Issue 52 April–June 2014

Somers gains an equestrian trio

ROD NUSKE

one (Lorna) Joergensen, daughter LMonica and Uli Eggers have changed the landscape on Sandy Point Road with quite a large indoor horse-arena and stables complex. Their decision to move into Somers has an interesting storyline. Lone started riding at the age of 12 in Copenhagen, Denmark and after completing secondary school started a three-year Bereter (Professional Education for Riders) course. Seeking stronger competition coaching and experience, Lone moved to Germany where she met Uli, a dressage and jumping coach at his father’s riding school near Hamburg. Once back in Denmark, Lone became part of the Danish dressage teams that competed in World and European Championships between 1997 and 2006. During this period she was also a Reaching from her stall to affectionately smooch Lone, ‘Fiorella’ provides an member of the Danish dressage team at amusing moment for visitor Emma Grace. the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games. In 2006, Boneo Park Equestrian Centre on the Peninsula needed a dressage having decided the other side of the Lone has been given the important coach and contacted Lone to visit Peninsula was not to their liking. After positions of state equestrian coach Australia to provide this service. tackling the four-year growth of grass for both Victoria and WA. She also Since then she has been a frequent they embarked on erecting a horse- conducts clinics in NSW, so will still visitor to Australia to give teaching arena complex. The northern side clinics in Victoria, WA and NSW and includes unglazed windows for almost in the meantime will have his hands also has a number of individual clients its full length. This is the performing fullspend looking a fair afteramount the ofproperty time flying. and theUli area and will stay unglazed to avoid horses stabled there. points has not overcome the stress of excess heat building up in summer. Their next-door neighbour, Trevor on the Peninsula. Gaining frequent flyer Monica will be riding competitively Morey, welcomed them to what he of living here permanently became an in jumping so both she and Lone will described as a virtual paradise, and as attractivelong flights proposition. from Europe, so the idea be making full training use of the arena they look out their lounge room window Looking for a property to buy, Lone under the watchful and experienced on a cool crisp sunny day, Uli and Lone and Uli were offered one in Somers, eye of Uli.

both heartily agree. ʘ1 driver as easily as when I was about to register the car in 1979 I enquired the single-plate cork-embedded clutch Editorial committee: The MG ‘TA’ about purchasing personalised runningdifferential in oil, and again axle. from Also an fitted existing was number plates. Then any number of Morris car. I must add this clutch is Somers ALLAN LIM JOON Louise Craig – co-ordinator, copy editor, appropriate plates were available. I a delight to use, almost like using an proofreader could have got MG 1936, TA 1936 for Foreshore Rod Nuske – reporter & photographer erhaps in the past 20 years you may have seen an elderly, release the pedal, wait a second and automatic fluid drive – just smartly Tony Duboudin – reporter Pbright red MG sports car being driven by an even more away you go – impossible to stall. elderly male driver. example, but firstly the car had to be management Bronwen Gibbs – layout Hydraulic brakes were also The car is a 78-year-old MG ‘TA’ and the owner/driver Iregistered presented thewith car ordinary to the local plates; Eltham so introduced to MG cars on the TA. Deline Skinner – advertising accounts 87 years of age. ‘coparmed shop’ with and my wasroadworthy given plates certificate ‘AMY Between 1936 and June 1939, 3003 email: [email protected] Like many young single men in the late 1940s I had an 906’ which I screwed on and drove TAs were made, unchanged in design he following announcement Rosemary Birney – secretary MG ‘TC’, probably the most famous of MGs. home to be greeted by 12-year-old Twas issued by the Department Marg Tilleard – treasurer One day many years later, in 1967, happily married to Jasmine who said with delight: “Oh, Much-improved new engine and of Environment and Primary Leonie and with four children under nine, I said to Lee: “I dad, you got number plates for me!” and sold for ₤222. Industry (DEPI) following the April Correspondence: think I’ll buy another MG,” to which her immediate reply and so the plates remain on the car. chassis in 1939 and the car named committee meeting of the Somers Email: [email protected] was: “Well if you buy an MG I’m going to get another baby.” It wasn’t until Jasmine’s 21st birthday gearbox‘TB’, but only were 379 fitted were to built the before same Foreshore Committee Inc. when Mail: PO Box 338, Somers, Vic. 3927 And so the bargain was made. that I told her I didn’t actually choose the outbreak of the Second World War. the local Committee was informed I soon found a 1936 MG ‘TA’, owned by a girl in Port those plates with her second name. In order to get a sports car quickly that it was being disbanded from Printing: Curry Printing, Rosebud Fairy. A phone call revealed she’d just traded it on a Morris About the car onto the market in 1945 the ‘TC’ was 30 April, 2014 and replaced with ©Copyright remains with the authors & editors Minor with a Holden dealer in Hamilton. Another phone call Dozens of books have been published born, again on the TA chassis with the Parks Victoria as the Committee of revealed that they’d wrecked the engine, while driving the covering the history of the MG car new TB engine, some minor springing Management: car to Hamilton from Port Fairy, by putting a connecting company and the dozens of different change but notably a body widened by rod through the engine block so, haggling over the phone, models produced but the racing cars four inches. This extra width is the sight unseen, I bought the car for $150. of the 1930s were probably the best- ‘giveaway’ to the difference between Somers Foreshore Our purpose Very generously they delivered the car to my place of remembered. the TA and TC. If you ever examine Committee of Management work at Airport West on the tray of a new-car transporter, my car you will see three rubber scuff On Tuesday April 8, staff from the Somers Paper Nautilus aims to connect all the groups which otherwise would have returned empty from Hamilton. Morris, knighted in 1929) decided strips on the running boards whereas Department of Environment and In June 1935 Lord Nuffield (William and individuals of Somers and to help reinforce a sense Inspection revealed I’d bought a wreck. The wooden building racing cars didn’t make the TC, because of the wider body, has Primary Industries (DEPI) met with of community and belonging by giving them an avenue of framework on which all of those pre-war cars were built money and was to cease. only two. the members of the Somers Foreshore expression through: had disintegrated, so to maintain rigidity the mudguards, However he was persuaded to Between 1945 and 1949, 10,000 Committee of Management. doors, running boards had been welded to the body and allow the design and sale of a new car TCs were made, many going to the • News relevant to Somers and the surrounding area as At the meeting DEPI Port Phillip that looked racy, would appeal to the USA. Then followed the other post- well as items of general interest. Regional Director, Travis Dowling, of square, the front beam axle was bent backwards, most general public and, most importantly, • Stories and examples of local creative endeavour. war ‘T’ series cars: the TD, 1949 to advised the members that the current ofexpertly the original smoothed accessories, over with wheels a filler; and the instruments chassis was were out use parts from existing family models. • Letters. committee would be dissolved and, missing or in poor repair. And so the ‘TA’ was born using the as an interim measure, replaced by The Paper Nautilus will not become involved in party 1953, 29,664 made; and the TF, 1953 Lee had better luck with the baby for she was well known Morris 10 series III engine, gearbox, Parks Victoria. politics nor take sides on any issue. However, we encourage to 1955, 9600 made. ʘ by the adoption agencies, having already got our four and Mr Dowling thanked the readers to feel free to express their opinions on matters that placed others with friends. committee members for all their concern them and the Somers community. So in February 1968 we collected our third daughter hard work and acknowledged the The volunteer editorial committee will have the final and named her Jasmine Amy. It is interesting now to note dedication and time they had given decision of the paper's content and reserves the right to that solicitors and legal adoption fees were less than the to their roles. edit or omit any item on legal grounds or because of space. cost of my car. So Lee got a bargain. He also encouraged the members Views expressed in the Nautilus are not necessarily It took me only two weekends to totally dismember the to work with Parks Victoria to ensure shared by the editorial committee but are those of the car but another 12 years to restore and make roadworthy, their local knowledge would continue authors. for in that time Lee found our third boy, the sixth child, to play an important role in the future We aim for inclusiveness and openness, catering for a necessitating the building of a new, larger home. Raising management of the reserve. diversity of views without rancour. six young children was somewhat of a distraction from car Parks Victoria has expertise in restoration! coastal infrastructure, recreational I parked the car in the open at Eltham in the autumn of boating, public safety and fire 1979 in original nitro-cellulose lacquer – generically known management, as well as the authority Nautilus as ‘Duco’, a trademark of the Dulux company. to take action on compliance issues. Now age has caught up with us, I think more so with me Parks Victoria will commence as on the Web than the car, for until recently I’d done all the servicing and the Somers Foreshore Committee of Don’t forget back issues Management next month. of the Nautilus are have the strength or agility, nor indeed the inclination to available for viewing getmaintenance under such over a low-slung a period of car, 35 soyears; with but great now frustration I just don’t at www.somers-nautilus.org.au I recently employed a mechanic to remove and repair the 78-year-old starter motor. If only one could renew the 2 3 Kel attended this farewell which became A once-in-a-lifetime happening an unforgettable time in his life. His only Containers regret was that his beloved wife Sharon, ROD NUSKE who died in 2011, was not able to be there with them. from Hastings elvin Cox is quite an unusual resident had so impressed him. There were 350 guests and Kel and DAVID GILL Kof Somers as I am sure he is our only At that time Kel had a three-year-old Izobel were introduced by her Excellency train driver and successful race-horse colt he had bred and was looking for a to her sister, which was a wonderful breeder. Kel also runs quite a lot, both in suitable name. The thought occurred to surprise for them. Somers and at times on the tan in the Royal him that perhaps the Governor General Since then there has been further he proposed expansion of the Port of Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Little was he may like to suggest a name. With a correspondence in which he has thanked THastings in order to accommodate to know that this would lead him to come little help Kel wrote his request which Quentin Bryce for the invitation and the increase in large-size container ships in contact with the then-retiring Governor was politely declined as this would be asking her whether she and her sister is based on two myths. General Quentin Bryce who was Australia’s would like to become part owners in the 25th horse Kalashani Lad who Kel describes as these 40-foot-long containers on giveinappropriate it further consideration while Ms Bryce when still she filled had “a cracking three-year-old” and has the articulatedThe first trucks myth and is that long we slow-moving can move As GG Kel and jogged notably past theGovernment first woman House, to the highest office in Australia but would same sire as Black Caviar! He is quietly freight trains to Melbourne’s transport Heroccupy Excellency this high was office. walking up a pathway Further correspondence between Kel optimistic and hopeful that something hub on the other side of the city and towards him while admiring the gardens andfinished Quentin her term Bryce as led Governor to an invitation General. may come out of this suggestion. interstate without clogging up our urban there. Remembering a wonderful speech to a farewell hosted by her Excellency Finally Kel said: “Being invited to her transport system. Even tunnels create she made when presenting the Melbourne at Government House to say thank you Melbourne farewell to say goodbye was immense problems as we can see with The shallow waters of Westernport. Cup to the winning owners in 2011, on the to the people of Melbourne before her the present small but costly east–west spur of the moment he introduced himself retirement. for me it has been a once-in-a-lifetime tunnel proposal. and congratulated her on the speech that Together with his daughter Izobel, such an honour and I feel very privileged; The second myth is that Westernport biosphere boat trip I attended with Mike mangrove waters. is a deep-water port. It is not. It is a Lean (Port of Hastings Development Large-scale dredging and the risk of happening”. ʘ shallow, ancient river estuary and the Authority CEO) at the end of February. He oil spills affecting our marine life and river created a narrow deep channel has been given $110 million to develop beautiful beaches while at the same time that is now used for ship access to Crib the port expansion plans. We saw in Point and Esso at Long Island Point. Over graphic detail the world-renowned is on the wrong side of Melbourne for time sea levels rose but Westernport Ramsar wetlands with hundreds of viablecreating large-scale traffic chaos freight because movement. Hastings remained shallow as evidenced on the waterbirds on sand spits and shallow

