What’s on in WA + Win a new car + Ten of the best
Your RAC magazine June / July 2014
Crash proof
The future of driving is here
Win a river cruise!
Your chance to win a Murray River cruise. see page 28
Too old to drive? Retiring from the road
Perfectly Pilbara
Experience the Warlu Way
The land of Maharajahs
The beauty and vitality of India
Back to the drawing board Car gizmos that seemed like great ideas 01_cover.indd 1
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Horizons
Inside
Your RAC magazine June / July 2014
Editor-in-Chief Will Golsby Editor Justine Costigan Deputy Editor Vanessa Pogorelic Publisher Sarah Harris Design Glenn Moffatt Advertising Ben Treasure tel: 08 9388 7844 ben@mediatonic.com.au
Driving into the future
Win
a Murray River cruise plus a Kangaroo Island tour turn to page 28
A crash-proof car may be closer than you think.
Horizons is published for The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) by Hardie Grant Media Ground Level, Building 1 658 Church Street, Richmond Victoria 3121 Australia www.hardiegrant.com.au Managing Director Jeff Trounce jefftrounce@hardiegrant.com.au
30
CAB audited as at September 2013 is 499,831 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.
35 Back to the drawing board
39 How old is too old?
44 WA crash report 2013
The great car gadget fails.
Our great driving dilemma.
A stark look at injuries and fatalities on our roads.
4 Horizons June / July 2014
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Inside
55
Win one of Australia’s best cars
The RAC is giving members the chance to win a new Subaru Forester 2.5i valued at around $36,000.
your Horizons 54 Member Lounge
18
22
46
82 59
Regulars
Travel
Move
7 President’s message
17 What’s on
46 Test drive
Events around the state.
The newest cars on the market.
Let’s talk about the Wheatbelt.
8 Mailbox
18 Imperial Rajasthan
Members’ letters.
Be captivated by this majestic corner of India.
9 Exchange
22 Driving the Warlu Way
Sharing your views.
12 Snapshot News from the RAC.
82 The 10 Best Heritage homes.
Winter car-care tips and winter storm safety, member news, and two great competitions: Your chance to win a Subaru Forester 2.5i; and a regional WA street directory up for grabs.
Discover this ancient and awe-inspiring part of Australia.
26 Travel brief News from RAC Travel.
51 Car news
Member Benefits Show your card and save on everything from vehicle maintenance to groceries, entertainment and travel.
The latest news in motoring.
Download our free Member Benefits app
53 Car doctor
to discover where you can save with exclusive member offers.
Your questions answered by our experts.
Log on today and make the most of your RAC membership rac.com.au/memberbenefits
June / July 2014 Horizons 5
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President’s message
The Royal Automobile Club of WA (INC) 832 Wellington Street, West Perth. GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839. tel: 13 17 03 www.rac.com.au RAC Member Service Centres Metropolitan Carousel: Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. Morley: Shop 1, Morley Markets, Bishop St. West Perth (Head Office): 832 Wellington St. Regional Albany: 110 Albany Hwy. Bunbury: Shop 32, Stirling Centre, Stephen St. Geraldton: Shop 29, Centro Northgate Shopping Centre, Chapman Rd. Kalgoorlie: 51-53 Hannan St. Mandurah: Shop 112, Centro Mandurah Shopping Centre, Pinjarra Rd. RAC Travel Centres Carousel: Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. tel: 9365 4700 Joondalup: Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre (external), Boas Ave. tel: 9308 1600 Mandurah: Shop 112, Centro Shopping Centre, 330 Pinjarra Rd. tel: 9512 8200 Morley: Shop 1, Morley Markets, Bishop St. tel: 6466 2300 West Perth: 832 Wellington St. tel: 9436 4830 Hearing impaired members Emergency Roadside Assistance SMS number only 0434 182 877 Roadside Assistance 24 hours, 7 days TTY: 9303 8470 RAC contact numbers Roadside Assistance 13 11 11 Battery Services 13 11 11 Membership 13 17 03 Motoring Advice 13 17 03 Vehicle Condition Appraisals 1300 797 078 Insurance 13 17 03 Finance 13 17 03 Travel 13 17 03 Touring 13 17 03 Security Services 13 17 03 RAC Auto Services 1300 135 667 RAC Driving Centre 9479 5754
Let’s talk about the Wheatbelt Road crashes kill about 1400 Australians and hospitalise another 32,500 each year. The total estimated cost to the community is $27 billion and the human impact is devastating. In Western Australia the total estimated cost is nearly $6.6 billion each year. While there has been a measurable decrease in death and serious injuries on Australian roads in the past decade, Western Australia has lagged behind other states, and the Wheatbelt has been the worst-performing region across WA. Now is not the time to be complacent. The reality is in 2013 WA remained above the national road-fatality rate and one person, on average, was killed on our roads nearly every two days. The impact on the Wheatbelt is devastating. In 2013 the fatality rate was more than four times the state average, and more than double the fatality rate of nearby regions. A review commissioned by the RAC found there is no single issue that clearly differentiates the Wheatbelt from nearby neighbours or any other WA regions. This is why a collaborative and integrated approach must be taken at all levels – from local community groups to Road Safety Council member organisations, government and business groups – to make a significant contribution to improving the unacceptable road-safety record in the Wheatbelt. The RAC believes that significant investment is required to support a collaborative and integrated approach and it must focus on a range of initiatives. Firstly, real change must begin with the individual and with communicating the importance of ‘looking out for one another’ through simple actions or words that could spare someone’s neighbours, friends or loved ones from the devastating and far-reaching impact of road trauma.
To achieve this we all have a role to play in engaging Wheatbelt communities to raise awareness about their road-safety performance and to implement targeted driver-safety programs. Secondly, we must promote the value of car-safety technologies to ensure there are safer vehicles across the region. This is critical because according to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), occupants have twice the chance of being killed or seriously injured in an ANCAP onestar rated vehicle compared with an ANCAP five-star rated vehicle. Do you know the star rating of the car your loved ones are driving? We must also increase traffic enforcement and enforcement hours within the region and accelerate road maintenance and treatment programs, including funding local government to deliver local road improvements. Finally, our elected representatives must join with us to increase discussion and action regarding the Wheatbelt’s road-safety performance and the significant and devastating cost of the issue to loved ones, families, regional communities and to the state. This year, the RAC will embark on a major advocacy program to help highlight and address the road safety issues facing the Wheatbelt, and we will continue to lobby government and the community to ensure the necessary action and investment is made to address the impact of road fatalities on our communities. ●
Esme Bowen RAC President
Your RAC Council Club Patron His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker AC, CVO, QC, Governor of Western Australia President Esme Bowen Senior Vice President Tony Evans Vice President Jacqueline Ronchi Members of Council Tim Shanahan, Dennis Banks, Allan Blagaich, Freda Crucitti, Jill Darby, Ross Dowling, Dalton Gooding, Alden Halse, Colin O’Sullivan, Elizabeth Re, Julie Wadley and Emmerson Richardson June / July 2014 Horizons 7
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Contact the editor
Mailbox
Email editor@rac.com.au or write to The Editor, RAC Horizons Magazine, GPO Box C140 Perth WA 6839
Join the discussion about the RAC and the magazine
Our winning letter Powerful messages for young motorists I am a 20-year-old male driver, which according to your article Risky Business (Horizons, February/March), puts me almost at the top of the ‘highest risk’ category for road fatalities. Many points in the article really hit home, as one of my childhood friends was sadly hit and killed by a drunk driver some years ago (which followed with the introduction of Jess’ Law). To this day, the sad memory of receiving the news of her death is present whenever I get behind the wheel of my car. Luckily this experience has moulded me into a cautious and safer driver. I know of too many school friends who have since had their licences suspended due to drink-driving offences. Do they not realise how horrific it is to lose a friend to a drunk driver? In my humble opinion, the best way to target young, male drivers is through the broadcast of graphic television commercials. I believe it is the most effective way to cut through the often dull, repetitive “don’t drink and drive” messages, and leave the viewer with a scene they remember. I am also happy to see initiatives such as RAC’s bstreetsmart, which will leave testosterone-pumped, young male drivers a little more cautious next time they get behind the wheel. Thank you for taking an interest in us younger drivers, and please continue to help us help ourselves. Together we can prevent another Jess Meehan tragedy. Kyle Smith, Busselton
Drive-in memories I grew up in the small town of Busselton in the 1960s (Going to the ‘drives’, Horizons, April/ May). I played hockey with Ron Jones and knew him and his sister very well. I have a couple of vivid memories of the drive-in. The first is in my early teens when my mother, father and I would go to the ‘drives’ nearly every Saturday night. To my disgust, my father insisted on arriving there first so we would get to the locked front gate at least one hour before the gate was unlocked, which was still another hour at least before the movie actually started. We would sit in the car outside the entrance eating sandwiches and scones that my mother prepared and brought along wrapped in grease-proof paper. The second was when I was old enough to drive and a couple of mates went to the ‘drives’ and at the end of the movie we stayed on for a short while and chatted to Ron Jones through the window of the car. When it came time to leave we bid farewell to Ron and proceeded to drive off with the speaker still attached to the car window. We ripped the cord right out of the speaker stand, right in front of Ron’s eyes. All we could do was stop, pick up the speaker and hand it to Ron with our apologies. Rod Ware, via email
Life-changing moments Have you ever thought how two seconds could impact on your life, or death? If we could ask the 163 victims who lost their lives on Western Australian roads last year, we may have some interesting responses. “If only I’d looked.” “If only I hadn’t looked away.” “If only I hadn’t looked at my mobile phone.” That one or two seconds is all it takes to turn your life or someone else’s life upside down, possibly forever. Are you immune? Am I immune? You may think you are. The 163 crash victims probably thought they were too. This carnage is mostly avoidable. We all need to play our part and have the right mindset when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. David Shirley, via email
Good drivers hard to find Since reading the letter from Leanne Aurisch (Who’s a bad driver? Horizons February/ March) I have been thinking about the number of drivers who could be considered ‘good’. I don’t know which criteria is used to determine who is a good driver but I would imagine that adherence to the traffic laws is one of them.
Some time ago I saw the results of a survey, which revealed that 75 per cent of respondents admitted to driving at more than 10km/h over the speed limit. Add to that the 10 to 15 per cent who travel between the speed limit and +10km/h and those respondents to the survey who didn’t tell the truth, and we don’t have many to choose ‘good’ drivers from. Every now and then we see parents of road fatality victims being interviewed on the TV news, pleading with young people to slow down and drive more carefully, a plea I wholeheartedly support, but until mums and dads start adhering to the traffic laws there’s little chance the kids will do it. During the past 18 months or so I have seen a lot of ‘P’ platers on the roads but I have only seen three who were travelling within the speed limit. It’s a sorry state of affairs when you are abused by a driver for ‘holding them up’ when you are travelling at the speed limit. So, who’s a good driver? Alan Rout, via email
Anzac Centenary Be part of our Anzac Centenary issue of Horizons. Email or send your WWI Anzac stories and photos to the editor address above. Correction: In our Walking with Giants
story in the April/May issue of Horizons we incorrectly reported the Big Brook Dam was 30km from Pemberton. The distance is approximately 3km.
You can be a winner
Each issue the author of the best letter will win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance. Classic Roadside Assistance gives motorists additional peace of mind by offering a range of extended benefits. For assistance or more information
call 13 17 03 or visit rac.com.au
Terms and conditions on page 79. Published letters may be edited for style and length. While we try to respond to all letters we receive, a response cannot be guaranteed.
8 Horizons June / July 2014
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Exchange Feedback, opinion and fast facts
THE LONG COMMUTE
RAC ONLINE POLL RESULT
30 20km %
What’s your current average work-commute time, one-way?
of Perth residents travel more than
to where they work or study. Perth has the smallest number of residents living within 10km of their work/study compared with other Australian capitals. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011
RAC ONLINE POLL
Tell us ...
@
said 15-30 mins
twitter.com/racwa
%
said 30-45 mins
What’s the maximum amount of time you’d be prepared to commute to work one way?
Only 7%
of people said they would commute one way for 60 minutes or more
DRIVING BLINDFOLDED
!!!
Many cars’ on-board computer systems collect data about the state of the car and how it has been driven. Were you aware of this? Who do you believe should own this information? Take our poll at rac.com.au/exchange facebook.com/racwa
30 26 %
Looking at your phone for
2 seconds while driving at 60km/h is like driving blindfolded for
33 metres Exchange your views by email: editor@rac.com.au June / July 2014 Horizons 9
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“...these hearing aids have given us our lives back” I read farmer Lindsay Olman’s story in the paper and thought he was right about choosing the audiologist before the hearing aid. I’ve experienced what seems to be a common story, with my hearing aids sitting in the proverbial top drawer for the last couple of years. Communication was difficult. I couldn’t wear them, they were just too uncomfortable, like a brick in my ear, and they didn’t help me hear well anyway. But now I’m proudly wearing new hearing aids prescribed by Brad and it’s a very different story. Both my wife Jean and I feel these hearing aids have given us our lives back. My history isn’t much different from a lot of people with industrial hearing loss. I worked as an engineer in a noisy factory, and was a drummer in a band in my youth. We knew nothing about protecting our hearing from the inevitable outcome of hearing loss. I enjoyed my work and loved my music and didn’t realise this could impact so much on my later life.
[I] was so impressed with my new ability to hear the full and rich sounds of the music, I turned my aids on
Now I’m retired and need to hear well, to enable me to do lots of meaningful volunteer work. I am a guide with the Rottnest Volunteer Guide Association and it’s really important for me to be able to respond to questions and join in on conversation whilst conducting a tour. My Wife and I are studying the Sanskrit language where it’s vital to
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b e a b l e t o h e a r a n d p ro n o u n c e m i n u t e s o u n d v a r i a t i o n s w e l l. I also belong to a meditation group and was very surprised to hear for the first time the sounds of running water from a fountain in the established courtyard - it’s probably been there making that soft trickling noise since I joined. Best of all for me, two days after being fitted with my new hearing aids, I attended a West Australian Symphony Orchestra concert and was so impressed with my new ability to hear the full and rich sounds of the music, I turned my aids on and off a few times just to hear the difference. It was amazing. I’m very happy to have met Brad and his Staff and it’s fantastic to be hearing well again. I can’t recommend this hearing centre highly enough to anyone wanting a fresh start with their hearing. Peter Wyder
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Snapshot News in brief from the RAC & beyond
A chance for amateur golfers to shine The RAC is proud to present the third series of the Auto Club Golf Championship (ACGC) in Western Australia. The ACGC is Australia’s largest amateur golf pairs competition and this year in WA the series will grow to eight events, with two held in the metropolitan area and six in regional areas. RAC’s Executive General Manager Pat Walker said the series was a great opportunity to bring members together and the inclusion of six regional events would enable even more members to participate. “This is a great way for us to give something back to our members. It also gives us the opportunity to speak directly to people about important issues such as road safety and the impact of road trauma on our community, particularly in regional areas where road fatalities are disproportionately high,” Mr Walker said. The ACGC is open to all RAC members with an official Golf Link
Handicap. All you need to register is for one of your team of two players to have a valid RAC membership. With the bonus registration gift of a dozen golf balls and complimentary arrival refreshments, this tournament is the best value amateur event of its kind at only $33 per player. There are plenty of prizes on offer at each qualifying event with the RAC and event partners Thrifty, Bollé, Bushnell, Crest Link and RACV Resorts pledging to continue to increase the prize pool in 2014/15. On top of this, every entrant will also have the chance to win a brand new Suzuki in the Suzuki Hole In One. The winning pair from each of the eight WA events will receive travel and accommodation, plus three days of Championship Golf and social functions during the 2014/15 Championship Final to be held at Australia’s home of Championship
Dates and venues confirmed for WA Capel 24 August Albany 31 August Goomalling 3 September Mundaring 10 September Kalgoorlie 4 October Lakelands 28 October Two further WA events are still to be announced. Please check the ACGC website.
Golf, RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland. “We are excited to be giving WA’s amateur golfers the chance to win a place at the 2014/15 Championship Final,” Mr Walker said. “Each year the series has gone from strength to strength, beginning with four, then seven and now eight events, which we hope will give even more members the chance to take part.” Team up with a playing partner and register for an event near you and you could be enjoying a trip to Queensland’s home of Championship Golf in March 2015 and have the honour of being crowned the 2014/15 ACGC Australian Amateur Golf Pair. l For more information and to register your pair visit acgc.com.au.
12 Horizons June / July 2014
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Are extended car warranties worth it? Buying an extended warranty with your new car may seem like a sensible extra protection, but it’s always wise to check the warranty conditions before you make a decision, especially if you are paying extra for it. Extended warranties cover a period of time after the statutory or manufacturer’s warranty expires but they may not provide the same cover as the manufacturer’s warranty. You may pay extra for your extended warranty, or the dealer may include it to sweeten the deal, but either way there could be strict conditions attached to it. Free extended warranties in
particular often come with several strict conditions. Some of the conditions of the extended warranty may include having the vehicle serviced only at the dealership or being liable for excess payments on some repairs. There may also be conditions related to the frequency of servicing. You should always ask for a copy of the booklet detailing the warranty’s terms and conditions and check it carefully before you decide. Some extended warranties may provide real value but there are many on the market so its best to do your homework first. l
Better public transport for regions: survey Public transport has been nominated as the greatest long-term transport priority by more than 50 per cent of regional RAC members surveyed about transport issues in their city.
