Esperance Tide May 2021

ISSUE 73

FREE MONTHLY MAY 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: ROSIE HENDERSON

Hello and welcome to May! The first month of the year when us locals can take a moment to catch our breath and think, “What the hell just happened?” April was the icing on the cake of an absolute bumper start to the year. Kicking off with Easter and ending with the ANZAC Day long weekend, with seemingly endless warm, sunny and windless days in between, it was a good reminder about how bloody lucky we are to live in this far-flung corner of Planet Earth. A massive pat on the back to all our mates in hospitality, tourism and retail for making it through the first (and busiest!) quarter of the year!

When we think of May, the first thing that springs to mind is Mother’s Day! There are so many amazing women in our community who also happen to be mums, so we decided to showcase some of them in this issue. We’ve focussed on mums who run their own businesses, from baking to Botox! Their stories of how they got into business, and how they balance business and motherhood are super motivating. Whether you’ve got kids or not, if you’ve been thinking of starting your own business, this read is all you need to get you going! Find it on page 4. And if you’re stuck for what to get your mum for Mother’s Day, we’ve got an idea or two in this month’s Tide Picks [p. 8].

With the nights now cooling down and winter just around the corner, plenty of us are getting our heaters cranking for the first time in a while. If you’re in need of wood, consider buying it from the RFDS woodcutters, who chop, sell and deliver wood, giving all the proceeds to the RFDS. The blokes have been doing it for more than a decade now, and the money they’ve raised through the fundraiser is just astonishing. Not to mention, they’re all over 60, with the oldest of the group pushing 90! Have a read on page 14 and then give them a call to buy your wood for the winter.

There’s heaps more in this issue, including a run down on the great work the Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation are doing out on Woods Street [p. 10], and a jam packed Culture Pops to keep your diary full throughout the month [p. 18]. We’ve also got the inside scoop on author Jodi MacNish’s recently released children’s book, Cy’s Adventures: Pirate [p. 24]. If you’ve got kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews, go grab a copy of this vibrant, locally written picture book ASAP! To all our mums out there – single mums and soccer mums, stepmums and foster mums, mom jean mums and fairy godmums – we wish you a very happy Mother’s Day! Until next time...

Established in 2016, Esperance Tide is a free, monthly publication that shares our community’s most uplifting and inspiring stories. We strive to support small business and community events, and champion the heroes that reside within our region.

Esperance Tide is 100 per cent locally and independently owned.

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HO ME GR OWN Mums in Business

UP N EXT Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation

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RFDS Woodcutters

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Emil Nulsen

SPO T L IGHT ON

HIST O RY

Thank you to our advertisers who make this possible and the 3,000 people who pick up a copy every month. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and play, the Nyungar and Ngadju people, and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

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B A KI N G , BOOKS & BOTOX

These Mums Mean Business PHOTOGRAPHY ROSIE HENDERSON

With Mother’s Day upon us, we caught up with six local women to chat about the highs and lows of balancing motherhood and small business. ⟶

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Tiff Brown Bread Local

Dee Bennier Smooth Skin Cosmetic Injecta bles

Filled with sweet cinnamon buns and chocolatey brownies, there’s little doubt the children of Bread Local owner Tiff Brown – Ned (4) and Tessa (2) – will look back upon their childhood as anything but delicious. Bread Local operates out of Tiff and her partner Big Bear’s home. Their bedroom shares a wall with the bakery, so Tiff admits the boundaries between work and home life are often blurred. She’s conscious of making a distinction between the two but does her best to make time for her kids when they appear in the bakery, even if it’s just minutes before Bread Local opens to the public on a Friday afternoon.

“I’m learning that two minutes of undivided attention is often all it takes and there aren’t many instances where I can’t allow that time,” Tiff says. Ned was the catalyst for Tiff leaving her corporate job and stepping into the unknown of running a small business. She started baking while on maternity leave and by the time it was coming to an end, Bread Local was in full swing. The business has gone from strength to strength, the result of Tiff’s creativity and discipline, and the unwavering support of ‘King of the Kids’, Big Bear. Tiff also credits the Esperance community for their role in getting Bread Local off the ground. Esperance is the ideal place to start a business, according to Tiff. “I have found this community incredibly supportive,” she says. “There is no better place to live, work, raise a family and run a business!”

Dee Bennier’s children, Jai (14) and Steph (8), were allegedly responsible for the angry lines that led to her trying Botox, and there was no looking back once she did. She was so thrilled with the results, Dee decided to open her own business so others could feel as fresh as she did! Dee is a registered nurse with a background in the beauty industry, having previously owned her own hairdressing salon. When her friend Karen Chivell floated the idea of opening a new beauty business, Dee jumped at the opportunity to combine her nursing skills with her beauty experience. She completed her training in cosmetic injectables and opened Smooth Skin Cosmetic Injectables within Karen’s salon. Balancing her business with family, friends and sporting commitments is all part of the fun for Dee. “Keeping busy is part of who I am,” she says. Dee has now been working with cosmetic injectables for three years and says she loves helping her clients build confidence and self-esteem by freshening their look. “How we look on the outside can make us feel flat on the inside,” Dee says, while acknowledging, “My business isn’t for everyone, just as running your own business isn’t for everyone.” In typical Dee-style, she’s hoping for a Mother’s Day that’s busy, and includes roller skating at the skatepark, against Jai’s wishes. “He said I’m not allowed to go to the skate park, so that’s where we will go,” she laughs.

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Dimity Siemer Wild Posse

Raquel Nelson Toy Station

Wild Posse has come a long way since its launch last November. With huge delays in the arrival of stock, the store opened with a very small selection of wares.

Today, Wild Posse not only boasts an online store and a three room shop in Museum Village, but it is also soon to be the home of Wild Posse Hair, a new micro salon.

Dimity Siemer, owner of Wild Posse and mum to Billie (21 months), said believing in herself and believing there was a market for kids and women’s wear in Esperance were what kept her motivated early on. “I kept my focus on what I wanted to achieve and the reasons I was doing it,” she says. One of those reasons was Billie – Dimity wanted to be her own boss so that she had the flexibility to spend more time with her daughter than her shift work job allowed her. Dimity admits it is still a challenge finding balance and is working to get her business to a place where she can more effectively divide her time between her daughter, the store, and herself. “I’m hoping to reach to a point where I’m not having to be physically in the store 100 per cent of the time, so I can spend more time with Billie,” she says. “I am conscious that time is precious, and they grow so quick. I don’t want to miss out on that.”

Toy Station owner Raquel Nelson knows a thing or two about successfully balancing business with kids. Her eldest son Ko was just five-years-old and her youngest, Jett, wasn’t yet born when her and her partner opened what was then Toy Kingdom. Ko is now 26 and Jett is 18, and the business is still going strong. After two decades in business, Raquel loves that she’s so connected to the community through her shop. “I’m really enjoying this next stage of seeing new mums come into the store,” she says. “Some of them were my toy customers as children.

Time flies when you’re having fun.” Now a grandmother to Isla May, almost 2, Raquel says she had an amazing support crew when her boys were younger, and that her mum Mazzy is still her biggest support. Raquel and her partner entered the toy industry all those years ago because it looked like fun and it hasn’t disappointed, according to Raquel. Whether or not her sons agree remains to be seen. “I did make the boys work for their toys,” she says. “And I’m pretty sure they ended up with a lot of defective or returned toys!” Her wise words to other mothers wanting to start their own business?

“Small business has not been easy, but has been such a fulfilling experience,” she says. “And about mum guilt… let it go!”

