Into the Blue One woman’s journey to Antarctica
EDITOR
All I want is a room somewhere… Davina Montgomery, Ruby Editor
Winter is a wonderful time for dreaming, for curling up out of the cold and dreaming up plans for all those things you’d like to do when the weather gets warmer... just try not to turn into an overplanner.
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But for many of us, our winter daydreams remain just that, dreams. For scientist Christine Rees however, her lazy day dreams of visiting Antarctica came true when a chance encounter resulted in an offer to join a research trip to the land of ice and snow, and penguins!
hen winter closes in, like Eliza Doolittle, all I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air, with one enormous chair, oh, wouldn’t it be lovely… I spent so many hours last winter dreaming about creating a nook just for myself, surrounded by books, with a squishy chair that would catch the winter sun through the window. This winter, that is where you’ll find me, snuggled under a blanket, with a pot of tea within reaching distance, reading, dreaming, dozing, or just spending a few quiet hours pouring over magazines as rain lashes the windows. Days like these are my very favourite thing about winter. Another thing I like to do as I gaze out at the cold world outside is to think about all the things I want to cook - roast dinners with crisp roast potatoes, veggie soups and carrot cakes. I like pouring over home magazines and adding to my ‘forever house’ plan. When it’s teaming with rain and arctic winds hit you every time you step outside, it can be hard to love winter. But there are some serious advantages to the cold - for instance, you can cover up a bad hair day with a fabulous hat, and dress up that ‘last top left in the wardrobe, it’s washing day’ top with a gorgeous scarf and jacket. And then there’s the boots – ankle boots, long boots, ugg boots and even gumboots. There is the gentle surprise of winter sun on an otherwise frosty day, and watching the fog floating across the Bay and above the paddocks.
For other women, their dreams turn into nightmares. This the reality for women who find themselves turning to a women’s shelter for help. All too often however, finding the courage to walk away from a violent relationship is only part of the battle. There are long waiting lists for these services, and funding is simply not keeping pace with the demand. Surely, we can do better than this... We also look at what happens when women turn to crime, and why criminal women in Australia are often not that different from everybody else. As much as long days indoors to just think and dream can be a joy (although usually only if you have the house to yourself!) there is always the danger becoming an overplanner, becoming so wrapped up in the small details of whatever plan you’re engrossed in at the time that you (and I am guilty of these more often than I’d like to admit) forget some of the bigger things - like school picks up and hair appointments. So, this issue we ask if some of us plan a little too much (oh, how the love of my life laughed when I told him we were running a story on that!).
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So, however you spend your winter, make sure you take some time to do some of the things you love. Make a few plans (but not too many) and when the weather feels like it’s flowing directly off the Antarctic shelf, find a cosy place indoors and dream a little dream.
Davina Montgomery.
PUBLISHER - Maureen Tayler ISSN: 1838-1456 MANAGER - Caroline Tayler EDITOR - Davina Montgomery davina@adcellgroup.com.au Adcell Print Group. T (03) 5221 4408 F (03) 5221 3322 203 Malop Street, PO Box 491, Geelong, VIC 3220
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CONTENTS
Ruby Tuesday
4
Fitness
17
UN Women
36
Things to Do
5
Criminal Women
24
Ruby Book Club
38
Psychology
6
Whats Hot!
28
Ruby Shoes
40
Ruby Focus
8
Ruby Loves
32
Ruby Wellness
41
Money
13
Food
33
Final Thought
46
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RUBY TUESDAY
How much can you bare? Tuesday Jones
It’s nice to know things about your family - to know how they are doing and what’s happening with their lives, but there are some things that you just don’t need to know. This is a story about just a few of those things...
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tearing around butt naked apart for a light coating of grass cuttings. What an introduction!
he following story is true. I’m saying that up front (and this story has a lot of front, and quite a bit of behind as well!) because, since I began writing this column, more and more I am being asked if the stories are true, or if I’ve just made them up for a laugh. Sadly, they are all true – and when it comes to my family, the truth really is stranger, and often funnier, than fiction. It all happened on that last Indian Summer hot weekend... I know, the memories of hot weekends are now distant, but trust me, if what I’m about to tell you about happened to you, it would be burned on your frontal lobe for years to come as well! After three days of high temperatures, the air conditioner inside the small house we were living in at the time had finally given up, and the inside of the house had reached that sticky heaviness that made it hard to tell whether it was cooler outside or in. Having spent most of the day flopped on the couch, then the kitchen tiles, we decided there was only one way to deal with the situation. The four of us trooped out to the backyard, loaded every water gun we could find and had a blissfully cooling (and seriously fun) half hour battle. When we called a truce, there was a clear winner. Hubby stood triumphant, having gained the high ground of the back steps, while I was a sodden mess attempting to take cover behind the clothesline pole. The kids were rolling around on the ground laughing at Mum, taking occasional dives through the Slip n’ Slide and foregoing the rules of engagement by emptying their water cartridges over each others’ heads. The house had an outside laundry, so I slipped and slid up the steps, stripped off my sopping wet dress, bra and knickers and was just popping inside to grab a towel when I heard a strangled cry coming from the front door. There, eye popping horror clearly visible through the screen door, was my brother. I performed a quick duck and dive manoeuvre
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‘Just give us a minute,’ I called and tried not to think about the conversation at the front door as I scrambled into a dress, threw some clothes at the hubby and towels at the boys. There is just no way of coming back from something like this, but I faked a smile anyway and tried to appear unconcerned. It was embarrassing on such an epic scale (not at all helped by the total disaster area that was our kitchen – stacked with boxes ready for moving and a sink full of dirty dishes, it was too hot for housework!) that you just had to laugh. So we did.
“Oh my god, we had become the nudist family to this girl... Oh, for a Men in Black memory eraser…” into the safety of the kitchen while bellowing, ‘What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were in Melbourne!’ Now, everyone who knows me, and anyone who has read my previous columns, knows that my brother has seen a lot of naked women. I was processing this thought, along with the fact that surely the screen door would have hidden most of the details, when I heard an unfamiliar female voice. He had brought a girl over… It took a few more moments for this to fully sink in. I was naked, my brother was at the door with a total stranger in tow, I had to cross the hall in eyesight to get a towel, hubby was down to his jocks in the backyard and the boys were
After we’d all calmed down and had a restorative drink, the rest of the story came out. My brother had apparently called over to see our Dad the night before, with the same girl. Again, it was a stinking hot night, which makes sleeping couch under the air conditioner understandable. Answering the door butt naked, without even attempting a lame cover up, is less understandable. In a fit of gallantry, my brother had pushed the young lady unceremoniously out of the line of sight and bellowed for Dad to put some clothes on. So the poor girl, while saved from an unfortunate full monty view, had ample opportunity to take in my middleaged father’s sizeable rear profile. Oh my god, we had become the nudist family to this girl. She was probably waiting to be invited to ‘be free’ and disrobe like the rest of us. Oh, for a Men in Black memory eraser… But not to worry – this was my brother, on holiday, with a girl he’d just met and would just as quickly forget. Right? Wrong! Apparently this girl used to live in London, was planning on heading back soon, and has since hooked up again with said brother. Surely, after all this time, and so many girlfriends, please, please don’t let this be the one!
THINGS TO DO
Things to do this Winter Davina Montgomery
Winter is whale watching season in Victoria. The annual migration is underway, with whales leaving the Antarctic ice pack for the Australian mainland, so grab your binoculars and head down the coast. The whales travel in pods, each returning to their own breeding waters. When the pods reach the coast, the pregnant females isolate themselves from the pod, seeking out a quiet spot close to the shore to give birth. Calving females seem to return to the same location each time they calve. Southern Right Wales have calving locations stretching along the coast, from Apollo Bay to Portland, with a number of calving sites located off Logan’s Beach.
Photo: Tourism Victoria.
Best whale watching spots: Southern Right Whales birth their calves off the coast of Warrnambool and Victor Harbour, so grab your binoculars, because whales can be seen from the cliffs throughout winter.
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hale season along the southern coast of Victoria begins in late April, when the sun-seeking Humpback whales pass along our coast for a few weeks, on their way to the balmy waters off Queensland. Our resident Southern Right Whales – like all self-respecting coast-dwellers – like to take their time and enjoy the sights along the way. Southern Right Whales spend the winter months as permanent residents of our coastal waters, making Warrnambool and Portland popular destinations for whale sightings.
Whales can be seen around Logan’s Beach in early June, with calving whales taking up residence in Mid June. Female Southern Rights will typically birth their calves in late June to early July. Each year, as the Antarctic summer draws to an end, Southern Right Whales leave the frigid waters for the relative warmth of the southern coasts of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America. It is in these warmer climates that the whales give birth, raise their young and recommence the breeding cycle.
If you are keen to find a spot with fewer binocular-waving folks elbowing for the best viewing spots, you can try down the coast a little at Portland. During whale season, whales can be seen coming into the deep waters of the Portland harbour and nudging around the moored yachts and boats. While you’re there, drop into the Maritime Discovery Centre (you can also, if you’re lucky, see whales in the harbour from the centre). For a higher vantage point, head to the cliffs at Cape Nelson, and if you’re after an up close and personal encounter, whales can come within meters of the north side of the Lee Breakwater as the come in close to Nuns Beach – where you can see these magnificent mammals within 20 metres of the shore.
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PSYCHOLOGY
Learning to let go of your plans Charmaine Morse, Psychologist
The weather has closed in and you find yourself staring at the walls. Your mind is turning over at increasing speed. You are making plans, filling out the fine details and solving problems before they’ve happened. Sound familiar?
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he winter months are the perfect time to take a calm and quiet look at your life and set some realistic goals to work towards. Keeping a positive frame of mind about where you are going will help keep you warm and happy on the inside – which is a nice feeling when we can’t do anything about the weather on the outside.
attributing human features to the weather, almost as if it can decide what it’s choosing to do: “The sun’s trying to come out,” or “It’s finally decided to rain.”
Here we are back to winter again and into hibernation mode. From here on out you’ll notice that our conversations with friends, and especially with strangers, will begin with a running commentary on the inclement weather.
Even though the weather is a neutral starter topic of conversation, it’s easy to slip into - I couldn’t be less interested, care factor zero. Winter is just that, winter – cold, colder and coldest ever. You may disagree. I have heard that there are some folk who relish frost, chill, and shivering. However, I’ve never actually met one, so maybe it’s just a rumour. In my humble opinion, the best thing to hope for from winter is coming out the other side mentally intact.