A special Patrol callout Chris has had a lifelong ambition to be an RAC Patrol. A resident at disability services provider Nulsen, he has long admired the Patrols’ ability to solve problems by the roadside and help stranded motorists. Recently Chris had the chance to learn more about the work of RAC’s Roadside Assistance team when he was visited by Patrol Frank. Wearing an RAC vest, Chris,
with some of his housemates, worked alongside Frank on a car and trailer. Frank also showed Chris how the vans operate and the range of tools and other devices he uses on the road. He also took Chris for a ride in a patrol van. It was a happy day for Chris to spend time with Frank and to finally get out on the road in one of those yellow vans he’s been so fascinated by. l
The RAC’s inaugural Regional Transport Planning survey asked more than 300 members in Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton about how they travelled and how satisfied they were with current transport options. When asked about priorities for the next 10 years, public transport was ranked number one, with improved facilities for motor vehicles ranked second. Two-thirds said they found it at least moderately easy to travel around their city, with 75 per cent doing so by travelling alone in their car. Respondents were most satisfied with the condition of highways and the operation of roads, but somewhat dissatisfied with public transport services, public parking and cycle facilities. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) said they were to some degree dissatisfied with public transport services. When asked about ways to improve current accessibility issues in their city, 62 per cent nominated maintaining and improving the condition of existing roads for comfort and safety and increasing public parking, while 58 per cent favoured building bypasses to divert freight traffic away from their city. There was also strong support for improved local public transport connections (49 per cent) and improved regional connections (50 per cent). The Transport Planning Survey will enable the RAC to better understand the transport challenges and mobility priorities of regional residents. l June / July 2014 Horizons 13
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Nominations for RAC Council
Stay safe around fallen power lines During a storm, power lines are at risk of being brought down by the force of the wind or may be cut by another structure falling across them. Motorists who come across a fallen power line should exercise extreme caution. Electricity can ‘arc’ or jump up to six metres, so even if you’re not close enough to be in contact with the lines, you may still be at risk of electrocution. Stand a minimum of six metres away. You should never touch anything else that may be in contact with
a fallen power line, such as tree branches. If your car is in contact with a power line, if possible remain inside until the power is switched off. If you do need to evacuate because of another danger make sure you’re not in contact with the car and the ground as the same time. You should jump clear of the car and, once clear, move a minimum of six metres away. l If you come across a fallen power line call Western Power’s 24-hour emergency number 13 13 51.
Free road-trauma support service A major crash can have a farreaching impact, not just on those involved or at the scene, but also on family, friends and workmates. To help those affected deal with the psychological distress caused after a major crash, Road Trauma Support WA (RTSWA) was launched late last year. RTSWA is a not-for-profit support and counselling service provided by the Injury Control Council of WA, with funding from the Road Trauma Trust Account. Road Trauma Support WA provides free information,
support, counselling and prevention education to those affected by road trauma, including anyone injured or involved in a crash, those dealing with a bereavement, family, carers and friends or those who may have caused a road trauma. It is the first service of its kind in WA providing dedicated road trauma support. l To find out more about the services offered visit rtswa.org.au, call 9420 7262, Freecall 1300 004 814 or email admin@rtswa.org.au.
Nominations for election to the Council of The Royal Automobile Club of W.A. (Incorporated) close at 12 noon on Thursday 31 July 2014. Prospective nominees are referred to Rule 11.3 of the Club which reads: “11.3(a) Except in the case of retiring Councillors who are eligible and offer themselves for election or re-election under rule 11.3(c) and subject to rule 13.1(b)(ii), a person must be nominated by at least 25 Members who are Voting Members as at the date of lodgement of the nomination form. 11.3(b) The procedures to be followed in conducting the nomination process must be set out in the By-Laws, including the requirements for the nomination form and the date by which the nomination form is required to be lodged.” By-Law 5.1 provides: “5.1(a) The Chief Executive will provide a nomination form to any Member who requests one. 5.1(c) The nomination form must be signed by: (i) each nominator; (ii) each Candidate to signify his consent to a nomination, as being a true and correct record of the information provided. 5.1(d) The duly completed nomination form must be lodged with the Chief Executive no later than 12 noon on the last business day of July or such other date as the Council may decide in the year of the election. 5.1(e) If the Candidate’s nomination form is incomplete or the information provided is false or misleading, the Returning Officer may declare a nomination invalid and the Candidate ineligible for election.” Nomination Forms may be obtained on application to the Chief Executive, RAC, 832 Wellington Street, West Perth, after 1 July 2014. Nominations to fill four vacancies on the Council of the RAC will close at 12 noon on 31 July 2014. Retiring members of Council are eligible for re-election.
14 Horizons June / July 2014
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RAC April 2014
Site ROCKA009 - Opposite Chemart • Monday 26th May to Sunday 8th June
7/05/14 3:48 PM
West australiaN symphONy Orchestra
classical highlights at perth concert hall AlcoHol.THink AgAin mAsTers series
asher Fisch conducts mahler 9 Fri 13 & sat 14 June 7.30pm Heartbreakingly beautiful
schubert & schumann thurs 7 august 11am Fri 8 & sat 9 august 7.30pm Powerful, dramatic and joyous
BOOK NOW
Call 9326
0000 quoting 1042
Visit waso.com.au or ticketek.com.au eY PresenTs
MAXIM RYSANOV
Featuring maggie Beer & simon Bryant
The Cook, The Chef #
& WASo
thurs 26 June 11am Fri 27 & sat 28 June 7.30pm Perth Concert Hall “maxim rysanov is a prince among violists.” The new Zealand Herald
MAXIM RYSANOV
9 symphONies 2 WeeKeNDs 21 – 31 august
Perth concert Hall
BOOK NOW
Call 9326 0000 quoting 1042 Visit waso.com.au or ticketek.com.au
Fri 18 July 8pm
Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre
BOOK NOW
Call Ticketek 1300 795 012 Visit ticketek.com.au
Principal Conductor Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts. Kitchen appliances for The Cook, The Chef & WASO supplied by Kitchen Headquarters.
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What’s on
Events around the state in June and July Project 100k: The Greening Challenge
Jenny Watson
Horse series painting no. 9: with yellow rug 1974. Oil, synthetic polymer paint and lead pencil on canvas, 177.4 x 243.9 cm. State Art Collection, Art Gallery of Western Australia. Purchased 1988.
25 July
Join Men of the Trees and local schools, community groups and corporate volunteers in their Guinness World Record attempt to plant more than 100,000 plants at Whiteman Park.
The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers
For more information go to menofthetrees.com.au
West Australian Symphony Orchestra continues the Peter Jackson film trilogy with The Two Towers. More than 200 musicians perform Howard Shore’s award winning score live as the entire film plays on the big screen.
Animal Ark/Animal Art
For more information go to waso.com.au
from 7 June
Explore the representation of animals in art through paintings, sculptures, decorative art and works on paper by a range of contemporary and historical artists including Jenny Watson, Rosslynd Piggott, Robin Boyd, Charles Blackman and Marc Chagall.
A Taste of Broome
For more information go to artgallery.wa.gov.au
For more information go to goolarri.com/atob
A monthly event throughout the dry season, Taste of Broome showcases the region’s music, media, dance, food, arts, crafts tradition and heritage.
Truffle Kerfuffle
Melbourne Comedy Roadshow
27 to 29 June
The annual Southern Forests Food Festival highlights regional food and wine with a focus on the exquisite black truffle. Events include truffle hunts, masterclasses, a harvest dinner, slow lunch and farmers’ market.
Various June dates
A comedy odyssey offering the best of international and local acts, the roadshow brings a night of raucous laughter to towns throughout WA, including 14 regional centres and Perth. Visit comedyfestival.com.au for Roadshow dates and towns.
For more information go to trufflekerfuffle.com.au
Sydney Dance Company: 2 One Another
Bell Shakespeare: Henry V by William Shakespeare
Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures 26 July to 16 November
18 to 21 June
Dust
Set against a stunning digital backdrop of motion design and animation with a soundtrack ranging from baroque to electronica, this awardwinning contemporary dance production is a sensual study of human relationships and interaction.
28 June to 13 July
23 to 26 July
Set in the middle of a Perth dust storm, playwright Suzie Miller’s Dust explores the ways in which we love, blame, connect and find beauty in our lives in the midst of chaos.
A contemporary version of Shakespeare’s classic inspired by a true story - for 71 consecutive nights during the London Blitz in 1941, a group of boys trapped in a bunker rehearsed plays then performed them in the shelter.
From the National Museum Kabul, Hidden Treasures reveals Afghanistan’s long and extraordinarily rich artistic culture and includes more than 230 priceless artworks and artefacts, some thousands of years old.
For more information go to statetheatrecentrewa.com.au
For more information go to museum.wa.gov.au
For more information go to hismajestystheatre.com.au
ld e! or ier W m e pr
. .
26 and 27 June, 25 July
Source: National Museum of Afghanistan Photo © Thierry Ollivier / Musée
20 and 21 June
For more information go to bsstc.com.au
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Travel
Words Carrie Hutchinson
From majestic monuments and palaces to bustling markets and street life, Carrie Hutchinson is captivated by the beauty, history and extraordinary vitality of Imperial Rajasthan.
In the land of Maharajahs
T
here is chaos and there is Delhi. My cycle rickshaw is weaving between cars, tuk-tuks, bicycles and scooters, seemingly hundreds of scooters. The driver is pointing out the sights of the Old Town between yelling what I assume to be directives for people to get out of his way. Occasionally a cow wanders on to the road, adding another element to the madness. “Temple,” says the driver, pointing off into a mass of buildings. “Mosque.” He tries to add some element of explanation, but it’s impossible to hear him over the cacophany of horns. He smiles and gestures off to his right: “McDonald’s!”
Finally we turn down a lane and into Chandni Chowk, the city’s oldest market. The thoroughfares get narrower the deeper we go. In places you could grab at a beautiful sari or marigold garland hanging from a shop door. There’s a danger of the traders selling vegetables in doorways losing a toe to the rickshaw’s tyres. Overhead, the cables that light these tiny shops seem to be fashioned into an elaborate, teetering macramé. Occasionally a monkey looks down from an awning into the crowds of people filing through. Less than 12 hours after arriving in the city, this is a lot to absorb. Certainly such an endeavour would have been far too much for a jetlag-
addled brain to organise. My travel buddies are in rickshaws in front and behind and we finally arrive at Fatehpuri Masjid, a 17th-century red-sandstone mosque bathed in dusty sunlight. Some, like us, are here to admire its creation, others to worship. In the huge central courtyard, children chase pigeons and one another. This is day one and stop three of Insight Vacations’ Imperial Rajasthan tour. Delhi, of course, is not part of Rajasthan, but there are several reasons for beginning here, not least because it’s home to one of the country’s major airports. Between it and Jaipur also stands one of India’s – possibly the world’s – most famous monuments, the Taj Mahal.
above: Built in 1156 AD Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest in the world. The massive yellow sandstone walls act as camouflage in the yellow desert.
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Travel
Regardless of how many times you’ve admired this marble dedication to one man’s love in photographs or on the television, you’ll probably still audibly gasp when you catch a first glimpse. No trip to the north of India is complete without spending hours viewing its pearlescent domes from every possible angle. Rajasthan is the largest state in India and the tour will cover vast areas of it in an air-conditioned bus. During the long drives our guide, Devender Singh, a local who has been leading tours around the world for 20 years, will fill our heads with the involved history of the region and its many sights, stories from his travels, and tidbits about the country we’re passing through. (Out of the
clockwise from top left: Street markets are a vibrant part of life in Jaipur. The Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum and was completed in 1653 after 21 years of construction. Cameleer in the Thar Desert. Camel riding for tourists is an income source for desert villagers.
bus, he fills a similar role while also ensuring no one gets lost, eats something they shouldn’t or pays more than they should for a trinket.) The tour’s focus is the heritage of the region, and it’s a fascinating prism through which to see the country. Rajasthan was once home to the Indus Valley Civilisation, who lived in these parts as long ago as 3300BC. Tales abound of Mughal princes making politically astute marriages to women from adjacent dynasties, eagles placing curses on maharajahs who built forts on sacred land, and rabbits determining the site of ancient cities. Few people realise that during the English colonisation Rajasthan remained autonomous. Hearing these stories
as you’re exploring adds another dimension to the travel experience. Because while Jaipur’s Amber Fort and Palace are simply awe-inspiring – from the lines of elephants carrying visitors up the hill to the majestic Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) – standing in the middle of a covered courtyard and being told about Man Singh’s 12 wives, all of them princesses from neighbouring states, brings the ancient building to life. We then climb the secret stairs leading to each of their chambers, built to avoid jealousy between the women and any subsequent political disaster. As well as its spectacular creations, Rajasthan is also known for its cultural diversity and artistic June / July 2014 Horizons 19
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Travel RAC exclusive
14 day RAC Imperial Rajasthan luxury escorted tour from Perth. Departs 15 February, 2015. To find out more contact your local RAC Travel centre, call 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travel.
traditions. At each of the major cities we visit – Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur – there’s an opportunity to become more closely acquainted with these and also to buy exquisite souvenirs. In Jaipur, it’s gemstones and jewellery at Bhandari Jewellers. At Jodhpur we meet Chitranjan Jain, the owner of Maharani Textiles and Handicrafts, who buys fabrics from local communities as well as employing almost 9000 people in his factory making scarves, throws and homewares for designer labels including Donna Karan Home and Kenzo. Richard Gere is said to have bought everything he could lay his hands on during one visit. Miniature paintings – so called because of their detail rather than size – are on view (and for sale, of course) at the Rajasthan Art School in Udaipur. For those looking for less pricey souvenirs, there are stops at various markets along the way.
Legwork or luxury? Before arriving in Delhi I considered travelling on a group tour something of a cheat. Surely half the fun of any adventure is working out how to get there, what to do while you’re there and where to stay. Of course, you can travel the country independently and many thousands of tourists do, but you’d have to remain calm, take everything in your stride, and have an equally Zen travel buddy. This tour, however, is the perfect toe-dipper, especially at those times when the sheer humanity – after all, Delhi alone is home to more than 17 million people – starts to make your head spin. I am soon thoroughly convinced by the luxury of having all the legwork done for you. On this tour everything is organised from taking a camel ride in dunes and attending an opium tea ceremony in a Bishnoi village outside Jodhpur to lunches along the way and the gorgeous hotel rooms, some in former palaces, others in character-filled former
Fast facts Where is it? Rajasthan – the Land of the Kings – is located in India’s west, partly on the border of Pakistan.
Best time to go Much of Rajasthan is covered by desert, so avoid the heat and travel in the cooler months, from November to March.
Getting there The 13-day Imperial Rajasthan tour with Insight Vacations is offered between August and April. Singapore Airlines has daily flights to New Delhi from Perth via Singapore.
Bring home above: The opulent Amber Palace was built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh.
grand family estates. The Suryagarh in Jaisalmer is a glorious replica of a desert castle complete with peacocks roaming the gardens. The City Palace The Laxmi Niwas Palace outside complex at Bikaner was built in 1904 - its night, Udaipur, rooms are all different and its bar Rajasthan. and reading room are decorated with antique furniture and dusty taxidermy animals. Equally welcome on the tour, however, is the chance to – and this may sound like a cop-out – remove yourself from some of the realities of what’s going on outside the bus. Everything you’ve heard about the poverty here is true and it is confronting. But there is also great beauty. The long days spent driving through the desert are almost meditative. The Rajasthani desert isn’t typically defined by sand dunes. Tufts of dry grass are picked over by varieties of skinny livestock and thousands of hawks circle in the sky. By the road, tiny children wave from rough gypsy camps and harnessed cows walk in endless circles to drive the mill that extracts oil from mustard seeds. Women dressed in vivid orange saris crouch in emerald fields tending crops, while nearby teenagers fly a kite made from plastic bags. It’s ruthless, captivating and it’s one of the many reasons India captures the hearts and imaginations of travellers like no other place in the world. l
Bhandari Jewellers in Jaipur (bhandarijewellers.com) is a favourite with royalty and superstars. Buy enamelled and handcrafted jewellery or choose a precious or semi-precious stone and have it set in less than 24 hours.
Don’t miss Rise early at Rohet Garh, the heritage hotel outside Jodhpur, and visit the stables. The rare and beautiful Marwari horses, indigenous to the region, have inward-turning ear tips.
India essentials Preparation See your doctor about the correct vaccinations before you leave and which medications to carry with you.
Health Drink only bottled water, and use hand sanitiser regularly (especially after handling money).
Cultural norms The people are incredibly kind and friendly, but dress modestly, especially when visiting religious monuments.
Food The local food is absolutely delicious and ranges from mild to spicy, although all the hotels serve Western options, too.