Kirsten Raszyk Settlement Hub WA

Tammy Maloney The Book Box

“Being a mum is a lot like being in settlements,” according to the owner of Settlement Hub WA, Kirsten Raszyk. “Every day is different and when you think you have it worked out, a new curve ball comes at you.” Kirsten was working casually for Chris Buckley Conveyancing when Chris decided to retire. Kirsten, a licenced settlement agent, saw an opportunity, so took the reins from Chris, rebranded and made the business her own. Kirsten’s husband farms in Cascade, so she spends much of her time juggling their two kids – Henry (8) and Molly (6) – and the business on her own. She says this is the biggest challenge of running Settlement Hub WA, but it makes the moments together as a family all the more precious. “When we are together is when we are most content,” she says. Kirsten credits her diary for helping her balance the load, and schedules Tuesday evenings to herself to play squash. She has a solid support crew behind her, including her husband, the kids’ grandparents and her staff. “Make sure you have a strong support network around you,” she advises others looking to start their own business. “Especially if you have kids.”

In addition to a long held dream to own a bookstore, The Book Box came about because owner Tammy Maloney was seeking a job that was family friendly. Tammy has two sons, Connor (15) and Luke (13). She says The Book Box has taught the teenagers valuable lessons about the commitment that goes into earning a living and making a small business work. However, as important as that commitment is, Tammy says it is just as important that she takes time off for the boys when they need it.

“Having a work/life balance is vital so that when you are with your kids, you can actually enjoy the time together,” she says. Tammy has strived to create a business with a culture that supports motherhood and family, and credits the women she works with – Clare, Robyn and Annie – for helping her achieve this. Tammy says she’s just one of many women who have left the confines of working for others to start their own business, reflecting their values of family and collaboration. Her advice to others is to surround yourself with people who want you to succeed and once you do, pay it forward. “Inspire, empower and support the next generation of young women,” Tammy says.

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T ID E P ICKS

Mother’s Day

1. Banabae Rad Mama 100% Linen Robe Wild Posse $179 2. Fair Play by Eve Rodsky The Book Box $33 3. Garden To Table Mortar & Pestle Luxe Floral & Home Co. $34.95 4. Wooden Yoga Dice Set E.S.P. $24 5. Tide & Co X Project Pargo Insulated Water Bottle 950ml - Bone White Tide & Co $64 6. Denada Salted Caramel Vegan Ice Cream Bob & Jim’s General Store $15.95 7. iKOU Australian Lemon Myrtle & Tahitian Lime Hand/Body Wash 500ml B Naturally You $39.95 8. Compagnie de Provence Hand Cream - Pink Grapefruit Woven $39.95

Wishing all past, present and future mum’s a Wonderful Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th!

Featuring beautiful blooms, gifts and interior decor, this boutique store offers a wide range of flowers and beautiful home and giftware to entice you!

WE ARE NOW LOCATED AT 94A DEMPSTER STREET WE ARE ONLINE luxefloralandhome.com.au FOLLOW US @luxefloralandhomeco @luxefloralco

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MP

Delivering for O’Connor Unit 11, 75-79 Dempster Street, Esperance WA 6450 9071 4846

rick.wilson.mp@aph.gov.au

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Authorised by Rick Wilson MP, Liberal Party, Unit 11, 75-79 Dempster Street, Esperance WA 6450.

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UP NEXT

Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation WORDS KARLI FLORISSON P H OT O G R A P H Y R O S I E H E N D E R S O N

The Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation is named for the Mudjar tree, also known as Nyutsia floribunda, or the native Christmas tree. This tree is sacred to Nyungar people of the South West and played a significant role in traditional culture. The tree, which flowers in a stunning display of orange blooms in the summer, is an indicator of the season of Birak, one of the six Nyungar seasons.

The Mudjar tree is sacred to the Nyungar people as it is associated with the spirits of their ancestors, who would ‘camp’ in the branches of the tree. There is a dreamtime story also associated with the tree, the story of Mudjar Yok, a beautiful Nyungar woman with golden hair, who was always helpful and kind to her people.

When she became sick, the people were saddened. Mudjar Yok promised that when she died, she would come back to visit her people. Every year, when the Mudjar tree flowers, according to this dreamtime story, this is Mudjar Yok, with her golden hair, visiting her people and bringing joy to them.

The Mudjar tree, which is also known as the Flame Tree for obvious reasons, sometimes goes by different names among other Nyungar groups. It is a hemiparasitic tree, drawing some of its nutrients from other nearby trees. It used to be quite common throughout the southern part of Western Australia, but land clearing has reduced the numbers of this tree significantly. The Nyungar people would use the bark of the tree for shields and eat the sweet sap which the tree exudes. The tree was to be treated with respect by Nyungar people and it was regarded as a protected species.

Naming the Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation after the Mudjar tree aligns with the corporation’s vision, which is to celebrate Aboriginal history and culture, and to share and preserve local Indigenous knowledge. The corporation, which was formerly known as Esperance Nyungar Aboriginal Corporation, is a not for profit, community purpose organisation, run by a board of Aboriginal elders present and emerging from throughout the Goldfields region.

The corporation has a strong focus on cultural education and preservation, as demonstrated by two of their programs, Nyungar Kaditj (Understanding Nyungar) and Ngulla Mia (Our Place). ⟶

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U P NEXT

and education in the community. The workshop located on the premises is being used for a pallet furniture project, which has been recognised for its work with young people in the community. There is also a meeting room, which provides a space for workshops, and an art gallery and gift shop, which sells a range of Aboriginal arts and crafts. The centre also provides space for yarning and social interaction, where people can enjoy the vegetable and herb gardens, or be involved in art or craft projects.

The Nyungar Kaditj program aims to increase awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal culture in the Esperance community through sharing and celebrating culture.

The program has visited several local schools to share culture and knowledge through history, Nyungar language, dreamtime stories, traditional crafts, and music. The corporation hopes that the Nyungar Kaditj program will be utilised in a range of different settings in future as well.

The Ngulla Mia project is based at the Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation’s premises on Woods Street in Chadwick.

This project aims to create a space in the corporation’s premises where local people can come to share and celebrate Aboriginal culture and experiences. The project aims to increase social connections, and provide opportunities for increased skills, knowledge, training

One of the future plans for the Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation is to establish a bush tucker garden at the premises on Woods Street. The corporation hopes that this will contribute to sharing local knowledge and provide the opportunity to share traditional meals as well. Manager Kylie Ryan says that the plans for the bush tucker garden are already underway. There are many local plants which the Nyungar people used for food, such as Grass Trees and Pigface, the hardy plant with its bright pink flowers. Kylie says that when they began to research planting edible native species, they found that many well-known plants, such as Quandong trees, were very hard to propagate in controlled conditions. As for the Mudjar trees, Kylie says that they have proven to be almost impossible to propagate. While there is always hope that the project will have success growing the unique and fascinating trees in the future, for now, we will just have to enjoy them in the wild. As the corporation hopes, the sight of the Mudjar trees in full bloom will remind people of the enduring significance of local Nyungar culture to this area.

O PEN IN G HO URS The Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation is located at 4 Woods Street and is open from Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm.

Australia’s only specialist fish and shark leather tannery ...born in the Golden Outback of Western Australia.

Mermaid Leather produces unique, aesthetically appealing and strong fish and shark leather.

Established in 1989 two local fishermen saw a need to recycle skins from the fish processing food industry, Visitors to Esperance can enjoy a multimedia presentation to discover the exciting process of tanning wild caught Barramundi, Snapper, Groper and Shark.

Open 6 Days a Week 2pm – 5pm (Closed Monday’s) 6 Woods Street (off Sheldon Rd) 08 9071 5248 12 / ESPERANCE TIDE / MAY 2021

Council Connections 07/04

Urban Nodes Trial Survey Between April 4 – 30, the Shire gathered feedback on the Urban Node Trial through a survey that was released to the community and local businesses. The survey received over 250 submissions with the results set to go to the local Streetscape Committee and then to Council. The nodes came as part of the Esperance CBD Landscaping Concept Design, which guides the implementation and upgrade of landscaping in the Esperance CBD. As part of the Concept Design, it was proposed to trial ‘urban nodes’, designed to create opportunities for alfresco dining areas or public open space in front of restaurants and cafes through modifying the parking layout.

