Uncle Bennelong: We will decide who comes to this country.

The Cadigal Council last night warned residents that an invasion fleet was due to land at Eora country some time today.

The fleet, believed to be from a far distant land, comprises at least 10 ships. Forward scouts have suggested the invaders practise a form of slavery, and some of the seafarers are in chains.

‘We will keep an open mind about the invaders,’ Uncle Bennelong said late last night.

‘We will welcome them with the due courtesy of the Eora people. But should they pose a threat to our way of life we will deal with them accordingly. We will decide who comes to this country.’

The Maryborough Highland Society has made an application to the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) for Approval of Premises for Gaming at the Old Goods Shed, 64 Kennedy Street, Castlemaine.  The proposal includes a bistro, meeting and function rooms and a gaming lounge with 65 Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs).  There is currently one gaming venue with 30 EGMs in the Shire.

There are two major application processes for this proposal where Council has a role. One is to respond to the planning permit application and the other is to submit a Social and Economic Impact Assessment of the proposal to the VCGR, which the Maryborough Highland Society requires gaming premises approval from. On 8 November, Council resolved to endorse the process to develop a Social and Economic Impact Assessment.

Part of the process to undertake the economic and social impact assessment involved a shire-wide community attitude survey on the proposal. The survey findings indicate a clear majority of respondents (75%) were opposed to the overall development with EGMs. A majority of respondents (71%) say they would not frequent the venue if it was approved. A majority of respondents (79%) say either there are enough pokies in the Shire already or too many.

The results of the Social and Economic Impact Assessment suggest that in its application to the VCGR the Maryborough Highland Society has understated the impact of the proposed gaming venue on the social wellbeing of Castlemaine and the Shire.

Based on the community survey results, residents are opposed to the proposal primarily on the grounds that it includes poker machines. While a majority of residents indicate it will not directly affect their personal wellbeing, this is likely because of the high proportion who say they would not frequent the venue if it were approved.

Council is also currently assessing Planning Application 287/2011 for use and development in association with a restricted place of assembly, sale and consumption of liquor, installation of 65 gaming machines and reduction in the car parking requirements. Council sent advertising instructions to the permit applicant on 23 November 2011.

The MHS has since advised Council that they wish to place the application on hold until after the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) hearing scheduled for January 2012.

Council lodged the Social and Economic Assessment to the VCGR last week.
Read about a big MHS lie

Read about other lies from the poker machine industry

Read the complete archive of poker machine stories by clicking the problem gambler at left

Read the complete archive of poker machine stories by clicking the problem gambler at left

In an open letter to the developer published in local newspapers this week, the signatories say 65 extra pokies are not in the social and economic interests of Castlemaine, highlighting research that shows that pokies are not good for communities.

President of the local childcare centre  – which is a signatory to the letter – mother of two, and long term resident, Rebecca Edwards, said, “We are deeply concerned that this proposal will lead to an increased level of problem gambling, which has been demonstrated to wreck lives and destroy families. Our community will be left with the economic and social fallout that will come from this proposal, if it goes ahead.”

The development is being proposed by the Maryborough Highland Society, an organisation that already runs pokies venues in Maryborough and Kyneton. The Society has recently applied for a gaming licence to operate a new venue in Castlemaine.

“The proposed venue is next to the train station where all the school buses stop, it is 100m from the childcare centre and very close to a kindergarten. How could anyone who cares about children, about families, seriously think this is good idea?” Ms Edwards said.

All local social welfare agencies and medical practices have signed the letter, along with the major churches, a kindergarten, a childcare centre, and cultural and sporting groups. The letter comes as part of a wave of opposition to the proposed development from the Castlemaine community.

“Pokies take money away from local businesses and do not increase employment,” said David Pugh, Chief Executive Officer of St Luke’s Anglicare.

“Communities which have large numbers of pokies find that crime increases and health problems such as depression, anxiety and suicide increase. We don’t want these problems to increase in our community. That is why hundreds of locals are lodging written objections to this development.”

The letter also says that the suggestion by the Maryborough Highland Society that some of its profits will flow to the Castlemaine community will not compensate for the damage pokies will do to the town and its families.

