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IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES
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Books and Writing
Bravo WA Script Writers 43 Competition 7 Just Out 3 Non-Fiction - The Noble Recreation 16 Poetry 21 The Idler 41 Tomato Writing 7 Winter Activities at KSP 4 Your Voice Matters 6 Business
Front Page Photograph: WA’s Wildflowers Photograph Tourism Bureau
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Business Card Board 57 Networking 49 Community Annie’s Collective Wonderland 22 Environmental Destruction 29 Notes From Parliament 11 SAFE 54 Standing Up For Swan Hills 10 SVRN 46 Swan Active Midland 9 Swan Valley/Gidgegannup Ward Update 8 The Compassionate Friends 63 Western Power Sues 44
What’s On
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Leisure
Bits and Pieces House and Garden Entertainment
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Film 24 Camino Skies 27 Danger Close 27 Ophelia 26 & 27 Spiderman: Far From Home 24 The Lion King 27 Yesterday 24 Footnote People in History 50 Swan Stage 30 Reviews A View From a Park 33 Harry Potter & the Cursed Child 32 Pyjama Tops 35 Wicked - the Musical 30 Theatre Companies Arena Arts 38 Garrick Theatre Club 39 KaDS 36 Serial Productions 37 TV With Chris 42 DISCLAIMER The information in this publication is of a general nature. The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and or issues canvassed. Swan Magazine does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein.
Swinburne Press (founded 1989) P: 0418 934 850 E: douglas.guvnor@gmail.com
SWAN MAGAZINE WEBSITE:
www.swanmagazine.com.au
Email: editor@swanmagazine.com.au Registered Address: 18 Tokay Lane, The Vines, Western Australia 6069 SEPTEMBER DEADLINES: Advertisements: 1st September Editorial: 1st September Copyright: Swan Magazine 2019 2
BOOKS AND WRITING JUST OUT who has written for Tribune in the past, has sought in his first book – Churchill’s Secret Enemy to answer some of the questions. Questions about the collapse of the Liberal Party in the 1920’s and the Wilderness Years of one time Liberal Statesman Winston Churchill in 1930’s in his heroic opposition to the appeasement of Nazi Germany. By drawing on the unpublished private papers of MI5 officer Sir Joseph Ball, who became Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s key advisor and confidant, Mr Pile produces startling new evidence surrounding the dirty tricks campaign against Churchill which nearly succeeded in ending Churchill’s political career in 1938. Ball ran a Watergate style conspiracy against the Liberal and Labour parties, with his agents planted in the Party headquarters and used his secret control of a right wing journal to smear anti-nazis in Britain including Churchill. His dirty tricks included use of illegal phone taps, burglary and mail interception using his friends in MI5. Ball even organised secret negotiations with Nazi Germany as part of a group of wealthy establishment figures opposed to Churchill. New evidence of the corrupt financing of Ball’s campaign from funds gained from notorious honours trafficker Maundy Gregory , Bahamas Tax Exile Gold Magnate Sir Harry Oakes (murdered during the war) and pro-fascist Sir Henry Drummond Wolff show the hidden side of appeasement in Britain. Ball’s activities culminate in the Hess Peace Mission of May 1941 and Mr Pile uncovers Ball’s friendship with James Bond creator Ian Fleming and the strange stopping of London Landmark Big Ben on June 4th 1941 for 12 hours at the crucial period after Hess’s arrival and before the Nazi surprise attack on Russia. The use of Big Ben as a method of secret communication would be used in Fleming’s James Bond 1965 Film Thunderball. As a the first Political Spin Doctor Sir Joseph Ball by his use of dirty tricks and propaganda ensured the Conservative Party and the Conservative coalitions which followed dominated the political scene from 1922 to 1945 and his attempts at an alliance with Nazi Germany came perilously close to success. This book casts a new light on the hidden world of establishment treason which even reached into Buckingham Palace and is a must read for those interested in Churchill’s fight against Hitler and the events of the interwar period.
Title: Churchill's Secret Enemy Author: Jonathan Pile
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n 1938 Winston Churchill stood alone with a few faithful friends against the recieved wisdom of Neville Chamberlains appeasement of Nazi Germany at Munich. Churchill was in financial hardship, he prepared to sell his beloved house Chartwell, he had lost valuable newspaper contracts and unawares to himself his phone was being tapped and mail read. A renegade ex-MI5 officer was organising a dirty tricks campaign against him which saw him facing deselection by his local Conservative Party and character assasination in a secretly controlled but influential newsheet called Truth. Drawing on unpublished private papers and declassified MI5 files this book tells the untold story of the campaign against Churchill by appeaserist and pro-Nazis in Britain which continued into Churchill's Premiership culminating in the Hess Peace Mission in 1941. Mr Pile, a lifelong Liberal Democrat, researcher and writer
REVIEW
Reviewer: Mariusz Kuklinski 1 out of 5 stars Published on Amazon.com Curate’s egg After certain hesitation, I gave this book a single star rating, that is - “I hate it”. It is as fascinating, due to meticulously researched details with regard to who conspired with whom for appeasement, a back door to negotiate peace with Germany, and against Churchill, far beyond the Cliveden set (and there are revelations!). However it is as repelling as it is fascinating because of the unfortunate format, making it quite unwieldy in hand, chaotic layout, with font ranging from 6 to 12 point bold, countless typos and repetitions which look as if the author forgot his own text 20 pages earlier. Continued on page 29 ...
Major Churchill Major, Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars with Kaiser Wilhelm II at manoeuvres in Germany in 1905 3
BOOKS AND WRITING WINTER ACTIVITIES AT KSP SHANNON COYLE
proofing should iron out any typos or formatting mistakes. You also need to have the full cover and blurb ready to go, but have you checked the total cover size, spine width, paper thickness, cover type etc? Have you had a quote for printing? How many do you want to print? Do you want an eBook? Have you purchased your ISBNs? We’ll guide you through this process and help with decision-making so that your book is ready to go to print.
COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
Supporting Your Self-Publishing Journey
Four Sessions: Polishing and Proofing with Annabel Smith Saturday, 17th August - 1.00-5.00pm Finalising and Typesetting Saturday 14 September - 1.00-5.00pm Preparing and Selling Saturday 26 October - 1.00-5.00pm Publishing, Promoting and Publicising with Holden Sheppard Saturday 16 November - 1.00-5.00pm
Determine your selling channels and strategy So you’re almost good to go–what next? Do you have your selling channels figured out? Have you nutted out the genre, keywords and placing? We’ll go through some of the opportunities and strategies for selling that will help you get your book out in the market place.
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SP Writers’ Centre workshop course with Lisa Wolstenholme from Wild Weeds Press, plus special guest presenters Annabel Smith and Holden Sheppard. This workshop is brought to you by the KSP Writers’ Centre with support from the Shire of Mundaring and Wild Weeds Press. Tea and coffee provided. Interested participants can book for the whole course, or for sessions one and four only. $240 for all for or $70 individually. Online booking fees apply. Phone KSP directly to book and pay by debit/ credit card: 9294 1872.
Pre-requisites: Attendees will be required to bring their polished, proofed, typeset manuscript, cover design or ideas, and a WiFienabled laptop with Microsoft Word. Publishing So your book is ready, now what? Send your manuscript, cover and book details to the printer and/or upload to the likes of Ingram Spark and Amazon, and start thinking about the launch. Get your book registered with the State Library and make sure you have figured out how and where you’re going to sell. We’ll guide you through the steps involved with publishing so your book is ready to go out into the big wide world.
Polishing And Proofing with Annabel Smith Just as you’d prepare the soil to plant seeds, your manuscript needs to be the best it can be. We will spend time reviewing and editing your work so that it is in tip-top shape before work commences with getting it ready for printing.
Promoting and Publicising with Holden Sheppard What are your selling channels? Do you have a Facebook page, Instagram account, website? Is a launch arranged? Invites sent? How will the world know that your book is now published? Pre-requisites: A published book and and WiFi-enabled laptop. A sense of who you are as an author. A willingness to get on or learn more about social media and spruik yourself.
Proofreading Contrary to what you may think, there are various cycles of proofing your work prior to printing. After editing, the purpose of proofing at this stage is to remove potential ‘blind spots’ i.e. doubled-up words, wrong words with a correct spelling etc. Pre-requisites: Attendees will be required to bring the final draft of their work, and a WiFi-enabled laptop with Microsoft Word.
About the Facilitators Annabel Smith: Annabel is the author of US bestseller Whiskey & Charlie (published in Australia as Whisky Charlie Foxtrot), digital interactive novel/app The Ark, and A New Map of the Universe, which was shortlisted for the West Australian Premier’s Book Awards. Her short fiction and non-fiction have been published in Southerly, Westerly, Kill Your Darlings and Review of Australian Fiction. She holds a PhD in Writing from Edith Cowan University, and is an Australia Council Creative Australia Fellow. She teaches creative writing for the Australian Writers Centre, and regularly runs workshop at libraries and writers centres including Writers VIC and KSP Writers Centre.
Finalising and Typesetting It’s tempting to run straight off to a printer, manuscript in hand, and ask for your book to be printed. But what about the size? The cover? The formatting inside? Copyright and registration information? We’ll go through what you need to know before starting the task of formatting your book ready for printing. Typesetting Now that you have the necessary book information, the task of formatting the book for printing begins. We’ll guide you through some simple formatting tricks to get your manuscript interior looking like a professional book. Pre-requisites: Attendees will be required to bring their polished and proofed manuscript, and a WiFi-enabled laptop with Microsoft Word.
Holden Sheppard: Holden is an award-winning Young Adult author born and bred in Geraldton, Western Australia. His debut YA novel Invisible Boys won the 2018 City of Fremantle T.A.G. Hungerford Award and the 2019 Kathleen Mitchell Award. It will be published by Fremantle Press in October 2019. Invisible Boys also won the 2017 Ray Koppe Residency Award, leading to a writing residency at Varuna, the National Writers’ House, and was Highly Commended in the Australian
Preparing and Selling By now, you should have an edited, proofed and typeset manuscript that is almost ready for printing. Another round of 4
Society of Authors’ 2018 Emerging Writers’ Mentorship Prize. Holden’s novella Poster Boy won the 2018 Novella Project competition and was published in Griffith Review in October 2018. He graduated with Honours from Edith Cowan University’s Writing program in 2013 and won a prestigious ArtStart grant from the Australia Council for the Arts in 2015. Holden currently serves as the Deputy Chair of Writing WA, and as an ambassador for Lifeline WA. He is represented by agent Haylee Nash of The Nash Agency.
to prizes and the cost of judging. Furthermore, any surplus goes back into the operations of the Centre. We especially encourage young writers to enter, as there is NO ENTRY FEE for youth up to 20 years of age. Teachers and parents may assist with the submission process. KSP’s competitions are proudly sponsored by the Shire of Mundaring, Bendigo Bank Mundaring, Little Black Dress Productions, and Flora Smith. In 2019, KSP is offering three writing competitions in the categories of Spooky Stories, Short Fiction, and Poetry. Entry costs for adults start at $10; youth can enter for free thanks to sponsorship from the Shire of Mundaring. Cash prizes and certificates on offer.
Lisa Wolstenholme: Lisa is the executive officer of Wild Weeds Press and has been helping KSP members to publish their books from start to finish since December 2017. Lisa is also the KSP Board of Management Secretary, Retreats Coordinator and a published author. Her debut novel The Sunrise Girl is being published by MMHPress in November 2019. Refund Policy: Refunds are available one day prior to the event Bookings essential.
KSP Sundowner Session - Spring Soiree Friday 27th August, 6.30pm - 8:00pm The KSP Writers’ Centre is proud to bring you Sundowner Sessions - featured author talks nights on the last Friday of each month. This is a chance to mingle with and learn from authors who’ve achieved great things in the publishing industry - and want to share their knowledge with you. Complimentary glass of red wine from our friends at Lion Mill Wineries on entry. BYO extra drinks and nibbles. Join us for a great evening of readings and socialising. Cost: Cash on entry, $5 members; $10 non-members; BYO drinks and nibbles and take a seat in the Balcony Bar for a great evening of readings and socialising. To book or for more details on any of these activities please visit the KSP website www.kspwriterscentre.com or phone the office on 08 9294 1872.
Spooky Stories Night Saturday, 24th August 6.00pm-9:00pm Have a great winter night out this August to support a good cause: Not for the faint-hearted. Are you brave enough to book? The family-friendly event will feature an outdoor camping firepit with a limited supply of marshmallows for toasting, nibbles, hot food and sweet treats, plus spooky activities, plenty of hot chocolate and award-winning story readings from KSP’s annual Ghost Story Competition. We encourage you to BYO a bag of marshmallows in case we run out! Wear warm clothes. Please note that this is meant to be a fun, family-friendly community event; anyone who is actively trying to terrify younger children present will be asked to leave. Bookings essential for catering purposes. Cost: $10 per child/concession or $15 per adult. How to pay: Book online or by phone on 9294 1872; note online bookings incur a small fee. Optional: Dress in your spooky best - prizes for the scariest for both youth and adults. This event is not suitable for children under the age of seven. Children under 16 MUST be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Price includes (while stocks last): Sinister spring rolls and samosas, frightening fresh rolls, hair-raising hot chocolate, macabre marshmallows, spine-tingling sweets, spooky ghost stories, terrifying tea and creepy coffee. KSP Writer-in-Residence Applications Deadlines in August, September and October The KSP Writers' Centre is proud to support the development of literary work by hosting a number of annual residencies, mentored retreats and fellowships for writers. Some positions offer a salary and opportunity to present workshops. Please visit our website for criteria and application details here: www.kspwriterscentre.com/stay-at-ksp KSP Writing Competitions Deadlines in August, September and October KSP Writers’ Centre run competitions annually in different genres. Even if you don’t win, you will gain experience in entering competitions. You can also feel good knowing that you are supporting Australian writers, as all entry fees contribute 5
BOOKS AND WRITING YOUR VOICE MATTERS SHERENE STRAHAN
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t sounds counterintuitive but there is such a thing as being too generous in writing. Sometimes we try to include so much that it ends up cluttered and confusing for us as well as our audience. It’s easily done. We start out wanting to share so much, to help people with everything we know. So we keep adding. More and more until we’ve drifted way off course. How do we find our way back? Better still, how do we prevent getting lost in the first place? Asking one question helps every time: What’s your point? It might be rude (but tempting) to say when someone else is long-winded and boring, but it’s the right tactic to turn on ourselves. Asking What’s your point? helped last week when I was working on a speech that had to be seven minutes max. The first read through was eleven minutes. I tried reading faster, taking fewer pauses, trimming words. But it wasn’t enough. When I listened to the speech as if it was for the first time, I could hear that the backstory had to go. Losing it was hard because there were some lines that I really liked. But keeping it would have been for me, not my audience. The backstory detracted from my key point: That starting a creative endeavour is made so much harder when we compare our work to others. With the backstory gone, the speech was just under seven minutes and the night was a success. ~oOo~
Her voice does matter. Yours, and mine, too. Our voices can cause ripple effects far beyond what we can anticipate or even know about. It’s not just what we say that makes a difference. Simply the act of expressing our real voice can be an inspiration for others who follow our work and think, ‘If she can, maybe I can too.’ How brilliant is that? Somebody feels brave enough to try out their own voice because they’ve heard yours… After spending a large part of my career in television news and current affairs, I know all too well how desperately we need diversity of voices in the public space. We need your voice and we need the voices you will inspire. There’s another, equally powerful reason to unleash your voice - you need to do it for your own sake. Our need to express ourselves, to share our knowledge and experiences and insights, as well as what we wonder about and what bothers us - this is a need that can eat away at us if we don’t heed its call. ‘Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.’ Steven Pressfield The bad news is that resistance will kick in on a regular basis. And the worse news is that it doesn’t matter how experienced we become, how many accolades we collect, how accomplished we begin to feel - that resistance will keep questioning what we’re doing, whether it’s worth it, whether our voice matters. The good news is that resistance can be sidelined when we recognise that it’s our own mindset trying to hold us back, and instead turn our attention to doing the work over and over and over. In the end, every day, it is doing the work that will allow us to push aside resistance and reach into our real voice. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got. Until next time, here’s my happy snap from a road trip that I took with Shep last week. It was my brain break and it was brilliant.
More than one and a half billion websites. Five hundred million blog sites. Two million blog posts every day. Yet I still say your voice matters. Why? When there are so many voices, do you know why is it important to add yours? Because you never know when someone, maybe many someones, will benefit from what you have to say. The work you do, the life you have lived, the thoughts you have inside: by expressing your genuine voice, you can have an impact. ‘Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got. ‘ - Steven Pressfield in his The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles. Pressfield wasn’t just talking to novelists and screenwriters; his powerful message was aimed at anyone who ‘creates’, who brings something into existence. Like this article. Like your articles, your presentations, or any way you add your voice to the discourse. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got. I was humbled just this week when I was told by a reader ‘I spoke up at a conference because of your newsletters and the way you showed me that my voice matters.’ Or words to that effect. 6
BOOKS AND WRITING TOMATO WRITING COMPETITION CELEBRATES he Peter Cowan Writers Centre Inc. proudly presents Tomato GUILDFORD’S SUGAR GUMS
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Writing with Hannah van Didden. Hannah van Didden’s works span the real, the fabulist, the dark, and the dystopian. You will find pieces of her in places such as Crannóg, Southerly, Breach, Hippocampus Review, Atticus Review, and Southword Journal. As a workshop facilitator, she draws on her project management background to help you add more rigour to your writing practice.
BARBARA DUNDAS
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ocal primary school children are being urged to get creative and come up with a masterpiece celebrating Guildford’s iconic sugar gum trees. Living Memories – Guildford Sugar Gum Poetry and Art Competition, invites students to pay tribute to the trees through an artwork or poem. The competition marks the 20th anniversary of the Guildford community’s agreement with the City of Swan to preserve the historic sugar gums, planted in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee year. The Guildford Association competition is supported by the City of Swan and the National Trust of Australia (WA), and there is a prize pool valued at $1000. The Guildford Association Inc president Barbara Dundas said the competition will enable local primary school students to better understand the history and stories behind the trees, and their environmental importance in contributing to the greening and cooling of the area and providing bird and marsupial habitat. Representatives from the The Guildford Association will be sending out posters and competition details to schools in Swan and Bassendean and are willing to talk to staff about educational opportunities. The competition, launched on national tree day on Sunday July 28, closes on September 23, 2019. Email ga@guildford.asn.au if you would like more information.
