with Lynette

I thought in this edition I would talk about interest rates, but changed my mind when I came across several people that did not know what a Mortgage Broker actually did.

A mortgage broker is a go-between who deals with banks or other lenders to arrange a home loan. Mortgage brokers must act in your best interests when suggesting a loan for you. Brokers are professionals that must have their own ASIC approved credit licence and either have a AFS licence, or work under an aggregator that does.

Mortgage Brokers should have at least attained the level of Diploma in Mortgage and Finance Management, MFAA/ FBAA membership and have to be mentored by an Industry expert that has at least 5 years experience in the industry, for two years.

Brokers have a panel of lenders, (60+ in my case) who could offer thousands of loans.

On January 1, Best Interests Duty (BID) will apply to brokers, not banks. This means, you will have a professional who is legally obligated to work and act in your best interests - and no one else's. When working with a mortgage broker, you have your own personal, non-bank affiliated home loan expert whose service is free to you.

An Experienced broker works with you to:

• Understand your needs and goals.

• Work out what you can afford to borrow.

• Find options to suit your situation.

• Explain how each loan works and what it costs (for example, interest rate, features and fees).

• Help you to set a savings plan to purchase a property in the future

• Provide budgeting advice

• Have access to Government schemes for First Home Owners with not just the Big 4 banks but many other smaller banks not available to you through normal channels

Generally, the better a broker is at anticipating their client’s individual needs and matching the right products to them from a large panel of lenders, the more repeat and referred business they’ll attract.

That means a good mortgage broker doesn’t simply try to maximise the amount of money a client can borrow and get the cheapest rate. They try to make sure the borrower protects themselves financially by taking into account future changes of circumstances and interest rate rises. They also bear in mind the bigger picture for that client, both in the short and the long-term. They get this by asking probing questions, listening carefully to the answers and applying their extensive knowledge.

New technology may be impacting the mortgage broking industry in a big way, but the best brokers are using it to their advantage. Brokers can now enhance their clients’ experiences and their daily tasks with tech that simplifies processes and procedures, such as automated communication channels such as bots, voicemail, SMS and email.

App and online based documentation processes removes the need to print shared documentation, enabling brokers and clients to work on documents for consumers, often one of the advantages of using a mortgage broker that stands out ahead of all others.

A broker allows a customer to access multiple products from multiple lenders without the hassle of shopping around. Mortgage broking isn’t simply about setting up the best deals. It’s also about building valuable relationships. Given the average home loan runs from 25 to 30 years, a broker’s relationship with their clients could run the same course. So, the best brokers don’t see a mortgage application as a one-off transaction; they approach it as the start of a lifelong business relationship.

Understanding what each client is likely to need at different stages in their life and then proactively helping them along their property journey adds value to what you do and can help set a broker apart from the competition.

- Lynette Melis, Finance Broker

Probus

Our meeting on October 27 was quite unique as our guest speaker was unable to attend being stranded by flood waters. However, Secretary Wendy Wilson came up with a good suggestion which proved to be entertaining, ‘Your First Job’

One of the members to tell their story was John Gow. The son of a NSW dairy farmer he decided to work for Australia Post and remained with them for 30 years! On retiring he and his wife bought acreage and hobby farmed also learning to love playing bowls. Glenys Stockdale was the Member Behind the Badge. She told us of her young life when she studied drafting and design in Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Later, meeting Bill who was studying engineering, she made her own wedding dress which was pictured on the from page of the local paper. Glenys was also a founding member of Tatura CWA. Well done Glenys on an interesting story.

We travelled to Rushworth for our luncheon at the Criterion Hotel. During our time there Phyll Bramley arranged for some poetry reading and Bill Milner told a few really good jokes, making for a really nice outing.

If you would like further information regarding our Club please contact our President, Betty Smith, on 04087 329 686

Barb Halliwell

BETHLEHEM’S GLORY

One Holy Night, One Silent Night, The Son of God was born. Good News of great joy sang The Heavenly Choir,

That Jesus Christ has come, Now Christmas Day.