“This community is rich in social capital but its economic balance is fragile,” the letter states.

Signatories are calling on the Society to reconsider its proposal.

“They can, and should, walk away. It’s not too late’,” Ms Edwards said.

Read the complete archive of poker machine stories by clicking the problem gambler at left

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) will manage the process and will arrange advertisements in the local newspapers to advise residents of the timing and process for the by-election.

“The timing of this by-election, which was determined by the Minister for Local Government, had to be managed around the Christmas break,” said Phil Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“We look forward to getting back to a full complement of Councillors again in the New Year.”

Residents in Calder Ward are asked to watch for more details in the local newspapers closer to this time. The VEC will have information widely available in coming weeks and the Returning Officer will be available to meet with interested residents during advertised times.

The Calder Ward incorporates Harcourt, Barkers Creek, Faraday, Walmer and parts of Redesdale, Sutton Grange and North Harcourt.

The Byzantine Encyclopedia, known as The Hippiatrica, is a rich and little-known source of information about horses, medicine, and magic.

The book provides a guide to its complex history as well as a host of fascinating details, and includes colour illustrations of a number of manuscript pages. It is full of fascinating details about the way horses were cared for, including massages with olive oil, and sauna sessions.

The book provides a case-study for the way scientific texts were transmitted during the Byzantine period. How were Greek texts on the care and medical treatment of the horse transmitted from antiquity to the present day?

Using the evidence of Byzantine manuscripts of the veterinary compilation known as the Hippiatrica, Anne McCabe traces the journey of the texts from the stables to the medieval scriptorium and ultimately to the printed edition. Surviving manuscripts include magnificent presentation copies and plain ones intended for use in the field.

For more info on the encyclopedia, click here.

The Dandy Horse

The dandy-horse was invented by Baron Karl von Drais in Mannheim, Germany, and patented in January 1818. Von Drais was the chief forester for the Grand Duke of Baden, and used the machine for travelling through the region he supervised.

His name for it was Laufmaschine (‘running machine’). For a machine with a very short popular life, it has had many names. It was known as dandy-horse, velocipede, hobby-horse, swiftwalker, pedestrian curricle, celerifere and draisine or draisienne.

It was called dandy-horse, according to one source, because ‘few people other than young dandies were willing to ride them (or could afford the high price of purchasing one’.

It was a two-wheeled vehicle, with both the wheels in a line, which was propelled by the rider pushing along the ground with their feet as when they were running or walking. The rider could pivot the front wheel and handlebar to allow the horse to be steered.

There was no suspension or pneumatic tyres so the horse must have been very uncomfortable to ride.

Several manufacturers set up shop in France and England, including Denis Johnson of London, a coachmaker. He even designed a woman’s drop frame model. According to the Smithsonian Institution, riding academies were established to teach the finer techniques of balance.

The dandy-horse was popular in 1819 but by the early 1820s it had died out, and after its brief popularity, the dandy-horse faded into oblivion. Because riders preferred to ride their dandy-horses along the smooth pavements rather than on the rough, ridged roads, there were many collisions with pedestrians and many cities prohibited their use.

The dandy horse is a forerunner of the more familiar bicycle, which was made more efficient over the 19th and 20th centuries by the attachment of cranks and pedals.

Buster Keaton rode a dandy-horse in Our Hospitality. The film crew were unable to find an actual horse so they built one to match existing drawings and prints. After the film was shown in 1923, the Smithsonian Institution asked Keaton to donate the dandy-horse to its collections, which had no authentic examples.

Front of the plate showing the Prince Regent and Maria Anne Fitzherbert going for a spin

The strange thing about the dandy-horse depicted on the plate (left, from the Oxford University collection) and other examples is that the Oxford horse is being used to carry a second person as well as the rider. All other images of a dandy-horse are used by a single rider.