Hannah van Didden Write like a tomato and get more from your writing sessions! Use a modified Pomodoro (Tomato) Technique to get more words on the page in short bursts, break through blocks, and overcome your “thinky” brain, while learning to develop trusting and effective writing partnerships along the way. Go prepared to write, share, and have fun. Title: Tomato Writing with Hannah van Didden Date: Saturday 7th September 2019 Time: 1:30pm-4:30pm Cost: $38 for members, $48 for non-members Venue: Peter Cowan Writers Centre, Edith Cowan House, Building 20, ECU Joondalup Campus, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup. Directions to the Centre: From Lakeside Drive to Deakin Road, enter Car Park 14. There is a visitors parking area, near the Gymnasium and Child Care Centre. Parking is free over weekends. Please go to the website for the Online Registration Form to enrol immediately - www.pcwc.org.au/workshops. Call (08) 9301 2282 or email cowan05@ bigpond.com for further inquiries.
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COMMUNITY SWAN VALLEY/GIDGEGANNUP WARD UPDATE COUNCILLOR ROD HENDERSON
Expected to be open for this year’s fire season the local community will be better protected with available on site water and fire fighting equipment.
GIDGEGANNUP
WEST GIDGEGANNUP FIRE STATION
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ouncil has providing over $1 million towards the new fire station being built at Toodyay, O’Brien and Roland Road intersections with only $1.13 million from the State government and your ESL levy. The station will be one of the highest standard built to date. I lobbied hard for these funds to house equipment and to service West Gidgegannup and surrounding areas.
WILDFLOWER DRIVE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
A number of key areas have been identified to be included in wildflower drives throughout Gidgegannup. These drives will be promoted via City of Swan marketing and the Gidgegannup website.
NBN INFRASTRUCTURE
Strong demand for internet access and more data speed pressure has been placed on government to provide better services. In most rural areas however this can only be provided by terrestrial radio which require towers placed in a honeycomb grid format throughout the areas to be serviced. Of the towers that have been applied for, most have been installed with some having been first refused by council then won on appeal by NBN to SAT. After lengthy negotiations with NBN I’m please to say that I was able to reach a compromise to have the Tilden Drive, Gidgegannup tower moved further away from affected residents. Station Captain Beau Algeri, Tony Brine and the team are to be congratulated on the effort that they have put into ensuing a top grade facility for operations and training.
GIDGEGANNUP RECREATION CENTRE OVAL LIGHTING
High Power LED lighting for the Gidgegannup Recreation Centre Oval - The federal member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt provided part funding for improved match light levels as part of his commitment to the local sporting community. I supported the balance of funding from our budget to ensure that the project was to proceed. This will mean matches can be held at night but the big saving is in power costs. LED’s consume significantly less power for the same amount of light output. The long term savings and reduced maintenance will be a great outcome for ratepayers and the sporting community. More on other areas of the Ward in the next edition. The views expressed here are those solely of Rod Henderson and do not represent any determination of the City of Swan Council. 8
COMMUNITY SWAN ACTIVE MIDLAND GRETA JASIAK
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he City of Swan has approved the $16 million revitalisation of the Swan Active Midland facility. The refurbishments, which have been subject to ongoing planning since an initial feasibility study was undertaken in 2010, will take place over a three year period from 2020 to 2023. City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said that Swan Active Midland, formerly known as Swan Park leisure centre, had only minimal refurbishments since its construction and that major upgrades works were due to improve the accessibility and functionality of the facility. “The City’s priority is to provide the best possible asset for the whole community that includes services and facilities that users of Swan Active Midland can be proud of,” he said. “The facility was built in the 1980’s and due to the age of the facility the current functionality does not meet the community’s standards and expectations. “We believe this commitment to significantly upgrade Swan Active Midland will enhance the facility and continue to be a valuable community focused asset.” With recent improvements to the Swan Active Ballajura and Beechboro facilities, the confirmation of the upgrades to Swan Active Midland and future commitment to an Ellenbrook facility further displays the value the City puts on the social, mental and physical wellbeing of members of the community. Midland Guildford Ward Councillor Ian Johnson said the refurbishments would provide a range of changes and improvements as well as contributing to people having better lifestyle opportunities. “The approval of the funding for Swan Active Midland will allow us to improve all areas of the facility including the aquatic area, courts, change rooms, group fitness room and the gym,” he said. “This significant financial commitment will ensure that Swan Active Midland continues to provide a wide range of activities and be a focal point for sport and fitness activities in the local and regional area. “We believe that by investing in facilities that make our communities more active will provide strong social benefits into
the future.” For more information about Swan Active Midland, visit www.swanactive.com.au.
A HEALTHY RESULT
The City of Swan has won four awards at the Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia 2019 Local Government Policy Awards. The annual ceremony celebrates excellence in local government policy, focussing on making a positive impact to children’s health and the environment. The awards were presented by Hon. David Templeman, MLA Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and the Arts. The City received awards across three categories, also taking out the overall State Winner. The judging panel commended the City for its holistic approach to health, environment and wellbeing. City of Swan Deputy Mayor, Kevin Bailey accepted the awards on behalf of the City. “It was a real honour to accept four awards today, including the overall State Winner of the 2019 Local Government Policy Awards,” he said. “I am proud of the City’s achievements and want to acknowledge all of the work our administration does behind to scenes to deliver on our community’s vision for a vibrant and healthy community. “The City is making major contributions through our programs, initiatives and infrastructure projects. “We are dedicated to fostering community connection – from our careful policy work to the innovative planning behind the New Junction precinct.
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KEN WYATT MP Federal Member for Hasluck 9359 0322
ken.wyatt.mp@aph.gov.au
kenwyatt.com.au
kenwyattmp
Authorised by K.Wyatt MP, Shop 10-12 Forrestfield Marketplace, 80 Hale Road, Forrestfield WA 6058. 9
STANDING UP FOR SWAN HILLS VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING JESSICA SHAW MLA - MEMBER FOR SWAN HILLS
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t the 2017 election, WA Labor committed to introduce legislation into the Parliament on Voluntary Assisted Dying, to provide people with the ability exercise choices at the end of their lives. A multi-partisan parliamentary committee undertook an inquiry into this issue in 2018 and the McGowan Government then appointed an Expert Advisory Panel to inform the development of draft legislation. The Expert Panel has released its Report and the Government will now introduce a Bill based on the recommendations contained in the report. WA Labor Members of Parliament have a conscience vote on this very important matter. Voluntary Assisted Dying is a deeply personal issue and one that I know many people in Swan Hills care very deeply about. Prior to exercising my vote, as your local member, I think it’s important to consult with the community of Swan Hills and ensure I understand your views.
Summarised below are some of the key features of the Expert Panel’s Report.
THE EXPERT PANEL’S REPORT
The full list of recommendations and the Expert Panel’s complete report is available here: www.ww2.health.wa.gov.au/ voluntaryassisteddying. I strongly encourage you to read the report and form a view on the more detailed aspects of the proposed scheme.
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Jessica Shaw MLA LOCAL MEMBER FOR SWAN HILLS
Guiding Principles: The Expert Panel recommends that the legislation include the following Guiding Principles: • Every human life has intrinsic value. • A person’s autonomy should be respected. • People have the right to be supported in making informed decisions about their medical treatment, and should be given, in a manner they understand and is culturally appropriate, information about medical treatment options, including comfort and palliative care. • People approaching the end of life should be provided with high quality care, including access to specialist palliative care, to minimise their suffering and maximise their quality of life. • A therapeutic relationship between a person and their health practitioner should, wherever possible, be supported and maintained. • People should be encouraged to openly discuss death and dying, and their preferences and values should be encouraged and promoted. • People should be supported in conversations with their health practitioners, family, carers and community about treatment and care preferences. • People are entitled to genuine choices regarding their treatment and care; this should be regardless of their geographic location and take into account their ability as well as individual cultural and linguistic needs. • People should be supported in their right to privacy and confidentiality regarding their choices about treatment and care preferences.
@JessicaShawMLA Jessica.Shaw@mp.wa.gov.au 9296 7688 HERE TO HELP Aveley, Bailup, Belhus, Brigadoon, Bullsbrook, Chidlow, Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, Melaleuca, Mount Helena, Sawyers Valley, The Vines, Upper Swan, and Wooroloo. Office Address 13/31 Egerton Drive Aveley WA 6069
Postal Address PO Box 2265 Ellenbrook WA 6069
Standing up for Swan Hills
Concluded on page 56 ...
Authorised by Jessica Shaw, 13/31 Egerton Drive, Aveley, WA 6069
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NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT COMMUNITY GROUPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE Hon Donna Faragher JP MLC Member for East Metropolitan Region
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cross the East Metropolitan Region there are a host of community groups and not-for-profit organisations making a difference every day. Girls Without Limits is one such example. Building self-esteem, confidence and a positive attitude in young girls through encouragement, friendship and support is what Girls Without Limits is all about. Based in Ellenbrook, this not-forprofit organisation provides a range of services with a particular focus given to improving physical and mental health and wellbeing for girls aged between eight and seventeen years. With a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, Girls Without Limits run fun and creative after school activities, school holiday programmes and have just commenced Feathers, a new home-school social support programme. It was a pleasure to visit their bright and welcoming club studio recently to see one of their school holiday programmes in action and to meet some of the girls and staff. To find out more about the great work Girls Without Limits does to support young girls in Ellenbrook and surrounding areas, please visit www.girlswithoutlimits.com.au/.
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Donna Faragher JP MLC Member for East
SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS
Throughout the year, there are also many events and national days celebrated by students and school communities across our State and nationally. In July, the first state-wide P&C Day was celebrated. An initiative of the WA Council of State School Organisations, P&C Day WA is all about recognising the invaluable role P&Cs and their members play in government schools right around Western Metropolitan Region Australia. We also celebrated Schools Tree Day. Each year, thousands of school students participate in this day, a special National Tree Day event designed to help raise awareness about the importance of our natural environment, landcare and being outdoors. This year, I was delighted to join budding gardeners from Darlington Primary School to plant a Western Australian native ‘Silver Princess’ Contact Donna Eucalyptus tree on the school grounds. 9379 0840 | faragher.eastmetro@mp.wa.gov.au Concluded on page 56 ... donnafaragher.com.au DonnaFaragherMLC WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Here to help!
Ground Floor 108 Swan Street, Guildford WA 6055
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Authorised by S.Calabrese, Liberal Party, 2/12 Parliament Place, West Perth WA 6005.
WHAT’S ON IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN EVENT LISTED IN THIS COLUMN RING our office on 0418 934 850 Entries for non-profit entities are free. SWAN WOODTURNERS GROUP
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - Glen Forrest Group Every Monday evening We meet at 7.00pm at the Glen Forrest Uniting Church, Mc Glew Rd, Glen Forrest. Call Dermot 0488 905 211 or John 0448 074 536 or the Perth Office (all hours) 9325 3566.
The group meets in the rear hall of The Senior Citizens’ Centre, The Avenue, Midland, at 1-00pm. on 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Tuesday, and at 7-00pm. on 2nd Tuesday of each month. A demonstration and cuppa are the norm. Men and Women are welcome. Enquiries to Ted 9295 4438.
AUSTRALIAN BREASTFEEDING ASSOC. Discussion groups, guest speakers, morning tea. Free breastfeeding counselling. Expectant mothers, mothers, babies and children welcome. National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 2686 is a 24 hour 7 days a week service.
SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE
Monday Mornings The Art Group meets at Baskerville Hall from 9am – 12pm for just $5.00 per session. Group leader Gilly can help and advise with most media. Feel free to come and have a look and meet our local artists – they are a very friendly lot, new members welcome! For more information call 9296 1976 or enquiries@swanvalleycommunitycentre.com www.swanvalleycommunitycentre.com
Swan/Mundaring Group meets every Monday, 9:30-11:30am at the Gumnuts Family Centre, 8 Mudalla Way, Koongamia. A qualified ABA counsellor is present at each meeting to give confidential information and support on breastfeeding issues. Contact Natalie 9572 4971.
EASTERN DISTRICTS MACHINE KNITTERS
Kalamunda Group meets fortnighly on a Thursday, 9:3011:30am at the Maida Vale Baptist Church, Edney Road, High Wycombe. Contact Jenny 9252 1996.
Friday - second and fourth We meet from 9:00am to noon at 10 Brockman Road, Midland. Feel welcome to join us for morning tea and see how easy it is to make your own garments. For more information contact Pat 9309 3260; Liz 9572 7074 or Pat 9295 2793.
Northam Group meets each second Tuesday of the month at the Bridgeley Community Centre, Wellington Street, Northam 10am to Noon. Fourth Tuesday each month at Toodyay Playgroup, Stirling Terrace, Toodyay. Noon to 2pm. Please phone Louisa 9574 0229.
SWAN HARMONY SINGERS
Wednesdays Come and sing with us! Swan Harmony Singers is a community choir that meets, 7-9pm, to sing music ranging from jazz to pop, plus the occasional classic. No auditions. Join us at the Salvation Army Church Hall, 371 Morrison Rd, (opposite Swan View Primary School), Swan View. Enquiries: call Anna on 9299 7249, or Chris on 9298 9529 or 0435 062 728.
THE HILLS CHOIR
Monday Evenings Do you enjoy singing and joining with others to make beautiful music? Come and join the Hills Choir. We meet from 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Uniting Church on Stoneville Road, Mundaring. Contact Margie on 9295 6103 for further information.
THE ZONTA CLUB OF SWAN HILLS
Wedneswday, March 20th at the Mallard Duck. Zonta, an International Service organization works to improve the lives of Women and Girls locally and internationally. Projects include Studies Assistance Grant to two girls at Cyril Jackson and Let Us Learn Madagascar a program that encourages girls to attend school, ensuring there are suitable toilets and girls have access to sanitary items. Teacher training is provided. Guests are welcome. To find out more about these and other projects or if you wish to be a guest please contact Ruth (08) 9272 9442 or email ruth@amsaustralia.com. Find us on facebook on www.zonta.org
ELLENBROOK COMMUNITY WEIGHT LOSS CLUB
Every Tuesday evening We meet from 6.45pm to 8.00pm at the Woodlake Community Hall, Meeting room 1 Highpoint Blvd, Ellenbrook. Friendly support group at low cost. Male and females of all ages welcome. Contact Shirley 9276 7938 shirleysardelich@aapt.net.au.
HILLS CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP
1st Wednesday of each month Hilltop Grove Estate, 1645 Jacoby Street, Mahogany Creek. Morning tea provided, between 10.30 - 12.00 noon. Enquiries Terina 9572 1655.
ELLENBROOK AND DISTRICT MENS SHED INC.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday We are open at 4 Transit Way Ellenbrook from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Potential members can turn up on those days and there will be someone to explain what we do and give membership details. Annual fees are low and members can do their own thing, participate in projects for the community or simply just come in for a chat and a cuppa. We are considering extending our days to include Saturdays or evenings if there is enough interest.
MORRIS DANCING
All welcome. It’s like bush dancing, with sticks and bells. It’s aerobic exercise and great fun! Tuesdays 7-9pm practice, Guildford Town Hall, cnr James St and Meadow St, Guildford. And drinks later at the Woodbridge Hotel with live Irish music For more information please contact: Christine Hogan: 9279 8778 Email: madtattersmorris@iinet.Net.Au Website: madtattersmorris.myclub.org.au
MUSTARD SEED - DISCOVERING COMPUTERS
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Mustard Seed is a nineteen year old non-profit organisation
WHAT’S ON and teaches all aspects of everyday computing. Ability levels from beginners onwards. Want help with Windows 10? In need of instruction with your Mac computer? Have an iPad or Android tablet and don’t know what it will do? We can help. Cost is $2 per session. Classes are held at 56 McGlew Road, Glen Forrest. To gain a place enrol now by phoning 0491 044 805 or emailing: mustardcomputers@gmail.com W: noodlebytes.com JUST A PIECE - TEXTILE KINSHIP Fortnightly Fridays This textile art group meets every fortnight Fridays 9.30 to 12.00 at Just Add Passion on Richardson Rd Stoneville. $5 per session, everyone welcome Check us out on Facebook or text Janette on 0407 633 771.
TALKING HORSES
Wednesday evenings 6:00pm The WA Horse Council equestrian radio program is now in its seventh year. The programme is broadcast on the Community Radio Station 91.3 SportFM. To ensure that your club, event, breed or business gets coverage, call Diane Bennit 0409 083 617.
SWAN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE SWAN VALLEY HOMESCHOOL FAMILY PLAYGROUP
Thursday mornings 9:15am to 11:15am Older siblings welcome to join playgroup in a rural setting
in the Swan Valley. Normal playgroup guidelines apply for children zero to five years old. Baskerville Hall, 129 Memorial Drive, Baskerville. For more information ring 0419 922 792 or email enquiries@ swanvalleycommunitycentre.com
MIDLAND MEN’S SHED
Every Tuesday morning We meet socially every Tuesday morning from 9.30am to 11.30am in the Bellevue Baptist Church Hall and our usual attendance is around fifty-five. At least once a month we have a guest speaker on a range of topics. We also go on excursions to various places of interest (e.g. HMAS Stirling, Aviation Museum, Fremantle Ports, ALCOA, etc.). Our workshop with wood working and metal working is in Midvale and for the opening hours and further details please contact Brian Beer on 0411 833 055. Also in operation is our music group – the Rockin’ Shedders which is going from strength to strength and their repertoire of songs increases each week. For more information on the Shed please contact Kevin Buckland on 0417 961 971 or email: kebinsv@tpg.com.au. THE HILLS CHOIR Mondays We practice on Mondays from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Uniting Church in Stoneville Road, Mundaring. We are looking for Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses over the age of sixteen to join us. We sing a range of sacred and secular music in four parts. Please phone Margie on 9295 6103, email the thehillschoir@ gmail.com or visit their website www.hillschoir.org.au.
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HOUSE AND GARDEN POPAGATING ROSES FROM CUTTINGS MARION LOGIE
R
oses can be intimidating but they are actually easy to grow even at home. Passionate growers can try propagating roses from cuttings just by following simple instructions. There is no training necessary to create your own beautiful rose garden. About Rose Cuttings Cuttings come from the stem and may be taken at various points in a plant’s life. Roses are more forgiving than some plants. Rooting hormones may be used to stimulate development.
plastic bottles, then remove the cap and cut the bottom to use them here. You could also insert twigs around the edges and cover the top with a clear plastic sheet. Water the container regularly but be careful not to overdo it. Expect roots to start showing in around two weeks. Fish-based fertilizers can add vital nutrients to the soil. Once they are ready, the new roses may be transplanted to their permanent spots in the garden.