Civic Centre Artwork Underway On April 19, Western Australian artists Chris Nixon and Andrew Frazer began the process of installing the Esperance Civic Centre’s new artwork, a public mural and bespoke lighting installation, on the building’s façade and entrance. The artwork, which celebrates the expansive spaces and intimate community of Esperance, includes a painted mural, custom entrance lighting and new signage. The project is a continuation of the Civic Centre Renovation Program, which has already seen major interior upgrades, the roof repainted and the exterior brick walls rendered.

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Sand Backpassing Trial Begins The Sand Backpassing Trial began on April 21, with the Shire partnering with the Department of Transport to trial pumping dredged sand from Bandy Creek Boat Harbour to Castletown Quays Beach, to nourish the eroding sections.

The sand will be pumped from early May (Monday – Saturday 7am – 6pm) with the trial expected to run until early August. It’s estimated the $1.5 million project will see 40,0000 cubic metres of sand removed from the Bandy Creek entrance channel and pumped 3.6 kilometres through temporary onshore pipelines to the eroding sections of the beach, removing the need for external sand to be trucked in from offsite sand pits. A temporary pipeline will be laid at the foot of the sand dunes, running the length of Castletown Quays, from Bandy Creek to the Castletown Beach Groyne Field, opposite RAC Caravan Park. Please be cautious around any work taking place on the beach.

The Old Esperance Goods Shed Do you know anything about the old Esperance Goods Shed? Heritage consultant Michelle Slarke and the Esperance Museum are seeking stories and photographs of the Goods Shed, which was constructed from 1895 and later operated as a terminus for the Goldfields railway line. They are keen to hear from former Goods Shed or railway staff and their families, those who delivered/collected freight or have any knowledge of the Goods Shed operations/history. Please contact Michelle Slarke on 9865 1878 or 0488 693 595 or by email mslarke@hotmail.com.

Upcoming Council Meetings /ShireOfEsperance

27/04

Agenda Briefing: 18 May 2021 at 1PM Ordinary Council Meeting: 25 May 2021 at 4PM @shire_esperance

@shireofesperance

Ph: (08) 9071 0689 • PO Box 507, 77 Windich Street, Esperance, WA 6450 shire @esperance.wa.gov.au • www.esperance.wa.gov.au

RFDS Woodcutters Fire Up for the Season WORDS HANNAH SIEMER

P H OT O G R A P H Y R O S I E H E N D E R S O N

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Over the last year, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has assisted more than 320,000 Australians, flying across 27 million kilometres to provide aeromedical transport, clinics and consultations. That’s the equivalent of 34 trips to the moon and back. In Esperance alone, the RFDS make an average of five flights per week. The RFDS is a crucial service for isolated communities like ours, but it is an incredibly expensive one to run; each flight costs around $11,000. To ease the burden of these costs, a dedicated group of men and women form the RFDS Esperance Auxiliary, committed to yearround fundraising to keep the vital service going. For 25 years, the auxiliary has coordinated fundraisers for the RFDS, from raffles and sausage sizzles to ‘Feral Fundraising’, an annual fox shoot which this year raised $1,480. The auxiliary’s biggest fundraiser, however, is its firewood sales, raising more than $500,000 since its inception 14 years ago.

Every Wednesday morning, between the months of April and November, up to 25 men turn out to the McD Contracting yard on Sinclair Street to help chop and process firewood. It’s a big job – last year, the men got through an estimated 800 loads of donated wood, each weighing close to a tonne. But they love it, eager to get into it once the weather cools down. “Before we start for the season, they’ll ring me and ask, ‘When are we starting?’” says Neil Livingstone, coordinator of the fundraiser. “They all want to get started as early as possible.” The men, all volunteers, are no spring chickens, either. The youngest of the group is in his 60s, while the oldest is 87. According to Neil, who is 79, the physicality of the task keeps the men active, and gives them something to do other than sitting at home all day. ⟶

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While Neil did not establish the fundraiser, he has been with it since just about day one. He says the group started with only six men, and he thought it might only last a year or two. Fourteen years on, the group has quadrupled in size and has managed to raise $585,000.

“It just grew and grew,” Neil says. “People kept coming forward saying they wanted to give us a hand.” Last year was a bumper year, raising a record $84,000 for the RFDS. It is one of the biggest community fundraisers for the service in Western Australia, and it is a unique one too; Neil says he’s not aware of any other person or group in Australia raising money for the RFDS in this way.

For the volunteers, the sense of purpose and belonging that they feel from being a part of the group is just as important as the money they raise. After the hard yakka is done for the morning, they knock off for a barbeque lunch and a cold drink, put on for them by another volunteer. It’s well-earned and gives them the opportunity

to sit around and have a chat with their ‘work’ mates.

“We all like to come out here,” Neil says. “There’s a bit of comradery out here; they all know they’ve got something to do, and it gives them a purpose.”

Neil and three others deliver the wood to homes around Esperance almost every day of the week throughout the winter, going the extra mile by aiming to deliver within a day of receiving an order. RFDSWA Regional Engagement Coordinator Lana Dibello says groups like the woodcutters are vital to the RFDS being able to continue its life-saving services across the state. “The Royal Flying Doctor Service in WA is fortunate to have the support of thousands of dedicated community members and fundraising groups across the state,” she says. “On behalf of everyone at the RFDS I sincerely thank our incredible auxiliary in Esperance. I know firsthand the enormous impact our local fundraisers have in raising vital funds to keep us in the air.”

F IREW OOD N OW AVA I LA B LE To order a load of firewood, or to join the group of volunteer woodcutters, call Neil Livingstone on 0447 677 327.

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HIDDEN HEROES Ken Mills Esperance Community Arts Chairperson Ken Mills is a busy man. As well as his role at ECA, Ken is also the President of the Esperance Brass Band, and of the Esperance Wildflower Society. And while it might not be everyone’s idea of fun, Ken’s commitment to excellence in local organisations means that he even finds time to be the Community Representative on the Esperance Shire Council’s Audit Committee.

As part of his role at ECA, Ken has helped to set up a structure which is essential in the everyday running of the organisation. ECA Executive Officer Jane Mulcock says that Ken has put a huge amount of work into ensuring that the organisation has an excellent standard of governance. As well as his work behind the scenes, Ken is on the finance committee, where he’s been putting in extra hours of volunteer work. He even makes time to do general work around the place, including sometimes being roped in as a handyman.

Ken comes from a career in health administration, where he had a number of different roles, including a statewide role with WA Country Health. While he was working for WA Country Health, he decided that he would like to explore his interest in botany, so he completed a degree in botany while still working in a very challenging role.

Ken Mills is presented his award by Cr Jennifer Obourne

Now out of the full time workforce, Ken is able to put his passion for botany to use in his role with the Wildflower Society, where he is the Botanist in Attendance at the Esperance Wildflower Festival each year. “Helping to organise the Wildflower Festival is exhausting,” Ken says. “But it’s fantastic to see the display, and to talk to people and be able to share some knowledge about the wildflowers.” He also enjoys his work with the Brass Band, and with ECA, finding both to be rewarding experiences.

ECA is currently presenting the Readers and Writers Festival, a five month program of local workshops and events, culminating in a weekend event from May 28 - 30.

This amazing event offers many different opportunities for people to get involved and to learn more from a variety of different presenters. As Jane says, without the incredible effort that Ken has put into making sure ECA runs smoothly, they would not be in the position to offer such great events. Esperance is lucky to have the expertise, hard work, and passion that Ken brings to our community, and he is our very deserving Hidden Hero for this month.

Do you know a H id d e n H e ro ?

The Esperance community is filled with people who do amazing things. It's time to honour our Hidden Heroes, those people serving behind the scenes, selfless and generous with their time and talents. To nominate someone you know, please email Jennifer.Obourne@esperance.wa.gov.au

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Farm to Foundry: Chris Siemer Retrospective Exhibition continues at 91 Dempster Street.

