THE SHAKE-SPEARE PROJECT 

There are many questions about the works of William Shakespeare which have puzzled scholars through the ages, and in this new play by Maleny playwright, Andrew Robjohns, many answers are proposed. Why and how were so many Shakespeare plays written in the 1590s? Why were the plays published posthumously, and so long after the man's death? Why did Ben Jonson both praise Shakespeare and diminish him? Who was the 'Dark Lady' that Shakespeare described in his sonnets? Why did the plays lack religious theology and a lot of the politics of the era? Why do so many of the plays feature cross-dressing characters and questions about gender? Why was nothing written about his death in 1616?

The answers to these questions, and many more will be found in this new production at The Maleny Playhouse which opens on Saturday October 21

Felicity Cunningham is a young woman who has been studying Shakespeare for all her adult life. Felicity is dying, and she knows it. Before she goes she has one objective; to add something useful to all the research and analysis that has been done on the life of William Shakespeare. She may be hallucinating, but she meets an apparition who claims to have all the answers.

This play is a magical romp through the history of Elizabethan England. It is not as absurdly silly as Blackadder, but there are some light moments that make this a very enjoyable discussion of the personalities of the time and the intrigues which may have led to the creation of "The Shake-speare" project. To book, visit: trybooking.com/eventlist/players

Pictured is a ‘meeting for the writers’ - image Màrshâ Fötõgråfië

A factual beacon

To the editor

My congratulations to you for your moral fortitude in publishing Monash Law School’s debunk of myths regarding the Indigenous Voice.

Monash Law School’s analysis is a factual beacon which explains clearly, objectively and reassuringly about First Nations peoples’ heartfelt request to all Australians – I hope many readers, plus naysayers like Mr Daly and our Federal member Mr Wallace, will allow themselves to read and contemplate compelling arguments which encourage Australians towards constructive reconciliation and improvement of First Nations peoples’ lives.

Yours sincerely

Peter Milton, Reesville

Colonisation issues

Colonisation done no harm? There’s a major dimension missing from the recent debates about colonisation. No one mentions the effect on the animals and plants the Aboriginal people shared this continent with for fifty thousand years.

During all that time, the continent’s ecosystems were in equilibrium, adapting naturally to slow changes in climate and sea level. As stewards of the environment, the Aboriginal people could hardly have done better.

Crossword

LETTERS, LEUNIG AND LIGHT RELIEF

Relax, read a few letters, enjoy a crossword and cartoon, and maybe put pen to paper (finger to keyboard) yourself! We would love you to share your thoughts and experiences with us and HT readers. Email: editor@hinterlandtimes.com.au, and please include your name, email/address and location. Letters may be edited a little if space is tight. As we are a monthly, please be aware we are unable to print date-sensitive letters.

Since colonisation, untold numbers of plant and animal species have become extinct by loss of habitat, by hunting, by predation from introduced species and by industrial pollution. Let’s not kid ourselves.

European settlement in Australia has had a devastating effect on the land the Aborigines treasured for millennia. It’s big picture stuff, and can’t easily be undone. But let’s avoid the high moral ground.

Mike Middleton Scientist and Science Teacher

High hospital praise

A few weeks back I caught a very brief ABC report citing Australian Hospitals being ranked in the top 5 in ‘advanced western’ democracies. I must admit I was a bit sceptical, what with all the recent press about ambulance ramping and hospital negligence.

After just experiencing A/T Ablation surgery I am no longer sceptical.

From the preliminary consultation to pursue this option to the surgery itself and the after-surgery care, I believe I received first class, world standard treatment.

Prior to surgery, both the Cardiologist and the Anaesthetist clearly explained the procedure. Walking into the theatre, I was met with a narrow surgical platform almost surrounded by computers, a monitor bigger than most televisions and a range of electronic components.

It was a three hour, keyhole surgical procedure through an artery into my heart and I was ‘wired up’ so the surgeon could see exactly what he was doing throughout. Thanks, Heart HQ, for the professionalism of your cardiologist who treated me so well.

The aftercare provided by the Ward 4 nurses at the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital was professional, caring, thoughtful and friendly – all I could have wished for. I guess I can’t really name the nurses involved but the hospital administration will know who cared for me and hopefully reward them appropriately.

Maybe our hospitals don’t always get it right but the standard of care I received leads me to think that our hospitals are doing a pretty good job.

Doug Patterson

Referendum not divisive

Dear Editor,

It was great to see the incisive review of the Referendum issues (Enough of the Confusion by the Monash University Law School) in your September 2023 edition.

For those with open and curious minds it provided a solid foundation to concluding that a “yes” vote was the balanced outcome of any serious and concerned consideration. As a retired lawyer I agreed wholeheartedly with the analysis.

In the same issue your letters the editor included an expression of concern by a reader that the referendum would be “divisive”, save the interests of the unworthy ‘political class’ and lacked clarity as to how the Voice would work. None of these concerns was explained.

Across

1. Marine mammal (5)

4. Type of crossword (7)

8. Deviation from the rule (7)

9. Fabric (5)

10. Rubbing or clash (8)

11. Woody plant (4)

13. Egyptian statue (6)

14. Creatures (6)

17. Wander (4)

19. Expert on precious stones (8)

22. Decree (5)

23. Inactivity (7)

24. Victory (7)

25. Larceny (5)

Down

1. Dock (5)

2. Get rid of (7)

3. Fastidious (8)

4. Former name of Sri Lanka (6)

5. Shout (4)

6. Male singing voice (5)

7. Admit to (7)

12. Feeling remorse (8)

13. Glut (7)

15. Take aback (7)

16. Social outcast (6)

18. Excuse (5)

20. Helps to raise dough (5)

21. Molecule (4)

The referendum is not divisive, although the tone of discussion has been. The recognition of Indigenous peoples through a “Voice” (an advisory body) differs from what has occurred in the past only in its incorporation within our constitution.