Planting Preparations The softwood cuttings must be planted as soon as possible. This means that the spots should be prepared in advance. They can be placed at the outdoor garden or in deep trays. Be sure to avoid direct light to avoid excessive heat. However, the spot should still be bright enough during the day. The north and east sides of the house are good options. The soil should be cultivated up to six inches deep. Add sand to help the roots penetrate with ease. For planting in trays, use a soil mix consisting of vermiculite and coarse sand in equal measure. Add plenty of water. How to Get the Cuttings Understand that there are no specific calendar dates for this activity. Everything depends on the weather, geographic area, and plant readiness. Start by gathering the tools needed such as a sharp knife, a small dish, a stick, and some warm water. Get the cuttings early in the morning from the healthy plants. Find stems located between a woody base and a withered bloom. This portion can be turned into a few cuttings. Slice in a 45-degree angle and place it in the water at once. Moisture is essential. A stem may be divided into several six-inch cuttings. Take out all leaves save for a set on the top. Dip their bottoms into the rooting hormone. Take your stick and create holes on your rooting bed. A pencil will do just as well. Every hole must be around four inches deep and wide enough that the cuttings can be inserted without removing the hormone. The bottom half and two nodes must be covered by the soil. Ensure that the base surrounding them is firm. Caring for the Fresh Cuttings Provide ideal conditions by creating a small greenhouse from an upside-down jar over the cuttings. If you have clean
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NON - FICTION THE NOBLE RECREATION
“The detective-story is the normal recreation of noble minds.” Philip Guedalla DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE
Q
This sergeant major refused the duel, so Vidocq hit him. Striking a superior officer could have led to a death sentence, so he deserted and enlisted in the 11th Chasseurs, concealing his history. On 6 November 1792, he fought under General Dumouriez in the Battle of Jemappes. In April 1793, Vidocq was identified as a deserter. He followed a general, who was fleeing after a failed martial coup, into the enemy camp. After a few weeks, Vidocq returned to the French camp. A chasseur-captain friend interceded for him, so he was allowed to rejoin the chasseurs. Finally, he resigned from the army because he was no longer welcome. He was eighteen years old when he returned home to Arras where he soon gained a reputation as a womanizer. Since his seductions often ended in duels, he was imprisoned for just over a year. In 1794, when he was barely nineteen, Vidocq married Anne Marie Louise Chevalier, after a pregnancy scare. No child resulted, and the marriage was not happy from the start, and when Vidocq learned that his wife had cheated on him with the adjutant, Pierre Laurent Vallain, he left again for the army. He did not see his wife again until their divorce in 1805. Vidocq did not stay long in the army. In autumn 1794, he spent most of his time in Brussels, which was then a hideout for crooks of all kinds. There, he supported himself by small frauds. In 1795, under the alias of Rousseau, he joined the armée roulante (‘flying army’). This army consisted of “officers” who in reality had neither commissions nor regiments. They were raiders, forging routes, ranks and uniforms but staying away from the battlefields. Vidocq began as a lieutenant of chasseurs but soon
EUGÈNE FRANÇOIS VIDOCQ (1775 – 1857)
uite apart from his impressive impact on detective fiction, Vidocq’s life is fascinating in and of itself. A remarkable man of many and varied talents, he was a French criminal turned criminalist. The former convict became the founder and first director of the crime-detection Sûreté Nationale as well as the head of the first known private detective agency. Vidocq (pronounced Vee-duck) is considered to be the father of modern criminology and of the French police department. He is also regarded as the first private detective. The exact details surrounding his life and work are somewhat hazy due to the fact that his memoirs (in four volumes) ghost written to his dictation, contain passages that are, to put it mildly, imaginative. Portions of it are quite obviously fiction, but the basic facts appear to differ only in minor detail, supported in many ways by official documents. Vidocq was born on the 23rd July, 1775 in the township Arras, where his neighbours were the Robespierres. Their son Maximilian was to become a leader of the French Revolution, a force behind The Terror and die under the blade of the guillotine in 1794. François, more usually called Eugene, was the son of a baker and corn dealer but the idea of sweating over hot ovens does not seem to have appealed to him overly. Vidocq pére was considerably well off by the standards of the time. Teenage Vidocq’s is described as being fearless, rowdy and cunning, very talented, but also very lazy. He spent much time in the fighting halls of Arras and acquired a reputation as a formidable fencer and the nickname le Vautrin (‘wild boar’). He supported himself and his pleasures by theft. When Vidocq was thirteen years old, he stole his parents’ silver plates and spent the proceeds from them within a day. Three days after the theft, he was arrested and brought to the local jail. Only later, he learned that his father had arranged his arrest to teach him a lesson. After a total of fourteen days, he was released from prison, but even this did not tame him. By the age of fourteen, he had stolen a large amount of money from the cash box of his parents’ bakery and left for Ostend, where he tried to embark to the Americas; but he was defrauded and found himself penniless. To survive, he worked first for a group of traveling entertainers then a group of puppeteers. However, he was banished from them because he flirted with the young wife of his employer. He then worked some time as an assistant of a pedlar, but as soon as he neared Arras, he returned to his parents seeking forgiveness. He was welcomed by his mother with open arms. On 10 March 1791, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the Bourbon Regiment, where his reputation as an expert fencer was confirmed. By his own account, within six months, he had challenged fifteen people to a duel and killed two. Despite not being a model soldier and causing difficulties, he spent only a total of fourteen days in jail. During those two weeks, Vidocq helped a fellow inmate successfully escape. When France declared war against Austria in 1792, Vidocq participated in the battles of the First Coalition. He was promoted to corporal, but during his promotion ceremony, he challenged a fellow non-commissioned officer to a duel.
A French convict of the 18th century 16
December 1796, Vidocq was found guilty and sentenced to eight years of hard labour in the galleys. While awaiting transfer a fellow inmate taught him the martial art of savate, which was later to prove useful to him. An escape attempt in October 1797 failed. Finally, in November, he was sent to Brest. On 28 February 1798, he escaped dressed as a sailor. Only a few days later, he was apprehended due to a lack of papers, but the police did not recognize him as an escaped convict. He claimed to be Auguste Duval, and while officials checked this claim, he was put into a prison hospital. There he stole a nun’s habit and escaped in disguise. He found a job as a cattle drover and, in this capacity, passed through Paris, Arras, Brussels, Ancer and finally Rotterdam, where he was shanghaied by the Dutch. After a short career as a privateer, he was arrested again and taken to Douai, where he was identified as Vidocq. He was transferred to the Bagne in Toulon, arriving in August 1799. After a failed escape attempt, he escaped again in March 1800 with the help of a prostitute, returning to Arras. His father had died in 1799, so he hid in his mother’s house for almost half a year before he was recognized and had to flee Eugène François Vidocq. Portrait by Achille Devéria. again. promoted himself to a hussar captain. In this role, he met a rich He assumed the identity of an Austrian and spent some time widow in Brussels who became fond of him. A co-conspirator of in a relationship with a widow, with whom he moved to Rouen in Vidocq’s convinced her that Vidocq was a young nobleman on 1802. Vidocq built up a reputation as a businessman and finally the run because of the French Revolution. Shortly before their felt secure enough to let his mother come live with him and the wedding, Vidocq confessed to her. Then he left the city, but not widow; but his past caught up with him. He was arrested and without a generous cash gift from her. brought to Louvres. In March 1795, Vidocq moved to Paris, where he squandered There, he learned that he had been sentenced to death in all his money entertaining women. He went back north and absentia. With the help of the local procurator-general, he filed joined a group of Bohemian gypsies, which he later left for an appeal and spent the following five months in prison waiting a woman he had fallen in love with, Francine Longuet. When for a retrial. Francine left him for a real soldier, he beat both of them. The During this time, Louise Chevalier contacted him to inform soldier sued him, and in September 1795, Vidocq was sentenced him of their divorce. When it seemed that there would be no to three months in the prison Tour Saint-Pierre in Lille. decision concerning his sentence, he decided to flee again. On Vidocq was twenty and quickly adapted to life in prison. He 28 November 1805, while unattended for a moment, he jumped befriended a group of men, among them Sebastien Boitel, who out of a window into the adjacent river. For the next four years, he had been sentenced to six years for stealing. When Boitel was was a man on the run once again. suddenly released, the following day, the local inspector noticed He spent some time in Paris which seems to have triggered a that the pardon was forged. process of re-evaluation in Vidocq. With his mother and a woman Vidocq claimed two fellow inmates, Grouard and Herbaux, he called Annette in his memoirs, he moved several times in were guilty, both inmates claimed, however, that the whole thing the following years; but again and again, people from his past had been his idea. Thus, Vidocq was not released the expiry of his recognized him. sentence. He again tried to become a legitimate merchant, but his In the following weeks, Vidocq escaped several times with former wife found him in Paris and blackmailed him for money, the help of Francine, but was always captured soon again. After and a couple of former fellow convicts forced him to fence stolen one of his escapes, Francine caught him with another woman. He goods for them. disappeared for a few days, and when he was finally picked up On 1 July 1809, only a few days before his 34th birthday, again by police, he was told that Francine had been found with Vidocq was arrested again. He decided to stop living on the multiple knife wounds. fringes of society and offered his services as an informant to the Now, he was not only accused of forgery but also attempted police. His offer was accepted, and on 20 July, he was jailed in murder. Francine later claimed that the wounds were selfBicêtre, where he started his work as a spy. inflicted and the charge was dropped. Vidocq’s contact with Over the years he had escaped by tunneling; by diving Francine stopped when she was convicted and sentenced to six off a high tower into a river and swimming away; by bribery; months in prison for aiding the escapes. by leaping out of a moving carriage; by trickery; filing off his After a long delay, his trial for document forgery began in shackles and by disguise. He had posed as a sailor, a doctor, a 17
selecting the correct disguise based on the kind of job. He himself still went out hunting for criminals too. His memoirs are full of stories about how he outsmarted crooks by pretending to be a beggar or an old cuckold. At one point, he even faked his own death. During 1814, at the beginning of the French Restoration, Vidocq and the Sûreté tried to contain the situation in Paris. He also arrested those who tried to exploit the post-revolutionary situation by claiming to have been aristocrats. During 1817, he was involved in 811 arrests, including those of fifteen assassins and thirty-eight fences. By 1820, his activities had reduced crime in Paris substantially. His annual income was 5,000 francs, but he also worked as a private investigator for fees. Rumors at the time claimed that Vidocq set criminals up, organizing break-ins and robberies and having his agents wait to collect the offenders. Even though some of Vidocq’s techniques might have been questionable, there seems to be no truth to this. Despite his position as chief of a police authority, Vidocq remained a wanted criminal. His forgery conviction had never been fully dismissed. Finally, the prefect of the Paris police, responded to a petition from Vidocq and requested an official pardon, which he received on 26 March 1817 from King Louis XVIII. A George Cruickshank illustration of Vidocq’s Memoirs In 1822, Vidocq befriended the author Honoré de Balzac, who began to use him as a model for several figures in his peasant, a politician and a woman. books. Events of the 1820s affected the police apparatus. After Once while masquerading as a nun in full vestments and the assassination of the Duc de Berry in February 1820, Police after several womanless months in prison, he was given abed to Prefect Anglès had to resign and was replaced by the Jesuit share with two buxom teen-aged peasant girls. So perfect was Guy Delavau, who set a high value on religiousness among his both his disguise and self-control that the two girls undressed subordinates. In 1824, Louis XVIII died. His successor and slept naked beside him unmolested. was the ultra-reactionary Charles X, during whose oppressive Now, for the first time he began to try and work his way reign police agents were regularly withdrawn from their original out of prison. He sounded out his inmates and forwarded his activities. Finally, Vidocq’s immediate superior, police chief information about forged identities and unsolved crimes to the Henry, retired and was succeeded in due course by the ambitious police chief of Paris, Jean Henry. but also very formal Marc Duplessis. After twenty-one months of spying, Vidocq was released The antipathy between Vidocq and Duplessis was great. from jail on the recommendation of Henry (1811). So as not Time and time again, Duplessis complained about trivial matters, to raise suspicions among the other inmates, the release was for example, that Vidocq’s agents spent time in brothels and arranged to look like an escape. Still, Vidocq was not really free, bars of ill repute. Vidocq’s explanation that they had to do this to because now he was obliged to Henry. establish contacts and gather information was ignored. Therefore, he continued to work as a secret agent for the When Vidocq received two official warnings within a short Paris police. He used his contacts and his reputation in the time, he had had enough. On 20 June 1827, the 52-year-old criminal underworld to gain trust. handed in his resignation and then wrote his memoirs with the He disguised himself as an escaped convict and immersed help of a ghostwriter. himself in the criminal scene to learn about planned and Vidocq, who was a rich man after his resignation, became committed crimes. He even took part in felonies in order to an entrepreneur. In 1830, he founded a paper factory. He suddenly turn on his partners and arrest them. mainly employed released convicts – both men and women. The When criminals eventually began to suspect him, he used company did not last long and Vidocq went bankrupt in 1831. disguises and assumed other identities to continue his work and In the short time while he was away from Paris, both throw off suspicion. Delavau and Duplessis had to resign their posts, and the July At the end of 1811, Vidocq informally organized a Revolution of 1830 forced Charles X to abdicate. When Vidocq plainclothes unit, the Brigade de la Sûreté (‘Security Brigade’). delivered a few useful tips that helped to solve a burglary in The police department recognized the value of these civil agents, Fontainebleau and led to the arrest of eight people, the new and in October 1812, the experiment was officially converted to police prefect, Henri Gisquet, again appointed him chief of the a security police unit under the Prefecture of Police. Vidocq was Sûreté. appointed its leader. Criticism of Vidocq and his organization grew. In 1832, a On 17 December 1813, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte revolt erupted and the throne of “Citizen King” Louis-Philippe signed a decree that made the brigade a state security police I was in danger. Allegedly Vidocq’s group cracked down on the force. From this day on, it was called the Sûreté Nationale. rioters with great severity. Not all of the police approved of The Sûreté initially had eight, then twelve, and, in 1823, his methods, and rivalries developed. Vidocq’s position was twenty employees. A major portion of Vidocq’s subordinates untenable, and on 15 November 1832, he once again resigned, were ex-criminals like himself. He even hired them fresh from the using the pretext of his wife being ill. prisons. On the same day, the Sûreté was dissolved, then re Vidocq personally trained his agents, for example, in 18
established without agents with criminal records, no matter how minor their offenses. Vidocq’s successor was Pierre Allard. In 1833, Vidocq founded Le bureau des renseignements (“Office of Information”), a company that was a mixture of a detective agency and a private police force. It is considered to be the first known detective agency. Once again, he predominantly hired ex-convicts. His squad, which initially consisted of eleven detectives, two clerks and one secretary, pitted itself on behalf of businesspeople and private citizens against Faiseurs (crooks, fraudsters, and bankruptcy artists), occasionally using illegal means. Vidocq increasingly became the subject of literature and public discussions. Balzac wrote several novels and plays that contained characters modeled after Vidocq. The agency flourished, but Vidocq continued to make enemies, some of them powerful. In the following years, Vidocq published several small books in which he depicted his life to directly refute the rumours that were being circulated about him. In 1844, he presented an essay on prisons, penitentiaries, and the death penalty. In 1849, Vidocq briefly went to prison one last time, on a charge of fraud. In the end, however, the case was dropped. He withdrew more and more into private life and accepted only small cases every now and then. In the last years of his life, he suffered great pain in his right arm, which had been broken and had never healed properly. Also, unwise investments had cost him a large portion of his
The Bertillion system
assets, so he had to curb his living standard and live in rented accommodations. On 11 May 1857, Vidocq died at the age of 81 in his home in Paris in the presence of his doctor, his lawyer and a priest.
VIDOCQ’S CRIMINOLOGY LEGACY
Vidocq is considered by most historians as the “father” of modern criminology. His approaches were new and unique for that time. He is credited with the introduction of undercover work, ballistics, criminology and a record keeping system to criminal investigation. He made the first plaster cast impressions of shoe prints. He created indelible ink and unalterable bond paper with his printing company. His form of anthropometrics is still partially used by French police. He is also credited with philanthropic pursuits – he claimed he never informed on anyone who had stolen out of real need. At the same time, his work was not acknowledged in France for a long time because of his criminal past. In September 1905, the Sûreté Nationale exhibited a painting series with its former heads. However, the first painting of the series showed Pierre Allard, Vidocq’s successor. The newspaper L’Exclusive reported that on obtaining information concerning the omission, they had gotten the answer that’ Vidocq had never been head of the Sûreté’. When Vidocq gave his allegiance to the police around 1810, there were two police organizations in France: on the one side, there was the police politique, an intelligence agency whose agents were responsible for the detection of conspiracies and intrigues; on the other, the normal police, who investigated common crimes such as theft, fraud, prostitution, and murder. Since the Middle Ages, those constables wore identification insignia that, over time, had developed to full uniforms. Unlike the often covertly operating political police, they were easy to spot. For fear of attack, they did not dare to enter some Parisian districts, limiting their efforts at crime prevention - possibly the first ‘no-go’ areas. Vidocq persuaded his superiors to allow his agents, who also included women, to wear plain clothes and disguises depending on the situation. Thus, they did not attract attention and, as former criminals, also knew the hiding places and methods of criminals. Through their contacts, they often learned of planned crimes and were able to catch the guilty red-handed. Vidocq also had a different approach to interrogation. In his memoirs, he mentions several times that he did not take those arrested to prison immediately, but invited them to dinner, where he chatted with them. In addition to information about other crimes, he often obtained confessions in this non-violent way and recruited future informants and even agents. August Vollmer, the first police chief of Berkeley, California, and a leading figure in the development of criminal justice in the United States, studied the works of Vidocq and the Austrian criminal jurist Hans Gross for his reform of the Berkeley police force. His reform ideas were adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and, as a result, also affected J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. After Sir Robert Peel established Scotland Yard in 1829, he sent a committee to Paris in 1832 to confer with Vidocq. In 1843, two commissars of Scotland Yard traveled to Paris for further training. They spent only two days with Pierre Allard, who was then head of the Sûreté. Then they went to Vidocq and, for one week, accompanied him and his agents in their work. 19
As Vidocq said at Lambert’s trial, while his memory was phenomenal, he could not require the same of his agents. Therefore, for each arrested person, he carefully set up an index card with a personal description, aliases, previous convictions, modus operandi, and other information. The card, for example, of forger Lambert contained, among other things, a handwriting sample. The index card system was retained not only by the French police, but also by police units in other countries. However, it soon revealed its weaknesses. By the time Alphonse Bertillon came to the Sûreté as clerk in 1879, the descriptions on the cards were not detailed enough anymore to really identify suspects. This caused Bertillon to develop an anthropometric system for personal identification called the bertillonage. In turn, made obsolete by fingerprint science.
FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic science did not yet exist during Vidocq’s time. Despite numerous scientific papers, the police did not recognize its practical benefits, and this could not be changed by Vidocq. Nevertheless, he was not so averse to experiments as his superiors and usually had a small laboratory set up in his office building. In the archives of the Parisian police are reports of cases that he solved by applying forensic methods decades before they were recognized as such. In the France of Vidocq’s time, there already existed cheques and promissory notes. Counterfeiters purchased those cheques and altered them to their advantage. In 1817, Vidocq addressed this problem by commissioning two chemists to develop a tamper-proof paper. This paper, for which Vidocq filed a patent, was treated with chemicals that would smear the ink if later amended and thus make the forgeries identifiable. According to the biographer Edwards, Vidocq used his connections extensively, recommending his paper to those who had been deceived, mainly bankers who hired him. Therefore, the paper came to be widely used. Vidocq also used it for the cards of his index card system to emphasize their reliability in court. He also commissioned the creation of indelible ink. This ink has been used, among other things, by the French government for the printing of banknotes from the mid1860s.
An illustration of Vidocq in Mysteries of Police and Crime, by Arthur Griffiths
IDENTIFICATION OF CRIMINALS
Jürgen Thorwald stated in his book Das Jahrhundert der Detektive (1964) that Vidocq had a photographic memory that allowed him to recognize previously convicted criminals, even in disguise. Biographer Samuel Edwards reported in The Vidocq Dossier about a trial against the fraudster and forger Lambert, in which Vidocq referred to his memory of the accused. Vidocq regularly visited the prisons to memorise the faces of the inmates and made his agents do the same. The English police adopted this method. Until the late 1980s, British investigators attended court hearings to observe the spectators in the public galleries and become aware of possible accomplices.
CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
Louis Mathurin Moreau-Christophe, contemporary general director of French prisons, described in his book Le Monde des Coquins (The World of Scoundrels) how Vidocq used clues from the crime scene to determine the perpetrator based on his knowledge of specific criminals and their modus operandi. As a specific example, Moreau described a burglary in the Bibliothèque nationale de France in 1831, where he himself had been present at the investigation. Vidocq inspected a door panel that had been damaged by the offender and said that, due to the method employed and the perfection with which it had been executed, he knew of only one perpetrator who could have done it. He suggested the thief Fossard but mentioned that he could not be the culprit, since he was still in prison. The police chief, Lecrosnier, who was also present, told them that Fossard 20
had escaped eight days before. Two days later, Vidocq arrested Fossard, who had in fact committed the burglary.
BALLISTICS
Alexandre Dumas left records that describe a murder case from 1822. The Comtesse Isabelle d’Arcy, a woman much younger than her husband on whom she had cheated, was shot dead, whereupon the police arrested the Comte d’Arcy. Vidocq talked with him and was of the opinion that the “old gentleman” did not have the personality of a murderer. He examined his dueling pistols and found that they either had not been fired or had been cleaned since then. Then he persuaded a doctor to remove the bullet from the head of the noblewoman secretly. A simple comparison showed that the bullet was too big to come from the guns of the Comte. Vidocq then searched the apartment of the woman’s lover and found not only numerous pieces of jewellery, but also a large pistol whose size fit the bullet. The Comte identified the jewels as those of his wife and Vidocq also found a fence to whom the lover had already sold a ring. Confronted with the evidence, the lover confessed to the murder. The first real comparison between a gun and a bullet took place in 1835 some thirteen years later by the Bow Street Runner Henry Goddard. On 21 December 1860, The Times reported on a court ruling in which a murderer in Lincoln named Thomas Richardson had been convicted with the help of ballistics for the first time. Vidocq’s life story inspired many contemporary writers, many of them his closest friends. In Balzac’s writings, he was regularly the model of literary figures: his experiences as a failed entrepreneur were used. In Gobseck, Balzac introduced the policeman Corentin; but most clearly, the connection to Vidocq can be found in the figure of Vautrin. This character first appears in the novel a and finally as the main character in the 1840 theatre play Vautrin. Not only Vidocq as a person but also his methods and disguises inspired Balzac in his work. In Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables (1862), both main characters, the reformed criminal Jean Valjean and Police Inspector Javert, were modeled after Vidocq, as was the policeman Monsieur Jackal in The Mohicans of Paris (1854) by Alexandre Dumas. He also was the basis for Rodolphe de Gerolstein, who secured justice in the serial newspaper novel The Mysteries of Paris of Eugène Sue and he was the inspiration of Émile Gaboriau for Monsieur Lecoq, one of the first scientific and methodical investigators who played the lead role in many adventures, who in turn was a major influence for the creation of Sherlock Holmes. It is also believed that Edgar Allan Poe was prompted by a story about Vidocq to create the first detective in fiction, C.
Auguste Dupin, who appeared, for example, in the short story The Murders in the Rue Morgue, which is considered the first detective story. Vidocq is also mentioned in Moby-Dick and White Jacket by Herman Melville and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. In the Sandman Slim series of urban fantasy books by Richard Kadrey, a fictionalized version of Vidocq is a friend and mentor to the protagonist James Stark. Kadrey’s Vidocq has become immortal thanks to an alchemical accident and lives in modern-day Los Angeles. It’s an intriguing thought that without Vidocq’s invention of the private detective agency we may not now have Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, Lew Archer, Harry Dresden, the Hardy Boys, Kinsey Millhone, Sunny Randall, Mike Hammer, V I Washskanski, Philip Marlowe or Nancy Drew. How much poorer our lives would have been. We owe him a very large debt indeed. Next month we shall be looking at the first author heavily influenced by Vidocq’s life, the Father of the Detective Story, Edgar Allan Poe.
POETRY DETECTIVE STORY W.H. AUDEN
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or who is ever quite without his landscape, The straggling village street, the house in trees,
All near the church, or else the gloomy town house, The one with the Corinthian pillars, or The tiny workmanlike flat: in any case A home, the centre where the three or four things That happen to a man do happen? Yes, Who cannot draw the map of his life, shade in The little station where he meets his loves And says good-bye continually, and mark the spot Where the body of his happiness was first discovered? An unknown tramp? A rich man? An enigma always And with a buried past but when the truth, The truth about our happiness comes out How much it owed to blackmail and philandering. The rest's traditional. All goes to plan: The feud between the local common sense And that exasperating brilliant intuition That's always on the spot by chance before us; All goes to plan, both lying and confession, Down to the thrilling final chase, the kill. Yet on the last page just a lingering doubt: That verdict, was it just? The judge's nerves, That clue, that protestation from the gallows, And our own smile . . . why yes . . .
Histoire of Vidocq 1830 edition
But time is always killed. Someone must pay for Our loss of happiness, our happiness itself. 21
COMMUNITY ANNIE’S COLLECTIVE WONDERLAND DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE
you drive around the UK, if you’re at all interested in old, ACentresantique and vintage you will see just about everywhere ‘Antique - 60 Dealers. Places like Leominster (pronounced ‘Lem-stir’)
seem to have huge buildings convered into collective antique stores with the dealers taking turns to man the counters or even hiring a manager. This means that you can see specialist collections and dealers, rents are shared, and dealers have time to source new (old) material while business continues. We don’t seem to have the same concept here in Australia yet. Or we didn’t until Annie had a very bright idea when Swan Settlers Markets was floated as a concept. If you love vintage, retro, antique, flea markets, shabby chic and just plain quirky, I expect you already know about Annie’s shop at Taylor’s Art House - Annie’s Vintage Wonderland. If you don’t, immediately put it on your ‘To Visit’ list. But the shop at Taylor’s, even with knocking into the next building is too small for Annie’s wonderland of wonders, so she has joined up with Swan Settlers Markets and rented a huge area in it, acting as a collective with a number of other dealers and suppliers. She even has her eye on an expansion within the markets, which would double the area and dealers’ spaces available. Annie has moved some of the more portable items from Taylor’s, raiding her large stock from the warehouse and buying in new old stock. ‘New’ seems like an odd word to use, but ‘old’ seems less accurate - perhaps ‘odds and ends’ might be better. A sampling of her goods might include, vintage jewellery and clothing, collectable stamps, matchbooks and boxes, suitcases, tins, Australiana, toys, books, walking sticks, 50’s furniture and she is one of only five Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint stockists in Western Australia. Annie is a real person, unlike Betty Crocker, and is on hand to talk, deal and her happy cheerfulness is a huge asset to her shop. The collective is open from Thursday to Sunday, plus Public Holidays from 10:00am to 3:30pm, but if you ‘like’ her on Facebook facebook.com/AnniesVintageWonderland/ you can shop on her ‘Annie’s Vintage Wonderland Online Wonders’ pretty much all the time as treasures are photographed and posted in batches. Prices are open to negotiation, so now’s the time to call in and have a browse, make an offer and collect something you’ve been
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COMMUNITY
seeking for ages - be it a 1963 Beano comic, a matchbook from the Playboy Club, a plastic soldier originally found in a Cornflakes packet, a street name or a dresser in peppermint green with orange trim. Whatever it might be - Annie may well have it, will get it, or knows where there is one. And while you’re there, you can browse the vast range of other stallholders at Swan Settlers Market - the newest addition to tourism in the Swan Valley. If you’re a dealer looking to open a low-rent shop-front, talk to Annie - she can probably help.
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REVIEWS
FILM Tom Holland’s youthful energy and ability to tug at the heartstrings is the perfect combination for Peter Parker and he provides an empathetic performance which, at its heart is simply a young man trying his best to live up to a wealth of responsibility. Jacob Batalon and Zendaya are also highly likeable as Parker’s sidekicks. Then there is the injection of Jake Gyllenhaal as the elemental-fighting Mysterio. Gyllenhaal oozes charisma and slots perfectly into the MCU. The action sequences are dazzling with the elemental creatures bringing fire, water and earth to new heights in some iconic European locations. Overall, this highly enjoyable international superhero adventure is great fun with some terrific laughs, moments of light hearted comedy and some inspiring moments. Great fun and Highly Recommended! ~oOo~
Film: Spiderman: Far From Home Director: Jon Watts Reviewer: Chris McRae Note: The following review contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame
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he unique pressure bestowed upon the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic universe is that of being the first ‘post Avengers: Endgame’ film. Tom Holland’s latest appearance as everyone’s favourite web slinger sees loveable teen Peter Parker (Holland) struggling to come to terms with a world without Tony Stark (aka Iron Man). As the pressure to be the world’s next iconic role model superhero mounts, a class trip abroad comes at the perfect time as Peter, best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon) and classmates embark on a European adventure. Peter also sees this as the ideal time to try and confess his feelings for MJ (Zendaya). However, the superhero life is never far away and a visit from Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), a new threat and the appearance of a mysterious new superhero figure dubbed Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) throw Peter’s European trip into chaos.
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Yesterday Danny Boyle Chris McRae
world without the iconic music of The Beatles would be one in which there would be less love, less art and a lot less joy. In the Danny Boyle directed and Richard Curtis penned feel good film Yesterday, this is exactly the case. Struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) lives on busking on street corners and playing late night pub gigs with the endless support of friend and manager Ellie (Lily James). When a worldwide blackout occurs, Jack is hit by a bus whilst riding home from a gig. After his recovery, he is gifted a
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Rom-com king Richard Curtis (of Love Actually, Bridget Jones’ Diary and The Vicar of Dibley) fame brings us a refreshing tale of love and hope set to the most iconic music ever written. Danny Boyle directs with finesse, bringing elements of biopic (which celebrates the legacy of the Beatles and their music) alongside bittersweet drama and comedy. It is an uplifting film which will delight not only fans of the Beatles but anyone who believes in love and destiny. Very Highly Recommended. ~oOo~ Film: Director: Reviewer:
The Lion King Jon Watts Chris McRae
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he latest Disney classic to receive the live action treatment is one which sits as a staple on many home entertainment shelves. Based loosely on the story of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the Lion King is one of Disney’s most beloved and with iconic songs by Tim Rice and Elton John, it has a firm place in the hearts of young and old.
new guitar and christens it by playing the iconic Beatles tune Yesterday. However, Ellie and Jack’s friends assume that he has written the song and soon, much to Jack’s horror, he realises that he is the only person on earth who remembers the Beatles music! What follows is a feel good ride where the iconic music paints the picture for Jack’s rise to stardom and the narrative which follows his journey of loss, love and ultimately destiny. Patel certainly has an excellent singing voice and chews his way through some of the most iconic of the Beatles’ catalogue such as Let It Be, All You Need Is Love and The Long and Winding Road with melodic ease. Lily James is perfectly cast as the ever supportive Ellie who just wants to find love and an extended cameo from Brit pop superstar Ed Sheeran is both humorous and refreshing. A scene in which Sheeran and Patel face off in a ’10 minute songwriting challenge’ is one of the film’s best scenes.
Enter the 2019 ‘live action’ remake. Being tagged as live action is slightly misleading as the majority of the film is computer generated. The visuals of the film are stunning with incredible attention to detail given to both the animals and the African savannah. There are times, especially the Circle of Life driven opening which look and feel like a David Attenborough documentary. Once the story gets moving however, the film, try as it might, does simply not reach the lofty heights set by the original. The story is identical, however the characters were hard to connect to due to the lack of expression, made particularly difficult due to the computer generated nature of their design. James Earl Jones once again lends his voice to Mufasa and
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the voice talents of Donald Glover (Simba), John Oliver (Zazu), Beyonce (Nala), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Chiwatel Ejiofor (Scar) and Billy Eichner (Timon) have some great moments. However, much of the comedy, that was sparkling and original in the animated classic was missing or fell flat in this lacklustre reboot. As a standalone film, young audiences and fans of the original film will find some entertainment in it. However, it is largely unnecessary and many of the iconic songs are glossed over and not given adequate attention. The a capella song In The Jungle is a highlight which provides some good laughs. Fans of the classic will be right at home but The Lion King is not all it could have been and falls into the trap of ‘just another remake’ without any real purpose. Not Highly Recommended. ~oOo~ Film: Director: Reviewer:
Beautifully shot and presented in a contemporary voice, Ophelia cleverly merges elements of the original story with plot points which morph the story into a whole new light from Ophelia’s perspective. The tale, which follows Hamlet’s descent into madness looking to avenge his father, the King’s, death and his dislike for his mother’s new husband and Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius (Clive Owen) merges with Ophelia’s inner struggle with her love for Hamlet and her own safety. Daisy Ridley brings a quiet tenderness to Ophelia but possesses many moments of strength and ferocity which provide a great balance. The film belongs to her as well as the talented Naomi Watts who must save face whilst protecting a kingdom on the brink of war. Clive Owen is in his elements as the scheming Claudius and George McKay has some good moments as Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Overall, Ophelia feels fresh and unique, driving a ‘female take-back-the-narrative’ with great success. Some great performances anchor a very entertaining film which pays tribute to the original story whilst cleverly reinventing gender roles for a contemporary audience! Highly Recommended.
Ophelia Claire McCarthy Chris McRae
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rom director Claire McCarthy comes a visionary re-telling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet as told from the female perspective. The classic tale of betrayal, love and death is presented through the eyes of Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) and follows the turmoil of her love for Hamlet (George McKay) and her relationship with Queen Gertrude (Naoimi Watts).
When Ophelia is taken in by the Queen at a young age into Elsinore Castle, she develops into her most trusted lady-inwaiting. As betrayal, intrigue, murder and a brewing war threaten Elsinore, Ophelia must learn to keep her own secrets to protect her love and honour. 26
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Ophelia Claire McCarthy James Forte
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phelia must be a contender for the most beautiful film I have seen this year. Based on the novel by Lisa Klein and screenplay by Semi Chellas, director Claire McCarthy has given us a fresh and stylish interpretation of the events of Hamlet from the female point of view. There is a perfect cast of young people coping with the King’s untimely death. And then the taking of the throne and Queen Gertrude’s hand in marriage by the king’s evil brother, Claudius. From time to time I had flashes of another Shakespearean tragedy – Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film of Romeo and Juliet. Daisy Ridley and George MacKay as Ophelia and Hamlet gave similarly noble portrayals to Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting as Juliet and Romeo. Even if one is in Denmark and the other Italy. The film opens with a re-enactment (showing the drowned Ophelia) of the famous Pre-Raphaelite painting by Sir John Everett Millais. But all is not as it appears and there are some marvelous twists in the plot before the tragic ending – “when a ghost and a prince meet – and everything ends in mincemeat”. Apart from Daisy (from Star Wars and Murder on the Orient Express) in the title role, there are strong performances by Naomi Watts as Gertrude and Clive Owen as Claudius. And the castle in the forest is everything we imagine Elsinore should be. The score (Steven Price) and costume design (Massimo Cantini Parrini) were also outstanding. Lovers of Shakespeare should note that much of the dialogue is taken from the original play but shifted in time and place to suit the adjusted plot.