This exhibition features a carefully curated selection of local artist Chris Siemer’s bronze works and paintings, portraying his connection with history and community, and timelining his evolution as an artist. Open weekdays 10am 2pm and weekends 10am - 3pm until May 15.

Honeymoon, an exhibition by James Giddy, continues at the Cannery Arts Centre. James is a Perth-based artist, best known locally for his Cape Barren Geese mural on the exterior of everyone’s favourite little grocer, Bob & Jim’s. Also featuring works by Esperance sculptor Jason Wooldridge, don’t miss this exhibition before it closes on May 15.

Get down to Lions Park for the Esperance Mini Markets, with all proceeds going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Cakes, face painting, plants, sausage sizzle, raffles and more. 9am to 1pm.

Ooo la la! French film Ghislain Lambert’s Bicycle will be shown at the Bijou Theatre (with subtitles, of course!). The film follows a modest Belgian biker who dreams of becoming a cycling champion, but doesn’t quite have the legs his heart deserves. Starts at 6pm. Tickets are $20, available from the Esperance Public Library. French cheese, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments available.

Round up the family and head to the Esperance Civic Centre for Pete the Sheep, an awardwinning musical for kids. Adapted from the picture book of the same name, Pete the Sheep is imaginatively told by four performers playing shearers, dogs and sheep. Two shows: 9:30am and 5pm. Tickets are priced from $15, available on the Shire website.

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Jump on a boat and sail across the archipelago towards May There Be Music, a day of live musical performances on Woody Island. Accompanied by food and bevs from Blackjack’s Bar, it’s sure to be a day to remember. There’s a day trip option but if you’re keen to kick on, why not camp the night and return the next day? Snag your ticket before they sell out by calling 0484 327 580.

Head down to the Museum Village from 8.30am to 12.30pm for the fortnightly Sunday Markets.

The Village shops and cafe will be open, as well as a range of market stalls for your perusal. The next market for the month is on May 23.

Hit the Cannery Arts Centre Courtyard for a classic open mic night. PA and drums provided, BYO drinks and nibbles. Doors open at 5:30pm and entry is just $5 (kids free).

Margaret Fulton reigned supreme on Australia’s cooking scene and now, her story is coming to the Esperance Civic Centre… in musical theatre form! Margaret Fulton: The Musical follows the famous cook’s journey from humble beginnings to super-stardom.

Starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced from $22.50 and are available on the Shire website.

Tonight’s your chance to see the much talked about Australian documentary 2040. Showing at the Cannery Arts Centre at 6pm, 2040 investigates the effects of climate change over the next 20 years and the technologies that exist to reverse the effects. Tickets are $15 and must be pre-purchased online prior to the screening. Head to www.fan-force.com/ screenings to book.

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THE BRIDGE

Learn more about what’s on in Esperance by visiting esperancetide.com/whatson

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Heralded as one of Australia’s greatest blues and roots performers, Ash Grunwald is hitting the road, touring throughout WA. He’s swinging by the Cannery Arts Centre for one night only, performing songs from his nine studio albums, three live albums, and his newly released album with Josh Teskey, Push the Blues Away.

Supported by James Abberley and local lad Scotty Timmins. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets available at www.kyzapresents.com.

A runaway success in London’s West End, the Melbourne Comedy Festival and right across the US, Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player hits the Esperance Civic Centre. A hilarious send-up of classical music starring Australian pianist David Scheel, this show promises to be nothing but fun. Starts at 5pm.

Tickets are priced from $15 and are available on the Shire website.

Kick off your weekend with Aussie rock legends 1927 at the Esperance Civic Centre.

The multi-award winning band will be playing all their greatest hits from the late-1980s and early-1990s, including ‘That’s When I Think of You’, ‘If I Could’ and ‘Compulsory Hero’. Don’t miss these icons of the Aussie music industry while they’re in town. Grab your tickets from the Shire website for $65.

The grand finale of Readers and Writers Esperance will be held at the Bijou Theatre between May 28 - 30. With readings, interviews, presentations and workshops by local and visiting authors, it’s shaping up to be a jam-packed weekend. For further information, head to www.readersandwritersesperance.com.

Red Moon Rising at The Cannery Arts Centre on April 24 was set to be one of those really special evenings. With classy weather, elegant lighting, quality sound and one hell of a lineup, it was a recipe for success. Mid-Saturday afternoon I felt ever-confident in the evening. Around 4pm, I received a screenshot from a 9News bulletin that referred to the need for Perth and Peel residents who had travelled outside of their regions to go into lockdown, conflicting information that had previously been released. We scrambled and, with no official update through the WA Health Department, tightened our COVID management strategy and moved forward. Doors opened and I received a flood of messages that the update had become official; Perth and Peel travellers outside of the metro region should lockdown. This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I truly feel I have been one of the most fortunate operators in the country and this was my first real taste of the impact COVID-19 has had on the live music industry. My thoughts go out to the operators, venues and musicians that have experienced the full weight of this ongoing pandemic. Now, some gratitude. The timing of the doors closing was ludicrous, my phone reception was ludicrous, my mental state was scattered and in the moment, I failed to clearly communicate to attendees that the event was cancelled.

As such, we had crew arriving over the next hour as we slowly but surely packed down the event. Thank you so much for the level of understanding you showed in receiving the news. To the crowd that helped pack down couches, who threw me a hug on the way out, you will never know the depth of my gratitude. To the staff, volunteers, musicians, I thank you for your understanding.

Legends, all of you.

/fenwick.cinemas @fenwick3cinemas

CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR SESSION DETAILS esperancefenwickcinemas.com.au PHONE 08 9072 1344

Dempster St, Esperance

PLEASE NOTE LIMITED SEATING - ADVANCED TICKET PURCHASES ADVISED 19 / ESPERANCE TIDE / MAY 2021

KYRON SMITHSON - KYZA PRESENTS

A R T S & CUL T URE

Farm to Foundry An exhibition featuring a carefully curated selection of local artist Chris Siemer’s bronze works and paintings opened on Dempster Street last week. Farm to Foundry, a retrospective exhibition, portrays Chris’ connection with history and community, and timelines his evolution as an artist.

Chris Siemer was born to station owners 160 kilometres from Broken Hill in 1936. The eldest of seven children, Chris started boarding school at just four-years-old, attending a convent in Wilcannia. In 1956, Chris applied for land in Esperance sight unseen and was granted a conditional purchase for land in Gibson. That same year, Chris drove from Broken Hill to take up the land. Of the 2,300 kilometre journey, the only sealed road was between Adelaide and Iron Knob, a stretch of just 380 kilometres.

Chris had long thought of himself as a frustrated artist and felt a calling to pursue the passion in the late 1980s.

After more than 20 years of farming in Esperance, Chris enrolled in a Diploma of Fine Arts at the Claremont School of Art. Inspired by his grandfather, Christian Siemer, a prominent Californian artist, he majored in painting, but while studying developed an interest in bronze sculpture.

In 1993, Chris and his family returned to Esperance and built an art studio and small bronze foundry in Bandy Creek so he could practice his art. Since that time, Chris has produced many bronze works for public and private commissions, as well as solo and joint exhibitions. Some of these works have gone on to become prominent landmarks in Western Australia, such as the seal roundabout at the end of Andrew Street in Esperance, the Pioneer and Tom Starcevich VC Memorials in Grass Patch, and the Dr Laver statue in Laverton.

Farm to Foundry is a retrospective exhibition containing more than 60 works by local artist Chris Siemer.

Farm to Foundry is a retrospective exhibition containing more than 60 works by Chris. Curated by local artist Phil Shelton, the exhibition also features a selection of bronze works by Phil, who refers to himself as Chris’ ‘apprentice’. Farm to Foundry is a reflection of Chris’ dedication to his craft and his community, and an opportunity to view Chris’ works and learn his story in the one space. “I’ve had a marvellous life and it’s not over yet,” Chris said at the exhibition’s official opening.

“I wouldn’t have missed it for quids.”