Seriously! ʘ

that started and ran this great store, to buy a bargain and reduce our weekly providing for us, from Somers to costs, this is often at the expense of Loss of our Flinders and up into the Red Hill our local jobs and businesses. We can hinterland, for so many years. I choose to buy from local shops, and hardware shop remember when I could buy the four buy Australian products from our local nails I needed for my job, rather than supermarket. a pre-packaged plastic container of We have great local businesses that DEL SKINNER 50, leaving 46 useless nails to pile up we all need to support. In our area we in my shed and plastic packaging to can buy good fruit and vegies, maps and books, fantastic good quality I now seek elsewhere to buy my tools clothes, beautiful gifts for any occasion, am saddened by the loss of our anddispose household of. Disappointment and garden needs. fills me I will as I local Balnarring Hardware. I have search for small businesses in Hastings beautiful things for babes and children, used this shop for 20 odd years, and that will provide for my needs, so that andgorgeous buy yummy flowers tofood send and to lovedcoffee. ones, We regrettably now have to look elsewhere I do not support the stronghold of Big can get a fantastic massage, indulge for good honest knowledgeable help Business. But I fear that my Runnings in beauty treatments, buy food and with my jobs around the home. The loss will be in vain. products for our animals and pets, of this store is evidence for us all that In light of the loss of jobs and receive counselling, have our children we need to shop local to keep services industry that is happening all over tutored and our cars attended to. local and to keep local jobs. Australia, we all need to be aware of our I ask for every community member, I thank Terry and his team for their choices. Local Australian businesses resident, weekender and tourist to get years of great customer service and are struggling against cheap imports behind our local businesses and support advice. and the bargain prices that big them, to enable them to continue to And I thank those before Terry businesses can offer. Yet while we seek

offer the fabulous services they do. ʘ 4 5 back with my handy gas mask which used by cyber bullies is the mobile or someone you know is being bullied was encased in a sturdy cardboard box because only reported incidents can phone, in particular smart phones, there are some things you can try. Bullying – is it so bad? on a strap around my neck. They were benot included.reflect the trueVictims depth are of the often problem too which are effectively mini laptops. The following advice comes from the soon vanquished and ran away crying embarrassed to tell anyone. Thirty percent of 8-to-11-year-old Beyond Blue website, Youthbeyondblue. for their mothers. Not long after that Bullying can take many forms: and 94% of 16-17-year-old Australians com BETTY BROADBENT I was walking up the hill towards my verbal/emotional includes name owned mobile phones in 2013. As many 1. Ask them to stop by telling the billet after school when I spied in the calling, put downs, threats, teasing, use smart phones as their primary way person you do not like how they are ith the prevalence of this nasty them with ‘go home evacuee’ and other distance those three girls, with their of accessing the internet, it is very easy behaving towards you. Ask them to Wpart of human nature in schools such expletives. One day on my way to older sister, rushing towards me. “There physical includes punching, tripping, for the cyber bully to target victims delete any online images, posts or chats and on the internet, I thought I would school I was surrounded by a crowd she is – that’s the one that bashed us stealingridiculing, or intimidation destroying and someone’s stalking; anywhere, ‘24/7’. that are offensive to you. add an idea or two. of young, and some not so young, boys up,” I heard. I could see I was completely property and unwanted kissing or According to an Australian 2009 2. Walk away or ignore them, do not I was nearly three years old and who tried to strip me of my clothes. I outnumbered so I sprinted up the hill touching. Social bullying includes survey commissioned by BoysTown: respond to messages or images online, cursed with an inquisitive nature when bunched up into a small impregnable as fast as I could and reached safety being left out or ignored and spreading “Kids who engage in cyber bullying turn your phone off so the bully can’t I climbed the 13 steps from my kitchen ball but while they were trying in vain before they could catch up. Seeing I was of rumours. Cyber bullying is hurting target people they do not even know, have your attention. Unfriend or block to our outside yard, reached up to open out of breath, my carer wanted to know someone by using technology, via email, but most victims claim they know the the bully. Change your privacy settings the door, at the same time as a person what was happening but when I told her, chat rooms, text messages, social media bullies who target them and even once on your social media accounts. outside decided to enter. I was knocked “… a little bit of ‘bullying’ all she said was: “What a coward you and websites. considered them friends.” 3. Talk to someone. Tell someone from top to bottom, landing on my head are to run away”. But even at that age could bring out the Being teased or made fun of online Both adult and child bullies tend you trust: a friend, parent, teacher, and having unpleasant comments, to target those with low self esteem. counsellor or workmate. Ask for their with a ‘lazy’ eye which took many visits resilience inside one and pictures or videos about you on Fearfulness and helplessness greatly advice and support to deal with the toon the the local stone eye floor. hospital The accidentand seven left years me add to confidence in life.” I knewI tell the you adage: this to “He show who that fights a little and the internet is reaching epidemic reinforce bullying. bully. to rectify. In the meantime, I had grown bitruns of away, ‘bullying’ lives tocould fight bring another out day”. the proportions and because it can be It is a myth that bullies are loners extra big front teeth, so with my eye, resilience inside one and add to who lack social skills and self esteem. my teeth, my tiny frame and my big to control. The reasons for being a bully are round face, I was doomed to be in the eighties, have had an interesting and doneAccording anonymously to the it is Alannahmore difficult and as varied and idiosyncratic as the “The experience and front line for ‘four eyes’, ‘Bunny Bunny’ , to disentangle me, an adult appeared in successfulconfidence professional in life. I am life, nowa happy in andmy Madeline Foundation anti-bullying experience of being bullied is for their consequences of being ‘titch, titch’ and other names that bands the distance and the cowards decided successful marriage, three wonderful website: “Bullying is a relationship victims. It has been proven that bullying bullied are individual.” of schoolboys and girls could throw at to make a hasty retreat. Before doing problem and requires relationship- has a negative impact on all involved their victims. so, however, they decided to throw grandchildren. I can look back on my based solutions. These are best solved and many studies reveal that bullies and In return I threw raspberries at my me in the stinging nettles which were childhoodchildren and ‘bullying’ five even more sessions wonderful with in the social environment in which they their victims share long-term negative tormenters and rose above it but then growing along the side of the lane. I gratitude for having shown me that physical, psychological and economic 4. Keep a diary. Write down everything along came the war and at 10 years old brushed myself down and called out other people’s opinions have no effect that is often school.” effects. Adults who engaged in bullying that happens and how you have tried to I was sent with my sister to the country. after the cowards: “DIDN’T HURT”. if you know in your own heart that you occur;With in aover child’s a quarter or young of person’s Australian life behaviour as children were more likely stop the bullying. Keep all mobile phone Evacuees were in the front line for Another time three girls set on me children between the ages of 8-14 to engage in risky behaviours such as messages, emails or social media chats more bands of local children to belay and tried to bash me up but I fought drug use and crime. as a record of what has happened. are a worthy person. ʘ Cyber bullying can be a crime 5. Report the abuse by complaining under Victorian and national law to the social media site and if the “Bullying is not an isolated when it involves using the internet or bullying is threatening you talk to a can impinge on every part of a person’s event but an ongoing a phone in a threatening, harassing or trusted adult and consider contacting life, such as relationships with family targeted campaign that is offensive way, stalking (messaging), the police. The difference between deliberately hurtful and accessing internet accounts without 6. Look after yourself. Try to focus performance at school, in sport teams demeaning.” permission, spreading lies intentionally on your strengths and future plans. and friends.at work. It Accordingcan affect confidence to the Centre and and encouraging suicide. bullying and teasing for Adolescent Health, people who have The media from around the positive thoughts about yourself. Do experienced bullying are three times world regularly report on the more thingsDeflect and the spend negative time withthoughts people with you more likely to develop depression and reporting being bullied frequently, sensational incidents of cyber bullying enjoy. Look up cyber safety websites MORAG SEWARD anxiety and nine times more likely to schools (both private and public) that have led to criminal charges for such as Cyber Smart and Bullying No have suicidal thoughts. nationally have responded by the bullies and sadly suicides for some Way for help and advice. hat sets bullying apart from part of growing up. Bullying is not single Many people have experienced developing anti-bullying/cyber victims. In England in December 2013 a The suggestions above can be very Wnormal childhood teasing and episodes of social rejection or dislike, bullying. A study commissioned in 2009 bullying programs. The premise is that 17-year-old boy committed suicide after taunting is its severity and duration. single acts of nastiness or spite, random by the federal government recently every student should be able to feel safe a long campaign of abusive comments you are feeling powerless. It may Bullying is not an isolated event but acts of aggression or intimidation or found that one student in every four and secure in the school environment. posted on his Facebook page by his best bedifficult necessary to carry to outtry especiallya few solutions when an ongoing targeted campaign that is mutual arguments, disagreements is bullied. Figures produced by the Traditional bullying tactics may not friend. His friend was charged with deliberately hurtful and demeaning. It Murdoch Children’s Research Institute have changed for centuries but the an offence under the British Malicious Get support from someone else if you is an attempt by individuals or groups to great distress. However, they are not show that girls are more likely to be delivery system has. Unfortunately, Communication Act. needbefore to. you Don’t find give what up. works for you. exert power over others who are made examplesor fights. of These bullying actions unless someonecan cause is victims of bullying than boys. They bullying no longer stops at the school Bullying of any kind is very serious The following is a quote from Todd, to feel helpless. deliberately and repeatedly doing them. found 64% of girls who responded gate. Technology ensures that the a former contestant on ‘Australia’s It is unfair for adults to treat The experience and consequences to the study had been cyber bullied. victims can never escape from their bully and the victim. It is important Biggest Loser’ TV program. Fifteen- bullying as an inevitable and normal of being bullied is individual. Bullying Unfortunately, Australian statistics do tormentors. The most common medium towith take long-term action to ramifications try to stop it. for If youthe year-old Todd was teased and bullied> 6 7 about his weight throughout primary Australia-know your rights-topics- Obituary she later demonstrated against. grandparents as well as the incoming and secondary school. bullying.9online) Retrieved from http:// Pauline returned to Melbourne to Preps, so that she would be able to “Sometimes, I would try and stand www.lawstuff.org.au/vic-law/topics/ take up a secretarial position and met welcome them to the school and Are you interested up to the bullies but that only saw me bullying (Accessed 25 April 2014) Pauline Elizabeth Bryan Drummond, a builder. After assist them when necessary. She labelled as a ‘bully’ as well, which I really would hand out her own success Mission Australia (2013). Mission in local history? disliked as I was only trying to defend Drummond home in Strathmore. After daughters stickers and congratulate the children Australia Youth Survey 2012. Sydney: myself. That’s why it’s really important Naomitheir marriage and Vivienne they built were their born first the on their achievements. As a result, Mission Australia 26/8/1943 –18/3/2014 to tell someone like a teacher, parent, thought of a better environment for understandably, the children loved Then the Balnarring Murdoch Children’s Research coach or friend so that others know ROD NUSKE the family revived memories for Pauline Pauline. and District Historical what is happening and they can help Institute (2009) http://www. of holidays spent in Somers. In 1973 She was also a born organiser – an Society can offer you the you stop it.” mcri.edu.au/research/research- they purchased a block in Aireys Grove invaluable asset for the school in the 35 opportunity to be involved projects/2000stories/ (Accessed 27 West and proceeded to build brick by years Pauline was involved there. One in historical research and April 2014) job special to her was counting the cash Bibliography: the updating of records Ronald E. Riggio, PhD. 2013. Long-Term Hastings Shire. Later it became the after fundraising ventures, especially centrepiecebrick the first for mud-brickthe school’s home fundraising in the for Somers as well as Bullying. No Way! (2013) Fast Facts: Effects of Bullying on Health and Wealth. the Arts Festivals. Bullying in Schools www.bullyingnoway. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. mud-brick-house tour. With a vegetable There was always time to be light- Balnarring, Bittern and gov.au/resources/pdf/fast‐fact‐ psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting- garden, fruit trees, chooks and water hearted, such as during the Sydney Merricks. bullying‐in‐schools.pdf (Accessed 27 edge-leadership/201308/long-term- tanks they were pioneers of sustainable Olympic Games when she dressed up April 2014) effects-bullying-health-and-wealth. living. as Queen Elizabeth and looked quite In the early years there were Lawstuff.org.au (2014). Lawstuff regal. So much so that it was considered For further details contact the family camping trips and times spent she had really missed her calling! Secretary, Anna Buchhorn on (Accessed 27 April 2014) ʘ at a guest-house in Marysville. Later, Principal David Ingham said: 5983 5537 Pauline ventured to New Zealand, “Pauline was an important member or the Information Officer, Europe, Indonesia and Canada to meet of staff. She was always watching to Ilma Hackett on 5983 5326 Something you could do her much-loved son-in-law George’s see who needed support and would extended family. let me know, so that we could provide PETER HOHAUS A lifelong love of jams and pickles appropriate care and support.” produced one of her proudest he birds love this half barrel in my achievements when she was awarded a person such as Pauline. Someone will hank you Pauline for the love, front garden. I picked it up at a it a few times. The birds all hop in for at the Red Hill Show, the Best in Show He finally said: “You do not replace T laughter and pleasure you hardware store in Hastings for $50 and afermenting swim. The wine, photo I filled shows and one drained of my “T Blue Ribbon for Cooking, Jams and role at the school, but Pauline will brought into our lives.” bought the local aquatic plants from family of magpies after a dip. What Preserves. The girls remember that alwayseventually be unique.fill the Business She will Manager’slive in the This is typical of the emotional Kareelah nursery at Bittern (hidden about mosquitoes? I hear you ask. Go she loved parties and celebrations and hearts of staff, parents, children and response by people fortunate enough behind the service station). to the aquarium shop and buy three or catering for them was another love of families that she so honestly served to have known Pauline Elizabeth. I put them into a hanging basket in four Whitecloud Mountain Minnows – her life. When attending parties she for so many years. Pauline Elizabeth That over 450 people attended the potting mix and propped that up on a they will eat the mozzie wrigglers and Drummond will forever remain a part Celebration of her Life at Somers brick. Because the barrel was used for of Somers Primary School where she Primary School in March is indicative would be first to arrive, first on the SOUVENIR MUGS the dishes were done. set a standard that we will strive to even breed among the plants. ʘ of the respect so many felt for her. danceAccording floor and to lasther todaughters leave, once there all achieve in terms of honesty, integrity FOR SALE Daughters Vivienne and Naomi wish were so many things that Pauline and empathy for both parents and to thank all who attended that day and $10 each loved, which can be encompassed by children.” in particular the primary school staff the simple thought that she loved life and enjoyed helping and caring for Pauline requested that there be no all so generous in time and love and Lovely ivory-white mugs with others. Perhaps in this role of caring flowers and that donations be made communityand fire brigade spirit. members who were the Somers Paper Nautilus logo for others she would be seen handing to the Rosebud Centre of the Royal Pauline grew up in Essendon and around the base. out how-to-vote cards and later that District Nursing Service. This can still attended Essendon High School, so was day celebrating the success or failure be achieved by a link on the memorial If you would like one or more a serious Bombers fan all her life. of her supported candidate. She was a website of the RDNS or by ringing 1300 of these special-edition mugs, At age 16 she went off to a secretarial stickler for protocol, and insisted that 334 455 . please contact by email or school to gain typing and shorthand things were to be done properly and in phone: expertise. order. “If you can’t do it properly don’t ʘ This enabled Pauline to gain [email protected] do it at all.” employment in the Department of 0425 739 567 Pauline’s involvement at the school God gives us dreams a size Government and Excise in Canberra too big so we can grow Pick-up or delivery within where she was called upon to type a member of the Finance Committee, into them. Somers and surrounds. top-secret memos. Daughter Vivienne started in 1976, first as a volunteer, then Author unknown Postage available. wonders now whether her mother Manager, but always a friend to all. may have been typing information BursarShe learnt and finallythe names the not Business only of regarding the Vietnam War – the war the children, but their parents and 8 9 joined us to our ancestors. Joined us serves mainly to alienate all but the to the past, joined us to 2000 years most devoted Catholics. Sure it is good Fair dinkum of striving for wholeness. Translated, to have the priest somewhat in touch JIMMY JAMES it lost its ability to transform the with the congregation. The vernacular congregation. Now, rather than a is OK, but a touch of mystery would congregation we had a number of help. We certainly need somehow to individuals who felt the loss, probably induce a meditative state, which the High Tech Dentistry with Good Old Fashioned Care went to Mass on Sunday and, being not understanding but somehow at a present service fails entirely to do. Ph: 5983 5348 deaf, heard little. There was much loss. Gradually they fell away, leaving Standing up and sitting down I Dental Trauma Fridge Cheat Sheet: jumping up and sitting down and words a number of people who remember the seems to serve no useful purpose, spoken in English, but meaning little to glories of the past but the wholeness except that one does not get a chance Broken Tooth me in my deafness. (read Holiness) has gone. to nod off. 1. Apply pressure on any bleeding I thought of the Mass of my youth My sister, who lived most of her The sacred music of times gone past 2. Find broken fragment and place in milk/saliva and young manhood. I thought of the life in the USA, had her car registered has been lost to the Church. It has been 3. Contact dentist time when, as a boy, I served Mass. FAIR DINKUM, considering that it taken over by the secular society. It