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WIN A WINTER GETAWAY #WINTERDOWNSOUTH
Post a picture to social media of your holiday down south or share your dream holiday experience in Australia’s South West. Simply include the hashtag ‘#winterdownsouth’ for your chance to win weekly prize giveaways and one major winter getaway. Visit www.winterdownsouth.com to see your entry, and for inspiration to plan your next getaway to Australia’s South West.
Facebook – Australia’s South West Twitter and Instagram – AustraliasSW
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Travel
Words Daniel Scott
With its rich Indigenous history, rugged ranges, soaring gorges and pristine coastal landscapes, Daniel Scott is inspired by one of the Pilbara’s most extraordinary drives.
Across the
Warlu Way
T
he Warlu Way stretches 2500 kilometres across the north‑west between Exmouth and Broome and is one of Australia’s great drives. Following the path of the Warlu, the Aboriginal sea serpent creation being, which emerged from the ocean and travelled across the barren land forming life-giving waterways, it is a journey infused with spiritual significance and passes through one of the oldest landscapes on earth.
Taking the drive in either direction makes for an unforgettable odyssey, especially with 10 days to savour the scenery. But with Ningaloo Reef beckoning near Exmouth, beginning in Broome and heading south-west means having the inviting prospect of one more spectacular natural wonder to explore at the very end of your journey. Either way you do it, the initial stage of the Warlu Way between Broome and Port Hedland is a long flat stretch with very few services along the way, so be prepared and ensure you’re well rested.
The drive along the coastal plain only lasts a few hours and even here there is a sense of embarking on an epic voyage across a vast landscape saturated in colour. Here you can slowly adjust to the burnished red earth and the dazzling cobaltblue Pilbara sky – and get used to unfenced cattle wandering onto the road! A logical first stop along the Great Northern Highway is Eighty Mile Beach caravan park, around 380 kilometres from Broome. Set behind a shell-strewn beach lapped by the turquoise Indian Ocean and amid an army of Samoan buttonwood trees, Eighty Mile is a lovely break from the dusty plains. In the morning, festooning every tree like an overnight snow flurry are squadrons of corellas, which launch skyward in a plume of flapping wings and screeches when startled. Continuing west there is a chance for four-wheel drives to cut inland on the Boreline Road. It’s a bumpy drive through rocky hills and between gaps in the ranges, emerging after a few hours at Marble Bar, reputedly the “hottest town in Australia”. During the summer of 1923 to 1924, the temperature didn’t drop below 37.8 degrees for 161 consecutive days,
this page: Karijini National Park: burnished red earth and dazzling cobaltblue Pilbara sky. facing page: Hancock Gorge, as beautiful as it is ancient.
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... deep within Hancock Gorge, 2.7 billion‑years‑old exposed strata is more than half the age of the planet.
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Travel
Fast facts
Where is it Between Exmouth and Broome, traversing the Gascoyne, Pilbara and eastern Kimberley regions.
Distances Exmouth to Broome is 2500 kms, Karratha to Millstream-Chichester National Park 142 kms, and Port Hedland to Broome 612 kms.
Planning rac.com.au/greatdrives rac.com.au/driveaustralia for selfdrive trip planning australiasnorthwest.com mainroads.wa.gov.au for latest road conditions.
When to go Dry season, April to October.
Permits Required to access the mining road between Millstream and Karijini National Park. Available from Karratha visitors centre.
When to go The best time to go is during the dry season, April to November.
Don’t miss The multi-coloured waves of rock and natural Jacuzzi in Hamersley Gorge, swimming in Fern Pool in Dales Gorge and journeying to the centre of the earth by trekking and canyoning into Hancock Gorge, all at Karijini. Having a drink at the Iron Clad pub, Marble Bar. Swimming off Honeymoon Cove, Point Samson, seeing Depuch Island in the Forestier Archipelago and Indigenous rock art on the Burrup Peninsula.
Accommodation Eighty Mile Beach: eightymilebeach.com.au Point Samson holiday village: thecoveholidayvillage.com.au Millstream-Chichester camping: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/ millstream-chichester Karijini Eco retreat: karijiniecoretreat.com.au For AAA Star Rated properties: rac.com.au/accommodation
Tours West Oz Active tours: westozactive.com.au
a record that stands 90 years later. Once a gold and jasper mining centre with a population of 5000, Marble Bar is now home to 350 people. In the town centre is the Iron Clad Hotel. Named by American miners after the iron clad boats that were used on the Mississippi in the Civil War, the pub has stood for over 120 years and survived cyclones and fires. Today it is an essential stop for some local hospitality and perhaps an overnight slice of life in one of WA’s quirkier outposts.
The Pilbara’s rich history Heading back toward the coast along Marble Bar road, a turn-off leads to Doolena Gorge, a huge sandy chasm opening up between tall red cliffs that is particularly alluring at dusk. A hundred kilometres further on you return to the coastal highway, which continues on toward Port Hedland, a good place to restock and refuel. While iron ore, gas and oil dominate the Pilbara today, during the late 19th century, it was the domain of gold prospectors, pearlers and pastoralists. About 200 kilometres west of Port Hedland, the neighbouring settlements of Roebourne and Cossack, were once thriving but unruly frontier towns. Museums at Roebourne’s old gaol and in Cossack’s former courthouse reveal shameful tales of local Aboriginals being rounded up, imprisoned in neck chains and
above: Fortescue Falls are part of the 4 km long Dales Gorge. below: Sunrise at Karijini Eco Retreat.
forced to free dive for pearls. A little further on is the seaside enclave of Point Samson. Tropical in feel, with lovely beaches like that at Honeymoon Cove, a resort, spotless caravan park and a sublimely located tavern overlooking the ocean, it has the promise of a Pilbara Broome. It also provides access to the littleknown islands of the Forestier Archipelago. These include West Moore, where a former pearling station is now a fishing lodge, and adjacent Depuch Island, rearing big and red out of the Indian Ocean, looking uncannily like Uluru. There are 42 more islands to explore in the Dampier Archipelago, west of Karratha. Take a day-trip from Dampier aboard the 12-metre‑long Blue Marlin, which includes time to snorkel in Pirates Cove, where an inscription on rocks commemorates the visit of the British gentleman pirate, William Dampier, in 1699. Back on the mainland, on the Burrup Peninsula north of Karratha, is Deep Gorge, where one of Australia’s most prolific Aboriginal
24 Horizons June / July 2014
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this page: The Ningaloo Reef from the air. The whale shark is a regular in the krill-rich waters of Ningaloo Reef, near Exmouth.
art sites is spread over exposed boulders. There are more than 10,000 petroglyphs of animals and human figures, some images depicting thylacines, extinct here for 4000 years. Below the gallery is Hearsons Cove, a memorable spot for a sunset barbecue, with the beach exposed for a kilometre by the retreating tide.
Warlu’s spiritual heart After Karratha, the Warlu Way threads inland again toward two of Australia’s most compelling National Parks, Millstream-Chichester and Karijini. Reached via a three-hour drive through cone-shaped hills and isolated mesas projecting from red plains, Millstream-Chichester lies at the route’s spiritual core. For this is where, in Deep Reach Pool, the local Yindjibarndi people believe the Warlu lives, making it one of WA’s most significant Indigenous sites. Overlooked by the Hamersley Range and bounded by semidesert, the waterways in this 200,000-hectare park, fed by a gigantic underground aquifer, are miraculous, their banks lined with paperbarks, gums and native
Millstream palm trees and the pools attracting a wide variety of birds, including herons and cormorants. Water also plays a prominent role in Karijini National Park, 150 kilometres to the south-east, flushing into the gorges gouged out of the rocky plateau by millions of years of weathering by rivers. This isn’t just any rock. In places, such as deep within Hancock Gorge, 2.7 billion‑years‑old strata is more than half the age of our planet. Karijini is as beautiful as it is ancient, with gorges of all shapes, hues and sizes. From the enclosed, bowl-like Joffre Gorge to the small, sedate and explosively green Kalamina Gorge and the broad, four-kilometre long Dales Gorge, the landscape leaves an indelible impression. From Karijini it is about 650 kilometres to Exmouth, WA’s North West Cape, and on to Ningaloo Reef. There’s no better way to end a journey inspired by a mythical sea creature, than by swimming with the ocean’s largest fish, the whale shark, which appears with reliable regularity in Ningaloo’s krill-rich waters between April and July each year. l
Travel
There’s no better way to end a journey inspired by a mythical sea creature, than by swimming with the ocean’s largest fish.
FIRST AID TRAINING FOR ROAD USERS It takes just 30 minutes of your life to learn how to save another. Clicktosave is a FREE online first aid course developed by St John Ambulance. It is designed to teach road users the skills and knowledge required to deliver basic first aid before the arrival of an ambulance.
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Travel brief
News and information for travellers
RAC group tour to India
Canada and Alaska in 2015
The Taj Mahal is arguably the world’s greatest monument to love and its beauty has held visitors spellbound for centuries. It’s just one of the many wonders you’ll experience on RAC’s India group tour. Travelling with other RAC members, you’ll visit some of India’s most breathtaking sites including the Amber Fort in the Pink City of Jaipur, Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert, the Mehrangarh Fort in the Blue City of Jodhpur and Udaipur, the beautiful City of Lakes, where you’ll stay in the magnificent Leela Palace. The RAC group tour to India departs February 2015 and includes bonus excursions for RAC members. Find out more at our free information night at RAC Travel Carousel, Thursday 1 July, 6pm. Register your interest on 9365 4700 or email preferred.travel@rac.com.au.
Start planning your Canada and Alaska adventure now and take advantage of some of the best early-bird offers. There are many options for visiting this stunning region: Visit Canada’s stunning mountains and vibrant cities and explore Alaska’s Inside Passage and Glacier Bay on an ocean cruise. An APT tour of North America can also take you to some of the USA’s best natural and cultural wonders. Early-birds can enjoy a ‘Fly Free to Canada’ offer, including taxes and guaranteed exclusive upgrades. To find out more call 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travel.
100th anniversary of the Panama Canal 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal, the 77‑kilometre shipping canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The canal was an incredible engineering feat that changed international trade forever. Ships travelling through the canal go through a series of locks, which raise and lower them to various levels so they are able to continue along the canal’s waterways. The passage through the locks takes approximately three hours. A US Navy hydrofoil Pegasus completed the fastest transit of the Canal at two hours and 41 minutes.
Among the highest tolls for a transit through the canal was US$330,000, paid by a Disney cruise ship. The lowest toll was US$0.36, paid by Richard Halliburton who swam across the canal in 1928. To mark the 100th anniversary of the official opening of the canal various cruise lines will be conducting anniversary cruises, including Princess Cruises, Holland America and Celebrity Cruises. If you’d like to be part of one of these historic cruises, contact your nearest RAC Travel centre. Call us on 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travel.
Free, fun, affordable RAC Travel’s GottaGoWA campaign gave locals and visitors an opportunity to upload a photo of a fun, free or affordable WA activity or destination. Weekly prizes were also awarded to participants over the three‑month campaign. The results proved that Western Australians are keen to explore a wide range of destinations around their state, including the Goldfields, Pilbara, Mid West and Wheatbelt, and Peel regions. The campaign was a great opportunity for Western Australians to use the power of social media to “Talk Up WA” and encourage others to see places they might not have thought to visit. Browse over the huge variety of experiences, destinations and activities at rac.com.au/ffa. And don’t forget to keep sharing via #GottaGoWA.
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ADVERTORIAL
Brand new cruise website has set sail We are proud to announce our brand new cruise website that will help the discerning traveller to research, plan and book a cruise holiday online. The new RAC Cruise Club website has the ability to connect with an array of cruise lines, providing up to date pricing, availability and a feature which allows you to choose and confirm your own cabin. You can even tailor make your own cruise holiday by combining flights and pre and post accommodation. Over 760,000 Australian passengers departed on a cruise in 2013 and figures are set to pass one million by 2016. Australia has the
fastest growing cruise market outside North America. Fremantle alone is experiencing the biggest cruise season since the early 1970’s with popular cruise ships such as mv Astor, Queen Mary 2, Celebrity Solstice, Seaborn Sojourn, Diamond Princess plus many others that are yet to make their way into Fremantle Port for 2014 and 2015. For more information about cruises departing Fremantle visit our website cruiseclub.rac.com.au
Join our RAC Cruise Club and be rewarded with great benefits such as: » Exclusive invitations to on board ship events » Exclusive offers and discounted rates » Cruise sale weeks offering reduced fares, deposits and on board credits » Competitions » Regular newsletters on the latest special offers » Local cruise experts » Access to a dedicated Cruise Club team
RAC Cruise Club new features
Be kept up to date with the latest offers and cruise packages Find your cruise using the easy search tool Search by cruise lines or destinations
R13546
Read up on the latest cruise news and special events
To book your next cruise holiday visit cruiseclub.rac.com.au or call 1300 655 898
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2/05/2014 2:48:27 PM 7/05/14 5:27 PM
Win
a Murray River cruise and Kangaroo Island tour
We’re giving members the chance to win a trip for two people to enjoy a heritage cruise along Australia’s outback river highway in South Australia.
28 Horizons June / July 2014
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Cruising the mighty Murray River, you’ll pass towering cliffs and ancient gorges, see spectacular wildlife and visit one of Australia’s most significant archaeological sites. Then experience the rugged, untouched beauty of Kangaroo Island on a two‑day tour.
The Murray River.
Your prize includes: + 2 return economy class airfares from Perth to Adelaide + 4‑night Murray Princess Outback Heritage Cruise for two people in an outside cabin + 2‑day Best of Kangaroo Island Tour for two people, staying at the Aurora Ozone Hotel Executive Room + 3 nights’ accommodation in Adelaide staying at Oaks iStay Precinct in a one‑bedroom apartment Kangaroo Island.
To enter visit rac.com.au/murrayriver and complete the online entry form, or send your name, phone number and membership number to Horizons/Murray River competition GPO Box 2944 Perth WA 6800 All entries must be received by 31 July, 2014. See page 79 for terms and conditions.
Oaks iStay Precinct.
June / July 2014 Horizons 29
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Motoring
Words Jane Hammond
Driving the future Could we ever build a crash-proof car? Jane Hammond reports on new technologies bringing the prospect closer to reality.
30 Horizons June / July 2014
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Motoring
I
magine climbing into your car each morning, telling it where you want to go, and then reclining in the front seat, hands off the steering wheel, feet off the pedals, as it reverses out of the driveway. You arrive safely at your destination having taken the shortest, least congested route to work, and having found a convenient vacant parking spot all without lifting a finger. Your intelligent car has done the work for you. It has negotiated its way through traffic, avoided collisions, kept to its own lane, communicated with other vehicles and the roadway, all while you work or rest inside your sleek and comfortable carbon fibre, plastic or aluminum capsule. Welcome to the car of the future. More than just science fiction, car manufacturers and designers are developing safe smart cars that could one day make driving optional and road fatalities an historical curiosity.
behaviours, intelligent cars could be the breakthrough that consumers, road‑safety organisations, governments and the health system have been waiting for. The Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre finds that current vehicles are three times safer as a group than vehicles manufactured thirty or more years ago. In the last 50 years, improved car safety features combined with road safety strategies have reduced the impact of road trauma and saved lives. More recently we have seen changes in active safety features that are moving car design towards the ultimate goal - the crash-proof car. Some of the exciting safety improvements to date include on‑board rear view cameras designed to stop accidental
run‑overs of children or animals and electronic stability control designed to get an out of control vehicle back on track. Other designers are working on refining fatigue monitoring, where a car can sense its driver’s eye activity, posture, head position and steering inputs and act to warn the driver of the need to take a break. Vibrating steering wheels, alarm bells or flashing lights are some of the ways that cars are communicating with their drivers. The technology is already available to enable intelligent cars to communicate with one another to avoid collisions, keep within a safe stopping distance of each other and brake without driver input. RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels Alex Forrest says cars with Your intelligent car will do the work for you. Tell it where you want to go, take your hands off the steering wheel and feet off the pedals as it drives you safely to your destination.
Toward 2020 Computer technology is changing the way we drive today and is likely to lead to even greater changes within the next decade. This is not before time as an estimated 1.3 million people die on the roads world-wide and the United Nations has declared the 10 years to 2020 as the decade for action on road safety. Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy sets a target for reducing fatalities and serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2020. WA has one of the highest fatality rates in the nation with 2013 statistics showing 6.3 people dying for every 100,000 head of population. In 2013, on average, one person died on WA roads nearly every two days. With research suggesting that at least 50 per cent of fatal crashes are attributed to deliberate driver choices such as alcohol, speed, drugs, reckless or careless
Car manufacturers and designers are developing safe smart cars that could one day make driving optional and road fatalities an historical curiosity.