Oxford University has one dandy horse in its collection, formerly owned by Lieutenant John Kirke, of the 11th Light Dragoons. It was donated by his uncle, Edward Wrench. Kirke used to race Robert Lowe (Lord Sherbrook) along the Great North Road between Newark and Duxford, on dandy-horses. Wrench used to ride the machine around 1850. Wrench, in a letter to Henry Balfour (the Museum’s curator) dated 1 May 1905 called it a dandy, or hobby, horse:

Oxford University's dandy horse

I am sorry that the Machine is not in better repair, when I rode it, it had a padded saddle and a thick blue cloth mattress on the Breast board on which the rider lay. Striking out with his feet somewhat in the matter of a swimmer, with however, each foot alternatively.

It is a good example of the blindness of mankind to adopt what looks now, so self evident, that no rider with a wheel revolving literally under his nose – should have thought of placing crank pedals or even projecting pegs on the front wheel for upwards of 40 years.

I shall be pleased to hear of the safe arrival and my wife who was also a relative of Lieut. Kirke will be happy to know that the old family plaything has found a lasting home in much suitable surroundings.

When David, a library volunteer, recently brought his Ipad into the Castlemaine library, his fellow volunteers were interested in seeing first hand what the technology could do.  Robyn Annear, long-time Library Officer, thought other people might be interested too.  She was right.

Robyn helped set up an ‘eBook Expo’ at the library which involved volunteers bringing in their own tech items to show to others.  People could casually move around to different areas depending on their interest and see the types of technology available for reading eBooks.

‘This style of demonstration is good for novices’, Robyn said.

‘These products can be hard to find in stores, and the range of products often aren’t available in smaller towns. Even if you can find them, it can be difficult to get a good demonstration or comparison of products.’

The library is not yet offering eBooks, but is investigating options.

‘We won’t offer eBooks until we are confident that the borrowing process suits both the library and the borrowers.  In the meantime we will continue to offer a range of eAudiobooks.  There is also a great range of free and low cost eBooks already available online’, she said.

I came along with other family members on the way to somewhere else, and I was stunned at the level of interest. The library was a crowded place with huddles of people checking out the different items, and the volunteers enthusiastically explaining their toys. There were Ipads, Kindles, Kobos and Sony readers. There was a diverse range of ages present, although most people were over fifty, and I was very interested to know why they decided to come along, what they thought of the afternoon and their thoughts on the future of books?

The first person I spoke to revealed that the afternoon was not just for complete novices.  Margie already had a Kindle but wanted to know how to download books from her computer onto it. For her the day was about learning how to better use what she already had. Volunteer Andrew concurred with this, saying that he sensed many people attending also wanted support after they buy.

Anne came along to look at the different types of technology in one place to find out which would suit her best. So did Trevor, and when asked about whether he would have liked to see more expert or formal presenters he shook his head and said that he really liked the informality.  A number of other participants agreed.

‘The unbiased explanations by users are terrific – you know they’re not trying to put a spin on things like in a store’.

This man came with his wife to explore what product would suit her needs, but he was not confident that anything on offer at this stage would be suitable.  However the couple said downloadable books are great for hard to find texts and ease the burden on the bookshelves.

Many participants such as Jenny liked the ability to adjust the type size, allowing them to have access to a greater range of books that are not available in larger print. The ability to travel and have access to books was also seen as attractive.

‘I have a computer savvy friend who likes her Kindle, so I thought I’d have a look at one’, she said.

Trevor said that he finds downloading books can be great for accessing harder to get books, but doesn’t like reading from a computer and needs to print them out. He likes the thrill of finding a book on-line and a more portable and useable eReader will allow it to be on hand when it is of interest to him.

Jake and Aidan, aged 11 and 12, particularly enjoyed seeing the different machines.

‘I’ve never seen a Kindle before’ said Jake.

‘I’d like to be able to get one in the future – it would be easier than going to the library and I don’t have to read it by a certain time or have to return it’.

Jake thought the afternoon was really good.

‘It gave people the chance to see what they can do, with everybody sharing their things around.’   Aidan enjoyed testing and comparing.

‘It was good to see the Kindle and I liked trying out the Ipad.  I’ve seen Ipads before but never got to try one – I liked the Ipad more than the Kindle because it could do more things.’

Peter was one of the volunteers and was showing his Kindle. He was very happy with the amount of people who attended especially older people.