The service started off with the priest, Loose Tooth advertised her Australianness, not 1. Apply pressure on any bleeding back to the congregation, isolated on understanding that it was straight been secularised. We really need to 2. Gently push tooth back into position the altar, with his retinue of servers, out of the holy part of the Mass, the is still beautiful but it has definitely 3. Check no interference on biting a number of boys clad in a special part where we, as one, whole and un- state of consciousness. This is done by 4. Contact dentist garb and taught to gabble away in an individuated, approached the Holy Buddhistsfind some way and tovarious enter otherinto an spiritual altered unknown tongue. The priest would One. outreaches but is certainly missing Tooth Completely Knocked Out today in the Mass. 1. Pick tooth up by crown only didn’t know the language, but we knew of those former times back again? How can that be achieved? That’s 2. Suck on tooth to remove dirt itreply was in special a soporific and we tone. knew Generally it was holy. we VeryWho few, would I expect. want Atthe the soporific same Masstime 3. Put tooth root (pointy part) back into socket Slowly, the people, kneeling shoulder 4. Contact dentist the present service is a dead loss. It OR to shoulder, row by row, perhaps 500 the question! ʘ 1. Put tooth into milk/saliva or 600 people, maybe more, would fall into a meditative state. 2. Contact dentist (as soon as possible) After some time the servers (boys) of herb, and must study its special would say “Dignum et justum est” relationship with various foods. meaning “It is meet and just to do so” Herbs If you grow herbs in your garden, (give thanks to the Lord) to which JOHN MARTYN get acquainted with them one by one, the priest would reply “Vere dignum by chewing the raw leaves. Don’t go et justum est” which translates as “It too fast. When you have learned is truly meet and just”. That is the hy the art of using herbs in the flavour of a certain herb, take a servers say “Dinkum” and the priest Wdomestic cookery, widely pinch of the same herb in its dried replies “Fair dinkum”. understood a century ago (and form. Chew it and think about it, as By this time the congregation is never forgotten in France), fell into a wine-lover thinks about his wine. in a deepening meditative state, open a decline, is difficult to explain. It With what food will it harmonise? to the approach to the Holy One. The was only after our migrant invasion Should the pinch called for in a congregation is one, individuality that there was a revival in good home recipe be a large one or a small one? put aside, each person part of the cooking. The swing back was violent, Or don’t you like this herb at all? whole. For that we may read Holy. as herbs broke into society. They went If you don’t own a herb garden, The priest continues in an almost everywhere, often into pots where several enterprising people do and unheard voice, uttering the secret they didn’t belong. Husbands and offer herbs at markets or as name words of Consecration. All this in children began to complain that their brands in the shops. From the way a secret language, hardly heard or food no longer tasted like food, but in which they are grown or dried, each understood. It didn’t matter that only like herbs, herbs, herbs. brand differs. Find one you like and the words were not understood. The But the fact remains that when stick to it. whole was understood and holy. At properly used, herbs greatly enrich Dried herbs don’t hold top strength that stage the people were one and food flavours. With rare exceptions, for too long a time, so tasting is the holy. The congregation entered into the herb you use should not be tasted only proper test. If any seem to be itself, but should add a mysterious Then the church got an attack interest to the flavour of a dish. As sachet and drop it in a drawer to give ofthe self-consciousness sacrifice. and decided with wines, charts can be helpful, but itlosing a whiff their of flavour,the garden. wrap To them anyone in a it would be better if they scrapped it’s not enough to go by the book. To the age-old language and form, and make the most of wines or herbs, one translated it into the vernacular. The must be familiar with the fragrance, who cares for what is fine in foods and church forgot that the mumbo-jumbo flavour and potency of each kind flavours, the study of herbs is intensely rewarding, for flavour is the soul of 10 food, and herbs are the soul of flavour.ʘ11 contents were unpleasantly surprised officials planned to abandon the the US Supreme Court, failed but when they returned home. They were settlement and move the convicts to his owners in the end made him a Idioms/figures sold a pup! Tasmania. Buckley and a few other free man. In other words ‘Scott was convicts escaped, with Buckley the free’. Many in the USA believe this Drinking the dregs only known survivor living with the is the origin of the phrase albeit the of speech/ The term ‘dregs’ comes from Wathaurung people on the Bellarine spelling of Scott is different. winemakers – the residue or lees (dead Peninsula. • Many believe that the reputation of jargon yeast and debris) at the bottle of a wine • Buckley and Nunn was a Melbourne the Scots (from Scotland) for being barrel is the dregs. department store that was taken careful with their money resulted in KARINA SMITH ‘Dregs’ is also thought to be the over by David Jones in 1982. The the phrase ‘scot free’. origin of the English word dark. It is idiom ‘you’ve got two chances, • Scot is an ancient word for tax, thought to come from the Indo-Dutch Buckley’s and none’ is thought to originating from the word ‘skat’ use idioms quite a lot in my verbal word ‘dher’ which means muddy or be rhyming slang from the name of meaning tax or payment in Old I language but don’t often pause and darkness. the store. It was also said that if you Norse. The word came into the were looking for something special Shambles ‘your room is an English language in the 10th the tongue (note the idiom). Having a – or unusual then you had only one reflect on their origin; they just roll off absolute shambles’ century in the form of church scot, houseful of children certainly keeps me chance – at Buckley’s and Nunn. Rome scot and other forms of The origin of this word was explained to on the straight and narrow and when I redistributive tax aimed at assisting me by a photo that my parents took in The penny dropped begin to throw idioms around the kids the poor. Many people disliked York (UK) a few weeks ago. A medieval often stare at me blankly, stop me in my This turn of phrase originated from paying tax (and still do), hence the street called The Shambles has a sign the popular penny-slot arcades found tracks and ask “what does that mean, phrase ‘scot free’ – getting away mum?” explaining its history: in the early 18th century Victorian era. without paying one’s taxes. Chelsea Haynes (left) and Michelle Bursa – off to Portugal. Recently I said “I’ve been sold a pup” “The ancient street of the Butchers The pennies used to feed the machines when describing a situation in which of York mentioned in the Domesday would often get jammed in the slot and Pecking order Youth Title. I felt duped. Of course we hadn’t just Book of William the Conqueror. It the machine would need a thump to get Last but not least I’ve included a non- Community At the yacht club auction 63 bought a dog and I was quickly asked takes its name from the word ‘Shamel’, the penny to drop. historical but more personally relevant items were donated ranging from a to “please explain”. This turned into a meaning the stalls or benches on which valuable painting by local artist Allan No flies on him phrase. We have 10 chickens and the little quest for the past month: to write the meat was displayed.” more I read about them the more backs young Ames which sold for $700, to jars of down all the idioms I verbalise or hear The Shambles were known as The I realise they have ‘wormed their homemade choc bites at $30! Some of that I don’t know the origin of, and then Great Flesh Shambles, most likely from the biggest annoyance. Australian way’ into our language due to their sailors the top prices include $700 for two tide In the Australian bush, flies are often investigate. the Anglo-Saxon word Fleshammels stockmen designed a hat to prevent fascinating behaviour. Some of my clocks, $500 for perfectly cellared 10- TONY DUBOUDIN Idioms as so deeply rooted in our favourites are: ‘running around like language that we don’t stop and think shelves butchers sat their meat on, out hat had corks attached to the brim by a headless chook’, ‘a bad egg’, ‘rule the were popular, collecting $360 after one of the fascinating history of these in(flesh-shelves) the open. There which was no describes sanitation the or lengthsthese pests of string, flying which in their would faces. dangle The was14 year sold old three wines times! while A collectionfishing trips of roost’, ‘no spring chicken’, ‘brood over he Somers community, yacht club phrases, even though the meaning is hygiene during that period and the offal wine raised $520. Robert Bartholomew it’, ‘cock sure’ and of course ‘pecking members in particular, got behind inherently understood. Many idioms and blood was thrown into the ‘runnel’, T conducted the auction. order’. two young local sailors, Michelle Bursa the indent running down the middle of cleverand keep person. the flies away, hence the Michelle and Chelsea were The pecking order is the basic social and Chelsea Haynes, who have been meaning of the whole phrase needs to be the street, where it was only washed expression ‘no flies on him’ means a introduced to sailing in their early teens As the crow flies selected to represent Australia in the understoodhave a figurative rather thanmeaning; understanding thus the down once or twice a week. at Somers Yacht Club where they still This expression illustrates following a and subservience. The chicken with International Sailing Federation (ISAF) each separate part of the phrase. For sail when not practising elsewhere. straight path between two destinations, therule dominantwithin a flock rank to ensure will peck dominance (often Youth World Championships in Portugal example, ‘it’s raining cats and dogs’, kids’ bedrooms aren’t so bad after all. They started sailing Hobies in 2011. quite horribly) the more subservient in July. means it’s raining heavily, not that A shambles indeed; perhaps the They were spotted at Westernport Buckley’s chance unusual choice for this saying as they chickens, and so on down the rank. Almost $10,000 was raised at the cats or dogs are coming down from Yacht Club by Robbie Lovig after a This one’s origin is uncertain as there on which a crow flies. Crows are an There is no fear of retaliation and the wine-tasting and auction night on the sky. But many idioms have a literal lower-ranked chickens submit to the midwinter practice sail. Robbie, whose are two contenders for the phrase: food and do not migrate in straight lines Saturday 5 April at the yacht club to sailing history includes winning the meaning, usually from a historical normally fly in large arcs looking for pecking and settle into relative social • The most common understanding help the pair with their expenses. 2013 Hobie Tiger World Title as well is the reference to William Buckley, The choice of crows may have come Michelle and Chelsea, both 17, have as past Australian Hobie 16, Tornado most fascinating. like other flight birds. origin, and these are the ones I find a Victorian convict who escaped from seafaring days when the lookout known each other since they were three titles and a World Youth Championship, person in the ‘crow’s nest’ would spot harmony. ʘ years old. idiom– ‘I’ve been sold a pup’: and lived with Aborigines for 32 offered to provide coaching and, This brings me back to my first years. Buckley survived and trekked crows or land birds and aim the ship in The pair normally sail a Hobie 16 needless to say, the girls accepted and Sold a pup/pig in a poke vast distances through untamed their direction. but in the Youth World Championships have gone from strength to strength they will be sailing an SL16 catamaran, These idioms originate from a swindle bushland, hence the description that Scot free since then. a type that is not sailed in Australia, so common in the Middle Ages. Meat it’s as good as impossible. Buckley This phrase has a fascinating history Chelsea spoke to the Somers School was often scarce and very expensive has a close association with the they will be facing an uphill challenge. Assembly on 9 May about representing and there is debate about three possible The two will train in France before the and market-goers who went to buy Mornington Peninsula as he arrived origins: Australia in yachting. She is an ex- at Sullivan Bay, south-east of modern series starts in Portugal. a suckling piglet were often sold the • Dred Scott was an Afro-American student and the school was keen for day Sorrento, in 1803. The area was Earlier in the year they won the inferior meat of either dog (pup) or cat. slave (born 1857) who battled in the students, particularly the girls, to prone to drought and poor soil and Australian Youth Sailing Championship. The victim was handed a bag (poke) the US courts to gain his right to hear the message that they can achieve the settlement ran into trouble, so In 2013 they won the NSW State Hobie of meat and if they didn’t check its freedom. All his attempts, even in 12 whatever they want. ʘ13 ollowing many months of uncertainty repairs to ensure it is level and safe for Fabout proposed works at Garden recreational use. Additionally Council It’s good news week at Garden Square Square, Friends of Garden Square can will remove four pine trees and conduct My garden ROD NUSKE share some good news. pruning of sugar gums surrounding As reported previously in Nautilus, the asphalt to ensure visitor safety. there have been ongoing community These are sensible actions which are in Somers, concerns about the proposed removal supported by Friends and locals. of the former tennis court asphalt at In the meantime an attractive table a nature haven Garden Square. Council had proposed and seating has been installed at the replacing the asphalt with native Square and a grand basketball hoop has grass, leaving an unusable surface provided much enjoyment to children YVONNE INCIGNERI at the Square. Friends of Garden a professional team! The table-tennis CEO Dr Michael Kennedy to request tableand adults has been alike. moved Somers to Nissanmay yet Court field y garden gives me so much pleasure thatSquare Council finally review approached its decision, MPSC and Reserve where it is available for play. Mthroughout the year, watching the consider leaving the asphalt in place. Friends of Garden Square President, dif­ferent birds, animals and lizards Further meetings have since taken Sally Holdsworth, commented: “We’re coming and going. place with Council representatives, very grateful to Council for rethinking The little White-browed Scrub who have assessed the condition the approach at Garden Square. This Wrens fossick in the leaf mould and of the asphalt and suggested a safe solution means that the Square remains bathe in the shallow pond. This year and acceptable solution. To the great a well-used recreational space with a they hatched two more young. Brown What better, safer place to ride bicycles than on the asphalt relief and delight of Friends and locals, bright future.” With basketball hoop, Thorn­bills chatter in the tea-tree bush of what was once a tennis court in Garden Square? But then Council has agreed to leave the asphalt petanque and a useful area for play and keeping out of the way of the Red again, the trick cycling of Pete Smedley could have made the surface in place for ongoing use. In games Garden Square is open for busi- other somewhat younger riders, Tom, Charlotte and Jack laugh coming weeks the surface will undergo Wattlebirds; cheeky Grey Fantails so much that they may have come to grief. Spotted Pardalotes come and bathe ness. ʘ swoop down chasing insects; beautiful in the wa­ter dish. regularly; Mudlarks paddle every day A happy group of Petanque players enjoy lunch at the newly “It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily. “So it is.” “And freezing.” The Grey Shrike-thrush visits most installed picnic table and seating in Garden Square before days with its beautiful song – it even “Is it?” “Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a starting their competition. came through the dog door recently, From left to right: Toby Ottaway, Caroline Tootell, Kenn little,“we haven't had an earthquake lately.” by mistake I’m sure. McIntosh, Rob Bartholomew, David Tootell and Michael A.A. Milne The Koalas don’t visit as Wilson. frequently, but I am still lucky they like my trees and they usually stay a few days. Brushtail Possums visit every Up, up and away, with the table tennis table from Garden night, to see if some fruit has been left Square on its way to Nissan Court Reserve. ITProfessor out for them – every year a baby arrives on its mother’s back. Little Ringtail Business and Home Possums scoot along the telephone fixed ADSL & wireless 3G wire. I have two lit­tle bats living in data & networks. the rolled-up blinds, and you may get a PC Maintenance. A Blue-tongue Lizard lives under the Websites. Shops. Email. glimpse of them flying in the evenings. Development. Hosting. Support. tiny Skinks also like to sun themselves. Domain & SEO Management. Theshed Kookaburra and suns himself comes regularly; in frequently the to see if the pond has been replenished Business Systems Analysis. Project Management. Gos­hawk also visits regularly hoping towith get more my Cockatiels. fish after Therehis last is visit; so much the Contact Matthew Taylor to discuss more happening I could go on, but your needs in plain English won’t. or bits & bytes. I don’t have a favourite, I just enjoy them all. [email protected] My yard gives me so much pleasure, Phone Message 0400 963 064 and I am so lucky to live in Somers, ITProfessor Pty Ltd - Box 424 Somers