June / July 2014 Horizons 31
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Motoring
Blind‑spot detection technology uses radars or cameras to help monitor blind spots and help drivers change lanes safely. autonomous driving features have been available in Australia for several years but it was still necessary to keep your hands on the steering wheel. Mr Forrest says autonomous braking is among the best known of these features, where sensors on the vehicle detect when it is likely to crash into the vehicle in front. The technology is also known as ‘forward collision alert’ or a ‘collision mitigation system’. “The sensors can activate visual and audible warnings, or autonomously apply the brakes to help reduce the severity of the
impact or avoid it completely. Other currently available autonomous systems include lane keeping, a technology that warns the driver when they stray too close to another lane, and adaptive cruise control. Both are now widely available and reasonably affordable. “Self-driving cars are operating in the United States as prototypes, and they’re just around the corner for consumers. “Manufacturers are moving to more sophisticated autonomous functions such as Infiniti’s system, which can ‘see’ two vehicles ahead, and Toyota’s system, which can automatically steer around errant pedestrians. Volvo is taking steps towards bringing completely autonomous vehicles to consumers. Later this year, it will introduce adaptive cruise‑control with steer assist, which automatically follows the vehicle ahead in queues.” Adaptive cruise‑control detects the speed and distance of the vehicle in front and makes sure
an appropriate distance is maintained by the following car. Volvo has boldly declared its vision that by 2020 no one will be killed or seriously injured in one of its new cars. “Volvo have said the next step from here is technology that follows the car in front at higher speeds, allowing the driver to take his or her hands off the steering wheel while still surveying the drive,” says Mr Forrest. “In 2017, Volvo is planning to run a trial in Gothenburg, Sweden, where 100 self-driving cars will drive on selected public roads in and around the city.” Safety innovations such as these are expected to become standard as prices fall with cheaper chip technology and increasing computer power. The RAC’s Attention Powered Car has raised awareness about not only how much we can become distracted on the road, but also hints at new ways that brain power can be integrated with a car’s
32 Horizons June / July 2014
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Motoring
! Some of the more effective and innovative safety systems currently available include: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a system that helps drivers avoid crashes by reducing the chances of skidding or losing control after oversteering. It uses computer technology to brake selectively to bring a car back in line, avoiding fishtailing. Research quoted by the Transport Accident Commission of Victoria (TAC) finds that ESC can reduce the risk of a single car crash by 25 per cent and of a single four-wheel drive crash by 51 per cent. The TAC says that no other active safety device has such a potential to reduce single car crashes. ESC has become a legal requirement for all new cars sold in Australia.
Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) alerts drivers when they exceed the speed limit by 2km or more an hour. Audio and visual reminders warn the driver they are going too fast. The technology can include a speed limiting function that makes it harder to accelerate when the speed limit of a section of road is exceeded. The technology uses GPS and matches the location of the car with the posted speed limit. The TAC says that if all cars in Australia were fitted with ISA, fatal crashes would be reduced by up to 24 per cent and serious injury crashes by up to 13 per cent. Significant savings in fuel and emissions would also occur. If ISA was used in conjunction with active speed limiting technology in every car in Australia fatal crashes would be reduced by up to 59 per cent and serious injury crashes by as much as 36 per cent says the TAC.
engine. Last year it made a road trip through regional WA and was then tested in controlled conditions at the RAC Driving Centre. The Attention Powered Car uses customised software that connects brain activity with the engine. When attention lapses the car slows down. Among the latest innovations in smart mobile web technology is Google Glass, a headset that allows the wearer to send and receive messages, surf the net and take pictures or videos, hands‑free. The technology is being touted as a means of allowing a driver to see road directions without taking their eyes off the road but the UK Department of Transport is already moving to ban the headsets from being worn while driving due to fears that they could be dangerously distracting.
The technology’s promoters argue that Google Glass can include an app that monitors a driver’s wakefulness and warns of fatigue, thus making the Glass an asset to driver safety. Google is working with the UK department to make sure the headsets are legal for driving. Mr Forrest says that we have been slowly progressing towards completely autonomous cars but he cautions: “It’ll still be a few years until they become common on Australian roads.” The stumbling block may be whether the community will be able to trust hands-free cars. Stories of GPS systems steering hapless drivers into lakes or dead ends are commonplace and only confirm fears that computers can, and do, go haywire. While for some drivers taking the human factor out of the equation will make driving more relaxing, for others, learning to let go of the steering wheel and cede control to a computer may be taking smart technology a step too far. l
More advanced versions of this type of technology use cameras to ‘see’ speed limit signs, which can be more reliable where temporary speed limits are in place, such as where road works are taking place.
Blind‑spot detection systems pick up the distance and closing speed of vehicles in adjacent lanes and alert the driver if there is the chance of a collision. Blind‑spot detection technology uses radars or cameras to help monitor blind spots and help drivers change lanes safely.
Adaptive headlights can give drivers better night vision by illuminating parts of the road in response to changes in the car’s steering, speed and elevation. The lights also respond to oncoming traffic by using sensors to ensure that the car’s headlights do not blind approaching drivers.
Self-driving cars are operating in the United States as prototypes, and they’re just around the corner for consumers. June / July 2014 Horizons 33
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AUTHENTIC ASIA
Experience the heart of Asia by luxury river cruise.
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Saigon to Siem Reap 11 nights RAC EXCLUSIVE from Package includes: $3,695pp* • Return airfare from Perth Adventurer • 7 night cruise aboard Cruiseco Adventurer • 2 nights at the Caravelle Hotel in Saigon • 2 nights at the Raffles Hotel D’Angkor in Siem Reap • Extensive sightseeing & transfers
Yangon to Mandalay 11 nights Package includes: from • Return airfare from Perth $4,899pp* • 7 night cruise aboard Cruiseco Explorer Explorer Mandalay • 2 nights at the Mandalay Hill Resort in Mandalay • 2 nights at the Chatrium Hotel in Yangon • Extensive sightseeing & transfers
Kolkata to Mumbai
LAOS
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SIEM REAP
27 nights Package includes: from • Return Return airfare from Perth $16,499pp* 10 night cruise aboard RV Ganges Voyager • 10 • 17 India 17 nights at various luxury 5 star hotels across India • All meals & most beverages whilst aboard RV Ganges Voyager, & meals per itinerary during land tour (total 59 included meals) • Extensive Extensive sightseeing and transfers on day of arrival & departure DELHI BHARATPUR JAIPUR AGRA
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*Prices are per person in AUD, based on lowest available twin share accommodation. Vietnam & Cambodia, and Burma package prices are based on the lowest priced departure of multiple departures per month. India package is based on 27 Feb 15 departure. Packages include return Economy Class international airfare from Perth, air taxes, cruise with port charges and onboard gratuities, pre and/or post cruise hotel stays, sightseeing and transfers as per selected itinerary (except for India which also includes full land tour with internal flights). Offer valid for a limited time only, capacity controlled and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Travel insurance is mandatory and is at an additional cost. Single supplements apply. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in charges, taxes and currency. Cancellation fees and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions please refer to the relevant Authentic Asia Cruiseco brochure available online at www.cruising.com.au. Cost does not include any additional accommodation or transfers made necessary due to flight schedules however this is available at additional cost. Qantas Frequent Flyer members receive 1 Qantas point for every $1.50 spent on Cruiseco holidays. Points are not awarded on port charges, government fees, onboard gratuities and air taxes. Qantas Frequent Flyer complimentary membership is non-transferable and not available with any other offer. To be eligible you must have made final payment on your package arrangements. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.
1300 655 898 Carousel 9365 4700
rac.com.au/cruise
Joondalup 9308 1600
Visit your local RAC Travel Centre
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Morley 6466 2300
West Perth 9436 4830
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• 2 nights @ Four Points by Sheraton with breakfast in Sandakan • Full Day Tour of Sandakan HIGHLIGHTS IncLude: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a visit to the Australian War Memorial and the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Lunch is included. • 4 nights @ Le Meridien in Kota Kinabalu with Free breakfast 1 Free dinner for 2 persons
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person on twin share accommodation and include return economy airfares ex Perth with Malaysia Airlines S Class (L Class flights for domestic flights KUL / PEN or BKI / SDK). Valid for travel 02 Jun - 13 Nov 14. Penang package is for travel 01 Jul - 13 Nov 14. Airfares seasons surcharges will apply 27 Jun - 24 Jul & 19 Sep - 09 Oct 14.On sale to 16 Jun 14. Le Meridien accommodation season surcharges will apply 15 Jul - 31 Aug 14. Magnellan Sutera accommodation season surcharge will apply 13 Jul - 24 Aug & 01 - 07 Oct 14. Parkroyal Penang accommodation season surcharges will apply to 26 Jul - 31 Aug 14. Parkroyal KL Accommodation season sucharges will apply 01 - 30 Jun 14. Sandakan/KK Package is a from price and seasonal surcharges will apply. Wildlife Package is a from price and seasonal surcharges will apply.All prices are subject to availability & can change without notice. Cancellation & change fees apply. Booking maybe subject to compulsory credit card fees and service charges imposed by the agent. Other conditions apply. Lic 9TA 1121
1300 655 179 Carousel 9365 4700
rac.com.au/travel Joondalup 9308 1600
Visit your local RAC Travel Centre
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Licence No. 9TA1
34 Horizons June / July 2014
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Motoring
Back to the drawing board! Marketed as technologies to transform your driving experience, many car gadgets should never have made it past the concept stage. Horizons charts the rise and fall of some of the car industry’s greatest gadget “fails”.
B
illions upon billions of dollars have been spent by the world’s car companies on research and development, all in a desperate attempt to impress you, and hopefully part you from many of your dollars. But these expensively funded and carefully orchestrated inventions don’t always turn out to be quite as useful, or ingenious as, for example, the very successful airbag, or satellite navigation. The incredible thing about these car “fails” is that to be included on a mass-produced model they have to be signed off by so many people at so many levels in these enormous multinational companies. Which means you can’t just blame one idiot in the marketing
department for coming up with an idea as side-smackingly silly as Mini’s Always Open Timer. Launched in 2009 on the Mini Cooper Cabrio, and promoted with such brilliant advertising slogans as “Never Put The Roof Up” and “RAIN is just a four-letter word”, this was an actual timer taking up otherwise useful space on the dash, the point of which - if there was one - was to keep track of how many hours you’d spent driving with your roof down.
Always open to failure Did they think people would go to Mini club meetings and compare results? And were they seriously suggesting that people would drive around in tropical downpours, soaked to the skin and
thoroughly destroying their car’s interiors, for the sake of watching a little arrow go around a clock face? While it’s true that many people bought Mini Cabrios, it’s safe to assume they did this in spite of the Always Open Timer, rather than because of it. To be fair, a lot of car fails are spawned from good intentions. Someone has tried to tackle a particular problem and simply got it wrong, or over-reached with their invention. Locally, the most infamous example would be the late Peter Brock’s Energy Polariser, which damaged his relationship with Holden and even made his adoring public question his judgement in this case, at least briefly. A well-intentioned man if ever there was one, Brock June / July 2014 Horizons 35
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Motoring
truly believed - in the face of an overwhelming lack of evidence that his Energy Polariser, a tiny box filled with crystals and magnets held in an epoxy resin, would improve the performance, fuel efficiency and handling of the cars he was building for the Holden Dealer Team back in the late 1980s. Brock said the crystals harnessed “Orgone Energy”, which was widely seen as more of a pseudoscience than an actual one. When testing by Holden’s engineers in Detroit and Australia failed to find any benefit from the Polariser, the company insisted Brock remove it from his
Weird but wonderful Citroen is a car company known for doing things a little differently, but occasionally it comes up with an idea of pure genius, like the hydroneumatic suspension system it first fitted to the DS 19, back in 1955. This system automatically adjusted the height of the car to keep it level, and meant that the car would remain driveable, even with a flat tyre. Or four flat tyres, in fact, as was famously proven by the chauffeur for French President Charles De Gaulle (below). On August 22, 1962, assassins attacked his motorcade, firing 140 bullets, killing two of his bodyguards and puncturing all four of his DS’s tyres. Fortunately his chauffeur was able to keep driving and escape, a case of this unique car saving lives in a way that no other vehicle could have. An extreme case, to be fair, but still impressive.
special-edition Commodores, but he refused to build them without it. The result was an acrimonious split between HDT and its favourite son. Alex Forrest, RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels says the biggest surprise was it came from someone with so much pre-existing credibility. “[The idea] came from one of Australia’s greatest drivers, who was near the peak of his powers. I was at an impressionable age and I was willing to believe in it, because someone as great as him, how could he be wrong?” he says. Despite the negative publicity, the Polariser didn’t damage Brock’s relationship with the public for long, and, in 2011, a commemorative VL Retro Plus Pack Commodore was launched by HDT Special Vehicles, complete with Energy Polarisers, built by Peter’s wife, Bev Brock. HDT Special Vehicles didn’t believe the cars would be genuine without them, which just goes to show that some people will even pay for a car fail, if it’s famous enough. Plenty of people have also shelled out money for modern cars fitted with seemingly clever features, such as the hands-free automatic tailgate. A wonderful idea in theory - as so many failed inventions are - the automatic tailgate is designed to bring joy to your day when you’re approaching your car with your arms fully laden with shopping and your brow wrinkled with “how am I going to open this” confusion. There’s no need to get the key out of your pocket, just approach the rear of the vehicle, make a kicking motion underneath the boot, and hey presto, the lid will unlock and the tailgate will rise, majestically, allowing you to dump your load with ease. This is how it works in theory. What actually happens is that you find yourself in a crowded car park, being stared at by wide-eyed fellow motorists as you perform what looks like a particularly unimaginative tai chi routine behind your car. Then in
Hands-free automatic tailgates are a good idea but don’t always work in practice.
your frustration, you inevitably get carried away with your boot-kick and smash your shin into the underside of your car, causing you to hop around on one foot like a bootscooter who only knows one move, possibly dropping your shopping and turning all your eggs into a nonbinding omelette. “Even when it does work, it opens painfully slowly, which isn’t a lot of fun in the pouring rain,” Mr Forrest says. Yes, there must be occasions where these systems do work, and car owners look around the car park with a sense of smug superiority, but the fact is the designers had to work so hard to exclude the possibility of false positives - your boot flying open because a dog ran under the car, a can-can dancer went past or you drove over a particularly vicious pothole - that actually detecting a desperately waving human leg is not a simple task.
Read my lips It’s a similar story with voicecommand technology built into cars. The idea is sound; using spoken instructions instead of fiddly buttons means you can keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, but in practice these systems are notoriously infuriating. All too often your simple request will be misunderstood and you’ll find yourself repeating it, enunciating carefully and loudly like a Sesame Street presenter, only to get nowhere. Occasionally voice-command systems do work seamlessly, and
36 Horizons June / July 2014
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Motoring
it’s claimed that they get better with practice, as the software learns to understand your voice and accent, but it takes Buddha-like patience to reach that point. Most car systems claim to understand 50 to 60 commands, but Ford’s Sync system allegedly recognises 10,000 of them. A bold, and difficult to prove, claim. “I’d love to know what they all are,” Mr Forrest says. “It’s hard to even think up more than 100. Voice activation is a lot like the predictive text on your phone - it doesn’t always get it right, sometimes with comedic results.” Still, the computer voices you can interact with these days are a huge advance on the nanny-like “talking car” that was the 1982 Datsun 810 Maxima. Sold as the future of motoring and later personified by Knight Rider’s KITT, the Maxima could speak a princely six phrases, most of which involved chastising you for not putting your seatbelt on or forgetting to turn your lights off. As you can imagine, this was a novelty for all of one day, after which point owners were slowly but surely driven insane by the inane droning. One system that actually does
The 1982 Datsun 810 Maxima was sold as the future of motoring and the idea of the “talking car” was later personified on television by Knight Rider’s KITT, pictured above with actor David Hasselhoff.
work, and yet might still count as a fail, is the Active Perfume System fitted to the MercedesBenz S-Class. Created by someone who really hates car deodorisers, the perfuming system dispenses pleasant olfactory stimulation into the cabin. S Class owners have to choose between the options of “Nightlife Mood”, “Freeside Mood”, “Sports Mood” and “Downtown Mood”. Putting aside Freeside Mood, because we can’t even begin to guess what that’s supposed to smell like, one wonders just how pungent Nightlife Mood will be, and whether it will smell more like a heavily cologned bouncer or that strange stench that smoke
machines give off in nightclubs. Either way, it’s hard to believe that someone thought this was a good idea. So why do they bother with these fripperies? Mr Forrest reckons it’s a case of looking for an edge, often in strange places. “I think it’s for the extra publicity and marketing wow factor, but it doesn’t always pay off. “It all sounds very seductive, but it wouldn’t make me buy one.” A slightly more sinister fail comes in the shape of self-locking doors, which used to be only optioned in car-jacking-friendly South Africa but now seem to be standard on most new cars. When the deadlocks go wrong, as has happened recently, people can be stuck in their heavily perfumed car interiors, attempting to smash their windows to get out. The scary thing to ponder is, what will car companies come up with next? Robotic co-pilots with appalling banter? Cars that can sense how you’re feeling and try to cheer you up? The only certainty is that the engineers, technicians and marketeers who work there will do their best to impress you. And they will fail, at least occasionally. l
Disastrous design: Five flaws the world can live without
Flower flop
Pop-up problem
Digital disaster
Bullet back-fire
Less is less
Some people just can’t leave well enough alone. The interior of Volkswagen’s Beetle was probably a nice, inoffensive place, until someone decided that what it really needed was a flower vase. Instantly, no man alive wanted to buy one.
