- 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
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