Ophelia is currently showing at Luna Cinemas. You do not need to be either female nor a Shakespearean expert to revel in this tale of hope for the Prince of Denmark. Four and a half stars. Film: Director: Reviewer:
Slow Stroll of the Spirit large network of ancient pilgrim trails stretches across Europe. Of these the most famous (particularly popular in the last twenty years) is the Camino de Santiago. I know half a dozen people who have completed it. The path stretches 800 kilometres across northern Spain from the western end of the Pyrenees to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela near the border with Portugal. The track goes through several famous towns such as Pamplona, Burgos and León. Each year a quarter of a million people start the Camino - either as a beautiful hike in much the same way as one would walk the (longer) Bibbulmun – or for deep spiritual reasons. One is expected to meditate on the state of your existence. Participants do not have to walk the whole distance, but upon completion – in the magnificent cathedral, they receive a certificate. Also, it is hoped, an appreciation of the deeper meaning of life. Camino Skies, produced and directed by young newcomers Fergus Grady and Noel Smyth, follows six Australian and New Zealand pilgrims on their trek. The documentary is in the style of heart-warming reality TV. There are short pieces of film footage of the six walking, finding shelter, eating meals, sleeping and doing it again the next day. Sadly at no stage does it provide a story. It opens with the oldest lady discussing her hiking difficulties. No doubt the filmmakers had hoped to conclude with her powering her way up the cathedral steps with bloody feet and an epic soundtrack. There is no set-up, no climax, and no resolution. Although the publicity blurb states: “In the face of overwhelming odds…” the only obstacle was their own health. Perhaps correctly, the film did not pry into the religious or personal reasons for their journey. However this removed any opportunity for the viewer to empathise with any of the walkers. How were they changed by the experience? There was no feeling of joy at the conclusion of the walk. It is only at the end of the film do we get a denouement as a relative’s ashes are scattered into the Atlantic Ocean. Camino Skies is currently showing. Recommended for all those who enjoy very long walks with a spiritual dimension. Two stars for the scenery. ~oOo~
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I Daisy Ridley as Ophelia (above) and Sir John Everett Millais’ painting (below)
Camino Skies Jon Watts James Forte
Danger Close (The Battle of Long Tan) Kriv Stenders James Forte
n the late 1960s, the movie Zulu was used as a training film for Australian national servicemen at Puckapunyal and Kapooka. It tells the true story from 1879 of just over 100 Welsh soldiers facing appalling odds in the defense of a mission station and field hospital. Were the 108 young (many conscripted) soldiers of Delta Company, 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment thinking of the film in August 1966 as they lay in the mud about to be over-run by 2500 battle hardened North Vietnamese regulars? Probably not. But the parallels are compelling and it is sad
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to think that, because of Zulu, Australians know more about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift than they do about the Battle of Long Tan. Perhaps that is about to change. After six years in production, Danger Close – the Battle of Long Tan gives a graphic and creditable account of the event. It should be emphasised that there is no discussion of the politics of the war. Just as the Welsh regiment did not want to be in Zululand, the men of 6RAR would have preferred to be anywhere but Viet Nam. The film is about soldiers in battle. The producers and the director (Kriv Stenders) have generally been successful in conveying the complexities for a non-military audience. Major Harry Smith – who commanded Delta Company – was a consultant throughout the planning and filming. He is convincingly portrayed by Travis Fimmel (The Vikings and Maggie’s Plan). The basic plot is fairly straightforward. The film opens with the ANZAC base at Nui Dat receiving sporadic mortar fire from the Viet Cong. The aim is to draw out the Australian infantry into an ambush. However Delta company makes contact in the rubber plantation at Long Tan - before the enemy troops are fully deployed. Visibility is appalling in the torrential rain. The title refers to just how close the
artillery fire was being called down in front of the infantry perimeter. Unlike Hollywood films on Viet Nam, with both sides blazing away with machine guns, in reality most diggers had semi-automatic, self-loading rifles. Each soldier carrying just sixty rounds of ammunition, the Australians fought back with single aimed shots. That is what makes it convincing. You may know how the battle turns out but the events - the loss of radio contact, the lack of ammunition, the almost suicidal attempts by the RAAF Iroquois helicopters to re-supply, the extreme proximity of the artillery support and the makeshift scraping together of a reinforcing troop of armoured personnel carriers - will have you on the edge of your seat. Danger Close opened at Luna Cinemas on 8th August. Zulu is among the very best British war films ever. Danger Close is every bit as good. Four and a half stars.
Camino Skies 28
COMMUNITY ENVIORONMENTAL DESTRUCTION LINKED TO POPULATION
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frica is projected to be home to nearly three billion people by 2100, but rapid population growth will cause widespread environmental degradation unless effective family planning becomes widespread policy, according to new research that tracked increased population pressures on the continent’s ecosystems. Researchers from Flinders University and the University of Helsinki have examined the environmental impacts of population density, variation in the distribution of wealth among citizens, and a country’s overall economic activity across the African continent. Using a combination of ecological footprint, species threat, freshwater removal, forest loss, livestock density, cropping intensity, and greenhouse-gas emissions, the researchers developed sophisticated modelling to determine which socioeconomic indicators best explain the relative environmental performance among countries. “Our finding that the strongest predictor of environmental performance among nations in Africa is population density means that countries with the most people suffered relatively more environmental degradation on average,” says lead researcher Professor Corey Bradshaw, from the Global Ecology Laboratory at Flinders University. “The result brings into question the reality of the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals because none of the targets mentions reducing human population size as a pathway to achieving their goals.” “Dedicated family planning and government policies that attempt to limit population growth and promote economic development that does not compromise environmental integrity
are needed to support sustainability across Africa.” The findings — published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports — come after a new United Nations report found that the fastest population growth on Earth is most likely to occur in sub-Saharan Africa, which is expected to double its population in the next thirty years. “Given the rapid growth of its population, Africa stands to lose many of its already threatened species and ecosystems over the coming decades, especially as overseas demand for timber, minerals, fuels, agricultural products, seafood, and wildlife increases” says co-author Dr Enrico Di Minin, a conservation scientist at the University of Helsinki. Dr Di Minin highlighted that while there are many policy levers that African nations can use to improve the future state of their environments and the societies that depend on them, limiting excessive human population growth will likely facilitate the best results. “But there is some relatively good environmental news in at least parts of Africa”, states Professor Bradshaw. “Despite having other problems, countries like Central African Republic, Botswana, Namibia, and Congo have been doing a lot better then many of their neighbours in the environment stakes”. “But some of the worst environmental performers are densely populated countries like South Africa, Algeria, and Nigeria”, Professor Bradshaw warns. “As pressures on the environment grow, most African nations will have to focus on mitigating the negative interactions of high population growth and unsustainable development if they want to have any chance of maintaining the beautiful, rich, and unique animals and plants for which Africa is famed”.
Concluded from page 3 ... There are embarrassing factual errors, such as when the author claims that both Victor Cazalet and General Sikorski died in flying boats’ accidents, notwithstanding two earlier references to the Soviet ambassador in London, Ivan Maysky’s plane parked in Gibraltar next to General Sikorski’s Liberator. [Cazlet, Sikorski and 14 others died in a B-24 Liberator II LB-30 AL523] It so badly needs editing that it is almost unreadable. To a brave reader I would recommend starting with Chapter 20 first, as it recapitulates the essence of the book, and treating the rest of it as an optional extra (in a curious editorial experiment the book has no pagination). A patient person, well-versed in memoirs of both Churchillians and Chamberlainites, with a lot of time to draw the “London Underground”-type mental maps of connections as well as spatial and temporal coincidences, will find, however, very ample food for thought and reflection on these fateful years. One of more surprising threads touches upon the extensive communication between various shadowy figures, both in Britain and in Germany, which formed the background to Rudolf Hess’ visit upon Duke of Hamilton who, seemingly, had been set up as a bait by the MI5. Let’s just say, it leaves no doubt that his flight was not entirely a personal initiative. Having read, in a determined effort, the entire book in four long sessions
in the bathtub, I look now with certain sadness at the nominal principal of the book’s negative hero, Joseph Ball, that is the Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain himself. While the author presents Ball as Chamberlain’s henchman, some subtle references to seduction of the latter by Ball who bonded with Chamberlain having introduced him to angling, suggest Ball played not only the Prime Minister’s opponents but also his supposed Master.
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REVIEWS Production: Producer: Reviewer:
thanks to Dave Keys and his assistant Rosie Antonas. Kerrie Wilshusen’s lighting design covered all situations with plenty of colour for the dance routines and crowd scenes, to the dark ominous scenes with the witches. Luke Simpson controlled the complex lighting programme with feeling. The domes – or spotlights – were accurately operated by Peter Young and Dillan Kuiper. Radek Rubinski and Tom Janes added their magic with the Flys and the mechanics. With such a huge cast, holding the show together was a major challenge for the Stage Manager (Brianna Lea), however, props moved in and out quickly and efficiently; then, at the end of every scene, the packed stage would empty silently. Superb organisation.
Wicked - The Musical Mercedes College Gordon the Optom
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icked – the Musical; the untold story of the witches of Oz is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Stephen Schwartz found the book whilst on holiday and had Winnie Holzman adapt it for the stage. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the show Premiered in 2003 in San Francisco. It won three Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, a Grammy and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Broadway Musical. The show has been seen by millions and broken numerous box office records. This amazing three-hour show is at the Regal Theatre in Subiaco is a Mercedes College’s joint venture with five boys from other Perth schools. The College has won the Catholic Performing Arts Festival’s Award for the Best Secondary School musical for the past two years. I was having a chat to Frank Murphy on his popular Fremantle Radio 107.9 Irish programme when the two leads for this show arrived. Keely and Jayda gave the most exquisite rendition of one the songs from ‘Wizard’; they wore headphones for the backing music and so Frank and I experienced their singing unaccompanied. Crystal voices with perfect pitch. With a cast of more than eighty students and a further forty others as stage crew and important helpers this is a massive show. Wicked will be performing at The Regal Theatre. The Scene: the sorcery University, Shiz about eighty years ago. The Set: considering that the show’s season was only a handful of performances, the amount of work by the design and costume crews was enormous. Three massive wooden structures designed and built by Performing Arts Link, acted as homes for the monkeys and then – clipped together to form a bridge – for romantic encounters. The audio balance and design were perfect
The Munchkin citizens of Oz are in the streets celebrating, when from the sky a silver ring descends carrying the much-loved dim blonde, the beautiful Glinda (Keely McMillan) in an attractive pale blue petal gown. Glinda just loves to tell everyone how good she is. Even the monkeys are excited, as they do their aerial tricks (fantastic acrobatics). Glinda tells the Ozians how a mother gave birth to a green-skinned baby, Elphaba (Jayda D’Agostino). Elphaba’s father, the Governor of Munchkinland loathed her giving all his affection to her disabled sister, Nessarose (Stephanie Shaw). The girls are sent to Shiz University where the cruel Principal, Madame Morrible
The cast of Wicked - The Musical 30
to walk. When Boq still shows no interest, Nessarose tries the Grimmerie, but accidentally shrinks Boq’s heart and he turns into the ‘Tin Man’. Who will win Fiyero heart? Will Elphaba remain forever cursed? Other major players included: Guards (Aliyah Fedec, Tiandra Seal), Witch’s mother (Bianca Metcalf), Lover (Scarlett Mills), Shen Shen (Jada Rattray) and the Governor (Gabe Sharra).
(Charlotte Kiely) rules with a stern hand and harsh sorcery. Elphaba’s favourite lecturer is the history teacher, Dr. Dillamond (Abbey Breust), a goat-like animal professor who is discriminated against and sacked by Madame Morrible. When the unscrupulous Prince, Fiyero (Rhys Agnihotri) arrives, Glinda is immediately in love with him. Unfortunately, when a poor Munchkin Boq (Anton Coomblas) then declares his love for Glinda, she suggests that he should love Nessarose instead. Boq ends up guiding Nessarose’s wheelchair whilst still desperately yearning after Glinda.
The huge Orchestra was conducted by Harry Oliff. His musicians were Bethany Hunt, Alexandra Del Casale, Anna Rodger, Claire Glendinning, Grace Kay and Joseph Pinto (on Reed). The brass section, Riley Byfield (on Horn), Adrian Kelly, Charlie Teakle (on Trumpet), Peter Chan (on Trombone), Leanna de Souza, Anika Collins, Lili Bogoyev and Hannah Brockway – WASO (Violins), Djuna Lee, Charlotte Greenway (on Bass), Adrian Soares, Chris Milbourne, Tim How and Mitchell Price-Norgaard (on Keyboards), Jeremy Thomson (on Guitars), Paul Waterhouse (on Drums), Martha Bird, Brooke Cumming, Laura Saxon, Tayla Rattray (on Percussion) and on keyboard programming Nathan Firmin. With four percussionist the balance could have been difficult to control, but with the skill of the Musical Director the balance of the whole orchestra was perfect. Thankfully, there were no ‘self-appointed soloists’ desperately trying to make themselves noticed. The orchestration was sensitive and accompanied the
Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself Having no friends, Elphaba is taught by Glinda how to attract men, with Fiyero then showing interest. The two rescue a caged lion cub. Soon, the famous Wizard (Mackenzie Brown) asks Elphaba to visit him at the Emerald City. Madame Morrible, who now works as the Wizard’s Press Secretary, gives Elphaba the ‘Grimmerie’ – an ancient and priceless spell book. When the Wizard’s acrobatic monkey servant, Chistery (Daisy Holder) sprouts wings, Elphaba realises it is the Wizard who has been cruelly controlling the Animals’ freedom. Not only that, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz cannot even read the special codes in the Grimmerie, he is in fact a fraud. Elphaba, now known as ‘The Wicked Witch of the West’ grabs a broomstick and flies off to sanity. Meanwhile, ‘Glinda the Good’ foolishly starts working for the Wizard and Morrible, against Elphaba. On hearing Elphaba is to be ‘melted down’, Fiyero goes to Elphaba’s rescue. On the death of her father, Nessarose becomes the Governor of Munchkinland, but still she cannot capture Boq’s heart. Elphaba tries to help Nessarose by giving her sister special, magical shoes and the power 31
vocalists rather than forcing the singers out of their comfort zones to keep up with the music. A three-hour show is a marathon for a musician – well done. There were some lovely touches as the instrumentalists gave the odd magical notes for various actions. As the Vocal Director, Harry Oliff has selected a wonderful range of singers, all of whom had great voices and could act well whilst singing. Sadly, so often many youngsters can both act and sing, but sadly not at the same time. The cast were very well rehearsed and sang in unison. Then comes the result of months of sewing. Head Costumier, Jo Driscoll and her magnificent team had to design several changes of costumes, many with hours of work in each dress, for the cast of eighty. Then, in combination with the inspiration of a talented makeup team the characters of Madame Morrible, Dr Dillamond, the monkeys and Chistery came alive. Superb work. The choreography by Emily Hunt was inventive, with several different styles on the stage at one time. The Choreographer faced with sixty extras to train still managed to squeeze every ounce of strength and enthusiasm. They smiled, danced, sang in perfect harmony. The routines were not simply leg movements, but every joint of the dancers’ bodies had a full workout. The acrobats managed vertical splits, back flips, cartwheels and still came up smiling. This is the kind of visual magic that the younger audience members loved and will remember for ever. ‘Glinda’ is said to have come from Gee Linda – ‘Linda’ being the Spanish word for beautiful. Keely’s speaking voice was like TV’s ‘The Nanny’ breathing helium. Absolutely wonderful, it could clear blocked eardrums at twenty metres. The voice came complete with a bubbly hysterical giggle and a frivolous personality. However, when Keely started to sing her soprano voice was magnificent, a pleasure to listen to. Jayda has been a finalist in a national singing contest
– twice! And again, as a finalist in a national song writing competition. With her clear voice and the ability to hold a note for ever, she has a huge future. The show’s Director was Kathleen Cocks, Head of Learning Area. She was backed by Production Assistant Gill Lugton; they gave the cast drive, enthusiasm and confidence. Along with Harry Oliff as the Vocal Coach and Musical Director the cast smiled their way through the tricky numbers. I am sorry this space does not allow me to list everyone that worked on this show, there were dozens of artists, costume crew, makeup artists and the front of house. ALL were valuable pieces that went into this truly magnificent performance. Most professional on all levels. Brilliant. ~oOo~ Production: Producer: Reviewer:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Princess Theatre Chris McRae
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he beloved universe of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter is as popular as ever with a whole new generation of children and adults alike discovering the captivating stories of the boy wizard through the books and films. Since the final film was released in 2011, the wizarding world has expanded with the introduction of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ saga, broadening the magical world to North America. The online portal ‘Pottermore’ also remains strong, bringing new stories and content to young and old. Potter fans were thrilled to learn in 2013 that a brand new stage play which would explore Harry’s story nineteen years
The cast of Melbourne’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrate their first 100 shows. 32
after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was in development. In 2015, the title was revealed as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the two part theatrical extravaganza debuted at London’s Palace Theatre on 30th July 2016. Two years later, it took to the Broadway stage on 22nd April 2018 and now it has landed down under, taking up residency at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre. The story opens in familiar territory at Kings Cross Station with Harry (Gareth Reeves), now the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, along with wife Ginny (Lucy Goleby), who works for the Daily Prophet, seeing their son Albus Severus Potter (Sean Rees-Wemyss) off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the first time. Albus leaves for Hogwarts alongside Rose GrangerWeasley (Manali Datar), the daughter of Hermione (Pauline Arundell), now the Minister for Magic, and Ron (Gyton Grantley), who runs the Weasley’s Wizard Weezes joke shop in Diagon Alley. Upon arrival at Hogwarts, Albus is sorted into Slytherin and forms an unlikely friendship with Scorpius Malfoy (Louis
Corbett), the son of Harry’s Hogwarts nemesis Draco (Tom Wren). Together, Albus and Scorpius delve into the past and uncover dark details of Hogwarts history that they feel compelled to right. With the ability for time to be manipulated, Albus and Scorpius journey into the past and the magical world changes forever. With #KeepTheSecrets being a large part of the experience of this play, the true joy comes in experiencing the theatrical magic for yourself. Firstly, the inside of the Princess Theatre and foyer has been transformed with Hogwarts inspired wallpaper, carpet and other decor. With the show in two parts (two full length shows), the experience is an outstanding day at the theatre. From the opening of Part 1, it is clear this will be a theatre experience like no other. The haunting and magical score, penned by Imogen Heap sets the scene beautifully with subtle nods to the film music but a fresh take on the auditory feel of the magical world. This marries perfectly with the incredible lighting and sound design which merges traditional lighting elements with projections and other (#KeepTheSecrets) magical elements. As for the play itself, the production elements of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are second to none.