Pop-up headlights. There’s a reason you don’t see these 1980s wonders on many modern cars, and that is because they will, like all things, eventually break, or at least malfunction, and then you’ll be stuck on the side of the road, unable to drive home at night.
The digital dashboard might be more common these days, but remember the glowing green ones of yore? Yes, they looked a bit like the Knight Rider’s car, at night, but during the day you couldn’t see them at all. Yet another nice idea in theory. Modern head-up displays show that technology has caught up.
Bullet steering wheels were all the rage at Cadillac for a while, with their conical-shaped steering bosses pointing straight at the driver like, well, a bullet. That was until Sammy Davis Jr lost his eye due to an impact with one of them.
The Reliant Robin deserves a special mention here. A car with three wheels was never a good idea. TopGear proved it.
June / July 2014 Horizons 37
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Experience New Zealand 20 Day Grand NZ Tour
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Motoring
Words Virginia Millen
How old is too old? Our great driving dilemma.
Nobody wants to give up the freedom and independence that comes with having a car but at some point, every older driver and their family is faced with this difficult situation. But as Virginia Millen discovers, with the right advice, the transition can be made easier.
A
ccording to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, by 2036 there will be more than three times the number of people aged over 85 in Australia than there is now. Looking 20 years on from that, one in four Australians will be aged 65 and over. As Australia’s population increases so will the number of older drivers. Australian drivers aged 70 years and over have one of the highest driver fatality rates per distance travelled. And that’s in spite of the fact that older drivers generally have safe driving habits and often modify their driving patterns to accommodate changes in their abilities. La Trobe University Department of
Occupational Therapy honorary senior lecturer Marilyn Di Stefano says it’s important to remember everyone ages at different rates depending on their genetic disposition, lifestyle habits and general health. But a time may come when driving is no longer a safe option. So if there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the question, at what age should one stop driving? “We’re dealing with people who are the most variable across a whole range of different characteristics compared to any other age group through the lifespan,” she says. However, Ms Di Stefano says it’s incredibly important to have regular health checks, including eye checks, and be aware of the health conditions that may affect driving. These include arthritis,
epilepsy, a heart condition, high blood pressure or anxiety. “The reason for that is we want people to be driving at their optimum. Drivers could be missing things on the road because they haven’t had their eyes checked recently,” she says. “They may have developed diabetes-related complications or glaucoma or cataracts, and they just don’t know that they’re missing out on seeing things.” Medication can also impair driving, so it’s important that anyone on medication that makes them drowsy or affects their judgement speak to their GP. In November last year compulsory driving tests for licence holders over the age of 85 were removed across Western Australia. But, annual medical June / July 2014 Horizons 39
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Motoring
Just as older Australians plan to retire from work as they age, they should also put a plan in place to retire from driving.
examinations for drivers over 80 remain in place. A medical professional will look at a person’s previous driving history and medical history, which includes testing blood pressure and visual acuity. If they suspect a person’s ability to drive has been affected by any of these factors an annual on-road test will be required. Ms Di Stefano says a contributing factor to the high fatality statistics for this group is that people tend to be more frail when they’re older. “If you have a similar accident with single drivers and you have a 25-year-old in the same car, same conditions, and then you have a 75 or 80-year-old, same car same conditions, the 25-year-old is going to come out better,” she says. “Because they’re more resilient and they’re able to withstand physical injury better than the 80-year-old.”
If a family member or spouse notices the warning signs before the driver does, they need to find a way to broach what is often a very sensitive conversation.
This highlights the importance of older drivers choosing cars that offer them the greatest safety features, and achieve a high safety rating under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). “There have been quite a few studies done that have highlighted people don’t necessarily purchase vehicles on the basis of safety criteria. It might be more on the basis of cost and size of car. We’re very lucky now that we do have access to vehicles which have high safety ratings because of the ANCAP system,” says Ms Di Stefano.
Know the signs When older drivers find themselves having difficulty reacting to other drivers’ actions, driving at inappropriate speeds, misinterpreting traffic signals, having difficulty with
the glare of oncoming headlights or streetlights or regularly getting lost in familiar surroundings, it’s time to visit a GP to find out what to do next. RAC Senior Manager Policy and Research Anne Still says these warning signs don’t necessarily mean it’s time to stop driving, but they do need to be taken seriously. “It’s important not to ignore the warning signs especially since some of these things can be managed or even resolved through medical treatment. Drivers can use visual or hearing aids, for example. Display of these conditions may not necessarily mean that older drivers have to give up their licence but it’s certainly a warning sign that some corrective action might be required,” she says. Corrective action may not be an option in cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Medical issues
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Motoring
that affect cognitive functioning pose the greatest risk to drivers. It’s predicted that by 2056, one in four Australians over the age of 85 will be diagnosed with dementia. A recent US study examining drivers with dementia found that becoming lost had significant consequences including serious injury and death. Drivers with dementia are often unable to self-assess their ability.
Safety must come first If a family member or spouse notices these warning signs before the driver does, they need to find a way to broach what is often a very sensitive conversation. “It is extremely difficult, but they should talk to the person,” says Ms Di Stefano. “What has to be paramount in the minds of family and carers is not just that person’s safety but the community’s safety.” As well as taking corrective measures, seniors can also modify their driving habits. “We find that people limit themselves to when and where and (with) whom they drive,” says Ms Di Stefano. “If they know they have to navigate somewhere at night they can make sure they take a passenger who can do the navigating for them so they can concentrate on driving.”
Plan to stop driving While retiring from work often represents a significant life change, being unable to drive can feel like a loss of independence. But Ms Di Stefano says, just as older Australians plan to retire from work as they age, they should also put a plan in place to retire from driving. “Because of our increased lifespan we can live anywhere between eight to 10 years beyond the age when we have to give up driving,” she says. Working out what the transport alternatives are before having to give up driving can make a significant difference to a person’s
ability to continue to perform daily tasks and stay in touch with their social network. “The issue in Western Australia is you’ve got a population spread across a very large state. So when people can no longer drive or access transportation via private vehicles, whether it’s the spouse who drives or the family, then you don’t have a lot of public transport unless you live in an urban centre,” says Ms Di Stefano. The best way to navigate this is to pre-plan. For people downsizing or looking for a sea change, moving to an area that has access to public
transport or community buses, or is close to family can make a huge difference to their ability to get around.
Know your options Council on the Ageing Western Australia chair Bettrine Heathcote says there are alternative options to public transport in WA. “You can apply for special taxi vouchers by contacting the Department of Local Government and Community, which give you half-priced taxis,” she says. “Or you could set up a neighbourhood car pool.” Ms Heathcote says there are also local home and community care providers who may have volunteers who pick people up and take them shopping. “Social isolation is one of the biggest problems as a result of losing your licence,” she says. Ms Still says it’s important for older people to be supported by their community, family and friends to maintain mobility when they stop driving. “The key thing is that people aren’t simply cut-off from accessing places and services when they stop driving, that there’s some sort of transition there,” she says. “That’s why it’s important to have the conversation early, to make sure that these other options are on the table including knowing about assistance available from various organisations and family and friends.” l
Stay safe on the road Find out about vehicle modification. Get regular check-ups. Have your vision checked every one to two years and your hearing checked every three years. Be aware of any medications that might interfere with your driving and visit your GP regularly for general health checks.
Western Australians can access the Disability Equipment Grant program through the Independent Living Centre WA. People with a disability can apply for grants to have their vehicle modified. People over the age of 65 with a Centrelink Pension Concession Card can access the Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment and Driver Training program.
Vehicle maintenance and safety. As a rough guide it’s worth getting your car serviced every six months. Your mechanic should do a safety check during every service, which involves checking your car’s tyres, brakes, lights and steering.
Know your limitations. If you have lost confidence driving at night, through busy intersections or on the freeway, restrict driving to places and situations that match your ability and skill level.
June / July 2014 Horizons 41
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Advance
Australian fares.
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*Save up to $640pp based on the Advance Purchase Adult Fare on the Indian Pacific, Perth to Sydney or vice versa. Fares based on Gold Service per person twin share, with single pricing available. For new bookings from 1 April 2014 for travel until 31 March 2015. Advance Purchase fares are available on Platinum and Gold Service and are subject to availability at time of booking and may not be available on the date first requested. In order to receive the Advance Purchase fare, bookings must be made a minimum of 6 months in advance. A 10% deposit will be required at the time of booking. The balance of payment will be due at 6 months prior to departure. If cancelled greater than 6 months prior to departure, no cancellation fee. If cancelled between 3 to 6 months prior to departure, 50% cancellation fee. If cancelled less than 3 months prior to departure, 100% cancellation fee. All fares listed are one way. All fares include fuel price surcharge. Booking, credit card and amendment fees may apply. Not available with any other offer except Accompanied Motorail 50% discount for Platinum and Gold Service guests. All fares, timetables and Off Train Excursions are subject to change without notice. Travel Agent License No. TTA164190. 04209CDBD 0414
1300 655 179 Carousel 9365 4700
rac.com.au/travel Joondalup 9308 1600
Visit your local RAC Travel Centre
Mandurah 9512 8200
Morley 6466 2300
West Perth 9436 4830
Licence No. 9TA1
R13549
South Australia highlights 5 nights » Hills, Vales & Wilderness
8 nights » Adelaide, Murray River & Kangaroo Island
(Self Drive) Inclusions » 5 day car hire from Adelaide » 1 night at Mercure Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide » 1 night at The Manna of Hahndorf » Return Ferry Fare (with standard vehicle) to Kangaroo Island » 2 nights at the Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge, American River » 1 night at McLaren Vale Motel & Apartments
Inclusions » 4 nights at the Mercure Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide » Free Adelaide City Highlights Tour » 3 nights on PS Murray Princess with all meals » overnight Kangaroo Island Coast to Coast Tour including 1 night at Kangaroo Island Seafront » Return ferry transfers from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw » Extensive commentary from local guides » 2 lunches and breakfast provided
RAC members from
695
$
RAC members
* per person
from
twin share
1,501
$
* per person twin share
Tour extensions available
Call 1300 655 898 or visit rac.com.au/travel Licence No. 9TA1 *Valid for travel until March 2015. Murray River Cruise conditions: Prices based on inside cabin. Prices may be subject to change and availability. A selected number of cabins have been allocated for this promotion, once sold normal brochure prices will apply. Self Drive conditions: Hire car includes a Group B car and conditions apply. Packages do not include travel to/from Adelaide and petrol not included. Valid for new bookings only. A non-refundable deposit is due within 7 days at the time of booking. Full payment due 90 days prior to departure. A credit card surcharge of up to 2.5% may apply.
Carousel 9365 4700
»
Joondalup 9308 1600
»
Mandurah 9512 8200
»
Morley 6466 2300
»
West Perth 9436 4830
42 Horizons June / July 2014
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ASTOR’s 2014-15 cruises ex Fremantle Sail Date Itinerary
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38
$5,129*
Southern Explorer: Fremantle, Esperance, Albany, Fremantle
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3
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3
19-Jan-15
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24-Jan-15
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3
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33
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5
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16-Mar-15
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46
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June / July 2014 Horizons 43
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Crash stats
WA 2013
WA crash report 2013:
Could do better. In 2013 Western Australia’s road-fatality rate remained higher than the national rate. On average WA recorded one road death nearly every two days. Historically, WA has been one of the worst performing Australian states and there is still a substantial gap between WA and the national road-safety leaders, Victoria and New South Wales. For WA to be in line with the 2013 national road-fatality rate, at least 30 additional lives would need to have been saved. In 2013, WA recorded 20 fewer fatalities than in 2012. Of particular concern in 2013 was the proportion of vulnerable road-user fatalities in the metropolitan area, specifically motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities. These two groups accounted for almost half of WA’s metropolitan fatalities. Road fatalities in regional WA continue to also be above the state rate. The debate around road safety needs to continue on an informed basis. As a community, we need to ensure we do everything we can to help continue to bring Western Australia’s road-fatality rate down. The message is clear – too many people are dying on our roads.
162
road fatalities
ROAD-USER FATALITIES
44% 20% 17% 14% 4% 1% 1% Drivers
Pedestrians
Passengers
Motorcyclists
Cyclists
Motorcycle passengers
Other
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Crash stats
WA 2013
191 80
WA 2013
%
serious injuries
top crash causes
41% 19% 16% 14%
of fatalities were male an 11% increase since 2012
SPEED ZONES where most crashes occurred
Alcohol/speed/drugs
60
Metropolitan area
Reckless/careless
110
Regional WA
Inattention/fatigue
Contravene sign or signals/turn in front
10% Other
1 in 3 fatally injured
motor vehicle occupants were not using a seatbelt.*
60%
of crashes were attributed* to deliberate driver choices such as alcohol, speed, drugs, and reckless or careless behaviour. *where a cause had been determined
1 in4 drivers
in a fatal crash in regional WA were unlicensed.
Regional WA has 14.2 fatalities per 100,000 persons, three times the metropolitan rate.
*where seatbelt use is known
June / July 2014 Horizons 45
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Test drive Alex Forrest reviews the latest cars on our roads.
Alfa Romeo Mito
W
hen you go to a fine dining restaurant, chances are you’ll have high expectations. It’s the same with buying an Alfa Romeo. When you buy an Alfa, exquisite body styling, a spirited engine and glorious handling is automatically on the menu. You might wait longer to get one and pay more when you eventually do, but the expectation is it will be worth it. However, with the release of its revised Mito line-up this year, Alfa Romeo has gone for an entrée-sized serving in the same restaurant – it has the same attractive looks, but it’s cheaper and slightly less satisfying. For some people though, it’s important to say you own an
exotic-sounding Italian sports car, and having the entrée instead of the main course isn’t so important. Accordingly, the new Mito can now be had for $22,500 plus on-roads, and it’ll come with a tiny, two-cylinder 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet. Compared to the entry‑level cost of the previous Mito, this represents a price drop of about $7,500. The little engine, called the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo, is new to the range and is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox. It gets the little Mito along briskly enough and is light on fuel with an official combined figure of 4.2 litres/100km, however the two-pot turbo isn’t really in keeping with Alfa’s sporting heritage of sweet-
revving, songful engines. Spend a little more, and you’ll have access to the mid-spec 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Progression (from $24,500 plus on‑roads), which has four cylinders and makes a more satisfying 99kW and 206Nm. Top of the range is the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Distinctive ($28,000 plus on‑roads), which brings extras such as dual zone climate control and a leather steering wheel. We drove both the 0.9-litre
Mito and the 1.4-litre turbo at the launch of this new, Series 2 Mito. The 1.4 turbo is clearly the one to have, and more in keeping with Alfa’s tradition of sporting cars. The upside of the little 0.9-litre entry-level Mito is that it could bring more newcomers to the brand than any other Alfa. If that helps the brand bring other, more driving-focused models to Australia, then the two-pot Mito’s place in the Alfa line-up is more than justified. l
Alfa Romeo Mito Price driveaway (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy Kerb weight
$24,500 plus on-roads 1.4-litre turbo petrol 99kW @ 5,000rpm 206Nm @ 1,750rpm 5.5litres/100km 1,130kg
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Test drive Simply put, the Mazda3 is a brilliant small car from a manufacturer that’s currently at the top of its game.
Mazda 3
D
espite it being a four‑year‑old design by the end of 2013, the Mazda3 still managed to be Australia’s second best-selling car after the Toyota Corolla last year. In the two years before that, the Mazda3 had held the crown of best-selling car. Now that the new Mazda3 is here, it’s clear the Corolla will have a fight on its hands in the battle for the sales crown in 2014. Mazda has completely overhauled its all-important small car, from its line-up of highly efficient, high compression engines, through to its extraordinarily good interior ergonomics and the allimportant external styling. Prices are generally down
compared to the previous generation Mazda3, although there’s been a slight increase in the cost of the base model Neo, which is $160 more, now at $20,490 before on‑roads. As in the past, there is no price difference between the hatchback and sedan. There are six model grades, starting with the base model Neo, then the Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT and SP25 Astina. The latter re-introduces the Astina nameplate after more than 10 years. The Neo, Maxx and Touring models have a 2.0-litre engine (114kW, 200Nm), while the SP25 models have the 2.5-litre powerplant (138kW, 250Nm). To get the 2.5-litre engine, you’ll need at least $25,890 plus on-roads for an SP25,
Mazda 3 Price driveaway (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy Kerb weight
but this is well down on the $31,490 that was being asked for previous SP25. Significantly, Mazda conducted extensive research into how long the driver has to look away from the road to interact with controls such as the audio system and the speedo. Among the changes this research initiated was the raised height of the central LCD screen and the inclusion of a heads-up display on the higher specification models.