A star lit the heavens, Angels rejoiced, Shepherds beheld Him, all praised with one voice.

One Holy Night, One Silent Night, We celebrate His Worth, Great joy fills the Heavens and Earth all around,

At His amazing birth, Now Christmas Day.

With gifts so rare, they worshipped Him, The Wisemen from a-far, This Babe who was born, to be Saviour and Lord, Born in Bethlehem, Now Christmas Day.

Bethlehem’s Glory, Jesus the King, Come and adore Him, Noel we sing, Noel, Noel.

‘Bethlehem’s Glory’ - A Christmas Carol. Words & Music by Shirley Ferguson

Find and circle all of the hidden words about Christmas. The left over letters reveal a secret message

CHRISTMAS WORD SEARCH

Find and circle all of the hidden words about Christmas over letters reveal a secret message

Recipes

SANTA

DANCER JOLLY SCROOGE

DASHER JOSEPH SEASIDE

DISPLAY JOY STAR

DONKEY KRIS KRINGLE THREE WISE MEN

ELVES LIGHTS TINSEL

EVE MANGER TINY TIM

FAMILY MARY TOYS

FATHER CHRISTMAS MERRY TRADITION

FEASTED MUSIC TREE FIR MYRRH TURKEY

FRANKINCENSE NATIVITY UNWRAP

GALA NICE YEAR

GIFTS NO SCHOOL YULETIDE

GINGERBREAD

Colour and Cutting Specialist

Salon Trading Hours:

Monday - Closed

Tuesday to Friday - 9am to 6pm; Fridays - Late Nights

Saturday - from 8.30am

Merry Christmas to all out clients

Phone Sam on 5824 2019 or 0408 571 525

159 Hogan St

85 Hogan Street, tatura Li

Best Wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and Healthy and Happy New Year, from Lisa & Annette La

Shortbread

Ingredients:

125g castor sugar

315g butter

500g plain flour

Method:

Cream butter and sugar. Gradually add the flour. Cut into 5 equal portions and shape as required. Put onto greased cold tray. Bake half hour in moderate oven.

Shortbread can be presented as:

Fingers

Christmas shapes

Moulded rounds

Scored in Petticoat Fingers

Recipes

Flourless Peanut Butter And Choc Chip Cookies

These are so easy to make and a great favourite with many of my friends.

Ingredients:

1 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Milk Choc Chips (I use White)

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon Bicarbonate Soda

Method:

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine.

Roll heaped teaspoonfuls of mixture into balls and place 3cm apart on trays. Press each one down lightly with palm of hand.

Bake at 200c for 8 minutes until golden. Cool on trays for 5 minutes before transferring.

- Janice Dreyer

Phobias Associated With Christmas

I know many of you have wondered why people suffer from such a wide range of phobias and I can explain this by once again trotting out my famous tomato theory. Tomatoes are a very basic biological entity but for those of you who have grown them, there are far more ill-formed tomatoes on a bush than there are perfect ones. The human brain is also biological and is a million times more complex than the simple tomato, therefore the capacity for things to go wrong is infinitely greater. For many people, Christmas is not a time for rejoicing and celebrating, but rather a time to be endured as they batten down their hatches and prepare for the storm of ensuing phobias. The fear of Christmas itself is called Christougenniatikophobia and if you also have a phobia about long words then it would be almost impossible for you to tell people that you have this particular phobia which would no doubt lead to frustration and a whole raft of associated phobias. These then, are some of the phobias associated with Christmas. Selaphobia – from the Greek ‘selas’ meaning ‘light’. Selaphobes have a morbid fear of a flash of light. As Christmas is a time of colour and sparkle, this can spell trouble for selaphobes. Many shops and houses are decorated with flashing Christmas lights and many Christmas decorations are also covered with flashing lights of many colours. A person with selaphobia may have experienced migraines or seizures from flashing lights, or perhaps flashing lights may trigger traumatic memories from childhood. Selaphobes try not to drive at night and do not go to dance clubs.