surrounded by so much nature. ʘ 14 15 around Europe in a minivan for a couple Starbucks or those other symbols of of months, camping or sleeping in the ‘progress’. ran a blackboard tab and was owned Paris, je t’aime back of the van. My friend left me in But you could buy fresh crispy bythe a Bourse widow which whose had husband, a sawdust she floor, told TONY DUBOUDIN Paris and returned to London and baguettes every day from one of us, had died after a drinking bout with eventually ended up living in Canada. hundreds of corner boulangerie, drink a mate at the restaurant. Madame herself While I had relatives in Paris – two coffee in large soup-bowl-sized cups was not averse to a glass or three of red ome may be the eternal city, New into which you dunked your croissant wine either. RYork the city that never sleeps, own thing. I had one contact, another for breakfast, make a short black last The blackboard tab was a godsend to London the city of a long-gone empire friendfirst cousins from school, – I was who anxious was toworking do my for hours at a pavement café and enjoy an impoverished youth like me who was but for me there is only one city – Paris. at United Press International where a three-course dinner without breaking paid monthly and never quite came to And to live and work in Paris as I his father was bureau manager. And the bank. did aged 22 confers a lifetime of fond there was an Australian connection too. Paris did, strangely enough, have the end of each month things were ‘tight’. memories. His father was a Queensland journalist an unashamedly American-style ‘Drug grips with the art of budgeting; towards I recently caught up with a former who had arrived in Britain just before Store’ at the top of the Champs-Élysées ended up with a drink at Harry’s New colleague who I had not seen for close to the Second World War broke out, was which was THE place to be and be seen Late finishes at the office usually 50 years. This stirred me into thinking unable to return home and settled despite the French contempt of all was at the Rue des Italiens, about a about the early 1960s, which for me down in London before being posted things American. kilometreYork Bar near from the the Opera. Place The de UPI L’Ópera, office meant Paris. to Paris. After my trial period UPI took me close to Harry’s Bar which used to Then France was a different My arrival coincided with my school on staff as the bureau’s sports writer advertise in the daily New Herald country. De Gaulle was president, most which meant I had to cover certain Tribune International edition with an people smoked Gauloises or Gitanes to report for Reuters in Vietnam and sports myself in the Paris area as excruciating advertisement which A Paris bus with open rear platform circa the 1960s. cigarettes with their foul-smelling dark otherfriend’s places. return His to fatherBritain; offered he went me on a well as organise stringers (part-time said: “Just tell the cab sank roo doo tobacco, lunch was a leisurely affair trial as a reporter on sport and thus correspondents) to cover important doe noo”, the phonetical rendering for of one-and-a-half to two hours, the my journalism career began. I was out-of-town events, mainly soccer linguistically challenged Americans of the French. Obviously the Guinness there in 1959. Aline Mosby had been the buses had a semi-open rear platform useful for UPI because as I had a French matches. I worked six days a week, 5 Rue du Daunou. training did not help! and long bonnets like pigs snouts and father I was able to work without a work It was at Harry’s Bar, in the Although in the 1960s the French be posted to Moscow before moving to Paris virtually closed down in August permit, which in pre-EEC days was hard around 8pm when I went to eat at a past a haunt of such literary, acting claimed to despise and look down on first American woman correspondent to as everyone headed off on holiday. to get. restaurantstarting mid-morning near the Bourse and finishing (stock and sporting luminaries at Ernest Americans, and most other nations too, off to the US and to appear on TV. Perhaps one of the most abiding In the early 1960s Paris was alive exchange). Hemingway, Humphrey Bogart, Jack the assassination of President John F. UPI’s Paris office. She was later whisked memories of Paris in that era is the with characters and globalisation was Lunch was the big event of the day Dempsey, Sinclair Lewis and Brendan Kennedy had an enormous impact which Metro. It was, and still is in my view, not yet invented, which meant the city when a group of UPI journalists used Behan to name a few, that I tried to editionsLater of that the eveningnewspaper I left were the hitting office one of the best urban transit systems did not have McDonalds, KFC, Subway, to frequent another restaurant near chat up an attractive woman sitting at I had been working my normal theto head street. for I Harry’sgrabbed Bar one just with as a themassive first in the world with 16 lines, 300 stations the bar by asking her for a light for my I witnessed first hand. headline: “Kennedy Assassiné” and the in a 10x10-kilometre central area and cigarette – hardly an original line I must after dinner around 9pm as I recall for entire page framed with a thick black one of the simplest to negotiate. admit. I got the light but the conversation shifta soccer and match. had to I returnbumped to into the oneoffice of border. As I walked up the road I was However, the most memorable was short. Understandable given that the French journalists in the lift and he stopped several times by people who thing about the Metro in those days someone came up to me and said: “You said: “You had better get back quickly. just grabbed the paper in disbelief. “Il was the smell: a mix of cigarettes, just tried to pick up Juliette Greco”. Greco Someone has shot Kennedy.” n’est pas possible” was the immediate urine, burning electricity and sweat, was an actress, singer and friend of such which pervaded the stations and the leaders of French avant-garde thinking kind of sick joke but the expression on much for the hard-bitten anti-American trains. The smell was so bad that while as Jean Cocteau and Jean-Paul Sartre as his Atface first said I otherwise.thought this I entered was some the French.reaction; several were in tears – so well as jazz legend Miles Davis. The fallout from the Kennedy second or third train with a spray that teleprinters chattered away non-stop assassination dragged on for months dispensedI was there cheap the authorities eau de Cologne fitted in every a bid Paris memories, even if in some cases withoffice the to find latest the news. place inThen turmoil a bulletin as the and is still the subject of speculation to mask the odour. theyHarry’s are a little Bar cloudy.figures in many of my with all the teleprinter bells ringing about the real assassin. In the 1960s many Frenchmen On a Friday in April 1964 I was having came through: “Kennedy dead”. After more than a year I was forced still wore berets, no bathroom was a nightcap in Harry’s when I realised to leave Paris as the French decided to complete without a bidet and they that half the Irish national rugby union stunned by the news until the bureau call me up for national service, which drank nearly double the amount of red team was indulging in a Guinness or managerHard-bitten snapped journalists everyone stood back briefly into was no longer compulsory in Britain, wine per capita than they do today and two, presumably as part of their training action and ordered reporters to start even though I was only half French. As didn’t worry about driving with a blood for their match next day against France compiling reaction stories. My soccer alcohol level that in Australia today at Stade Colombes – Harry’s Bar was match was scrapped and I just waited war in Algeria, I decided that I would would take you off the road for years. probably the only place in Paris where around for more news. Within hours declineFrance was the fightingoffer of a18 dirty months and bloody in the Although I had been to France and Guinness on tap was then available. I Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and army and return to London. Paris many times before it had always left well after midnight and the players After a lengthy process involving been with my family, not on my own. So were still enjoying their Guinness. Next This news sparked a reaction from numerous visits to the French consulate after a short stint working in advertising day Ireland went on to be defeated by aidentified. woman journalist who sat a few desks in London I was allowed to renounce in London I got the wander lust which France 27 to 6 – the biggest defeat the from me – she remembered interviewing my half-French nationality and avoid saw me and an old school friend travel Harry’s New York Bar, Rue du Daunou, Paris. team had suffered to that date against Oswald in Moscow when he defected

16 national service. ʘ17 Awesome Paper Aeroplanes World’s greatest The Condor The Lion paper plane

A simple, slow glider. Great for tar- Simple, stable and reliable. get practice.