$29,025 2.5-litre petrol 138 @ 5,700rpm 250 @ 3,250rpm 6.5litres/100km 1,308kg
The research also found that drivers have to look at a touchscreen for a longer amount of time than when a button is used for the same function. Hence, the display is operated by buttons and a toggle, which with familiarity, can be operated without looking away from the road. Simply put, the Mazda3 is a brilliant small car from a manufacturer that’s currently at the top of its game. Watch out, Corolla and Golf. l June / July 2014 Horizons 47
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Test drive
T
here’s a belief among some car buyers that no matter how expensive a hatchback may be, the equivalent sedan version will always convey that little extra bit of luxury and, dare we say it, prestige. It harks back to a time when hatchbacks were associated with utilitarian economy cars, and is also related to the fact that the world’s most luxurious cars are typically sedans. The launch of the new Audi A3 Sedan in January 2014 may well appeal to this niche, but it’ll also appeal to people who simply want a great handling, luxury sedan at a reasonable price.
A sedan this size is new territory for Audi, and although it doesn’t share any body panels with the A3 Sportback (it’s slightly bigger overall), there’s no doubting this new baby’s lineage. For a start, the A3 Sedan can be had with the excellent 1.4 TFSI turbo petrol engine, which is already available in the A1 and the A3 Sportback, although this iteration of the 1.4 has an extra 13kW, taking the little turbo’s output to 103kW and 250Nm. Also available under the bonnet of the A3 sedan is a 1.8 TFSI turbo petrol engine or 2.0 TDI turbo diesel, both of which will already be familiar to Audi and Volkswagen customers.
There is also an all-wheel drive quattro A3 Sedan, which is only available with the 1.8-litre turbo. All versions come with Audi’s S‑tronic DSG gearbox. At the A3 sedan’s launch earlier this year, we drove all variants but found the 1.4 TFSI to have the best combination of handling and ride suppleness. The 1.8 TFSI quattro is by far the handling king and on moist roads it hung on like a tree frog
in a gale, but its stiffer sports suspension made for a more jiggly ride at lower speeds. For some though, that will be a small price to pay in exchange for such sharp steering response and the surefootedness of all‑wheel drive. Pricing for the A3 Sedan starts at $39,800 plus on-roads for the 1.4 TFSI, and ranges up to $47,800 for the 1.8 TFSI quattro Ambition model. l
Audi A3 sedan Price (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy Kerb weight
$51,440 plus on roads 1.8-litre turbo petrol 132kW @ 5,100-6,200rpm 250Nm@ 1,250-5,000rpm 5.6litres/100km 1,370kg
Audi A3 sedan
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Test drive The fit and finish of the interior is a big leap forward from its predecessor... with a centrally mounted touchscreen and a clear and simple layout of the main dials.
Toyota Corolla sedan
C
orollas are deservedly known for being reliable, conservative and for having excellent resale value and it’s why they remain the default new car choice for thousands of Australians. Now we have the new Corolla sedan, which was introduced in February this year, about 16 months after the new Corolla hatch was launched. The new one is bigger inside and out, including a massive boot, which has increased to 470 litres in volume, up by 20 litres. Thanks to a 100mm increase in the length between the front and rear wheels, there’s more room in the cabin too, especially with regards to rear seat leg room.
The sedan’s suspension set up isn’t as stiff as the current hatch, but it does handle better than the old Corolla sedan. This is thanks in part to a more rigid body, the longer wheelbase and the wheels having been pushed closer to the corners of the car. The fit and finish of the interior is a big leap forward from its predecessor, but the actual design is conventional, with a centrally mounted touchscreen and a clear and simple layout of the main dials. Externally, Toyota has worked on the styling to keep it modern but not so avant-garde it will drive away its loyal client base. The result is a styling language Toyota awkwardly calls “keen look”, which made us wonder whether the car could wink!
The one real standout feature on the new Corolla sedan is the new gearbox. It cleverly utilises the benefits of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but mostly eliminates the downsides of CVTs by operating in concert with a more conventional torque converter. Without getting too technical, it means the high-revving, slipping feeling typically associated with CVTs is virtually gone. Instead, it has
the stepped gear changes of a conventional torque converter, because it has one of these too. Frankly, it’s the best CVT we’ve driven. Pricing for the Corolla sedan starts at $23,750 drive away for the base model Ascent, though if you want any colour other than white, it’ll be another $450 for metallic paint. The mid-spec SX is $26,075 drive away, while the range-topping ZR is $34,580. l
Toyota Corolla sedan Price driveaway (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy Kerb weight
$34,580 1.8-litre petrol 103kW @ 6,400rpm 173Nm @ 4,000rpm 6.6litres/100km 1,295kg June / July 2014 Horizons 49
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50 Horizons June / July 2014
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What’s new
The latest news from the motoring world
Honda Odyssey The launch of the third generation Honda Odyssey in 2003 showed the world that people movers don’t have to be daggy, a revelation continued with the fourth generation in 2008. The fifth generation Odyssey arrived in February and although it’s not as sleek as its predecessors, there’s more room inside including an eight-seater option and sliding rear doors – an excellent option for tight car parking spots. The engine is the familiar 2.4-litre petrol from previous models, although start-stop technology has helped cut its thirst down to 7.6L/100km. It’s more like a van now, but still beautifully built and now an even bigger threat to Kia Grand Carnival sales. Pricing starts at $43,425 drive away. l
A new Panda in the family Fiat has launched a tiny but rather cute SUV-like baby hatchback named the Panda Trekking. It’s really a Panda light car with some plastic body mouldings added and it’s still front‑wheel drive only, so serious off‑road driving isn’t an option. It looks rugged though, and its boxy styling makes it quite roomy for a light car. Priced at approximately $27,000 drive away, the Trekking is at the top of the Panda range, which also includes the Pop, Easy and Lounge variants with the Pop at entry level at $16,500 drive away. The Trekking has a 1.3-litre turbo diesel, which makes 55kW and 190Nm. It’s not as cheap as a Toyota Yaris, but chances are, it’d be the only one in your street. l
An affordable Aston?
I
f your lotto numbers still haven’t come up and your dream of owning an Aston Martin seems to be slipping away, this might just be a way to fast track those dreams into reality. Meet the DB Junior, a scaled-down but still handcrafted Aston Martin, powered by a 110cc petrol four-stroke engine. The DB Junior is made by Nicholas Mee & Co, a UK car dealer, which also sells full-sized vintage Aston Martins. The car has an electric starter, working lights, indicators and a horn, and the paint colours can even be matched to a full-size Aston already in the family. Although designed for children over 10 years old, the car can fit an average sized adult. It’s much cheaper than its full-sized siblings, but at $30,000, is still the Aston Martin of the toy world.
Infiniti looks ahead Nissan’s luxury brand, Infiniti, launched its new Q50 sedan earlier this year, bringing with it a world‑first collision avoidance technology monitoring up to two cars ahead. The radarbased system is called Predictive Forward Collision Warning, and doesn’t just react to the speed/distance of the car in front, but also the car in front of that. Nissan says the system is able to detect changes outside the driver’s field of view, and alert the driver with both a visual warning on the dashboard and an audible warning. The car can also be purchased with autonomous braking, so in addition to the early warning, it will also automatically apply the brakes if the system senses there is a risk of a crash with the vehicle directly in front. l
June / July 2014 Horizons 51
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Save the and save
HOMES FROM $229,000 Only 15 lots remaining
money
at National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater
CONVENIENT LOCATION National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater is set on a picturesque 40-acre site located between the Peel Inlet, an A-grade nature reserve and the Erskine Shopping Centre. Plus it’s minutes from the Mandurah city centre, train station and beautiful beaches.
GATED COMMUNITY To give you an added sense of security, National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater is a gated community where the gates open at dawn and close at dusk. Your home features a video intercom system to the front gate so you know exactly who’s coming to visit.
Allen and Jan Isaac are enjoying an eco-smart, low-cost lifestyle after moving into National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater, Mandurah. The Isaacs are reducing their ecological footprint and saving money due to the built-in, environmental initiatives at National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater. Water management principles, such as sub-surface irrigation, water wise fittings and a rainwater tank fitted to their home, has reduced the Isaacs’ average water bill to just $20 a year. The couple also have a healthy electricity credit thanks to solar panels on their roof. “I think we are using just four units of electricity a day,” says Mrs Isaac.
We haven’t paid a single electricity bill since the panels were installed. “We turn the lights on at night, and only occasionally during the day in winter. Our home faces north, providing ample natural light. It’s beautiful.”
ESTABLISHED FACILITIES You’ll have daily access to a huge range of established resort-style facilities, including an indoor heated pool, bowling green, tennis court, workshop, clubhouse and more. National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater is nestled between the Erskine estuary and the ocean, enabling residents to make the most of the sea breeze.
We open our doors to let the breeze filter through. “There’s water all around us, so it’s a lovely, cool relief on summer afternoons,” says Mrs Isaac. The Village prides itself on smarter living, boasting a recycling centre, chook-run and a thriving vegetable patch, intended to supply the residents with organic produce year round. The Isaacs live in a sustainable two-bedroom, one-study home with one bathroom and two toilets. “It’s an ideal size for us with room for the family when they visit,” says Mrs Isaac.
REDUCED FINANCIAL BURDEN At National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater, you’ll enjoy the benefits of home ownership without the financial burden and responsibilities of land ownership. You simply pay a weekly rent for the land, facilities, infrastructure and services.
YOU’LL NEVER FEEL ALONE As a resident, you’ll be part of a close-knit community with an unending program of events and activities. And when you need some quiet time, you can retreat back to your very private home and garden.
VISIT OUR SALES OFFICE To find out more, come and view our selection of homes for sale at 106 Oakleigh Drive, Erskine, WA 6120. Our Sales Office is open daily from 10am-4pm.
/nationallifestylevillages
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@nlvgroup
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Only a limited number of pre-loved, established homes are available at National Lifestyle Villages Bridgewater. To find out more, call Regina on 9550 4882 or visit nlv.com.au/bridgewater today.
8/05/14 11:28 AM
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Ask the car doctor
d re e. y es.
Our experts answer your questions
a at ures so
You can be a winner If your question is published you will receive a copy of the new UBD Gregory’s 2014 Perth and Surrounds Street Directory from RAC Travel, which includes new streets and suburbs, petrol station locations and more.
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,
See page 79 for terms and conditions of entry.
Send your questions to:
Downshift disagreement
d,
Q
I had a discussion with a friend who said my habit of using the semiautomatic gears to downshift and the engine to brake when approaching red traffic lights would add undue wear to the car’s transmission. I disagreed – which one of us is correct?
nit f d
Scott Langmead
A:
CM•NLV1317
The automatic transmission has inbuilt protection features that will not allow you to downshift if it would exceed the engine’s maximum RPM or exceed the abilities of the transmission. Most vehicles will also now “rev match” the change by disengaging the transmission, lifting the revs and then reengaging the transmission. If you are driving sensibly, then this style of active driving would be of no harm.
Low coolant levels
Q
Just as I was about to begin the return trip of a five-hour journey, I noticed the coolant level in my car was getting low. With no extra coolant on hand my dad suggested topping up the coolant with water. Is this safe to do in an emergency? Will it do any harm to my car? Anita Liyanage, Aveley
A:
Normal tap water contains many contaminants that can cause damage to your vehicle’s cooling system. You should only use distilled water to top up the system. If normal tap water is put into the cooling system you will need to have the system flushed out and the coolant replaced as soon as possible.
Whose fault a faded roof?
Q
I recently visited a smash repairer as I wanted to have my car re-painted because the bonnet and roof top had badly faded. The smash repairer advised me that using a “silver sunshade“ across the front windscreen causes the sun to reflect with the silver onto the paintwork and make it fade. Is this true? Bruce Nayler, Mandurah
A:
Your sunshade would have no effect on the rate at which your paint fades. The reason your bonnet and roof are fading is because they receive more sun than any other panel and tend to receive less attention when your car is being washed. It is recommended to wash your vehicle at least once a month and then treat the panel work to a wax and polish.
The Car Doctor RAC Horizons GPO Box C140 Perth WA 6839 or email: editor@rac.com.au Please include your full name, address and day-time telephone number with your query. If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for the delivery of your prize.
Contact
US If you have a motoring question, don’t forget that RAC members can take advantage of our Motoring Advice Line.
Call 13 17 03 Monday to Friday between 10am and 2pm, to speak to one of our experts. June / July 2014 Horizons 53
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Member Lounge People, places, prizes and RAC news
Top five
Winter car‑care tips
RAC Auto Service’s mechanic Mark Finch gives his top five tips for winter car care so you can prepare your car now for the wet weather ahead.
l Replace your windscreen wiper
l Get your brakes checked.
blades. Over summer damage from the heat and sun can make them less effective at removing water, potentially reducing visibility.
Worn brakes, like tyres, can extend your stopping distance and increase the risk of a collision on a wet road.
l Check your car’s tyres for wear and
tear. If the pressure is too low or tyres are worn below the legal 1.5mm limit they will have less grip on the road and may increase your stopping distance. l Check your front and rear lights. RAC Auto Service’s Mark Finch
You will use them more in wet weather to see the road and improve the visibility of your car to others.
l Cold weather can take its toll
on car batteries. Ensure terminals are clean and remember to switch off lights when you finish driving. RAC Auto Services reminds members to book a service now in preparation for winter driving. Member servicing starts from $136 and all RAC services also include a safety check.
To book call 1300 652 451.
Getting members to the good times We know how frustrating it can be when you need to be somewhere and your car lets you down. RAC’s Roadside Assistance consultants deal with this situation every day. Here are just a couple of examples. Our Roadside consultant Katheryn helped a member who broke down on the way to a yacht race. With the race on hold until he got there, Katheryn organised a roadside patrol to be there within 20 minutes, which meant he made it to the start line with little delay. And Roadside consultant
Tia helped a member who was attending a wedding ceremony and locked her keys in the boot of her car in the church car park. Tia arranged for a Patrol to open the boot so the member could re-join the wedding just in time for the start of the reception. Everyone needs to be somewhere when they get in their car, whether it’s a school drop-off, work, a job interview or a special event like a wedding. For more information on Roadside Assistance and to check which level of cover suits your lifestyle, visit rac.com.au/roadside.
$5000 cash‑back giveaway Win $500 cash‑back each week with RAC Security. Buy an RAC home alarm before 30 June and you could win one of 10 $500 cash‑back prizes. For more information plus terms and conditions go to rac.com.au/security.
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Member Lounge Download our free Horizons app now to discover where you can save on everything from vehicle maintenance to groceries, entertainment and travel.
Supporting our community The RAC’s Community Sponsorships program’s Grass Roots category is now open all year and offers up to $5000 for each initiative. If you have a larger project in mind the Project category provides up to $20,000 for unique and enriching initiatives. Since the Community Sponsorships program started in 2011, more than $675,000 in sponsorship has been provided to support a variety of community initiatives across WA. Through this program, the RAC recently supported a project delivered by Technology Assisting Disability WA (TADWA) to give three children with disabilities living in the South West the chance to experience the excitement of riding a bike for the first time. The bikes were customised to suit each child’s specific needs as part of TADWA’s Freedom Wheels program. The next Project round closes on 30 June 2014 but Grass Roots is open all year round for smaller initiatives. To find out more download our Community Sponsorships Handbook from rac.com.au/sponsorship.
WIN! one of Australia’s best cars
Thanks to RAC’s Member Benefits program we’re giving members the chance to win a brand new Subaru Forester 2.5i – a winner in the 2013 Australia’s Best Cars Awards, valued at about $36,000. It includes 12 months’ registration, 12 months’ free RAC Comprehensive Car Insurance, 12 months’ free RAC Ultimate Plus Roadside Assistance membership or upgrade.
Window of opportunity Many home burglaries are opportunistic, with the intruder taking advantage of unsecured home‑entry points. Windows are most often the weak points, especially windows not visible from the street. Glen Walker, Manager of RAC Home Claims says “generally speaking, burglars will force the lock or window frame to gain entry, but we also see instances of windows, including sliding glass doors, being smashed to gain entry, especially at the rear of a property.” Security film can guard your home against smash‑and‑grab attacks by providing an additional barrier over your windows and glass doors. Unlike regular glass, which shatters on impact, security film holds glass together, forcing an intruder to take more time and make a lot more noise. Security film also reduces damaging UV rays and helps retain your view. For more information and to book an obligation free quote with an RAC Security Consultant call 1300 132 735.
We’re also giving away 2nd prize $5000 RAC Travel voucher 3rd prize $1000 WISH Gift Card To enter simply visit rac.com.au/winacar and fill out your details. By entering you will be added to the RAC Member Benefits eNews subscription list so we can inform you of regular RAC member benefits and special offers*. Current Member Benefits eNews subscribers may also enter via the same online form. All entries must be received by 30 June, 2014. See page 79 for terms and conditions. *You may unsubscribe from the eNews at any time but must be subscribed to be eligible for the prizes.
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Member Lounge Download our free Horizons app now
to discover where you can save on everything from vehicle maintenance to groceries, entertainment and travel.