Cyssanophobia - the fear of kissing beneath the mistletoe. Kissing under the mistletoe is an old Scandinavian custom. Even if sworn enemies met beneath a mistletoe plant, they would call a truce and cease hostilities until the next day. According to tradition, it’s bad luck to refuse a kiss beneath the mistletoe, but a person with cyssanophobia would prefer to take their chances. Apparently, as part of the ritual you are supposed to pluck a berry from the mistletoe after each kiss. When all of the berries are gone, then kissing time under that particular piece of mistletoe is over. Don’t eat the berries, however, as they are poisonous. Realistically, the fear is less likely to do with the mistletoe and more about being grabbed and kissed by a stranger or just someone you’d prefer not to lock lips with.

Syngenesophobia - the irrational fear of relatives, often including close family. Someone suffering from this condition can expect to experience a very high amount of anxiety from merely thinking of relatives, let alone actually seeing them. In fact, their anxiety may be so intense that they may even endure a full-blown panic attack. Although family can be avoided during the year by feigning work commitments or illness, once Christmas arrives, so do the relatives.

Meleagrisphobia - the irrational fear of turkeys and is usually caused at a young age. A big roasted turkey is the traditional Christmas meal for many people, but a person with meleagrisphobia may not be happy at the table. Although some meleagrisphobics are fine with the cooked variety, don’t ask them to go anywhere near a live turkey. These people are probably also aware that somewhere, a duck is watching them.

Phonophobia - a fear of loud noises. A traditional Christmas often includes Christmas crackers, decorated cardboard tubes that are filled with prizes and crack open with a sharp bang. Just watch the eyes squint and faces turn away as the Christmas crackers are pulled. Many people have an aversion to loud noises, but some people absolutely fear them. Don’t be surprised if you see a phonophobic make an excuse to leave the room during the cracker pull.

Ghabhphobia – the irrational fear of receiving a present. While most people enjoy receiving a present, there are some who don’t. For a person with social anxiety, it’s not the actual present that creates the fear, but rather the attention placed on them once they receive a gift. Everyone stares at them as they unwrap their gift, and this is followed by the need to smile, appear happy, and possibly answer questions. To a lesser extent, I think we’ve all experienced the need for that artificial smile when the present doesn’t meet our expectations.

Phagophobia – the irrational fear of eating or swallowing. As everyone gathers around the table for a hearty Christmas meal, the person with phagophobia starts feeling very nervous. Typically, the fear centres around choking or vomiting. Although they have to live with this fear throughout the year, at Christmas time they now worry about choking or vomiting in public and causing a scene. This phobia is different to cibophobia, which is a fear of food and is related to anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders. Ecclesiophobia – the irrational fear of church. The Christmas church service remains a strong tradition in many families. However, a person with ecclesiophobia won’t be attending. This is quite a complex phobia and could relate to either the church building or what the church represents. There may be many reasons for this, ranging from imagery such as Jesus on the cross, to the building size, smells, or an association of the church with funerals. It could also be related to a fear of deities and the control that some people believe they have over our lives. The fear of suffering through a tedious sermon is not part of this phobia as this fear is not irrational.

- John Kriesfeld

“I think it’s wonderful that all these women are on a fitness program,” I said as I glanced casually around the café.

“Why do you say that, Merle?” asked Agnes as she daintily picked up another cake from the plate.

“It’s just that everywhere I look lately, I see all these women in their activity wear.”

“Activity wear?” replied Agnes as she did that head tilt thing that she does.

“Oh, I think you mean active wear,” she said as she popped the cake into her mouth.

“I think it’s very commendable. Many of them have their children in tow and are clearly off to do the shopping, so they have either been to the gymnasium or are going to one later. Health and fitness are very important Agnes.”