Paper aeroplanes are great fun to make for all ages. Everyone has a different opinion about the best paper aeroplane design. So, it’s not surprising to find countless websites providing free step-by-step instructions via text, photo- graphs and video. My 12-year-old son has tried and tested numerous designs and found the Con- dor and the Lion from paperaeroplanes.com (see above) easy to make and fly. How- ever, my husband and son agree the best paper aeroplane they have ever made and flown is from The Dangerous Book For Boys 2007, Australian edition by Gonn and Hal Iggulden. According to the authors, “The Harrier is the greatest paper plane in the world! It is the best long-distance glider you’ll ever see – and with a tweak or two, the best stunt plane. It has even won competitions. One was to clear the entire road from a hotel balcony next to Windsor Castle on New Year’s Eve.” I have included the instructions so you can try it for yourself and see if you agree. My husband certainly does! Bibliography: www.paperaeroplanes.com Iggulden, C&H, 2007. The Dangerous Book For Boys. 1st ed. Australia: HarperCollins.

All the paper aeroplane designs mentioned use A4

paper. No need for scissors, glue or any extra materials. If you made the Harrier or you have a paper plane design you think is fantastic, we would love you to send us an email with a photograph of it so we can print it in the next edition. .

2 18 19

1 Why does the New Year as far back as 3013 BC – whoops – that is 3014 BC if I remember rightly. You have start on 1 January? to factor in that when 1BC ended, the next year was called 1AD. Zero had not (or why does the British tax year end on 5 April? been invented then. A genealogist also has to be careful HENRY BROADBENT to get his facts right. Say one was armed with the information that his famous 10-times-removed grandfather died y source says that Charles IX of bringing up the reason for the English on 15 February 1456 AD. He might be M adopting 1 January as the start of the nonplussed to see that the date written he decreed that the legal year would start year but keeping the old taxation year on his ancestor’s tombstone was different on 1 JanuaryFrance was in1582 the first instead to start of it whenmid- tied to the old New Year – in a typical and dated 4 February 1455 AD. March and1582 would be shortened by bumbling Anglo-Saxon way. Ireland, Don’t imagine that we are shot deleting 10 days in October. Of course after shaking off the English shackles, of the Julian calendar! Astronomers he was just following the advice of Pope has done the sensible Celtic thing and Gregory XIII. changed to a legal and taxation year calculations. The Gregorians are so set Up to March 1582 the West used the starting 1 January. Thankfully the onfind keeping it much the easier equinoxes when falling making on abouttheir Julian calendar started by Julius Caesar 21 March and 23 September that there in 45 BC. This is based on the tropical is a complicated system of making the year being exactly 365.25 days long. It returnAustralian during financial the Christmas year starts holidays? on 1 July. tropical year a day longer every fourth was achieved by having three years of CanAfter you imagine Charles filling IX led out the your way taxation it took year –but not always. If the last year of 365 days followed by a leap year of 366 the English nearly two centuries before a century, e.g. year 1700, is divisible by days. The slight discrepancy over some 1500 years put the Equinoxes forward commercial events with the Continentals then that year has only 365 days. 10 days and that made it awkward finally coming to the party. Scheduling fourI digress.then it is I a was leap going year toas explainusual; if that not for farmers to gauge the right time took the precaution to use both the ‘old the legal eagles in England did not check for sowing. Poppycock of course, as style’had become and ‘new difficult style’ when and theynot everyone recorded with the Chancellor of the Exchequer they could read the signs and farmed important dates like birthdays. If they who reckoned that his tax collectors accordingly. It was because the yearly wrote say 19 March, 1631/2 it was had to continue collecting tax for a full festivals like Mayday or the frolics at obvious they were using the ‘old style’ the Harvest Moon came too late. It was dating. If they didn’t do that there was end on 4 April (25 March plus 11 days). !"#"$%&'!() Easter that really concerned the Church. some question as to whether or not the Iyear; twigged so he theremade thewas 1752/1753 something tax going year Julius Caesar changed the calendar recorder was a Papist traitor using the on when working in England in 1963–5 because, since the catastrophic changes ‘new style’. and learnt of the scurry to get married *'+#,-).$/(01-2(/ to the world order that occurred in mid- In 1750 the English Parliament on or just before 4 April. There were March about 700 BC, time keeping had chose 1752 as the year to go Gregorian taxation advantages for a married man. 3435$677$684 been generally a problem worldwide. by which time they had to lop 11 days Checking against ‘calendar’ in my trusty He put the start of the year as 1 January. out of that year. So, in September 1752 Mechanical Engineer’s Handbook I found However when the Roman Empire the dates of the 3rd to the 13th were the details there. However, recently, I /&#(0/ collapsed in the 500s the Church omitted. At midnight of 2 September it referred to Wikipedia and found I had fathers reckoned Christmas was a became 14 September. They also had missed something. The Chancellor of !"#$%&'$%()*+, right day to start the New Year. Later to change the New Year from 25 March the Exchequer was still a stickler for on they reckoned that the day Gabriel to 1 January. The previous year 1751 principle in 1800 when the lack of the told Mary she was going to have a baby started as normal on 25 March but when usual leap year (those Gregorians again) without any sinful pleasure was more 31 December turned up, the next day made him extend the 1799/1800 taxation !"#"$%&'(&)*+,#- important. Some of the sages knew it became 1 January of 1752. So the last 83 took nine months from impregnation days of 1751 never happened. Strange to ./'0"%$1'234"$,"#5" to birth and therefore 25 March was the say I don’t remember learning of anyone year to 5 April where it remains still. ʘ new right day to start a New Year. By the objecting to that but crowds gathered to 6&7'8%19,:#"7';"$<,5" ninth century most of Europe started demand the return of their lost 11 days. !%1'8,==,#-'>'?:#<"$1,:#1 their year on 25 March. England, tardy as Historians have some problems though. When working out how long @%,#'A%="$'B%#C'?:##"5=,:#1 Bill crossed the ditch and laid down the ago were historical events they have to law.usual, finally fell in line after Conqueror convert past events to the Gregorian ($:D"11,:#%&'E=="#=,:#'B:'F"=%,& The above is just my excuse for calendar. This has been done to at least ;:&%$'A%="$'G"%=,#-'H'!:<"$#*"#='@"+%="1

20 21 proclaimed Lester Brain as Australia’s Sydney. In 1923 Lester joined with flight. He located the crashed plane Australia’s greatest aviator. I had never been four other students in the first course in the Tanimi Desert but the terrain aware of Lester nor had any of my for civil cadet pilots run by the RAAF was too dangerous to attempt landing. greatest aviator? friends. Most, if not all Australians of at Point Cook. An overland expedition reached the my generation were more than well After graduating at the top of his plane but the flyers had succumbed to ROD NUSKE aware of Kingsford Smith and Ulm and class, he was duly commissioned heat and thirst. Soon after this Lester to a lesser degree, the Queenslander into the Citizens Air Force (RAAF successfully located two British Bert Hinkler who was the first to Reserve). He moved to Queensland aviators who went missing over the fly solo from England to Australia. in 1924 and joined the Queensland Timor Sea. He calculated where he Bert, who died in a crash in Italy in and Northern Territory Aerial thought they could be and found 1933, was so revered internationally Services (Qantas), being its first pilot them down but alive and well. He was that Mussolini provided a mile-long not having flown in the First World awarded the Air Force Cross for his funeral cortege for him in Florence. War. Lester flew the first scheduled distinguished services to aviation and A portion of a spar from his very passenger service from Cloncurry to the search for missing airmen. early home-made glider, taken back Camooweal, a distance of 864 miles. He had a rare accident in 1927 to America by a visiting astronaut, What was special about him was the when his DH 50 flipped on taking was carried in the ill-fated space care he took in his preparation for off. Qantas founder Hudson Fysh shuttle Challenger which exploded a flight over inhospitable land and was not impressed, but forgave him soon after take-off in 1986. The spar in planes that hardly compared with and made him Chief Instructor of the piece was later recovered from the the quality of planes nowadays. He Qantas Flying School in Brisbane as sea and is displayed in his old home also had great navigational skills and well as manager of the local office. in Bundaberg. applied much care and planning in Neil Cadigan feels strongly that the his approach to flying, particularly safety record associated with Qantas born in 1903 in NSW and soon showed in locating missing airmen. had its beginning in Brain’s approach his Butaptitude to return for to things Lester Brain;mechanical he was In1929 he assisted with the search to flying and his teaching of student by purchasing a motorcycle for £11 for aviators Anderson and Hitchcock, pilots. Lester Brain presenting the Mayor of Rockhampton, Queensland, with its first delivery when he was 13 years old. Naturally it who in their plane ‘Kookaburra’ were In 1927 representing the of air mail, c. 1935. Photograph by courtesy of the Queensland State Library. needed constant repairs so he became lost in the desert area of northern Queensland Aero Club, he entered in s a regular listener to audio books mechanically adept at an early age. Australia while searching for a 67-kilometre aerial derby race in Afrom Hastings Library, I was He excelled at maths at secondary Kingsford Smith and Ulm, who were Sydney and the following year in one intrigued by the title of one, A Man school and procured a position with reported as missing in their attempt conducted in Queensland and won Among Mavericks by Neil Cadigan, that Commercial Banking Company of at the record of the Sydney-to-England them both. In the area of romance, Constance Brownhill had been his sweetheart since they were teenagers and despite long periods of separation they were married in 1930. As an aside, by this time Lester had been awarded the League of International Aviators trophy as Australia’s outstanding pilot. A bidding process in 1932–1933 for a five-year overseas mail contract between Australia and England was won by Fysh after Qantas merged with British Imperial Airways and became Qantas Empire Airways. Other bidders at that time were Lester with Charles Kingsford Smith (second from left) in front of the Southern West Australian Airlines and ANA. Cloud, c. 1935. Photograph by courtesy of the Queensland State Library. Lester, as the Qantas chief pilot and operations manager with 6694 flying number of alterations be made, such four months, so perhaps there was hours, was sent off to England in as making provision for a co-pilot and little wonder there were problems 1934 to ensure that he was satisfied the installation of air brakes which and possibly the Certificate of with the manufacture of the five would enable it to land safely despite Airworthiness should not have been de Havilland DH 86s that QEA had its high landing speed. There was given at that stage. ordered. This was considered the also an issue with a badly designed Brain was also much concerned only aircraft economically viable undercarriage. The DH86 had been about the plane’s directional stability for the overseas route. He tested the adapted from the DH84 with design in certain flying conditions, which The De Havilland DH 86. Photograph by courtesy of the Queensland State Library. plane in England and insisted that a and construction accomplished in may have been one of the reasons > 22 23 scheduled flight Melbourne–Sydney made a similar request of her husband. with a full load of VIPs and one Three After some thought he cleared his paying customer just three months throat and addressed his children: since he commenced his duties. The My sermon tonight concerns the government had purchased 14 DC3s Blind Mice Three Blind Mice. Not one mouse and four DC4s and within two years mind you, not two, but three – three, TAA had become the biggest operator a perfect number, as in the Trinity. of domestic air services in the world Three mice – surely to be numbered he wife of a medical professor asked and introduced the turboprop Vickers amongst the Lord’s smallest and her husband to put the children Viscount in 1954 which provided a T most-loved creatures. But these to bed and tell them some nursery smooth vibrationless journey. were not ordinary mice, oh no! They rhymes. He managed the putting to There was a change in government were bli-i-i-nd mice – they could not bed but the nursery rhymes presented in 1950 and Arthur Coles was replaced see. This affliction, though sad, was a problem. He thought about it deeply by a new chairman who did not see brought about by their sinful habit for a while and slowly the words told eye to eye with Brain. Eventually of running. But unrepentant, they him by his mother came back to him. he resigned in 1955 to become the continued in their wicked ways. FOR So he started: manager for the de Havilland company IT IS WRITTEN that “they all ran after A triumvirate of myopic rodents, in Australia. the farmer’s wife”. The farmer’s wife, Observe their perambulations, Lester was without doubt a a good and god-fearing woman, how In their entirety they perused workaholic and despite the fact that terrified she must have been by the the wife of the agriculturalist who he loved his family, he had a strained pursuit of these debased creatures. A postcard featuring a Qantas Empire A 1984 English stamp with a De Havilland DH 86 flying over the Isle of Man. amputated their basel appendages relationship with his children due to But she put her faith in the Lord who Airways flying boat. with a scalpel. the long hours he worked and the fact placed in her hand a divine sword Within the extent of your clinical that he was often away interstate and in the form of a carving knife, with why six of these planes crashed in behalf of the RAAF, from Honolulu of judgement on Brain’s part and he experience, are you cognisant which she slashed off the tails of her Australia between 1934 and 1942 to Australia. In the process of this handed in his pilot’s licence. Perhaps of any comparable behavioural a strict disciplinarian. assailants. Be assured, my children, without any adequate explanation. he flew four of the planes himself. In in retrospect more weight could have abnormalities? overseas;He retired and inwhen 1960 at at home, the age he of was 57 that the wicked will receive their Prior to this the second DH86 being 1942 he was sent to Broome to run the been given to the condition of the A triumvirate of myopic rodents. but continued to be involved in the just desserts and the righteous will delivered to Australia by a British Qantas base there for a week. plane. Coincidentally in the next street airline industry becoming a director Imperial Airway crew crashed on its On 3 March, nine Japanese Zero In 1946 the National Airlines the wife of a Southern Baptist minister on the board of the East-West Airline. way to Brisbane with the deaths of fighters strafed the aerodrome and commission came into being with be saved. ʘ the four on board. the Catalinas that were in the sea the sole intention of providing a Lester Brain was offered a After Holyman’s Airways lost the waiting to transport the Dutch people government-controlled airline in knighthood by the Premier of NSW but second of their DH 86s just off Flinders fleeing from Dutch East Indies down opposition to the existing private declined the honour. He later accepted Island in 1935, a committee of enquiry to a safer area. Twenty-four aircraft domestic airlines such as ANA. an AO when the Australian honours The Magic Pepper Trick which included Brain and Fysh was were destroyed and 70 people killed. As there seemed little likelihood were introduced by Gough Whitlam. held but no definitive reasons were Brain although suffering from dengue of Fysh retiring, Brain who had been Dick Smith sent him the following message: “Congratulations on your found! Finally in 1942 two vertical fever rowed into the harbour with with Qantas for 22 years, applied ave fun mystifying everyone with the following Magic trick: fins were added to the existing fin another airline representative and for, and was appointed ahead of 53 long overdue but greatly deserved H which at last corrected the directional rescued 10 people from the sea. For other applicants, General Manager honour.” Sir Ivan Holyman said of him: instability which most likely caused this and his efforts to locate a downed of the new airline called TAA. This “His achievements with TAA were The Magician (you) sprinkles pepper onto the surface of the water which is in a the crashes. An interesting fact was B-24 Liberator he received a King’s was after Holyman of ANA declined remarkable. Every businessman and shallow saucer. Ask a volunteer to separate the pepper by putting their clean dry that possibly only one of the DH 86s Commendation for “brave conduct at an offer from the government to buy airline executive he has met holds him finger into the water – the pepper doesn’t move. You then put your finger into the flown in Europe ever suffered the fate Civil Aerodromes”. his airline. in the highest regard.” water and the pepper magically separates. Wow! of the planes in Australia. He ceased his career as a pilot in The creation of this new airline So we have here in Lester Brain an Australian who spent his life As Qantas expanded its mail and 1944 when as a passenger he was was a huge challenge as there were Equipment: passenger routes throughout the invited to pilot a Short Empire Flying no staff, no planes and no pricing working for the betterment of the Water Soap Pepper Saucer world as Qantas Empire Airlines, Boat which due to malfunctioning structure, while it was also essential airline industry in Australia and Make sure there is a sink nearby so the volunteer can wash their hands. Brain played a leading role in its flaps and an oil pressure loss in one that TAA planes should be in the air really deserves to be remembered operational requirements towards engine, was returning to Rose Bay prior to the Federal Election due for his dedication in that cause. being an international airline. in Sydney Harbour. Brain attempted in November. Should there have If only he was here to help Qantas Preparation: At the outbreak of the Second World the landing without the use of the been a change in government, there now! Put the water into the saucer then sprinkle regular pepper on top. Before the show War, Brain desperately wished to join flaps and in the manoeuvre of landing was the dramatic possibility of the the RAAF. Fysh would not release the plane stalled and hit the water abandonment of the new airline. (It is the soap that separates the pepper.) Don’t tell anyone! him but was happy to allow him to with considerable force causing the With considerable support References: the Magician must rub soap onto their fingers. Don’t let anyone see you do this. assist where possible. In 1941 he took plane to break in two resulting in from the Chairman of the National A Man Among Mavericks by Neil charge of organising the ferrying of the drowning of a passenger. The Airlines Commission Arthur Coles, Cadigan whatDo surface you know tension why theis and pepper more moves information away from and the videos soapy of finger? fun science tricks 18 American Catalina seaplanes on accident was attributed to an error Lester was able to provide the first Lester Brain – Wikepedia andAnswer: illusions The see: detergent www.abc.net.au/science/articles changes the surface tension and of http://www.csiro.au/the water. To find out