‘This technology can be great for people with mobility problems and the ability to change font size has been very popular.’

Lynne Kelly, local author and educator, spoke about the different functions of the technology and about the afternoon. Hers was a family affair, with her husband Damian and daughter Beck also demonstrating items.

‘There has been an amazing response. Not what I expected. People have been very interested in how they can use the technology for their own purpose. For example, I told someone who liked books about bird watching that the Ipad can show both the birds, and play the sounds of the birds. The Ipad is good for these more complex purposes, like the non-fiction research that I do. I diverted the people who were just interested in reading to the kindle area.’

She said that she liked the way young and older people were discussing the technology together and sharing their knowledge.

So what of the future of books?  Can eBooks and our traditional books co-exist happily together?  One participant made the point that downloading books is nothing new; and that as a scientist he had been doing it for decades.  However he said ‘you can’t replace putting multiple books on a table for research’.

While online books have been around for a while, it is perhaps their accessibility that is increasing their popularity.  Trevor thinks eReaders will help reduce the complexity of downloading through computers including having to convert files.  But he says that books will always have a place in his home. ‘I like the smell, weight and texture of a real book,’ he said.

Volunteer Lynne believes that most books and papers will be online in the future, but says this won’t suit all books, especially the more textural and creative books.

‘Libraries will continue to exist, be it in a different form involving more information related activities, and you can’t go without the expertise of a librarian.’  When asked why she decided to participate as a volunteer she said ‘because the library is the heart and soul of a town – I will have anything to do with the library.’

Gary takes a light hearted view on the subject, revealing that he is waiting for a port to be inserted in the back of his skull for a more direct download.  He is also looking at inventing a ‘new book’ smelling spray for use with eReaders.  But he does point out his concern around the inability to share this technology around like a book.

‘It’s hard to have one eReader for a family – only one person can read it at a time.’

Will young people read books in the future, if given the choice?  Young Jake says ‘Yes I would, books are sort of nice, and it’s easy to bookmark a page.’

Aidan agrees, ‘Yes, definitely.  I like reading books.  I can’t explain why.  I like the experience, its better.’   Which probably sums up the way many of us feel.

How did Robyn think the Expo went?

‘Really terrific. We were surprised by the level of interest and will be building on it for sure.’

To follow up, the library will be hosting a monthly eBook club.

Yesterday, the Australian Greens said the drop in the value of Australia’s uranium exports was a further sign the nuclear industry was crumbling.

The Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs Senator Scott Ludlam said; ”This is not a short-term reaction to the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. For 15 years renewable energy capacity additions per annum have been outpacing nuclear start-ups.

“World-leading engineering firm Siemens announced yesterday they will not return to the nuclear sector because of ‘clear position taken by society and politics in Germany against the industry. Switzerland - like Germany – is completely phasing out its sizeable nuclear sector, joining a number of other European nations taking a stand against nuclear power.

“In the USA no new nuclear power plants have been built for 30 years. In any country with an even remotely open energy market nuclear power is shrinking.

“Ambitious projections about the future of uranium mining are either delusional or disingenuous. In 2010-11 the value of uranium exports fell 19 per cent and the volume by 8 per cent. Uranium mining makes no environmental sense and it has become clear that it makes no economic sense. We don’t need this toxic industry.”

Senator Ludlam urged the Government and Australian companies to back an industry with a future – renewable energy.

“In 2010 world-wide cumulative installed capacity from wind turbines, biomass, waste-to-energy and solar power surpassed installed nuclear capacity for the first time in history. There is no going back now.”

The explosion occurred at 11:45 CET on Monday. A security cordon has been established around the site against the possibility that any radiation may leak from the damaged building.

Read the full story

Dr Hearn Mackinnon’s book, The Liam Jurrah story from Yuendumu to the MCG tells the incredible journey travelled by Liam, from Yuendumu to the MCG as the first fully initiated Aboriginal to play football at an elite level. The book was launched last month by Melbourne University Publishing.

“It is not,” Dr Hearn Mackinnon stresses, “Liam Jurrah’s story.

