according to RAC’s vehicles and fuels
manager, and Best Cars judge, Alex Forrest. “With the Hyundai Kona Electric and Hyundai Ioniq Electric finishing as finalists in their categories, this is a clear signal that EVs are improving as a more viable purchase for more people. “This is the result of their increasing affordability, great safety credentials and inherent low running costs.” Bringing some electrification to the winners list, two hybrids did win in their categories this year - the Toyota Camry Ascent Sport Hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 GXL AWD Hybrid. Among the 2019 winners, Toyota cleaned up, with
five cars winning across the 13 categories.
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Forrest says this was due to Toyota having launched some up-to-date new cars during the year, in addition to a new 5-year warranty, which was introduced for all new Toyotas on 1 January 2019.
Australia’s Best Cars is the biggest independent new car assessment initiative in Australia. This national assessment and awards program is run each year by RAC in conjunction with motoring clubs from across Australia.
Advanced car safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking, continued to become more widely available on affordable new cars, which Forrest says means more motorists are getting access to these lifesaving technologies.
Over 12 months, eight judges put more than 180 cars through their paces, testing and assessing them on value for money, design, on-road performance, function and offroad ability where applicable.
“This is especially important for less experienced new drivers, who’ll pick up these cars as they flow into the second-hand market.” For full reviews of each winner, visit rac.com.au/bestcars
Light Car KIA PICANTO S PRICE (indicative drive away) $16,790 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Hatch FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 5.8L/100km; unleaded 91 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 1.2L; four speed auto Although it topped the scores in its category, due to only having a fourstar ANCAP rating we couldn’t give the Kia Picanto a trophy for Best Light Car. It dominated in value for money, scoring well in low running and repair costs, fuel consumption, safety and braking, though it lacks the space and performance of a typical light car. Kia’s four-speed auto is also a little old school when six or more ratios are common.
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Best Small Car
Best Small Car
PRICE (indicative drive away) $26,661 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Hatch FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 6.0L/100km; unleaded 91 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.0L; CVT
PRICE (indicative drive away) $55,304 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Hatch FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 6.6L/100km; premium unleaded 95 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.0T; seven speed DSG
Judges were impressed by the Corolla’s on-road performance. The ability of the CVT to provide just the right gear ratios for the vehicle’s speed was particularly impressive. The 2.0-litre engine introduced with this current model Corolla also provides a useful jump in power and torque. The smartphone integration capability of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have also been added, along with a five-year factory warranty.
The A 250 4matic combines premium quality and refinement with a rewarding driving experience. Performance of the 165kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and progressive. When needed, acceleration is rapid. Although this is a compact car, there’s still enough rear legroom and head space to comfortably accommodate average-size adults. The digital displays and multimedia system provide plenty of the latest technology.
Best Medium Car
Best Medium Prestige Car
PRICE (indicative drive away) $35,821 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Sedan FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 4.2L/100km; premium unleaded 95 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.5 Hybrid; CVT
PRICE (indicative drive away) $78,070 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Sedan FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 6.4L/100km; premium unleaded 95 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.0T; eight speed DSG
The Camry was a strong winner across all three fields of value for money, design and function, and on-road performance. The new hybrid system delivers fuel economy as low as 4.2L/100km. The latest safety tech is standard across the range. It also features an eight-inch display screen, satellite navigation, a seven-inch multi-information display, power driver’s seat adjustment, dual-zone air, and keyless entry and ignition.
Sporting a new-look, single-piece kidney grille and LED headlamps, the 330i’s silhouette is sharper and better integrated. Aerodynamic changes have put it close to the hybrids in the category in terms of fuel economy. The interior has had a complete makeover with a multi-configurable electronic instrument cluster, colour head-up display and 10.25-inch infotainment display. The sporty flavour doesn’t compromise ride quality, where the 330i remains at the forefront.
under $35,000 TOYOTA COROLLA ASCENT SPORT
under $65,000 TOYOTA CAMRY ASCENT SPORT HYBRID
Horizons / February-March 2020
over $35,000 MERCEDES-BENZ A 250 4MATIC
over $65,000 BMW 330I
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MOTORING
Best Small SUV
Best AWD SUV
PRICE (indicative drive away) $28,990 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Wagon FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 6.8L/100km; unleaded 91 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.0L; CVT
PRICE (indicative drive away) $45,646 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Wagon FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 4.8L/100km; unleaded petrol ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.5 hybrid; CVT
The Seltos delivers a category-leading ergonomic experience. A huge 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen is extremely clear and intuitive to use, and it has superior door, dash and seat materials that are mostly soft to the touch. The second row will comfortably seat two adults over long distances. It definitely had an upmarket feel to it and produced the top score for build and finish quality.
The introduction of Toyota’s well-proven petrol/electric hybrid technology has added a new dimension to the RAV4. As well as being the smoothest and quietest in the category, it had leading fuel economy and lower emissions. The main benefits of the AWD system is the reassuring extra traction it provides if the bitumen is wet and slippery. It has a respectable, rather than a generous level of standard equipment.
Best Family Wagon
Best Sports Car
under $40,000 KIA SELTOS SPORT
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under $55,000 TOYOTA RAV4 GXL AWD HYBRID
MAZDA CX-8 SPORT
under $62,000 HYUNDAI I30 N PERFORMANCE
PRICE (indicative drive away) $48,369 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Wagon FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 5.7L/100km; diesel ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.2T; six-speed automatic
PRICE (indicative drive away) $44,601 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Hatch FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 8.0L/100km; premium unleaded 95 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.0T, six-speed manual
The Mazda CX-8 is a relatively compact, affordable and fuel-efficient way to transport seven people, and those are among the main reasons it found its way to the top of the pile in Australia’s Best Cars 2019. While less roomy than some competitors, the CX-8’s safety credentials and onroad handling were also well above average. Its interior build and finish was among the front runners in the category.
Visually, the i30 N is understated with only a discreet rear spoiler and larger nineteen-inch alloys. Providing the necessary ‘grunt’ is a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 202kW and 353Nm, with an extra 25Nm available with overboost. The i30 N’s six-speed manual is a stellar performer. Its overall user-friendliness and on-road balance deliver the goods for enthusiasts, while Hyundai’s renowned value for money and warranty further enhance its credentials.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Best AWD SUV
Best AWD SUV
PRICE (indicative drive away) $65,620 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Wagon FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 7.5L/100km; diesel ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.2T/dsl; eight-speed automatic
PRICE (indicative drive away) $99,875 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Wagon FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 7.4L/100km; diesel ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 3.0 V6; eight-speed automatic
The Santa Fe feels much more premium than its price suggests. It’s an all-rounder for buyers needing the flexibility of a genuine seven-seater, but with an engaging drive experience. Front seats have 14-way adjustment for the driver and eight-way for the passenger. Space in the second row is ample and well-shaped for child seats. Safety gear includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and safe exit assist.
The Touareg delivers surprisingly sedan-like acceleration and nimbleness through corners for a vehicle this size. The adaptive air suspension is a large part of the handling recipe. The Touareg also has a useful 3500kg towing capacity. Luxury features include LED matrix headlights, 9.2-inch Discover Pro navigation system with gesture control, and four USB ports with wireless charging. The leather front seats also have a massage function.
Best Sports Car
Best 4x4 Dual Cab Ute
from $55,000-$70,000 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HIGHLANDER
from $62,000–$125,000 TOYOTA SUPRA GTS
from $70,000–$125,000 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG LAUNCH EDITION 3.0 V6 TDI
TOYOTA HILUX SR5
PRICE (indicative drive away) $103,202 ANCAP SAFETY RATING Not rated BODY TYPE Two-door coupe FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 7.7L/100km; unleaded petrol ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 3.0T; eight-speed automatic
PRICE (indicative drive away) $61,545 ANCAP SAFETY RATING BODY TYPE Dual cab ute FUEL ECONOMY/FUEL TYPE 8.4L/100km; diesel ENGINE/TRANSMISSION 2.8L; six-speed automatic
The Supra name returns to Toyota after a 17-year absence. Performanceoriented hardware includes 19-inch forged alloys with 35-series Michelin rubber, adaptive suspension and drive mode select, launch control, and an electronically-controlled limited slip differential. The Supra has a premium build and finish quality that’s consistent with its BMW heritage. It delivers categoryleading safety, including auto emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection, active cruise control and lane departure alert with steering assist.
The HiLux’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel offers a respectable level of performance, on and off-road. It made up ground this year with its value for money and also trumps its rivals for safety, carrying a five-star ANCAP crash rating in the more stringent 2019 test protocols. HiLux owners fare well on service department costs, too, and Toyota’s recent welcome move to a five-year/ unlimited kilometre warranty brings it in line with its adversaries.
Horizons / February-March 2020
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MOTORING
Under thepump Your burning questions about fuel, answered There aren’t many motoring topics that inspire quite as many questions, misconceptions and heated debates as fuel. From affordability to fuel quality, motorists have as many questions as they do opinions about the stuff they need to keep their wheels turning every day. After surveying our members to learn more about your key concerns about fuel, how you buy it and what you know about it, we’ve addressed some common questions and dispelled some common myths.
Horizons / February-March 2020
I s fuel from some fuel brands better for my car than others? Results from fuel testing by RAC at different fuel retailers in the Perth metropolitan area showed all fuels were within legally required specifications. While there was some very slight variation within required boundaries between brands and sites, no fuel brand was found to be consistently ‘better’ than others in its basic form. Australia also has national fuel standards which cover fuel sold at all service stations in WA. When it comes to fuel contamination, such as fuel being mixed with water or other fuel, instances of this are very low.
I s it better for my car to use premium petrol even if it’s not recommended for it? If you’re pumping petrol into your car that is a higher octane than the one recommended by the manufacturer, say 98RON into a 91RON car, you’re just burning extra money that you could spend elsewhere. Higher octane petrol can provide some slight performance and fuel economy improvements in vehicles that can adjust for it, but any slight savings in fuel will be chewed up by the significantly higher price you’ll pay per litre. It’s best to just use the fuel type recommended by the car’s manufacturer. So, if yours uses 95RON, stick with that.
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MOTORING
I s it ok to use a lower octane petrol than the one recommended for my car? No. Using petrol that is a lower octane number than the one recommended for your car can cause engine damage and void your car’s warranty. The RON, which stands for Research Octane Number, indicates the fuel’s anti-knock threshold. When you use 91RON fuel in a 98RON car, you may hear a ‘knocking’ or pinging sound. This is the petrol detonating uncontrollably rather than burning at the right time in the right way. Choosing a lower octane than you need may save you some money in the short term, but it’ll cost you much more down the road.
ome fuel companies claim S their fuels clean engines – is this true? We’ve seen no independent research to verify the claims by these companies about the enginecleaning capabilities of these fuels. hy are fuel prices higher in W the country than in the city? There are a number of reasons why fuel prices may be higher in regional areas compared with Perth. The cost of transporting fuel over greater distances into regional areas is one reason. Reduced competition outside the Perth metropolitan area also has an impact. Without other fuel retailers nearby to compete against, there is less incentive to keep prices down. Regional fuel retailers generally sell lower volumes of fuel than their metropolitan counterparts. Also, because there is no weekly petrol price cycle in regional areas as there is in Perth, prices don’t tend to fluctuate as much, meaning less opportunity to save on cheaper fuel days.
hat happens if I accidentally W put the wrong fuel in my car? It depends on the fuel and the car. Putting 95RON or 98RON petrol into a car that only needs 91RON will cause no damage other than to your hip-pocket. But using fuel with a lower octane than the one specified by the car’s manufacturer will damage the engine over time. Worse still, pumping petrol into the tank of a diesel vehicle and then driving it can cause catastrophic damage to the engine. If you do pump petrol into your diesel car, don’t drive it. Call RAC Roadside Assistance to organise to have it towed to a workshop where it can be drained. RAC Auto Services centres have specialised pumps that can drain the tank. With seven different types of fuel sold in WA and not all retailers using the same labelling and colour coding, it’s important to pay attention at the pump. oes fuel have a D ‘best before’ date? According to one fuel company, the useful life of petrol can be as little as one month. Using a vehicle containing old fuel can reduce performance and cause rough running. So, if you’re going away for longer than a few weeks, leave your vehicle’s tank around one third full then top it up with fresh fuel when you return. Diesel fuel can last for up to one year, but aging diesel fuel can suffer from the formation of gums and sediments and the growth of fungus. This can be treated with a diesel fuel conditioner.
Did you know Most of the fuel sold in WA comes from the State’s only oil refinery in Kwinana.