We love making predictions about the weather. As amateur meteorologists we use language with great certainly: “I think it’ll clear up later,” or “It’s going to rain by the looks of it.” But we go even further by
Hibernation seems the way to go. Are you a hibernator? Perhaps you can relate to the following: a state of inactivity; lowered body temperature; eating large amounts of food to be stored as fat deposits (you bet);
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retreating to a warm, snug and cosy spot; feeling blue; and growing fur. Oops, forget the latter; I think that applies to other mammals, unless you neglect bodily hair removal in the spirit of obtaining added warmth. Is this sounding a little on the pessimistic side? Well perhaps an optimistic view may be what’s needed here in the interest of a fair appraisal of our current season. A common illustration of optimism versus pessimism is the glass half-full/half-empty idiom. So are you a half-full or a half-empty sort of gal? Do you typically expect the best possible outcome from any given situation, or do you generally view life from an unenthusiastic stance? Perhaps you race headlong into Winter, fantasising about warm fireplace scenarios and rain on the roof, or perhaps you fight every step of the way steadfastly refusing to put your peep-
PSYCHOLOGY toe sandals into storage? You might be surprised to learn that you can modify a negative default position. Simply put, it’s how we talk to ourselves about the negative stuff that can determine how we cope and manage. But is this a big ask in relation to the winter blues? Perhaps a re-phrase of winter hibernation is in order then, to test this hypothesis. Here we go, deep breath and repeat this affirmation aloud to yourself three times daily – “Winter is here at long last, I am so excited and I’m heading off to indulge in a stint of amazing activities whilst wearing my thermals and munching on salads. I love the
winter months and into spring somewhat survivable. There are two types of people – planners and non-planners; but wait, maybe add the obsessive planners to that. How about you? Do you consistently work from a mental flowchart or timeline during your waking hours, planning every aspect of yours and your significant others’ lives? Do you revise and reassess in your early morning waking hours? You could be a little on the obsessive side then, couldn’t you? The ironic thing is that, in life, we usually end up on plan B or C anyway. Plan A somehow vaporises along the way. The universe usually has other
check, explain, anticipate, search for, initiate and organise. Sounding familiar? With all this planning, you’d have to assume life would go as we expect. Not so. If the obsessive planning thing isn’t working out too well for you, then it’s time for a different slant. Goals are the go. Get over believing you know what the road to your destination will look like. It isn’t going to happen. The winter months are a great opportunity to set some realistic goals and test out this theory. Some basic commandments of gaol setting can sound like this: Thou shalt set quantifiable and specific goals; Thou shalt be realistic; Thou shalt seek support if need
Some basic commandments of goal setting can sound like this: Thou shalt set quantifiable and specific goals; Thou shalt be realistic; Thou shalt seek support if need be; Thou shalt resist being obsessive; and, Thou shalt have fun with the process – lots of fun! stinging sensation of sleet assaulting my face. Oh, joy of joys. My learned helplessness regarding my habitual negative thought patterns about winter have metamorphosed into a happy disposition embracing the winter months!” Phew! You should feel better already! Well, maybe I oversimplified it somewhat, but you get the drift. A bit of cognitive restructuring is what we all need. Seriously though, by paying attention to how we think we can work toward changing how we feel. A bit of planning and some goals should do the trick and make your transition through the
plans for us. John Lennon knew that with his prophetic words “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” So, why do we feel this need for control? Taking control over challenging situations through problem solving or disputing negative thoughts can make us feel good. We can reduce unpleasant feelings such as anxiety and helplessness and create a sense of mastery over tough situations. We try to make our world predictable by minimising the chances that things will go wrong. So we prepare, ensure, pre-empt, warn, arrange,
be; Thou shalt resist being obsessive; and, Thou shalt have fun with the process – lots of fun! What would you like to achieve in the next three months? Is it as basic as maintaining your weight throughout the winter months, or at the very least keeping that bodily fuzz under control? Granted, logistics will have to be worked out for you to reach your goals. So if you find yourself slipping back into old habits, then try brainstorming yourself into planning how you can stop obsessively planning! A word of advice - don’t allow my winter of discontent to be yours.
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RUBY FOCUS
Searching for Home Judy Baulch
What do you do after you’ve finally had enough. You won’t let him hit you again, so you pack a few bags and put the kids in the car and drive away. Now where do you go?
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magine waking stiff and sore after a cramped night’s sleep in the back of your car surrounded by what belongings you have left. Food will have to be obtained from somewhere with what’s left of your dwindling finances and then the search will be on for a place to shower. Maybe tonight you’ll be lucky enough to find a bed in crisis accommodation, or a friend’s couch. Now, imagine that this scenario is in fact real life for you and your children. Because of family violence, unemployment, lack of family support, drug and alcohol issues, housing availability or a cycle of poverty and poor education, you have found yourself with nowhere to go. That’s where Kardinia Women’s Services comes in. A diverse agency within the Salvo’s Kardinia Network that provides support to homeless women and children, the service
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offers crisis accommodation, young parents outreach and support for young parents, private rental access programs for youth and those experiencing family violence, family violence intensive case management and support for those with alcohol and other drug problems. It is, as manager Lisa Craggs describes it, a well-resourced agency, with access to 34 properties, 17 of them for youth, and yet there is more demand than the service can meet. “There are never enough resources when services in Geelong have two hundred people on the waiting list at any given time,” Lisa says. “Some of them are pending homeless because they know they’re going to be evicted or they’ve been given a notice to vacate by a certain date. Some will be staying with family, couch surfing, or going around friends. We get ones that are in the car, if
they are lucky enough to have a car, which is what it’s got to now, but at least it gives them some shelter. When a vacancy becomes available and you’re looking at everyone on the waiting list, obviously the ones most in need are going to get that resource, especially if they have children.” Eight or ten years ago, those in need of accommodation could stay in a motel room for a couple of nights before accessing crisis accommodation. After that, it wouldn’t be long before they could access more permanent housing. Now, it’s the housing crisis that seems permanent and it’s affecting the most vulnerable members of society. Homelessness is a much bigger issue than most people realise and 65 per cent of people who present as homeless are women. Statistics indicate that 55 per cent of these women are homeless due to family violence,
RUBY FOCUS but anecdotally, services report numbers much higher than this. “Family violence knows no social boundaries,” Lisa says. “What we tend to see here, though, are those who are experiencing difficult economic times and ongoing unemployment and other issues, because they don’t have any support systems. If it was you or I, we possibly would have family we could turn to or money we could use to get away, whereas the women we’re helping usually don’t have anything. The situation has been ongoing, they’ve experienced trauma throughout their lives and their ability to cope is low. They’re overwhelmed and many times have burnt all their bridges. If it’s long term homelessness, you often get mental health and drug and alcohol issues as well. Not surprisingly, a high proportion of people we see are suffering from depression and anxiety, simply because of their situation. I think if I were faced with even the thought of losing my home it would be overwhelming. You can’t imagine it, especially if you have children.” For women in these situations, Kardinia Women’s Services not only aims to find them a permanent home, but also offers support and access to other services to help them get their lives back on track and reduce the threat of homelessness in the future. For example, a 37 year-old woman who was referred to the service with her six year-old and four year-old sons was helped with school enrolment and welfare needs, counselling services, legal support and assistance to settle into her new community, away from her violent partner. “We get referred to as a housing service, and ultimately we help people to get into permanent housing, but we do so much more than that,” Lisa says. “And we have some great success stories, like one 20 year-old we had in our parenting program who had experienced horrendous violence in her relationship. She’s now a mentor to the others in the program and she’s just turned her life around.”
Lisa pauses for a moment. “But it doesn’t turn around for everyone the first time, or the second time. Sometimes you’re in there at the right time and they’re ready for help and you get all these services into place and it just works.” Her eyes light up briefly at the thought, then she sobers again. “But sometimes it doesn’t work and people lose their children or go back to a violent partner. When we’re supporting women, we need to realise that often they love the person they’re with and we have to respect that and try to work with them in a way that helps them develop an understanding that’s it’s not right and not healthy, in fact it’s a crime, but it’s about the behaviour basically – they don’t want the relationship to end, they want the
“So when people ask us what they can do to help us out at Kardinia Women’s Services, we ask for basic household items like buckets, dustpans and brushes, cleaning supplies, kitchen items like tea towels, potato peelers, chopping boards, toasters and kettles, washing baskets and pegs… It sounds very simple, but if you are given accommodation and told to care for it, it can be very difficult if you don’t even have a broom or a mop. Everything we’re given goes out directly to our clients and those practical things to help a family start over are really useful.” Where to go for help:
“On average, women will leave a violent relationship seven to ten times before they leave for good. When they do go, they often leave with nothing” behaviour to stop. And when a young girl says to you, ‘I can’t leave because he’ll find me and he’ll slit my throat,’ then you can understand the fear that makes them stay or keep returning.” On average, women will leave a violent relationship seven to ten times before they leave for good. When they do go, they often leave with nothing and arrive at new accommodation faced with setting up a new home from scratch. “Someone who comes into one of our units can come with nothing and can have very little money, depending on where they’ve been staying previously,” Lisa says. “It might be great if they’ve been staying in a motel – it’s given them a place to go - but it
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Kardinia Women’s Services, Geelong: (03) 5241 9149 Karinya (Ballarat): (03) 5329 1100 Melbourne City Mission, Western Region: (03) 9364 9844 Zena Women’s Services, Geelong: (03) 5224 2903 Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service (Toll free - 24 hr): 1800 015 188 Barwon South West Homelessness Network: www.bswhn.org.au Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service (Toll free): 1800 105 303 Jardamu Safe House, Womens Group Aboriginal Cooperation Wyndham: (08) 9161 1717 Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service (Toll free): 1800 755 988 Barwon Housing and Homelessness Support, Geelong (Toll Free): 1800 993 093 Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria: www.dvrcv.org.au Uniting Care Crisis Accommodation,
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RUBY FOCUS
The new man in women’s barbershop Anna-Marie Shew
The women of Geelong Harmony have a new man in their lives. He is 24-yearold Alex Morris from Perth, and he’s the first to admit that it’s a bit crazy to be at the helm of Geelong’s 30-strong women’s a capella barbershop group.
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hard. Then, in January, we found Alex!”
ure, I’m always being asked, ‘What have you got yourself into?’ laughs Alex. But after visiting Geelong Harmony in rehearsal just once, he knew that this was a “crazy, passionate and very talented group of singers” and he wanted to be involved.
Alex joins only a handful of men to take on the role of Musical Director in a Sweet Adelines chorus, and he’s travelled across the nation from his home in Perth to live in Melbourne and commute to Geelong. “I’m very lucky. It’s not every day a young guy leaves his home and his state, and ends up with 30 new ‘stand-in’ mums!” he says.
“Crazy, passionate and talented?” Geelong Harmony Team Leader, Helen Trand ponders. “That definitely sounds like us!”
“We want to send a shout-out to all women in Geelong with a love of singing and a passion for performance to join the chorus!” says Alex.
Geelong Harmony is a group of local women who, for 22 years, have been singing the vibrant harmonies of women’s barbershop. “Women’s barbershop choruses are usually bloke-free zones,” says Helen. “So Alex is definitely a first for us.” Speaking of firsts, Geelong Harmony was one of the first Australian choruses chartered to Sweet Adelines International. The worldwide organisation promotes women’s barbershop choruses in over 16 countries; Australia alone has 30 choruses and 1400 members. Alex’s musicianship and his friendly, empowering approach has endeared him
towards his charges. But there’s enormous respect, too, for his knowledge and expertise as their musical director – and it is bringing out the best in all the women of the chorus. “We can’t believe our good fortune,” says Assistant Director, Deb Elea. “We’d just bid a fond farewell to our previous Musical Director, Lucy Jones, and replacing her was
Geelong Harmony will host an open rehearsal in a Geelong City venue during June (go to geelongharmony.org.au for details). “All members of the Geelong public are welcome to come along and see what we do and how we do it.” To become “the new woman” in Geelong Harmony, make sure your voice is heard! Contact details can be found at geelongharmony.org.au or on facebook.com/geelongharmonychorus
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RUBY FOCUS
Are they getting the message? Davina Montgomery
Sometimes it seems we are so busy throwing important messages at our kids that you have to wonder if any of them really sink in. I went along to one program around sexual abuse prevention to see if our kids really are listening.