EXHIB IT IO N IN FO Farm to Foundry is located at 91 Dempster Street (next to Kal’s Massage). The exhibition is open daily (Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3pm) until May 15.

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W h a t i s it a b o u t the c o a st tha t i n s p i res yo u ?

I love that it is ever changing.

The sea can be so giving at times, but it has a danger and mystery that we humans can struggle to comprehend, and a sad romance that I am constantly chasing and exploring in my work. Our parents constantly took us to the sea as children, so much so that I think it has become entwined in my very fabric. It felt totally natural later in life to marry a fisherman!

Te l l u s a b o u t the sa rdine tins.

I was painting seascapes in little cat food tins and my grandfather saw them and offered me his sardine tins to use instead. He eats them every day, so I have a steady supply. I wasn’t sure how people would respond to them at first and kept them for myself or for mates, but now I can’t keep up with them.

I think they are a quirky way for people to own a small piece of original art.

ME E T T H E A RT I ST

Allira Henderson Allira Henderson’s impressionistic coastal oil paintings, some of which use a sardine tin for a canvas, draw on the romance of the sea. For Allira, the ocean is as much a part of her life as art. When she’s not painting, you will find her at the beach or at home in her 110-year-old fisherman’s shack, which featured on the cover of Country Style last year.

W h a t wa s the mo tiva tio n b e h i n d yo u r new c o l le c tio n, The Places I Walk ?

It’s a collection of seascapes from coasts close to home. They are a lot lighter and less stormy than my previous works. I began painting them when Christian left the fishing industry late last year.

I wasn’t feeling the need to create the dramatic, dark oceans from when he was at sea, and instead I focused on the light, more iconic Esperance scenes for once.

W ha t e lse is line d u p for 2021?

I will be launching a series of prints through my website soon. I am also working on a collaborative exhibition with two coastal artists from Hopetoun. This will be on display in Hopetoun over the winter months and possibly Esperance later in the year.

Y o u r ho me is a s mu c h a piece o f a rt a s yo u r p a intings. . .

Our shack was built around 1910 and was originally a little miner’s cottage from Norseman. We have owned it for about 10 years now and we have filled her with all the stories we have journeyed over this time.

She is a complete extension of our personalities; very coastal and very eclectic. She was owned by another fisherman once and there’s a rumour that there’s 31 whale bones buried somewhere in her sprawling yard!

And she fe a tu re d o n the cover o f Country Style la st year!

This was one of the most surreal moments. They contacted me after seeing a photo of the shack on Instagram. I didn’t think they were serious at first as she’s a bit rough around the edges, but their beautiful photography made her look stunning. It made all the years of living in and working on our tiny, leaking, rundown shack worthwhile.

L a stly, te l l u s whe re we can find yo u r wo r k !

I sell my smaller work through my Instagram @salted_sunrise and larger work through my website www.allirahenderson.com.

Read our full Q&A with Allira at www.esperancetide.com.

BANKSIA MEDICAL & HEALTH OPEN WEEKDAYS 8:30AM – 5:00PM & SATURDAYS 9AM – 12PM

Dr Graham Jacobs (Permanent Full-time GP) Dr Aidan Hendry (Permanent Full-time GP Registrar) Sharon Southall (Part-time Psychologist) Please advise reception if you are unwell with any flu-like symptoms. Call 9071 1511 or book online.

Check your eligibility for the COVID-19 Vaccine 21 / ESPERANCE TIDE / MAY 2021

NAT IO N A L VOL U N T E E R WE E K 1 7 - 2 3 MAY

Celebrating Our Community’s Volunteers Can you imagine Esperance without volunteers? So many of the things that make our town wonderful are run by people who volunteer their time. Without volunteers, we would not have organisations like Rotary or the Lions Club, no op shops, no sporting groups, no Esperance Community Arts or Cannery Arts Centre, no museum, or SAFE or Miniature Railway.

And that doesn’t even cover emergency services, such as the ambulance, State Emergency Service, and surf lifesaving, or the role that volunteers play in support services around town such as Home Care, and Esperance Care Services. The contribution that volunteers make to our community is immeasurable.

Every year, National Volunteer Week acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of volunteers in Esperance and other communities around Australia. This year, the Volunteer Resource Centre has partnered with Esperance Community Arts, South Coast Natural Resource Management, the SES, and Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue in order to make National Volunteer Week bigger and better than ever. National Volunteer Week is celebrated every year in the third week of May. This year, the theme of the week’s celebrations is ‘Recognise, Reconnect, Reimagine.’ “After the COVID shutdown last year, a lot of people really missed the social aspect of volunteering,” Caitlyn from the Volunteer Resource Centre says. “This year, we’re making up for lost time with lots of opportunities for people to reconnect with other volunteers during National Volunteer Week.”

While volunteering is vitally important for our community, it also has many benefits for volunteers themselves.

Volunteering is good for physical and mental health, it provides opportunities for community members to engage with causes that they care about, and it provides opportunities to get to know new people. Erica from the Volunteer Resource Centre says, “Volunteering tends to help with both individual resilience and whole

community resilience.” This resilience is certainly evident in Esperance. During last year’s lockdown, the Volunteer Resource Centre initiated the ‘Community Supporting Community’ program to support people who needed extra help during the lockdown, which was well supported.

Caitlyn also notes that during times when there have been fires or other emergencies in town, the centre has had an influx of people willing and eager to volunteer, demonstrating the willingness of people in the Esperance community to support each other during difficult times. “We have a real culture of volunteering here in Esperance, which means that people are ready to give their time whenever it is needed,” she says.

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ADV ERTORI AL

During National Volunteer Week, volunteers have the opportunity to be involved with a range of different activities. There is a yoga session for beginners, a guided walk through the Lake Warden Wetlands, ‘beer yoga’ for those who like their yoga with some extra relaxation, and a gala dinner to acknowledge and thank volunteers for their contributions. Volunteers are encouraged to attend any events they like. Caitlyn and Erica say people who volunteer in any capacity are welcome to join. “You might volunteer at your child’s school, or at a sporting club. You might be involved on a committee, or volunteer for one off events. We really want to acknowledge the different ways that volunteering can look for different people,” Erica says. The activities are intended to recognise the vital contribution of volunteers, but also to provide opportunities for volunteers to reconnect with others in the community, and even to reimagine what volunteering could look like for them.

GET IN VO L VED There are many different opportunities to volunteer in Esperance.

Vacancies are listed on the ‘Go Volunteer’ website, and the Volunteer Resource Centre often lists different opportunities on their Facebook page. To find out more about National Volunteer Week (17 - 23 May), or to RSVP to an event, phone the Volunteer Resource Centre on 9072 0346, or send an email to volunteer@ esperance.wa.gov.au.

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S C H OOL B OOK SCRI B BLE TO FIVE-P AR T P UBLIC ATION

The Adventure of a One-Eyed Snail

BY HANNAH SIEMER

The 2020 COVID lockdown saw people around the world try new hobbies and reignite old passions. Some spent their days baking banana bread or getting stuck into jigsaw puzzles. Others danced the time away on TikTok, planted a veggie patch, or spent hours planning a costume to wear to take the bins out. For local woman Jodi MacNish, the extra time at home was an opportunity to write not one, but five children’s picture books. The series, titled Cy’s Adventures, was picked up by an independent publisher not long after its completion, and the first in the series, ‘Pirate’, was released in February, less than 12 months after the lockdown began.

The character of Cy the one-eyed snail, who has been brought to life by Victorian illustrator Kimberley Coffey, began as nothing more than a doodle on Jodi’s school books. “I found my diary from 2008 recently and Cy’s

scribbled over everything,” Jodi laughs. She first wrote a story for the character nine years ago and when her nephew Charlie was born four years ago, she considered marking the occasion by turning the story into a book.

However, as often happens in life, Jodi didn’t get around to it. Then COVID struck and Jodi, a stevedore at the wharf, found herself with a little extra time on her hands.

She used this time to write. “It gave me something to focus on while stuck at home,” she says. “I put the time to good use.”