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Whatever happened to LPG? LPG was once a viable fuel when LPG was cheap, when there was no excise on it and when State and Federal subsidies for LPG vehicle purchases and conversions were available. LPG was also more viable when petrol and diesel vehicles were less efficient and before hybrids became more affordable and widespread. As no dedicated LPG vehicles are now sold in Australia, and the number of LPG retailers is continuing to decline due to low sales volumes and ongoing infrastructure maintenance costs, the number of LPG retailers is also declining. Although LPG still has good environmental credentials, it is less economically attractive for the above reasons, a factor magnified further by the higher litres/km consumption rates LPG vehicles often achieve. an I really save money C by monitoring fuel prices in Perth? Perth has a weekly petrol price cycle which results in prices, on average, being at their highest on a Tuesday and then decreasing to a low the following Monday. In 2018, Perth motorists who filled up at the lowest-priced fuel retailers throughout the year could have saved an average of $211 across the year, according to a recent report from the ACCC. To find the cheapest fuel in your area, visit fuelwatch.wa.gov.au. You can also sign up to receive email notifications from FuelWatch showing the cheapest locations in your nominated areas. The ACCC report also found that independent fuel retail chains offered lower petrol prices than the major petrol retailers.
Horizons / February-March 2020
How can I reduce my fuel consumption? Here are five simple ways you can get more fuel economy out of your current car:
1. Don’t rev your car’s engine or leave it idling to warm it up. Modern cars don’t need to be warmed up – they’re good at warming themselves up to their optimal driving temperature. So, as soon as you start your car, you can start moving.
2.
on’t overfill your fuel tank. Once you hear that first click from the D fuel pump that signals your tank is full, stop filling it. Modern cars have a system designed to trap and use the fuel vapours left at the top of a full tank, inside a carbon canister. When you overfill your tank, liquid fuel instead of fuel vapour may get into the canister. Aside from potentially damaging the canister, the extra fuel you’re squeezing in is a waste of money. Overfilling can also cause fuel to spill onto you and the ground, creating waste and a fire hazard.
3. Regularly checking that your tyres are inflated to the correct air
pressure will help you save fuel and remain safe. Underinflated tyres create extra rolling resistance and over-inflated tyres can reduced grip. You can find the recommended tyre pressures in your vehicle owner’s manual and on the tyre placard on the edge of the driver’s door, inside the glove box or under the fuel cap.
4. If you have a car with manual transmission, when accelerating, get
into the habit of changing gear early and avoiding revving the engine needlessly. The higher the needle on the RPM gauge, the more fuel you’re burning. In an automatic car, ease off the accelerator once you feel the car is approaching the appropriate speed.
5. Heavy items in your boot will increase your fuel use, so don’t leave
anything heavy in there if you’re not transporting it anywhere. Roof racks can also create aerodynamic drag, so take them off if you don’t need them.
25
MOTORING
How you buy and use fuel Results from our member fuel survey
Do you have a fuel brand preference?
What most influences where you buy fuel?
What day of the week do you usually refuel?
1 in 2
59%
50%
22%
39%
eople had a fuel p brand they felt was a better quality
Price
Convenience
Monday It varies
10%
Fuel brand
9%
Discounts
Do you know the correct fuel for your car?
65%
Yes and I use it
16%
No I don’t
11%
es but I use a Y cheaper option
7%
es but I use a more Y expensive option
How much do you usually spend on fuel each week? To what level do you usually fill your tank?
82%
Completely full
13% Depends on price
5% Less than full
26
30% $20-$40
29%
$40-$50
15%
$60-$80
8%
$80-$100
6%
$100+
February-March 2020 / Horizons
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O U R S TAT E
COLLISION COURSE
How road crash investigators go back in time to reconstruct the point of impact. By Vanessa Pogorelic
It was one of Western Australia’s most complex onsite crash investigations in recent years - a crash scene that stretched for two kilometres with vital evidence spread across three freeway lanes during heavy peak-hour traffic. The multi-vehicle crash on Kwinana Freeway on 2 October 2019, brought the city to a standstill.
Horizons / February-March 2020
A number of difficult traffic conditions and a tragic incident collided on that day to create chaos on Perth roads. “It was the perfect storm,” says Detective Sergeant Travis Hagan of the WA Police Major Crash Investigation Section. “In terms of our ability to get to the scene it was the worst spot for it to
happen and at the worst time.” Regardless of the logistical difficulties and the impact of road and lane closures on other drivers, there was a fatality and important clues about what happened scattered over a massive area that needed to be inspected, scanned and investigated by the Major Crash team.
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O U R S TAT E
When a crash scene becomes a crime scene In WA, the Major Crash Investigation team are tasked with assessing any vehicle crash in the State that involves a death or serious injury to another person, where the driver may be culpable. “A lot of what we deal with are criminal offences. It could be manslaughter, or it could be a deliberate act, so it falls possibly into a homicide area. Or it could just be a horrible accident, but a person is still culpable under the road traffic legislation,” explains Detective Senior Sergeant Mal Jones from the team. When a crash occurs, local police attend and provide an update at the scene, gathering all available information. An assessment is then made as to whether Major Crash should be called out.
30
“Once we’ve identified we’ve got serious injuries, we suspect we’ve got a culpable driver, or in fact we’ve got a fatality, Major Crash will start our deployment process,” Jones says.
“A lot of what we deal with are criminal offences. It could be manslaughter, or it could be a deliberate act.” When gathering evidence for a case that may go to Supreme Court level, ensuring a thorough investigation is made of an entire crash scene is critical, regardless of the conditions and terrain. Crash investigators work with two other teams of experts: The Vehicle
Investigation Unit, who provide technical and mechanical assessments of the vehicles involved, and crash reconstruction officers. It is the reconstruction officers whose job it is to search the crash scene and find every piece of evidence, big or small, that can be used to reconstruct the moment of impact. “They’ll go out and examine the scene and mark it for anything left behind which may be of interest. They also plot the course of the vehicle or vehicles involved. And they’ll then assess if someone’s acts have been careless or dangerous resulting in injury and or death,” Travis Hagan says.
Even where a lightbulb lands can mean a lot The force of many crashes can scatter evidence across a wide area. An impact at high speed can see debris from one vehicle land up to 200 metres
February-March 2020 / Horizons
O U R S TAT E
BELOW: Detective Sergeant Travis Hagan (left) and Detective Senior Sergeant Mal Jones (right). Richard Ashford-Hatherly
away. “There was an instance where two vehicles crashed and ended up 190 metres apart from each other, with debris from each one spread even further from there,” Hagan says. Even minor details can provide a significant insight into what happened, which is why the full length and breadth of each scene must be marked out and closely inspected. “Reconstruction officers examine every object that may have come into contact with the vehicles involved – even paint transfer from another car tells them a lot, or where a light bulb or bumper was located. “You might see skid marks going towards a crash scene and they may curve in a particular direction and that may be a tell-tale sign that a brake on one side of the vehicle isn’t working so it pulls left or right, or it might be indicative of a steering issue,” Hagan says. In any major crash investigation, the site should be inspected soon after the crash to prevent evidence being disturbed or moved.
“Reconstruction officers examine every object that may have come into contact with the vehicles involved – even paint transfer from another car tells them a lot.” In the case of the Kwinana Freeway closure on 2 October last year, it took approximately five hours for the scene to be cleared sufficiently for Major Crash to begin their work due to the build-up of traffic. “We had some people who couldn’t reverse their vehicle. We had trailers who couldn’t reverse. You couldn’t turn them around, they were too big. Police
Horizons / February-March 2020
officers had to back some of the trailers out - some up to a couple of kilometres.” After a scene is cleared of traffic, in order to record all details at the site, reconstruction officers will deploy a drone to take aerial images and use a laser scanning device at ground level. “The laser will scan the area and take computer imagery that can be rendered into a 3D image. We can then present a digital model of the scene in court if needed.”
LEFT: A laser scanner is used to create a 3D image of a crash site.
Once the scene is scanned and inspected, vehicles are then seized and removed and vehicle investigators undertake an inspection, assessing the damage and checking for any mechanical or technical faults that may have contributed to the crash.
31
O U R S TAT E
Cracking a car’s computer systems to see into the past
All that science versus a guilty conscience
Data contained in a vehicle’s on-board computers is becoming invaluable for crash investigators.
With more than 150 fatalities on WA roads last year and many more crashes involving serious injuries, crash investigators are regularly at work across Perth and around the State, gathering and evaluating evidence and preparing for court cases.
“Our crash reconstruction officers download data from vehicles and that gives us really useful information. It will tell us about what sort of driver input was occurring prior to the crash. It’ll tell us the acceleration, the braking, what gear it was in, steering inputs, whether cruise control was active,” Hagan says. CCTV and dashcam footage from other vehicles can also be used to backup witness accounts and provide evidence of exactly what occurred at a crash scene. Once data and evidence from all sources and teams involved in an investigation has been gathered, it is analysed to build a picture of what happened at the moment the crash occurred. BELOW: Road crash response, Eneabba.
An enormous number of people from many agencies will become involved, from first responders attending the scene, to the crash team tasked with the subsequent investigation. But Mal Jones says that sometimes, there can be something even more powerful at play than all the data, technology and forensic processes, that determines the end result. “People have a conscience and sometimes they just need to cleanse their soul. Someone might come forward and say they want to confess to clear their conscience.
“We had a gentleman present at a Police station just a few months ago and he confessed to a crash that happened about 10 years ago. “We still have unsolved investigations, like unsolved hit and runs. But new information may come in and we’ll reopen the file.” Jones says some cases are resolved quickly while others may take many years to finally close. But for those personally affected by a major crash, the consequences of what happens in a split second on the road, will continue to reach far beyond the point of impact.
Be a witness If you’ve witnessed a crash and have images, CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident, you can supply them to WA Police as evidence. Follow the links from the WA Police Facebook or Twitter accounts. Images and video footage can be uploaded from a mobile phone. If you are a witness to a crash always make safety a priority at the scene.
Some images featured in this story show Major Crash Investigation Officers filmed as part of a crash re-enactment, commissioned by RAC.
32
February-March 2020 / Horizons
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*Conditions apply. Price is valid ex PER (Economy Class) and includes prepaid taxes (subject to change).**Saving is $1030 per couple ($515 per person). Maximum savings are reflected in the advertised prices. Pre tour night (room only) is available on advertised tour only, is at the nominated hotel where the tour will begin, applicable for date immediately prior to the tour commencing and is subject to availability. Also receive a 400-page New Zealand Eyewitness Travel Guide per household. No other special offers or discounts apply. Special offer applies to new bookings only. Special offer applies to RAC members and only on new bookings made with RAC Travel & Cruise. Price does not include the fee for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority for any Australian Residents not holding an Australian passport. Refer to www.immigration.govt.nz/nzeta for further information.
t wo oceans, one epic
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INCLUSIONS Economy flights from Perth to Broome, Broome to Perth with Virgin Australia
HORIZONTAL FALLS
CAPE LEVEQUE BROOME
3 nights accommodation in Broome at Cable Beach Resort & 1 night accommodation in Perth at Ritz Carlton Perth including breakfast daily
DISCOVER BROOME AND HORIZONTAL FALLS WITH BONUS SYDNEY STAY
GOLDEN OUTBACK
PERTH
1 day Horizontal Falls Cape Leveque tour
COOK BROKEN HILL
RAWLINNA ADELAIDE
11 DAYS
from
$ 5 , 5 8 9 *per person
CAPE LEVEQUE, WA
BLUE MOUNTAINS
10 NIGHTS OFF TRAIN EXCURSION
HORIZONTAL FALLS, WA
OFF TRAIN EXPERIENCE
INDIAN PACIFIC
SYDNEY
4 days, 3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific, Perth to Sydney in Gold Service including all meals, beverages & off train experiences plus 3 BONUS nights in Sydney at Radisson Blu Plaza, including breakfast daily
SYDNEY, NSW
*ADVERTISED PRICE IS PER PERSON BASED ON BROOME WITH BONUS SYDNEY FARE, IN A GOLD SERVICE TWIN CABIN ON THE INDIAN PACIFIC, VALID FOR NEW BOOKINGS BETWEEN 14 JANUARY TO 31 MARCH 2020 AND BASED ON TRAVEL BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY 2020. BONUS ACCOMMODATION – ONLY VALID FOR NEW BOOKINGS, AT SELECTED HOTEL IN SYDNEY AS PER PACKAGE DETAILS. HOTEL SURCHARGES MAY APPLY TO EVENT PERIOD DATES. FLIGHT FARES ARE BASED ON VIRGIN AIRLINES ELEVATE FARE AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CARRIER AND FARE CLASS. ALL DISCOUNTS AND SAVINGS HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO THE PRICE. NOT AVAILABLE WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. BLACK-OUT DATES APPLY. $1000 PER PERSON DEPOSIT REQUIRED WITHIN 14 DAYS OF BOOKING. BOOKING AND CREDIT CARD FEES MAY APPLY. CANCELLATION FEES APPLY. NO REFUND FOR UNUSED SERVICES. FOR FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS VISIT WWW.JOURNEYBEYONDRAIL.COM.AU. PRICES CORRECT AS AT 03 DECEMBER 2019. E&OE. ATAS NUMBER A10679 | 00338JBR 2019
COMPETITION
Is your pet a star? Now's their time to shine in our 2020 Pet Search. You could win big, with a share of up to $5000 in pet-friendly prizes by simply entering a photo of your pet. Judges will be looking for the cutest, funniest and most adorable pictures of your cat or dog that stand out from the rest. Two major prize winners have the chance to win an RAC Parks & Resorts voucher to stay at one of our pet-friendly locations across WA and a year’s worth of insurance cover for your pet. Plus, every week we’ll be awarding the best pet pic with a Pettec Smart Pet Feeder, so you can monitor and treat your furry friend while you’re out of the house.
To enter » Upload a pic from your camera roll, Instagram or Facebook at rac.com.au/petsearch2020 » Complete the entry details » Tell your pet-loving friends about the Pet Search » And make sure you follow RAC WA on Facebook to see if you’ve won one of our weekly prizes. Major prize winners will be announced on 5 March 2020 For tips on getting the best shot of your pet, visit rac.com.au/petpics Only one entry per pet. For full terms and conditions, visit rac.com.au/petsearch2020.
Horizons / February-March 2020
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TASMANIAN
DRIVING HOLIDAYS 10 NIGHT ISLAND INDULGENCE
7 NIGHT ADVENTURER
Stay 10 nights statewide in premium accommodation
Stay 7 nights statewide in cabin style accommodation with Discovery Parks
10 days prestige automatic car hire#
7 days all-inclusive economy automatic car hire#
World Heritage Cruises – Gold Recliner Seating
National Parks Pass – unlimited access into parks
National Parks Pass – unlimited access into parks
RAC MEMBER BONUS +
RAC MEMBER BONUSES#
#
+
$100 credit towards tours and attractions~
FROM $3,038* FROM $2,635* FROM $2,915*
+
Per person, twin share
Valid for travel 01.02.20 - 30.04.20
Per person, twin share
Valid for travel 01.05.20 - 22.09.20
Per person, twin share
Valid for travel 23.09.20 - 31.10.20
Car upgrade to compact automatic^ $50 credit towards tours and attractions~
FROM $880* FROM $807* FROM $670*
Per person, twin share
Valid for travel 01.02.20 - 31.03.20
Per person, twin share
Valid for travel 14.04.20 - 26.06.20
Per person, twin share
Valid for travel 27.06.20 - 14.07.20
DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM PERTH TO HOBART AVAILABLE | CONTACT YOUR RAC SPECIALIST TO TAILOR A TASMANIAN HOLIDAY TO SUIT YOU *Terms and conditions apply. Rates are based on per person, twin share and are for land content only. Specific accommodation properties, room types and itineraries may apply to qualify for these rates. #Car hire includes airport surcharges, daily registration recovery fees and administrative fees, excess reduction and unlimited km’s. Prestige car hire for Island Indulgence package includes an Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce and incurs additional airport surcharge and daily kilometre allowance. ^Car upgrade is subject to availability and is from economy to compact automatic. All bonus inclusions are limited to one of each offer on each package for the qualifying period and are subject to availability at the time of booking. ~Bonus credit is limited to one per package and can only be used for additional tours and attractions in the TasVacations program, cannot be exchanged for cash, credit or to discount the package price. For further information and terms and conditions, please contact RAC Travel. CAIRNS
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Simpson Desert NP
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2
Lake Eyre Cameron Corner
Windorah
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1 1
Thargomindah Tibooburra
QUEENSLAND
NEW SOUTH WALES
Roma Big Rig Night Show & Saleyard Tour | Cosmos Centre & Bilby Experience | Cameron Corner & Strzelecki Desert | Cooper Creek Cruise Innamincka | Burke & Wills Dig Tree | Birdsville Hotel & Big Red Sunset Betoota Ghost Town & Deon’s Lookout | Best of Longreach attractions Includes: Return economy flights between Perth and Brisbane; Luxury 4WD Coach Brisbane to Longreach; One way First Class Rail Sleeper Longreach to Brisbane; all meals, entries/activities & accommodation. FROM
[$7899*]
PP Twin Share
1
Mt Surprise
2
Einasleigh
2
2
Cobbold Gorge Burke & Wills Road House
1
BRISBANE
15 DAYS - CORNER COUNTRY EXPLORER
Departs: 19 May, 16 Jun, 28 Jul & 01 Sep 2020
2
Adels Grove
Roma
1 1
CAIRNS Karumba Lawn Hill Gorge
Charleville
Birdsville Innamincka Innamincka
FREE RAIL
LONGREACH
NORTHERN TERRITORY
FREE RAIL
Cloncurry
QUEENSLAND
Winton LONGREACH
2
14 DAYS - JOURNEY OF THE GULF SAVANNAH Best of Longreach attractions | Adels Grove & spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge Cruise | Memorable Karumba Sunset Cruise | Iconic Gulflander & Savannahlander Scenic Rail | Cobbold Gorge Tour & Cruise | Undara Lava Tubes Guided Tour | Enchanting Lake Barrine Cruise
BRISBANE
NEW SOUTH WALES Includes: Economy flight Perth to Brisbane and Cairns to Perth; One way First Class Rail Sleeper Brisbane to Longreach; Luxury 4WD Coach Longreach to Cairns; all meals, entries/activities & accommodation.
Departs: 28 Apr, 26 May, 16 Jun, 30 Jun, 11 Aug & 29 Sep 2020
FROM
[$7799*]
PP Twin Share SYDNEY Wollongong
*Conditions apply. Prices are per person, twin share. Free Rail and included advertised rail is based on Aust. Govt. Senior Card holder fares - enquire about other categories. Included airfares are subject to availability. Flight restrictions and airline terms & conditions apply. Member offers are on selected departures and are reflected in advertised prices. Refer to www.outbackaussietours.com.au for full terms and conditions.
T R AV E L
Travel brief
News and info for travellers
Save on a late summer WA getaway Etaphop photo / Shutterstock.com
With plenty of warm, sunny days left, it’s not too late to lock in a late summer holiday at RAC Parks & Resorts and save. Members get up to 20 per cent off accommodation at the eight RAC Parks & Resorts across WA, from Broome in the north to Pemberton and now Esperance in the south. ook your holiday online at B racparksandresorts.com.au
Five travel scams to watch out for In the excitement and confusion of negotiating a new city, travellers often leave themselves open to scammers. Here are five travel scams to watch out for:
Which cruise are you? For first time cruisers, there are an overwhelming number of cruise types and ships to choose from but essentially there are four broad categories: Premium cruises combine personal service with the more intimate space of a smaller ship but offer a good selection of facilities that you’d find on a larger ship. Luxury cruises as the name suggests, offer a high level of personal service with luxury on-board touches and are generally hosted on smaller ships. Contemporary cruises are for those who want a value-driven cruise. These cruises are less expensive and family-friendly. Themed cruises are for those who want to cruise with travellers who share a common interest, with on-board activities that support the theme, such as cooking, music, wellness or comedy. To find out more, visit rac.com.au/cruisetypes
Horizons / February-March 2020
In destinations where taxis don’t use their meters, new arrivals are often hit with high fares. To get an idea of what you should be paying, check websites such as worldtaximeter.com and taxifarefinder.com. If possible, only use metered taxis or ask the driver to switch theirs on. If they refuse, then firmly negotiate a fare before you get in. When you’re unfamiliar with a currency, it’s easy to get short-changed. At a currency exchange, make sure the merchant counts it in clear view and re-check it before you walk away. Many travellers are astounded at how easily some of those notes magically disappear as they’re being counted. Using public computers while travelling should be avoided as your details could be hacked. If you do need to use one, never leave the screen unattended and delete your browsing history. To avoid credit card skimming, where your card’s details are illegally copied from the magnetic strip, don’t allow it to be taken out of sight. Travellers renting leisure equipment such as jet skis and scooters may be asked to pay for damage they didn’t cause. Always take a photo of any pre-existing damage before you rent. And make sure your travel insurance covers you for use of recreational transport equipment.
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T R AV E L
NORTHERN TREASURES The amazing rock art of WA’s North West
LEFT: Uunguu Ranger Flora Williams at the Munurru art site in the Kimberley.
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
T R AV E L
Long before England’s prehistoric landmark Stonehenge went up or work began on Egypt’s famous Pyramids, Aboriginal artists were recording history in the rocks of WA’s North West. By Wendy Caccetta
When Australia’s first artists began carving and painting images in rock at least 50,000 years ago, giant animals were still walking the continent. The artists recorded creation stories and captured images of the wildlife around them and as the centuries passed, their descendants continued to document a changing world.
Horizons / February-March 2020
Photo courtesy of Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation
Today, their work strikes awe in many visitors who visit ancient sites across northern Western Australia, where the history is literally part of the landscape. One location, Murujuga, or the Burrup Peninsula, has more rock art at the one site than any other place in the world and could soon take its place alongside the great cultural treasures of all time. “It’s older than the pyramids. It’s older than the Great Wall of China,” says Peter Jeffries, who represents the custodians of Murujuga, five Aboriginal language groups who have come together in the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation. “You can see from people’s understanding of these significant sites around the world that in comparison, the period of time (they have existed) is miniscule.”
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Rock art across the Kimberley and Pilbara number in the millions. They are painted or etched in the country from caves to gorges and rock faces, and some are among the oldest in the world. This massive outdoor gallery provides an insight into the changing lives of its Aboriginal inhabitants reaching back to the Pleistocene era, according to science, and to when the world began, according to Aboriginal mythologies.
Tourism WA
At Murujuga, about 35km from Karratha in the Pilbara, there are millions of engraved rock art images. The Aboriginal custodians and WA Government hope the area will be listed as a World Heritage site with UNESCO for its cultural value.
It would place Murujuga alongside the Acropolis in Athens, The Taj Mahal in India, Stonehenge in the UK, The Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Giza.
Viewing a major masterpiece Professor Jo McDonald, an archaeologist and director of the Centre for Rock Art Research and Management at the University of WA, says viewing rock art beats that of any indoor gallery. Given the choice of seeing Leonardo Da Vinci’s 517 year old masterpiece the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris or rock art in WA’s majestic north, she doesn’t hesitate. “Definitely the rock art,” she says. “Having been to see the Mona Lisa it’s a bit underwhelming by comparison. “You can get extraordinary feelings looking at rock art on country because it provides such an extraordinary insight into what the artists must have been thinking and what they were interested in around them.
Timeless style The rock art of the Kimberley region has been classified into styles. One of the oldest is the long and intricate Gwion Gwion while more recent Wandjina spirit paintings have been dated back 4000 years.
“It’s older than the pyramids. It’s older than the Great Wall of China.” Isobel Peters, a matriarch of the Arraluli clan of the Worrorra tribe, says visitors to her traditional lands in the Kimberley are particularly curious about the Wandjinas. She runs tour company Wijingarra with two of her children and other family members, meeting cruise guests from tour companies that have permission to visit Numbree (Raft Point), Wijingarra Butt Butt (Freshwater Cove) and Langii, which are part of Arraluli lands.
Photo courtesy of Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation
“Certainly, as an archaeologist and someone who loves being on country, I find being in a rock art site significantly more spiritually rewarding
than standing in a queue in one of the French or European art galleries.”
TOP: Gwion Gwion Aboriginal rock art located on the Kimberley coastline; BOTTOM: Wunambal Gaambera rangers at a rock art site in the Kimberley.
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
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Garry Norris Photography. Photo courtesy of Tourism WA.
TOP: Wandjina Aboriginal rock art, near Raft Point; BOTTOM: Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation head Peter Jeffries (centre) with rangers.
Photo courtesy Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation
the rock is such that the pigment has penetrated the rock and actually become part of it, which means it is there forever,” she says. At Murujuga in the Pilbara, rock art images were carved with stone tools. Faces are among the earliest engravings. Others depict animals, some extinct such as giant fat-tailed kangaroos and thylacines, and sea life such as sharks, whales and stingrays.
