Gearing up for Christmas

Work continues apace with the return of the Mt Pleasant Street Party and Parade in December. A mostly new committee has taken over the reins and they are working hard to ensure we have a great celebration.

We are hoping to put out a Christmas Buy Local supplement to the newsletter, as we have often done in the past, and urge our community to support our local businesses. Thanks to Kath for chatting with shop owners and taking photos. Stay tuned for that one.

After my little piece on the Blue Wrens pecking at my car mirror, I was interested to hear that David Bevan’s guest on this morning’s radio was Dr Grianne Cleary, who I’ve heard before, and she has some interesting and funny observations about our feathered friends - including why wrens peck at mirrors and windows. Apparently it’s all about sex - or more specifically - the mating season, and should cease once there is no need to protect his claim to his female. Whew! That’s a relief. She also spoke about Plovers and why they have this need to have their nests in seemingly ridiculous and unsafe places. That too is the result of evolution, whereby if they had their nests in the open, it was much easier to spot predators. Sadly, that also means that evolution hasn’t caught up with things like trains and planes, and picking fights with them never ends well for the Plovers, that clearly defend unto death.

The link to Dr Cleary’s book ‘Why Do Birds Do That?’ is below.

The newsletter this month also has some recommendations for books that sounded really interesting, and as gift giving time is fast approaching, might be good options for bookworms.

https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/why-do-birds-do-that-grinne-cleary/p/9781761067235

Winter in the Hills

Work on Melrose Street continues, and unforeseen problems are being found. It is hoped that the drainage issues (for the most part) will be dealt with, and people who live around the butcher’s shop will not have to worry about wading through water to get to their front doors. The level of the main road has risen quite a way since it was made over a century ago, and whilst the camber allows for good drainage, the issue was that the footpaths and drains didn’t cope well with the run off during a big event.

Saleyard Road has been totally re-done, which makes it safe for traffic during sale time, but more importantly, for the school and kindy kids and families. The curbing is complete and now the water drains away. The drain at the bottom of the hill required more attention, but seems to be working well now.

Meantime, at the other end of the street, work is continuing with the new owners of The Totness Inn Hotel undertaking extensive restoration and renovations. They have been researching the history of the place and uncovering many interesting facts about the old building and the publicans in the process. It will be great to see the old building used again, and we wish them luck. If you want to see how things are going, check out the Facebook page, where there are blow by blow descriptions. https://www.facebook.com/TotnessInnHotel

Rex Amber was an imaginative and productive community member who was responsible for the wooden animals adorning Talunga Park. A few years ago, The Beat pondered what was to become of these wonderful creations, and thankfully the Progress Association tasked John Bowd, together with offsider Peter Wilde to repair, restore and re-install these fantastical creatures for future generations of children to enjoy. They now take pride of place in the picnic area, near the playground and the Men’s Shed ‘Train’.

And finally - we wish the new committee of the Top of the Torrens Theatre Group all the best with their winter production of Noel Coward’s, ‘Blithe Spirit’. The TOTT productions have been a staple in the community for decades, and considering we are a small community, it is great to see so many people still putting their hands up. So many great performances and productions - a particular favourite of mine was the performance for the 90th celebrations of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall. What a great night! Even though there might be a few new members on the committee, it is to the great credit of all those who kept in going for so long - because once we lose these fantastic groups, it’s very hard to get them back. https://www.facebook.com/Top-Of-The-Torrens-Theatre-Group-Inc-200700436615816

It might be really cold outside, but there are still lots of events in the hills - especially if you like food and wine - and lots of things also for kids during the School holidays. Get out there and get into it!

Single, red vine…. on the road to Gawler.

Totness Inn Hotel

Above - Saleyard Road during, and right, after.

A line in the sand

Whilst our family travelled around various towns in South Australia, we were aware of the things that bind a community together. Forget tight knit. That’s an over-used phrase that journalists quote when describing the response to the latest disaster. Most communities DO work together, it’s how humans rose to the top of the food chain - by helping and supporting each other and working for the common good. For the most part that works well. If you have good leadership, it’s pretty damn good, but if your leadership is found lacking, cracks appear.

There are tell tale signs - losing institutions like schools and sporting clubs, loss of services like banks, hospitals, doctors, general stores, post offices - and libraries.

If you pass through any rural communities around any state or country in the world, you will see the same devastation, when any or all of these things happen. Learning how to cope when one of these things happens becomes par for the course, small changes, bigger changes, and the next thing you know, the population has halved and there are tumbleweeds in the main street, and no-one wants to buy your house when you can’t stay any longer.

All of these towns have one thing in common, there are amazing groups of people that spend countless years (yes years) on keeping the halls going, the sporting facilities, campaigning for the schools, the banks - giving money out of their own pockets, holding numerous fundraisers and applying for grants (and hasn’t THAT worked well over the last few years for sporting clubs?), and now we are campaigning for our Library.