“Liam will tell his own story, in his own book, in his own time, the book is merely my own observations from my direct experiences with him,” he said.

Dr Hearn Mackinnon, a mad Collingwood supporter, said the ‘story’ started when the Collingwood Industrial Magpies, a group of supporters who were involved in industrial relations, came across a book ‘the Centre bounce’ which talked about football in central Australia.

“We were captivated by a photo on the front page of theYuendumu Magpies, but wondered where it was and decided then and there – after all we had all these people, lawyers, judges, academics – to put our organisation to good use.

“We committed ourselves to reconciliation between black and white Australia, and formed a special relationship with Yuendumu community and the Magpies in 2002.”

As part of the relationship young people from the community would come to Melbourne and Dr Hearn Mackinnon’s home became unofficially known as the Warlpiri Camp in Melbourne 3.

“One of those young people we brought down was Liam Jurrah and he decided after coming down that he wanted to have a crack at becoming an AFL player,” Dr Hearn Mackinnon said.

“He lived with me and my family for 12 months and stayed with us while he played in the VFL for Collingwood, before eventually being drafted to play for Melbourne.”

Dr Hearn Mackinnon said the book detailed how Liam “learned the culture of the city and the white-fella world” but also how his family came to understand and treasure the richness of Liam’s Warlpiri culture.

“The most important lesson I think was the importance of personal connections and relationships, that was the key to Liam’s success,” he said.

“Our family in effect became Liam’s Melbourne family.

“He has the support of his whole community.

“When he plays he represents the community and is on Warlpiri business.

“Both things have to be in sync”

Dr Hearn Mackinnon said the experience had been incredibly enriching.

“Family life has been quite hectic at times,” he said.

“But Liam is one of the family.”

Despite the obvious conflict when Collingwood plays Melbourne, Dr Hearn Mackinnon is still a Collingwood supporter.

“Liam did ask me about that, I just said ‘I’ll still be supporting you mate.’”

And as for reconciliation?

“Personal relationships are fundamental to reconciliation,” he said.

“It’s about individuals getting to know people and forming relationships, if people did this, the whole issue of reconciliation would not need to be talked about.”

Steve retired as head of Apple soon after saying the satisfaction of having CI available on mobile devices is the pinnacle of a life long ambition to make media easily available anywhere. Having achieved this he now feels he can step down and spend more time catching up on old CI articles.

Body Conscious Design, a lecture by Dr Galen Cranz at the School for F.M. Alexander Studies in Melbourne recently confirmed for me chairs are a disaster physiologically. What I found interesting was that Galen is an academic – so her ideas are well researched, but as an Alexander Technique teacher, her research and understanding is also internal, or felt through experience. You can see she has done allot of work – internal body-work and the design of her own living and working (furniture and spaces).

This lecture and other articles point to the health impacts of sitting and sedentary lifestyles. I’m now going to redesign my families living… well it will be a long process but chairs will be first in the firing line, and a new office stool design is already formulating.

Here’s a couple of points from the lecture:

BHP has reported a net profit of $22.5 billion for the last financial year, the biggest profit recorded in Australian corporate history.

“This company is only able to make these kinds of extraordinary profits because they are selling Australia’s resources,” Senator Xenophon said.

“It is only fair that BHP returns the favour and invests in other sectors of the Australian economy by buying materials and equipment from local suppliers.”

Senator Xenophon called on the South Australian Government to make the procurement of Australian materials and supply a condition of any deal with BHP over the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine in the state’s outback.

“Those resources ultimately belong to all Australians and Governments should be doing whatever they can to ensure any deal benefits our national economy as much as possible,” Nick said.
Senator Xenophon criticised BHP chief executive Marius Kloppers for dismissing the need for his company to buy locally.

Mr Kloppers argued that rather than insisting BHP buy Australian materials and equipment, critics should “look through all the value-add to the domestic communities that emanate from that nucleus of investment over time”.

“That’s corporate speak for ‘We don’t want to’,” Senator Xenophon said.

“Companies will always look for the cheapest way to do things, even if that means short-changing countries like Australia where they derive so much of their business.