“The caves have examples of old paintings of the Guyon or Gwion figures, great examples of our cultural stories and characters, our gi (totems), and of course the Wandjina.”
“We are still very sensitive about these places today and ask that people have the same respect as they would in a church or other sacred place when visiting here.”
Peters says they have learned how to sensitively share knowledge that many years ago wasn’t shared outside the tribe.
Preserved in rock
“Many visitors want to come and see the Wandjinas, which you can only find in the Kimberley,” she says. “These are very sacred places for my people. Many things could go wrong for us if we did not observe the laws of the Wandjina the right way.
Horizons / February-March 2020
Professor McDonald says Australia’s earliest artists worked with a full palette of natural colours. Pigments were made from natural materials and they painted with brushes made from plants and with their hands. “In the Kimberley, scientists at Melbourne University discovered the geology and the chemistry of
Peter Jeffries says the art was a way for the ancestors of the Ngarluma, Mardudhunera, Yaburara, Yindjibarndi and the Wong-Goo-Tt-Oo peoples to pass on culture. “They include what we saw out on the country over a fairly long period of time,” he says. “Then we have art that could be seen as a constant reminder of our creation stories about our creator and how our creator came and created everything as we know it. “He also gave responsibilities to spirits that lived and co-existed with us in the Dreamtime when all the stories came about.” Jeffries says the faces are warnings telling people not to go past that point.
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Rock art tours Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Cultural Centre, a hub for the Worrorra, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal tribes near Derby and a popular stop for people travelling the Gibb River Road, will this year open an interactive cave museum to help visitors understand rock art. Tours also take in rock art from land, sea and air. There are many self-drive options too. By air, Jilinya Adventures, owned and run by Francis Woolagoodja and his Uncle Donny Woolagoodja, a Worrorra elder, offers rock art experiences such as a Rock Art by Air tour from Derby from April. The company is also this year planning to run air tours from Broome. Check their website for 2020 prices. From the water, many Kimberley cruises work with traditional guides to include rock art in their itineraries, such as APT’s Grand Kimberley Coast cruise between Broome and Kununurra which runs from May to September. On land, Karratha is a base for visiting Murujuga where traditional rangers conduct 90-minute rock art and cultural tours from Deep Gorge two days a week. Cost is $35 for adults,
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$29 concession, $17 for children and family packages are $89. A new 1.5km boardwalk is due to open at Murujuga this year, making the area more accessible for all visitors. Places such as Munurru on the Mitchell Plateau in the Kimberley, which has Wandjina and Gwion Gwion art, has campgrounds open from May to October. Camping fees are payable to the Wunambal Gaambera people, whose rangers also host tours. Visitor passes are needed and available on the Wunambal Gaambera website wunambalgaambera.org.au. Aboriginal elders from the Wunambal Gaambera and Dambimangari people have also published a book, We Are Coming to See You, to tell the stories of the art. At Tunnel Creek National Park, about 110km from Fitzroy Crossing, visitors can see rock art at the cave’s entrance. Day trips are available from Broome, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing, according to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Guided tours are also available from the cave.
Photo courtesy Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation
Photo courtesy Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation
TOP: Murujuga rock art; BOTTOM: An artist’s impression of the walkway being built at Murujuga.
On the Gibb River Road, rock art can be seen along walking tracks to the gorges, including Adcock, Manning, Barnett River and Galvans gorges, according to Tourism WA.
Respectful viewing DBCA policy and projects officer Jessica Lindsay recommends researching where you want to go and how much you want to see and then planning your itinerary accordingly, whether it be a self-drive road trip or commercial tour. “Also be aware of the cultural importance of these places and respect that,” she says. “Don’t climb on the rock art sites. Stick to the designated walk trails. And don’t take rocks you find even if they don’t have rock art on them.”
February-March 2020 / Horizons
Accommodation on the Coral Coast
Members save * up to
20%
The power of membership
RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort » Newly redeveloped, award winning resort on the pristine shores of Shark Bay. » Two swimming pools, tour desk, kayak and canoe hire, camp kitchens, games room and two restaurants on site.
RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park » 1km from town centre with pool, camp kitchen, BBQ’s and equipment hire.
» Choose from cabins, motel style rooms, backpacking dorms or caravan and camping sites.
Ningaloo Reef Resort » Stay in comfortable self-contained studios or apartments in absolute beachfront location in Coral Bay. » Dine at Shades Café or relax by the pool.
RAC Cervantes Holiday Park » Award winning facilities on the beach, just a short drive from The Pinnacles.
» Choose from 2 and 3 bedroom villas or shady powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites.
Call 1800 871 570, or visit racparksandresorts.com.au *Terms and Conditions apply. Discount varies according to season. See website for full details.
Parks & Resorts
T R AV E L
BOSTON CITY GUIDE The gateway to the beautiful New England coast, Boston packs a whole lot of US history into one very walkable city. Here’s how to get the most out of Boston in just three days. By Susan Gough Henly Boston is home to some of America’s most grand and diverse institutions. Think Harvard University and The Boston Red Sox baseball team. It is also a City of Firsts as it lays claim to creating America’s first public park, first public library, first public school,
first subway, first marathon, and even first cut-price department store (Filene’s Basement, still going strong on Boylston Street). A pretty city dotted with parks and brownstone neighbourhoods that frame a bustling waterfront, Boston is the
largest hub in the Northeast and just 3½ hours by train from New York. It also makes a great jumping off point for exploring New England’s craggy island-dotted coastline.
ABOVE: George Washington Statue, Boston Public Garden.
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
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Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com
Day 1 The completely renovated Boston Park Plaza hotel is an ideal central base near the Boston Public Garden from which to explore the city. Start your day at the Boston Common with a Freedom Trail tour. You can easily self-navigate the four-kilometre, red-brick trail past 16 of the city’s most historic sites. However, the entertaining 18th century-costumed guides tell stories that bring to life what happened at places like the Old South Meeting House and the Boston Massacre Site in their 90-minute introduction to Boston’s revolutionary roots. Look around Faneuil Hall Marketplace before lunch at the nearby Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States, with a wide range of seafood and other dishes. You might even be able to sit in Boston native son John F. Kennedy’s favourite booth. At the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, costumed narrators give you roles to play at the rowdy Sons of Liberty meeting that took place here on 16 December 1773 to discuss the tyranny of British tax on tea. Then
Horizons / February-March 2020
LEFT: Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in major league baseball; ABOVE: Beacon Hill is a historic neighbourhood lined with Federalist red-brick townhouses.
head down to a replica of one of the three ships that stored the tea. Further exhibits reveal how the Boston Tea Party was the single most important event that led to the American Revolution. Afterwards, enjoy the Chinese teas at Abigail’s Tearoom that were so popular back in the day. Walk over to nearby Row 34 where you can taste some of Boston and New England’s finest craft brews on tap while you savour a wide selection of New England oysters, raw bar delicacies, clam chowder and other local seafood. You can’t come to Boston without going to a sporting event in what is perhaps the most sports-mad city in the United States. If you’re lucky, the world champion Boston Red Sox might be playing at Fenway Park (March-September). Or perhaps you can see a New England Patriots football match - they’re the most highly awarded football team in the country (September-January), or a legendary Boston Celtics basketball game (October-April), or that most New England game of all, a Boston Bruins ice hockey match (October-April). And, of course, there’s also the famed Boston Marathon (April).
Day 2 Explore the Boston Public Garden before taking a leisurely ‘cruise’ on the lagoon on one of its large white swan boats. Head up past the golddomed State House to Beacon Hill to explore this historic gas lamp-lit neighbourhood lined with beautifully preserved red-brick Federalist townhouses. It is also well worth checking out the Museum of African American History, which includes the oldest black church building and the oldest building housing a black public school in the United States. Check out cobblestoned Acorn Street before walking down to Charles Street, with its interesting boutiques, gourmet shops and antique stores. If you’re a fan of the television show Cheers, have lunch at the original Cheers, where you can eat upstairs overlooking the Boston Public Garden or downstairs, which looks more like the original set. Afterwards, walk down tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue, framed with Victorian brownstone buildings, before shopping on Newbury Street which is chock-a-block with an eclectic array of cafes, bookshops, boutiques and record stores.
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James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com
Jannis Tobias Werner / Shutterstock.com
ABOVE: Harvard is the United State’s oldest and most prestigious university; RIGHT: The North End is renowned for it’s Italian influence.
Spend the afternoon at the expansive Boston Museum of Fine Arts to see portraits of key figures of the American Revolution in the celebrated Art of the Americas wing as well as some of the finest Monet paintings outside of Europe. Visit the nearby Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to discover masterpieces by Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Manet, Whistler and Matisse in a Venetian-palacelike building with a beautiful garden courtyard. Sports lovers will enjoy a tour of nearby Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in major league baseball. Grab a lobster roll or a dozen oysters at Eventide Fenway before enjoying a performance of the renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra near Symphony Hall.
Day 3 Explore the North End where some of the city’s oldest buildings, such as silversmith Paul Revere’s house and the Old North Church sit amidst cafes, pastry shops, and old-school delis of Boston’s classic Italian neighbourhood. Restore yourself with some cannoli at Mike’s Pastry before walking the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a beautiful parkway dedicated to the mother of John, Robert and Edward Kennedy,
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to get to Nebo for lunch. Started by two sisters with deep ties to the North End, Nebo is the place to try pasta alla vongole and gorgonzola and fig salad. Head across the Charles river to Cambridge, the home of Harvard, the oldest and most prestigious university in the United States. There’s no better way to explore this hallowed Ivy League institution than with a Harvard Tour, the hilarious, unofficial and unsanctioned tour led by Harvard students. You’ll not only see important sites, like the Widener Library, the showpiece of the largest university library system in the world, built through donations from the mother of Titanic victim Harry Widener, but you also get the lowdown on famous Harvard dropouts Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Matt Damon and much more. Make time for Harvard’s museums, too. The Renzo Piano-designed Harvard Art Museums, house one of the most significant collections of Asian art in the West, plus incredible Pre-Raphaelites, Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, as well as German Expressionists and Bauhaus works. When you’re done with all that culture, enjoy great cocktails and more fresh seafood at the atmospheric Hourly Oyster. Cambridge has a host of
fabulous Thai, Cambodian, Middle Eastern, and Ethiopian eateries, too. Afterwards, hang out with the students at any number of bars, craft breweries or music clubs dotted in and around Harvard Square.
Fast facts hen to go W Boston is great to visit
year-round but is especially appealing during the September-November autumn colour season.
there Getting Flights from Perth to
Boston can be routed either through the Middle East and London or through Sydney/Melbourne and Los Angeles.
etting around G oston is one of the most B
walkable cities in the United States. The subway is also clean and efficient.
us Contact Explore the beautiful New
England coast on a Canada and New England cruise. Contact RAC Cruise Club on 1300 655 898.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
Magnificent Europe Food and wine, history, culture, the arts; there’s nowhere like Europe for indulging the senses. And there’s no better way to do it than on an awardwinning APT Europe River Cruise. Only APT creates a world where you feel truly free to get out there and make the most of every moment.
Ask about our Paris, Prague, Amsterdam and London City Stays
AMSTERDAMu NETHERLANDS
Cologne
GERMANY
14 Concerto River Ship Andernach Würzburg Rüdesheim Bamberg CZECH REP. Miltenberg Nuremberg Český Krumlov Rothenburg SLOVAKIA Dürnstein Regensburg Vienna Passau Gödöllő^ Linz Melk Bratislava BUDAPESTt Salzburg AUSTRIA
HUNGARY
Trip Code: EUMCR15
All-inclusive. All taken care of. So you can Live Fully. • Enjoy a cocktail reception at Namedy Castle, home to Princess Heide. • Delight in an exclusive private classical recital at Vienna’s City Palace featuring members of the Mozart Boys’ Choir. • Enjoy an illuminations cruise framed by the twinkling lights of Budapest’s famed monuments. • Visit Salzburg, where a city tour takes you to several sites from The Sound of Music, or embark on a journey to Český Krumlov.
2021 dates are now also on sale. Please inquire for further details.
Experience the best of Europe! An unrivalled journey through five countries. Board your floating oasis in Budapest, where its monuments sparkle. Spend time in the classical music capital of Vienna, before immersing yourself in the quaint villages of the Main and Rhine rivers. And for the grand finale – a night docked in Amsterdam.
15 days from $7,095* per person, twin share Fly Free* Join us at the Sandalford Winery on 12 March for the APT and Travelmarvel travel show. Please contact your RAC consultant to register.