“They call them gyms now, not gymnasiums. Now that you’ve mentioned it, Fred and I were talking about trying our hand at the old aerobics just the other day.”

“Aerobics?” I spluttered my tea about a bit as I looked at Agnes. “Good heavens Agnes, what era are you living in? That has not been around for donkeys’ years, nobody does that anymore. I mean we all did when we were young, but imagine us in our leotards today.” I laughed and jiggled at the same time as I imagined Agnes and myself in our little leotards and tight leggings with everything flattened and squashed into place back in the day. The thought of how that would even begin to look now, gave me great sadness but also much comic relief at the same time.

Agnes was looking whimsical as she reminisced about the time when we could move and run all over the place. Unfortunately, that ship has long since sailed for me, and Agnes too if she was being honest, but I think she still dreams of looking like Olivia Newton John wearing a sweatband and dancing aggressively about, waving her arms and lifting her knees up to her chin.

She snapped out of it as she finished eating her cake and said, “I think you’re being a bit generous with your compliments Merle. Very few of these women are actually going off to exercise class.”

I frowned. “What do you mean Agnes? Why are they all dressed as if they are going off to exercise classes if they are not? I mean, we would never have dreamt of wearing our workout outfits in public. Heavens, we would put proper clothes on over the top before we even considered going outside.”

“Then you clearly don’t understand the modern woman, Merle,” Agnes said as though she knew everything about everything all of a sudden. “That’s simply how a lot of women dress these days.”

“Dress?” I blurted out. “What do you mean dress? That’s the whole point, they are not dressed. You can’t go around like that in public with everything on show. Where is their self-image? Their sense of self respect? I can see every single lump and bump on those ladies and it seems to me that some of them should be staying well away from any sort of tight-fitting clothes.” Agnes seemed to be well up with the latest topics of the world as she confidently replied, “Well, this is the whole thing Merle, they do feel confident and they do have a very healthy self-image. That’s why they wear these outfits in public. Remember all those poor women who half-starved

by Ma Merle

themselves to death a few years back trying to look like the models on television and in the magazines? You can’t think that was a healthy way of living. So now, they just feel good about themselves and wear what they like.”

“And eat what they like I would say,” I replied in a triumphant tone while smiling a little.

Agnes wagged her finger at me. “Merle, that is very rude. You can’t say things like that.”

“Seems like I can’t say anything anymore,” I huffed. “Well, that’s my opinion and it’s my right to have it.”

“That is true,” agreed Agnes, “but it might be best if you kept it to yourself.” “So, if my opinion bothers people who have the opposite opinion, why don’t they keep theirs to themselves then?” I replied in annoyance. “Why should I be the one to be quiet?”

“You are getting into very muddy waters Merle. The world is changing and people can’t say negative things anymore in case they hurt someone’s feelings.”

“Well that the biggest load of frog poop I have ever heard,” I snorted. “What happened to honesty and toughening up and all that sort of thing. No, I absolutely disagree with you Agnes, absolutely.”

Agnes waved a conciliatory hand at me, “Then we shall have to agree to disagree on this one Merle.”

I scowled unhappily and Agnes looked thoughtful, as we sipped our tea in silence. A matter of minutes later, the little boy at the next table started screaming and yelling and running about. We both looked over our tea cups at the mother who rather vaguely, and not even addressing the child directly, waffled a few words out of her mouth like, “be quiet”, “come here Jimmy”. Needless to say, the child completely ignored her requests and kept running around.

Agnes and I both raised our eyebrows as we glanced furiously in the direction of the child and the mother and I wondered if we would agree on this matter and even possibly have the same opinion. The racket went on and on and when the child came close to our table, I fixed him with a piercing stare, pointed to where he should have been sitting instead of running around, and growled in a stern voice, “Go and sit down and be quiet!” He stood momentarily transfixed in shock as he stared at me and then went screaming off to his mother, grabbing hold of her arm and wiping snot all over the place as he wept and grumbled about the bad lady over there. The mother absently pointed to the chair and said, “Sit down then and wipe your nose, we are leaving soon.” He huffed and puffed for a moment and then after pulling out his chair, decided he would run around some more. The mother paid scant attention to him yet again as he ran about. He started to run towards our table but both Agnes and I glared at him. He screeched to a halt, thought for a moment and went back and sat down.

