17 minute read
Lifestyle
Carpe Diem
For a multitude of reasons, the spectre of death has not been far from my mind of late. And possibly yours too. We’ve all just been treated to the miracle that was the cave rescue in Thailand and how great was our jubilation and relief when the last team member - the coach - was brought out.
Words by
Adrienne Witteman
MANAGING DIRECTOR Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre trendsettertravel.com.au
As a parent and sibling myself, how could I not feel for the mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, and school friends too, of the Wild Boars? Life seemed to hang in the balance, especially when one of the SEALs died. It really did sheet home to everyone what a dangerous mission this was. If we were not already convinced, we were now. Collectively we felt in awe of the result, with gratitude for the skills and sense of humanity that the multinational rescue effort demonstrated. If there is one thing that social media and advances in telecommunications have brought us, it is the sense of immediacy and closeness to the drama of major events as they unfold. The precariousness of life is never more obvious when we feel ourselves there, in the moment. In April I cruised on the Mississippi River, bookended by stays in Memphis and New Orleans. In Memphis I revisited Gracelands, the former home and now memorial resting place of Elvis. This very same city was the scene of Martin Luther King’s assassination fifty years ago on April 04, 1968. MLK’s life and work is celebrated, very poignantly, at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel and I revisited here too. Both men died way too early, and like Princess Diana and all famous people who die young, they became immortalised as much for what they did and for what they might have done, had there been more time. However not all are so lucky. At Oak Plantation, an antebellum mansion in the style of Gone with the Wind, the slaves who worked the fields to ensure the prosperity of their masters and mistresses have their births and deaths recorded by a single first name. Here today, gone tomorrow, just another (human) widget perhaps. I hope not. That history records their fortitude, their stoicism, their achievements in the face of all odds, and inspires we who have so much more to improve our world. Those who gave their lives for kin and country are justifiably honoured and almost celebrated, often anonymously. War is horrid yet each country with war dead rightfully acknowledges the many via a Memorial to the Unknown Soldier. Again, in southern American the Civil War graveyards provide a sombre reminder of how fleeting life can be but clothed in green, with spring flowers abundant, they remind us of the rebirth of hope, of renewal. Macabre it might seem to some but there is much in travel that focuses on death, or rather has death as a subtheme. David, my fellow Trendsetter director, has a passion for military history and runs small, specialised Military History tours which explore the theatre of war, and by association, death. They’re not for everyone, but those passionate for this niche love them. And how often have you read that a cemetery visit is on the must-do list? Diana’s crypt at Althorp; Karl Marx (and recently George Michael) at Highgate Cemetery in London; Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Edith Piaf at Pere Lachaise in Paris; Eva Peron at in Recoleta cemetery in Buenos Aires… Rest in peace is what we say but not necessarily what we allow those whose resting places we seek to visit. For me, the great story in July however was that what might have become a cemetery did not. The caves of Chiang Rai will become a tourist hotspot for celebrating all that is good in this world. Life, love, the desire to help, to be a good fellow citizen and to be at one with others as we journey life’s byways here or overseas is surely what we all seek. Each day we are given the chance to start anew, to share with and learn from others at home or abroad. Life is short – let’s make the most of it and get out and explore our world.
Greenwich park named after community minded local
POST CODE 2065
Mary Carlson Park in Greenwich was named for an outstanding woman, her contributions to the community and her family’s long connection to the Greenwich area.
The park, originally part of Greenwich Point Reserve, was re-named in 1999 following a petition by local citizens to Lane Cove Council. Robina Mary Carlson (known as Mary) was a granddaughter of Greenwich pioneers, Frederick and Bridget Carlson.
Frederick Carlson was an able bodied seaman of Swedish origins. He arrived in Sydney on the Africana in 1866 about age 22. The family legend recalled he ran away to sea to avoid an arranged marriage, and his parents were said to be wealthy ship owners plying the route from Sweden to America.