Scene transitions include a revolving stage, lightning fast changeovers and slick fly tower movement. The audience is transported to places such as Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic, Godric’s Hollow and King’s Cross Station with striking set pieces and the transitions are, at times, just as entertaining to watch as the action itself with the swish of cloaks providing a symbolic and practical transition technique. Then there is the magic! With internationally renowned illusionist Jamie Harrison forming part of the creative team, what should not be possible on a theatre stage becomes possible! There are moments that are awe inspiring and simply jaw dropping. With magic being such a key part of the story and the character’s lives, it is seamlessly and effortlessly weaved into the action and adds a whole other dimension to an already stunning production experience. A varied and talented cast breathes life into beloved and newly discovered characters. Young actors Sean Rees-Wemyss and Louis Corbett anchor the production with two highly entertaining performances as Albus and Scorpius respectively. Just as good are the adult leads. Gareth (Harry) Reeves, Gyton Grantley (Ron) and Pauline Arundell (Hermione) create their own adult interpretations of characters that are loved the world over. They bring subtle nods to the child versions that are known so well, but all bring a maturity and tenderness to each character. Clocking in at just over five hours in total, with two intervals and a two and a half hour break in-between each show, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is not your standard theatre show. It is a theatrical experience like no other. With residency in Melbourne for at least the next eighteen months, a trip to Melbourne is well worth it just to witness the magic of Harry Potter. For die hards like myself who grew up with the series, it is a treat for all the senses with a feeling of being swept into the magical world something to behold. For newcomers to the Potter universe or those who may not be familiar with the stories, the production quality is something to behold and appreciate. So get yourself on a plane to Melbourne. Go for a weekend, go for a holiday and witness that absolute magic that is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. You won’t be disappointed! Very Highly Recommended. #KeepTheSecrets ~oOo~ Production: Producer: Reviewer:
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A View From a Park Maverick Theatre Gordon the Optom
View from the Park is an outstanding panoply (isn’t that a fabulous word?) of short plays, written and directed by prolific Perth playwright and script-writing lecturer, Noel O’Neill. Noel’s full-length plays can vary from good to excellent, but his short plays have always been his strong point and these
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five are truly brilliant. There are a couple of light-hearted, bubbly laughs and three of the best short plays that I have seen in decades; two of which deserve nomination for some State Award for writing. The very different plays are presented by Maverick Theatre Productions and vary in length from 20 to 45 minutes. They can be seen upstairs at The Carlisle Hotel, which is situated at 174 Rutland Avenue in Carlisle – near the Mint Street station. The performances are in a pleasant intimate room with comfortable chairs in two rows, so everyone has a good view of the performance. The two and a half hour shows commence at 7.30 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings until 10th August. There are matinees at 2.30 pm on both Saturdays (3rd, 10th) and Sundays (4th, 11th).
work friends for years, but now they have decided to take their friendship to a new and risky level. Phil plays the caring man, determined to make the most of their first tryst, but moaning Maree is having a change of mind. Two flawless – personal best? – performances for Phil and Maree. The chemistry was electric at times as the emotions swung from enthusiasm to panic. Little physical movement but their expressions and verbal interaction had the audience rivetted. Quite a few twists. Superb. Serenade in Blue – 25 minutes Oliver (James Hagan) is an elderly gentleman who was once recognised as a musical authority. He is sitting on a park bench in the sun, enjoying the peace and quiet when – uninvited – Cheryl (Rachel Bartlett) sits next to him. A conversation starts, but this young lady seems to be asking too many searching questions. Oliver suspects that she may be another dreaded newspaper reporter writing an exposé. James playing the man aggressively on the defence against the poor girl trying her best to be kind, gave us two amazing performances. I cannot deny that they both had me in tears by the end. A script of this quality requires two special actors and Noel found them both in James and Rachel. Outstanding. Love and Marriage – 20 minutes A man (Rex Gray) and his wife (Sue Murray) are sitting on a park bench waiting to meet their long-term friends, who are going through difficult times in their marriage. But are these emotional healers at the correct park bench? Another refreshing light break from the intense highly dramatic performances. Rex and Sue’s interaction was so typical of a long-time married couple. Plenty of smiles in this charming comedy. Well done.
The Scene: A park bench in Australia. The Set: A 30 cms high dais with a three-seater white park bench. Behind is a wall of black drapes. This simple set was free from distraction and allowed the discourse to reign supreme. The simple but effective lighting and sound was designed and operated by John Spurling. Connie and Clyde – 20 minutes Dressed in shirt and bowtie, Clyde (Rex Gray) and hippy Connie (Sue Murray) with blonde dreadlocks have been sharing emails for months. At last they meet. Like most friendship seekers, their descriptions of themselves have not been quite as honest as they should have been. With the popularity of Tinder increasing rapidly, this is a very funny story that many will see as an everyday occurrence. Rex and Sue were wonderful together as the strangely matched couple. Delightful.
Ticket to Paradise – 20 minutes Max (James Hagan) is the miserable whinging ex-partner of easy-going and happy Sid (Gino Cataldo). The two widowers worked together for thirty years, but now they are retired they still meet up at the same bench in a peaceful cemetery once a week for a game of draughts. Two wonderful characterisations. The story ticks along until an unexpected topic arises. Both actors gave life to the two complex characters as the unique storyline hit the rollercoaster.
The Flat – 45 minutes Bill (Phil Barnett) and Sylvia (Maree Grayden) have been
The scripts for each play were so brilliantly structured and 34
written, with dialogue that flowed naturally straight from the heart. In most of the plays, just when the ending you have worked out and anticipate is about to be revealed, this script takes a massive ninety degree turn and you find yourself faced with a totally unexpected twist and new problem. Who would have thought that a simple park bench could mean so much to the many people that had sat on it and hide so many of their intimate stories? If you are a writer, actor or acting student these plays will give you a bar to aim for. The script and style of acting – which depends on the actors becoming fully and emotionally involved – are perfect examples of what can be done with only two actors and a minimal set. These five plays are most memorable. The actors all gave performances that flowed so well, that at times you wondered if there was actually a script, or was it an everyday conversation? Five DO NOT MISS plays, similar setting but completely different genres. Highly recommended. Editor: The season has been extended due to demand. ~oOo~ Production: Producer: Reviewer:
planning a ‘business trip’, commonly known in Australia as a ‘dirty weekend’. As he is about to leave, he discovers that his wife Yvonne (Kirstie Francis / Halbwirth) has invited a voluptuous friend, Babette Latouche (Tasha Jane) around for the weekend. George is confused – should he go or stay with his new bosom friend? To make things worse, the attractive maid, a ‘cocotte’ (tart) in training, Claudine Amour (Kezia George) announces the arrival of a famous poet, Leonard Jolijoli (Alec Fuderer) a young gay friend of George’s who is being sought by a police officer, Inspector Legrand (Marcus McGavock). Suddenly an unknown, ruggedly handsome butler, Jacque (Peter Scarrott) appears in the household and joins in with the pandemonium. Will George get his wild weekend?
Pyjama Tops Harbour Theatre Gordon the Optom
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yjama Tops was initially a farce called MouMou written in French by playwright Jean de Letraz, this was then translated and adapted for English humour by Mawby Green and Ed Feilbert. This very funny farce, which is more confusion that numerous doors opening and closing, could be seen at the Camelot Theatre in Mosman Park Memorial Hall, 16 Lochee Street in Mosman Park, where Jo Sterkenburg always has a warm welcome. The Scene: is a wealthy villa, the Clair de Lune in the French village of Deauville. The Set: was designed by Tina Barker and painted by Brian Mahoney, Grace Hitchin and David Eggleston. They were joined in the initial construction by Phil Redding, Julie Mackay and Ben Wade. The extra unusual props were supplied by Tina Barker, Marcus McGavock and Marina Del Borello. The loungeroom has pale cornflower blue walls with white picture rails and woodwork. Centre of the rear wall are patio doors with an attractive external scene of a garden overlooking the sea beyond; this was painted by Melissa Bassett. Centre stage is a large three-seater couch with coffee tables at each side. The artwork was modern French. Attractive well-constructed set. On one side, a set of stairs led to the bedrooms, on the other side a corridor to the kitchen. The stage manager, Marina Del Borello kept things moving smoothly along. The effective lighting design, rigging (a difficult one) and operation was by Rob Tagliaferri and Callum Hunter. Vanessa Gudgeon’s sound design included some popular French tunes. George Chauvinet (Gordon Park) is
Award winning Director, Tina Barker likes to have a challenge and seems to change her genre regularly. With a fabulous cast of regular farce performers including Gordon and Peter, I expected the best. Then, with the ladies proving their comedy skills, the show really took off. My award for best performer of the night goes to a quite young and inexperienced actor, Alec, who was fabulous as MouMou. Great teamwork, slick movement and good control of the tricky dialogue. The stylish and slightly daring costumes which were supervised by Tasha Jane, were wonderful; from Leonard’s suave suit, to the maid who could barely contain herself. Faced with the difficulty of finding pyjama tops in this day and age, the cast settled for equally sexy Baby Doll nighties. The play was in three Acts. The first was a little slow with scene setting for the domestic shambles that was to follow. Act Two was very funny and the final Act was hilarious. There were a couple of young teenagers in the audience and even they seemed to get the subtly of the humour. A very good night was had by all. 35
KALAMUNDA DRAMATIC SOCIETY
Mr Tulip (Evie MacPherson) 36
SERIAL PRODUCTIONS
THE NERD ANDRO ZANI
Fantastically funny farce about a housepest
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ow far would you go to get rid of an unwelcome houseguest? It’s a question explored in The Nerd, a side-splitting comedy from Serial Productions at the Old Mill Theatre, written by US playwright Larry Shue and directed by Joe Isaia and Rob Warner.
The story focuses on young architect Willum, visited by ex-GI Rick Steadman – a man he has never met but saved Willum’s life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his 34th birthday party, although Rick's awkward manner and inappropriate behaviour soon throws the occasion into shambles. “As you can imagine, there are many embarrassing moments between Willum and his guests,” Isaia said. “Rick is a strange nerd who overstays his welcome with a vengeance and Willum goes to outrageous lengths to be rid of him. “Essentially, it’s a classic fish-out-ofwater story. “One of the challenges is keeping everything as real as possible while dishing out the laughs. “We want the audience to identify and sympathise with our characters in what are sometimes extraordinary circumstances.” Acting and directing for nearly thirty years, Joe Isaia made his debut with Limelight Theatre and has gone on to work with the Old Mill, KADS, Marloo and Garrick Theatres, Serial Productions and the Graduate Dramatic Society in shows such as Blackadder, Breaker Morant, The King and I, Death of a Salesman, The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband and Macbeth. He had also directed numerous productions including Nuts, Revenge, Our Boys, Amy’s View, Noises Off and Footloose. “I had the good fortune to play the
title role in The Foreigner last year, which was also written by Larry Shue,” Isaia said. “The success of the show led Serial Productions to take on the challenge of producing another comedy by the same playwright. “As I was going to be away for the some of the performance dates and couldn't be in it, I put my hand up to direct the show.” Co-director Rob Warner said The Nerd examined the lengths people go to in an effort to help friends and loved ones, even if that meant sometimes hilarious or humiliating results. “Expect a lot of laughter and some cringe-worthy awkwardness,” he said. “The character of Willum feels duty-bound to welcome and accept someone to whom he owes a deep debt but whose cluelessness threatens to ruin both his professional and personal lives. “How much would you put up with from someone to whom you owe so much?” The Nerd runs from August 9th to the 24th at 7.30pm with 2pm matinees on August 11th and 18th at Teh Old Mill Theatre. Tickets cost $25, $22 concession and may be booked on www.trybooking.com/BDMTU. On August 16, fifty per cent proceeds will go to the WA Heart and Lung Transplant Foundation. The heritage-listed Old Mill Theatre is on the corner of Mends Street and Mill Point Road, South Perth (opposite the Windsor Hotel and Australia Post).
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ARENA ARTS
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GARRICK THEATRE CLIUB INC AGATHA REX AT GARRICK DOUGLAS SUTHERLAND-BRUCE
Sophocles, Lusted, Price and TAG - a formidable team n 441BCE renowned Athenian playwright Sophocles wrote a tragedy called Antigone, the daughter of incestuous couple Jocasta and her son Oedipus. The play focuses on what's right and what's wrong and sticking up for what's right. This is the story that Canadian playwright Lindsey Price took, adapted, updated and set in a modern private school in a play, especially for youth theatre groups. Lindsay Price is the resident playwright for Theatrefolk and co-founder of the Drama Teacher Academy. She writes exclusively for schools and student performers. This is the latest production for Garrick Theatre Club Inc's successful youth theatre company Teens at Garrick, directed by Gail Lusted and Caitlyn Roberts. It stars a large cast of TAG students in principal roles as well as the traditional Greek Chorus. "What will be her dreadful fate When the trumpet sounds the call For those who stand against the state Must first learn how to fall. Possible expulsion, expulsion, expulsion"
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The ladies and gentlemen of Teens at Garrick Agatha is a girl who stands up for her beliefs, regardless of the consequences. As student council president at Thebes High, she vigorously defends a student who is unfairly punished, daring to challenge the strict rules of Dr. Creon, the principal. Based on her actions, Agatha risks her reputation as the best student. She could be expelled and lose an important scholarship, all to fight for justice. Will the other students stand behind her? Both the characters and the audience are left with the same question: In the same situation would you stand up for someone who is unpopular, or do you flow with the status quo? Set in a modern-day high school, the play translates the original Greek chorus into a fantastic ensemble opportunity. Agatha Rex runs from 7:30pm on August the 9th to the 17th with matinees on the 10th, 11th and 17th at 3:00pm. It is on at Garrick Theatre, 16, Meadow Street, Guildford. Tickets cost $15 for the under 18s, $25 for adults and $22 concession and may be booked by ringing Elaine on 9378 1990, or emailing her on bookings@garricktheatre.asn.au or on the TryBooking website www.trybooking.com/BDXGA.
Concesssion $22
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SWAN VALLEY
SWEET TEMPTATIONS
TRAIL
handcrafted artisan produce
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THE IDLER The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Mind
were two more floor-to-ceiling glass doors. The first housed a shower large enough for a netball team, or two rugby union forwards. The second, a toilet complete with a phone hanging on the wall, which conjured up imagines of a certain jumpsuit-clad entertainer, phoning through a late-night order of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. And yet it was none of these things that impacted me the most. A deep white bath hugged the mirrored wall on the right, and that’s where it was, on the wall at the foot of the bath. After filling the bath, I sank into the bubbles, champagne glass in hand, and flicked the switch. The mirrored wall at the foot of the bath flickered, then came to life with images of AFL football players. Imbedded into GLENNYS MARSDON the mirrored wall was a television. Switched off it was a mirror, switched on a television. Genius. Suffice to say I was at my most any years ago, in the late nineties, a work trip had me staying clean by the end of the week. I tried replicating this opulence at home. Over several in the swanky Crown Towers on the banks of Melbourne’s weeks I attempted balancing an ugly fat-back black television, Yarra River. Newly minted, the hotel was THE place to stay. The on the ledge at the end of my small shallow bath. On another price was exorbitant but thanks to a cashed-up mining client I attempt I tried setting it up on a footstool beside the bath, and yet wasn’t paying. for some reason I was never able to achieve the same level of zen The sheer expanse of the complex was overwhelming. experienced at the Crown. Maybe it was the brand of bubble bath Sprawling out like a suburb in its own right, the underbelly was a or champagne used. collection of high-end shops and multicultural food outlets. The Although I think it was more likely to be the sight of the jewel in the crown, as it were, was a water based lightshow that thick electrical cable trailing its way along the wall lemmingmoved to the beat of a soundtrack, the perfect accompaniment like to the socket. Visions of the television tipping into the for patrons segueing from the hotel to the casino. bath, as I reached for the flannel were never fully banished. In Sure, it was impressive particularly when a hovering the end I was destined to give up and look for consulting work mist created a fourth dimension, and I must confess being that entailed at least one annual trip to Melbourne. Given this mesmerised by the lightshow for way too many hours. experience perhaps you will understand my surprise when a Equally impressive was the fire act staged every hour from friend told me about her recent hotel stay. sundown to midnight outside the hotel. A handful of tall gasBunked down in a five-star hotel she ventured into the filled columns bellowed jets of fire sky high, like an angry dragon that’d placed his Lords’ castle on 24 black, only to watch the little bathroom for a shower. There inlaid in the wall of the shower was a television. I know we’re in a grand era of technology and there white ball drop into 23 red. have been many amazing advances like giving Army veterans And yet for all this expense and theatrics these weren’t the bionic legs, but a television in the shower? things that I remembered most about my stay. For me it was the I’m left with so many questions. technological wonder that I found in the bathroom. Yes, I know we are a sports obsessed nation, but seriously I know what you’re thinking, bathroom technological can we not wait until after a shower to find out the score? Or advances are not new. Things have certainly changed aplenty wouldn’t it be easier to just wait until after the game to start the since 1546, when Henry VIII closed the public houses or ‘stews’ shower in the first place? Surely there are very few moments in as they were known, because of the shameless behaviour taking life when a person simply cannot wait a moment longer to have place therein. We can thank Queen Elizabeth I’s godson Sir John a shower? All these questions are valid, however the ones I find Hennington, and later in 1775 Alexander Cummings, for the most perplexing are… S-bend that keeps sewage smells at bay. How may television shows can be fully consumed in the time By the second half of the 19th Century running water and it takes to have the prerequisite four-minute shower? drainage gave rise to the modern-day bathroom. Still by 1927 Where do you put the remote? only one in 500 houses in working-class London areas had a Send your answers to Perplexed and Dirty. bathroom. Fast forward to today when you’re a social pariah if your household only has one bathroom. Inside bathrooms have changed too. Gone are the rope-held newspaper squares and flush chains whose sole purpose was to house daddy-long-legs spiders. Instead we now have triple thickness paper, heated seats and a multitude of computerized cleaning options, for one’s posterior, not the fixtures and fittings. Best not dwell there. Pushing open the heavy glass double doors of my hotel room bathroom, I stepped into a floor to ceiling ginger-marbled crypt. The sheer opulence of the room reflected back at me through the floor to ceiling wall of mirrors. To my left
AN ENTERTAINING SHOWER
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TV WITH CHRIS AUGUST 2019
threat of the Mind Flayer begin to emerge with Max’s brother Billy (Dacre Montgomery) in the firing line. Season 3 is possibly the strongest so far with plot and character development at an all time high. The parallel storylines and the splitting of the characters into distinct groups works perfectly. The chemistry between Dustin, Erica, Steve and Robin is possibly the season’s best team. The ‘grown up’ storyline which sees David Harbour’s police chief Hopper and Winona Ryder’s Joyce Byers team up with Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) and Russian suspect Dr Alexi (Alec Utgoff) to get to the bottom of the Russian’s true objective also provides moments of comedy, thrills and violence.