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s a parent, the thought of your child being the victim of sexual assault is horrifying, and it’s a waking nightmare that Bravehearts founder and executive director, Hetty Johnson has lived through. Out of that experience came the now nationwide Bravehearts foundation and its Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure education program helping to protect children from abuse. It was this program that I went along to see at my five year-old child’s school recently, taking along my four year-old for good measure. Over one hundred bright eyed Preps filed into the room off the gym, sat down in rows, and started to compete for who could get the most attention. Then in came the Bravehearts presenter, with her Madonna-style headset microphone, and asked the kids to help her coax the very shy Ditto the lion into the room. After some very loud shouting (anybody who has been to a Wiggles concert knows just how loud the small people can be on mass), out came Ditto the lion. With Ditto and his
friend telling the now very attentive five and six year-olds about how to stay safe and who to tell if someone is doing something to them that they don’t like or makes them feel upset, angry or yucky, and that it’s okay to say no to an adult that asks them to do something they don’t want to do (this last one particularly
“One in three girls and one in six boys experience some form of sexual abuse in Australia – many of it shocking in the extent of the abuse.�
songs and, for the most part, listened to what they were being told. For mine, holding the attention of that many young children for that long was something of a small miracle in itself. But actually watching those kids taking in what they were being told so naturally was something else all together. As I looked around the room, the statistics around sexual abuse kept rolling through my head. One in three girls and one in six boys experience some form of sexual abuse in Australia – many of it shocking in the extent of the abuse. That would mean dozens of children in that room. It was a thought that made me feel sick.
was carefully put in context – thankfully not giving the five year-olds carte blanche to ignore parents’ and teachers’ requests).
In the Ditto song and dance presentation, the messages were all about empowering these kids to protect themselves from abuse – and when you stop to think about what that can mean, you begin to fervently hope that every child gets to see this particular program, because there is nothing innocent about the damage caused by sexual abuse.
For forty minutes, the kids repeated messages, pulled sad and angry faces, sang
We know that girls and boys of all ages are sexually assaulted, and that victims are
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RUBY FOCUS sometimes toddlers, young children and even babies. We know that child sexual assault spans all races, economic classes and ethnic groups. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that 25% of victims of all sexual assaults reported are aged between 10 and 14.
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The age-profile of offenders of sexual assault varies with the nature of the crime. Overall 23% of sexual assault offenders are under age 18 and 77% are adults. Most children know the perpetrator, with studies estimating between 10-30% of offenders are strangers. Research studies show a staggering 45% of women aged 18 to 41 were sexually assaulted as children by family members (30%), friends of the child or family friends (50%) or strangers (14%). 75% of the assaults involved some contact, most of which was shockingly severe. Female sex offenders are responsible for 6% of all reported cases of sexual assault against children. It is estimated that approximately 6% of female victims and 20% of male victims experience sexual assault perpetrated by a female.
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Bravehearts not only developed and runs the Ditto program, it advocates on behalf on sexual abuse victims, provides support programs and conducts research into child sexual assault in Australia and raises awareness of the impacts of sexual assault across our society. A recent study of child sexual assault victims found 32% had attempted suicide and 43% had thought about suicide. Victims of child sexual assault are more likely to use mental health services, pharmacy services, primary care services and speciality care. Teenagers with alcohol problems are 21 times more likely to have been sexually assaulted than those without such problems. A staggering 70% of psychiatric patients are known to have been sexually assaulted as children, and a study of 27 correctional centres in New South Wales found that 65 per cent of male and female prisoners were victims of child sexual and physical assault. The Ditto program teaches kids about their right to feel safe, that it’s okay to say ‘No’, to tell someone they trust if something is happening to them that they don’t like, and that private parts are private and not to be touched by others, and manages to convey these quite complex messages in a simple, non-confrontational and easily absorbed way. Since its first school show on the Sunshine Coast in 2006 the program has expanded and now delivers shows across nine regional areas across four States (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania). Earlier this year, Bravehearts held a celebration at Whittington Primary School in Geelong to mark the program reaching 200,000 Australian pre-schoolers and school children (the program is aimed at children aged from preschool to Grade 3). The momentum around this program shows no signs of slowing either, with a waiting list of schools from across the country eager to participate in the program. And I can see why, this was a great program. That the presenters manage to keep the attention of over 100 five year-olds was impressive enough, that the kids seemed to understand and hold on to those messages is really impressive. I only wish this program had been around for the too many people that I know, and the millions of other Australians whose lives have been changed forever by childhood sexual assault.
20 Pakington Street Unit 2 Geelong West Ph: 5222 8035 | Mob: 0439 562 203 Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm Sat: 10am - 4pm
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But does the program really work beyond the presentation day? It’s been a good six weeks since I saw the show with my two kids, and only last week my four year-old gave me a very stern look and the stop hand after I’d playfully grabbed his bum as he ran past me. “Mum, that’s my private parts.” Precocious little beast, he makes his mama proud! For more information please visit the Bravehearts website at www.bravehearts.org.au
MONEY
“Beep beep beeeeeep BEEEEEEP” Melissa Vella, Allsure Insurance
We have all heard it at some stage, the ear-splitting shriek. Perhaps you burnt toast, then ran around waving a tea towel frantically, or are you in the minority and regularly check they are working? Yes, I’m talking about your smoke detector.
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his time of year, fire is a very real and serious threat to your family and your home, as the winter months prompt us to warm our homes, dry our clothes indoors and keep warm. Ensure your detectors are working, have them hard wired into your home and link them to each other. Just this week, a historical home significant to our family burned to the ground, in this case the smoke detector saved the occupants. One of my in-laws’ houses burned until all
“Ensure your detectors are working, have them hard wired into your home and link them to each other.” that was left was a shell. My sister had a heater cause a fire in their home, damaging a couch and carpet. I even know of someone who was sitting too close to a fire heater and fell asleep, only waking when their clothes were alight. Personally, we have been a casualty to our neighbours water pump causing a fire to our farm fencing, which also burnt other neighbours sheds, car and fences. What would you do in any of the above situations? Do you have enough to buy all
your household belongings, from cups, towels, clothes, fridges, linen and furniture? Do you have insurance that could get you back to the stage you were before the fire? Do you have enough sums insured on your home to completely rebuild it? Will they pay for you to live elsewhere while your home is rebuilt? If you think your home is less fire prone as it is built of brick... Sorry, but brick homes do burn - I have photos to prove it! Always remember: Prevention - Regularly check your detectors. Make certain nothing is ever close to a heater. Extinguish all sources of naked flames, candles, open fires, etc. Protection - Take an extra step and link your smoke detectors together. Speak to your insurance provider and review sums insured to make sure you have enough cover. Position - Consider all you have, as fire does major damage as well as secondary damage from smoke and water. If you don’t have insurance, you may be liable for the fire brigade’s cost to attend. There is a vast outlay in time and effort in replacing your home and belongings, as well as the impact on your health and family life. DISCLAIMER: This article is for guidance only, and professional advice should be obtained before acting on any information contained herein. Neither the writer, publishers nor the distributors can accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of the contents of this article.
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MONEY
June means tax time: be prepared Renée Jovic, Jovic Bantacs Accountants Pty Ltd
Now is the time to act and focus on your tax and financial planning in order to minimise tax, reduce risk, and be prepared financially for the year ahead. Making tax planning a priority could result in you paying less tax.
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ith the end of tax year nearing, it is crucial to complete any last minute tax planning, sooner rather than later. The current tax year ends on June 30 so it is a good idea to get in touch with your financial adviser, tax agent and business partners to ensure that you have everything in order. Managing CGT Liability If you are thinking about selling an asset this year for a profit, you may want to consider deferring until the 2012-2013 financial year. This could reduce the amount of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) you are liable for and in turn reduce the tax you have to pay. Deferring the sale of an asset can delay your CGT liability for up to a year, and in some cases longer. If you expect to earn a lower taxable income in the following tax year, the tax you have to pay on the realised capital gains in that year may decrease significantly. For example, by deferring the sale of an asset until the following year when you expect to earn less income, your tax rate will change to a lower bracket, meaning you save considerably on tax. Some other strategies to minimise CGT include: - Utilising the CGT small business and retirement concessions; - Matching gains and losses where possible to avoid carrying forward a capital loss; - Deferring disposal of an asset to a subsequent income year; - Deferring a disposal to ensure the asset has been held for at least 12 months to potentially benefit from the 50 per cent discount. Year End Superannuation Strategies Superannuation issues are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind as the end of financial year approaches. The following strategies will help ensure that your fund continues to gain, even in the face of poor investment returns: Salary Sacrificing Salary sacrificing can significantly enhance your
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superannuation savings for retirement. By creating an agreement between you and your employer, you can “sacrifice” a part of your salary directly into your super account. Because your contributions are deducted from your before tax salary, your taxable income is reduced, while your retirement savings receive a boost. In some individual situations this may mean you will be taxed at a reduced marginal rate due to the decrease in taxable income. Government Co-Contribution The government will make a co-contribution of up to $1000 to superannuation funds for each personal after-tax contribution made by a tax payer. However, to receive government co-contributions, the individual must be under 71 years-old, earn an annual income of less than $61,920 and receive at least 10 per cent of income from employment – either selfemployed or as an employee. Super Contributions and the Self-Employed You may be eligible to claim a full tax deduction on your superannuation contributions if you are self-employed, substantially self-employed, or an unsupported person. However, they will be regarded as non-concessional contributions if you do not claim your super contributions as a tax deduction. To qualify as a ‘substantially’ selfemployed person, income from an employer who is required to make superannuation contributions must not exceed 10 percent of total earnings. To be considered an unsupported person, you must not receive any super contributions from assessable income in that income year. Spouse Contributions Generally, a tax deduction for super relates to the person making the contributions on their own behalf. However, there is an exception when it comes to spouses. An individual can make a concessional contribution to a super fund and split those contributions with a spouse. If you make contributions for your spouse, you may also be eligible to claim a tax offset, depending on your spouse’s income. Although once your spouse turns 70, you can no longer
MONEY make contributions on their behalf. Spouse contributions can be made on behalf of your spouse if they are aged 65 years or younger, or if they are between 65-70 years and have worked at least 40 hours over 30 consecutive days in the financial year in which the contribution is made. Maximising the $50,000 Contribution for those Over 50 From July 1, the level of tax concessional super contributions that you can make will be significantly reduced, so it is a good idea to maximise contributions while you can. For those aged 50 years and over, the taxconcessional limit will be halved to $25,000 from the current $50,000. Now is the time to start planning how you can maximise your taxconcessional contributions through different strategies if you haven’t already done so. Year End Tax Strategies for Businesses & Individuals Obsolete stock: All stock should be reviewed during the end of year stocktake and choices made in relation to its value as a tax and commercial asset. Consider the age of the items, likelihood of future sales and their scrap value. Remember to keep and file all relevant documents. Be prepared to substantiate your claim: Make sure you keep receipts to prove your deduction and show why the expense was incurred to derive assessable income. Pre-pay interest: If allowed by your lender, this is a strategy to defer the payment of tax. Factors such as anticipated future income, interest rates and cash flow impact should be considered fully beforehand. Fixed assets: Review fixed assets useful life and determine if there are any benefits in scrapping or trading in assets in light of the temporary investment allowance. Small business CGT concessions: Individuals operating a small business may be eligible for CGT concessions on the sale of business assets. Review your potential concessions this financial year.
Specialised Services
Renée Jovic
• Property Investment • Accounting • Taxation • Business Solutions
Work from home: Taxpayers that work from home may be able to claim a percentage of home-related expenses. These expenses must be directly related to the earning of taxable income. Renovations by previous owner: You may be eligible for a deduction for depreciation on the cost of improvement by a previous owner, provided items are identifiable and itemised in a depreciation schedule. Review Division 7A private loans: A private loan older than 6 years faces a risk of becoming statute barred (unenforceable). This means the ATO may use discretion and treat it as an unfranked dividend unless remedial action is taken. Maximise Your Investment Property Claims: Property investors could guarantee
“With the end of tax year nearing, it is crucial to complete any last minute tax planning, sooner rather than later.” more cash in their pockets this end of financial year by maximising property depreciation deductions. A qualified quantity surveyor inspects a property and prepares a depreciation report, which can then be used as a tax return. The property investor can claim the depreciation of the investment property against taxable income and in turn result in paying less tax. Get a Head Start for the Next Financial Year Preparation is the key to efficient and effective financial planning for the 2012-2013 year ahead. Now is the perfect opportunity to implement effective strategies to ensure you start the tax year off on the right foot. Reassessing your financial goals and record keeping systems is important to consider when preparing for the approaching financial year.