In 1869 Frederick married Bridget Mary Kennelly, an Irish immigrant, and they settled in Balmain where their first son was born in 1870. By the time their second son arrived in 1873, they were living at Greenwich, settling in a stone cottage in St Lawrence Street (which was sometimes known as St Leonards Street between 1879-1898). Frederick owned two sailing ships that carried goods from Balmain to as far as Newcastle. The 1879 and 1880 Sands Directory lists him as a shipwright in St Leonards Street, Greenwich. In June 1880, tragedy struck when a fire broke out at the family’s cottage. Frederick injured his leg when he fell from the roof while trying to douse the flames. His wound became gangrenous and he died a week later at the age of 33. Bridget, widowed with four young sons and a daughter, initially returned to Balmain before reestablishing her family in Greenwich, where she owned three cottages. In 1893 she built two of the terrace houses in St Lawrence Street, adding the next two in 1897. She had planned to build a fifth one, one for each of her children, but it was not built by the time of her death in 1902. Bridget was a pioneering woman of the district. While she rented out her extra cottages, she also worked as a laundress to support her children. A devout Catholic family, they would regularly walk across the log bridge at Wollstonecraft to attend mass at North Sydney and the children crossed the river to attend school at St Augustine’s in Balmain. Bridget was one of the 306 signatories to the second petition for local self-government in 1893, which resulted in the establishment of the Lane Cove Municipality in 1895. Frederick and Bridget’s granddaughter, Mary Carlson (Robina Mary), the daughter of George and Robina, was born at Greenwich in 1901. Mary was only seven when her mother died and she was subsequently raised with the assistance of her uncle and aunt, William and Amelia Carlson. Following their death, Mary took over their terrace at 22 St Lawrence Street, where she lived for the remainder of her life.
The unveiling of Mary Carlson Park in 1999 (The Village Observer, Jan/Feb 2000, p.39)
The four terrace houses (16-22 St Lawrence Street, Greenwich) built by Bridget Carlson between 1893-97, photographed in 1973 by A.R. Ford. (Courtesy D. Ford) Mary devoted her life to the service of others and had a lifelong commitment to the Greenwich community where her warmth, generosity and welcoming nature endeared her to all. She was an active and devout parishioner at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church, Greenwich, and tireless worker for St Vincent de Paul Society. Mary was also a foundation member and committee member of the Greenwich Senior Citizen Centre for many years. She assisted with history and photographs when the Local Studies collection was established at Lane Cove Library during the 1980s. Outside the local area she was a regular visitor at Sydney Hospital and helped with Meals on Wheels in the city. Mary died in 1997, aged 96, having occupied one of the St Lawrence Street terraces all her life. Her funeral service was held at Our Lady of Dolours Church, Greenwich and she was buried at Macquarie Park Cemetery. Following Mary’s death, the Greenwich community petitioned Council to identify a patch of parkland by naming it in her honour. The park is situated at Greenwich Point overlooking the bay where her grandfather regularly moored his ship’s dingy. It was officially named Mary Carlson Park by Lane Cove Mayor, Anthony Roberts, on 19th December 1999.
Lane Cove Library actively collects stories, documents and photographs about people and places within the municipality of Lane Cove. If you have some memories to share, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Local Studies on 9911 3637 or visit the Library catalogue www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/library to contribute to the Lane Cove: On the Street Where You Live! database.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Choosing the best person for the job
A power of attorney is a legal document made by one person that allows another person to act on the first person’s behalf in respect of their money, bank accounts, shares, real estate and other assets. A General Power of Attorney is usually for a short-term appointment, say if you are going into hospital or on an overseas trip. It ceases to have effect if you lose your mental capacity. An Enduring Power of Attorney is for a lifetime appointment and will still operate in the case of mental incapacity. In both cases, the Power of Attorney will only cover your financial affairs and only operates while you are alive. Who to choose as your attorney An attorney can do anything with your property and money that you are able to do, so it is important that you choose someone you can trust. You can appoint more than one person and can specify whether the attorneys must act jointly (making all decisions together) or jointly and severally (either making decisions together or individually). Whilst partners and adult children are commonly appointed, trusted friends, siblings, grandchildren, nieces or nephews may also be appropriate. In making your decision, you should consider qualities such as the ability to manage financial and property-related matters, availability and physical proximity. If no family member is suitable or available, an independent third party such as the NSW Trustee & Guardian, a trustee company or a professional such as a solicitor or accountant can be appointed, but they will be entitled to charge for these services. With great power comes great responsibility ‘Inheritance impatience’ is a driver of elder financial abuse and often occurs when family members misuse their powers in their role as attorney. Your attorney must always act honestly and avoid conflicts between their interests and yours. They must keep your money and property separate from their own and act in your interests at all times. Having a Power of Attorney in place does not mean that you lose your right to operate bank accounts, deal with real estate or exercise any other rights that you have while you continue to have the mental capacity to do so. Anything your attorney does for you under this power, as long as it is legal, is binding on you. Restrictions and conditions can, however, be placed on your attorney’s powers and you can choose when it comes into effect. Don’t put it off You never know what the future may bring. Although mental incapacity may not be a foreseeable issue, you might regularly travel overseas, require major surgery or simply do not wish to personally manage aspects of your affairs. If you don’t have a Power of Attorney in place and subsequently lose capacity, there will be nobody with legal authority to manage or make decisions about your property and finances. A court application for the appointment of a financial manager may need to be made, who may not necessarily be the person you would have chosen.
Words by
Renée Stevens I Lawyer I SRM LAWYERS 1/102-104 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove 9188 9631 I srmlawyers.com.au
Are your kid’s toys lying around unused? Do you have a musical instrument gathering dust or sporting apparel that your children have outgrown or didn't ever use? Swap them for something 'new'!
Date: Saturday 11 August Time: Check in at 11:00am – 12:00 noon Swap: 12:00 noon – 1:00pm Location: Lane Cove Plaza Items suitable for ages 7 – 15 years RSVP at www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/greenevents
9427 6425 WWW.SYDNEYCS.ORG
Here at Sydney Community Services we have stopped being shocked when we find the dire situations some people face every day. Hoarding and squalor are not very nice words, but more houses and apartments than you may think include rooms where it is impossible to enter and defy description. No one sets out to live that way and it creeps up on them. Embarrassed, they are reluctant to allow people to enter their houses - by the time we go in, it is often at breaking point. Other people are just scraping by, unable to afford to eat properly or heat their house or unit. Often some of our older pensioners are in private rented accommodation where the rent takes up to 90% of their pension. Just finding enough money to eat is difficult and there are a number of Lane Cove residents who we help out with meals on wheels at no charge. We are also able to offer occasional support for bills or a supermarket gift card. But we don’t have any funding for this and we rely on kind donations from local people. I’m on the Board of Pottery Gardens, a unique special block of affordable housing units built 50 years ago using funds from Federal and State Governments and Lane Cove Council. Rents are just 25% of the pension and the units, though small, are well maintained and situated in the centre of Lane Cove. There is always a waiting list of applicants, all with compelling stories of need and close links to Lane Cove. In our Hunters Hill office, we have cupboards of essential food items which we can offer to those unable to afford a meal. Sometimes this is a family who has unexpectedly lost employment and need something to tide them over to the next job or payday. This is food donated by local groups who understand that
BEHIND THE VENEER OF AFFLUENCE…
Lane Cove and Hunters Hill are often described as beautiful, leafy and affluent suburbs. But behind some of those grand exteriors and down the bottom of some roads and streets there are many people living in circumstances far from beautiful or affluent.
behind the veneer of affluence, there are always people “doing it tough.” What can you do to help? We have one very kind local benefactor who donates a monthly amount, but that is already completely allocated each month. Could you offer a regular sum? Or even just a once off contribution? We are a registered charity and all donations are tax deductable. You could also consider leaving us something in your Will. Please ring me on 9427 6425 if you’d like to discuss how to support us and your local community.
Did you know that The Village Observer is owned by our associated Foundation? All profits support our work, so just by reading this and supporting our advertisers (and telling them you read about them here) is another way of assisting us.
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RICH PATTERN
TIME & DATE: VENUE: BOOK NOW: Plastic Fantastic
Getting better at remembering your reusable bags yet? By Liz Foster.
Free History Talk Free History Talk 19th Century Entrepreneurs 19th Century Entrepreneurs
and their Impact on Economic Free History Talk and their Impact on Economic Development in Australia
Drafting Sheep, Canonbar Station.
(Courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW PXD 546/IE928651) (Courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW PXD 546/IE928651)(Courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW PXD 546/IE928651) A number of well-known 19th century entrepreneurs played a vital role in the economic development of Australia through both their general business operations and philanthropical pursuits. They included men such as Thomas Mort, John Fairfax, Charles Cowper, Tom Elder, Alexander Stuart and A number of well-known 19th century entrepreneurs played a vital role in the economic development of Australia through both their general business operations and philanthropical pursuits. They included men such as Thomas Mort, John Fairfax, Charles Cowper, Tom Elder, Alexander Stuart and Lane Cove’s own Richard Harnett and JC Ludowici. A number of well-known 19th century entrepreneurs played a vital role in the economic development of Australia through both their general business operations and philanthropical pursuits. They included men such as Thomas Mort, John Fairfax, Charles Cowper, Tom Elder, Alexander Stuart and Lane Cove’s own Richard Harnett and JC Ludowici. Hear local historian, Brian Scott discuss the role these men played in the development of Australia and a little closer to home. A number of well-known 19th century entrepreneurs played a vital role in the economic development of Australia through both their general business operations and philanthropical pursuits. They included men such as Thomas Mort, John Fairfax, Charles Cowper, Tom Elder, Alexander Stuart and Lane Cove’s own Richard Harnett and JC Ludowici. (Courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW PXD 546/IE928651) Lane Cove’s own Richard Harnett and JC Ludowici. Hear local historian, Brian Scott discuss the role these men played in Hear local historian, Brian Scott discuss the role these men played in the development of Australia and a little closer to home. Lane Cove Library Hear local historian, Brian Scott discuss the role these men played in the development of Australia and a little closer to home. VENUE: Lane Cove Library I Monday 3 September 6:15pm - 8:00pm I Bookings 9911 3634 the development of Australia and a little closer to home. Lane Cove Library Monday 3 September 6:15pm - 8:00pm Monday 3 September 6:15pm - 8:00pm Bookings 9911 3634 Lane Cove Library Monday 3 September 6:15pm - 8:00pm Bookings 9911 3634
Bookings 9911 3634
It takes 21 days to form a new habit, in this case, taking your bags with you. But if you're shopping every three days, say, the whole thing blows out to 63 days - a good two months in other words. So we still have a way to go. I don't miss the old grey plastic bags though. They only hold three or four items at once, so you look like a mobile rubbish dump. Canned goods always settle on top of bread, firing at your feet like rubber bullets when you open the boot. Fizzy drinks turn flat and roll under the back seat, sometimes lost for weeks. Sure, you can reuse them as bin bags, but who doesn't have a plastic bag full of plastic bags under their sink? Dispensing with plastic bags is a great idea, but what about all the plastic still left in the store? Wrapped fruit, prepacked veggies, the clear window in the pasta box? The bags still freely available for bagging your single onion? Plastic bags have been banned in the UK for years. People routinely cart teetering towers of boxes, milk crates and hessian bags to the supermarket. Six months after introducing a 5p (about 12cents) charge, plastic bag usage in England dropped from 7 billion to 500 million. Over here, states like South Australia have also legislated the ban: like the UK, people just had to get used to it. But in NSW, it's retailer driven. Coles and Woollies had to temporarily reinstate free bags when staff were abused. Consumers felt they were in breach of their 'psychological contract'. But the backflip made things worse. Pre-ban, the 'contract' was along the lines of “I'll shop at your store and you'll bag my shopping into your own bags”. Shoppers were happy to support a greener future, but pervasive in-store plastic remained. And the supermarkets saved on their bag cost as well as charging customers. There's been a lot of venting on social media. Consumers don't mind a contract shift, but both the environment and their back pocket is still suffering. Environmental causes are notorious damp squibs - we all know it's the right thing to do, but don't make us pay for it (I'm looking at you, Julia Gillard). The Bag Share bins in Lane Cove finally have their day, but good luck finding a bag in one these days. Best you try and remember your own - much easier in the long run.