“That’s why it is imperative that Governments insists, and if needed, legislate, to ensure companies that are digging up Australian resources have to shop in Australian shops and buy from Australian businesses.”

One thousand workers are sacked and the company takes $100 million from Government.

Independent Senator for South Australia Nick Xenophon has described the bonuses BlueScope executives have paid themselves as “obscene and out of touch”.

The details of the bonuses were tucked away in the company’s financial reports for the 12 months ending 30 June 2011.

According to the company’s documents, bonuses across management totalled $3.052 million dollars, with CEO Paul O’Malley pocketing $721,000 on top of his base salary of almost $2 million.

“This company is laying off 1000 workers and it has it hands out for taxpayer support to the tune of $100 million, yet it still has the gall to pay its executives these obscene bonuses,” Senator Xenophon said.

“The company’s operating cash flow was only $21 million last year, so 15% of that has gone in executive salaries.

“I would like BlueScope’s executives to explain to their sacked workers why the bosses need the money more than the sacked workers do.”

Senator Xenophon also called on the Federal Government to reduce its $100 million support to BlueScope by at least $3.052 million dollars.

“The Federal Government should be forcing the executives to give back their bonuses by cutting their $100 million compensation package,” Senator Xenophon said. “Why reward bad behaviour?”

BlueScope operates in Senator Xenophon’s home state of South Australia at Wingfield and Gillman.

“Paul O’Malley says we are experiencing an unprecedented combination of economic challenges, but when it comes to bonuses for bosses, sadly nothing seems to change. It’s not good enough.”

At Castlemaine Independent we offer an independent, free news service. It’s free to subscribe and we want it to be and remain accessible to all. You’ll get local, national and international news here.

And we’re getting contributors from all over now, giving voice to many who have been ignored by the local press.

Is Castlemaine Independent important to you? Is it useful in a town the size of Castlemaine to have this service? Read on if it is.

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The volunteers and sponsors have made it possible for us to continue.

How you can help:

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With the 2011 Census nearly upon us, an anonymous contributor to CI has pointed to flaws in the process.

Alleged inconsistencies in the procedures of the 2011 Census raise questions about the reliability of safeguarding personal information, and not all privacy options have been explained to householders.

Every Australian household is obliged to fill in the population survey, which is conducted every five years and requires sensitive personal information to be disclosed to the ABS.

But sceptics are concerned about the safety of the as yet unproven website.

In 2006 only a small percentage of Australians participated in the online E-Census, but this year the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is hoping that a quarter of the Australian population will complete the electronic version. If 25 per cent of the population goes for the online option, there will be approximately six million people accessing the site, and there are no guarantees that it won’t crash under the sheer weight of numbers.

The ABS has said that the online Census form is just as secure – if not more – than online banking. But this does not ring true. It follows concerns over Internet safety in the aftermath of the attempted hacking of the National Broadband Network recently by a man in the NSW central-west town of Cowra, and the recent credit card scam that struck many Castlemaine residents.

The E-Census will eliminate ABS-employed Census Collectors from personally picking up completed forms from households, as is the usual procedure.

If people are fearful collection staff may access their personal details, they can ask for privacy envelopes and mail-back envelopes. But they will be provided to people only if they specifically ask for them, and are not part of the census package that collectors have hand delivered. You can’t request these envelopes if you weren’t at home when the forms were dropped in. Staff were allegedly instructed to offer the E-Census before they offered privacy envelopes and mail back envelopes to householders with confidentiality concerns.

There are no concrete procedures in place, either, to stop collectors from opening privacy envelopes and viewing private information before handing them to area supervisors.

Illiterate and homeless? You don’t count

There are no procedures for the illiterate to be helped with their forms beyond asking collectors to help them if they are home at the time of delivery.

The homeless will be the forgotten Australians on Census night, and there are very few strategies in place to deliver forms to those sleeping rough,

While collectors will deliver forms to temporary dwellings like tents and caravans, there is no way those sleeping in parks will be counted.

And if that’s all too troublesome, and you don’t want to hand your forms back in? You’ll pay $110 a day in non-compliance fines.