“And that’s how it’s done Agnes,” I said, nodding my head. Agnes looked at me and smiled. “I could not agree more.”

Why on earth would anyone think it is okay for their children to run around screaming when other people are trying to sit and relax in a café? Can someone please explain? Anyone?

December 10 – Human Rights Day. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made by the United Nation in 1948. What are these rights? Well, there are too many to list as there are thirty articles and many of them have two or three sub-clauses but having read them all closely, I couldn’t find anything relating to the right to drive slowly in the right-hand lane or the right to ignore your children while they run wild in the supermarket.

December 11 – International Mountain Day. This is another United Nations sanctioned celebration that honours the fact that mountains cover 22% of the Earth’s land mass. As mountains are in short supply in Tatura, once again I suggest that we make the trek to Hill Top and celebrate by singing ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from the Sound of Music. Perhaps after a few drinks at the bar.

December 13 – Violin Day. The violin is an incredibly versatile musical instrument, allowing for music of great passion and incredible delicacy. Violin Day salutes violinists and encourages you to listen to music featuring violins. If you’re feeling particularly brave and enjoy annoying your family, friends and neighbours, why not try to learn to play? However, I would also like to point out the inherent discrimination in that there is no drum, bongos, guitar, piano or cello day.

December 14 – International Monkey Day

Although this is a day for monkeying about, it has a more serious undertone and also raises awareness of the theory of evolution, medical research and animal rights. For the romantics out there, the Italian phrase ‘mi manche’ (pronounced ‘me monkey’) means ‘I miss you.” Try that with the special person in your life and see how you go.

December 15 – World Underdog Day. While the favourite is called the top dog, the one expected to lose is called the underdog. There have been many underdogs that against all expectations, have gone on to win the competition or event, none more so than speed skater Stephen Bradbury. It is human nature to barrack for the underdog, the perennial loser, which explains why Collingwood has such a high membership. So, on this day, give some thought to the losers, the runner’s up, the ones who didn’t quite make it, because without these unsung heroes, there can be no winners.

December 16 – Chocolate Covered Anything Day. I think the title of this day pretty much speaks for itself. If it tastes good without chocolate, then why not try it covered in chocolate? Be brave and experiment. The only thing you’ve got to lose will be the contents of your stomach.

December 20 – Games Day. Here is an officially sanctioned day to play your favourite games whether they’re computer games, board games, card games or video games. This is a chance to relax and unwind before the hustle and bustle of Christmas although if your games end like mine used to do when I was growing up with my brother, then it may also be a good idea to wear a helmet.

December 21 – International Look On The Bright Side Day. Everybody experiences pain, suffering and loss at some time in their lives. Some people move on by putting the past behind them and living happily in the present, while others continue to live in the past, reliving their suffering over and over as each day passes, being perpetual victims. It basically comes down to a choice that only you can make, and this day reminds you to look on the bright side of life.

December 22 – Forefather’s Day. Did you realise that every one of your many ancestors, from the beginning of time, lived to an age when they could have children? If just one of them had died in childhood from disease or been killed in a battle before they could marry, then you would not exist. The odds against that happening are astronomical so I think it’s worth celebrating. Reflect upon this next time you’re feeling a little unlucky.

December 25 – Christmas Day. There is no need for any explanation here.

December 26 – Boxing Day. There are several explanations behind the reason for this day but all you need to remember is that it’s test cricket at the MCG.

December 29 – Tick Tock Day. The clock is ticking and there are only two days left until the end of the year. So, have you achieved everything you set out to do at the start of the year when you made those inspirational resolutions? That’s what I thought. Tick Tock Day reminds you to cram in some last-minute work to achieve your goals.

