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Issue 39 May 2016

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Please redistribute rather than discard this paper - give it to your friends, family or neighbours!

5 14 19page KICK

TO KICKpage pageKID’S

CORNERMOVIE REVIEW

This time last year, I wrote about 11 young girls who were rescued from the sex-slave industry in India. They now live in the Eastern Hills region of Andhra Pradesh, at the Mercy Home for Little Sisters. Perhaps it’s a coincide that a year later, as Mothers Day trots again into our lives, I write about another incredible hand reaching across to India, this time, in the Punjab State.

Ten years ago a younger Kip Chauli was troubled about how he might ‘bring betterment to

the lives of financially struggling girls in India who couldn’t afford a university education’, an anguish that lead him to be inspired into action. He created a trust, along with four other members, and together they began to empower young, hopeful girls through education.

The Kirpal Singh Chauli Trust began with its first scholarship awarded at its inaugural meeting in 2006. Ten years on, 43 girls, including 9 with physical challenges, have completed their degrees, some going

TRUST CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF EMPOWERING GIRLS WITH EDUCATION

Kyla-Jayne Rajah

The Around Hoppers Crossing - Community Newspaper is distributed in Hoppers Crossing with distribution points in Werribee, Tarneit, Truganina and Williams Landing

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Advertising enquiries: Daniel 0408 659 940

aroundsell@gmail.comWill 0449 834 359

will@aroundhopperscrossing.comLouise 0403 191 084

ml.goegan@gmail.com Alan 0412 412 740

Advertising: aroundsell@gmail.com will@aroundhopperscrossing.com Contributions: editorhoppers@gmail.com

Publishers:Bill 8307 8872

Will 8360 8598ABN 54 145 436 804 www.aroundhopperscrossing.com

FROM THE EDITORHello out there…My pregnancy is travelling along at break-neck speed – by the time you read this, I should be at 25 weeks! The morning sickness, or as I like to call it, ‘around the clock

torture’, has finally wrapped up, so feel free to pass me the food!

Never one for a surprise, I couldn’t wait to find out what’s brewing inside, so without

further ado, it is my absolute pleasure to tell you guys that I am having a boy!!

Despite Willow’s many prayers for a sister, she took to this news wonderfully and is now telling anyone who cares to listen that she is getting a little brother! It is actually beautiful to witness her excitement and it has given me the inspiration for this month’s edition…a Mother’s Day Special!

Being a mama is my greatest job – the satisfaction I feel from watching

Willow grow cannot be matched. I love her unconditionally and it is a love that

never rests. She makes everything better and in fact, she makes me better. The fact that I am about to bring another life into this world is brilliant and I cannot wait to expand my heart a whole lot more for this little human!So let us celebrate all things Mum! If you have a mum, or a mother-figure in your life, if you are a mum, or about to be a mum …. Shout it from the roof tops!! It is the hardest gig ever, but the rewards are boundless. We have plenty of great content as always – my writers are from this community and are some of the most passionate and committed individuals going around – so a special thanks to them this month, as well as to all the mums out there – may we continue to inspire each other endlessly.

See you next month,Melissa Longo

PUDDLING WITH THE PUBLISHERWe, the interested parties, are currently focused on following the progress of the pregnancy of our Editor and her new assistant to be.

It is believed that regular reports will be issued and any of your questions will be answered.

Melissa and her little one, the gorgeous Willow, are both excited about the event.

I’m sure the family Facebook site will carry the news and would welcome you, as would the Around local newspaper of which Melissa is the Editor. You can receive your copy free via email on the first of the month simply by sending your request to editor@aroundpointcook.com, with ‘Please send me a free copy’ in the subject line.

Around Papers have been approached by a new local

Not for Profit Incorporated Community Association, named ‘Social Media Marketing Professionals Inc.’, for promotion of their concept and financial support. Their proposal is that we help them recruit Members, to manage sites for business clients, who require assistance with Marketing on Social Media and who don’t want to do this work for themselves.