Level 1, 80 Pakington Street, Geelong West E: admin@jovicaccounting.com.au P: 03 5222 6962
Set effective goals: The beginning of the new financial year is the ideal time to establish your goals and put in place an action plan to achieve them. Considering your objectives for the coming year early on will ensure that you have plenty of time to implement a course of action to help you achieve your goals. Important things to consider include your retirement planning, present and future investments, maximising your superannuation scheme, and reviewing of assets. Track your progress: Whether it be that the accounting system your business uses is outdated, not working properly, or simply does not suit your needs any longer, it is a good idea to consider upgrading. By running your business on an ineffective system, you run the risk of capturing and recording GST information incorrectly, resulting in errors on your BAS returns. This can prove to be a costly error for your company, and could have been avoided by investing in an effective system. Systems fail for a number of reasons, including incorrect set-up, not being regularly checked/ updated, and incorrectly classifying GST on transactions. Save some money: Employers are not allowed to reduce the rate of tax on your pay without permission from the ATO. If you have an investment property you can reduce your withholding tax by completing a PAYG Withholding Variation. This needs to be completed each financial year. Having the immediate additional cash flow can lessen the burden of your rental expenses such as loan repayments. Consult the experts: Managing your financial affairs and preparing for the tax year ahead can be a complex and overwhelming task. If you are unsure or not confident about taking care of it yourself, then it is a good idea to contact your tax professional. Tax agents, advisers, and accountants can tailor a structured plan to your individual circumstances that will ensure you are prepared for the coming tax-year. DISCLAIMER: This article is for guidance only, and professional advice should be obtained before acting on any information contained herein. Neither the writer, publishers nor the distributors can accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of the contents of this article.
“Providing Solutions to Businesses, Individuals and Property Investors. With a Personal Approach”
Web: www.jovicaccounting.com.au and www.bantacs.com.au
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FRIDAY 6TH JULY / THE PIER, GEELONG
Hosted By
FITNESS
Change up your workout David Morgan, Personal Trainer, Jetts Fitness Torquay
Keep your fitness regimen interesting this winter and get into circuit training. As well as staving off the boredom that comes with overly repetitive workouts, circuit training is a bit like multi-tasking, perfect for busy women.
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ircuit Training has been around the fitness industry for many years and is a form of physical exercise that combines weight training with cardiovascular training. It is an efficient and challenging form of total body conditioning that develops strength, endurance, flexibility and coordination all in one exercise session. This form of training can be completed by an individual training alone, or by a group of people who rotate among training stations. A typical group session would consist of 5-10 participants moving through a number of different exercise stations set up as a circuit. Participants perform each exercise for a set amount of time or repetitions. When moving through the circuit, rest periods between each exercise should be kept short, to keep the heart rate elevated, guaranteeing exercises are performed under some form of fatigue. As a consequence of this, the exercise intensity is increased and this will ensure you remain in the fat burning zone for longer.
One of the key benefits of Circuit Training is that it allows you to work your aerobic system (cardio training) while simultaneously working on your strength. Constantly moving from one exercise to the next with minimal rest throughout the session, keeps your heart rate elevated as though you were pounding away on a treadmill. The difference is that you will be constantly stimulating your mind while you do it, to help keep that sense of boredom to a minimum, not to mention achieving a total body workout at the same time. In addition to the physiological benefits there are a number of other advantages that make Circuit Training a great exercise alternative. Circuits can be adapted to suit any age, fitness ability and athlete level. Whatever your current level of fitness, whether you’re a top athlete or merely a beginner, you can work alongside friends, family, colleagues or strangers in the same training session.
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Christine Rees Marine Chemist
intothe blue It’s a land of snow and ice, vast spaces of white and prone to sudden weather changes. Aside from the 24 hour daylight, when you think of places to take a summer trip, Antarctica is not the first that comes to mind with its top temperature of 1 degree and ice covered beaches. But for local scientist Christine Rees, summer in Antarctica was a dream come true. “What are you doing at the end of the year? Do you want to come to Antarctica?” The email Christine received last September from a CSIRO hydrochemist she had met previously at scientific workshops came out of the blue. But as she had wanted nothing
more since the age of seventeen, the answer was easy. “I was like, OMG! Yes!” she says, three months after returning from the trip of a lifetime. Her memories of the vast continent, its wildlife and sometimes wild weather and the camaraderie she discovered on board the Aurora Australis V3 are still fresh in her mind, and the six week trip has profoundly changed the way she now looks at life and the world around her. “One day, as we were on the way home, I was standing on the top of the ship looking at all that ocean and I was thinking, ‘this is the never ending ocean and we’re just this tiny little orange speck’. I felt so
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insignificant compared to the whole world. When I came back I had a new attitude - all the trivial things that I used to get bogged down in now make me stop and think, ‘I’ve been to Antarctica’. It’s given me a whole different perspective on what’s important. Little things don’t bother me as much in the overall scheme of humanity and the whole world.”
marine environment. Still, the dream of Antarctica remained, although before the fateful email arrived, she was beginning to believe she’d never get there.
Science and the environment have been Christine’s passions since high school, particularly the marine environment, a love fostered by childhood holidays spent exploring Torquay’s rock pools.
“I thought, well I’m 43, it’s never going to happen unless I go as a tourist one day,” she says. “Over the years I saw jobs advertised for Antarctica, but I never had quite the right qualifications. A lot of people who work there are penguin biologists or glaciologists and I never thought of someone like me who does chemistry and measures nutrients as having a role to play there.”
Her interest in marine life eventually led to a job in the marine chemistry laboratory at Queenscliff’s Fisheries Victoria Research Branch. Since then, she’s become an expert in monitoring and measuring the water quality of our bays and analysing the impact that nutrients, toxins and heavy metals have on our local
That changed when she returned to work after the birth of her son Brodie, now six, and found herself part of a regular scientific workshop that was also attended by Alicia Navidad, a CSIRO hydrochemist whose main role was to measure nutrients at sea. While Christine had heard about people doing this kind of
work she hadn’t given it much thought - until Alicia mentioned that her job also took her to Antarctica on a regular basis. When she also said they sometimes took volunteers on board, Christine was quick to register her interest but the lead seemed to go nowhere until she met up with Alicia at the next workshop and the topic came up again. “Alicia says I was really persuasive that time,” Christine laughs. “I said, ‘Seriously, if you ever, ever need someone on a voyage, I would love to come along’. And I happened to mention that I use a Guildline Salinometer in my lab, which is what they take out on the ships. Then I didn’t hear anything until I got that email.” Just over three months later, after a rollercoaster ride of preparations, Christine found herself on board the Aurora Australis V3 icebreaker as it set out from Hobart to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of Douglas Mawson’s Australian Antarctic Expedition at Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay. Before leaving, Christine had worked with the other scientists on board to build her laboratory and had been kitted out with the gear she would need in the freezing conditions of an Antarctic summer. “There were thermals and gloves and polar fleece jackets and pants, and then all the outer shell gear of jackets and snow boots and balaclavas and waterproof trousers. I felt like the Abominable Snowman and I wasn’t sure how I was going to walk in it all.” It took five days of “nothing but ocean and horizon” to reach the Mertz Glacier, discovered by Mawson and named for Xavier Mertz, who died during the expedition and was buried in the glacier’s ice. Christine’s team took the opportunity to sample water from a marine
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The Aurora Australis lights up the sky above the deck of the Research Ship, Aurora Australis.
science station first sampled by Mawson and were also able to observe for the first time the aftermath of 2010’s collision between a giant iceberg and the glacier tongue. “It snapped off a huge chunk of ice, about 78 kilometres long and over 30 kilometres wide, which meant we were able to enter an area of water where the ice used to be that had never been visited by ship or people before and get very close to the edge of the glacier.” As well as the VIPs and journalists travelling to the official commemoration of Mawson’s expedition, there were many scientists on board working on a variety of projects, all with the objective of investigating how the Southern Ocean is responding to climate change and how that impacts on the rest of the world’s oceans and, ultimately, the world’s climate. As part of the hydrochemistry team, Christine’s job was to analyse salinity samples as a way
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to investigate what’s known as Antarctic Bottom Water: cold, dense water that occurs at a depth of four kilometres and plays a vital role in the global network of ocean currents that influence climate patterns by determining how much heat and carbon dioxide the ocean can absorb from the atmosphere. According to the chief scientist on the voyage, physical oceanographer Dr Steve Rintoul, the data collected shows that the Antarctic Bottom Water layer is shrinking and becoming fresher. If the usual cold, dense salty water is not being formed, there may be flow-on effects. As the water becomes fresher it will no longer sink, changing one of the drivers of the global circulation patterns that influence the climate system. “Dr Rintoul says the measurements taken over the whole trip showed that the deep ocean is a very dynamic place and responds very quickly to changes in the surface climate, whether it’s a natural event like
an iceberg breaking up, or due to human factors like emitting carbon dioxide or the ozone hole,” Christine explains. Although Christine ultimately analysed 1,400 samples during the trip, it wasn’t all work. The ship spent five days in the fast ice at Commonwealth Bay, waiting for suitable weather for helicopters to fly the lucky few to Mawson’s Hut for the centenary celebrations. Those who couldn’t go along were taken out on the water in zodiac boats to explore further and could go onto the ice to play cricket, build snowmen and igloos, have snow fights and get up close and personal with curious Adelie penguins. Summer in Antarctica means 24 hour daylight, which took a little getting used to, as did being surrounded by the vast whiteness. “Everything in Antarctica is enormous and it’s really hard to tell the scale of things,” Christine says. “There were some sunny days and it was really good to see blue sky
against the whiteness, but the days when it was overcast and a bit foggy and everything was a bit white you really had to make sure you had your polarised sunglasses on or you would go snow-blind. “I’m not sure I really knew what to expect. It was all just amazing. To see the ice and the icebergs and all the different birds and
sun just happened to be at an angle that made everything glow like a sunset.” While Christine says what she was doing was hard work and serious science (scientists at CSIRO and the Australian Antarctic Division are currently working up the data collected during the voyage and some of it will end up in the Inter-
the penguins… it was amazing to be so close to penguins. They have no fear and if you sit on the ice they just come up to see what you are.
Governmental Panel on Climate Change report on ocean changes) she also had the time of her life and made some enduring friendships.
“When we were leaving Commonwealth Bay and heading west the scenery was spectacular. That was when we got to see some really big icebergs and the
“Relationships were intense – in both the positives and negatives, because when there is conflict there is nowhere to go to get away from one another on board
a ship, but on the other hand, you make really good connections with people and really good friendships.” As the ship came into Fremantle and the expeditioners prepared to disembark, Christine says there was a feeling of melancholy on board. “I was ready to come home, but also sad to see the trip come to an end. A colleague who has done a lot of voyages said she has that same feeling every time a trip ends. I was looking forward to seeing my son and husband but it was such an awesome experience that it was difficult to leave it behind.” Now back in her lab in Queenscliff, Christine is already dreaming of her next trip to the land of ice and penguins. “Some of the others said that the first voyage you do is always incredible and so is the second. The next one is OK and after that it’s just something you do and eventually you get sick of it. But I can’t see that ever happening to me.”
Judy Baulch.