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inter is traditionally a good TV viewing season. Cold nights, heaters and some seriously good shows make earlier evenings an attractive proposition. First class drama and humour all feature in this month’s ouvre. Title: Network:
STRANGER THINGS SEASON 3 Netflix
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n 2016, the 80’s nostalgia induced monster mashing smash that is Stranger Things took the world by storm. It merged thriller, sci-fi and horror elements against an 80’s backdrop with a killer soundtrack and was the perfect mix, proving an instant cult hit. After two highly popular seasons, the gang is back and summer is in the air. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Eleven (shortened to Elle) (Millie Bobby Brown) are in the throes of love as are Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max (Sadie Sink), leaving Will (Noah Schnapp) as a fifth wheel. When Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) returns from camp, he intercepts a Russian radio signal which sends their whole world into a spin. He teams up with Steve (Joe Keery) and new face Robin (Maya Hawke) who work at Scoops Ahoy, the ice cream parlour at the local Starcourt Mall. Together, along with Lucas’ sassy sister Erica (Priah Ferguson) they attempt to crack the code and enter into a world of trouble. Meanwhile, evidence of the Upside Down and the
Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) make a great pair, delving into some of the supernatural goings on in Hawkins. As for the kids, well they are driven by hormones and injecting teen angst into the supernatural elements works well. At the heart of the Season 3 threat is Perth bred talent Dacre Montgomery who plays Billy Hargrove. Billy probably has the most interesting story of the season, being put in the firing line of the Mind Flayer and having plenty of moments of intensity which Montgomery handles brilliantly. Also, a highlight is Joe Keery as ‘kid wrangler’ Steve Harrington and newcomer Maya Hawke as Robin. The season highlight comes in the emotional and stunning final chapter with a perfectly timed musical moment which is best left to discover for yourself. Again, Stranger Things delivers on a big scale. The neon wonder of the Starcourt Mall makes it appear like an amusement park and provides a pivotal location in the Season 3 story arc. This is coupled with some iconic 80’s fashion and another killer soundtrack. There are moments of laugh our loud comedy and absolute terror which will have you squirming in your seat. Stranger Things is back and better than ever! Very Highly Recommended.
Dacre Montgomery in Stranger Things Season 3 42
BOOKS AND WRITING BRAVO WA SCRIPT WRITERS JAMES FORTE
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ach year the Western Edge Playwriting Group in Perth (now joined by similar groups in Dunsborough and Margaret River) runs a competition for local writers. Entry is free but the play must be no more than ten-minutes in length, be either a monologue or a duologue and have a south-west of WA flavour. There were twenty-seven entries. From these, six were chosen as finalists to have their script performed at the new Heart Theatre in Margaret River on 13th July and published in the annual anthology. In previous years the plays have had a rehearsed reading and it was a large step up to have theatre companies (two from Perth) staging them. A free competition resulting in a production and publication is a rare and exciting opportunity for a writer. Non-finalists were provided with broad feedback and encouraged to submit again in 2020. If you would like to try your hand at writing a short monologue (challenging and satisfying) keep an eye out for Edge Performance Writers on Facebook. Of this year’s finalists, three were from Perth and three from the S-W, with equal numbers of males and females and an age range from 18 to 80. In a surprising departure from previous years, they were all dramas rather than comedies and there was a preponderance of duologues. Five were set in the present/immediate future and one was a historic melodrama. Finally the staging was decidedly female– centric with both MCs, all the judges, all the directors, eight of the ten actors and the final performance poet being women. However, enough of statistics. What of the people? Donyale MacKrill won the judges’ award for The Change as best play (of two women discussing how their lives have changed as they reach menopause). There was a special runner-up award to Sky River for her autobiographical monologue A Block of River Bed (about sculpting abstract female figures). Her script, set around working with clay on a lazy-susan, would be particularly difficult to stage
and she wisely gave it a rehearsed reading. Her marvellous narration skills were sufficient to also win her the people’s choice award. The acting award went to the riveting performance by Donna Chatfield in David Rawet’s monologue The Wait. Impressive was the effort by the young Ella Smith (just out of school) for Closed Today which she wrote, directed and acted the lead role. My award for the best line of the night goes to Sue Gibson in Andrew Turk’s Consequences: “Tell him to bring his shotgun.” Sari Bennett concluded the night with a superb recital of a poem dedicated to the theme of changing landscapes. Compressing a piece of theatre into ten-minutes is not easy and most of the plays were of people coping with some circumstance rather than following a story-arc as in most conventional dramas. Writers should note that the portrayal of some simple situation with depth and honesty is preferred. Resist the temptation to crowd too much into your play. Less is more. These were fine examples of character studies. Although adherence to the theme was sometimes stretched – as was the connection to south-west WA - the quality of the writing was impressive. It is to be hoped that the entries next year reach (or exceed) the high standard shown. I look forward to the 2020 event. Large bouquets and our thanks to Therese Edmonds who coordinated everything, Melting Pot glass studio and Arts Margaret River for their sponsorship and Andrew Frith and the staff at the Heart theatre for all the technical and artistic support. And a very special note of appreciation for the directors and actors who gave up their time to rehearse and perform the plays. For more information, see the Western Edge FaceBook page or the South-West Shorts web site.
Sky River in performance 43
COMMUNITY WESTERN POWER SUES THERESE ALLAOUI
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estern Power demands millions in court costs from Parkerville bushfire victims. State Government-owned Western Power is demanding Parkerville bushfire victims pay millions in court costs, through an order it is seeking in the Supreme Court of Western Australia this week. This is despite the power company having the option to claim those same costs back from the insurer of its subcontractor Thiess, under the terms of their service contract. Western Power today applied in court to recover its costs from the victims who signed up as part of the successful Slater and Gordon-run class action*. The company narrowly escaped liability by delegating responsibility to Thiess which was subsequently found liable for causing the 2014 Parkerville bushfire which razed fifty-seven homes. Thiess, and the owner of the land on which the rotten pole that started the fire was located, were found liable in a Supreme Court trial in March this year. They will now have to compensate the 189 affected residents and property owners who are part of the Slater and Gordon action. While Western Power acknowledges it has the right to recover its costs from its negligent subcontractor, it has now chosen to first recover its legal costs directly from the victims of the fire. Slater and Gordon Practice Group Leader Rory Walsh said: “Western Power is clearly acting against the best interests of the Western Australian public. Our clients, who are continuing to suffer the devastating financial impacts of this fire, had the courage to take on Western Power and its negligent subcontractor, and in doing so raised significant issues of safety within the Western Australian electricity networks.” “Western Power was very, very lucky to escape liability in this case and it is now seeking its legal costs from a community
already devastated by the bushfire caused by Western Power’s negligent contractor,” Mr Walsh said. “Western Power has sought to justify chasing the victims of the fire in preference to its negligent subcontractor the Court found was responsible for starting it, by arguing the terms of the service contract requires it do so. “We are not persuaded by that argument, but if it were correct then Western Power made a bad bargain on behalf of the citizens of WA. “In either event, there is nothing compelling Western Power to recover its costs from the victims of its subcontractor’s negligence; Western Power is choosing to recover its costs from these people.” We don’t believe there could ever be a good enough reason to pursue the victims of this fire.” Mr Walsh said it was ludicrous to choose to send the bill to victims, rather than its negligent subcontractor who started the fire. “We are vigorously opposing Western Power in this application. Whether it is intended or not to do so, it will have a chilling effect on the willingness of future fire victims to challenge Western Power. They should not be allowed to get away with this. “We are used to standing up to this sort of corporate bullying from the big end of town, but we don’t expect it from a company owned by the citizens of Western Australia, nor from a State Government that campaigned on a platform of improving bushfire safety. “It is simply a disgrace.” *NB. While the action has been run as a collective or group action on behalf of 189 named residents and landowners, it is not a formal representative proceeding (or class action) in the ordinary sense as Western Australia did not have legislation in place for class actions to be run (unlike Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales and the Commonwealth jurisdictions).
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WHO ARE WE?
he Australian Monarchist League is the largest member-based monarchist organisation in the country. We are an incorporated association established to uphold Australia’s system of constitutional monarchy. As an entirely voluntary organisation with no public funding we rely completely on members’ financial contributions to fund our work. We believe that our Australian system of governance best defends the democracy of this country. With an Australian Governor-General appointed by the Queen as her representative and thus officiating head of state during office, politicians are unable to exercise absolute power. The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison and his wife Jennifer are All of us who assist the League presented to HM the Queen as volunteers or as members believe that this system, with its many checks and balances on other detrimental change to our Constitution. procedure, cannot be improved upon and thus we do what we do The Australian Monarchist League is an activist for our country and its future. organisation. We have a large team of youthful spokespersons ready to face the media and to oppose any moves towards a WHAT DO WE DO? republic. The Australian Monarchist League lobbies politicians and Our monarchy has served us well - from when we were informs members, the public and young people (through its colonies and from the founding of the Commonwealth. schools programme) on the benefits of having a constitutional In fact Australia has always been a monarchy and thus monarchy. an integral part of an evolving system of governance with a We have meetings, functions and the like but our main thousand year history. Today we have stability in a difficult activity is in actively promoting - and defending where necessary world. - our monarchy and our Constitution. Our Australian Governor-General is head of state when in We also become actively involved in those attempts to office and our distant monarch acts as a final check on political change our constitution which we believe will not be beneficial, power that no republican president can ever manage. such as the lapsed local government referendum (in which we Our monarchical system keeps working continuously in were the largest online opposition) and certain elements of the its protection of the freedoms each of us enjoy and that is why proposed recognition referendum. our primary loyalty must always be to the a-political hereditary sovereign whose existence alone is a break on corruption and the possible usurpation of power. WHY DO WE DO IT? If you believe that our system has worked and does work Because we care passionately about the Australian way to our advantage then please consider joining us and help us to of life and want to ensure that our relative right to act freely combat those who would wish to impose an alien system on to us. under a dispassionate Crown continues for our descendants, As you will see there are a number of ways of joining the we oppose any change to the structure of our governance. Australian Monarchist League and we have tried to ensure that The Crown’s protection has seen us through our entire history everyone is able to join at an affordable price. and has enabled a democracy the likes of which can hardly be We have no funding at all except from private individuals bettered. This is why we believe and act as we do. like yourselves and all those who practically help us do We are arguably the most active monarchist organisation so voluntarily. Your help, of whatever kind, is decidedly in the country and combined with the many Members of appreciated. Parliament and Senators with whom we have contact we are Please visit our website to learn more www.monarchist.org. able to have our views put forward in the Parliament, which is au our first line of defence against a move towards a republic or 45
SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK ELLENBROOK COMMUNITY & NINGALOO MANTA RAY GOES VIRAL YOUTH SERVICES HUB ision of Western Australia's extraordinary marine life and
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crystal clear water has reached billions of people worldwide after a touching encounter with a giant manta ray at Ningaloo Reef went viral. The vision features an amazing underwater rescue by photographer Jake Wilton, from Ningaloo Marine Interactions, who removed fish hooks embedded near the eye of the ray. Wilton had been diving with well-known United Kingdom broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls when the ray, known to locals as Freckles, approached the pair. Video footage showing the ray rescue and was distributed to media by Tourism Western Australia's UK team last week and quickly went viral. Tourism WA arranged Halls' trip and the filming of the dive experience as part of a campaign to encourage tourists from the UK to take a road trip in Western Australia. The vision has made local and national headlines, and recorded almost five million views online. In the UK, Freckles has attracted print coverage across most major newspapers and news channels, and in the United States of America it has been picked up by fifty news channels. You can view the Tourism WA Ningaloo manta ray encounter here: www.youtube.com/embed/cJ1dg6uWMu0 Acting Tourism Minister Bill Johnston: "The Ningaloo Coast is an unforgettable part of the world, where exhilarating encounters with manta rays, whale sharks, humpback whales and sea turtles are all possible. “We're so pleased to hear Freckles got the help she needed and in the process became an international ambassador for WA tourism. "The United Kingdom is an important market for us and this vision is a really authentic representation of what people from overseas can expect when they holiday here."
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he Ellenbrook Community and Youth Services Hub is a dedicated space for local service providers to engage with local residents who require community support. The Hub is conveniently located close to Ellenbrook Secondary College and nearby shops and services. Community and Youth Services in Ellenbrook is a key priority for the City, with a rapidly growing population requiring vital support from local services. A range of working and meeting spaces are available - all can be hired on an hourly or weekly rate (approved on a case by case basis). Please contact the City if you would like to view or tour the facility. • Hot desks and co-working spaces: Open plan office space with eight work stations. Users will need to provide their own computers and phones. • Counselling rooms: Three fully furnished private counselling or consulting rooms. • Boardroom: A formal meeting space suitable for 40 people. Includes a phone for teleconferences. • Meeting room: A meeting room suitable for up to 20 people. Hire fees Community rate (non-commercial) Commercial rate Hot desk $25.00 per day Counselling room $14.50 per hour $29.50 per hour Boardroom $19.50 per hour $29.50 per hour $200.00 per week Please call the City’s Facilities Bookings team on 9267 9321 or email facility.bookings@swan.wa.gov.au.
DISCLAIMER The information in this publication is of a general nature. The articles contained herein are not intended to provide a complete discussion on each subject and or issues canvassed. Swan Magazine does not accept any liability for any statements or any opinion, or for any errors or omissions contained herein. 46
SWAN VALLEY AND REGIONAL NETWORK NEW CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME
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nvironment Minister Stephen Dawson has announced Western Australia's new container deposit scheme, Containers for Change, will launch on Tuesday June 2, 2020 following the WA Day long weekend. The establishment of a container deposit scheme will deliver on a key McGowan Labor election commitment and help divert waste from landfill and create jobs for Western Australians. From June 2, 2020, Western Australians will be able to return and recycle their eligible containers at any Containers for Change refund point to receive a 10 cents refund per container.
COMMUNITY INVITATION
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or those interested in Heritage Roses or rose breeds, The Perth Region of Heritage Roses in Australia is organising a talk at Peppermint Grove on 25 August 2019. Guest Speaker and Author - Lynne Chapman 2pm on Sunday 25th August 2019 The topic is Heritage Roses in Perth Public Gardens Our Beautiful Legacy. The talk will include gardens in Araluen, Stirling Square, Pinjarra and Falls Farm. Her talk will be accompanied by beautiful photos. For further information please contact Jan Eastman, Co-Ordinator Perth Heritage Roses in Australia: janeastman2@yahoo.com.au.
More than 170 full-time or flexible refund points will be open for business on June 2 next year, with 229 refund points to open by the end of the scheme's first year. An array of refund points will be available - from over-thecounter depots providing on-the-spot refunds, to 'Bag Drops' that provide the convenience of a 'drop and go' facility with refunds deposited into customers' nominated bank accounts once their containers are counted. Mobile refund points and reverse vending machines will also be in operation. Containers for Change, run by not-for-profit WA Return Recycle Renew Ltd, will be the driving force behind changing consumer behaviours when it comes to recycling beverage containers. Beverage containers currently account for 44 per cent of all litter by volume in WA. Over the next 20 years, WA's Containers for Change container deposit scheme is estimated to result in: · 706 million fewer beverage containers being littered; · 6.6 billion fewer beverage containers sent to landfill; and · 5.9 billion more containers being recycled. Containers for Change will also help create 500 jobs across the State, with a key objective of the scheme to support employment of people with disability and the long-term unemployed. Environment Minister Stephen Dawson: "WA's container deposit scheme 'Containers for Change' will create positive change for our environment by encouraging people not to litter, and provide a fundraising opportunity for schools and community groups across the State."