If you have an interest in either side of the equation, email me at editor@aroundpointcook.com

Bill McPherson

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on to higher learning programmes, including Masters and PhDs. Other girls have found their voice and the confidence to secure work, thus making them an attractive commodity to not only their society, but a prospective husband.

While the dowry tradition is illegal in India, it is common for the family of the bride to be coerced, even harassed into giving a wealth of gifts to the groom’s parents, creating immense pressure for the bride’s family - to the point that some fathers abandon their daughters at birth, leaving the mother to survive alone in poverty.

These types of stories, Kip Chauli hears often. Girls who receive scholarships from the trust come from poor families, some are physically challenged, others are daughters of widows or single parents; impoverished girls that could become entrenched in a system of financial dependency and emotional abuse after marriage.

Grim prospects that Kip Chauli says are unjust. But, the trust is changing them, and so too are some of the scholarship recipients.

Manu Nahata, a recipient completing her LLB, says, “I will provide a child with his or her right to education and the right to basic necessities.” Masters of Science graduate and scholarship recipient, Sonia Ompal, felt so blessed by receiving the scholarship, she’s assured the trust she will sponsor another child’s education once she’s employed.

A famous Mahatma Ghandi quote reads, “If you see change for betterment needs to be done, let it begin with you.” Simple words of inspiration that Kip Chauli took seriously, and he’s changed the lives of many. “There are many female Einsteins in India who are yet to be discovered,” Kip says, “all they need is the opportunity and the chance!”

If you’d like to spoil your mother by giving a girl a chance, there’s still time to purchase tickets to The Kirpal Singh Chauli Trust 10th Year Anniversary Dine and Dance. You’ll enjoy a 3-course meal and be entertained by the superb Wyndham Salvation Army Band. Ticket cost is $75.00 with 100% of the profits going to the trust. Contact Kip Chauli, 9748 9371 or Bronwen Hickman, 97492510 by 7th May.

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

IN “AROUND HOPPERS CROSSING”

GIVE US A CALL:

Daniel 0408 659 940 aroundsell@gmail.com

Louise 0403 191 084 ml.goegan@gmail.com

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A DAY AT THE MUSEUM

When the next school holidays roll around and your young people are restless, check out the Melbourne Museum.

Our young ones (and not so young ones) loved the adventure. We disembarked at Parliament station, and as we had people amongst us with very short legs, we took an elevator up and out.

Crossing the busy roads into Carlton Gardens saw all hands held - dodging traffic must have worn Little-Miss-three out, as she called a time out (the third snack break since arrival).

In the gardens the tree lined avenue had a sun-kissed fountain at its end, it was a perfect place to slowly walk and enjoy the moment.

When the fountain was reached, Misses-three, five and nine simply had to touch the sparkling water.

The spectacle of so many colourful flowers between the Royal Exhibition Building and the Museum was appreciated by Miss-fifteen, who took a selfie amongst all the beauty. Daytime is so much better than night at the museum.

The huge display of whale bones, and the many display cases containing, chicks, lizards with eggs, giant snakes, turtles, and so much more, fascinated everyone from Miss-three to Miss-too-old-to-mention.

The 1847 gorilla display had been created to disprove Darwin’s theory. Miss-five spotted the male gorilla’s appendage, pointed this out to Miss-nine and much hilarity and giggling ensued.

The Forest Gallery transported us into the wilderness; after dodging people and cars in busy city streets, we were suddenly in the midst of a natural rainforest.

Birrarung Gallery had the First Peoples exhibit, and we were once again taken to a very different place.

The activities centre was a good area for those too old to mention their age to rest, while the 15 and unders, built a colosseum, discovered many puzzles, or read a book or two. Unfortunately, we also discovered the snack/drink pack had been left behind somewhere (better a pack than a child).

Melbourne Museum, with a forest to explore, puzzles to solve and history to absorb, is a never ending adventure land.

Helpful hints: buy tickets online and avoid the big exhibitions as these can be expensive.

Take your time, let the little ones set the pace (and call the snack breaks).

Opening hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm, adult tickets are $14.00 and children are free.