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Cri w
What leads w are the women l so very
I
f you think prison is hell for a man, imagine what it’s like for a woman: this was the line used to promote the launch of the iconic Australian television series, Prisoner, in 1979. High drama soap opera though it was, the show instilled into the collective consciousness of Australians many of the continuing realities confronting female prison populations – separation from family, fear, despair, physical and sexual violence, drug abuse, mental illness and the cycle of recidivism. But just as in the drama series, what leads women into criminality and eventually into prison is just as important as what happens to them when they are behind bars. In Australia, women account for only around 6 per cent of the total prison population, and around 20 per cent of all offenders. In Victoria, there are two women’s prisons: the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Deer Park, a maximum security prison; and HM Prison Tarrengower is a minimum security prison located just outside of Maldon; and in our state, the number of female prisoners is on the rise, with the average population jumping from 187 to 314 in the decade to June 2010. As of 16 May 2012, there were 337 women in prison in Victoria, with the Baillieu Government’s tough stance on crime and the abolition of suspended sentences attributed as the driving reason behind the jump in the state’s female prison population. It costs around $240 a day to accommodate a female prisoner in a Victorian jail, But what factors lead women into crime in the first place? In 2010, a Victorian Parliamentary Committee on Drugs and Crime Prevention released an interim report into the impact of drug-related offending on female prison numbers. While noting that there are some similarities in the profiles of male and female offenders - such as socio-economic disadvantage – the report states that: “gender is extremely important in considering offending behaviour and the interventions needed to address it”.
iminal women
s women to commit crimes and n living behind bars in Victoria ery different from the rest of us?
Over the decade to 2010 (according to the Corrections Victoria submission to the Drugs and Crime Prevention inquiry) the number of women jailed for drug-related offences rose by 82 per cent; the number for violent assaults rose by 47 per cent; and homicide jail sentences rose by 49 per cent. Female prisoners are more likely than male prisoners to have committed an offence under the influence of drugs, or to support their drug use; are more likely to have been diagnosed with a mental illness; are or more likely to have experienced childhood sexual abuse and multiple violent relationships; and are much more likely to have dependent children. The report identified the lack of sufficient housing and housing options for women associated with the criminal justice system as the most overwhelming problem the Committee found during the course of the inquiry, with a lack of stable housing significantly contributing to women’s offending and reoffending. These are the statistics, but the reality is that there is very little to distinguish many women who have committed a crime from any other women you might stand behind in a supermarket queue, or at a school drop off, or even at work, as the following anecdotes show.
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fact, to save face, she left the town and eventually the country. I was confounded. In trying to unravel the aetiology of the behaviour, I turned to reading criminology texts, but even the books and reports on criminal behaviour don’t give much of a clue. They certainly delve into the neuroticism and psychopathy of male crime. Book after book and countless studies give indications of why the male of the species launches into a life of crime, but there are precious few citations of female criminals and the causes of their delinquent behaviour.
Somebody that I thought I knew… By Clint Jennings
One study into the reasons that lead men to a life of crime indicated a strong causal relationship between low education and intelligence and criminal behaviour, but that same study notes that trend does not apply as strongly for women. The average female criminal is just that – average.
B
they laid a trap. It was a simple one: on a regular basis they would isolate the access to the money to one individual and give out a false keypad access to the others. One by one the suspects were eliminated.
An observer of the group dynamic would often see Brenda in the front with the most socially able people. Laughing and telling jokes; in many ways entertaining the troops, and at times she would laugh too hard, or the joke was a little inappropriate.
Brenda was never on the top of the suspect list, but in the end it became clear that it was her. This was double-checked, and then triple-checked, as it was absurd that it could be nice Brenda. In the end the behaviour could not be attributed to anybody else. Even though the money amount was not a huge amount, perhaps only a few thousand at that stage, it was significant because it was money intended for students. It was the morality that counted most.
renda is a pseudonym. I met her years back when she was in her early thirties and working in a large regional school. In many ways Brenda was your average kind of person. Not the most photogenic visage, but her personality definitely compensated. I knew her through the school, but I would also see her occasionally at social functions and sports events.
Our paths would cross quite frequently – I think that I knew enough about her to be confident in my predictions and character assessments. I believed that she was your typical girl next door, friendly and dependable. My trusting nature had accepted her as somebody you could be comfortable and relaxed with and welcome in my social group. As fate would have it, I learnt that money was starting to go missing from the school. At first it was a fifty here and there, but soon the amounts escalated to several hundred dollars at a time. I was friends with a security consultant and he explained how the school became aware of the issue, and in the end
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For some reason, the school decided to keep matters in house and not make it a police concern. Brenda was taken to the top management and respectfully asked to leave – the security consultant accompanied her to her office and apparently explained the reason for the imposition and watched her pack and escorted her off the premises. In the next few weeks, the magnitude of the problem escalated when it was found that she had embezzled over $20,000. Not all from the schools, but the sports clubs and other groups that she volunteered in. Was this just the tip of the iceburg? Why do people do this? Brenda had ruined a good, and reasonably well-paid career. In
I had the opportunity to talk to two staff members from Victoria’s female prisons and they agreed that most female crime was crime of acquisition (particularly theft and fraud). Some people put these as victimless crimes and perhaps they are treated as a lower ranked crime. That is unless you are the victim of the fraud or theft – then it feels different. These staff members were very careful not to share specifics, but they said that the surprise is that many of the women prisoners seemed to be reasonable people in their day-to-day interactions. This started me thinking about how much of Brenda’s story was fabricated? Slowly some facts were uncovered - a childhood where she was surrounded by disinterested parents, an unfortunate car accident that she caused, resulting in considerable property damage that she had no insurance to cover. There were other difficulties in her early life: a domineering sibling and an untimely death of a close relative; all sad in themselves, but are they indicators of a criminal future? We all know people that have had tragic early years, and yet these people climb above the situation and live superlative lives; but not so for Brenda. Criminologists Ross and Fabiano would say that these are not sufficient reasons on their own to cause criminal behaviour. They would list a lack of empathy, external locus of control and poor moral reasoning as characteristics of female
criminals, but they would not list them as causal factors. In a recent New Scientist article (February 1, 2012) I read about a concept called Orchid Children. This is a theory espoused by Hildeguard Peplau. Peplau is better known for her nursing theories, but was also a specialist in dealing with children with behavioural problems; she coined the term, Orchid Children. New Scientist reported that genetic research had uncovered 5 gene markers that seemed to indicate disorders such as ADHD, but when the researchers were cross checking with other groups they were floored, because many of the top achievers also had the same genetic markers. How could it be that the ADHD and top achievers shared a similar genetic makeup? The Peplau concept is that how a child will ultimately turn out is highly dependent on the context of our early years. In a similar vein, criminal researchers as far back as 1938 (Robert Merton) and more recently Collins et el 2001, have shown that criminality is buried in the detail. The Collins study, for example, showed that female white collar criminals are almost indistinguishable from top female managers in all but two personality areas: responsibility and socialization (in this report they use the term socialization to indicate someone’s ability to read and correctly respond to social cues). The only observable differences in biodata scales were that female criminals performed better at leadership, involvement and social independence than an average person. In a day-to-day situation, these mathematical reports are useless; can we say that Brenda is a potential criminal because she showed leadership acumen or is she just a talented leader? So, how could we have foretold that Brenda would turn out to be a criminal? With no specific information about whether her parents treated her with total strictness and rigid rules, or just didn’t give a rat’s back parts, there are almost no other indicators that would have given a clue. There are no tattoos or behavioural traits that would label her as a criminal. What we do know, or at least what the Australian Institute of Criminality knows, is that family problems, drug addiction,
alcoholism and mental health issues are prevalent in female prison populations. And as many as 85 per cent of women in Australian prisons have experienced sexual assault, with an even higher percentage estimated to have experienced physical or emotional abuse. At least half of all women undergoing drug treatment in Australia are victims of childhood sexual abuse. Mental illness is another key, often co-related risk factor that leads women to crime. According to the AIC, women are
twice as likely as men to report extreme levels of psychiatric distress and at higher levels than men, with female prison populations recording high levels of depression and anxiety disorders, and somatization disorders (long-term chronic pain conditions with no known physical cause). A 2002 study at Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre found 57 per cent of women prisoners were diagnosed with a specific mental illness, including 39 per cent with depression.
The dope-growing granny
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hirley was a long-time friend of the family. I remember going to her and her then husband’s home as a kid, and years later, while both Shirley and my parents’ marriages had ended, she remained close to my mother. That’s how I heard that Shirley had been convicted of growing saleable volumes of marijuana in the roof of her house, and had been sent to prison. I hadn’t seen Shirley in years, but I found it incredibly hard to reconcile these facts with my memories of this woman. Shirley could be loud, I remember that, but as far as I knew she had never used drugs, was a devoted mother and grandmother, and got on with her life in the usual way. And that was all true, except that Shirley had a partner who had introduced her to some people with less than usual ways of earning a crust, and while she was neither
a drug user, nor a drug dealer, she did become a drug producer. Funnily enough, my mum seemed to take it all in her stride – standing behind her friend, supporting her in court and later visiting her in jail. The only thing that did seem to worry her was letting go of her handbag during these prison visits, and the concern that the police might be listening in on our phone conversations. I could only laugh and point out that prison guards were unlikely to steal anything from her bag, and anyone listening in on our conversations would be so bored they’d probably fallen asleep! But it just goes to show, you never can tell. And having done her time, Shirley went back to being a normal – albeit I’m sure much less naïve and much more cautious – mother and grandma.
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Secretskin Shop 3/344 Pakington St, Newtown Ph: 5221 7404 www.secretskin.com.au
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Livingetc Natural Bamboo Scissor Stool: Wax finish, Environmentally friendly. Bonnie & Neil, Retro Pillows Collection: Australian designed and made. Available in a variety of different sizes. Nature Globe: Winner of the “2010 Red Dot Design” Award, 4,000 hour rated light globe. Available in ‘Warm’ or ‘Cool White.’
Livingetc Corner High St & Mt Pleasant Rd, Belmont Ph: 5241 2664 www.livingetc.com.au
Brax Window Treatments LUXAFLEX® SILHOUETTE® Shadings - Matisse fabric Featuring saturated bold hues that will colour your room with a warm ambiance, the colour coordinated front sheer of the matisse collection fabric is available in translucent and room darkening opacities.
Brax Window Treatments 332 Pakington St, Newtown Ph: 5221 5533 www.braxwt.com.au
Ruby | 29
Lifestyle4U Outstanding piece of decorative Metal Wall Art.
Lifestyle4U Unit 2/20 Pakington Street, Geelong West Ph: 5222 8035
Footique Unleash your inner wild d child this th his Winter and go for one of the season’s biggest ggest trends, tre ends, ANIMAL PRINT!
Nude Gerry rry Chloe e Python Ballet Fla Flat at
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Footique 361A Pakington Street, Newtown Ph: 5222 8373 www.footique.com.au
Thank you to all businesses and their employees who have supported our Loaned Executive Program and promoted Workplace Giving Over 46 years 3,228 Arms, 3,227 Legs, 1,614 Voices, 1,614 Hearts and one incredible outcome. Millions of dollars made available to those in need in our community thanks to volunteers who have been part of Give Where You Live Loaned Executive (LEX) Program since 1966. “It was quiet an honour to be part of the first Loaned Executive Program - and it’s had a great history ever since. The efforts of all Loaned Executives continue to serve the needs of Geelong now and into the future”. Dougal Weaver, Alcoa (1966)
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“I received a fantastic response from workers - people could see that giving a couple of dollars each pay would really help.”
“I knew of United Way and was donating to it, but didn’t really find about how important the organisation was until I became a Loaned Executive.”
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ºCo j_c[ Wi W B;N ]Wl[ c[ W ]h[Wj Y^WdY[ je c[[j d[m f[efb[ WdZ expand my networks. It was a pleasure to work alongside others who were equally committed to helping people who were doing it tough.”