December 31 – Make Up Your Mind Day. No excuses, no procrastination, no ifs or buts, this day is your last chance to stop putting things off and get things done. How can you successfully launch yourself into a new year when you’re still carrying around baggage from this year? The best way to celebrate this is to make a firm decision to make firm decisions from now on.

January 1 – New Year’s Day. This is the perfect day to make those necessary changes in your life and then keep at it for at least one week. After that you can slowly revert to your old habits like everybody else and then tell yourself that at least you tried. However, the fact is, you didn’t.

January 2 – Run It Up the Flagpole and See If Anyone Salutes It Day. This day encourages people to be creative and implement their ideas. Run it by your friends and family to hear what they think. Do you want a style makeover? This is the day to do it. Want to start a new business? Go out and do your market research today. The longest journey starts with the first step.

January 9 – Word Nerd Day. Do you like long, complicated, fancy words? Then welcome to your day. Even if you’re not a word nerd, you can celebrate by learning a couple of fancy new words and then just casually tossing them into the conversation. Here’s a few to start you off – rambunctious: noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline, esoteric: understandable only by an enlightened inner circle, misanthrope: someone who dislikes people in general.

- John Kriesfeld

Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon

Melbourne Cup Luncheon returned to Hill Top after a three- year hiatus, due to Covid-19. The Women’s Golf Committee organised the day, with Di Downie and Bowlers, arranging the bountiful raffles. The atmosphere rivalled the “Bird Cage” at Flemington, as the patrons arrived all decked out in their finest outfits, which included hats and creative fascinators. The outstanding group of approximately twenty people, were the University of the 3rd Age from Knox, who have supported this event for many years. They devise a colourful theme each year with gold and black chosen for this year. Each patron was photographed as they entered the dining room through a decorative arch of yellow roses supplied by Sue Turnbull from her extensive rose garden. Tables were set with the gold theme, horseshoes and yellow rose centre pieces. Gold racehorse cut outs were a feature on the windows around the dining room, giving a real racing atmosphere. The large screen made sure everyone had a good view of each race.

The one hundred plus guests were treated to a variety of appetising hors d’oeuvres followed by a delicious buffet style main course, finishing with sweets and coffee or tea. Rod Schubert was master of ceremonies, and kept everyone entertained with his jokes, plus he invited guests to tell their own jokes for a special Cherry Ripe prize for the best joke.

The highlight of the day was the awarding of the many prizes for the best dressed man and woman, best fascinator, and tie etc. Geoff Lipshut and Tammy O’Toole were awarded the best dressed for the day. Raffle winners went home very happily with their prizes as did the lucky door prize winner.

A successful day was enjoyed by everyone, with many promising to book for next year.

Donald Trump has ruined the phrase “thoughts and prayers”. In his Tweets after gun massacres and other disasters the expression” our thoughts and prayers are with you” became a hollow platitude. Sending thoughts and prayers is appropriate when there is nothing else that can be done, but as president, he was in a position to offer so much more. Many felt that uttering this hollow but nice-sounding sentiment allowed him to bypass the “real” work of passing better laws?

Following on from the floods of recent times I’ve had many friends and family make contact to check on our wellbeing and express their care. Sometimes I can almost hear the wheels of their brains whirring as they try to find words other than “thoughts and prayers” to express their concern. It’s a shame really, because when nothing else can be done, there is comfort in knowing that we are in our friends and families’ thoughts and prayers. But just as “thoughts and prayers” were seen as a cop-out when more practical action was possible on gun control, we can apply the same logic with regards to the floods. What if sending ‘thoughts and prayers” allows all of us to avoid the harder work of helping to build levees, provide emergency shelter and practical aide? What if sending “thoughts and prayers” let our local, state and federal leaders avoid the responsibility to undertake better planning, provide material support and remediation? The argument is that when the stakes are so high, we cannot afford to retreat to private spirituality. Instead, we must act. But prayer is not inaction. Sometimes it’s the most powerful form of action we can engage in during a crisis—and that’s true whether we believe in God or not. Even for those of us who aren’t sure that God exists and that our prayer can change things, prayer can certainly change us.