*Conditions apply. SEE: aptouring.com.au/SpecialDeals for full conditions. Price is per person (pp), AUD, twin share and includes port charges. Price is correct as at 26 November 2019. Price based on EUMCR15: 13 November 2020 (Cat. E). Paris, Prague, Amsterdam and London city stays are at an additional cost and available on select departures. Enquire for details. ALL OFFERS: Limited suites on set departures are available and are subject to availability. DEPOSITS: A non-refundable deposit of $3,000 pp is due within 7 days of booking. ^Refers to the Grand Empress steam train which operates on all cruise departures from May to September 2020 on Magnificent Europe. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd. ABN 44 004 684 619. ATAS accreditation #A10825. APT-1477
A D E L A I D E , & M U R R A Y
K A N G A R O O I S L A N D R I V E R P A C K A G E
Escape to South Australia 8 Days/7 Nights, from $1672pp twin share
#
MEMBER OFFER SAVE $245PP#
Ranging from 8 to 12 days, these holiday packages include accommodation and sightseeing in Adelaide, a 2-day tour of beautiful Kangaroo Island and your choice of a 3, 4 or 7 night cruise on the mighty Murray River aboard the PS Murray Princess. #
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F L I N D E R S R A N G E S & B A R O S S A E X P E R I E N C E
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MOTORING
Motor news
By Alex Forrest
The latest news from the motoring world
Honda Civic mindedness Honda’s somewhat underrated Civic small car has had a safety equipment upgrade, which is great news. It means now you don’t have to buy the top of the range Civic to get advanced safety features such as auto braking, lane keeping and active cruise control. You can just get the middle of the range VTi-L and still get all that good safety gear. However, it also means this equipment still isn’t standard on the base model, as it is now on many other small cars.
Auto braking accelerates The prevalence of autonomous emergency braking on new cars sold in Australia increased threefold over the two years to July 2019, according to an analysis conducted by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). In June 2017, only 18 per cent of new cars had autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard, but by July 2019, AEB was standard on 54 per cent of vehicles. Back in December 2015, AEB was standard on only 3 per cent of new cars.
Old Supra pricier Among the most keenly anticipated new car launches in 2019 was that of the Toyota Supra sports car. Only 300 Supras were initially allocated for sale in Australia, which is far short of demand, even if they start at $93,740 drive away. Production of the previous model Supra ran from 1993 to 2002. Following that model’s starring role in the 2001 Fast and the Furious movie, and now the excitement among enthusiasts surrounding the new model, older Supras have increased sharply in value. So much so that one immaculate, well-specified and original 1994 Supra was sold at auction in March 2019 in Florida for $256,000. See page 54 for our review of the new one.
Horizons / February-March 2020
Eggcentric surprises Easter eggs will be among us again soon, but some Easter eggs remain with us for much longer than the autumn months. Car makers are known to add small details to cars which are usually hidden or disguised, but make you smile when you find them, hence the term Easter eggs. An example is in the Volvo XC90, where there is a smiling spider moulded into the inside of the storage box lid in the third row. Another is the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s headlight, which has the image of a 1940s Jeep in the centre, while yet another is the silhouette of a Jaguar and cub in the windscreen surround of the Jaguar E-Pace, pictured. A Jaguar pattern print is also on the stowage mat. Meanwhile, Tesla has far too many Easter eggs to mention here.
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NEW PLAZ NELLA
DIA
IC
A CLIN
N
PE NOW O
A real transformation in my quality of life
When I saw Brad again two weeks after having my hearing aid fitted, I told him that I couldn’t explain why I’d put it off for so long. The hearing aid has made such an amazing difference that it truly has transformed my quality of life. I have what’s known as single-sided deafness, with my other ear still hearing well enough. You’d be surprised what a difference one ear compared to two can make. Besides understanding what my wife Julie was discussing at home, and we all know that hearing is a family affair, my biggest hearing difficulty was in environments with competing background noise like gatherings and dinners. Until the fitting, I’d pretty much try to avoid such challenging situations. Before being fitted with my new hearing aid, I constantly felt dizzy and out of balance, which was really unnerving. On top of that, I was suffering with
relentless tinnitus where I heard a combination of my own heartbeat, the sound of waves in the ocean and white noise in my bad ear every waking minute. I was also experiencing what’s known as hyperacusis, which is a real aversion to loud noise. With all that going on, it’s difficult for me now to figure out just how I coped. And now, without the aid in my ear, I feel like there is a black hole until the hearing is restored by inserting the aid, and what relief that brings. My balance comes back at the same time and I feel much steadier. The tinnitus becomes almost imperceptible. To anyone who has similar hearing issues to mine, I’d recommend that you go and see an audiologist at Brad Hutchinson Hearing to find out for yourself how much better life can be with hearing aids. Again, I have to say that I don’t know why I waited so long. Murray Aizlewood
Register for a FREE hearing aid trial Let us show you how effortless hearing should be - even in background noise - with a 2-week home hearing aid trial. No cost. No obligation. Excludes free hearing aids available to eligible clients under the HSP*
RAC FEB / MAR 20
For further info, call 9228 9928 or email info@bhhearing.com.au
NORTH PERTH (08) 9228 9928 MIDLAND (08) 9250 2447 MELVILLE (08) 9317 7072 WOODLANDS (08) 9244 2259 DIANELLA (08) 9275 0078
info@bhhearing.com.au
Accredited by the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP)*
*Eligible pensioners and veterans may be entitled to free or subsidised digital hearing aids and free hearing services. Conditions apply to clients under the HSP. To find out if you’re eligible, visit hearingservices.gov.au.
MOTORING
Alex Forrest reviews the latest cars
Engine Features Safety Price
Specifications Engine: 3.0-litre turbo diesel Power: 130kW @ 3600rpm Torque: 430Nm @ 1800rpm Claimed fuel economy: 7.9L/100km Price: fr $42,190 drive away* ANCAP safety rating:
*4x4 auto
Isuzu D-Max When you combine the sales of both four and two-wheel drive versions, utes made up almost one fifth of Australia’s total new vehicle market in 2019, leaving medium size SUVs as the only market segment that’s bigger. As a manufacturer which sells only utes and a utebased SUV, Isuzu has more interest than most in securing a substantial piece of this pie. The Isuzu D-Max ute already has a loyal customer base, but the vehicle was updated in 2019 to make the owner-
Horizons / February-March 2020
ship experience better, in a bid to pull more customers away from its competitors, while keeping existing owners within the brand. Most significantly, this included increasing its factory warranty coverage from five to six years, and from 130,000km to 150,000km, suddenly hoisting the D-Max’s warranty credentials above most other mainstream utes. The D-Max also now gets a capped price servicing coverage over seven years and 105,000km, up from five years and 75,000km. Cosmetically, the D-Max has had a nip and tuck in the form
of a revised front grille and roof rails, but these are small changes compared with the recent major revisions to the Mitsubishi Triton and the Mazda BT-50. The D-Max LS-T gets a fresh set of alloy wheels, newly designed side steps available as options, even ambient interior lighting to help keep you calm in the evening while enjoying the off-road ute lifestyle. On the road, the D-Max’s big 3.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel has ample torque (430Nm) for hauling loads, but like most diesels in twin cab utes, it likes to be kept in the sweet spot of its rev range. We also note it needs to be revved
higher than engines in some other utes to reach its peak torque output, meaning the maximum is slightly less accessible. Its towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes for a trailer with brakes matches the competition. The D-Max’s on-road performance is strong, but it’s still a noisy thing compared with some of its rivals. While the D-Max’s ownership proposition is now better, prospective buyers will need to consider this alongside other downsides, such as the lack of safety features like autonomous emergency braking, and no Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
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Specifications Engine: 1.0-litre turbo petrol Power: 74kW @ 4,500rpm Torque: 172Nm @ 1500-4000rpm Claimed fuel economy: 4.8L/100km Price: fr $18,790 drive away ANCAP safety rating:
Kia Picanto GT Micro cars such as the Kia Picanto have done a lot of growing up in recent years. For example, even the entry level Picanto S has autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning. It also gets a reversing camera with dynamic parking guidelines. This means that when reversing, guidelines on the camera display when you move the steering wheel, showing exactly where the car will go for the given steering wheel position. The cargo space in the Picanto is the biggest in the
52
micro car class as you’d expect, but it’s tiny by any other standard. The same goes for the seating space, and the engine is frugal because – that’s right – it’s tiny. But the Picanto is also an excellent demonstration of how you don’t have to upsize to get many of the features of a larger vehicle. The Picanto can integrate your smartphone with the car, using Apple Carplay or Android Auto. Plus, it’s had its suspension tuned specifically for Australian roads, so it handles sharply for a car this size. It has a firm ride though. Since the current model
was originally launched three years ago, Kia has introduced an even sportier version of the Picanto called the GT. It has a more powerful 1.0-litre, turbocharged three-cylinder engine making 74kW and 172Nm. This lies beneath a GT-specific body kit that includes a smattering of red highlights and makes the whole package utterly hysterical. The manual gear lever has a long throw, but the clutch is light and progressive. Though in fifth gear at 100km/h, engine revs are at 3000rpm, so freeway cruising isn’t its forte.
The Picanto GT comes with a five-speed manual gearbox only – no auto is available. This will limit its appeal to some buyers and raise it for others. Kia’s seven-year warranty will provide extra peace of mind over the longer term, which, combined with the safety gear, makes for a high-value package given the drive away price of $18,790. With a body kit trying to emulate much larger sports cars, the Picanto GT has the presence of a chihuahua wearing a black studded dog collar, and that only adds to its appeal.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
Specifications Engine: 1.6-litre petrol Power: 90kW @ 6300rpm Torque: 151Nm @ 4850rpm Claimed fuel economy: 7.2L/100km Price: fr $24,965 drive away* ANCAP safety rating: not rated *Auto
Hyundai Venue Right at the entry level end of Australia’s SUV market is where you will find the Hyundai Venue. In fact, after the tiny Accent hatchback is phased out, the Venue will be the cheapest car in the entire Hyundai range. Not many mainstream car makers have an SUV as the entry level vehicle to their line-up but given the ongoing trend among consumers to buy SUVs over conventional cars, it could prove to be an astute move. So, where the Kona was previously the cheapest
Horizons / February-March 2020
Hyundai SUV, now the cheapest is the Venue, which is about $2000 cheaper than the Kona, where entry level automatic transmission vehicles are being compared. That means you’ll need $24,965 for the Hyundai Venue Go with automatic transmission, or $26,961 for the Kona. While smaller than the Kona, the Venue is very well specified. It gets autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring and Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The list of standard safety gear – even in the entry level variant – deserves praise
because it also includes lane keeping assist, which can warn the driver if the vehicle is straying from its lane. If the driver doesn’t respond, the system can gently steer the car to the middle of the lane. What the Venue does well is provide good visibility from the driver’s seat, and the Venue’s extra height will also benefit some drivers. With the Venue designated as an SUV, you might expect it to offer an all-wheel drive option, but it doesn’t. Most small SUVs are used on sealed surfaces only, and not having all-wheel drive also helps keep the price down. As with most other Hyundai
vehicles, the Venue’s suspension and steering was tuned specifically for Australian roads, in fact Hyundai tried 33 front and 41 rear damper types before deciding on the production ones. Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre petrol engine that makes 90kW and 151Nm. It’s no performance car, but when used in its intended role as a city car, it’s quiet, refined and very fuel efficient. There’s a choice of manual or auto transmissions, both with six speeds. The auto uses 7.2L/100km in the regulation test, while the manual uses 7.0L/100km.
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Specifications Engine: 3.0-litre turbo petrol Power: 250kW @ 5000rpm Torque: 500Nm @ 1600-4500rpm Claimed fuel economy: 7.7L/100km Price: fr $93,740 drive away ANCAP safety rating: not rated
Toyota Supra By the time the first Toyota Supras were finally delivered to their ecstatic customers last September, anticipation among enthusiasts had erupted into a frenzy. Driving it on Perth roads was a reminder of just how rarely these are seen in the wild, with numerous keen observers adopting the same expression and movement as the wide-mouthed clowns you might see at a sideshow. But you can’t blame them. Though looks are entirely subjective, like it or not the styling is eye-catching, and much
54
more so in reality than photos. Despite drive away price tags of $93,740 for the Supra GT and $104,390 for the range-topping GTS, demand for the new Supra far outstrips supply. To get one, you have to pay a deposit to join a waiting list and you might not even get the colour you want. As has become increasingly common among vehicle manufacturers in recent years, the new GR generation Supra is the result of a partnership with another car maker – in this case, BMW. In fact, the Supra shares its platform, engine, gearbox and much of its interior with the BMW Z4.