º? \ekdZ _j W f[hiedWbbo ^kcXb_d] [nf[h_[dY[$ 8[_d] fWhj e\ W Z_l[hi[ ]hekf e\ f[efb[ Wbb Yec_d] je][j^[h \eh W ]h[Wj YWki[$ 7 Y^WdY[ \eh ki je Z[l[bef j^[ fWii_ed and have the confidence to talk about the needs in our region - a great opportunity for us to each give something back to this community.”
2012
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There’s a place in history waiting for YOU!
Let 2012 be the year you make a difference in your local community as a Give Where You Live Loaned Executive. 8[ fWhj e\ W \WdjWij_Y f[hiedWb WdZ fhe\[ii_edWb [nf[h_[dY[ :[l[bef W ]h[Wj[h WmWh[d[ii e\ j^[ d[[Zi e\ j^[ =[[bed] 9ecckd_jo =W_d W i[di[ e\ WY^_[l[c[dj WdZ fh_Z[ _d ^Wl_d] Zed[ iec[j^_d] l[ho if[Y_Wb \eh f[efb[ _d d[[Z For further information regarding the 2012 Loaned Executive Program, please contact Leigh Johnston at Give Where You Live: leigh@givewhereyoulive.com.au or call 5229 4364
RUBY LOVES
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32 | Ruby
Oakdene Vineyards Restaurant - Cellar Door Accommodation - Events - Functions BELLARINE PENINSULA, GEELONG 255 Grubb Road ,Wallington Phone 03 5255 1255 | Fax 03 5256 3881 Email: info@oakdene.com.au
The joys of the season This is my favourite time of the yearâ&#x20AC;Ś spending misty mornings foraging for mushrooms, and believe me, they are in abundance at the moment. There is nothing better than a family outing to the country to keep the kids amused. Growing up in the UK, this was deemed better than the annual Easter egg hunt.
pines and appears in late autumn. This chestnut-brown mushroom has a slimy wet appearance. The cap is convex when young and flattens out in maturity. The sponge-like pores are pale yellow when young, darkening in maturity. This is a very tasty mushroom. The slimy surface needs to be cleaned thoroughly and again, check for bugs!
Saffron milk caps grow under pines and appear in autumn, particularly after heavy rain. You will find them on the sides of country roads and there will be loads in the Daylesford area at the moment. This mushroom is a favorite of Latvian immigrants, who enjoyed its wonderful spicy nutty flavor back in Latvia. Its bright orange pink appearance makes it easy to recognize. It has a hollow stem, which is loved by slugs and earwigs, so take that into account when collecting.
A favourite quick dish of mine is to fry the Slippery Jacks in extra virgin olive oil with thyme and garlic, pop on thick toasted sourdough with some quince paste (quinces are also in season) and top with some gorgonzola. Yum!
Another favourite of mine, the slippery jack, also grows under
Happy cooking,
Warning and Disclaimer Some mushrooms are poisonous. The simple rule to observe when picking mushrooms is: If in doubt, Go without! You do not want to wind up in hospital due to misidentification.
Photo: Bianca White Photographer.
Pork belly, Raw Potato & Garlic Slaw with Crispy Pigs Ear (Serves 4)
250-300g pork belly, bone out skin off 2 pigs ears 3 litres master stock (google Neil Perry Master Stock) 4 Canadian frozen scallops, defrosted 4 tablespoons hoi sin sauce 1 large Desiree potato, shredded finely and soaked in cold water for 2 hours 1 teaspoon black Chinese vinegar 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/4 small red chili, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon black soy sauce Squeeze lemon juice 50g butter
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Method Submerge the pork belly and pigs ear in the master stock and simmer for approximately 3 hours, until tender. Remove from the stock and drain. Place on a tray and place another tray on the top with a heavy weight to press the pork belly into shape. Leave the ears on the same tray. Refrigerate over night until set. Make the slaw by mixing the potato, chili, vinegar, soy and garlic. Drain well and make a small ball in the palm of your hand about the size of a golf ball. Cut pork belly into desired size and brush with hoi sin sauce. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 15 minutes. Brush again lightly when the belly comes out prior to serving.
Shred the ear with a sharp knife and deep fry until crispy, but not overcooked (there should still be a little bit of resistance when you eat them). Put to one side. Meanwhile sear the scallop in a hot nonstick pan for 40 seconds on either side. Add the squeeze of lemon juice and the butter and spoon the liquid over the scallops - off the heat. To arrange
Place the pork belly on the plate and top the belly with the crispy pigs ear. Place the potato slaw alongside the pork and the seared scallop on the other side. Serve immediately
Roast Rack of Lamb with Rosti Potato, Rosemary, Red Wine Jus & Carrot Puree 4 racks lamb (ask your butcher to trim and clean the cutlet bones) 4 large potatoes - peeled ½ litre lamb stock 4 cloves garlic 1 onion Rosemary bunch 2 glasses of red wine (cabernet sauvignon or Shiraz is best for sauces.. and I find it very nice to drink as well!)
Method Lamb
Seal the lamb in a hot pan then place the meat on a roasting tray. Roast in a preheated oven at 200 deg. for 20 minutes if you like meat medium/rare, or longer if you prefer it more well cooked. Remove the meat from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving or carving. Meanwhile you should have: put the garlic, onion and rosemary in the pan and gently cook until brown (not burnt ).
Photo: Bianca White Photographer.
mill pepper, squeeze the water and juice from the potato and shape into a thick round pancake shape in your hand.
preferred vegetables. Pour the jus sauce over the meat and finish the dish with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Serve with a carrot purĂŠe
Rosti Potato
Put the grated potato into a hot frying pan with some Olive Oil and cook until golden brown, turn the rosti onto the other side and cook until golden brown. Remove from the pan and place on absorbent kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil.
Peel one large potato per person and grate using the large grater section of a cheese grater, season with sea salt and
Serve the rosti in the middle of a plate presenting the carved lamb cutlets on top of the meat and garnish with your
Add the Red wine (1 glass, drink the other), add the stock and allow the sauce to reduce gently until thick enough to lightly coat the meat. Strain the sauce prior to serving and season with salt and mill pepper.
4 large carrots 200 ml chicken stock 50g butter
Cook carrots in the stock and add the butter, drain and blend till smooth adding in the stock and butter till desired consistency.
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.
-Edith Sitwell
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UN WOMEN
Why the world needs women in politics UN Women Australia
Most women do not want to be appointed or elected to a leadership role purely on the basis that they are a woman, but without more women leaders, the cycle of inequality will continue. There is an argument for quotas.
“Across the world, fewer than one in five Parliamentarians are women. ”
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round the world, in times of peace and especially of war, women’s participation continues to be extremely limited.
Federal election, the number of women elected in the Lower House actually decreased, despite Australia electing its first woman Prime Minister.
As a result, laws, policies and government institutions fall short - failing to reflect the needs of all citizens, most notably progress on women’s rights.
While there is no single solution to increasing women’s political participation, quotas are one measure that has proven results.
The quota debate One of the perennial issues raised regarding women’s political participation in Australia and across the world is the question of how we increase women’s involvement and whether quotas are the best way to achieve this. Across the world, fewer than one in five Parliamentarians are women. In Australia, women make up the majority of the Australian population, yet less than 30 per cent of our elected representatives are women. At the last
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According to the 2012 Women in Politics report, which is produced by UN Women in conjunction with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, quotas have had a positive effect on increasing women’s political participation around the world in the past year. Out of the 59 countries that held elections last year, 17 of them had legislated quotas. In those countries, women gained 27 per cent of parliamentary seats compared to 16 per cent in countries without quotas. In many cases, the quota is merely a trigger to
start the conversation on women in political representative positions. Rwanda is one such example. As a country that continues to deal with the ramifications of genocide, it has introduced a mandated quota system in its Parliamentary elections. The Constitution of Rwanda provides for a 30 per cent minimum quota for women in Parliament, equivalent to 24 out of their total of 80 seats. In the 1998 election, this resulted in women securing 45 out of 80 seats, or 56.25 per cent. This makes the Rwandan Parliament the first in the world to have women in the majority - considering it faced one of the worst acts of human genocide less than two decades earlier is a remarkable achievement. The increase beyond the set quota goes to show that change can be realised through training of women candidates to strengthen their campaign skills and educating the general
UN WOMEN
voting public about the value of women’s political participation. In Australia, the debate surrounding mandatory quotas and the word ‘quota’ itself has become entirely confused and has too often tainted the conversation. The United Nations instead talks about ‘temporary special measures’. These are measures that are taken in special circumstances where discrimination and bias has occurred and is a solution applied on a short-term basis to redress a particular issue. At one level this is what we know publicly as quotas. However, when we think about them as being temporary, special and specific measures to redress an inequality, suddenly people stop having such a strong reaction to the idea. UN Women Australia would like to see the national debate to change towards a recognition that we do need to introduce these temporary special measures by 2014, if the voluntary targets and the progress that we’re all hoping for still hasn’t been achieved. Women’s Empowerment Principles Business has a key role to play in advancing gender equality across the workplace, marketplace and community. The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a joint initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact, are a set of seven principles offering concrete steps for business based on good business practices from around the world. Subtitled: Equality Means Business, the Principles emphasise the business case
for corporate action to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. They offer a clear, coherent and attainable vision of the contribution that business can and must make towards gender equality in order to ensure sustainable business and contribute to sustainable development. As well as being a useful guide for business, it is hoped that the Principles will inform other stakeholders, including governments, in their engagement with business. While cultural change is necessary to truly enshrine women’s empowerment, implementing the WEPs principles provides the structural shift necessary for this change. The Women’s Empowerment Principles: 1. Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality. 2. Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and nondiscrimination. 3. Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers. 4. Promote education, training and professional development for women. 5. Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women. 6. Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy. 7. Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.
Why is women’s political participation important? Women’s political participation takes many forms. Women vote, run for office, lead civil society groups, shape peace talks and contribute to public discourse through the media. Around the world, a growing number of women are engaged in all of these activities, but at levels much lower than those of men. Since democracy depends on women and men’s full participation, by definition, women’s limited political voice impedes the quality of governance. Young Women’s Leadership Forums UN Women Australia is hosting the 2012 IGNITE! Regional Young Women’s Leadership Forums in 8 regional communities across Australia, including a forum in Geelong this July. The forums are being coordinated nationally but facilitated locally by our Young UN Women Australia (YUNWA) Committees. Participants in the forums will include students from Years 10 to 12, and the program will provide access to keynote speakers and guest panellists, workshops on issues related to gender equality, and skills sessions to build leadership capacity for participants. For more information, please visit www.unwomen.org.au or find out more about the Geelong committee of UN Women Australia on Facebook.
“Come for the food, stay for the experience” Enjoy Winter at Oakdene
2 course express lunch Wednesday to Friday www.oakdene.com.au
255 Grubb Rd Wallington | Ph: 5255 1255
Ruby | 37
RUBY BOOK CLUB
Winter reading This is Life by Dan Rhodes
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f I could only recommend one book for you to read this year, this would be it. This is Life has a beating heart of joy, spreading curiosity, calamity and creativity, recklessness, fear, love, art and pure joie de vive through every line of every page. Aurelie has moved to Paris to study art, but she doesn’t really understand what the zeitgeist is or why it needs to be subverted. So, rather than just draw some really good pictures for her major art project, she finds herself standing on the edge of a busy square, a small stone in one hand, a video camera in the other. She leaves the square with a stranger’s baby. This was not what she had in mind… With no idea what to do next, Aurelie does what she always does at such times, call her
free-spirited, heart-breaker best friend, Sylvie. Sylvie doesn’t know what to do either, but gives Aurelie a gun for protection. But when that turns out to have been a really bad idea, Aurelie decides payback is due for her lusty art professor, in the form of getting her and her adorable, gurgling charge out of the mess they’re in. Swirling around the young artist and the baby she has to keep alive and healthy for a week, is a couple of retired Japanese tourists and their lovelorn translator, a wonderfully warm and wise Parisien woman who relishes the madness around her, and a naked man in a vintage pornography cinema who has set the art-world alight with is representation of what it means to be alive.