24 Aussieairliners.org – website ʘ Portals/Education/Kids.aspx ʘ25 Plinth legged like we’ve just been on horseback, the board shorts reign. Why do men do it? Anyway, if there is such a thing as a David on the streets today, he would BARRINGTON PLINTH probably look like the illustration at right. Well at least he would look decent! Even our footballers have lost iven that Michelangelo would the clean-cut athletic look. It’s hard to Ghave shaped his sculptures adjust to the sight of a whole lot of footy 1/8 Sovereign Drive using live models, it’s tempting to heroes tearing about with their beards Hastings Vic 3915 wonder if bodies like the David’s are still among us now. showing out of their shorts! Are they Well you’d never know! But it’s worriedflowing behind they might them andfeel those a little bloomers chilled doubtful! This is the sedentary age of around the loins? obesity, grunge, tats, dark whiskers, As for the youngish executive – he facial jewellery and baggy below- looks OK though the hair’s a bit thin but knee shorts hanging half-mast off the hips. The situation covers all strata: a bit short on decoration so an earring’s businessmen, tradies, sportsmen and thethat’s go fine. – better He’ll thinkjust shave about it allwhat off. sideWe’re it goes. The grunge look is important, so

widersurfies. male It’s community been promulgated secretly envies that do for that. Lastly – neck ties are out so surfies started all this. Perhaps the let’sa permanent go for the five-o’clock open-necked shadow look. A will bit attracted to the barnacled, wind-blown, of chest hair poking out should excite the surfie look and lifestyle. They’re bit of a turn-off when it’s on the chest. asbleached they catch look; a theywave, dream surf the of facing tube and the the Ahgirls me! but lookIt’s probablyout for dandruff; just envy. it’s a headchallenges down and the derring-do mine. But of above the surfies all, it When you’re a certain age everything seems to be those baggy shorts that sags: neck, shoulders, tummy, backside to name most but one. Were we No matter if it’s in the backyard or the embarrassed by our bodies and cover symbolise the frustrated surfie in us all. them up when we used to have bodies? so chafed by them that we walk bandy- Illustration by Rod Nuske. pub; no matter if one’s inner thighs are Of course not! ʘ

and more tedious, and more and more The gun bearer authoritarian. At last, this young person ur son Gregory Broadbent has a weapon. JIMMY JAMES is promoting his book He or she has a weapon and is OBy The Osidian Sea going to use it. Beware, Mummy, or through INDIEGOGO. symbol is a powerful thing. It can particularly Daddy, you are about to be release the mind to a different level. zapped. You are about to be removed You can invest by going A It can offer a range of possibilities which from circulation. Not forever, that is into www.indiegogo.com were previously unthinkable. A popgun unimaginable, but for the moment, and and searching for the book. in the hands of the helpless can be a the gun bearer will rule supreme, for a weapon of mass destruction, but without time, anyway. He has a noisy promo the drawbacks which such a weapon He, usually, I think, is going to use with his son generally carries. his power and he has no conscience and doing a ‘dervish’ dance A child of, say, 4 years, emerging no sense of ethical behaviour, and the in the background. from that time of total reliance on adults particularly are about to suffer. mummy and daddy into that dread Any children who baulk him will be He is offering time of omnipotence, having learned obliterated also. He will do the dirty on real printed books that new word, “No”, now has a weapon you without thought of consequences, but also in ebook format. which can, for a conveniently short time, and, as you don’t know what has just destroy authority. Authority has been happened to you, there are unlikely to Henry and Betty Broadbent getting increasingly unacceptable. “Eat be any consequences anyway, but the your dins.” “Poo in the pot.” These and omnipotent one has just had a major other commands have become more