One size won’t fit all
Reg is ready to roll Reg Blewett’s first vehicle restoration was a 1933 Dodge truck with a wooden cabin. He found it abandoned on Cobra Station near Mount Augustus. After two failed attempts to tow it out, he had it trucked to Perth and started the process of bringing it back to life. Reg, who worked as an RAC Patrol for many years and recently helped refurbish the RAC’s historic BSA Patrol motorcycle, has long held a passion for vintage vehicle restoration. Inside his ‘back shed’ he has amassed a mighty collection of 23 vintage vehicles, including five Model‑A Fords. The Fords range in age from 1928 to 1930 and Reg will be proudly displaying them at the 23rd Australian Model A Ford Rally in Busselton from 22 to 27 September. The rally is presented by the Model‑A Ford Restorers Club with support from the RAC Community Sponsorship program. To find out more about the Rally contact Toni Mahony on 9271 7630 or email toni.mahony@bigpond.com.au.
Rapid advances in vehicle technologies have resulted in car batteries also evolving to meet new demands. For this reason, many newer cars may need a specific battery type, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. For car owners it can be difficult to know which type best suits their make and model. RAC’s battery technicians are equipped with the latest vehicle information and battery specifications. Having a battery chosen and fitted by a professional will ensure your car is operating under optimal conditions. Fitting the right battery to the right car will also help prolong the life of the battery. l
Your winter storm checklist Storms are the most common natural hazard in Australia and on average cause more damage every year than cyclones, earthquakes, floods and bushfires. Last year the number of RAC home claims increased by more than 50 per cent during winter, with damaged fences the most common claim type.
To prepare your home for winter storms you can:
Julia’s ride for cancer support The Red Sky Ride is a gruelling 1000 km endurance cycling event from Perth through the South West and back to Perth. The ride is the major fundraising event for the SolarisCare Foundation, which provides support to cancer patients and their carers. This year’s ride ambassador was cancer survivor Julia Pangbourn, an RAC team member. Julia was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. After undergoing surgery, the mother of two went through six months of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. Julia raised more than $10,000 through the ride and was one of only two female riders along with her friend Kym. “Having been through my cancer journey, I think this is a great opportunity for me to give back to those that helped me along the way.” Find out more at redskyride.com.au.
l Trim trees around
your property to prevent falling branches. l Hire a contractor to clear trees surrounding power lines. l Secure any loose outdoor objects such as outdoor furniture. l Check your roof and gutters for damage or loose material. l Clear gutters and downpipes and check for blockages to avoid overflow during heavy rain. l Keep an emergency kit handy, including a battery-operated radio, a torch with spare batteries and a first‑aid kit. For more tips on storm preparation check our fact sheet at rac.com.au/storm.
Win a regional WA UBD
The UBD and Gregory’s Western Australia Street Directory is a glove box essential for anyone travelling around Western Australia. The directory contains detailed maps of over 130 regional cities and towns all shown in alphabetical order, including local information, facilities listings, places of interest, accommodation and a schedule of local events. Once you own this guide you’ll never leave home without it. RAC Travel is giving five lucky members the chance to win a WA street directory.
To enter Send your name, address, phone number and membership number to: Horizons/WA Street Directory GPO Box 2943 Perth 6800 For terms and conditions, see page 79.
56 Horizons June / July 2014
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SUBARU.COM.AU
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SUBARU FORESTER 2.5i - IT’S THE REAL THING 2013 AUSTRALIA’S BEST SUV UNDER $45K The Smarter Safer Further Forester features our legendary combination of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Boxer engine for optimum grip, balance and control – a combination that experts all over the world agree makes all the difference when it comes to awards. Alongside the 2013 Australia’s Best Cars award, the Forester has also recently been awarded:
2013 SUV < $45,000
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• Mid Range SUV of the Year by UK 4x4 Magazine • Best Car to Buy 2014 by US automotive publisher High Gear Media • 2014 Sport/Utility of the Year by US Motor Trend magazine So why buy a watered down SUV when you can own the legend that is Forester. Find out more or arrange a test drive at subaru.com.au
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Entertainment
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Show your RAC membership card and start saving now
Make the most of your membership by following these simple steps:
As an RAC member you get access to discounts at over a 100 retail and travel partners. Check out these latest offers.
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1. C heck out the latest offers in this issue
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73 Shopping & Lifestyle 75 Automotive 76 Travel & Holidays
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Going to the movies just got easier
Each month we’re giving away tickets to an event at Perth Arena. To enter, sign up to our Member Benefits eNews and we’ll keep you posted. Plus, hear about other great deals and competitions exclusive to RAC members.
Buy your discounted cinema eVouchers online and show it on your smartphone at the box office – it’s that simple!
Buy and download yours today at rac.com.au/download Cinema eVouchers are delivered by email. eVouchers must be downloaded to your smartphone and barcodes shown for scanning at the box office to redeem your voucher.
Stay up to date at rac.com.au/pertharena
60 Horizons June / July 2014
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Entertainment
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30% on toys this June & July
To celebrate our new partner, Toys Paradise, RAC members will save 30%* during June and July. Find everything from electronic games to action figures and dolls, pool and outdoor toys to jigsaws and more â&#x20AC;&#x201C; online only. Plus, RAC members will save 10%* at Toys Paradise all year round.
Shop online and save rac.com.au/toysparadise *30% off sale commences June 1 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31 July 2014. Normal discount is 10% only. Discount is applied to the lowest promoted price including sale items and applies in addition, and concurrently, to all other promotions including other reward and/or loyalty programs.
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February June/ /March July 2014 2014 Horizons Horizons 61
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Entertainment
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
WIN ONE OF FIVE FAMILY PASSES tO thE FIrSt gAME OF thE 2014/15 SEASON to go into the draw^, simply email wildcats@wildcats.com.au and tell us how many championships the Perth Wildcats have won.
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62 Horizons June / July 2014
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Home & Garden
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Home & Garden
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Home & Garden
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Enjoy your outdoor living area this summer in style
10%* off RollER SCREENS foR RAC MEMBERS External Roller Screens are an effective way to give your home the lifestyle and comfort you deserve. Conveniently operated from anywhere in the home at the touch of a button, Nu Style Roller Screens allow you to control the amount of sunlight and ventilation with complete privacy without sacrificing your view.
Your NuStyle Roller Screens can be functional all year around. Keeping your alfresco warm in winter and even cooler in summer. By fully closing the screen you will benefit from up to 85% light control and shade cover, with an outstanding up to 95% heat control and UV block. It not only drastically reduces the harsh summer heat but also reduces your cooling and energy costs.
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Home & Garden
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*RAC member discounts and offers are not applicable to warranty renewal contracts or other Termico offers. Offer only applicable in metro and selected country areas (Bunbury and Busselton). Spider treatment not available with pre-purchase inspection. Offer available once per household.** To approved customers only.
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66 Horizons June / July 2014
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SIZE WAS NOW SAVE
SIZE WAS NOW SAVE
SIZE WAS NOW SAVE SIZE WAS NOW SAVE
5x4 6x4 7x4 8x4 9x4
5x4 6x4 7x4 8x4 9x4
5x5 6x5 7x5 8x5 9x5
$3060 $3672 $4284 $4896 $5508
$2754 $3305 $3856 $4407 $4958
$306 $367 $428 $489 $550
$6120 $7080 $7644 $8736 $9828
$5508 $6372 $6880 $7863 $8846
$612 $708 $764 $873 $982
$3825 $4590 $5355 $6120 $6885
$3443 $4131 $4820 $5508 $6197
GABLE ROOF $382 $459 $535 $612 $688
5x5 6x5 7x5 8x5 9x5
$7375 $6638 $737 $8190 $7371 $819 $9555 $8600 $955 $10920 $9828 $1092 $12285 $11057 $1228
MANY MORE PRODUCTS ON OFFER! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL STOCK LISTINGS!
WORKSHOPS
$4058
$4134
$5427
MASSIVE RANGE OF SIZES AND COLOURS
$6180
SAVE UP TO
$411
ON WORKSHOPS
5.34 x 3.10 6.11 x 3.10 6.88 x 3.10 7.65 x 3.10 8.44 x 3.10 9.22 x 3.10
$4689 $4938 $5203 $5479 $6032 $6384
$3829 $4058 $4303 $4549 $5082 $5414
$860 $880 $900 $930 $950 $970
5.34 x 3.87 6.11 x 3.87 6.88 x 3.87 7.65 x 3.87 8.44 x 3.87 9.22 x 3.87
$4780 $5034 $5311 $5599 $6162 $6604
$3900 $4134 $4391 $4649 $5192 $5614
$880 $900 $920 $950 $970 $990
5.34 x 4.66 6.11 x 4.66 6.88 x 4.66 7.65 x 4.66 8.44 x 4.66 9.22 x 4.66
$5918 $6347 $6494 $6731 $6891 $7244
$5018 $5427 $5554 $5771 $5911 $6244
$900 $920 $940 $960 $980 $1000
5.34 x 6.2 6.11 x 6.2 6.88 x 6.2 7.65 x 6.2 8.44 x 6.2 9.22 x 6.2
$6886 $7200 $7656 $8135 $8533 $8973
$5886 $6180 $6596 $7045 $7403 $7823
$1000 $1020 $1060 $1090 $1130 $1150
2.23 x 3.05 x 2.1 3.05 x 3.05 x 2.1 3.89 x 3.05 x 2.1 4.56 x 3.05 x 2.1 5.37 x 3.05 x 2.1 6.15 x 3.10 x 2.1
WAS $1215 WAS $1447 WAS $1571 WAS $1816 WAS $1986 WAS $2141
$1107 $1261 $1452 $1632 $1791 $1918
WAS $1361 WAS $1571 WAS $1794 WAS $2056 WAS $2213 WAS $2435
$1181 $1367 $1558 $1738 $1897 $2024
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DISPLAY CENTRES OPEN: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm â&#x20AC;¢ Saturday 10am-1pm
www.factorydirectwa.com.au
division of kalmar pty ltd
*Terms and Conditions apply. Free Installation Metro area only. Unless otherwise stipulated, optional extras on all products include but not restricted to, shire plans and specifications, building permit fees, planning approval fees, water corporation fees, delivery, installation, concrete floors, skylights, in-fills, freestanding units, lattice, windows and personal access doors. All colorbond garages and workshops have zinc roof as standard.
June / July 2014 Horizons 71
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Home & Garden
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
RAC Members receive
Free upgrade to remote control system with every shutter purchased
Guaranteed to beat any written quote!
Custom made for your protection
72 Horizons June / July 2014
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Home & Garden Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Shopping & Lifestyle
RECEIVE A 10%* DISCOUNT ELITE POOL COVERS Visit our showroom
Elite... WA’s best-selling pool covers • Stops evaporation • Keeps your pool cleaner • Heats your pool by up to 10°C Call now and do your bit to help save our precious water. Contact Elite with your pool size and take advantage of the 10% discount (phone/counter quotes only).
Call 9240 2262
(Country call: 1300 136 696) or visit our factory showroom, at 10 Cressall Road, Balcatta
*Offer available until 31 July 2014. Factory direct sales only. Not valid with any other offer or if Elite has to measure pool.
Receive a 10%* discount on all paRts eden Roc GaRaGe dooRs Garage Door Needing Attention? We install, repair and service all makes and models of doors and motors. We also have a fully stocked paRts shop Which supplies all bRands of • Remotes • Springs & Hinges • DIY Motors & Parts
Call 9303 9334
SAVE Save$390 $390with with Garden GardenWater WaterBores Bores
Metro-wide retic and bore installation and repairs
receive $150 off installation and a Free 3/4˝ tap and receive $150 off installation and a Free 3/4” tap and pressure release valve worth $240 with all new bores. pressure release valve worth $240 with all new bores.
Call 734300 300oror 0411 Call 1300 1300 734 0411 511511 611611
also alsobore boreand andreticulation reticulationservice serviceand andmaintenance maintenance
SAVE 10% with THERMAL BUILDING INSPECTIONS
Unit 1/5 Quantum link Wangara WA 6065 Online parts and spares - Fast WA Delivery www.edenrocgaragedoors.com.au
Save 10% on all pre-purchase inspections including Structural/Building with Thermal Imaging.
*When you show your RAC card at time of booking.
Call 1300 720 908 or email info@tbiwa.com.au
www.tbiwa.com.au
Save 35% Floreat ProPerty SettlementS
Perth & WA
If purchasing or selling your home or rural property, Floreat Settlements will provide a 35%* discount on the scaled settlement fee to raC members. *applies to all metropolitan and country areas.
FOLDING | LIGHTWEIGHT | ELECTRIC | MOBILITY SCOOTER
raC memBerS, we’ll matCh any wrItten quote.
Revitalise your life!
Call 9245 4822 or email admin@floreatsettlements.com.au www.floreatsettlements.com.au
NEW! Free Travel R E kit VE
RSE for RAC M ODEL Members worth $50 16KG
Receive a 10%* discount with PeRth daylighting improve general wellness and mood at home with a solatube skylight! • world’s best tubular skylight system– bright light without the heat! • eliminate the gloom inside your home! • cut house hold energy costs! • working models in showroom
Call 9240 4045
www.perthdaylighting.com.au *terms and conditions apply
New! EW!
light = space
N Superlight IGHT Shopper U S PERL 11kg ER P & Reverse P SHO 16kg Model 11KG
The TravelScoot is the world’s lightest and most compact folding mobility travel scooter!
Call Pam at WEST COAST MOBILITY for a demonstration! Local Perth call:
08 6460 9079 Mob: 0409 299 845
www.travelscoot.com.au
FREECALL 1300 282 300 June / July 2014 Horizons 73
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Shopping & Lifestyle
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Breakthrough Savings on Latest Save Technology Hearing Aids $500* On each new hearing aid
Now start at only
1,495
$
ea
After discount
A brand new breakthrough in hearing aid technology is now available in Perth from Hearing Loss Specialists Clinics, and money back the it’s virtually invisible. guarantee** This new hearing aid needs no physical If you’re not completely adjustments – it automatically adjusts satisfied with your to different sounds by using an advanced hearing aid digital computer. It’s so easy to use because it’s fully automatic, so you can relax and enjoy the sounds you want to hear. Don't settle for second best when you can now have the next generation of digital hearing aids without side effects such as overwhelming background noise.
30 Day
This new miniature hearing aid is not suitable for all types of hearing loss. A Hearing Assesment is Required.
Exclusive Offer for RAC Members: You will be eligible for $500 off the regular price on each hearing aid. $1,000 discount for both ears.
All Clinics 9350 6311 www.hearingloss.net.au *Not valid with any other promotion
**Conditions apply
Main Clinic: 12 Pattie Street, Cannington • Balcatta • Cannington • Rockingham • Wembley
74 Horizons June / July 2014
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Shopping & Lifestyle Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Premium Quality Electric Bikes Award Winning Folding Bikes The secret’s out @ebikesrus
Automotive
SAVE 10%* AT MISS MAUD SWEDISH RESTAURANT Come and enjoy 10% off our irresistible Smörgåsbord Breakfast or lunch – Monday to Saturday Smörgåsbord Dinner – Sunday to Thursday Please present your valid RAC Card to receive the discount for your entire group. Only one payment per table.
Reservations are essential. boutique restaurant specialising in gourmet burgers. 97 MURRAY STREET PERTH stores: leederville | 743 newcastle st | (08) 9228 2230 Call 9325 3900 northbridge | 189 William street northbridge | (08) 9227 0668 or email restaurant@missmaud.com.au subiaco | 1 rokeby road (rear) corner roberts & rokeby | (08) 9381 1895 *Excluding special events. Not valid with any other offer. Valid 1 June – 31 July 2014. fremantle | 74 south terrace, shops 10-14, fremantle Markets |(08) 9335 5433 www.jusburgers.com.au
Electric Bike Specialists
Servicing made easy • Fully integrated Wiring Harness & components ELECTRIC BIKES 5 MODELS • Australian distributor for 5 top world class models • Guaranteed backup on selected • bikes for RAC members • Agents enquires welcome • No petrol, No pollution, No parking, No problems • IP 65 Weatherproofing rating CALL: (08) 9430 5500 or Operating for seven years at: Shop 76, E-Shed, John 0448 406 407 EBIKESRUS Members of the Caravan and Camping Association www.e-bikesrus.com.au Victoria Quay, Fremantle WA
10%
10% off total bill at any Wa Jus burgers location Boutique restaurant specialising in gourmet burgers. Stores:
Leederville 743 newcastle st (08) 9228 2230 Northbridge 189 William st northbridge (08) 9227 0668 Subiaco 1 rokeby rd (rear) cnr roberts & rokeby (08) 9381 1895 Fremantle 74 south terrace, fremantle Markets (08) 9335 5433
www.jusburgers.com.au SAVE 10% off CArAVAn ACCESSoriES Ken Peachey caravan rePairs
$50* off
insurance, servicing, modification, accessories and canvas work.
Call (08) 9277 1381 or Email info@kenpeachey.com www.kenpeachey.com 194 campbell street Belmont Wa 6104
SAVE 10% at Mobile Paint CosMetiCs The new Scotchtint Black A car film that won’t fade or bubble - guaranteed *RAC members save $50 off the recommended retail price on full vehicle tinting. Benefits of Window Film include: • Reduces heat • Reduces glare • Protects upholstery • Fully guaranteed, including film and labour • 99% UV light blocked Main Office: DMS Tinting and Graphics (Osborne Park) 9443 7277 Other Locations: Coolcar (Mobile Service) 0419 938 225 GTS Window Tinting (Northern Suburbs) 9301 0313
Respray bumpers and Plastic Parts, touch up work on body Panels. RaC Members receive 10% discount.