Both manufacturers have said neither sports car would have been possible without this collaborative approach. For example, the Supra has a decades-old tradition of using powerful, in-line six-cylinder engines and wanted that to continue. But Toyota didn’t have one it could use in the Supra. BMW did though, enabling the new Supra to continue the in-line six lineage. That engine is 3.0 litres in capacity and has a twin-scroll turbo that boosts outputs to 250kW and 500Nm (twin scroll means there are two nozzles in the turbo feeding the engine with fuel, one for
good pick-up at low speeds, and one for better performance once underway). These are not outrageously large outputs, but the Supra is a petite car, and it’s in no way underpowered. There are no back seats in the Supra, the boot is small and awkwardly shaped, it’s expensive and its availability is uncertain. But the Supra is a stunning reminder of the benefits of merging the best of two major car makers to produce a sports car of few compromises, and one which has potential to engage a whole new generation of Supra fans.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
FIFTY YEARS AFTER MAN FIRST LANDED ON THE MOON
10.80mm high
MOON Diameter 32mm Height 10.8mm
YOURS FOR JUST
THE WORLD’S FIRST MOON DOME COIN Fifty years ago, the world was transfixed as over half a billion people watched one of mankind’s greatest achievements – the Apollo 11 moon landing, live on television. Fifty years on, history is made again as their achievement is celebrated on a remarkable world-first coin The Moon Landing 50th Anniversary Moon Dome Coin. This coin is a marvel of modern minting, struck as a solid dome, the surface of the moon with its craters and contours are perfectly replicated with an antique patina finish. This coin is the first-ever to feature the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. Reserve yours today for just $29.99 plus $9.99 postage and handling and it will come presented in the bespoke Moon Landing 50th Anniversary Collectors’ Pack.
For quickest delivery, order online:
www.bradford.com.au/coins Quoting promotion code:
109094
©2020 The Bradford Exchange Ltd. A.B.N. 13 003 159 617 426-C0313.01S
$29.99+P&H
STRICTLY LIMITED TO JUST 9,999 WORLDWIDE
To order, you need send no money now. With your reservation you will also have the opportunity to collect future coins in the Race to the Moon silver-layered Coin Set at just $79.99 plus $9.99 postage and hadling each, sent without obligation on our 14-day home approval service. Applicants may cancel at any time and all purchases are covered by our 14-day money-back guarantee.
THE OFFICIAL COLLECTORS’ PRESENTATION FOLDER - FREE WHEN YOU RESERVE TODAY! This informative folder stores and displays your coin and includes a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing your commemorative’s specifications both will be sent with your Moon Dome Coin COMPLETELY FREE!
Please Respond Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ____ First Name: ____________________ Promptly Surname: _______________________________________ YES! Please reserve the “The Moon Landing Address: _______________________________________ 50th Anniversary Moon Dome Coin” for me as described ________________________________ Postcode: ______ in this advertisement. I understand I need pay nothing now. Please allow between 2-10 business days for delivery. All sales subject to Email: _________________________________________ product availability and reservation acceptance. Credit criteria may apply. Our privacy policy is available online at www.bradford.com.au. You must be over 18 years old to apply. From time to time, we may allow carefully screened companies to contact you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box. q
PAY NOTHING NOW 1. ONLINE at www.bradford.com.au/coins quoting promotion code: 109094 2. MAIL no stamp required, to: The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 86369 Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: ________________________________________ 3. PHONE: (02) 9841 3311 Signature: ______________________________________
8am-5pm E.S.T Mon – Fri
MOTORING
Ask the
Car doctor
Our experts answer your questions
Win free fuel Send us your question for the Car Doctor and if it’s published, you’ll receive a $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma location Australia-wide, thanks to RAC Member Benefits. Send your questions to: The Car Doctor, Horizons GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 or email editor@rac.com.au Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number with your question. If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery. See page 81 for terms and conditions of entry.
I went to start my 2012 Toyota Corolla and instead of the engine turning over, the car made a whirring sound and would not start. I called RAC Roadside Assistance and they replaced the seven-year-old battery with a new one and the car was right as rain. What do you think was the cause of the problem and why did it sound different to a normal flat battery where the engine turns over but fails to start? Julia, Mount Lawley
What can I do to stop getting zapped by my car? When the sun is shining, and it’s warm weather, every time I get out of my car I get zapped. I have a rubber strip that is on the back of my car and is touching the ground. I try and get out of the car without touching the door or any part of the car other than the window. I close the door by touching and pushing the window. Annette, Kardinya
Firstly, your battery was very long lived! It sounds like your vehicle’s old battery had lost power quite quickly. In extreme temperatures, when car batteries are nearing the end of their lives, they can degrade quickly after they reach a certain point. This could occur overnight in cold weather, or in hot weather when extra demands are being placed on them. The whirring sound could have been due to the sick battery or possibly a faulty starter solenoid. If it’s still giving you trouble, have it checked out by a technician.
Static electricity between your body and your car can be annoying and sometimes distressing. One way to avoid getting ‘zapped’ while you’re exiting the car is to ensure you’re touching a metal part of the car while you’re getting out. Ideally, this should be a bare metal part. Another option would be to reduce your use of the air conditioner and keep outside air coming through the cabin, both of which will help retain moisture in the air inside the cabin. The drier the air, the more conductive it is to static electricity.
When I have my annual car service, I am asked whether to have an additive placed with the old oil to remove ‘sludge’ from the oil prior to the new oil replacement. The claimed benefit is that it removes ‘deposits’ that may eventually cause engine deterioration and adversely affect performance. Is there any proof that this process is beneficial? Richard, Hillarys Vehicle manufacturers generally do not recommend using engine additives with the vehicle’s regular engine oil. Also, we have not seen any independent, scientifically derived evidence of these additives being beneficial. Regular maintenance, including oil changes in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, will help keep your vehicle in optimal condition. Plus, if you tell your mechanic not to use oil additives, it’ll keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.
RAC members can take advantage of our Motoring Advice Line. If you have a motoring question, call 6150 6199 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm to speak to one of our experts.
Horizons / February-March 2020
57
YO U R R A C
Tourism WA
People, places, prizes and RAC news
A beachside escape worth the drive Flanked by snow-white beaches and surrounded by hundreds of islands, the Esperance coastline is nothing short of breathtaking, and now RAC members will have a special place to holiday in this stunning region.
RAC is proud to announce the addition of a new beachside holiday park, the RAC Esperance Holiday Park, to the RAC Parks & Resorts family. Overlooking Esperance Bay, the Park is close to some of the region’s most famous beaches, including Lucky Bay and many other spectacular beaches and coastal stretches inside Cape Le Grand National Park. RAC Esperance Holiday Park has shaded sites with lawn for caravanners and campers, and impressive ocean views. Members save up to 20 per cent off stays, so lock in your next holiday now at this iconic site. To find out more and to book, visit racparksandresorts.com.au
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
Wrong fuel in your car – what to do With seven different types of fuel sold at service stations in WA, it’s easy to reach for the wrong pump handle from time to time, especially as the colour coding of fuel pumps is not uniform across fuel retailers. In petrol vehicles, a higher-octane fuel going into a car that takes 91RON won’t cause any mechanical problems. However, putting 91RON into a car that takes 95RON or 98RON could damage your engine over time, and putting petrol into a diesel car will cause immediate damage if you start and drive it. RAC Roadside Assistance patrols attended an average of 33 fuel contamination incidents per month in the year to June 2019, including the most damaging misfuelling incidents where petrol is pumped into a diesel vehicle. If you accidentally put any amount of petrol into your diesel car, do not switch on the ignition and drive it. Members can contact RAC Roadside Assistance and use their towing entitlements to move the car to a workshop where the tank can be drained. All RAC Auto Services centres have specialised pumps to drain the incorrect fuel and get your car back on the road. o check the inclusions in your Roadside T Assistance cover, visit rac.com.au/roadside For more common questions and answers about fuel, see page 23.
‘Back to school’ home security With kids going back to school and parents often returning to work at the end of the holiday period, your home can go from being a hub of holiday activity to suddenly being an empty nest. If your place has gone from looking busy to looking vacant during the working week, make sure it’s well secured before you leave each day. More than 40 per cent of people who had experienced a home burglary reported it took place in daylight hours, from 6am to 6pm, according to the 2018 RAC Home Security Survey, with 50 per cent not home due to work or other commitments. Burglaries are often unplanned and opportunistic so if you’re heading back to work after the school holidays, always check that your windows and doors are locked, and if you have a security system make sure you activate it on your way out the door. To find out more about RAC Security and how to protect your home from burglary, visit rac.com.au/security
New home for RAC Travel in Joondalup The RAC Travel and Cruise Centre in Joondalup has moved, from outside Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre to a fresh new home inside the centre. You can find us at the West mall entry off Joondalup Drive, opposite Miss Mauds.
Horizons / February-March 2020
59
YO U R R A C
To enter our 2020 Pet Search, see page 35.
Get the perfect shot for our 2020 Pet Search If you’d like to enter our 2020 Pet Search photo competition but don’t already have the perfect pet pic, here are some tips to help you get the winning shot: First, you need to get the light right. Try to avoid using the flash built into your camera or phone. It can create a harsh light. Use natural light outdoors if possible or open blinds and curtains if indoors.
the early morning or late afternoon when the light has a warm glow.
If you’re shooting outside, avoid the middle of the day and don’t shoot towards the sun. Bright sunlight can give animals with a dark coat a blueish colour cast and create unflattering shadows. Overcast days are good, as is shooting in
Try some different angles. Move around your pet to see what works - try shooting straight over the top or even from ground level. But avoid shots with too much background detail which take the attention off the star attraction. We’d also love to see a shot of your pet
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To get your pet’s attention, use a favourite treat or toy as a bribe. It helps to have someone else on hand to wave the treats while you get the shots.
that shows off WA’s beautiful outdoors. Lastly don’t overdo it. If you’re not getting the results you want, wrap things up and try again at another time. But always be ready to get a quick snap when your pet least expects it – natural, unplanned shots are often the best. And if you need inspiration, look at the work of some great pet photographers on social media. Check out the #racwapets hashtag on Instagram to get some ideas for your entry.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
A Peter Carl Fabergé - Inspired Glittering Jewel! Only 2 instalments of
49.99
$
(plus p&h)
More than 80 hand-set gems! ✦ Hand-crafted in Heirloom Porcelain® for sheer elegance
Plays the uplifting melody of ‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’ Shown larger than actual size of 16cm high 303-JIN05.01 ©2020 The Bradford Exchange Ltd. A.B.N. 13 003 159 617
For quickest delivery, order online:
www.bradford.com.au/fairywren Quoting promotion code:
109362
Nature’s most beautiful treasures are often its rarest. They glitter and gleam in quiet corners, beckoning you to discover the riches they hold within. Of all of Nature’s gems, the Fairy Wren is the most enchanting. Now, this precious jewel is showcased in a beautiful musical treasure inspired by the prized art of Joy Scherger and the genius of Peter Carl Fabergé’s famous jewelled eggs!
PAY NOTHING NOW
Beautifully hand-crafted and luxuriously finished
YES! Please reserve the “Glittering Fairy Wren Music Box” for me as described in this advertisement. I understand I need pay nothing now.
A Bradford Exchange exclusive design, the “Glittering Fairy Wren Music Box” opens to reveal a special surprise… an exquisite sculptured wren – expertly hand-crafted – capturing this feathered friend in all its vibrant splendour. Hand-crafted of precious Heirloom Porcelain®, the outer shell is lavished with over 80 sparkling hand-set gems, hued in a gorgeous sapphire blue, which perfectly complements the plumage of the wren. Hand-applied glazes bring a rich, sun-kissed lustre to the edition, while luxurious accents of 22-carat gold and raised tracery add gleaming elegance. The base is adorned with Joy Scherger’s heartwarming portrait of a happy wren family in which Mum, Dad and their little chicks bring life and wonder to a garden. Will it be yours? Turn the key to hear the beloved melody of ‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’.
Money-Back Guarantee - Reserve Yours Today! When you consider the opulent hand-crafting and abundant features of the “Glittering Fairy Wren Music Box”, it is truly amazing value, available for a very affordable two instalments of $49.99, a total of just $99.98, plus $9.99 postage and handling. Plus, our 365-day guarantee assures your complete satisfaction. But this is a strictly limited time offer. To reserve your music box, send no money now. Just return the coupon or go online today at www.bradford.com.au/fairywren
Please Respond Promptly
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ____ First Name: ____________________________ Surname: _______________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ ____________________________________ Postcode: __________ Phone: ________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________
1. ONLINE at www.bradford.com.au/fairywren quoting promotion code: 109362 2. MAIL no stamp required, to: The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 86369 Parramatta NSW 2124 3. PHONE: (02) 9841 3311
8am-5pm Mon – Fri
Please allow between 2-10 business days for delivery. All sales subject to product availability and reservation acceptance. Credit criteria may apply. Our privacy policy is available online at www.bradford.com.au. You must be over 18 years old to apply. From time to time, we may allow carefully screened companies to contact you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box. q
Come for the day...