Cy’s Adventures are written to be mostly entertaining but have an educational slant. ‘Pirate’ tells the story of Cy following a map to find treasure, and readers are encouraged to trace the map with him. The other titles in the series, which will be released over time, are ‘Space’, ‘Ocean’, ‘Zoo’, and ‘School’. Each of the books teaches the

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reader something, such as the names of the planets or various marine life, or encourages the reader to count or sing the alphabet. “I wanted to have something in each book that kids can take away,” Jodi says. “They’re educational, but not forcibly so.”

Jodi met illustrator Kim on a ‘Disney Dorks’ Facebook page. After commissioning Kim to create a few Disney pieces, Jodi knew she had to have Kim illustrate Cy’s Adventures. “Her art is just incredible,” Jodi says. “I sent her a few rough sketches and it went from my little doodle to what it is now.” Cy’s Adventures has resulted in Kim gaining ongoing illustration work with the publisher, Shawline Publishing Group, despite never having illustrated a book before. It’s a great success story for both women, which blossomed from a shared love of all things Disney. “I’m pretty sure my DVD cupboard was Disney+ before Disney+ came out!”

Jodi admits. She’s unashamedly a child at heart. “I am just a big kid,” Jodi says. “I’m grown up enough to pay my bills, but that’s about as far as it goes.”

Cy’s Adventures: Pirate has so far had a positive reception.

The most important critics were Jodi’s four-year-old nephew Charlie and her niece Nora, almost three. Thankfully, Jodi says they love the book and she has been asked to read it on multiple occasions over FaceTime, and when she visits them in Perth. Feedback from parents has also been overwhelmingly positive. “I’ve had parents tell me they have to read it to their kids three times before bed, which is still so surreal to hear,” Jodi says. “And the parents are enjoying it too, which is important because there’s nothing worse than reading the same thing over and over when you don’t like it!”

While sales statistics are still a couple of months away, Jodi says she knows Cy’s Adventures: Pirate is now on bookshelves in homes across the country, as well as in Canada and England. She says it still doesn’t feel real that her doodle of a one-eyed snail has come this far and, although she has always enjoyed writing – penning monologues and short stories throughout her adolescence – Jodi never imagined she would become a published author.

“It’s pretty huge,” she says, with a big smile. “I still can’t believe it. I’m buzzing.”

WHER E TO BU Y Cy’s Adventures: Pirate is available for purchase at the Esperance Visitor’s Centre and online from all good online bookstores. You can also follow Cy on Instagram and tag him in posts of you reading the book, @cys.adventure.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thank you to all my supporters in the Electorate of Roe, I couldn’t have done it without you!

I look forward to representing Roe for another 4 years and, whether you voted for me or not, I will be a strong voice for this electorate and will continue to work hard for you all.

A special thank you to my family and friends for all their support and time.

Thank you to all our volunteers and branch members, family and friends who manned the 4 early voting centres for 3 weeks and 32 polling venues across Roe on election day!

Well done to the other candidates who ran for this seat, it’s a big task and they certainly stood up to the challenge.

Peter Rundle MLA Member for Roe

NARROGIN: (08) 9881 1225 ESPERANCE: (08) 9071 6555 Authorised by Peter Rundle 83 Federal St, Narrogin, WA 6312 25 / ESPERANCE TIDE / MAY 2021

5 MINU T E H I ST ORY

Emil Nulsen

BY KARLI FLORISSON

Nulsen is a familiar name to Esperance residents.

Recently, at the opening of the Esperance Jetty, Shire President Ian Mickel made mention of Emil Nulsen and his contribution to our town. But who was Emil Nulsen, and why is the subdivision of Nulsen named after him?

Emil Nulsen was born in South Australia in 1885. His father was a German immigrant, Clement Nielsen, although the family changed their surname to Nulsen.

Clement and his wife Emma were farmers and later storekeepers, who moved to Perth when Emil was young.

At school, Nulsen was a keen sportsman, involved in running, rowing, boxing, football and cricket, and was the champion athlete of his school in 1902.

After Nulsen finished school, he moved to the Murchison region, where his father had an interest in a mine to the east of Wiluna. On one occasion, Clement sent 19-year-old Nulsen to Wiluna, a distance of around 60 miles, to have some new leases approved. According to a newspaper article published about Nulsen, his horse died suddenly soon after he left Wiluna. In order to catch the Magistrate before he left Wiluna the next day, Nulsen made the rest of the journey on foot, running and walking the 60 miles in 22 hours, and successfully securing the leases.

During his time in the Murchison region, Nulsen also set a record for a bicycle race from Lawlers to Sandstone, a distance of around 87 miles (141 kilometres) on very rough roads. Nulsen averaged 14 miles an hour over this distance. He was also known as the champion boxer of the area. He married Constance McComish, from Kalgoorlie, in 1909. They went on to have two sons and one daughter.

Soup Season is back!

MON - FRI 8.30am - 3pm SAT 9am- 2pm

Paninis, Soups,Juices & Smoothies (Vegan options)

The Tanker Jetty, Esperance Foreshore

A bronze bust of Emil Nulsen, sculpted by local Chris Siemer in collaboration with Phil Shelton.

After his time in the Murchison, Nulsen and his family relocated to the Goldfields in 1915, where he initially worked for a grocer. By 1921, he had his own grocery store in Norseman. In 1928, he branched out into farming, leasing a 3000 acre farm in Salmon Gums, where he also established the Salmon Gums Hotel. He became the Chairman of the Dundas Roads Board in 1929, a very significant role at a time when establishing and maintaining roads was so important to the development of the region. In 1932, the Member for the Seat of Kanowna, Thomas Walker, died after 25 years in the role.

Nulsen ran in the by-election that took place and was elected as a member of the Labor Party. He was reelected in 1939 and became the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Railways. In 1950, the seat of Kanowna was abolished, and replaced with the seat of Eyre, which Nulsen held until he retired from politics in 1962.

Escape the wind and join us for an informative and ‘hands on’ farming adventure.

Half Day Tours of Oake Marsh Farm, or full day tours which also include visits to Stonehenge, Yirri Grove and Esperance Distillery Co.

Follow us!

11 years on the Esperance foreshore

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Visit our website esperancefarmexperience.com to find out more and book your ‘must do’ Esperance Escapade.

Look for us on Facebook

While he was in Parliament, Nulsen was a highly respected politician and a strong supporter of the region he represented. He supported the push for Esperance to get a new jetty, as the ‘Town Jetty’ was deteriorating badly. In 1933, after Nulsen lobbied for the new jetty, the State Government approved funding for what would become the Esperance Tanker Jetty. Nulsen believed the jetty would support shipping in the area, as ships at that time were unloaded at the jetty, and would bring new prosperity to the region. The Tanker Jetty played a significant role in Esperance’s shipping industry, and later tourism, throughout its lifetime. Along with Nulsen’s contribution to the Esperance area, he also supported the establishment of a much-needed centre for children with intellectual disabilities in Perth. This centre, Nulsen Haven, is now Nulsen Disability Services and remains one of WA’s leading disability support services.

In Esperance, the area that would later become Nulsen started out as garden lots, as most of the town’s development was in the town centre, with a view of the coast. There was a subdivision around Princess Street (off Downes Street) in 1901, as that was close to the salt works at Pink Lake and the railway siding for the planned railway connection to the Goldfields. Despite enthusiastic promotion, development did not take off in that area for many decades. A subdivision was planned for the Nulsen area in the 1940s and in 1958, the first building permit was granted for a house on Heenan Street. In the 1960s, there were Housing Commission houses built in the area and development began to increase rapidly. In 1971, the area was named Nulsen, recognising the contribution that Emil Nulsen made to the Esperance area. Sadly, Nulsen did not live to see this recognition, as he died in 1965 at the age of 80.

Nulsen Primary School was also named after Emil Nulsen and their school motto, ‘Sincerity and Fair Play’, recognises that Nulsen was known for those qualities.