Puppy Love
Growing Old Outrageously
Friends Like These
by Frauke Scheunemann
by Hilary Linstead and Elisabeth Davies
by Wendy Harmer
t isn’t easy being a dachshund of noble lineage when there’s been a bit of a hiccup in your pedigree in the form of your mother’s liaison with a less than pedigree mate. But then comes Caroline, who has a nice home, with a big cosy sofa to sleep on, a park out the back gate and a solid understanding that when it comes to food, caring means sharing. The only problem is Caroline’s taste in men. Hercules thinks he might have the answer to Caroline’s mantroubles, and all he needs is a little help. But Hercules finds out that in the mating stakes, humans don’t seem to know what they want.
very now and then, a book makes you fall in love with people you have never, nor will ever meet. Hil and Liz are two of those people for me. These two old friends, who hadn’t seen each other in 35 years, reconnect and find they share a love of travelling. So they pack their bags and head off … to Marrakech, to Patagonia, the Galapagos Islands, Istanbul, to safaris in Africa, to Venice, to Prague and to Australia. With sixteen years of extended ‘holliers’ notes, Growing Old Outrageously is hilarious, exhilarating and joyously embarrassing, and simply wonderful.
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U
nexpectedly warm, sharp, insightful and unsurprisingly saturated in wit, Friends Like These is best enjoyed without distractions (you won’t want to stop reading), snuggled into a chair with a blanket (you won’t want to move) and a bottle of wine (you’ll know why when you read it). For Jo, a loving family, a beautiful home in Sydney’s affluent Eastern suburbs and a prestigious job all seems like the pot at the end of the rainbow. But when it all falls apart, can she count on her friends?
RUBY BOOK CLUB
Dancing to the Flute
The Spider King’s Daughter
Sex Drive: In pursuit of female desire
by Manisha Jolie Amin
by Chibundu Onuzo
by Dr Bella Ellwood-Clayton
his gentle and beautiful story is like reading a lullaby. It is a sweet, poignant tale that follows Kalu, a young street kid in rural India. Abandoned as a young child, Kalu finds a new kind of family in a quiet rural village.
he is the daughter of the richest man in Africa, a king in the murky world of Nigerian business. He is a hawker, living in the slums of Lagos, selling ice cream on the side of the road to support his mother, his sister and himself.
Kalu finds a measure of peace in the gentle rhythms of the community and countryside, until, sitting high in a tree one day playing a simple tune on a rolled leaf, a traveller is drawn to the boy, and once again, Kalu’s life is about to change.
The pair form an unlikely friendship, but within the prism of wealth and power of Abike’s family, is anything really as it seems? This is a story of high drama, but the real centre of this book is the clarity of the depiction of life in modern-day Nigeria.
exual anthropologist, Dr EllwoodClayton asks, when it comes to the priorities of women in the Western world, is sex still on top? Have years of being bombarded with idealised female images reduced our sense of ourselves as sexual beings to such an extent that we no longer really want sex, or is reduced sex drive in a secure relationship perfectly normal?
Dinner at Rose’s
Women of the Land
The Mothers’ Group
by Danielle Hawkins
by Liz Harfull
by Fiona Higgins
here is nothing quite like an unfortunate best-friend and boyfriend caught having sex in chair incident to make you look for a change in your life.
hen you are up to your ears in housework, that drive down to the kids’ sports practice seems miles away and you have to fit in time to shop if you want to eat, life can seem pretty tough. Until you read the stories of women like those in this book. Women of the Land provides snapshots into the lives of eight rural Australian women who are running their own farms, with many also juggling the demands of raising families, and all having to fight uncertainty, fear and physical exhaustion when things get tough. The passion, honesty and strength of these women is inspiring.
others’ Groups can be fraught with tension and emotion, and Higgins ploughs this rich anthropological ground in this novel that mothers of young babies will easily associate with, and will bring back both good and bad memories for those who’ve left the nappy bags behind them. Six very different women have six very different experiences of new motherhood – some seeming to cope effortlessly, others barely coping at all. Each week, through each small disaster and all the terrifying uncertainties that come with babies, the women grow closer and closer.
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Jo turfs her dreams of being married with babies by the age of 30 and her life in the city out with her old relationship, heading home to her small town in the countryside, Jo. Just up the valley lives Jo’s eccentric honorary Aunty Rose, and Rose is positive that she knows exactly what Jo needs. Dinner at Rose’s is a read that will warm up a cold winter’s afternoon.
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With fascinating research, and intelligent, witty, and at times, laugh out loud commentary, Sex Drive will definitely give you something to talk about.
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RUBY SHOES
The search for Bootopia Bridget Connor, Footique
On a shelf somewhere, perhaps taking centre stage, perhaps nestled, half-hidden, in a corner, rests your perfect pair of boots. The quest to find them begins on that first toe-curlingly cold morning.
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just as gorgeous teamed with tights and a maxi skirt or dress.
ome will stumble along their perfect pair almost immediately, others will search carefully and methodically on their way to success, while others will languish, bootless. But in the quest for bootopia, knowledge is power. Read on, boot lovers.
If you’re after a pair of boots to get you through a few winters to come, opt for a more classic style in neutral colours like dark brown and black. Don’t be scared by paying a little more for this type of boot, especially if it means you can get a pair that is all leather. They will last the distance if you look after them and they won’t go out of fashion. This means you should well and truly get your money’s worth! Our classic riding boots with partial laced fastenings have been the pick of the bunch in store, because their width can be altered depending on whether they’re being worn over jeans or tights.
Being relatively new to the shoe business (aside from my lifelong love of shoes) I’ve learnt many new things since I opened Footique. Like lots of women don’t like toe cleavage. Yep, toe cleavage. You know when shoes are cut low enough so the spot where your toes join your feet make a peek-a-boo appearance? I had never even considered this to be a deal breaker when selecting a pretty pair of shoes, but I’m finding that for many ladies it means immediate disqualification. As we’ve edged into winter, I’m also discovering that at this time of year ladies begin a hunt for bootopia, the holy grail of winter style. More often than not, this hunt proves quite the challenge. Finding THAT pair of magical boots which are pure perfection in every way – the right colour, width, heel height and length - isn’t always as easy as it may seem. Sometimes the journey is short and, when the shoe gods feel like granting a boon to a devotee, we find our perfect boots straight away. At other times it takes many tries of many different boots until we find the ultimate pair, if indeed we find them at all. Buying a great pair of boots is usually a bit of
an investment, so there is definitely a method to this madness. If there is any shoe purchase to be picky with, then boots should be it! So, in an effort to assist you in your own hunt for boots, there are a couple of things you’ll need to think about. The first is considering whether you are looking for something that is bang on trend for the season, or if you’d prefer boots you can wear for the next few years? If it’s the former, this year look for boots that have a bit of cowgirl flavour - like pointed toes, Cuban heels and buckle detailing - as this will have you up to date with the latest look. This style is proving very popular, with women loving the flexibility they offer. Amazing over or under jeans, yet
A few more quick tips? Wear the stockings or socks you’ll want to wear under your boots when you’re trying them on to ensure the best fit. And get in as early in the season as possible, so you have the most choice. Savvy buyers get in quick to snap up their boots, which means they get pick of the bunch. The truth is there is a boot – and probably more than one – out there for everyone. The key is to be a little open minded in your approach and be willing to try a few different styles on, so you can see what type of cut and length suits you best. You might be surprised to find the pair on the shelf you thought wouldn’t work is actually your own little piece of bootopia. See you in boot heaven… Bridget loves great shoes so much that she started the fabulous shoe boutique, Footique, on Pakington Street in Geelong.
Winter shoes & boots now available instore and online! No! Shoes No No! Sho hoe oe es ‘Portal’ Ankle Ank An A nk n kle k le Boots Bo Bo oo in Dar Da arrk R ed d Dark Red
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RUBY WELLNESS
More than skin deep Mary Resic, Secretskin
Looking in the mirror and seeing the obvious signs of ageing can have an impact that goes far below the surface of our skin. Doing something about those lines and wrinkles can help fight the three â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?s of ageing - insecure, invisible and inadequate. need to be addressed if you wish to reverse the signs of ageing and, more importantly, if the outcome is to look natural. People understand the majority of the changes that happen physically, but never factor in the massive effect it has on us psychologically. Due to our changes aesthetically, women automatically change emotionally. We start to feel like we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t aspire for the same careers we used to, we feel as though weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looked at differently and are unable to do the same things we used to do. Most importantly, we can start to feel invisible. Ageing can make us feel insecure, invisible and inadequate - the dreaded Three â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?s of Ageing.
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geing is a multi-faceted process. Most people just think it involves getting wrinkles and everything heading south, but the biological and emotional changes involved with getting older are far more intricate than that. Even more distressing are the psychological effects that reverberate after this. The biggest indicators of physical ageing are skin texture, skin discolouration, volume loss and bone loss. As we get older, we are faced with the appearance of age spots and wrinkles, not to mention the
areas that we want bigger are now getting smaller, and vice versa. Shadowing is one of the most noticeable changes when it comes to facial ageing. Under eyes appear darker and cheeks appear more hollow and lower. Skin laxity changes vastly as skin that was once plump and firm becomes loose and thin. What most women donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realise is that beauty is most certainly not just skin deep. As we get older, we lose bone density. Temples hollow, while cheeks and chins recede. All of these changes add to the already immense equation of ageing, and
Research indicates that the better we feel about the way we look, the happier we are. Our skin appearance can affect our emotional, physical and psychological state of wellbeing, whether you are young, old, in between, male or female. Whether you are female or male, if you have a skin problem that is bothering you, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to make a change. Dermal Clinician Mary Resic from Secretskin has studied both the physical and psychological processes of ageing at Victoria University. Secretskin is a clinic specialising in beauty and non-surgical treatments with a focus on anti-ageing and sun damaged skin as well as treating acne, acne scarring, unwanted hair on the face and body and other beauty treatments.
How old is your skin, really? The Visia Diagnostic Analysis Machine is now available at Secretskin and it has the DELOLW\ WR VFLHQWLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ DQVZHU WKLV TXHVWLRQ Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, this state-of-the art machine analyses and diagnoses the internal function of the skin to assess the WUXH DJH ,W PHDVXUHV pigmentation, wrinkles, texture, pore size, UV damage and broken capillaries 'XULQJ \RXU DVVHVVPHQW \RX ZLOO EH DGYLVHG ZLWK WKH NQRZOHGJH RQ KRZ WR FRUUHFW \RXU VNLQ DQG WXUQ EDFN WLPH
Call now to arrange your indepth skin analysis and prepare to be amazed!
Shop 3/344 Pakington Street, Newtown (enter via Sharp Street) Phone: 5221 7404 | www.secretskin.com.au
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RUBY WELLNESS
Return to freedom Milana’s
The latest advancements in post-mastectomy breast forms is offering women the choice of freedom.
Milana’s provide guidance for your individual needs, with a certified Breast Form fit specialist.
Breast Care Specialists: Anita McCullough and Tracey Collier.
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diagnosis of breast cancer and surgery brings an enormous amount of stress and anxiety. It is normal for a woman to be concerned about what it will all mean for her life, her body and how she feels about herself.
