VOLUME 19 ISSUE 4 August 2011 Vale Rosa Pirotta by Lee & Peter Corrigan “Angelic, bubbly, vibrant, vivacious, kind and amazing. That It was evident to is my mother.” Those were the words spoken by Hall us as we looked resident Vanessa Pirotta to open the eulogy at the funeral around at the of her dearly loved mother Rosetta (Rosa) Pirotta. huge crowd at her funeral, that Sadly Rosa died suddenly in her family home in Victoria everyone who Street early on the morning of Monday 25 July 2011 met Rosa was leaving one of Hall’s most loved families in total shock, as immediately indeed were all of Rosa’s multitude of friends. impressed by her Born in Melbourne “Angelic, bubbly, vibrant, vivacious, kind in 1958 to a warm and loving and amazing. That is my mother.” traditional Italian Vanessa Pirotta family, Rosa Iorlano later became a secretary and on weekends worked heart and soul. in the milk bar where she met her future husband, Sonny She loved people Pirotta. A fortnight before her passing, Rosa and Sonny and got particular celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in style in joy from helping Braidwood where they enjoyed a stay in a lovely bed and anyone who even breakfast house and a ride in a horse drawn carriage. looked like they needed help. For example she Rosa and Sonny lived in the (then) newly built Canberra took a tray of drinks to those in need when the suburb of Page before moving to Evatt then to their farm house over the road suffered from a fire. in Murrumbateman. A family friend suggested calling the Rosa was known for her amazing smile, generous farm “Sunrose” which later also became the name of heart but especially for her wonderful cooking! Rosa’s succesful fashion store in Dickson. I am told her pasta sauce was something very Rosa was blessed with three children, Anthony, Tania special. I guess she was Italian to the core. and Vanessa. Anthony and his wife Catherine gave Rosa It was standing room only in the large church that her two beautiful blond grand daughters Zara and Sofia. is St Joseph’s Catholic Church in O’Connor, a Cath was heavily pregnant at the funeral with Rosa’s first testament to how much this wonderful lady was grandson. Luca Salvatore Pirotta was due to be born loved by everyone. closer to Rosa’s birthday which is 21 August but he could Inside this Issue... Family and friends not wait and was born participated in the • Hall Ball 2011 on 31 July 2011, a Six days after her passing service including the mere 6 days after his Rosa’s grandson arrived! • Schoolhouse Lane eulogy so impressively nonna’s passing. Luca Salvatore Pirotta. • Hall Collectors Congratulations to Anthony written and read Rosa had three and Catherine Pirotta. by Rosa’s youngest • Pioneer Roads Pt II successful business daughter Vanessa, and a • Residents Issues & Ideas endeavours in her lifetime. The first was the rather magical poem called “The Rose “Tooth Fairy Shop” and later she took over the children’s Beyond the Wall” was • Friends of the Hall shoe shop at the Belconnen Mall called “Bo Bo’s”. Finally read by family friend, School Museum Rosa opened her ladies fashion store “Sunrose” in Sandy Sutherland. Continued on page 2... Dickson. Vale Rosa Pirotta continued... “Grief is the price we pay for love.” Tax Time Again People came from as far afield as Perth and even Elizabeth II OK it’s always tax time but this is usually the time we London to farewell Rosa. Indeed much love and actually consider ‘Where does our money go’? support was sent from Malta, Italy and South Africa A message from the Pirotta Family... It has absolutely nothing to do with which political party as well. is in power. It has nothing to do with the strength or We do great After the church service, Rosa was transported to Thank you to everyone who formed the weakness in the local economy. Let’s have a look. bookkeeping! guard of honor for Rosa and to those who Gungahlin Cemetery for burial. The sun was shining Soon you will receive an ‘Economic Stimulus’ payment brilliantly, just to remind us of Rosa’s smile! helped with her wake including making those based around the so called carbon tax. For some this is Something needs to be said about the special love delicious sandwiches and cakes, and helping very exciting. Don’t forget your BAS is set up the hall. Rosa had for the village of Hall and its residents. Q. What is this payment? Wedue can on help 28 April. you get Instinctively this was known and a sign of this was This time more than ever, we feel blessed to A. It is money that the federal