Recently, Nulsen’s grandson, Dick Nulsen, who is an Esperance local, commissioned a sculpture of Emil from local sculptor Chris Siemer. The sculpture will be positioned in Nulsen Primary’s rose garden, recognising Emil Nulsen’s legacy and achievements.

Above: A poster used to promote The Railway Estate, an early subdivision near the cemetery. Right: Emil Nulsen

Thanks to Nick Kleinig for providing some of the information for this article. Information was also sourced from the Sunday Times 16 April 1933 and WA Parliament’s MP Biographical Register.

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TA UR U S

A PR 2 0 - M AY 2 0

VIRGO

AUG 23 - SEP 22

CA PRICORN

DEC 22 - J A N 2 0

With so much unnecessary clutter in your life, it’s time to let go of what you don’t need. This might be literal – perhaps you should clean out your junk drawer, your wardrobe or your garage.

Or this might be more metaphorical, and you need to rid yourself of unnecessary feelings, emotions, or friends. It can be hard letting go but once you do, creativity will flow. There’s an aura of strength around you this month, so take a deep breath and just go for it!

Over the coming weeks, you will have a tendency to take things more personally than intended. This will make you defensive and you’ll have to try a little harder to stay objective, but it’s worth doing to avoid creating unnecessary conflict. If you do find yourself butting heads with someone, be the bigger person. Avoid falling into the ‘he-said, she-said’ trap, as this will only result in you going around in circles. Chances are, if you throw up a white flag, so will they.

Bad memories will try to work their way into your mind in the coming weeks.

Where do they come from, and why do they appear out of the blue? The lack of control over when and where they turn up is frustrating, but you can manage your feelings by focussing on the present. Occupy yourself with something hands on and think about nothing but the task at hand, then watch these memories fly out the window as quickly as they came in.

G EMI N I

L IB RA

A QU A RIU S

MAY 21 - JUN 20

SEP 23 - O C T 22

JAN 20 - FEB 17

You’ll see things less clearly than you usually do this month, so avoid making too many decisions until you’ve had time to think. It’s probably not the best time to sign off on that home reno or join that MLM biz your bestie’s been nagging you about. Slow down and think about what you really want before you hand your cash over. Over the next few weeks, schedule some time to yourself.

Remember, it’s totally fine to want to be alone every now and then.

You’ve just began thinking about veering off course and heading in a new direction. Woo hoo! Enjoy the buzz of new possibilities and don’t let anyone rain on your parade. Have confidence in your decisions and know you’re doing what’s best for the most important person in your life – you! You’re absolutely on the right path so back yourself and go for it. Acknowledge any doubts thrown your way then keep on moving. Great things are up ahead!

If your energy levels aren’t where they should be, cut yourself some slack.

You’ve got a lot going on! You will only reenergise by slowing down, so make time for self-care this month. If hot baths, face masks and meditation are your thing, great! Do that. But self-care can also be having a laugh with a mate, dancing in your bedroom, or ticking off something on your to-do list that has been there for aaages. Whatever makes you feel good about being you!

CANC E R

S C ORP IO

PI SCES

JU N 2 1 - J U L 2 2

Is your head telling you one thing, but your heart is telling you another? Seek wise counsel before acting – this isn’t something you can decide alone. Writing a list of pros and cons is always helpful, too, so long as the two lists don’t balance each other out at the end! Financially, try to curtail excessive expenditures and make do with what you have this month.

Don’t YOLO your bank balance away and be left short when you actually need it.

LEO

JUL 2 3 - A U G 2 2

A friend will need your help this month and it’s probably not who you’re thinking. They won’t be direct in asking for your support, so check in on all your close pals if you can, just to see how they’re travelling. Being a shoulder to cry on is good, but actively providing assistance by shopping, babysitting or cooking is even better. Put yourself in their shoes – if you were experiencing their troubles, what would you want your friends to do?

O C T 23 - N O V 21

FEB 1 8 - M AR 19

You have so many pots on the stove at the moment, it’s a wonder they all fit.

If you’re constantly longing for an extra couple of hours in the day, you need to let go of something. All this go go go puts you at risk of burnout, not to mention neglecting your relationships, health and wellbeing. Don’t take on anything else this month and re-evaluate the importance of everything you’ve taken on so far this year. Ask yourself, it is worth the stress and exhaustion?

Get tech-savvy this month and impress someone with your newfound knowledge.

The desire to understand technology is there but you often find yourself frustrated when you realise how steep the learning curve is. Quit whinging and get on with it. You’ll be surprised at how much easier it is than you thought! If you’re already a whiz on the computer, give someone else a hand. It might be a little painful, but you’ll feel like a good human once you’re done.

SAGITTARIUS

A RIES

NOV 22 - DEC 21

Life’s been a little ho-hum lately but there’s potential to change that if you make the effort. Your schedule isn’t as tight this month as usual, so use the downtime to start a new hobby. You could enrol in an art class at the Cannery, take a pole dancing lesson, or give cycling a try (no doubt you look fab in Lycra!).

Challenging yourself to try something new will give you the little shake-up you need, and your life will be much better for it!

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MAR 20 - AP R IL 19

Pay more attention to your health this month. Yes, you’re busy, but you are never too busy to take care of your physical and mental wellbeing. We’re surrounded by some world class walking trails so if the gym’s not your thing, take advantage of what’s around you! If you’re getting on the cans every night, it’s time to turn that around too. Treat your body with the respect it deserves and watch your zest for life increase tenfold.

BUSH BANTER

BOOK REVIEW Grace Under Pressure by Tori Haschka This debut novel by Australian author Tori Haschka is an honest, witty and heartfelt portrayal of modern-day motherhood.

Verticordia vicinella spotted at Alexander Bay

Have you walked out on Taananeditj (Dempster Head) recently, taken a deep breath and wondered what was causing the strong, sweet smell of honey? Well, that would be the Verticordia, or Feather Flowers, blooming in abundance throughout autumn and early winter.

Cultivating fragrance in the garden has been around for centuries, with plants such as jasmine, roses and honeysuckle, all known to turn heads with their heady scent. However, you can just as easily include fragrance in your garden with Australian natives or, to make it even more local, Esperance natives. In my own garden, I have planted along the path where visitors walk the Wedding Bush, Ricinocarpus megalocarpus, and Calytrix hirta because of their strong, sweet smell when they flower, welcoming my guests. Outside my kitchen window, I have a combination of Esperance and Australian Verticordia and Boronia species planted to waft inside, such as Verticordia plumosa, V. chrysantha, V. mitchelliana and Boronia crenulata. Of course, there are a few Esperance natives to avoid, like Hakea denticulata, commonly known as Stinking Roger. The flowers apparently smell like old mate Roger’s breath the morning after a big night, and boy oh boy! I can vouch for their bad smell. More broadly, there are plenty of other Australian natives that smell beautiful, including the native peppermints Prostanthera or Mentha australis. Simply brushing past them is enough to release strong perfume into the air.

The story alternates around the main character Grace and her three friends. Grace is a mum of two, with an Insta-perfect life full of organic foods she creates herself and a husband who travels internationally for work, leaving Grace alone with the kids. But all is not perfect, and things become even more tense when Grace falls pregnant. With her husband away, their marriage struggling and the support of her neighbour Christine, Grace welcomes two other women (her friend Petra, who is leaving her abusive and gambling addicted husband and Shelley, who has no idea where the father of her child disappeared to) into her home. Each of these women are negotiating motherhood in one way or another and through a series of different circumstances and events they all come together to create a ‘Mummune’ – sharing the load of chores, school pick-ups and dropoffs and endless life admin.

With a relentless list of things she ‘should’ be doing, what happens to Grace when she is under pressure? I easily devoured this story about juggling everything: relationships, friendships, work, kids and breathing, and while I enjoyed this novel and felt a lot of empathy for each of the female characters, at times this book felt a little anti-male. However, Grace Under Pressure has great characters, belly laughs and facts about the unrecognised economic contribution of unpaid labour.