This should be our line in the sand. This is Gandalf at the bridge saying to the Balrog “You shall not pass!” Enough.

There are some very good resources online regarding Libraries and their contribution to health and wellbeing, literacy, and providing safe places. A good Australian one is https://librarieschangelives.org.au . Set up by the Victorian Libraries, it contains research and evidence on why we should keep these amazing and vastly underrated places.

It’s not about the number of people who borrow books. It’s not about turnover. It’s about community. It’s about people having a safe and welcoming space when everything else seems so unwelcoming. No judgement. You can go into a Library and just BE.

It’s a place where our community can pick up information - there are council records there - apart from all of the usual Library paraphernalia, it’s a meeting place - for artists, for poets and writers. It’s place where children feel safe waiting for parents to pick them up after school. It’s a place where people connect - maybe for the only time that week - were they are greeted with a friendly smile and a helping hand.

So, even though it may have been a while since YOU dropped into the Library, there are others who cherish it, rely on it, DEPEND upon it. If you can’t send a message for yourself - send it for THEM.

Please check the recommendations from the Library Services Review below. Survey forms are available from the library and must be returned before the 10th March.

One rule....

I try not to get too political in the newsletter, as proper journalists do it so much better, and many of the stuff that upsets me is nothing to do with the district - but…

In the last year or so, a local politician was flagged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for submitting documents regarding entitlements for overnight stays, travel, etc. As he resigned from his portfolio, and said he would not be contesting the next state election (and his replacement is almost a permanent fixture on local newspapers), and paid back well over $30,000, we are not untouched. So when I listened to the the head of the ICAC Commissioner The Honourable Ann Vanstone QC speak against the bill that was presented to Parliament last week, I was interested in her point of view.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/26/three-south-australian-ministers-resign-from-cabinet

The bill that was put forward by SA Best MP Frank Pangallo, who in a former life would have hunted these miscreants down, passed in an embarrassingly short time. But the thing that really upset me, was that NO MP voted against it. Limiting the powers of an investigator to do what they were hired to do is unconscionable. The former ICAC Commissioner predicted this as he left office last year. (Justice Bruce Lander QC released the Oakden Report, prompting a Royal Commission.)

For more information on The Hon. Ann Vanstone and her predecessor: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-27/ann-vanstone-announced-as-new-commissioner-against-corruption/12495202

For those of us who have worked under rules that prohibit us from passing on any information, sharing documents, even talking about our employer on social media, asking people not to rort the system would seem to be a no-brainer. Asking someone with some sort of degree in business or finance to at least make sure their documentation is on point - especially when it comes to public money (because yes, WE pay THEM) - shouldn’t be a big deal. It’s what a good employee would do. It’s what an honourable person would do.

If the Tax Office wants our money, they are onto us fast enough, but apparently it only works one way - although, in the face of a class action, the Federal Government admitted liability for the unlawful Robodebt scheme.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/29/robodebt-government-to-repay-470000-unlawful-centrelink-debts-worth-721m

Just as I was composing this, this happened:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-01/icac-investigating-gladys-berejiklian-daryl-maguire/100506956

Not unexpected, but listening to the news conference, Premier Berejiklian made it all about her and how she was fighting for NSW against COVD-19. Yes, it has been arduous, and she has fronted the media and tried to hold it all together, but hubris is often the only thing we remember, and it’s not like this is a new thing. I think the reprieve she got when COVID-19 ramped up gave her breathing space.

And on a lighter note - the wind has finally blown the last of the blossom from the ornamental pears in the CWA Garden, leaving a carpet of ‘snow’ on the ground.

End of an Era

Yesterday we farewelled Dr Ken Sieben, who has been a huge part of our community since coming here in 1989. It was clear from the feelings expressed at the event, that he was a much loved doctor and member of our community, and his calming presence will be sorely missed. Naturally because of COVID restrictions, the event was a lot more low key than we might have liked, but somehow I think Ken preferred this. Many thanks to Aylene Mueller who was the organiser - it can’t have been easy - and to all those who came, what amazing memories (none of which can really be shared because off the unique place that health professionals hold in our community). Good luck to Ken and Julie on the next part of their journey - and hopefully we’ll still see them around a lot. Thank you.

Recreation!

I start writing this blog months ago, and it’s taken me a while to get back to it.

Recreate was hanging by a thread. The funding to run this amazing community asset hadn’t been approved and the committee had decided that if it wasn’t approved - Recreate would close it’s doors - forever.

Started by Faye McGoldrick (who also initiated the Farmer's Market) in partnership with the Natural Resource Centre, Recreate has provided a safe and creative community space that has not only given local artisans a place to sell their wares, but also fostered new talents - from the very young, to the not so young.

The collaborative environment has encouraged creativity and resourcefulness, as well as expanding to host workshops at a reasonable cost to community members.