Call 0408 093 023 North 0418 928 902 South
licence no.MRb2714, MRb2397
Licensed repairer MRB1167
• Moblie paint cosmetics • Repair & respray bumpers • Touch-up chips and scratches • Buff & polish
Get your free $50 Voucher* with Ashmore PAlms holidAy VillAGe
Gold Coast Affordable Family Cabin Accommodation
GOLD COAST
AUSTRALIA
Quiet location, Set on 15 acres
Check Prices & Availability Now at -
AshmorePalms.com.au/RAC-WAVoucher dmstinting.com.au
or
Call 1300 303 912
*Conditions Apply
June / July 2014 Horizons 75
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Logo Development for:
DMS Tinting & Graphics
Fonts used:
Colours used: PMS 151 C
CMYK 0 64 97 0
PMS 485C
0 100 100 0
BLUE
100 83 30 16
8/05/14 12:57 PM
Travel & Holidays
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
RESORT APARTMENTS South Perth, Western Australia
BEACH RESORT
Busselton, Western Australia
15% discount to all Rac MeMbeRs diRect booking with ningaloo blue chaRteRs M A R I N E R R E S O RT
Geraldton, Western Australia
Join exmouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whale shark specialists for an adventure of a lifetime; swimming on the magical ningaloo Reef with the mighty whale shark! tours depart daily april to mid July 2013 and are all inclusive. age is no limit to this wonderful experience.
Call 1800 811 338 or 08 9949 1119 or email: tours@ningalooblue.com.au www.ningalooblue.com.au
76 Horizons June / July 2014
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Travel & Holidays
Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Rent Thrifty and save heaps!
Spend
Save
4%* member discount off Thrifty 7 day Toyota Camry car hire at a rate of $37.44^ per day (or $262.08^ for 7 days)
$251.60
$10.48
1 Free day* ‘Rent 7 pay for 6’ Promo Code AAA001
$215.66
$35.94
Free child seat hire* for 7 days @ $11 per day
$0.00
$77.00
$5 off Ultimate Protection* (UP) to reduce Damage Recovery Fee (DRF) to zero for peace of mind – 7 days
$196.00
$35.00
Your savings example^
1300 655 179 Carousel 9365 4700
rac.com.au/travel Joondalup 9308 1600
Visit your local RAC Travel Centre
Mandurah 9512 8200
Morley 6466 2300
West Perth 9436 4830
Licence No. 9TA1
*Terms & conditions apply. ^Save value is based on a Toyota Camry rate of $37.44 per day as of 29/04/2014, free days, free child seat hire and Ultimate Protection reduction. Rates are subject to change and discounts will be applied to best rate available at time of booking. Offers valid until 31 Oct 2014. Available at Thrifty locations in Australia & New Zealand only. 4% discount on best rate of the day. Rent 7 days, pay for 6 (promo code AAA001) based on time and kilometre charges only. Only 1 free seat hire per rental period. Must quote RAC Membership number at time of booking and present a valid Membership card upon reservation & time of collection. All rentals are subject to the terms and conditions of the Rental Agreement. #RAC Price promise available until the 31 October 2014 and must be a like for like comparison between the Thrifty RAC member rate & the online retail rate of Hertz, Europcar, Budget or Avis available for immediate booking. Only one claim per quote available. Offer excludes trucks and utes and corporate contracted rates. All claims must be placed through RAC Travel. To make a claim, download the Application from www.rac.com.au/thrifty & email the completed form with accompanying documentation to pricepromise@rac.com.au. For full terms and conditions go to www.rac.com.au/thrifty TCR1253 ACLR8
TCR1253_RAC_FPC_185x227_3.indd 1
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Travel & Holidays
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Members save I0% on travel insurance R13305
Unlimited overseas medical cover Choose your own excess Money back guarantee Free Global SIM card^
Call 1300 655 179, or go to rac.com.au/travelinsurance Licence No. 9TA1 Limits, exclusions and conditions apply. RAC Travel Services Pty Ltd (ABN 17 009 164 176, ARN. 228577) is an authorised representative of Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited (ABN 73 144 049 230, AFSL 360138) who issues insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC, trading as Great Lakes Australia (ARBN 127 740 532, ABN 18 964 580 576, AFSL 318603). This is general advice only. We do not provide any advice based on any consideration to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please review your own needs and the combined Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide available from rac.com.au or by phoning 1300 655 179, before deciding to buy this insurance. ^Covermore Global SIM card is eligible when you purchase RAC Comprehensive travel insurance policy. Global SIM is a prepaid service. Network coverage is not available in all areas and rates may change at any time. Terms and conditions are available at covermore.com.au/sim. Services are provided by United Lifestyle Group Networks Pty Ltd (ABN 35 139 763 830). Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited is not the provider of any Global SIM products or services.
Albany
»
Bunbury
»
Carousel
13305 - Travel_Insurance Feb-March Press Ad Horiz.indd 1
»
Geraldton
»
Joondalup
»
Kalgoorlie
» Mandurah
»
Morley
»
West Perth
10/12/2013 9:17:32 AM
78 Horizons June / July 2014
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Terms & conditions
Multi-million dollar clubhouse now open at National Lifestyle Villages Tuart Lakes
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 $155. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their current 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 with details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in June/July Horizons must claim their prize by 15 July, 2014. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or the RAC cannot make contact with winner, the prize may be withdrawn, at the absolute discretion of the Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy. RAC Travel South Australia Promotion page 28
The competition begins on 21 May, 2014 at 9am (Australian Western Standard Time) and ends on 31 July, 2014 at 12pm. Entrants must not submit more than one entry. Up to one entrant may be awarded only one prize as follows: Return airfares from Perth to Adelaide; four nights’ Murray Princess Outback Heritage Cruise for two people in an Outside Cabin; two day, one night - two Day Best of Kangaroo Island Tour for two people staying at the Aurora Ozone Hotel Executive Room; three nights’ accommodation in Adelaide staying at Oaks iStay Precinct in a one‑bedroom apartment. Prize valued at $6000. Prize is subject to availability. Block out dates apply. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be drawn on 7 August, 2014 and notified by writing. When the winner is notified of their prize
they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. Each winner must claim its prize on or before 14 August, 2014. Prizes must be claimed in person unless a winner is otherwise advised. Identification, which includes a photograph, will be required. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy. Car Doctor page 53
Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winner/s) will be awarded only one prize as follows: A 2014 Perth and Surrounds UBD Street Directory, valued at $34.95. The prize is not transferrable 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 with details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in June/July Horizons must claim their prize by 15 July, 2014. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or the RAC cannot make contact with winner, the prize may be withdrawn, at the absolute discretion of the Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy. RAC Win a Car Promotion page 55
The competition begins on 16 March, 2014 at 9am (Australian Western Standard Time) and ends on 30 June, 2014 at 11.59pm. Entrants must not submit more than one entry. Up to 3 entrants may each be awarded only one prize as follows: First prize: 1 x Subaru Forester 2.5i, 2.5 litre, 4 cyl, CVT, AWD $36,805 (indicative drive away), includes 12 months’ Ultimate Plus Roadside Assistance (valid from the date of handover) and 12 months’ comprehensive motor vehicle insurance (up to a maximum premium of $700). Second prize: 1 x $5000 RAC travel
voucher. Third prize: 1 x $1000 WISH Gift Card. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner/s will be drawn on 2 July, 2014 and notified by writing. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. Each winner must claim its prize on or before 4 August, 2014. Prizes must be claimed in person unless a winner is otherwise advised. Identification, which includes a photograph, will be required. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
Set high on a rise surrounded by undulating woodland with east and west views affording spectacular sunrises and sunsets, Tuart Lakes is our latest flagship Lifestyle Village. Convenient location Tuart Lakes is conveniently located close to Rockingham’s massive retail centre, train station, freeway and glistening beaches. When complete, it will feature a huge range of resort-style facilities, along with the new multimillion dollar clubhouse which is now open.
RAC Win a Western Australian Street Directory page 56
The competition begins on 1 May, 2014 at 3pm (Australian Western Standard Time) and ends on 4 July, 2014 at 5pm. Entrants must not submit more than one entry. Up to 5 entrants may each be awarded only one prize as follows: 1 x Western Australia Street Directory. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner/s will be drawn on 9 July, 2014 at 12pm and notified by writing. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. Each winner must claim its prize on or before 31 July, 2014. Prizes must be claimed in person unless a winner is otherwise advised. Identification, which includes a photograph, will be required. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
More info For full terms and conditions go to rac.com.au/t&c. For details of winners from our past promotions, visit rac.com.au/horizonswinners.
Featuring a huge dancefloor, stage and commercial kitchen, the spectacular new clubhouse is the perfect venue for Lifestyler events.
Visit our display village today Come and view the new clubhouse, display homes and scenic Central Park land release at 831 Mandurah Rd, Baldivis. Our Sales Office is open 10am to 4pm daily. To find out more, call Trevena on 9523 5000 or visit nlv.com.au/tuartlakes
CM-NLV1317
Winning Letter
Join the nlv.com.au/tuartlakes Lifestyle Generation nlv.com.au
Visit nlv.com.au/events for the latest village events information
June / July 2014 Horizons 79
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THE
RING Expertly hand-crafted -crafted in ld plate 24-carat gold
A FINE JEWELLERY EXCLUSIVE FROM THE BRADFORD EXCHANGE
✷ Genuine onyx yx inlay
✷ Engraved with
Courage ge • Mateship hip • e Pride Raised-relief sides show the date of our nation’s founding
A
ustralia stands amongst gst the greatest nations on pecial kind of man to build a great earth. But it takes a special old nation. A man who sees Australia full of possibilities and is bo bold ppen. If that describes you or som omeon ne enough to make them happen. someone h a stylish h fi fin n you know, it’s time to let Australia’s sons rejoice with nee m The Bradford Exchange. e. jewellery piece only from
Find your perfect ring size
Expertly hand-crafted crafted in 24-ca 24-carat arat go gold old pplate late la The ring showcases a host st of uniquely Aust Australian tra rali lian elem elements ments in an teed to make you fe eel pr roud ud.. A traditional exclusive design guaranteed feel proud. lpt ptur ural al ddetails etai et ails ls Australian coat of arms overflows with rich scul sculptural ords ‘Advance Austr tral alia ia.’’ VVibrant ibra ib rantt hues including the stirring words Australia.’ k oonyx nyx ar ny aree accentuated of red and blue enamel and genuine black erous 24-carat ggold pplate. Each side magnificently by the generous n honour h of Australia’s founding. The features the year 1788 in h the t words Courage • Mateship • inner band is etched with ve defined Australian men for over two Pride, attributes which hav have hundred years.
Exceptional Va Value. alue. uarantee. Money-Back Guarantee. Available only through this hiss exclusive rallia Ring” Ring is offer, the “Advance Australia le in just a magnificent value, payable alments of five easy, interest-free instalments 5, plus $39.99. That’s only $199.95, ng, $19.99 postage and handling, us backed by our world famous antee. 120-day money back guarantee. Quality hand-crafting will limit uickly. supply, so reserve yours quickly. Arrives in a handsome eturn Send no money now. Just return presentation case with a Certificate of Authenticity the coupon or go online today!
For quickest delivery, order online:
www.bradford.com.au/aussie Quoting promotion code:
73091
12
14 13
15
10 11
8 9
Place one of your own rings on the chart and match a circle with the inside of your ring (a simple band works best for accurate measuring). Write your size in the coupon (below).
THE BRADFORD EXCHANGE Please Respond Promptly
PAY NOTHING NOW Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms
First Name:
Surname: Address:
YES! Please reserve the “Advance Australia Ring” for me as described in this Phone: (optional) advertisement. I understand I need pay nothing now. Email: (optional) Please allow up to 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. 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.
❑
My ring size is:
✂
E*
A beauty rich and rare for the man who loves Australia
Postcode:
✓your preferred reservation option: Please select ❑ 1. ❑ MAIL no stamp required, to:
The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 86369 Parramatta NSW 2124
or 2. ❑ FAX to: (02) 9841 3399 – 24hrs or 3. ❑ ONLINE at www.bradford.com.au/aussie quoting promotion code: 73091
✉
ons.
80-81_ADS.indd 81
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HOME VALLEY STATION 2 NIGHT ADVENTURE PACKAGE
Located on the famous Gibb River Road, at the foot of the majestic Cockburn Range, Home Valley Station is engulfed by a landscape of breathtaking contrast.
232
$
Experience the exhilaration of Barramundi fishing on the Pentecost River or enjoy the tranquillity of swimming in natural sapphire pools dwarfed by ancient red gorges. Soak in the unforgettable scenery on horseback or as you venture on one of nine spectacular walking trails.
You can relax in comfort in the Station’s guesthouse rooms, stay in luxury in one of the suites idyllically set on the edge of the Bindoola Creek or pull up your camper and roll out a swag at one of the two campsites.
only
PER PERSON TWIN SHARE*
OR STAY 3 NIGHTS FOR ONLY $285 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE*
Includes: 2 nights accommodation in a Guesthouse Room Daily buffet breakfast Access to walking trails Entertainment at Dusty Bar & Grill Children 15 years and under stay free^
* Conditions apply, subject to availability. Lead-in pricing per person based on 2 adults staying in a guesthouse room using existing bedding. Book 1 May - 31 Jul 14. Travel 1 Jun - 31 Aug 14 or 2 nights $195 ppJune twin share travel 1 Sep - 31 Oct 14. ^Children 15 years and under stay free using existing bedding. Visit www.hvstation.com.au for full package details, terms and conditions. 80 from Horizons / Julyfor2014
80-81_ADS.indd 80
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Contact
US
The 1best
If you have an idea for The 10 best let us know what you’d like to see featured. Send your suggestion to editor@rac.com.au
W H I Y
Wonnerup Nestled between a majestic tuart forest and the Vasse Estuary wetlands, the now peaceful grounds of Wonnerup hide a difficult and turbulent past. This house was built by George Layman Jnr in 1859 after the first house was destroyed by fire. Wonnerup is 10 kilometres north of Busselton.
D O
Ellensbrook in Margaret River dates from the 1850s.
Central Greenough (historic settlement) Central Greenough, near Geraldton, was a local administrative centre that housed the churches, schools, stores, government and law enforcement offices servicing surrounding farms. Its buildings illustrate the expansion of Western Australia in the mid-19th century - an expansion that opened up thriving agricultural areas.
Old Farm, Strawberry Hill In 1836 the government resident at Albany, Sir Richard Spencer, built this two-storey stone house on the site of the colony’s first farm. The Government Farm had been established at Strawberry Hill in 1827 as part of the first European settlement at King George Sound. This significant property has recently undergone works to conserve the buildings and better reflect its past life as a farm.
Peninsula Farm (Tranby) Built in 1839, Tranby was the third house built by Joseph Hardey at Peninsula Farm, Maylands. It was one of the first farms in the Swan River colony and the oldest residence still standing in the Perth metropolitan area. The farm land was gradually sold off over the century although Peninsula Farm remained in the Hardey family until 1913.
Ellensbrook Ellensbrook, in Margaret River, was built over many decades from the 1850s by ticket-ofleave convicts, deserting seamen and local Noongars. It’s fitting that Ellensbrook is named after a woman as the property was largely managed by Ellen Bussell and later by two of her five daughters, Fanny and Edith, as a farm home for Aboriginal children and guesthouse.
Old Blythewood Set on a high bank overlooking the fertile flats of the Murray River 3.5km south of Pinjarra, Old Blythewood, built in 1860, stands as a testament to the industry, ingenuity and flexibility of the pioneering McLarty family. Not content with just farming, John and Mary Anne McLarty also ran a pub, a post office and were involved with bridge building and road construction.
Warden Finnerty’s Residence Built in 1895 for Coolgardie’s first Resident Magistrate and Mining Warden, Irishman John Michael Finnerty, the residence was constructed of local stone and brick with tall windows and louvered shutters, large verandahs and a ventilated roof lantern to combat the harsh climate. The builder was the late timber magnate Robert Bunning.
Oakabella homestead The beautifully restored Oakabella homestead was built in 1860 and is located 30 kilometres north of Geraldton. As well as the 13-room homestead, the property contains a barn and stables along with a blacksmith’s workshop. A museum on site has displays of historic farm utensils and Indigenous artefacts.
Stirk Cottage Stirk Cottage in Kalamunda was built in 1881 by Frederick and Elizabeth Stirk. The more than four‑hectare property they lived in later became the Kalamunda town site. The cottage incorporates materials found around the property including jarrah logs and mud carted and mixed by Elizabeth Stirk.
Image courtesy National Trust of Australia (WA)
Heritage homes
Woodbridge Although the Swan River Colony’s first Governor, Sir James Stirling, was the original owner of this property, it was Charles Harper who built the current Woodbridge in 1833. A rare example of a grand 19th century home, the building includes iron lace work, parquetry, and many pieces of original furniture. The billiard room was the first home of Guildford Grammar School.
82 Horizons June / July 2014
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Image courtesy National Trust of Australia (WA)
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