26 victory. 27ʘ

3. Tjanadr Science night at Celebration Somers Primary School

he last day of Pre School for 2013 ROD NUSKE Twas conducted with an Aboriginal theme, assisted by the children being involved. Directing the Tjanadr his involved the children in demonstrating to their A little anxious in waiting their turn at the telescope are Celebration was Priscilla Reid Loynes, Tparents: robotic cars, energy transformation, the use Callum, Harry, Jasper and Seb. Indigenous teacher of the Boonwurrung of microscopes, magnetism, electricity, the history of flight culture at Coolart. The children have and even invisible ink. Students from Dromana Secondary also been taught aspects of Aboriginal College demonstrated their science program while in the main building a debate was held by the children on whether space exploration is a waste of money. A very popular item life during the year. ʘ for parents and children on the oval were the rockets which may not have gone into orbit but were exciting anyway. After dark it was time for the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical an unworkable relationship. Society to line up their extensive array of telescopes on Literally, reheated cabbage. the heavens. Basically the science program is designed Eleven words with to build a culture of science for the children from Prep to 9. Bilita mpash (Bantu) Year 6 and Somers is one of the few primary schools with An amazing, pleasant dream. Not such a program. The Education Department is obviously impressed no English equivalent by the program and special guests, Mr Martin Dixon, a nightmare. Minister for Education, Professor Rob Norris, Mr Alan just a ‘good’ dream; the opposite of Marr, Principal Dromana Secondary College and Mr Dennis 1. Seigneur-terraces (French) stuck carrying everyone else’s bags 10. Litost (Czech) Pratt, Senior Advisor DEECD came to view it in progress Coffee shop dwellers who sit at on a trip. Literally, a donkey. Milan Kundera described the at the school on Science Night. A special aspect of the tables a long time but spend little emotion as “a state of torment night was Mr Kevin Sack’s demonstration of his Van Der money. 5. L’esprit de l’escalier (French) created by the sudden sight of one’s Graaf generator which uses static electricity to create a own misery”. 2. Ya’arburnee (Arabic) Literally, stairwell wit – a too- This word is the hopeful late retort thought of only after 11. Murr-ma (Waigman, language spectacular show. ʘ Harry, Amelia, Levi and Jasper are anxious to hold the declaration that you will die before departure. of Australia) meteorite in the safe hands of a member of the Mornington someone you love deeply, because To walk alongside the water while Peninsula Astronomical Society. you cannot stand to live without 6. Hygge (Danish) searching for something with your them. Literally, may you bury me. Denmark’s mantra, hygge is the feet. pleasant, genial, and intimate 3. Schlimazel (Yiddish) feeling associated with sitting Sources: In Other Words: A Language Someone prone to bad luck. Lover’s Guide to the Most Intriguing Yiddish distinguishes between the close friends. Words Around the World (Christopher J. schlemiel and schlimazel, whose around a fire in the winter with They Have a Word for It: A fates would probably be grouped 7. Spesenritter (German) Lighthearted Lexicon of Untranslatable WordsMoore, and 2004); Phrases (Howard Rheingold, under those of the klutz in other Literally, an expense knight. You’ve The Meaning of Tingo and Other languages. The schlemiel is the probably dined with a spesenritter Extraordinary Words from Around traditional maladroit, who spills his before, the type who shows off by 1988);the World (Adam Jacot De Boinod, paying the bill on the company’s Translating the Untranslatable, whom it’s spilled. expense account. Language Log (Geoffrey K. Pullum, coffee; the schlimazel is the one on 2006); Weird Words From Around the 4. Packesel (German) 8. Cavoli riscaldati (Italian) World, ABC News (2006). Max Taylor of the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical The packesel is the person who’s The result of attempting to revive 2010); Society, about to line up the moon for Principal David Teacher’s Aid Anthony Rowe has members of the MPAS Ingham. intrigued with the meteorite. From: mentalfloss.com ʘ 28 29 ready with all services. Some residents farm sales levels. four levels lower. Generating 920 lockup out the back was very secure, Finally it was all over except the bus above the new water level in the ‘Toorak’ We often travelled beside a rail megawatts at full capacity, it contributes trip home. In a few weeks Ward, Cathy Tallangatta – subdivision of old Tallangatta chose to trail, an old branch line from Wodonga. to the 23,000-megawatt average load The old gaol was empty, eerie, cold and Caitlyn will become travellers stay. Moving trucks shuttled houses over Sections of the ‘right of way’ have been for our eastern states power grid. The andbut diddespairing. it have a Iflush didn’t toilet stay back long! then? The themselves on a European holiday for the town that a new temporary bridge which looked restored for walking or cycling. Old Information Centre shows much of the O’Hara Burke Museum is rich with old their annual break during winter. We inadequate. The engineer in charge Huon Station beside Lake Hume has Snowy Scheme history, begun in 1949, treasures, including one of two pistols wished them well and thanked them for demonstrated its strength by moving his relics of freight trucks and a Railmotor completed in 1974. With seven major presented to Burke by Beechworth superb hospitality, meals and touring. moved! passenger car. We visited the day of the power stations, 16 major dams, 80km of before his trip up north. It was recently We enjoyed Ward’s knowledgeable shops, schools were split between sites Milk Run (local fun run sponsored by aqueducts, 145km of tunnels and a large purchased and returned to Beechworth and witty commentary. You can book ninehouse miles first. apart. For weeks Two therail town,motors people, ran a pumping station, it has been recognised from a collector in Ireland. Sets of the on their tours in a group as we did, or KEVIN CLOSE free service between towns. as a major worldwide Civil Engineering Kelly gang plough share armour are they will collect individual bookings The touring destinations around “The bronze of Jack on achievement. They are looking for on display. At 55kg it was a wonder from Albury railway station. Check ravelling with friends can be wonderful the district took us far and wide. Hume horseback … depicts the electrical engineers and momentarily Ned wore his for 15 hours that day. www.tallangattamotorinn.com.au Tfun and it was for 30 friends from Weir holds over three gigalitres of water ride down the mountainside showed interest when they learned I Afternoon tea was at Beechworth Bakery Frequently I heard comment about Balnarring Combined Probus Club for a supply for irrigation areas on both sides immortalised by Banjo am such! and we were spoilt for choice. I think the what good value the tour was and how six-day bus trip. Tallangatta Motor Inn of the Murray and downstream to other Paterson.” Myrtleford, Porepunkah, Bright following week many of us were on bread they covered everything. Yes, we all proprietors Ward and Cathy with daughter areas including Mildura and Adelaide. and Mt Beauty in the Ovens Valley are and water to lose some weight! Caitlyn, offer accommodation and six We walked across the spillway and beautiful with trees turning to autumn different tours in their 33-seat coach. We around the turbine house while Ward colours. I saw it last in the summer of enjoyed it! ʘ had chosen to tour the north-east area, set up morning tea under a picnic shelter. the milk company) but we didn’t score 1954. The caravan park is still there Lakes and High Country of Victoria. See Then bus along the Mitta Mitta valley any free milk! We could see the path with addition of fun water slides on www.tallangattamotorinn.com.au to Dartmouth Dam. With a higher wall and old trestle bridges along our road. the river. The Chocolate Factory is Local artist at new Merricks gallery Ward collected us at Balnarring at 180m, it holds almost 4gl and is used Shelley was the highest station at 2562 more than tempting with four sources on Anzac Day and we travelled along as reserve storage for the Hume Weir. feet (854m) with several staff serving of cacao beans from around the world ROD NUSKE familiar roads sitting high in the coach Turbines generate power when the water the local farms. Pine plantations now and looking out at things we drivers is at high levels. A low-level outlet can be cover large areas. everley Martorana’s latest very the Northern Territory, but considers don’t spend time looking at. Morning tea used to bypass the turbines when levels Corryong is home to ‘The Man from market.to add different How to flavours.resist things Many for other the Bcolourful exhibition of oil and pastel her home in Somers as an idyllic haven stop was at Kalkallo Roadhouse, near are low and more water is needed for Snowy River’ with Jack Riley buried in grandchildren!shops definitely After cater lunch for the we touristvisited paintings which were displayed in March for her and husband John. the famous pub 25 miles from GPO of irrigation. the cemetery and featured in memorials Tawonga Lookout and crossed into the and April at Merricks House next to the Her biography is impressive with yesteryears. Then lunch at Euroa where Dartmouth Dam has a spectacular around town. The bronze of Jack on Kiewa Valley but Mt Bogong had its foggy Merricks General Store, were according about a dozen solo exhibitions, many my brother Graeme joined us from spillway. The Cascades are gouged into horseback beside the Information Centre cap on. Mt Beauty Bakery provided group exhibitions and quite a number Shepparton. Arrived at Tallangatta and the rocky hillside with nine levels in 15m depicts the ride down the mountainside another taste treat afternoon tea. Best to the Kimberley in 1995 and celebrate of awards and acquisitions. Her settled into motel rooms. Folk quickly steps. The dam has lapped the spillway immortalised by Banjo Paterson. Again ‘eat small’ folks, tonight it’s dinner at the theto Beverley, explosion “a of response diversity to there”. my first trip attachment to Somers dates back to only twice with only one spectacular morning tea was ready after we had Albury Commercial Club. Some were able Beverley has spent many years 1945, so she considers that now she is explored. Corryong is a pretty town travelling to the Kimberley and around “… we crisscrossed the Murray to walk across to the pokies! in Dartmouth with Ward displaying worth more exploring. Centrepiece in Yackandandah again with the deep River through Albury to excellentflood. Lunch preparation was BBQ andbeside producing the bus the Museum is a map of Australia knitted wide drains and heritage buildings. truly a local. ʘ Howlong and back to Morris another tasty and generous meal. by local identity John Simpson during his Morning tea was at Lake Sambell in Bros Winery for sampling…” Next day we crisscrossed the Murray POW time in Stalag 4. Determined not Beechworth. The mining mullock heaps River through Albury to Howlong and to surrender his good woollen jumper of the 1850s still remain and will until back to Morris Bros Winery for sampling to the ‘Russian Front’, he unravelled it. they are washed into the lake or someone and purchases. Long established with Having learnt knitting from his mother revegetates them. The Murray Brewery Lake Hume, churches, the op shop, pub, many century-old vines and clear he saw men needed warm socks. He & Carriage Museum has relics of past oldexplored picture the theatre, town to schools, find the workshops shores of goals for excellence, it’s not surprising sourced wool from tattered jumpers, brewery and cordial production and and some of the 14 bus companies they have an impressive list of awards made knitting needles from wire handles bottling. Also has a good selection of registered here. Dinner at the motel among stiff competition from the many of Italian food tins and taught a growing gigs, buggies, carriages plus a hearse provided by Ward, Cathy and Caitlyn Rutherglen district wineries. Lunch was knitting club. His map is about 2m and the Riverina State Coach for when was tasty, home-cooked food in generous a BBQ at Corowa beside the Murray River, square. It was rescued by others in the the Governor came to town. Then a little proportions. different but equally generous and tasty. confusion of POW release and returned tour of the sights on our way to lunch Tallangatta town was moved to to John later. The locals teased John that beside a small hill with twin cannons this site during mid-1950s because the right, unusual for us Victorians! Churchill had refused an offer by Hitler dated 1843. What was happening in I noticedThen theto Rutherglen,Murray flowed Chiltern from left and to to trade John. 1843? Russian invasion, but up there! the raised water level of Lake Hume. Yackandandah for afternoon tea at the Khancoban, a Snowy town with low The ButtButt tree would have been there MovingTallangatta was wellsite organisedwould be byflooded the Dam by bakery. Like many towns Yackandandah house prices but limited work options, as two trees, now grown together into Authority. The residents were involved has preserved its old buildings. The is part of the Snowy Mountains Hydro one. After lunch a walk in town to explore in the choice of new town site. House scheme. Murray 1 power station shows among old buildings. The courthouse blocks were allocated by ballot in each of gutters with foot bridges are notable. part of this huge scheme. The tops of Beverley with an admiring group of Zanna Dew, Phoebe Rouse and Ed Keating from four areas of the town. About 600 houses town has been a film set. The wide, deep 10 turbine/generator sets are visible in no Ned. The white-painted single-cell the Merricks General Store. were moved over many weeks onto sites attention although prices are way above was filled with school excursions but The overflowing antique shop got my 30 the great hall; the machinery extends 31 Khmer empire for more than 600 more recent times given the more than years, bears testament to the power one million petitions received from Letter from Phnom Penh: and prestige of the country and its people through to the 15th century. At half the industrial killings of the Jews the height of this power, Angkor Wat bysurvivors. the Nazis, Just and imagine more than those three figures; times Crossing the Mekong and surrounding areas was home to an the Rwandan tribal genocide. Bosnia estimated one million people. PETER STEELE easy living memory as simply another Rivers dominate sidelinefades into to insignificance. the Cold War. And all within Cambodia is a beautiful country of brilliant green vegetation, land so flat Phnom Penh is located on the west bank S-21 was converted out of a joint that you can see 50 km in all directions simply by standing on a tall building, of the Tonle Sap River, which meets the primary/secondary school in suburban and there is water everywhere. August is the time of the rains and most of Phnom Penh and made into a political the 10 million people living in rural areas are transplanting rice – working of the town although, in reality, the prison. Look at the faded pictures in the in family groups or gangs of labourers. Everywhere there is industry. A little cityconfluence has begun of the to Mekongspread acrossjust south the Toul Sleng Museum created out of the over 30 years earlier the country was imploding as civil war raged and the rivers to the banks more than 2 km prison, and you cannot image the reality people were systematically destroying themselves. ‘Killing fields’ entered the modern lexicon for the first time. wide slow-moving brown rivers and estimated 10,500 hapless victims who freightaway. This barges is flat working green countrythe 4200-km with of the torture that was inflicted on the Tropical rains Mekong that joins Cambodia, Vietnam did not including an additional 7000 and Laos to China. There is a car ferry entrance to Eastern Cambodia and its Monsoon season in Cambodia and the with a ride around the pleasant tree- childrenpassed through also killed the as prison;family members, and this just in front of the hotel for the handful forests and hill country – to cross the to countries which may have more rains wash across the country mid- shaded gardens below the pagoda of but for which records were not kept. of pickup trucks and some hundreds of Mekong by car. The stark outline and sentencesdaunting penalties and deportation; in store for foreign back afternoon or early evening drenching Wat Phnom was standing in the heavy motorbikes that regularly shuttle back functionality of the bridge architecture paedophiles who turn out to be Record-keeping was rain eating a mixture of fresh grass, and forth each day. with its elegant archways belies the nationals. And good riddance too. exemplary everyone racing for cover and emptying hay and what looked like sugarcane The Tonle Sap River is bridged challenge faced by Chinese engineers Not that all locals are entirely theeverything, streets inflooding Phnom the Penh. roads, Travel sending the with the rain pouring off her back. She The regime took mug-shoots of the to the north of the French quarter when spanning the river. innocent of