government will send to the guard of honour by many residents as Rosa’s organisedAre you and ready? make your be part of this beautiful community that Rosa taxpayers. We can help. funeral procession proceeded down Victoria Street loved so much. BAS a breeze! on the way to the church. Q. Where will the government get this money? We have received so much love and support A. From the taxpayers. Also later in the Hall Pavillion there was an absolute Call us - 6241 7700 feast of food brought together by the locals. Rosa from the people of Hall and the surrounding Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? district. would have loved that! A. Only a smidgen. Other services include... And finally we were priviledged to be in the Pirotta Thank you, it has been very special to us as a Q. What’s the purpose of this payment? • Design & print–eg flyers, training materials, home to discuss this article where we were amazed family. A. They plan for you to spend the money on a purchase whatever! such as a enormous tv set, thus stimulating the economy. to see the HUGE amount of flowers that had been Regards • Digital photography for documents delivered to the house. What a wonderful and loved Sonny, Tania, Vanessa, Anthony, Catherine, Q. But won’t that just stimulate the economy of China? • Office re-organisation including writing office woman was Rosa Pirotta. We shall all miss her. A. It is very complex. You wouldn’t understand. Zara, Sofia and Luca. procedure manuals Rest in Peace Dear Rosa. Now some helpful hints on how best to spend and help the • General office admin tasks Australian economy... Standing room only in St Joseph’s If you spend your tax refund at Costco, Aldi or Canberra Secretarial Services Catholic Church Woolworths, most of your money will go overseas. www.cansecserv.com in O’Connor ACT for Rosa Pirotta’s If you spend on petrol, your money will go to Saudi Arabia funeral on Friday AND Singapore. 29 July 2011 If you purchase a computer, India, China Taiwan will take the money. Schoolhouse Lane If you buy a car, Japan Korea Germany will take your money. No. 3 in the series If you pay your credit cards off or buy stock, it will go to Lane 3 bounded by Palmer, Hoskins, Hall and management bonuses and they will hide it off shore. Victoria Streets. So, keep it here in Oz. Spend it on garage sales or going to • For generations this lane provided safe access football games, drinking beer, get tattoos. Glad I can help. to the Primary School. —Bob Richardson • Children used the lane to walk or ride horses to the original school, opened in 1911, with continued access to the school and later the pre-school for almost 100 years. A unique • Before the road by-pass, the Barton Highway BED & followed Victoria Street and the huge amount BREAKFAST of traffic along it made the lane a safe route Experience to the school and the connecting buses into Canberra. • Hall has provided quality education to the Our vintage carriages have come to rest district’s children for almost a century. in picturesque and peaceful surroundings, The burial service at and so can you . Schoolhouse Lane represents the importance of Gungahlin Cemetery education in a community and the school as a focal (02) 6230 2280 point for friendship and social interaction. 2 Rural Fringe August 2011 August 2011 Rural Fringe 3 Inaugural Winter Solstice Bonfire Hall Winter Ball 2011 Photos by Katie Puttock On Saturday 2nd July the Wallaroo Bushfire Brigade staged its first Winter Solstice Bonfire. It was a rela- tively warm evening with a wonderful sunset followed by a great bonfire and free sausage sizzle. Some 50 members of the local community at- tended, sparklers were provided for the children and a good time was had by all. The Brigade is hoping that this will become an annual community event to pay homage to the shortest day of the year. Watch this space as win- ter approaches next year for information about Winter From the time guests arrived in the car park they were in a Congratulations to all for another wonderfully successful Hall Solstice Bonfire 2012. winter wonderland. An avenue of candles and lanterns lead merry Ball. Shaun O’Conner, Trudy Mansfield, Anna Sheargold some of makers to the bedecked dinning tables. ‘’Popsicle’’ was the cool the movers who make our famous Hall Ball in the hall at Hall combo that had the dance floor jumping. such a success. Quotable Quotes... • Regular naps prevent old age, especially if you take them while driving. • Having one child makes you a parent; having two, you are a referee.