Heritage Roses in Australia Inc Perth Region invites members, friends and anyone interested in gardens and roses
to The Grove Community Learning Centre
Corner Stirling Highway and Leake Street Peppermint Grove (underground parking available off Leake Street)
at 2pm on Sunday 25th August 2019 Guest speaker and author
Lynne Chapman will talk about
Heritage Roses in Perth Public Gardens - Our Beautiful Legacy Afternoon Tea available after the talk Cost: $5
For more information call Jan 0400013885 Or email HRIAperthregion@iinet.net.au
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WE HAVE MOVED
Now Open
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BUSINESS - NETWORKING THEY LIKE TO WATCH SHARRON ATTWOOD
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e often reminisce about how great it was to grow up in the days before camera phones and Facebook- when you could dance like no one was watching (or recording it). Coincidently we can still dance like no one is watching – as chances are they are all looking at their phones. But I digress. We look back at that memory of a one take life. You lived it and people either had to be there to enjoy it – or the moment was lost forever – well until it resurfaced in overly embellished stories, growing larger as the years roll by. The obvious exception to this were those big family events that saw Uncle Derek bring out the Kodak Home Movie Camera. Cherished movies to this day – filled with car trials and chicken dances – pretty safe stuff. But now everyone has a camera. Everyone has a movie studio and cinema all in the palm of their hand. Everyone is also a massive consumer of content, and some of it inspires us – motivates, educates and enlightens us – but most of it is just fail videos and cake decorating shows. Or is that just me? I’m currently seeking backers for an app to connect people who watch cooking videos with people who can cook the item and deliver it so we can just get on with our day. As much as we bookmark those videos – who are we kidding? Never going to actual cook them. But to eat them? Yass! What we have now come to realise though - is that there is power in making content. Consumable, watchable content that appeals to our network. And we don’t need Uncle Derek’s help with that! We have kids making six figures with their YouTube Channels and many more kids declaring their future ambition to
be a ‘YouTuber’ as their career of choice. It has come a long way from setting up a trip and fall for a chance on Australia’s Funniest Home Videos. ‘Influencer’ is another occupation on the rise - with social media allowing you to trade your anonymity for paid sponsorship opportunities. There is work involved though and a lot of strategy. Getting a spot on Married at First Sight looks fairly arduous – so I think they earn their fifteen minutes of fame. But then they try to keep the spin spinning. Fifteen minutes does not an influencer make! I don’t think I can separate Business owners out from the YouTubers and ‘Influencers’ (why is that always in parenthesis? It’s as if we just can’t bear to admit it’s a thing – like communal shame) We all have a common goal – to build a following and a brand by giving our network what they want. I hear from too many business owners who want the benefit of content production – and they have a lot to contribute – but still are a little scared at ‘doing it’. They fear judgement – and if they misstep it’s out there forever! Googlable (it’s a word) for all eternity. We need to get over that. Your audience needs your know how. Your business needs you to take advantage of the opportunity. I love Facebook live for this reason – one take – dilly dally over sharing, but then it’s done. Speaking on behalf of your audience, we don’t expect perfection and the same goes for Instagram stories. They are a snap shot. Bite sized and easily consumed – and we relish them! Our thumb muscles on Insta are finally getting a balanced workout as we evolve from the scroll scroll to a swipe swipe. Step one is to understand your audience – you need to know what they want and how they want it delivered. Step two is to give it to them on their platform of choice. The great news there is that you don’t need to dominate every platform. The even better news is about the amount of data you can access. Analytics and statistics – yeah baby! Quantifiable data so that you know when you are doing it right. It’s always nice to have your Mum comment on your posts and videos – but actual data is cash in the bank. Be the ‘Influencer’ of your network – the go to person – and make a video. Post a photo – have an opinion. You can maintain your dignity, your values and be on brand. You are about to amplify your brand. It’s as simple as that. Amplifying what you stand for so that you standout for all the right reasons. Stop hiding behind your business card and embrace the opportunity that this new era of content production offers you and dance like everyone is watching you. Courtesy of Brand Ettiquette 49
FOOTNOTE PEOPLE IN HISTORY JOHN LINCOLN ‘JOHNNY’ CLEM (1851 - 1937)
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ajor-General John Lincoln Clem (August 13, 1851 – May 13, 1937) was a United States Army general who served as a drummer boy in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He gained fame for his bravery on the battlefield, becoming the youngest noncommissioned officer in Army history. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1915, having attained the rank of brigadier general in the Quartermaster Corps; he was the last veteran of the American Civil War still on duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. By special act of Congress on August 29, 1916, he was promoted to major general one year after his retirement. A number of the facts claimed in this story are disputed, particularly those so early as to have no substantiation and rely chiefly on anecdote. Others are beyond dispute, coming from official records. Born with the surname “Klem” in Ohio on August 13, 1851, John is said to have run away from home at age of ten after the death of his mother in a train accident, to become a drummer boy in the Union Army. First he attempted to enlist in the 3rd Ohio Infantry, but was rejected because of his age and small size. He then tried to join the 22nd Michigan, which also refused him. He tagged along anyway and the 22nd eventually adopted him as mascot and drummer boy. Though still not regularly enrolled, he performed camp duties and received a soldier’s pay of $13 a month, a sum collected and donated by the regiment’s officers who allowed him to officially enlist two years later in 1862. Popular legend has it that Clem served as a drummer boy with the 22nd Michigan at the Battle of Shiloh. The legend suggests that he came very near to losing his life when a fragment from a shrapnel shell crashed through his drum, knocking him unconscious, and he became a minor news item as “Johnny Shiloh, The Smallest Drummer”. The weight of historical evidence however suggests that Clem could not have taken part in the battle of Shiloh. The 22nd Michigan appears to be the first unit in which Clem served in any capacity, but this regiment had not yet been constituted at the time of the battle (mustering into service in August 1862 – four months after the Battle of Shiloh). The Johnny Shiloh legend appears instead to stem from a popular Civil War song, The Drummer Boy of Shiloh by William S. Hays. Regardless of his presence or otherwise at Shiloh, Clem definitely served as a drummer boy at the Battle of Chickamauga. He is said to have ridden an artillery caisson to the front and wielded a musket cut down to his size. In one of the Union retreats a Confederate officer ran after the cannon Clem rode, and yelled, “Surrender you damned little Yankee!” Johnny shot him dead. This pluck won for Clem national attention and the name “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”
Sergent John Klem (aged 12) in 1867 (Photograph by Matthew Brady) After the battle,he was decorated him for his heroics at Chickamauga and promoted to sergeant, at twelve years old, the youngest soldier ever to be a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army. In October 1863, Clem was captured in Georgia by Confederate cavalrymen while detailed as a train guard. The Confederates confiscated his U.S. uniform which reportedly upset him terribly— including his cap which had three bullet holes in it. He was included in a prisoner exchange a short time later, but the Confederate newspapers used his age and celebrity status for propaganda purposes, to show “what sore straits the Yankees are driven, when they have to send their babies out to fight us.” After participating with the Army of the Cumberland in many other battles, serving as a mounted orderly, he was discharged in September 1864. Clem was wounded in combat twice during the war. Clem graduated from high school in 1870. In 1871, he 50
veterans who retired at the rank of colonel. He had served an astounding fifty-five years in the military. Clem was the last veteran of the American Civil War serving in the U.S. Army at the time of his retirement. While on the retired list Clem was promoted to the rank of major general. After retirement he lived in Washington, D.C. before returning to San Antonio, Texas. He died in San Antonio on May 13, 1937, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia. Clem was a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Military Order of Foreign Wars. Clem fathered three children.
Clem in 1922 (Photographer unknown)
Clem in 1867 (Photographer unknown) was elected commander/captain of the “Washington Rifles” a District of Columbia Army National Guard militia unit. After he attempted unsuccessfully to enter the United States Military Academy (Westpoint), after failing the entrance exam, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him second lieutenant in the Twenty Fourth United States Infantry in December 1871. Clem was promoted to first lieutenant in 1874. Clem graduated from artillery school at Fort Monroe in 1875, the same year he married his first wife, Anita Rosetta French. He was promoted to captain in 1882 and transferred to the Quartermaster Department where he stayed for the rest of his career. He was promoted to major in 1895. During the Spanish–American War in 1898 he served as depot quartermaster in Portland, Oregon as well as department quartermaster for the Department of Columbia. He then served in the occupation of Puerto Rico as depot and chief quartermaster in San Juan. Clem was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1901 and to colonel in 1903. After the death of his first wife in 1899, he married Bessie Sullivan of San Antonio in 1903. Sullivan was the daughter of a Confederate veteran, leading Clem to claim that he was “the most united American” alive. He then served from 1906 to 1911 as chief quartermaster at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Clem reached the mandatory retirement age of 64 on August 13, 1915, when he was retired and promoted to the rank of brigadier general, as was customary for American Civil War 51
ART AND LEISURE BITS AND PIECES DI GRANGER
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t’s a sign! Yes. Yes, it is. Literally and figuratively. There is something very appealing about mosaics. It’s not just the finished product, which of course is very pleasing to the eye, it’s potentially a metaphor for life. Think about it. Mosaics … is the bringing together of broken pieces to create something whole and beautiful. How fabulous that a creative activity not only feeds your soul but also produces a beautiful piece to enhance your home or environment. Mosaics has been around since the third millennia BCE with the earliest assemblage found in a temple in the ancient region of Mesopotamia. A recent archaeology discovery made nine years ago in Antakya, Turkey, thought to be the largest intact mosaic, is set to open this year to the public. It is a 9,000 square-foot (~ 836m2) mosaic that possibly had once been the floor of a public building when the city was known as Antioch. You can read more here: www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/07/worlds-largest-mosaic/ Early mosaics were often constructed with common materials of the time, stone and pebble. Fast forward to today and a variety of materials are now used, limited only by imagination and restricted to where the end piece will reside in order to ensure ‘last-ability’. Last-ability of a mosaic project needs some planning around appropriate materials, so a little bit of technical knowhow is required to ensure projects stand the test of time. In essence though, a mosaic project is as simple as ‘accidentally’ dropping a tile, plate, cup or tea-pot and using the pieces, called tesserae to create something new and beautiful. Yes, seriously. It’s that simple. First however, is deciding what you will ‘stick’ your broken pieces onto. This is called your substrate. That is the board, sheet, pot, or anything else you want to use as the base for your mosaic. Almost anything can be mosaiced, the last-ability is in the products you use. In addition to the choice of substrate, the
adhesive is crucial. There are tilers compounds you mix and a multitude of glues; craft and industrial. Some of the glues will be water soluble, water resistant and some water-proof, so choice is important.
There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic. ~ Anais Nin
Detail of a first century BCE mosaic from Pompeii 52
Learn as you go is an ok way to start. You can only get better with each project. There really is no such thing as a mistake, with mosaics. It’s not like anything really serious is going to happen if you drop a tile and break it. Once you break or cut your tiles, the next part is really therapeutic. It’s like a jigsaw, only better. As you place your mosaic pieces into your pre-drawn shapes or design, suddenly the competitor in you is finding just the right piece to fit in just the right place. And guaranteed, once you start it’s a little bit hard to stop. Often you will place, step back and ponder, then decide nah, that’s not it and pick up the pieces and start again. Yeh, you will. Mosaics will fire up your inner creative. It is a wonderful creative pursuit that will hook you in, of that there is no doubt. Most of us have those moments when we yearn for something creative, yet we mostly dismiss those moments as life just seems to get in the way. Mosaics is a pursuit that provides many benefits on so many levels. Smash a tile and release some pent-up frustration; create a design and pick some colours to unleash your inner artist; be still, place your tiles and glue to experience mindfulness; mix your grout, slosh it on your final product and watch the magic of colours pop before your very eyes; and finally polish it up, seal the finished product and bask in the glory of your success. Yep. It’s a sign. Courtesy of Lifelong Learning
LIFELONG LEARNING is a Toodyay based learning and development business offering products and services in three key areas: workshops, wellness and tours. Workshops: focus on being or becoming a lifelong learner? A regular schedule of workshops is offered around all things that enhance wellness, such as learning about the 9-dimensions (of wellness), communications – which we call conscious conversations, learning about Self using tried and proven products such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator – MBTI® and the Magic of Mosaics, a great mindfulness activity along with creating a beautiful mosaic piece. Wellness: focuses on the mind-body connection, using a nine dimensions model for exploring overall wellness. There is a Book of Wellness, a Journal and many workshops to enhance wellbeing and optimise wellness. Our signature workshop: Wellness, Witchcraft and Wonder explores the nine dimensions, awakens the magic within through Spells and opens our minds to the wonder of possibilities and potential. Tours: provide time out in Toodyay. Many tours include a ‘long table learning lunch’ another favourite product of ours that explores topics to enhance wellness over great conscious conversations and fabulous local produce. Lifelong Learning is an Accredited Tourism Business (ATB). Lifelong Learning operates Wednesday through to Sunday. Visitors are welcome to drop in on advertised OPEN days between 10am – 3pm. Contact Lifelong Learning: 0413 748 884 www.lifelonglearning.com.au
FOOTHILLS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS CRAFT ASSOCIATION INC WORKSHOPS
Available 25 August 2019 Kit costs may vary according to availability of materials 1. Spagnum moss balls All soil, moss, string, beads and succulent provided (or bring your plants to share) to make two medium sized balls for your fun messy morning. Great gift idea. Then car pool to Zanthorrea Nursery for a Demonstration on propagating from seed, cutting and with a tour of the nursery and a cuppa. Kit Cost $8
2A. Mosaics – Advanced Creating your design on mesh with tiles or china then placing on curved surface (eg planter, wine cooler or terracotta pipe). Kit Cost $8 to $12 2B. Mosaics - Beginners Get started with mosaics with this 8” x 10” piece to hang in your garden or give as a gift. All you need is provided (patterns, backing, tiles, glue, grout) to complete . Kit Cost $8 3. Naive Christmas Hanging Create your own naïve Christmas decoration by making and embellishing the fabric beads, hearts and bird, then assembling them into a beautiful 80cm hanging ornament. Kit Cost $18 4. Twisted Hearts Cushion Size 21” x 21” Using up to 5 different ‘Flip-n-Designer’ Templates create your own cushion with 1 to 4 contrasting fabrics. Fun and much Easier than it looks. Templates provided to share. Kit Cost $15 plus $5 use of templates
5. Star Bright Quilt 1.2 mtr square Blocks made from 2 ½ “ widths Light, Dark and contrast strips of fabric. No waste method of construction make this an ideal 53
PHOTOGRAPHS: SARAH’S FURTOGRAPHY AND JACQUE DE HAAS
#AdoptLove
IT’S KITT-TASTIC!
Are you ready for some fun? SAFE is seeking homes for three (3) sisters from this adorable litter, Citrine, Carnelian and Copper. They were born in mid-June and two weeks later, their owners surrendered them to the rangers. After being vet checked the kittens got their little paper collars - so they wouldn’t get mixed up, which is so easy to do when they’re tiny! Then they went to a fosterers’ home for love and care. Now they’re ready for homes of their own! Their mama and other siblings are already adopted. The whole family will be desexed, breaking the cycle of breeding as well as bringing love and joy to their new owners.
Eyes Like Jewels
SAFE recommends keeping cats inside, ideally with access to an outdoor enclosure, keeping them safe from injury and disease, and protecting our wildlife.
CITRINE
To adopt one of these fluff balls, email karratha@safe.org.au. There are also lots more kittens around the state that are ready for adoption. You can see them listed on the SAFE website www.safe.org.au. Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (SAFE) is an animal rescue organisation that has saved and rehomed more than 23,000 homeless animals since its beginnings in 2003. It has grown to be WA’s largest volunteer-based animal rehoming organisation using foster care instead of cages. SAFE has 12 branches state-wide. In 2018 it was the national winner “Outstanding Rescue Group” in the Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards. SAFE is the Western Australian arm of Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA). FOSTER CARE means animals live the lives of normal pets, with no time limits, enjoying love in their place of care, and socialisation in the home and community. Their carers’ knowledge of how they respond to different situations means SAFE can make a great match. Would you like to help animals on their journey to a new life? To become a foster carer, the first step is to contact our SAFE Avon Valley branch on 0409 000 259 or our Perth-based branch, SAFE Metro on 0475 346 545 or 0448 893 033. VOLUNTEER: https://safe.org.au/volunteer/
DONATE: https://safe.org.au/donate 54
ADOPT: https://safe.org.au/find-a-pet/
COMMUNITY he Compassionate Friends of Western Australia Tregardless strives to support families who have lost a child, of that child’s age throughout WA.
We are a non-profit, non-government funded charity that provide peer call support, group meetings, a drop in centre, sending out quarterly newsletters, Anniversary Cards, we hold Walk of remembrance and a candlelight service (non-religious) at Christmas. We are run by volunteers and bereaved parents that are further along in their grief and wish to help others who have suffered this tragedy. Although everybody’s grief is different it helps to talk to someone who has actually had this tragedy happen to them. They WON”T say “I know how you feel” as no one can, but they will say “I don’t know exactly what you are feeling but this is how I felt when my child died”.
WALK OF REMEMBRANCE HELD IN MARCH EACH YEAR Events like these above give the bereaved some hope of a life after the death of their child. They connect with others that have been through the same tragic experience. In doing so its helps them to feel that they are not alone in their grief, that there is a worldwide connection to other suffering the same. DONATIONS Donations allow us to purchase stamps so we can send our booklets and other information to the newly bereaved, community groups, doctors surgeries and hospital throughout Western Australia. They help us cover advertising cost in newspapers throughout Western Australia, pay for our office and utilities allowing us to have Peer Support Workers come in and contact to bereaved that wish to have contact. The Compassionate Friends of WA Inc. receives no Government funding in any way.
We raise funds by holding events, charity drives and donation from our members and outside bodies. Although this is fantastic, we still struggle with the cost of keeping our doors open so any suggestion on fundraising or donations are gratefully accepted. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are always looking for volunteers to help man Sausage Sizzles, Charity Shopping Centre Drives and other events along with peer support volunteers (bereaved parents) for telephone support and group meeting facilitation.
54 Simpson Street, Ardross 6107 6257
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Continued from page 10 ... • People who may be vulnerable to coercion and abuse in relation to end of life choices and decisions should be protected. • All people, including health practitioners, have the right to be shown respect for their culture, religion, beliefs, values and personal characteristics.
comprehensive records of a person’s requests and treatment must be kept. Beyond your immediate views on the Expert Panel’s recommendations, I would also greatly appreciate the opportunity to hear about your personal experiences with end of life decisions. Any experiences you choose to share with me will not be shared publicly, without me personally contacting you to seek your permission. You can access my survey on Voluntary Assisted Dying at: www.bit.ly/VADSHPH If you have any other feedback you would like to provide on specific items or the full report, please send me an email at Jessica.shaw@mp.wa.gov.au or write to me at: Jessica Shaw MLA, Member for Swan Hills, PO Box 2265, Ellenbrook WA 6069.
Key Features: The Expert Panel has recommended the incorporation of the following key features (note: more detail on each of these is provided in the Report) Eligibility: A person must meet the following criteria: • Over 18. • Australian Citizen or permanent resident and resident in WA for greater than twelve months. • Have decision-making capacity. • Be diagnosed with an illness, disease or medical condition that § Is advanced, progressive and will cause death § Is causing suffering that cannot be relieved in a way that the person considers tolerable • Death is reasonably foreseeable within twelve months.
Continued from page 11 ... And also to donate some gardening equipment to the students in recognition of this important national initiative. I encourage all schools in the East Metropolitan Region to consider hosting a Schools Tree Day event next year. If I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact my office on 9379 0840.
Requests: Three requests must be made by the person to a doctor: verbally, in writing, and then again verbally. Information provision: The co-ordinating doctor must provide information to the person about the nature of their disease or illness; the prognosis; any available curative treatments; any available palliative treatments; information specific to VAD medications AND that they may withdraw consent at any time.
quilt for using scraps, yardage, jelly rolls or black with all brights. Kit cost: $45 (includes strips for border) 6. A Mile a Minute and More Scrap Quilt Real scrap stack buster starting with one long strip then adding small pieces down the length. Cut, press open, randomly sew another strip to create squares. Sash or just join together. More scrap quilt ideas. BYO scraps to share.
Assessment: Two Doctors (or a Doctor plus Nurse Practitioner in regional areas) must assess each person and form an independent view on the person’s eligibility, including that the person’s decision is voluntary and valid.
7. Boy or Girl Delightful Play Quilt 40” square Make a quick and easy Playmat/Lap Quilt in a day! No matching points and made easy with strip piecing. Suitable for babies, boys or girls or even a favourite lady or gent. Kit Cost $30
Witnesses: Two witnesses are required to establish that the person signed the written declaration voluntarily. The witnesses must be over eighteen years of age and have no reasonable grounds to believe that they will benefit financially from the person’s death. Training: Assessing Doctors must be appropriately skilled and trained in Voluntary Assisted Dying. Prescription of Medication: Medication cannot be prescribed until the third request is made. Administration of Medication: The person should self-administer the medication unless there are valid reasons for a doctor to administer. Conscience: Doctors who do not believe in VAD are not compelled to participate. Oversight: A body will be created to oversee Voluntary Assisted Dying. Doctors must report to this body and 56
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