Across the district the floods have destroyed and damaged roads, houses, crops and infrastructure. Murchison has experienced some flooding and the bridge is still not open to heavy vehicles at the time of writing. Colbinabbin had several houses and the General Store flooded. The Colbinabbin Uniting Church and the Cornella Catholic Church were surrounded by floodwaters. Both the Mooroopna and Rochester Uniting Churches have been flooded and there is extensive work ahead for them. Even when the flood waters didn’t reach places like Tatura, power blackouts inflicted considerable losses on farms and businesses, and distress and disruption for the whole community. At the Shiraz Republic, the greatest impact was a lost weekend’s trading at the cellar door and accommodation. We opened and had bands on both Saturday and Sunday but, not unexpectedly, it was very quiet. The nicest part of the weekend was late Sunday afternoon when about 20 local farmers decided to drop in and enjoy a drink in the afternoon sunshine. All of them will have incurred considerable losses as much of the low-lying country still has crops standing in water. Over the next two hours there were many conversations and informal support. A couple said they expected to lose 1000 acres of crop. Others spoke of having spread $400,000 worth of urea, which is now wasted. But their resilience and attitude is inspiring. “I never had it to lose it”, said one. “It’s not mine until it’s in the shed.”

For some people troubles have a cumulative effect. “This happened, that happened, now it’s happening again and it’s all too much.” But sitting in the sun with my farming neighbours the feeling was, “There is nothing in this that we have not already endured and worse, and we survived.” For some people a crisis leaves them permanently weakened, for others they draw strength from their survival. Our self-talk matters. If we say to ourselves, “We’ll never get over this!” then we probably won’t. If we remain hopeful and tell ourselves, “This too will pass, and I will build back better.” Then maybe we will.

The quote I liked the best was from a farmer who said, “I never pray for rain, I pray to be strong. If I’m strong, then it doesn’t matter what happens.” Storms and floods feature frequently in the gospel stories. Jesus spoke of the need to have firm foundations (there’s even a catchy little song we learned in Sunday School to help us remember it.)

‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock.’ Matthew 7:24-25

After a tragedy like a flood, prayer is not an indulgent retreat from reality, but a responsible reaction to it. But I won’t pray for rain, and I won’t pray for it to stop raining, I’ll pray to be strong.

Dear God, please give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel forsaken, courage when I am afraid, wisdom when I feel foolish, comfort when I am alone, hope when I feel rejected, and peace when I am in turmoil. Amen.

This is the gospel, and it’s good news.

Brian Spencer, Minister, Tatura Uniting Church

Splinters

A new Splinter Contemporary Artists exhibition, titled Paperwork, will open on November 7 in their gallery in the Kyabram Town Hall and continue until Feb 5. The gallery is run solely by volunteers and the Splinter artists greatly value the wonderful job they all do. It is open every day (other than Sunday) from 10 am to 4pm.

Paperwork

Paper has to be one of civilization’s greatest inventions. Paper has become an essential in the daily lives of almost all people around the world. Paperwork helps us record our economy.

As a creative medium, paper is low cost, versatile and abundant. Its versatility is one reason for its popularity in art and craft. It can be used wet, as in Papier Mache, or dry, as with Paper Cutting, rolled for Quilling, folded to form Origami shapes, layered as in Decoupage and Collage or simply used in sheets on which we draw, marble, print or paint.

If you make your own paper, its tactile quality makes its manufacture and use a sensuous experience.

In this exhibition, Paperwork , Splinter Contemporary Artists are ‘paperworking’ their own magic.

A good magician's assistant is hard to find. They're highly sawed after.

My cousin, a magician, decided to incorporate the use of trapdoors in his shows. I think it's just a stage he's going through.