Recreate volunteers have blossomed and learned new skills. Some who have felt overwhelmed by their circumstances have found a non-judgemental and supportive environment that has given them confidence and a sense of worth. The community at large has benefited as well, by not only having access to a shop that sells beautiful and bespoke handmade goods, but also a large range of organic and natural personal products. The ethos of Recreate is that everything has a purpose, and the circular economy is alive and well there.

The amount of money that Recreate needs to function is paltry, yet every year, Faye and her committee must go cap in hand to governments to score the needed funds. This year, that funding was delayed long past the release date, and Faye and her volunteers (over 70 in number),were making plans to close. Finally the funding came through, but there were more issues to overcome and quite rightly, Faye was been left wondering about the cost she will pay personally to keep Recreate functioning.

A few months down the track and Recreate is open again for business, and I would urge community members to go and support it. Don’t wait.

The favourite buzz phrase for the media to use when describing communities is ‘tight knit’ - now is your chance to show everyone how that works.

https://www.facebook.com/recreatecommunity

Riding along...

I truly can’t get my head around all that’s happening and sometimes I feel like I’m living in an alternate universe.

Some things about COVID-19 are really stuffing up businesses, jobs and how we get on day to day, but sometimes I think people are using it as an excuse to act badly, or not act at all. For a few minutes of positive reaction, it seems some people are willing to do anything.

Promises have been made, but there are big ones that don’t seem to have been followed through. So many of those affected by the fires are still waiting for claims to be assessed and buildings to be approved. There are great people out there still providing support, and some wonderful initiatives have occurred, but there is still a long way to go.

We are apparently living in a time when although so many need succour and support, others display the most dreadful acts of selfishness and stupidity. It is often said that the culture of a place is influenced from the top, and I believe that. The next month can’t come soon enough as the horrible and cruel words and deeds from across the world seep through so many other places, and people adopt this aberrant behaviour because it suits them now. When we look back on these times, what will we remember? That people pull together - because that really is human nature - not this terrible stuff playing out on TV and social media.

And back at home deals are being done. Rebekha Sharkie and her offsider have added their vote to the coalition’s and many of those degrees under the ‘Humanities’ banner have had their fees increased dramatically, whilst those subjects that fall under STEM (Science, Technology & Mathematics) have had their fees cut. So, many people can’t see the problem, but think on it.

The dictionary definition of ‘Humanities’ - One of the main branches of learning. A scholar of the humanities studies history, literature, the fine arts, and philosophy. Or Wikipedia - academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. ... The humanities include the study of ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy, history, archaeology, anthropology, human geography, law, politics, religion, and art.

Those finer things that make us ‘different’, that define us as living, thinking creatures. Search online for those courses covered under ‘Humanities’ and you might be surprised at just how wide they reach.

But of course, these ‘arrangements’ can’t be seen in isolation, and even though things are denied in the media, a cursory glance at the local paper will see initiatives that are suddenly given the green light. One in particular is the most asked question in our little town (apart from “when will my road be graded?” in winter!), and that is “When will the Amy Gillett be finished?” The news was released this week in a media release from the Adelaide Hills Council. (see attached)

I think this is a great thing, and fervently hope that the leg from the edge of the Adelaide Hills Council to Mt Pleasant will follow shortly. It is a paltry amount, and important to those in the hills, but was delivered at what cost? To those who cannot afford the new fees, and the cost of the devaluing of those humanities subjects, we can only wait for the fallout.

Just remember, that many of those making the decisions for our country were the beneficiaries of the largely ‘free’ education in the 70’s and 80’s.

Too much on!

It’s been a full few weeks, and this week is the most hectic.

Our renovations continue with the two arched windows being installed yesterday, so we are now able to see the front footpath for the first time. The office extension was added around 1969, and last week at the History Soup ‘n Cinema event I met someone who used to work there before the extension was added. I am hoping to have a good catch up with her to find out how the two rooms would have looked back then. This Thursday we are having a Slice ‘n Cinema afternoon, showing the Australian movie ‘Malcolm’. It’s very funny and uniquely Australian. See the events page for details. These movie events will continue fortnightly until further notice, so if you can’t make it this week, try and join us in the future. It’s a great antidote for COVID-19 restrictions.

SACWA Craft sessions started back last week and we had the funniest morning, and then adjourned to the bakery for lunch. SACWA welcomes anyone who wants to learn new crafts, we are an inclusive bunch and enjoy passing on our expertise and helping newcomers.

Tonight I travel to town to join the SACWA Marketing group to brainstorm more ideas about how we can overcome the shortfall caused by the cancellation of the Royal Show, losing us our major fundraiser for the year. I helped in the kitchen last year and I have to say, it was all go, go, go!

I will be typing up the newsletter over the weekend, so if anyone has anything to add, you need to get it to me by tomorrow evening. Electronic articles are preferred, but if you have something typed, or a photo that needs scanning, that will be OK.

Try and stay warm today - the next few days look so much brighter, and with some good rains in the past week, the farmers may even have something to smile about.