Stay for the weekend. WHEN Saturday
NUNGARIN
Vintage Rally
29 February 2020 WHERE Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum 26 Second Avenue Nungarin FROM 10∶00 to 16∶00 ENTRY $10 (children under 16 free)
Everything’s Vintage: cars; trucks; tractors; army tanks; military vehicles and so much more After Dark: see what 800,000,000 candela looks like when we rev up the WWII Anti-aircraft Searchlight Where to Eat: Nungarin Heritage Museum; The Woolshed Hotel; McCorry’s Old Hotel; Wegners Rural Where to Stay: McCorry’s Old Hotel & The Woolshed Hotel Caravans Welcome at: Nungarin Caravan Park; Mangowine Homestead; McCorry’s Old Hotel Other Events: Sunday 1 March 2020 Nungarin Markets
INFORMATION nungarin.wa.gov.au
SELF DRIVES wheatbeltway.com.au | pioneerspathway.com.au
12161 NungarinVintageRally 178x120HPH.indd 1
10/12/19 10:43
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We don’t sell properties, so we can focus on what we do best. Providing consistent, sustainable and reliable Property Management services. Going travelling? Trialling downsizing? Or considering leasing your property to rent elsewhere? Let us help you get a great return from your asset. Contact Anita for an obligation free market appraisal to see what returns you could be achieving. 0439 878 898 | 9308 8988 anita@peterbruhn.com.au facebook.com/PeterBruhnAssoc peterbruhn.com.au Free Professional Photography for New Clients that mention this Advertisement. Valued at $150.
If your property is in the shaded area, let us manage it for you.
Make the most of the great everyday savings you get as an RAC member. Whether it’s discounts on travel, fuel, gas for your home, pharmacy, groceries, entertainment, dining or RAC products and services – RAC members save every day.
RAC members save 5% online and in-store at Retravision – see page 65
SAVE
on outdoor cinema tickets see page 65
Save at these partners everyday
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
visit rac.com.au/mb for more
Save 5%* online and in-store at Retravision That’s the power of membership As an RAC member you now get exclusive savings at Retravision 365 days a year. Get 5%* off the ticketed, advertised or negotiated price of whitegoods and electronics, both in-store and online. Plus, keep an eye out for bigger savings during double discount events and other special offers.
For more information visit rac.com.au/retravision *Terms and conditions apply. The following agency brands are excluded from the offer: Asko, AEG, Falcon, Falmec, Gaggenau Miele, Speed Queen and Neff. Retravision acts as an agent for these brands and isn’t permitted to offer a discount or bonus. Visit rac.com.au/retravision for full details.
10/12/19 5:16 pm R17237
RAMBJS0009_HP Horizons_175x105mm FA.indd 1
Discounted tickets to outdoor cinemas That’s the power of membership
As an RAC member you now get exclusive savings at Retravision 365 days a year. Get 5%* off the ticketed, advertised or negotiated price of whitegoods and electronics, both in-store and online. Plus, keep an eye out for bigger savings during double discount events and other special offers.
RAC members enjoy discounted adult tickets and ticket bundles for a wide range of blockbusters, family films and classics to enjoy. 100% of profits go to WA children’s charities.
Visit rac.com.au/communitycinemas Visit rac.com.au/communitycinemas for full terms and conditions.
Horizons / February-March 2020
65
Save at these partners everyday
New season. New colour. With the turn of a season comes time to refresh. Get a new colour you’ll want to share with the world... and if you don’t, it’s ok we’ll give you a new one. If you don’t love the paint colour you buy, don’t worry, we’ll give you your money back, when you purchase another colour.^
LYCG.wattyl.com.au
Members save
30%
*
off paints and stains
* RAC members receive 30% off paint and stains, and 15% off accessories at Wattyl Paint Centres. Offer valid between 1st February – 29th February 2020. ^See website for full terms and conditions - LYCG.wattyl.com.au.
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February-March 2020 / Horizons
visit rac.com.au/mb for more
Members save
10%
*
The power of membership
Get up close to amazing destinations and experiences with Apollo’s range of campervans, motorhomes and 4WDs. Save 10% off the daily rate, or on top of current Apollo Specials.
Visit rac.com.au/apollo or any RAC Travel branch. *Discount applies for current members when booking through RAC for travel in AU, NZ, USA and Germany. Subject to availability and Apollo Rental Terms & Conditions. Cannot be used with any other offer.
Tent
Esky
... First Aid Kit
Give yourself the essential first aid equipment to manage the unexpected on your next camping, caravan or off-road adventure. • Caravan & Camping Kit • Off Road Motoring Kit • Waterproof Kit
Members save
25%
*
The power of membership
25% off special ends 31 March 2020. To see our full range visit stjohnwa.com.au or call 9334 1233. RAC member benefit discount reverts to 15% after 31 March 2020. Discount not valid in conjunction with any other discount or offer.
Horizons / February-March 2020
Perth Caravan & Camping Show 2020 18 – 22 March 2020 | Claremont Showgrounds Visit the St John WA stall for live demonstrations and a wide range of first aid products at 25% off with your RAC card.
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Save at these partners everyday
Save 4 cents per litre at Puma Energy That’s the power of membership
rac.com.au/fuel Terms and conditions apply. RAC members will receive 4 cents per litre off the pump price of fuel, diesel and LPG, maximum 120 litres per transaction. Only available for RAC WA members at participating Puma Energy (excluding unmanned sites) in Western Australia. Offer not valid in conjunction with a shopper docket or any other fuel discount unless specified including Pumacard, Motorpass, Motorcharge or any other fuel card (WEX, Country Age Pension Fuel Card). Full terms and conditions can be found at rac.com.au/fuel
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RAMBJS0020 Member Benefits Horizons_175x217 V3.indd 1
22/8/19 9:14 am
February-March 2020 / Horizons
visit rac.com.au/mb for more
Roller Shutters Summer SALE NOW ON!
Members save
10%
*
The power of membership
Beat the heat, stay safe and secure!
Install premium quality Nu-Style Roller Shutters on your home this Summer
Stay safe and cool this Summer by installing premium quality Nu-Style Roller Shutters. Custom made in WA and backed with a 10 year warranty. • Increase security
• Blockout light & the heat
• Stay cool
• Save on energy bills
• Increase privacy
• Professional installation
FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL nustyleshutters.com.au
1300 798 776 TODAY!
179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga
Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco
*T&Cs apply. Offer ends 31 March 2020. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818
Horizons / February-March 2020
69
Save at these partners everyday
Double the discount for RAC members To celebrate the opening of our 4 new Wizard Pharmacies, we’re doubling the RAC member discount to 10%*. Available in-store or online from February 4th to 16th.
Perth
Perth Members save
10%
*
Brookfield Place
Enex 100
125 St Georges Terrace Shop P102 | Brookfield Place Perth | WA | 6000
683 -703 Hay Street Shop 101 | Enex 100 Building Perth | WA | 6000
Banksia Grove
Mosman Park
Banksia Grove Village S/C
Mosman Park S/C
Shop 15 1001 Joondalup Drive Banksia Grove | WA | 6031
Join Wizard
The power of membership
Shop 11 & 12 50 Harvey Street Mosman Park | WA | 6012
in-store or online for even more great benefits & savings!
1300 929 929 | wizardpharmacy.com.au *10% discount offer available from 04/02/2020 to 16/02/2020 to all current RAC members when a valid RAC membership card is presented in-store or online. RAC members don’t need to be a Wizard Rewards member to receive the 10% discount. Discount not available on PBS prescriptions, clearance lines or postage. RAC membership can only be associated with one Wizard Rewards card.
70
February-March 2020 / Horizons
visit rac.com.au/mb for more
DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU’RE SHARING YOUR HOUSE WITH? EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF ALL PESTS - ONE CALL TAKES CARE OF IT ALL!
Members save
165
$
*
and 15% off all other services
190
$ EXCLUSIVE OFFER RAC MEMBERS
*
Normally $355. Offer only available once per household.
The CSIRO strongly recommends Annual Termite Inspections. Termite damage is estimated to cost Australian homeowners $780 million per year. Termico can eliminate invading termite colonies using the latest termite management systems.
INCLUDES Termite & Borer Inspection 12 Month Service Warranty Free Spider Treatment Termite Management Plan
RAC MEMBERS
SAVE A FURTHER 15% OFF ALL OTHER TERMICO SERVICES*
SINCE
1996
Trusted West Australian owned & operated company PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES
WA O W N E D
OBLIGATION FREE QUOTES - ALL AREAS *RAC member discounts and offers are not applicable to warranty renewal contracts or other Termico offers. Offer only applicable in the metro area and selected country areas (Bunbury and Busselton). Spider treatment not available with pre-purchase inspection. Offer available once per household.** To approved customers only. Valid until 31/03/20.
Horizons / February-March 2020
9443 9470 termicopestmanagement.com.au 71
Save at these partners everyday
Outdoor Blinds Summer SALE NOW ON!
Members save
10%
*
The power of membership
Enjoy your alfresco this Summer!
Install premium quality Nu-Style outdoor blinds on your home
Maximise your outdoor living this Summer by installing premium quality Nu-Style outdoor blinds. They not only look stylish but will blockout the heat & strong winds. With our Summer Sale now on, there has never been a better time to save! FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL nustyleshutters.com.au
1300 798 776 TODAY!
179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga
Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco
*T&Cs apply. Offer ends 31 March 2020. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818
72
February-March 2020 / Horizons
visit rac.com.au/mb for more
WANT TO SAVE 20%* AT REPCO? SIMPLY SHOW YOUR CARD & SAVE THIS FEBRUARY.
Members save
20%
*
The power of membership
*20% Discount applies online and in-store to full retail price products. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or discounts, including catalogue lines. Excludes purchase of transmissions, satellite navigation devices, batteries (automotive, marine, deep cycle), engines, cylinder heads, equipment, gift cards. Excludes account customers and trade purchases. Not transferrable. Does not apply to purchases from the Repco Authorised Service network. No rainchecks. Store stock only. Valid 1-29 February 2020.
Show your RAC membership card and save when you choose one pair from the $149 range or above Book an eye test online In store only. Price includes standard single vision lenses. Discount available on the frame, lenses and lens options. Excludes reglazes and safety eyewear. Present your valid Auto Club card to redeem. Offer available to primary card holder and one immediately family member. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer including two pairs for one low price.
Horizons / February-March 2020
73
Show your RAC member card
Install security doors & screens this Summer for peace of mind Members save
10%
*
• Premium Promesh stainless steel • Tough & affordable Gridlock Diamond grill • Australian standard triple locking system • Replace old flyscreens & doors
The power of membership
Call 1300 798 776 now for a professional to install your security doors/screens
Outdoor Blinds Summer Sale NOW ON !
Nu Style premium quality outdoor blinds will blockout the heat, sun & strong winds so you can enjoy your alfresco all summer. FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL nustyleshutters.com.au
1300 798 776 TODAY!
179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga
Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco
*T&Cs apply. Offer ends 31 March 2020. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818
74
February-March 2020 / Horizons
and start saving today
Horizons
more offers
DBW ROOFING SPECIALISTS Fully Registered Builder no: 101551
Full Colorbond Roof Replacements for Residential & Commercial properties. CONVERSION FROM CEMENT TILES TO COLORBOND ROOF SHEETS
BEFORE
DURING
AFTER
CONVERSION FROM OLD TO NEW COLORBOND ROOF SHEETS
BEFORE
COMMERCIAL ROOF SHEETING REPLACEMENTS
AFTER
“Full building service offered including modifications and renovations” Roof replacements for strata & multi dwellings Builders insurance and building permits supplied Replacement of all roof sheets, fascias and vents Full roof replacements for commercial, industrial and residential No small repairs David 0408 814 917
dbwbuilders@yahoo.com.au
Commercial & Residential Builders & Roofing Specialists Builders REG. NO. 101551. Valid until 31/03/20.
» Members receive $1000 off full roof replacements* Horizons / February-March 2020
75
more offers
Show your RAC member card
Horizons
10% OFF TO RAC MEMBER S *Con ditions apply
Need dental implants? We can help.