If Indigenous advisory bodies have not divided us before, neither will the “Voice”. I do not understand what lies behind the assertion that the “Voice” serves the political class. It emanates from a respect process involving indigenous leaders; it is what they believe is needed. As for detail - it will be worked out by the parliament and…no doubt revised if it needs to be.

Let’s be clear, we are not voting on the model of the advisory body; that is for the Parliament. We are voting on the principle. If the Voice displeases anyone, they can lobby and vote for change. Above all, let’s treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves, do our own research, have respectful discussions and make a vote based on a decision, not a “no” based on apathy.

Jonathan Simpkins, North Maleny

Bad Jokes of the Month

Why did the sailors have to stop playing cards? The Captain was standing on the deck.

What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor? Make me one with everything.

People often accuse me of being a plagiarist. Their words, not mine…

The Australian Constitution

A lot has been aired regarding the upcoming vote in October.

Australia is a democracy, which means that we the general public have a great deal of power, and if used wisely we can have a huge impact on our collective future, far more than the elected representatives who come and go, and far more than the large corporations who do their very best to influence and manipulate us via the media ,who are funded by them.

Unlike the regular vote for who forms government for the next few years, voting in a referendum is permanent and will affect your future generations, therefore it is your duty to be fully informed as to exactly what you are voting for, it is not a feel-good thing, the very least you should do is avail yourself of the full copy of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which our Prime Minister has repeatedly stressed that his government will implement in full, read it (all 26 pages) and consider its implications before making your decision, because this is the voice agenda.

Democracies are wonderful, just ask anyone from a country under communist or dictator rule. Do not take your democracy lightly, many have died to preserve it, but it is fragile if neglected.

Time to do your duty and become fully informed, then go to the polling booth and register your fully considered YES or NO vote.

Ray Ellemor, Maleny

Open letter to Andrew Wallace MP,

Dear Andrew, I have just received your IMPORTANT voting information for the referendum letter.

I am totally dismayed at the misinformation in this letter:

The design (details) of the Voice committee will be determined by Parliament (our democratically elected Senate and House of Reps) ONLY IF the YES vote gets through.

The design of the Voice includes its composition, functions, powers and procedures – all decided by our democratically elected Parliament and is also able to be CHANGED in future.

The Voice will not have the powers you are warning of. IF the design of the Voice was decided up front and enshrined in the constitution during this referendum, then it would be permanent – but it is NOT.

The NO campaign says we are being asked to vote without the details. This is a disingenuous and sneaky claim by the NO campaign. How can the government provide details on the Voice now, when its design will be decided by our democratically elected parliament ONLY IF the YES vote gets through??

I implore you to retract these statements and give your electorate a fair chance to understand the facts of this debate, without causing unnecessary confusion and fear.

Kind regards,

Sybil MacLure

Response to Andrew Wallace

Response to Andrew Wallace’s 10 reasons to vote No on the Voice to Parliament.

I find myself feeling deeply upset and utterly disappointed that the electorate of Fisher’s representative to Parliament Andrew Wallace has chosen to create a double page spread in his issue of the Fisher Advocate to repeat reasons to vote no that have already been thoroughly scrutinised and debunked.

I’m shocked that he is willing to repeat divisive slogans, things that are patently untrue. His statements indicate how little he understands and respects what this referendum is actually about, and the shame of that is that he is not offering dignified and honest leadership, and not respecting what Indigenous people are asking for. He certainly isn’t contributing to reconciliation and understanding.

Indigenous people are asking for a referendumputting their trust in Australian people, NOT politicianson having more effective representation to the Australian Parliament.

Wallace’s double page spread is a perfect example of a political tactic – using taxpayer money for the careless and irresponsible reiterating of untrue statements designed to cause confusion and divisiveness - exactly why Indigenous people are not asking politicians.

This referendum is an act of trust from Indigenous people towards us. Please look beyond Wallace’s cynical political maneuvering and his awful lack of good leadership. If you don’t know, find out more so that you DO know, and then vote from your informed heart.

There is a ton of useful, detailed and true information about the referendum that is very easy to find.

Andrew

Wallace has just shown us that he is not a good resource for that.

Jacinta Foale

Get the facts

I have been wavering with all this Voice stuff, purely because I haven’t known enough about it in detail, and I’ve been frustrated with certain factions turning it into a political campaign.

But now I have read the full Uluru Statement, which I advise everyone to do if they can, and it has helped me come to my own personal decision.

I also read The Indigenous Voice Co-Design Report, which can be found on the website voice.gov.au

If you are feeling confused, like I was, I highly recommend reading both before heading off to vote on October 14th!

Michael Johnson, Maroochydore

Less politics please

Thank you so much Victoria, for publishing the article on page 3 of this month's HT.

We are appalled by the politicisation of this issue and the way it has been weaponised to further political advantage.

Today I read an excellent article along the same lines.

Again, thank you.

Libby and Marek Malter

Quick Quotes

Trivia Time

with Allan Blackburn

1. In the English alphabet, how many vowels are between J and N?

2. Counting the rings of a tree is a method of determining what?

3. What would you normally do with a strudel?

4. What is the official colour of Manhattan taxis?

5. If a plant is grown hydroponically, where does it grow?

6. At what racecourse is the Caulfield Cup held?

7. What Olympic sport uses uneven bars?

8. What number recurs indefinitely when one third is expressed as a decimal?

9. In what sport did Ian Baker-Finch gain fame?

10.Which superhero was supposed to be “faster than a speeding bullet”?

Trivia answers: