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Hobart boat wins Cygnet Regatta
Woodbridge Soccer Club needs you!
A musical score
I may be very poor, but I'm a good person!
Huon helps Haiti
Snug Primary School Harvest Fair
The Cane Toad Factor and selective morality revisited

The heat goes on
Kingston Beach makeover
Council's close shave
Please tell me a story
Issued
11 March 2010

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Editorial
Hobart boat wins Cygnet Regatta
A small yacht named Rosella, skippered by Andrew Matton-Johnson, was the 2010 winner of the Port Cygnet Sailing Club’s historical Regatta Cup last weekend. The cup was originally won by ‘Alice M’ in 1936 and was recently donated by Lawrie Dillon. Rosella set sail from Hobart on Friday night, achieving second place in the Hobart to Kettering Race, then first place in the Kettering to Cygnet Race and first place again in the Cygnet Regatta Race. Such a consistently excellent performance made Andrew the Overall Winner of the Regatta and a deserving recipient of the trophy. This year is the 146th Anniversary of the Cygnet Regatta and the current Port Cygnet Sailing Club members are convinced it was one of the best. Organiser Phil Jeffs aims each year to attract the largest gathering of keel boats in Tasmania to a party in Port Cygnet. The laughter, music and terrific atmosphere on Saturday and Sunday nights suggested that once again he may have been successful. It was a wonderful party. There was also a magic combination of spectacularly beautiful weather, fickle winds to challenge the best of sailors and then a strong breeze for an exciting finish to make the racing side of the Regatta also a success. Spectators gathered at every vantage point, bringing with them rugs and binoculars to enjoy the sunshine and excitement. They weren’t disappointed. The seabreeze kicked in on both days and yachts of all shapes, sizes and vintages were able to fly their spinnakers as they raced for the finish line in Port Cygnet. It was a glorious vista of colourful sails and sparkling water. Line Honours in Division One of the Kettering to Cygnet and the Cygnet Regatta Races went to David O’Neill on ‘Redback’. Handicap winners were as follows. Kettering to Cygnet Race – First: What a Life, David Allan; second: Wings Three, Peter Haros; third: Close Encounters, Damien Killalea. Cygnet Regatta Race – first: Wings Three, Peter Haros; second: Cio Cio San, Peter Gautschi; third: What a Life, David Allan. Division Two Line Honours went to David ‘Skins’ O’Neill on ‘True Blue’ for both the Kettering to Cygnet and Cygnet Regatta Races. Handicap places were as follows. Kettering to Cygnet – first: Rosella, Andrew Matton-Johnson; second Chinook, Richard Moyer; third: Wyvern, Stan Kay. Cygnet Regatta - first: Chinook, Richard Moyer; second: Wyvern, Stan Kay; third: Meander, Roger Aldridge. The Derwent Class Trophy was won by Ollie McKay on ‘Janus’ and the Bill Wrapp Memorial Trophy for Vintage Boats was won by Roger Aldridge on ‘Meander’. The Hobart to Kettering Race was won by Bob Bower on ‘Bosun’.
On Sunday morning the Junior Sailors put on a display of their newly learned skills with a race around the buoys on the club’s fleet of nine Pacer dinghies. First was Nicholas and India, second was Sam and Isobella and third was Jasper and Isaac. It was a great race and all the kids did very well. The crowd of onlookers were impressed and Junior Sailing Captain, Leanne Banfield and Club Patron Geoff Doolan were very proud of them.
The 2010 Cygnet Regatta was a resounding success and the club is very grateful to its sponsors, the visiting yachties and its hardworking members.
Wendy Le Cornu
Port Cygnet Sailing Club





Woodbridge Soccer Club needs you!
Calling all ages, male and female!

Woodbridge SC has nominated teams in Men’s Div 3, Men’s Div 4, Women’s Div 2 and Under 18 for the main roster commencing the weekend of March 27th. More players are needed for these teams, especially the Women’s Div 2 and the U18’s. Training is on Tuesday evenings for all seniors (men and women) and U18’s at Woodbridge Oval from 6.30 – 8pm and the Women’s Team are currently playing in a mixed futsal competition on Thursday evening at Clarence Sport centre (to revert to training in Hobart on Wednesdays).
Junior sign-on
The club is having a junior sign-on at Woodbridge Oval on Sunday 21st March from 1pm til about 4pm. It will incorporate a mixed social game as well. We will be taking registrations from ALL age groups from under 7’s right up to Senior Men.
Bush dance
On Saturday March 13th Woodbridge SC is holding a Bush Dance at Kettering Hall. Doors will open at 6pm and dancing will start at 6.30. The evening will be hosted by Steptoe Bush Band and is a perfect opportunity to launch the 2010 season, the new teams and the new strip. It is anticipated that there will be a sausage sizzle and a light bar on the night. Keep an eye out for more information in the next week. Come along, kick up your heels and have a ball. Hope to see you there.
Summer Cup round-up
Woodbridge SC’s senior men’s team kicked off the social summer cup in scorching conditions on one of Hobart’s more exposed grounds on Saturday 20th February. “It was a great test for our new strip and it performed very well in the hot conditions. We were all very happy with their appearance and they were more comfortable in the heat than other strips we’ve had,” said player-coach Dalles Hayes.
WSC went down 2-0 to University Wanderers at Olinda Grove but were not disappointed with the team’s performance. “The Summer Cup provides an opportunity to meet teams that play a higher calibre of football than we are used to. Considering it was our first run of the season and we had some guys in key positions who had come on board at the last minute we played very well. Defensively we were good and at times were quite threatening in attack.”
WSC played a friendly the following day on a completely unmarked Sandown park pitch against a Northern Suburbs-DOSA team and it was a completely different story. Woodbridge was victorious with a comfortable 3-1 victory. ‘It was good to see some of the young guys hit the back of the net, very important for player confidence early in the season. It once again reinforces the need for small regional clubs like ours to be involved in these pre-season competitions,’ said Hayes.
On Saturday 27th the Woodbridge team came up against Kingborough Lions Blue, a very disciplined and organised team and came away second best with a 2-1 loss. “Their discipline, control and passing would have been a joy to watch if we weren’t on the pitch against them,” reported Hayes. “Hats off to the young men themselves and the coaching staff involved with this team. We kept them to just the two goals because of our hardworking back line and young Jed Peebles-Stringer’s persistence in goals.”
The final game for Woodbridge in the Social Summer Cup was played on Saturday against Olympia Warriors. “We saved our best for last,’ said Hayes, “Considering we had two players on the pitch who should have been side-lined due to injury, a 2-0 loss was a respectable result. What impressed me was the improvement in our game from the previous week. It shows promise for the season ahead.”
For more information about teams, the bush dance or anything else, please contact the president, Dalles Hayes on the WSC mobile 0427 890 236.
Dalles Hayes



A musical score
Friends hit the high notes

Friends of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (FOTSO) is a state-wide organisation that actively supports the TSO by fund-raising initiatives. Members enjoy special privileges like access to open rehearsals and mingling with musicians at members only functions like concerts, recitals, lectures, demonstrations and social events. On a beautiful Hobart February evening recently members of FOTSO were treated to a social event that was indeed a special privilege when His Excellency Mr. Peter Underwood and Mrs. Underwood hosted a Reception at Government House to celebrate the 20th anniversary of FOTSO. This was also an opportunity to meet members of the orchestra and enjoy a recital by a small group known as Virtuosi. It was the high point of 20 years’ enjoyment of Tasmania’s classical music scene, enhanced for those who gather regularly with fellow music-lovers at any of the varied functions made available to them.
The orchestra and its friends
The TSO website explains the orchestra was, “Established in 1948 as a result of a partnership between the Tasmanian government, the Hobart and Launceston City councils and the ABC. The TSO is the smallest of the six Australian state symphony orchestras but attracts the highest audience share per head of population.” Current secretary of FOTSO, Keith Anderson, notes, “Until circa 1990 the ABC managed symphony orchestras.” But when governments sought to change the structure of orchestras, a significant part of the change involved separation from the ABC. “Almost all orchestras discovered that to help them survive the changes, they needed all the friends they could find!” says Keith. The minutes of the inaugural meeting of FOTSO reveal a pre-existing organisation, the Hobart Orchestral Subscribers Association (HOSA), was wound up to re-form as FOTSO, a more broadly based organisation and, within a few months, had a membership of 160. From the very beginning, FOTSO initiated pre-concert talks and post-concert functions, professionally catered, with special emphasis on the mingling of FOTSO members, the players, guest artists and conductors. And this all within the confines of the orchestra’s former home, the space-challenged old Odeon picture theatre! In time, FOTSO would give whole-hearted support to finding a new home for the orchestra.
Cutting old ties
According to its website, “In January 2007 the TSO became independent of the ABC and responsible for its own budget, musical standards and programming but it maintains a working relationship with the ABC. The TSO receives federal and state government funding, which together with ticket sales, corporate sponsorship, donations, CD sales and public membership, supports 47 full-time musicians who play and tour throughout the year.” While subscribers are acknowledged as the “Life-blood of every great orchestra in the world”, Keith Anderson says, “In recent years FOTSO has been working increasingly closely with the TSO,” an acknowledgement perhaps of the important role the organisation plays. Fundraising activities include raffles at the Hobart and Launceston ‘Symphony Under the Stars’ free summer concerts, a quiz night in winter and an end-of-year Christmas concert. FOTSO fully funds low-cost special items for the orchestra and for more expensive items cooperates with other sponsors and donors. “Items supported in recent years include tubular bells, a rotary valve trumpet, equipment for the ‘green room’, backstage sound and vision monitoring equipment and equipment in the auditorium for people with hearing aids,” said Keith Anderson. “Most recently FOTSO made a significant contribution towards the new pedestals for the TSO Chorus.”
So much for so little
Membership of FOTSO is $35 single, $48 couple (Concession $22 and $33 respectively). 2010 has started brilliantly – the Government House chandeliers saw to that! – and no doubt the program of free events will be as exciting as last year when the first ‘musical treat’ for the year was two string trios featuring Yue-Hong Cha (violin), William Newberry (viola), and Martin Penicka (cello). (Newberry and Penicka performed in May 2009 at the Kettering ‘Sweet and Low’ concert.) Several open rehearsals were made available to members, as well as ‘Cor, that sounds like a Cor Anglais!’ and ‘Viola meets Cello’ intimate concerts, a timpani recital at the AGM and a special musical preview of the 2010 concert season. Refreshments follow each event. Twenty years ago ‘Meet the (instrument)’ events were held in private homes, elegant matinees of a bygone era, seen now only in movies. Today it’s the relaxed atmosphere of the TSO’s rehearsal studio, with refreshments served in the green room. The true treat, however, is the music – and the chance to be part of Tasmania’s vibrant music scene.
Judy Redeker
Join FOTSO at the TSO Box Office, 1 Davey Street. Ph 1800 001 190 or visit www.tso.com.au


I may be very poor, but I'm a good person!
That old trick?

Tourists are frequently warned to beware of beggars cradling an infant, pestering tourists to buy milk to feed their child. Once hooked, the unwitting victim is guided to a conveniently located store where the transaction takes place and the tourist is thanked profusely and wanders happily on his/her way, happy of heart and with a much lighter wallet! The beggar then returns to the store, hands back the milk in return for cash. Another good day in the office!
In the doghouse
Ok, I admit it! I fell for the ruse and my original ‘offering’ of ten rupees was multiplied ten times! Not enough to break-the-bank or shed a tear over. However, I was intrigued to know whether I had been ‘a gullible tourist’ and next morning I met up with the beggar girl and after polite greetings, I challenged her with ‘the story’. The young woman become quite indignant and insisted that I return to her village and there she would produce the said goods for my satisfaction! Calling her bluff, I accepted her challenge. The goods were there as stated! I was the one in the doghouse for doubting her honesty! Sitting on a make-shift seat in her shack, the young woman (named Rina) put me properly in my place by saying, “I may be very poor, but I am a good person!” Thus begun my association with 19-year-old Rina, her siblings and the shack-village on the edge of the World Heritage ‘Bouddha Stupa’ precinct in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Yin and yang
As with ‘yin and yang’, there are two perspectives to everything. The Bouddha area is no exception. Within a three-minute walk of Bouddha, one witnesses another aspect of life in the form of a slum, home to the unfortunate, many of whom are beggars. The women beg daily on the streets to put food in their bowls. The men also do a bit of begging… to put rice alcohol in their system! The wife’s daily income barely pays for a family meal. If it doesn’t, she goes without. Thanks to several western charitable NGOs, there are daily ‘soup kitchens’ around the town, some of which also offer a hot breakfast to children and adults to sustain them during the day whilst they beg.
How my friends live
In my last week, I experienced my first rain in Kathmandu while spending the day with my beggar family and neighbouring friends. It rained continually, with the dampness and cold reaching right through my warm clothing. I felt extremely damp, cold and uncomfortable. There was no fire, nor the possibility of one, to help us dry off. This was reality. The kids shivering? Why hadn’t they got jackets on? Oh! They don’t have any! Cold feet? Put your socks and shoes on... Oh! you don’t have any of those either! Lets have a warm cup of chi... no milk! Get used to it mate! This is how your friends live!
But maybe there is a glimmer of light on the horizon. I am determined to secure funds to bring some basic comforts to my friends. Before next winter (November) I’d like to purchase fleecy jackets for everyone who needs one (450 rupees – $7 ea) and footwear for the children. Thick blankets for beds ($47ea); gas cookers, including gas ($80 ea) for the shacks so that the women don’t have to cook bending over smoking wood fires, inhaling the toxic fumes; little stools to sit on; etc. Then of course, I would love to buy sacks of rice, dried split peas (for dhal), flour, fresh vegetables and milk. And wouldn’t the children love to have some toys for those rainy days…and warm sweaters; shirts; socks; hats; toothpaste; tooth-brushes; combs… the list is endless!
But in the midst of all this poverty, there is cheerfulness, kindness and generosity. And yes, you may be very poor, but you are good people.
I intend to get back to Kathmandu and the village before the cold weather and do some shopping… with money I haven’t yet got! I’ll check my bank balance when I get home!
Eric Fairman


Huon helps Haiti
During these past weeks, reports of the Haiti earthquake disaster have claimed worldwide attention with those unaccounted for now reaching in the vicinity of 200,000. The Haitian people who have lost homes and loved ones are grieving and desperate for support, not knowing what future, if any, lies ahead of them.
As is the case with many disasters, the need for funds and relief effort will be needed for many years, long after the media focus moves away from Haiti and on to the next big story. It is hard to absorb this overwhelming issue when we live in such a beautiful part of the world, we see the images on TV and we can only imagine the devastation and hopelessness that the people of Haiti are feeling – but as a community we can help!
Three weeks on and the “Huon Helps Haiti” Appeal is well under way. Recently the Appeal was launched in the Huon Valley for all our towns (including schools) to conduct their own fundraising programs, with each of them pooling whatever amount they raised at a variety concert to be held at the Palais Theatre Franklin on the Sunday 14th March at 2.30pm. All monies raised and the towns involved will be acknowledged with the total amount directed to the Huon Valley Rotary Club so that matching funds can be claimed from the Tasmanian State Government.
Tasmanians are certainly generous when it comes to helping their neighbours; this has already been shown by the local Huon community. Businesses in Franklin and Huonville have offered items to raffle; local entertainers have offered their talents for the “Huon Helps Haiti” Concert; schools, clubs and others are offering their support. No matter how small, every little bit helps and pretty soon our dollars and cents could represent a mountain of relief.
So what can you do to help? Support any local fundraising in your town or school; encourage your local clubs to donate; buy or sell raffle tickets in the “Huon Helps Haiti” Raffle with tickets being available for sale at many locations throughout the Huon; or come along to the “Huon Helps Haiti” Concert on 14th March. Tickets for the concert will be a $5.00 donation and can be purchased in advance – for information please contact Ray & Betty Lyon on 6266 3554.
Denise Jenkins
Ph 6266 3289 or
0407 152 724
 

Snug Primary School Harvest Fair
On March 20th 2010, Snug Primary School opens its gates to all comers for a fantastic Harvest Fair, from 2-6pm. Come and vote, then stay to see all that Snug Primary School has to offer!
Come and see the creative efforts of teachers, students and parents. Live music, circus skills and other performances will showcase the talents of students and perhaps even a few of the parents.
Plenty of tucker
Enjoy tasty curries, BBQs, and a range of other food treats while you’re there. Much of the food on offer will be made from produce harvested from the school garden and gardens of friends and families of the school. Grab a cake, or some jam and sauces made from local garden produce.
Competitions
There will be a great range of stalls, with competitions, face painting, games and fun for all ages. Some terrific prizes have been donated by local businesses. You could win cruises with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys and Peppermint Bay Cruise or accommodation with Three Hut Point Accommodation or Heron’s Rise Vineyard. Dozens of gift vouchers will be up for grabs, from local gift shops, restaurants, swimming pools, hairdressers and pharmacies. Raffles will be drawn on the day, so you could take away lots of gear for kids (donated by Treadlies, Party Room and Lauren and Sam, Kingston) and for adults (donated by Carpet Junction, Mal’s Plant Hire and Channel Court Wine Cellars).
Fund-raising
The organising committee hopes to raise $15,000 through the fair and other fundraising activities this year. It’s a high target, but as Rebecca from the committee says: “If everyone brings a friend or grandparent, and everyone has some dinner and a cuppa, we’ll be well on the way”.
In addition to the great food, fairy costumes and other home-made crafts have been lovingly made by parents and friends of the school. There will be second-hand goods on sale, including books, tools and clothes. So it’ll be a great chance to grab a bargain while listening to live music and watching a range of performances.
Renovations
You’ll also be able to see the excellent renovations up close, and enjoy the warm and friendly hospitality of the Snug Primary community.
All money raised on the day will go towards the development of a community training facility and play equipment.
Rebecca Harris
Ph 6267 9327

The Cane Toad Factor and selective morality revisited
They’re off and running! It’s election time

It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions! My good intention was to write a political story, leading up to the elections, giving some useful advice to politicians and voters.
I had intended writing a wry summary on voting, and making a suggestion, one which will sort out the sheep from the goats, separate the wheat from the chaff and let the dog see the rabbit. But, due to my own fault, this did not happen. No dirty tricks involved, nor any sort of skulduggery implied. I simply didn’t extract the digit early enough. For that I am truly sorry. The buck stops with me. I am prepared to wear sackcloth and ashes for as long as it takes to win back your trust and belief. Does any of that sound familiar? My apologies to Jonathon Lynn, writer and creator of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. Due to that gentleman, and his outrageously droll characters in the television series, many of us think politics is all about one-liners and obfuscation. Here is one Humphrey Appleby line that might explain our scepticism: “Ministers have an enviable intellectual suppleness and moral manoeuvrability. Translation: you can’t trust them further than you can throw them.
Election mode
How’s it going? Are we all feeling politically prepared? If so, settle down, make yourselves comfortable, and let’s get into election mode! (I am trying to be general, but some “isms” and terminology from other countries have crept in, so please bear with me.) Let’s start off with a question. How do we start thinking about elections? At one level they are deceptively simple: politicians compete for public support; voters respond on election day by indicating who they prefer; the votes are tallied and translated into seats in parliament; and the electoral system organizes, shapes and governs the process. Piece of cake!
An even simpler method of representation – quite unorthodox
Some time back (in an article in this publication, of November 2006) I examined political morality, and found it wanting. In the article, Selective Morality and the Cane Toad Factor, I like to think I invented a potential political movement that should eliminate our mistrust of the political game: to cut out the unfit, and get down to brass tacks. My theory, the Cane Toad Factor, is perhaps a rather unorthodox approach. (Jonathon Lynn, again, through the Sir Humphrey Appleby character: “A somewhat unorthodox procedure means the act of a gibbering idiot.”) To gain election, all politicians, rather than talk about their morality or their “gunna-do’s”, have to prove their worth, by performing an environmental service. I thought it would be a good idea if all of our erstwhile political representatives joined arms and did a sweep across the landscape, eliminating nasties as they go.
Introducing … “The Cane Toad Factor”
The “Cane Toad Factor” of political pre-selection will work thus: every would-be politician, as well as paying a nomination fee before an election, will only be allowed to ‘stand for politics’ after they have performed a number of feats. In Queensland, and now in NSW and the Northern Territory due to the spread of the cane toad menace, all politicians will be required to bag a specific number of toads before we allow them to join the race. There will be no cheating, no sub-contracting or farming-out to third or fourth parties. To make it clean and above-board, prospective pollies will be required to do a shoulder-to-shoulder sweep across the nation (or state) until they have reached their quota. The theory is problematical in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. I suggest that other environmental pests should be a substitute quarry: in Victoria, SA and WA, destroying Patterson’s Curse is a worthwhile aim. In Tasmania, perhaps destroying rabbits and feral cats is the way to go. Oh! I have it! He who bags the FOX wins! “Ladies and Gentleman! Boys and Girls! Your new Premier …!”
I think the theory might need some more work! See you after the elections.
Merlene Abbott


The heat goes on
While there’s still a debate about the cause of rising global temperatures, the heat coming onto the federal government recently is definitely man-made, and traces an interesting path. And you’d have to wonder where this path will lead in the months ahead.
It’s hard to believe that we’re in an election year. Where has all that time gone, and what’s happened to fill it? ‘Not much’, is the growing sentiment in the electorate, still wondering where all the blood and thunder of the Emissions Trading Scheme has disappeared to. But the disappearance of the ETS and the grief it brought will stand as the turning point for the Rudd government’s fortunes.
The basket of eggs that was the ETS
The government’s resolve to have an ETS scheme for Australia in place before Copenhagen (remember Copenhagen – last October?) subjected the government to its first seismic reality check. Since then, there have been after-shocks. Copenhagen killed the ETS – now widely acknowledged – despite the best spin that could be put on it after the event. The inability of zealous leaders such as Rudd and Obama to bring about an ETS miracle at Copenhagen was thwarted by the strength and intransigence of hostile opposition forces in their own administrations. No matter how strongly men such as Obama and Rudd felt about the need for decisive action on climate change, their hands were tied by political realities at home. By the time Copenhagen was happening, Rudd’s ambition to present a strong united voice there was in tatters. With the Opposition – Malcolm Turnbull aside – demanding there be no regulatory legislation here until after Copenhagen, a unified pre-October position became an impossibility. A hostile Senate had put the icing on this, and in the US, an equally determined opposition had stymied Obama’s aspirations. Knowing this, he made just a brief visit there, leaving his underlings to deal with the fall-out. It was a wise move. On the other hand, we had bet the lot – put all our eggs into that legendary basket. Doing that, you either win big, or you lose big.
Copenhagen showed that we were out of step with the rest of the world – which is what the Opposition had held all along. In the end, getting the world to agree on a joint emissions control policy proved to be a brave but naïve dream that was killed off by self-interest, the global financial crisis, and a deep divide between the world’s rich and poor nations. The cynics were right again. But what it did for the hopeful Rudd government, was to set in motion a reality check that is now bringing it to its knees.
Where that trail leads
The resounding disaster of the home insulation scheme is the next ruinous leg of the trail we’re following. A disillusioned electorate believed it proved beyond doubt that the chinks in this government’s armour were mega. The damage was growing, the questioning grew. A contrite PM, thoroughly overplaying the apology, admitted to feet of clay and invited recriminations. “We are taking a whacking in the polls now. I’m sure we’ll take an even bigger whacking in the period ahead. And the bottom line is, I think we deserve it, both not just in terms of recent events, but more broadly,” he said. All this while wading further into the eye of the storm, desperate now to conclude some meaningful legislation, to have something to show – such as health reform, and a national curriculum for our fractured education system.
The fact is that despite having dealt effectively with the global financial crisis – we remain the envy of the world – the reality of the four-year term has caught the PM on the hop. It’s so easy to promise, while you’re in Opposition. Then, once in power – with a small ‘p’ – and repeatedly thwarted by a frustratingly hostile Senate, the going gets very, very tough.
Delivering commitments
Some months ago, a double dissolution – the trigger for it was there – would’ve wiped the Opposition benches clean. Now, there’ll almost certainly be a new trigger, courtesy of the health proposals. But confidence in the government has declined to such an extent that going for any such trigger would result in a firestorm. Copenhagen proved that the hip pocket nerve rules. Here, the ETS would have cost heaps, as will health reform, according to Health Minister Nicola Roxon. In the electorate, the ‘great big new tax’ label is starting to stick. And there’s no clean or quick way out of this: promises made and not carried out are seen as broken, and carry their own curse. But trying to squeeze major health reform – long, long overdue – and education reform – just as overdue – into the shadows of an election, is a recipe for disaster.
John Fleming

Kingston Beach makeover
Better pathways, children’s play equipment, toilets and beautification works are among the proposals for Kingston Beach contained in an Infrastructure Master Plan developed for the area by Kingborough Council.
Kingborough Mayor, Dr. Graham Bury, says the master plan includes a large number of projects to enhance residential amenities, visitor experience and commercial opportunity at the popular beach.
“Kingston Beach is one of Kingborough’s best loved and most scenic recreational areas, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.
“Council has recently begun to upgrade the public infrastructure at Kingston Beach and has identified many more opportunities to further improve visitor enjoyment of the area.
Masterplan for a pleasanter beach
“The master plan includes suggestions such as providing a continuous pathway along the beachfront, landscaping the entire foreshore area and, over time, replacing the trees with more suitable species.
“It proposes making the beach foreshore more pedestrian-friendly by widening footpaths on Osborne Esplanade, slowing down vehicles through traffic calming measures and converting part of the Esplanade into a one-way road.”
As well as encouraging recreational activities at Kingston Beach, Mayor Bury says Council aims to promote the beach as a hub for community activities and events.
“There are already a number of community events and celebrations held at Kingston Beach, such as the ‘Day on the Beach’ on Australia Day, and we believe there is an opportunity to host more events if facilities are improved,” Mayor Bury said.
“The Master Plan proposes installing power outlets and elevated boardwalks along the beachfront, which will make it a more attractive and practical venue for events.”
Other suggested improvements in the Master Plan include:
• Improving beach access by constructing steps and ramps at a number of locations
• Replacing the ageing public toilets with a number of smaller toilet/shower units along the foreshore
• Utilising the land previously occupied by the toilets for additional car parking in a landscaped setting
• Placing the power lines underground along Osborne Esplanade;
• Installing new street and beachfront pedestrian lighting on Osborne Esplanade;
• Providing new play equipment, grassed areas and shelters along the beachfront
• Converting Rollins Avenue into a one-way street to provide improved parking, pedestrian access and sight distance at the junction
• Constructing a new footpath and providing landscaping along the Browns River side of Balmoral Road and replacing the existing footbridge
Kingborough Council has publicly released the draft Infrastructure Master Plan and is now seeking public comment. Any comments should be addressed to Council and submitted by Monday 12th April 2010.
Displays highlighting the key recommendations within the master plan can be viewed at the Kingborough Civic Centre and at some Kingston Beach shops. The documents can also be viewed at Council’s website (www.kingborough.tas.gov.au). Council staff will also be available to discuss the master plan with local residents at the Kingston Beach Community Hall between 3pm and 7pm on Wednesday 24th March 2010.
Following the public consultation, Mayor Bury said Kingborough Council will develop an implementation plan for the future upgrade of public infrastructure at Kingston Beach.
“This will guide the setting of priorities for Council’s future design and works programs. It will also help in seeking external funding support and providing a clear indication to local residents of Council’s future intentions,” he said.
“Council will also consider other issues connected with the Kingston Beach works program, such as the need for good transport access to the Kingston CBD area, the potential impact on the surrounding natural environment, capacity to cope with increased visitor levels, future maintenance requirements and overall public access and safety.”
For further information contact Kingborough Mayor, Dr. Graham Bury on 0417 308 687 or Cathy Limb, CPR, on 0419 539 485.
Kingborough Council Media Release
Council's close shave
Kingborough Council’s Mayor, Dr Graham Bury will be braving the shave and losing his hair on Friday 12th March as part of the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.
A number of other Council employees - including the Manager of Community Services, Daniel Smee - will also be either shaving their heads or colouring their hair to show support and raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Mayor Bury says the World’s Greatest Shave is a fun way to raise awareness about a serious illness and raise funds to support the Leukaemia Foundation. “With over 350 people diagnosed with leukaemia each year in Tasmania alone, it’s important that the community support the valuable work of the Leukaemia Foundation,” Mayor Bury said.
“As a paediatrician I cared for children with leukaemia and other forms of cancer for over ten years and saw first hand how the Leukaemia Foundation provides both practical assistance and emotional support to patients and their families.
“The foundation also has a vital role in funding important research into better treatment and cures.”
In addition to the shaving and colouring of hair, Kingborough Council is holding a fundraising BBQ supported by local businesses. Volunteer hairdressing services will be provided by Nova Hair and Beauty, Bayview Market, Blackmans Bay. It is expected that the event will raise close to $1,000.
WHAT: Kingborough Council – World’s Greatest Shave Event
WHEN: Friday 12th March 2010 from 12pm
WHERE: On the grassed area outside the Kingborough Civic Centre
Kingborough Council Media Release
Please tell me a story
Until now I have avoided attending and writing up events where very young children are taking part. This is mainly because kindy kids scare me and also I worry about stepping on them. However I must admit that they can be very handy to have around as they can always solve the problem when my PC goes on strike. As a father of six, grandfather of 15 and great grandfather of one, and for over a quarter of a century, writer of legal factual reports on fires, burglary, fraud, accidents, storm damage and other matters, you would think that I had seen it all. I had not, as I was soon to discover when attending a very rewarding event this week. I was invited to attend, at the Kingston Library, story time for youngsters from Kingston and Blackman’s Bay Kinder groups, and members of the general public. The children’s picture book being read this week was The Gruffalo. Don’t be a wimp I told myself, there is nothing to be frightened of; brace yourself, wear protective clothing, including safety helmet, swallow a handful of Prozac, and off you go with your notebook and pen.
Not to be missed
And am I glad that I did, for I would not have missed the occasion for anything, and should the opportunity arise in the future, I will be first in the queue. The story-telling commenced on time at 10.30 Thursday, 4th March 2010, and when I arrived there were already some 80 kindy children and 15 adults forming a half-circle seated on the carpet in front of a low couch, on which the two story tellers, librarian Alison and technician Deb, were seated with a huge poster depicting a Gruffalo behind them. The scene was not the bedlam that I was expecting, and whilst there was a hum of excited conversation in the air, the well behaved youngsters were all gazing expectantly at the large poster and the story-tellers. Now, if you have a young family then it is dollars to peanuts that you have met Gruffalo before, but not this writer, as it is a very long time ago that he was reading bedtime stories, in fact too long, as reading bedtime stories is a very rewarding task. It soon appeared that many of the children were already very familiar with Gruffalo, as they were very quick to react to it, some even calling out what was coming next as well as enacting suitable gestures.
Story expertly told
It was very obvious that librarian Alison and technician Deb were experts in the story-telling field, with the children hanging on every word being read to them as well as eagerly looking at the illustrations in the pages of the book that was being held out for them to see. This wonderful children’s book, written by Julia Donaldson and cleverly illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is intended for children aged three to seven years, and was first published in 1999. It has sold more than 10 million copies. In addition it has also won many prizes for children’s literature. It is all about the adventures of a mouse wandering the dark woods, when he meets up with a fox, an owl, and a snake, and then a gruffalo. I am not prepared to reveal any more of the story, as I do not want to spoil it for those of you yet to read it.
Wonderful expressions
Suffice to say that the expressions on the faces of the children were a wonderful sight, and this is the part this writer enjoys so much. Many were copying the story-teller’s actions, and joining in with real enjoyment for the two songs with much gusto reserved for banging their feet on the timber. When it came to raising a laugh it is possible that Kingston Library might have been shown as the epicentre of a local earthquake, such was the wonderful response. Observing the wonder and excitement on the children’s faces was something to behold and it makes one wonder why we are so anxious for our children to grow up so quickly?
Let them be children as long as possible, as after that comes the difficult part.
Mike Bowyer