course, for prostitution is roads in a tuk-tuk (with the sides was dark grey-brown in the fading light inmates as they arrived, with identity by the ‘Japanese Friendship’ bridge, shuttered down, but the rain still getting Word association the tourist centres, restaurants and joining the city to the east bank, but shirts or dresses and, if they died under in) and every patch of roof, doorway or old tyres that latched up over her nails. Think ‘Cambodia’ and most people typically organised; and children work there are no bridges in town that open spaces too, hawking all kinds of cards attached to wire clips fixed to their shop is crowded with people standing and sported large flat shoes made from will quickly link to ‘sex industries’ and torture, they took more mug-shots of span the Mekong. You have to travel mutilated bodies lying on the steel bed out of the rain. Umbrellas provide only camera. They are everywhere at the Angkor It was, however, too wet to find the 120 km north to Kampong Cham – the temporary shelter. You can see the rains Phnom Penh both of which continue to dominate Watartefacts heritage from site postcards and the nearbyto cut flowers. tourist coming given the changing colour of ‘killing fields’ – two real negatives, but and more identity cards placed on the At around 27 metres Wat Phnom is on town of Seim Reap, and around Phnom or concrete floor, feet fixed into leg irons the skies, but you can also check this particularly for the tourist and, if body. How do we know this? In room top of the only hill in town and, as you Penh. Organised and managed by adult yousome are aspects aged 40 ofyears local or older, culture; for after room at the museum, faces of > can probably guess from the similarity three o’clock and the rains begin. Woe the Khmer people too. This is a young with the name of the capital city, it tell you is to resist buying from kids but, betidesout on yourthose watch; without mid-afternoon shelter close by. – society, however, and there are children minders, the first thing the residents provided that original name. According should the mood take you, give them a You could probably drown standing up everywhere. An estimated 19,000 are to local stories this was back in the 14th treat to eat instead. in this kind of deluge. living on the streets of Phnom Penh There are two kids living under a The gutters on many of the roofs alone. there following the discovery by an old plastic sheet just 20 metres from the in the old French quarter of the city Sex industries exist the world over, womancentury when– grandmother the first pagoda Penh was– of builtfour have a spout a metre or more from the but rarely has one location become so statues of Buddha left by the waters and the little boy a few years younger. walls and direct fountains of water associated with child prostitution. This front of the hotel; with the girl 11 or 12 of the Mekong River. ‘Phnom’ means The little boy runs around of an evening onto the pavement three or four stories is not ‘in your face’ prostitution, but the with a set of wheels that once made below and, although the temperature effort to combat it ensures that you, ‘Penh’s hill’. drops by 10 degrees C or more, it’s still the visitor, become a participant in ‘hill’The in Khmer; modern so ‘Phnomcity is aPenh’ relatively means little girl has a trolley cart that she comfortable at 24-25 deg. C and you see the campaign to stop child abuse and, up the bottom of an office chair; the recent one, however, and owes more trundles out each day. They look like people showering under the spouts, importantly, threatens those seeking to the French and their colonial era trash collectors. soap and all (but not completely naked, that kind of holiday with prosecution. of course). The rider on the motorbike than to local decision-making, but an Security Prison S-21 earlier shift from Angkor to the centre towing the tuk-tuk is under the roof arrival at the main airport, ride a taxi At last count Cambodia had discovered of the country provided more security and wears a plastic rain cape, but he orYou tuk-tuk pick up with a ‘child ‘child abuse’ safe’ leaflet network on from attack from neighbouring Siam quickly gets wet as the bike struggles advertisements plastered all over it, 348 clusters in 170 districts throughout (Thailand as it now is), Vietnam and Crossing the Mekong: Traders and their through half a metre of water in places. and check into a hotel which proudly the19,471 country. mass-killing Depending fields grouped on which into Myanmar. Regional wars have drifted wharves line the Mekong at Kampong Tourists stand under the awnings and proclaims its childcare policies. statistics you search, between 750,000 back and forth across these regional Phnum, and you have to take the and three million Khmer people were Prison S-21: A lattice work of barbed kingdoms throughout recorded history. ferry to visit them. The view from the is a haze of images as the rain blurs the are targeted and warned of the killed by the Khmer Rouge regime wire festooned the open walkways of The extent of the hundreds of temples wheelhouse is spectacular. This is the edgestake pictures of the buildings, of the traffic. buffets Everywhere the trees repercussionsTraffickers andof abuse customers of children alike between 1975 and 1979. The higher the school, to prevent inmates throwing road to Vietnam and prices in the shops and creates empty space in a busy city. at Angkor and elsewhere in the country, themselves off. are marked in dong. The elephant that provides tourists which record the dominance of the 32 under the age of 18 – fines, prison figure has come to be accepted in 33 Love story and in the long run the ballot box would decide. My mother felt exactly the same but she liked the thrill of the chase. The corrugated-steel and barbed- What’s for Christmas? My brother and I often went to Ben’s place for a haircut wire compound encompassing the and came home with what Mum called the Commie crew school, the rooms converted to torture cut. When Ben and family came to our house for dinner he chambers, the racks of agricultural LINDSAY PULLIN and Mum would be up into the early hours discussing world hand tools used for torture and the 1m events and politics. There were 11 children in our family and x 2m cells that were constructed out of Ben was kept busy being master of ceremonies at birthdays, classrooms remain sanitised for all to 21sts and weddings. see 30 years later, but it takes the movie By the time I had reached 21 and was serving my national to bring images to life. The love story W hen I was about five years old my father built my service and later in Vietnam, Ben had passed away. It would of the Khmer Rouge cadre Deth and his Mothermother could astand set of on steps the top,– two lean flat on rungs the fenceon each and side talk and to have been interesting to have heard what he’d say about all wife Sitha and the mother from Barai oura flat neighbours. platform on The top. one It wasthing placed Mum againstliked to the do fencemost wasand of that. who loved them both (who tells the harangue Ben. I recall her yelling something out once and was I think it was about when I decided to understand what story in the movie), the Khmer Rouge told years later that what she said was: “You are nothing but Mum and Ben discussed into the night. I wrote down as many emptying Phnom Penh of its citizens a red-ragging, left-wing, card-holding Commie!” words as I could and spent ages trying to work out what they on the very day the city fell – 17 April The thing was, that was true. Ben was what Mum called meant. At last I decided that I had taken the matter as far as 1975 – shifting them to the countryside him, and proud of it too. A brave thing to be in early 1950s I could and settled at that. where they were systematically Australia. My father said that Ben was entitled to his opinions So far I had worked out that the ‘proletariat’ was a woman worked to death digging irrigation who sat on a desk taking notes for her boss. The ‘bourgeoisie’ canals, growing rice or constructing Inmates: Images of people who did not comply. Signs tell visitors ‘Do not write or civil infrastructure. Talking brought that band. A ‘manifesto’ was part of a car engine and Karl was print on the photos or walls’, but this has not been sufficient to save Pol Pot – with death, failure to keep up brought death, WRITERS’ GROUP Grouchowas a French Marx’s brass father. band, I loved and the the rank Marx and Brothers’ file marched movies. to his photo covered in Khmer scrawl, the English word ‘evil’ printed across his chest turning your head left or right (when But there was one word that had me grounded and there and his eyes gouged out. you were supposed to look forward) Fiction Essays Plays Novels was nothing I could do except ask Mum. brought death. The moment I chose was a deeply religious time for Mum In the colour and vibrant life of Short Stories Research hundreds of young men and women collected to be killed, with the ox cart History and children were strictly forbidden. I chanced it anyway – I modern-day Phnom Penh and the pasted on wall-boards stare unsmiling arriving at the house as night fell. had to know. Mum was sitting at the table having a cup of generosity and humour of the people in Children’sWriting at the camera. You can clearly see the Much of this was ad hoc killing. No tea reading the morning paper, amen. I slid quietly into the shoulders forced back from the body, with chair watching her totally ignore me. “Mum,’’ I said. Mum reality of this recent history in such an Letters the hands tied tightly behind. museum contains endless stories from exoticthe villages, and beautiful it is difficult country. to grasp the Journalism Reports thoseone intervened; who survived no one or those ran away. who took The Non-Fiction bank in Hawthorn and raised her eyes into mine and stared Killing people part in the killings. Poetry Travel Writing thatput her “How finger dare on you?” the stare.two thieves “What?” who she had snapped. just robbed I was still the Killings took place during the evening ʘ alive, so I proceeded. “Mum, what’s a Trotskyite?” I asked. with people blindfolded and hands tied, D &J W Years later Mum told me that the question caught her and loaded in groups of 40 onto trucks for Join us totally off guard. She did think it would have been easier for Share your words me to grow up and complete a degree in political science, and 15 km out of town. The museum shows that a lengthy explanation would be useless because I still * For encouragement, discussion, motivation, athe movie run to twice the killing daily, field which of Choeung includes Ek, wouldn’t get it, so she decided to opt for the ‘little white lie’. excerpts from those involved with the workshopping, editing, feedback, enjoyment. A decision she said she knew would come back to her one killings, so we know the routines. This Friendly atmosphere day. “Darling, a Trotskyite is a brand of Russian pushbike.” was personal murder with the use Everyone welcome of an iron bar on the back of the head followed by the throat being cut and the Wednesday evenings 7.30–9.30pm my Myroom, mother blissful took in aher truth finger that offI had the now thieves found. and That casually night I body tipped into a mass grave. Everyone wouldread on. dream I slid of quietly thousands off the of Grouchochair floating Marxes silently riding backaround to associated with the prison took turns to Suite 2, 2 Russell Street, Balnarring Russia on Trotskyites. (next to the physio) Some months later at the breakfast table I was sitting involved showed how tired they became Gold coin donation appreciated casually swinging my legs, inspecting my spoon to ensure physicallyexecute people; and mentally the descriptions with the ofendless those not a speck of cereal had been missed and Mum asked killing. And the paradox? S-21 routinely me a question. “What would you like for Christmas?” She turned in on itself and regularly recycled immediately realised what she’d said and froze. She knew the prison guards and executioners into COULD YOUR BUSINESS ADVERTISE HERE? exactly what the little sod was about to say. “Can I have a Trotskyite mum?” Mum’s voice was full of resignation and so over. They did much the same within the Get reasonably priced advertising and support be it. “We’ll see what Santa has to say, darling.” And I thought middlethe killing ranks fields of theas new Khmer custodians Rouge. took your local community publication. my mother knew that Santa was just a story. Elsewhere in Cambodia the Motorbikes: How many people can you get onto a small motorbike? More than you Advertising space available. Could you believe the sheer delight that swept over me executions were less well organised, and think. Six was the most I counted – three adults and three kids. The best one seen? Email for rates. on Christmas morning when I rushed into the lounge room entire families, villages, communities Three people with the middle one on an intravenous drip with the feed-bottle held [email protected] Ph. 0425 739 567 and other groups were systematically high by the one at the back. Imagine that for a story. and there, leaning against the fireplace, was a sparkling new 34 Malvern Star? 35ʘ The shed was huge, as if it could cover two tennis courts. It was on Nowlans Lane at Bimbi, out back of Quandialla (a Quandy cocky bribed the surveyor so it got the railway station and that was the beginning of the end for Bimbi 120 years ago). While a bit ricketty, that hay shed had lasted a century so this gale would be just another to weather. With a week spare and a truck licence my job was to load, unload and drive. Three remaining daughters couldn’t carry on the farm so after the auction, and the two clearing sales that were needed to ‘pass on’ five generations of farming on a few thousand acres, this was to be the last load, the fragile precious stuff. The wind dropped a Willy Willy onto the paddock to the wistful response “there goes another ton of topsoil”. The flapping roof of the shearer’s shed was stopped with the engineer’s hammer and nails Churchill’s brilliant idea to supply Russia by the from the blacksmith’s shed “cos’ if you don’t the taking of the Dardanelles to hasten an end to the whole flamin’ lot’ll fly off”. After our tour of the Western Front stand-off becomes ‘just another sights, the woolshed still looked ready for the next staff stuff-up’. Lindsay adds a yarn from Vietnam to reinforce the point. So recall my Great War ‘Uncle neighbouring cousin’s was hard earned. He emerged Bob’ with braces for high fat pants, fat lapels on the mob;from underwe sorted, the tractor packed in and the loaded. machine The shed dinner big, atgrimy, a double-breasted jacket, short fat tie and TPI badge. hearty and cheerful. Maintaining and repairing, he He couldn’t breathe well but somehow made it to the and the wife ran the farm solo except at harvest when ’60s, just hanging in there with Aunty Flo. I wondered contractors came along to help. When sowing, he’d be what he’d been through in France, what story he in the monster all-wheel-drive tractor’s air-con cabin could tell, yet not even a photo left. reading and only there to turn the thing around at My ‘junk’ room has cases and boxes of photos and the end of the five-kilometre paddock. MilSpec Global stuff to sort. A scary quantity to be avoided until the Positioning guided the seed with a Super granule an kids come around to go through the family history. inch from last year’s row, 600 at a time. Earlier 20 For some reason open the top case and pull out two photos from the top of the pile. One is a landscape of one. a pretty place somewhere, the other of my mother, families With awere skinful all neededof VB over to work the raucous their lands; telling now of father, brother, Aunty Flo and Uncle Bob. I guess I old tales, sleep came easy despite the racket of the must have taken it. “Well that’s uncanny,” methinks. branches against the empty old homestead’s spouting, Now, when billions of pictures are taken that will the rustling through the peppercorn trees, the never be viewed, when so much ‘information’ screams banging of the gate, the whistling across the stubble, for our attention, when the push is to rightsize the imagined passing of past souls’ goodbyes, when a downsize supersize, we need to discern junk from groan that built to a roar punctuated the dark at 3am. jewel so another’s great personal story doesn’t land “That’ll be the shed,” I called into the black. Perhaps a sob replied into that symphony of cacophony, but that TEDD WARDEN may have been misheard in the din. in the skip. Good luck. ʘ The morning was still, autumn crisp, but with that long drought, still dry as a chip. Armed with bowls of soggy Weeties we walk out to find it was indeed the shed, flat as a shit carter’s hat. Packing resumed. Having packed my parents’, friends’ parents’, and my stuff away the discernment between junk stuff and precious stuff had become well developed. Presented with the full-size silhouette of a sheep cut from a sheet of rusty roofing iron, put it straight into the junk department. It was retrieved by another. The only ‘work of art’ by a not- long-gone father defined its value to one that knew. Anzac Day was approaching. Now Noel is gone I use Lindsay over a coffee at our Store to test my analyses of military history. There is no denying courage in the field, but why no admonition of the dopes at the top who mismanage strategies? 36