In the past, a mastectomy left women with the choice of surgical breast reconstruction or a breast form that was worn in a pocket in a bra. These breast forms have been used for a number of decades, and while they effectively mimic the shape and size of a breast, they do tend to be heavy and restrict what can be worn with them. The weight of these prostheses can also cause neck and back problems, particularly when worn with an ill-fitting bra. For women looking for more freedom, there is now the option of a range of skinadhesive breast forms produced by Amoena. Natural in appearance, significantly lighter than the more traditional prostheses, the contact breast forms mean women can wear almost anything, without anyone knowing they have even had a breast or breasts removed. And just as with natural breasts, there is no such thing as one size fits all – or even one form for each woman. There are a range of breast forms available, including non-weighted leisure forms, silicone breast forms for everyday wear, partial shapers for women who have had partial breast-conserving surgery, even temperature balancing forms for hot weather and swim forms for bathers. To get a truly undetectable effect from a breast form, you have to first have a perfectly fitting bra, and that means seeing a trained fitter. Post-treatment, women are eligible for a $400 Medicare rebate every two years on the fitting of a prosthetic breast form. Having a professional fitting session means women get the right size, the right shape, and the right look for their body. After all, breast cancer and surgery is traumatic enough. These enhanced prostheses can help return self-esteem, privacy and fashion freedom for women undergoing treatment and recovery.
LINGERIE & SWIMWE AR BOUTIQ UE
OPEN 6 DAYS 125A PAK I N GTO N S TREE T, G EELO N G P 5229 1228 E mil a n aslin g e r ie @h o t m ail.c o m
For more information or to book a professional breast form fitting, contact Milanas Lingerie on 03 5229 1228.
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RUBY WELLNESS
Prevention is the best cure Qutis Skin Check Clinic
If you work outdoors, participate in sports, are over 50, have a personal or family history of skin cancer, or have ever been sunburnt, now is the time to get your skin checked.
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cross Australia, two in three people will be diagnosed with skin cancer at least once by the age of 70. Every day, over 1,000 Australian are treated for skin cancer and in Victoria alone, 401 people die from skin cancer each year. But skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, with over 95% of skin cancers able to be successfully treated if detected early. Did you know that you can have a comprehensive skin check from a GP with a special interest in skin cancer management for the cost of a standard GP check up? (Minimal procedure consumables fees can apply.) Skin checks also come with a Medicare rebate of over $35, and pensioner/health care card holders are bulk billed. A comprehensive skin check includes an assessment and management of premalignant and malignant skin lesions. At a skin check clinic, any lesions can be biopsied on site and sent for testing. Treatments, if needed, can then be planned. Thin, superficial skin lesions can be treated
with liquid nitrogen, known as cryo therapy. Larger or deeper lesions can be excised to remove them completely as an in-clinic procedure. Mole mapping is an effective treatment option for those at high risk of melanoma development. By taking images of the body, any changes can be more readily detected.
“... in Victoria alone, 401 people die from skin cancer each year. But skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer...”
Qutis is a specialized skin cancer management general practice clinic, with five fully registered GPs, all with a special interest in the prevention, detection and management of skin cancer. Led by the highly experienced Dr Bruce Poole and Dr Phineas Mazani, with Dr Steven Wilkinson and Dr Emily Shaw, patients can book appointments without the need for referrals, and have the peace of mind of a full-service clinic. Skin check appointments are available at Qutis, 96 Yarra Street Geelong. Phone: (03) 4245 0077.
Phyto Dynamic Therapy (PDT) is used for the treatment of precancerous and early nonmelanoma skin cancer. The 2-step procedure uses high-energy light to target the affected area, and being a highly selective treatment, causes only minimal damage to surrounding healthy skin.
Regular GP appointments are also available at Myers Street Family Medical Practice, 148 Myers Street, Geelong, from 8am to 8pm weekdays, and walk-in appointments are available from 8pm to midnight on weekdays, and 8am to midnight on weekends. Phone: (03) 5229 5192 Looking for a family GP? The Cottage at 222 Torquay Road, Geelong specializes in family general practice services, with appointments available on (03) 5241 6129.
Qutis is Geelong’s only general practice based skin check clinic At Qutis our goal is to provide patients with a comprehensive skin check, skin cancer education and management of skin cancers.
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RUBY WELLNESS
Naturally good tea Virgin Garden
High in the Sri Lankan mountains a quiet revolution is taking place, with biodynamic plantations producing tea that is grown in complete harmony with nature. These teas are good for the planet and good for you too.
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the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;natural fertiliserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are fed organic feed.
here is nothing quite like a good cup of tea on a cold day, rich in antioxidants, tea can bring a welcome winter boost to our immune system. All teas are not equal, with more and more tea drinkers turning to organic teas, grown and picked under fair conditions, on environmentally sustainable plantations. High in the mountains of Sri Lanka, home to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest Ceylon tea plantations, there is a quiet revolution taking place. Old plantations that had been run down and left to stand fallow for over a decade have been replanted as organic plantations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; free from chemical pesticides and fertilisers. Organic certifications for tea are not easy to qualify for, so that buyers know that a fully certified organic tea really is organically grown. Workers on these plantations are also work under fair conditions, and the quality of the tea being produced in uncompromising. Virgin Garden is a local Geelong family company, importing and distributing these teas Australia-wide. Ian Murray, who owns
The range of teas are sold online, through the Ryrie Street office and available at Coles supermarkets and various other outlets throughout Australia, have developed a cult following. The strict organic growing conditions mean the teas are naturally 98 per cent caffeine free â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is a boon for those of us that like a late night cuppa, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enjoy the insomnia that can come with it. But Ian says what has really won people over is the flavour.
and operates Virgin Garden with his son, Nathan Murray said the plantations are spectacularly beautiful, with the tea bushes interspersed with larger flowering trees, planted to attract insects (not that you get a lot of pests at 3,600 feet above sea level). There is very little machinery on the plantations, and so stringent are the plantation operators about their organic certifications that even the cattle the produce
Tea is a culture all of its own. Unfortunately, the global appetite for tea has seen mass production bring pesticides, chemicals and deteriorating working conditions on many of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plantations. Virgin Garden, and others that pride themselves on environmental sustainability and social responsibility, are helping to change that. Find out more about Virgin Garden black and green teas at virgingarden.com.au â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taste the Blissâ&#x20AC;?
VIRGIN GARDEN ORGANIC TEA
Tea grown for the mind, body and spirit... Taste the Bliss Â&#x2021; 9LUJLQ *DUGHQ %LRG\QDPLF 2UJDQLF 7HD Â&#x2021; 3URGXFHG ZLWKRXW WKH XVH RI FKHPLFDOV LQVHFWLFLGHV Â&#x2021; $YDLODEOH LQ 3XUH RUJDQLF %ODFN 7HD (DUO *UH\ (QJOLVK %UHDNIDVW *UHHQ 7HD DQG /RRVH /HDI %ODFN 7HD Â&#x2021; 6ROG DW &ROHV DQG D YDULHW\ RI RWKHU 2UJDQLF +HDOWK 6WRUHV $XVWUDOLD ZLGH For further enquiries 3KRQH Email: LQIR#YLUJLQJDUGHQ FRP DX Direct purchases can be made via our website: ZZZ YLUJLQJDUGHQ FRP DX
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FINAL THOUGHT
The Stepford Bitch Tuesday Jones
It is a truth universally acknowledged that women can be total bitches – particularly when it comes to other women. Let’s face it, almost all of us can be a bit of a bitch at times, but are we seeing a return of the Stepford Bitch? “So, how do you spend any time with your children if you work two jobs? I think it’s really important for children to have their mother at home with them.” Hmm… “And who looks after your children when you’re at work?” Jane’s husband works on shift, with the couple able to work around each other’s busy schedules. “You mustn’t spend much time with each other then, that must be hard on your relationship.”
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eing a bitch can be empowering, within limits. After all, every powerful woman has, at some point, worn the title of ‘bitch’ with pride.
But when a friend arrived on my doorstep recently seeking tea and sympathy, she had a tale of such epic bitchiness to tell that I immediately knew it had to be shared as a warning to women everywhere – Stepford Bitches do exist, and they’re out there! “Oh my god, I need to vent to another normal mum!” These are never the words beginning a happy tale, so the kettle went on and the story came out. It all began innocently enough, dropping off a child at a birthday party. It was a lovely house, beautifully and obviously expensively styled. After complimenting a toy in the child’s bedroom, my friend (let’s call her Jane) was told that it was from a very exclusive store, and that this beautifully and obviously expensively styled woman (a mainstay of local committees – Ye Gods!) thought it was nice for her daughter to know she had something no one else in town would have. This was the first hint that the two mums
46 | Ruby
didn’t have quite the same outlook on parenting or, for that matter, life in general. “Oh, that’s nice,” Jane replied, and followed the hostess into the kitchen, where the other mums were gathered. The hostess, then paused at the door and announced, “This is Jane, everyone. You probably don’t know her because she’s always too busy working to stop and talk at kinder.” SLAP! At this point my jaw dropped open. “Are you serious? She said that? What did you do?” Froze in disbelief, as most of us would. But it got better. What followed was a 20-minute interrogation that may have belonged in a 1960s sitcom, but seemed hard to believe would actually happen in 2012. These are just some of them: “So, what is it you do?” Jane is a part-time teacher and part-time small business owner. “Oh. And how old are your children?” Jane has four children, aged from early teens to toddler. “Teens? You can’ t be much older than me and I’ve just turned 30. You must have been really young when you had your first child. How old are you?” Jane is ‘in her 30s’.
Yep, the interrogation had descended into blatant rudeness – interspersed with smug comments about her own pre-schoolers being already enrolled at a local private school where Jane had said she intended sending her youngest children. (“My friend works there and she told me no one who isn’t already enrolled will be getting in,” right through to, “I’ve had my children privately assessed, so that I know what educational level they’re at.”) This woman sounded about as palatable as a horsehair sandwich at this point. Who behaves like that? And why? I was astounded my friend hadn’t bitten back, but she said she was so shocked that she just got the hell out of there as quickly as possible. For the next half an hour, we happily came up with things she could have said, but was too nice to. Like: “Have you heard the statistics about empty nest syndrome and stay at home mums? So sad.” Or: “I think it’s really important for my children to understand that women can do anything they set their minds to, not just stay at home, pop out babies and do the dishes.” But then, we both conceded we actually admire most stay at home mums (not this one, obviously!) for their ability to stay sane at home with the kids every day. We did have heaps of fun coming up with the kinds of karmic retribution that we would expect if we lived in a fair world. Like her children to grow up to become anti-materialist hippy activists who place her in a ‘back-tonature’ aged care facility out in the bush with no running water and dig-your-own loos. Or waking up one day to find a younger model Stepford Wife had replaced her. Or alopecia. After all, even karma is a bitch!
The Ultimate Wedding Video Experience
WAURN PONDS SHOPPING CENTRE
FREE HOLIDAY FUN WEEK 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Mon 2 – Fri 6 July, 11am to 2pm daily Activity Centre located outside Target.
™ ANGRY BIRDS™ © 2009-2012 ROVIO ENTERTAINMENT LTD.
Enjoy the Angry Birds Activity Centre and meet the iconic Red Bird as he roams the centre.
WEEK 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN Mon 9 – Fri 13 July, 11am to 3pm daily Both activities located outside Target.
Get active at the AFL & Olympic themed craft workshops with activities changing daily. And hop aboard Thomas The Tank Engine as he takes short trips around the centre.
©2012 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.
©2012 HIT Entertainment Limited.
Find Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre on Facebook & Twitter Visit www.waurnpondssc.com.au/news/whats-on/ for the full schedule of daily activity.
äÎÊxÓ{{ÊÓxnäÊUÊ173 - 199 Pioneer Road, Waurn Ponds 3216