What do you call a magician who loses his magic? Ian.

Christmas Riddles

Q: What do you call a Christmas gift when it dies?

A: The ghost of Christmas present.

Q: Whey doesn’t Santa need to put his elves through training?

A: They’re elf taught.

Q: What do you call an old snowman?

A: Water.

Q: What’s covered in tinsel and goes ribbitribbit?

A: A mistle-toad.

Q: How many letters in the Christmas alphabet?

A: Only 25 because there is Noel.

Q: What is Santa’s nationality?

A: North Polish

Q: How does Darth Vader like his Christmas roast?

A: A little on the dark side.

Q: What’s the difference between Santa and a knight.

A: One drags a sleigh and the other slays a dragon.

Q: What did Adam tell his wife on the night before the first Christmas.

A: It’s Christmas, Eve.

Q: What do you call someone with a fear of Father Christmas?

A: Claustrophobic.

Q: What’s the best way to get a puppy for Christmas?

A: Ask for a little brother.

Q: What’s the best gift you can get for Christmas?

A: A broken drum – you can’t beat it.

Q: What do you call Santa when he falls off his sleigh?

A: An ambulance.

Q: Where do you find reindeer?

A: It depends where you leave them.

A Study Of Character

I am righteously indignant; you are annoyed; he is making a fuss about nothing – New Statesman Magazine

He was always hovering somewhere, waiting to be offended – Peter Ustinov

Some of us are like wheelbarrows, only useful when pushed, and very easily upset – Jack Herbert

Watching sex on telly with Mum and Dad, that’s embarrassing. I didn’t even know they knew how to use the camcorder – Jimmy Carr

The English instinctively admire any man who has no talent and is modest about it – James Agate

Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull – W. Somerset Maugham

Great events make me quiet and calm; it is only trifles that irritate my nerves – Queen Victoria The degree of one’s emotions varies inversely with one’s knowledge of the facts, the less you know the hotter you get – Bertrand Russell I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing – Oscar Wilde

Bores can be divided into two classes; those who have their own particular subject, and those who don’t need a subject – A. A. Milne

I am one of those unfortunate people who inspires bores to the greatest flights of art –Edith Sitwell

I am not conceited. It is just that I have a fondness for the good things in life and I happen to be one of them – Kenneth Williams

A gentleman need not know Latin, but he should at least have forgotten it – Brander Matthews

If you are foolish enough to be contented, don’t show it, but grumble with the rest – Jerome K. Jerome

We would like to thank all of our customers for their support throughout the year and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!!

From the management and staff at Tatura Pharmacy

TATURA Pharmacy

151 Hogan Street, TATURA VIC 3616 Phone: 03 5824 1043

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year all of us at Lipshut Law.

Merry Christmas and a Happy from all of us at Lipshut Law.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Lipshut Law.

Thank you for your support throughout the year.

Thank you for your support throughout the year.

________________________

Thank you for your support throughout the year.

Thank you for your support throughout the year.

________________________

We will continue to be available for you over the break and geoff@lipshutlaw.com.au

________________________ will continue to be available for you over the break on 0417 134 929 geoff@lipshutlaw.com.au

Geoff, Robyn, Lucy, Carmel, Helen, Fiona and Geraldine

We will continue to be available for you over the break on 0417 134 929 and geoff@lipshutlaw.com.au

We will continue to be available for you over the break on 0417 134 929 and geoff@lipshutlaw.com.au

With thanks, Geoff, Robyn, Lucy, Carmel, Helen, Fiona

With thanks, Geoff, Robyn, Lucy, Carmel, Helen, Fiona and Geraldine

With thanks, Geoff, Robyn, Lucy, Carmel, Helen, Fiona and Geraldine

Kaye Watson Calendar

Kaye has again produced a beautiful calendar celebrating the local area. Copies are available from Mes Amours and the Tatura Museum as well as Billabong Nursery in Shepparton. Cost is $25.00