08 6208 9559
Having missing, broken or decayed teeth can have a huge impact on your life, physically and mentally. Aria Dental are leaders in the field of implant, cosmetic and rehabilitation dentistry. To smile, eat and feel like you again, book your complimentary consult with Prosthodontist Dr Michael Zaninovich today!
Aria Dental. Excellence by Design.
ariadental.com.au
Cut your pool po water evaporation by nearly 100% with Elite Triple Cell Solar Pool ol Blanket
Call 1300 136 696 Visit Elite @ poolcovers.com.au Visit our factory showroom at 10 Cressall Road, Balcatta *Offer valid until 31/03/20. Factory direct sales only. Not valid with any other offer or if Elite has to measure pool.
Valid until 31/03/20
» 10% off your dental implant treatment
» Members save 10%*
» Members receive 5% off Solatube Brighten Up Series Skylights, Solatube Whole House Fans & Velux Roof Windows with SkylightsWA* 76
February-March 2020 / Horizons
and start saving today
Horizons
GARAGE DOOR NEEDING ATTENTION?
· Gutters and downpipes · Roof restoration · Ridgecap re-pointing · Skylights · All general roof repairs
We will beat any quote!
· All work guaranteed · Free quotes
300mm $185 ZINC $195 COLORBOND Fully installed
Call 0439 707 578 or 9398 9861 www.roofrenewals.com.au
360mm $210 $200 ZINC $220 $210 COLORBOND Fully installed (while stocks last) *Conditions apply valid until 31/03/20
» Members get a free whirly bird on a full house gutter replacement*
more offers
New Doors Replacements Services Spare Parts We install, repair, and service all makes and models of doors & motors
9303 9334 Unit 1, 5 Quantum link, Wangara WA 6065
edenrocgaragedoors.com.au *must show or quote your RAC member number at time of booking. Discount applies to garage doors spare parts and servicing only. Offer expires 31/03/20.
» Members save 10% off door spare parts and servicing*
Having Difficulty on the Stairs? Maintain your independence, let Acorn Stairlifts keep you safe to enjoy your freedom! • The only company to supply and install our own stairlifts • For straight or curved staircases • Indoor and outdoor lifts • Free home assessment • Fast installation • Safe and reliable
1800 239 169 CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE & QUOTATION Valid until 31/03/20
» Members save 25% off IMG products Horizons / February-March 2020
» Members receive $100 off any new stairlift purchase* 77
more offers
Show your RAC member card
Horizons
Hidden
WATER BORES 18 METRE BORE
RAC members pay $4,000
$3,600
plus get a free tap and pressure release valve (worth $240)*
More RAC bore packaged & depths available – Ask us today!
Save
$1000’s on ongoing water bills
• Submersible bore drilled to 18 metres (ideal in most lower-lying Perth suburbs) • Tier one multi-stage stainless steel submersible pump with an industry beating P. M. Technology Italian 1hp motor • Standard electrical connection to house power • Plumbed to existing reticulation • Your stainless steel pump will be invisible, deep beneath the ground.
Call for a quote on 9246 0111
Troy 0408 454 130 David 0499 248 562 | PERTH METRO Check us out online virginbores.com.au *Subject to obligation-free site visit. Other depths & pump configurations recommended/available as required depending on your location & depth to water. Assumes electrical & reticulation connection nearby & accessible, up to 10m cable and pipe run. Cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other special offer. Valid until 31/03/20.. Must be claimed at time of quotation.
» Members save $640*
Ex-Demo Clearance - find the perfect bargain
Save on Lift Chairs
Save on Electric Chairs
Save on Scooters
Save on Adjustable Beds
08 9242 7333 www.motobility.com.au 19 Pearson Way, Osborne Park » Members save a minimum of 15% on ex-demo equipment – until stocks last 78
February-March 2020 / Horizons
You’ve waited your whole life for a home like this. It’s time to kick back and enjoy life with Bethanie on the Park’s beautiful apartments for seniors. To get you started, we’ll even give you 3 months free cooking, cleaning and linen services to try, with no obligation.
Bethanie on the Park Apartments from $380,000 2 Plantation Street, Menora
And with prices starting from $380,000 for a 2-bedroom apartment, there’s never been a better time to start enjoying a new downsized life, without the hassles of home. Drop in today to view available apartments and tour the facility. You’ll see first-hand how a Bethanie Apartment can be so much better than home. For your convenience, our display home is also open Saturdays from 11am to 1pm.
Call 131 151 anytime bethanie.com.au
DISCOVER THE BEST OF MODERN LIVING. IN A SUMMIT GRANNY FLAT.
Image for illustration purposes only.
BC10689
Create a completely self-contained residence for your home; a teenagers retreat, home office, or rentable studio apartment. A granny flat by Summit is the clever solution to expanding your home. Our designs are affordable, flexible, and tailored to suit your needs, making it perfect for today’s multi-generational living. Grow your lifestyle the smarter way and make the most out of your block and still enjoy the benefits of independent living. Visit our display at the Style Studio by Summit, 242 Leach Highway, Myaree. Call 6365 2920 or visit summithomes.com.au
NEW HOMES
RENOVATIONS
GRANNY FLATS
DEVELOPMENTS
Contact us The Royal Automobile Club of WA (INC) 832 Wellington Street, West Perth GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 tel: 13 17 03 rac.com.au Member Service Centres – Metropolitan Carousel Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. Dianella Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade. Mandurah Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way. West Perth (Head Office) 832 Wellington St.
Terms & conditions Car Doctor, page 57 Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winners) will be awarded only one prize as follows: one $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma Energy location Australia-wide. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, telephone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in February/March 2020 Horizons must claim their prize by 2 March 2020. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
Winning Letter, page 8 Entrants may submit more than one entry. One entrant (winner) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance valued at $183. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their cover runs out. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, phone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in February/ March 2020 Horizons must claim their prize by 2 March 2020. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
Member Service Centres – Regional Albany 110 Albany Hwy. Bunbury Shop 32, Stirling Centre, Stephen St. Geraldton Shop 8, Stirlings Central SC, 54 Sanford St. Kalgoorlie 51-53 Hannan St. Travel Centres Applecross Shop 2, 14-16 Riseley St. tel: 1300 657 681 Carousel Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. tel: 9365 4700 Dianella Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade. tel: 6466 2300 Joondalup Shop T31, Lakeside Joondalup SC, 420 Joondalup Drive. tel: 9308 1600 Midland Shop 100, Midland Gate SC, 274 Great Eastern Hwy. tel: 6150 6468 Mandurah Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way. tel: 6150 6456 West Perth 832 Wellington St. tel: 9436 4830
Full terms and conditions for competitions available at rac.com.au/competitions
Stay in the home you love with a Stairlift Have you considered a re-conditioned Stairlift?
08 9242 7333 www.motobility.com.au 19 Pearson Way, Osborne Park Horizons / February-March 2020
81
YO U R R A C
Ten best
Do you have an idea for The 10 Best? Send your suggestions to editor@rac.com.au
Perth hawkers’ markets Perth Mess Hall This permanent food truck site is located within the old Swan Barracks on Francis Street Perth. There are eight trucks to choose from each night and a large roster of trucks on rotation throughout the year so there’s always something new to taste. It’s open Friday to Sunday during winter and also weekdays throughout the warmer months.
South Beach Sunset Market Watch the sunset over the ocean and enjoy a feast from the many food trucks, along with live entertainment at this beachfront market in South Fremantle. The markets are held on the grassed area at South Beach every Saturday night during summer.
Inglewood Night Markets Monday nights are never dull in Inglewood with food and drink vendors serving up special treats on the street and local businesses staying open, with gifts and homewares to browse through. The markets are held on Beaufort Street in Inglewood from 6pm on Mondays between October and April.
Twilight Hawkers Market Forrest Place Perth’s biggest street food market, the Twilight Hawkers Market, features a big selection of street food with cuisines from around the world, plus live music. Enjoy the buzz of the city and some great flavours every Friday night in Forrest Place, from November until the end of February.
82
ABOVE: Scarborough Sunset Markets.
Scarborough Sunset Markets
Dinner at Dusk, Point Walter
Head to the beachfront in Scarborough each Thursday night for spectacular sunsets, a great beachside vibe and a world of food truck flavours. You can also browse the artisan pop-up stores and be entertained by live performers. The markets are at The Esplanade, Scarborough Beach until 30 April 2020.
Relax on the grassed picnic area at Point Walter Reserve in Bicton and enjoy river views with dinner served up from a range of food trucks. Dinner at Dusk will be held on select Friday and Sunday evenings until May 2020. For dates, check ‘Dinner at Dusk Point Walter’ on Facebook.
South Perth StrEATS
Mount Hawthorn Hawkers Market
Grab a picnic rug and head for the South Perth foreshore for a hawkers’ market set against the shimmering Perth city skyline. South Perth StrEATS will be held at Sir James Mitchell Park Wednesday through to Sunday evenings until 2 May 2020, with a variety of food trucks.
Perth Night Noodle Markets Held over 10 nights in April, the Perth Night Noodle Market brings Asian street food to Elizabeth Quay. Choose from 20 hawker-style stalls and enjoy the atmosphere of the river and city along with live entertainment. The markets will be held from 5-14 April.
Enjoy fresh, affordable, hawker-style street food at this food market each Friday night at Axford Park in Mount Hawthorn. More than 15 food vendors will be onsite serving up a great selection of flavours. The markets are on until April 2020 but will be closed for the month of January.
Wanneroo Street Food With a wide range of international cuisines, Wanneroo Street Food works its way around the Wanneroo area with evening food trucks at a variety of locations. Check their Facebook page for regular updates about where the trucks will be next.
February-March 2020 / Horizons
New Zealand Cruise & Coach Tours D
iscover NZ by sea and land. Combine the modern luxury of cruising with a scenic coach tour, giving you the complete New Zealand experience.
All INCLUSIVE Tours include airfares^, taxes, transfers in New Zealand, luxury cruise, coach travel, accommodation, most meals, sightseeing, attractions + BONUS US$650 onboard credit per couple. CELEBRITY SOLSTICE® + FULLY ESCORTED TOURING Experience New Zealand by combining a fully escorted scenic coach tour of New Zealand with a luxurious cruise aboard the Celebrity Solstice®. 20 Day New Zealand Vista by Cruise and Coach
SAVE 5oo $
+ US$650 ONBOARD CREDIT PER COUPLE + MORE**
*Conditions apply. Price valid ex PER (Economy Class) including one-way Trans-Tasman airfare and includes prepaid taxes (subject to change). ^Travel to join / return from the cruise in Australia not included in package. **Saving is up to $500 per couple (up to $250 per person) which is reflected in the advertised price and receive US$650 onboard credit per couple. If a solo cabin is booked, save $250 per person and receive US$350 onboard credit. Offers apply to new bookings only and are valid until 29 February 2020. For new bookings after 01 March 2020, save $200 per couple ($100 per person) and receive US$650 onboard credit per couple. If a solo cabin is booked, save $100 per person and receive US$350 onboard credit. Also receive a 400-page New Zealand Eyewitness Travel Guide per household. No other special offers or discounts apply. Offer can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Special offer applies to RAC members and only on new bookings made with RAC Travel & Cruise. Price does not include the fee for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority for any Australian Residents not holding an Australian passport. Refer to www.immigration.govt.nz/nzeta for further information.
PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM
8099*
$
23 Day Best of New Zealand by Coach and Cruise
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE 12 February 2021
PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM
8624*
$
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE 13 November 2020
CELEBRITY ECLIPSE® + ULTIMATE SMALL GROUP TOURING Travel in style and combine the “business class” Ultimate Small Group Touring coach (maximum 20 travellers) with the luxurious Celebrity Eclipse®. NEW 21 Day Ultimate Cruise and North Island Experience PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM
10,349*
$
Wed March
NEW 21 Day Ultimate South Island Experience and Cruise
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE 15 January 2021
18
to
PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE FROM
11,224*
$
Sun
March
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE 17 January 2021
22
Claremont Showground - 9am to 5pm
- Everything you need to explore WA -
All the latest products and great show specials Demonstrations, seminars and vintage caravans Bring the family - kids under 16 enter free All online tickets include free Transperth travel caravanandcampingshow.com.au
@PerthCCShow
We’ll look after your boat, you look after dinner. RAC Boat Insurance gives you peace of mind, plus RAC members get 10%* off at Repco.
That’s the power of membership
Call 1300 736 143 to find out more Issued by RAC Insurance Pty Limited. Check the PDS at rac.com.au. *Member Benefit terms and conditions apply.