It touches on some big issues; motherhood, grief, guilt, worry, marriage, mental health, and friendship, with gentle insight and candour.

I would recommend Grace Under Pressure to those who want an easy to read, feel-good book. It is also a great reminder that not everything we see on social media is as picture perfect as it looks.

K AT I E W H I T E - C A L A D E N I A C O .

TA M M Y M A L O N E Y - T H E B O O K B O X

Esperance distillery co Australia’s smallest distillery producing gin from native botanicals within the Esperance region.

www.esperancedistilleryco.com @esperancedistilleryco Check our website for opening hours.

29 / ESPERANCE TIDE / MAY 2021

NEWS IN BRIEF

SPORTS SHORTS

After a COVID-induced cancellation in 2020, ANZAC Day went ahead this year with a dawn service, followed by a midmorning parade and service. In the lead up to the day, The ANZAC Victoria Cross Story, an exhibition of 123 Australian and New Zealand Victoria Cross recipients, was held at the Esperance Civic Centre. Included in the exhibition was a detailed display of the late Tom Starcevich, a Victoria Cross recipient from Grass Patch.

Esp e ra nc e N e tb a l l Asso c ia tio n

Esperance was reported as being one of Western Australia’s slowest towns to sell a house, with properties spending roughly three times as long on the market than the average.

This is despite a rental crisis, which has seen up to 30 people attending a single rental inspection. REIWA data revealed a house in Esperance currently takes an average of 73 days to sell, while in Albany it takes 55 days and in Kalgoorlie, just 22 days.

Esperance became the first place in the Goldfields-Esperance region to get 5G. Telstra switched on the town’s first 5G base station last month, making it just one of 2000 sites to be included in the rollout across Australia so far. A 5G compatible phone is required to access the technology, but for those not yet ready to upgrade, Telstra said that 3G and 4G “are not disappearing any time soon.”

John Butler announced a new tour, which will include a show in Esperance. It will be the first time the singer-songwriter has performed live since COVID hit. He will kick off the tour with nine shows on the east coast, before heading west for another seven, and will play at the Esperance Civic Centre on Friday 11 June. John Butler was born in California but raised in Pinjarra and has had a successful music career spanning almost 25 years.

Round one of the Esperance netball competition began on April 30. The senior competition hosts five very competitive divisions between six clubs, battling it out to be the ultimate division winners. The juniors commence their competition on May 1. Both seniors and juniors will play in the new indoor stadium with juniors time slots being 8:30am, 10am and 11:30am, and seniors playing on a Friday night at 6pm and 7:30pm, and continuing on a Saturday at 1:30pm, with the last game played at 3pm.

Esp e ra nc e C yc ling C lu b Southern Ports Tour de Esperance 2021 results Saturday 24 April – A Grade Criterium: 1st Adam Maccan; 2nd Riley Collett; 3rd Greg Bayley. B Grade Criterium: 1st Wayne Karger; 2nd Ryan Meldrum; 3rd Ant Thomas. C Grade Criterium: 1st David Dwyer; 2nd Dylan Sarolea; 3rd Renny Leo. Sunday 25 April – Tour de Esperance: 1st Shannan Dixon; 2nd Ben Pratt; 3rd Paul Clifton; 4th Billy Joe Greasley; 5th Angus McConnell. Fastest female - Tab Meerman; Fastest male - Ryan Meldrum. Grade winners: A - Ryan Meldrum; B - Shannan Dixon; C - Paul Clifton; D - Amanda Pratt.

Esperance Tide is delivered to you BY Main Office Lot 619 Sims St, Esperance

Phone (08) 9071 0500

Email enquiries@freightlinesgroup.com.au

www.freightlinesgroup.com.au

WE ARE OPEN

Friday’s 3pm - 5.30pm

Pre-order Available

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See website for more details and subscribe to our mailing list for weekly announcements.

30 / ESPERANCE TIDE / MAY 2021

Book your classifieds advert online esperancetide.com/classifieds Or email hello@esperancetide.com FOR SALE FIREWOOD Dry split Tuart.$120 del.

0429137371

POSITIONS VACANT POSITION AVAILABLE: CASUAL BAKERY ASSISTANT 15-20hrs/week. Thursday & Friday availability required.

Must love food, hard work and good bread. Can’t be afraid of heavy lifting and hot conditions. Contact tiff@ breadlocal.com.au to apply or for further info.

OLD TIME / NEW VOGUE BALLROOM DANCING Come along and learn the Barn Dance, Gypsy Tap, Evening Three Step, Pride of Erin and more. Every Friday at the RAOB Hall on Williams Street (behind Bijou Theatre).

Dancing starts at 7.30pm.

Contact Daryl 0419 370 089.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE TIDE Do you know someone who doesn’t live locally? Why not treat them to an Tide subscription for only $5 per month? Head to esperancetide. com/subscribe to sign up.

PUBLIC NOTICES

MORNING MELODIES

SENIORS THEATRE GROUP ‘SUPER TROUPERS’ UPCOMING PRODUCTION ‘DREAM A DREAM’ @ THE BIJOU THEATRE

There’s nothing like a bit of music for lunch! Morning Melodies is on again between 11am - 1pm, with local live music from 12pm - 12:45pm. $5 entry. BYO lunch, tea and coffee available.

A night of singing and skits directed by Kath Bowering and produced by Gillian White.

Performance dates: 7.30pm Friday 7th May, 2pm Saturday 8th May & 2pm Sunday 9th May. Tickets are $15 and are avaliable from the Esperance Senior Citizens Centre.

LOST & FOUND

PUBLIC NOTICES

ESPERANCE COMMUNITY SINGERS Tuesday Nights from 7pm. at Esperance Senior Citizens Centre. $2pp new members welcome. More info Martin 0403 567 079.

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? The classies are a lowcost advertising option for community groups and members.

Births, deaths and marriages, job postings, buy, swap and sell, public notices… We can get the word out for you! Head to www. esperancetide.com/classifieds to place yours.

Can you help find Sammy the seal?

BIRTHDAYS HAPPY BDAY LUCY Does this mean I don’t have to get you a present? Can’t wait to see you become a mum. B x

He is hiding on one of our pages.

TRADES & SERVICES

Visit the team instore at 61 Norseman Road, Esperance.

Phone Clarke & Stokes Agriservices on (08) 9071 1517

TRADES & SERVICES

www.southernsuspension4x4.com

Over 25 years of Plumbing & Gas Fitting in Esperance & surrounds

0429 996 577

Mechanical & Electrical Repairs for 4WD’s, Cars & Camper Trailers Supplier of 4x4 Off Road & Travel Acessories 53 Norseman Rd, Esperance

Ph. 9072 0917

sales@southernsuspension.com

May Live Music Sun May 2nd 3pm * Tipsy Jipsys Fri May 7th 5pm * Laura Petrie * Mary Leske Sun May 9th 3pm * Kyle Soares Fri May 14th 5pm * Steve West Sun May 16th 3pm * Mousey Fri May 21st 5pm * Rachel Rose Sun May 23rd 3pm * Rachel Rose Friday May 28th 5pm * Rachel * Kyza Sunday May 30th 3pm * Cameron Alexander

MAY IS MOTHER’S DAY

CELEBRATE MUM THIS MOTHER’S DAY, LET HER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE HER WITH ONE OF THESE GREAT PACKAGES WE HAVE ON OFFER!

S U P E R MU M Full Body Blue Cyprus & Wattle Seed Scrub Sea Kelp and Clay Cocoon Indian Head Massage Hot Stone Massage Only $249

LOV E YOU MUM Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage Organic Ikou Facial Indian Head Massage Only $139

M OTH ER KN OWS B E ST Full Body Dry Body Brushing Heated Oil Cocoon Body Massage Hydrating & Nourishing Ultraceuticals facial Only $199

book online

(08) 9071 5778 22 Andrew Street, Esperance

bnaturallyyou.com.au