Jenny Bates

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KICK TO KICKThe Boy was young when he gave up AFL. AusKick lead to Under 9’s and 10’s, and even with modified rules, a smaller ground and the players prohibited from tackling, he wasn’t loving it. Each and every week was a trial, and finally he begged us not to take him again. The Boy had spat the dummy. I could tell Hubby was shattered. I was secretly rejoicing.

A few years before, he’d started indoor soccer. With a smaller pitch and only seven a side, futsal is focused on skills and speed, and not so much about roughhousing, which suited him down to the ground. He took to it like a duck to water, taking on the big pitch soon after. Field soccer was the next conquest with different rules, more space to run, and passing and control so important. The Lefty found he had a few tricks up his sleeve from the

get go and had finally found something he loved.

After a while it all came together, and with three consecutive Lightning Cups and Premierships under their belt, the boys were on a roll. Then something happened. Moving from under 14’s to under 16’s they all went their separate ways. Some progressed to the next age group where they were taller, stronger, and had to shave before leaving home. Some went to other clubs to play in different leagues, and some moved codes altogether.

And The Boy is now back where he started.

So here I am. No longer a soccer mum, now a footy mum. There’s something that doesn’t feel quite right about that statement. Is it the new uniform? The new rules? Or is it that I don’t even know any of the other parents? It’s probably a combination of everything. But as a mum I am here none the less, and no matter what the code, no matter what the team, one thing remains the same. The socks after the game will be just as stinky xx

Dee Simpson

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HAPPY MOTHERING! IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

© Glow Images. Models used for illustrative purposes

Today’s woman is multi-faceted. She can be a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother.

As a mum, she juggles her life with raising children, running a home, work or study.

As a grandmother, she often plays an important role in looking-after her grandchildren.

For these women, mothering is a serious responsibility and a treasured privilege.

While it’s a demanding life, it can be made easier when it incorporates happy mothering, which is good for your health.

Celebrate Happy Mothering

Each year Mother’s Day celebrates the contribution women make to family life and acknowledges the importance of mothering.

My earliest participation in this celebration, was the morning I proudly carried the breakfast tray into my mother's room for the first time.

Serving my Mum breakfast in bed was my way of thanking her for the love and caring she was giving me.

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Of course, I didn't fully appreciate all she was doing to raise me to be a happy, healthy, good person.

Yet my mother did this each day with boundless grace and love.

TIPS:

- Relish the challenges of parenting. Be pleased that you’re doing your best as a mother.

- Take pleasure in the fact that you get your children to school each day, so that they can receive a good education - that you’re able to feed, clothe, and give them a safe, loving home; that through your efforts, you are giving them a good start in life.

- Be glad to “Direct your children onto the right path (so that), when they are older, they will not leave it.” The Bible, Proverbs 22:6.

- Feel satisfied that through your spiritual values and example, your children will become model citizens, knowing right from wrong, treating everyone with respect and kindness, and being a blessing to others at home, school and in the community.

- Have inner contentment. Find joy in allowing meditation or prayer help you to be a happy mother. "Take time to be holy, Be calm in thy soul; Each thought and each motive beneath His control." - W.D. Longstaff .

- Be grateful for your mother’s nurturing and the selfless caring that women around the world give their own children and others.

“Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires

all mankind to share it.” Science and Health p. 57 – Mary Baker Eddy.

- Be joyous. With the help of a divine Mother-love you can fulfill your parenting tasks with poise and grace, and celebrate happy mothering.

Beverly Goldsmith is a health writer and practitioner and teacher of Christian Science

healing. www.spiritualityandhealthconnect.com

Twitter: @GoldsmithBev

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Osteoporosis or brittle bone disease is a crippling health problem - one in two women and one in three men will be affected during their lifetime.

There are no symptoms - until you break a bone. But it can easily be avoided.

We tend to think of osteoporosis as an older person's, and particularly a women's condition.

With menopause there is a sharp decline of the hormone oestrogen, which plays a central role in maintaining healthy bones and protecting calcium stores.

The mineral content and the connective tissue of bones is reduced with the loss of oestrogen, making the bones brittle and prone to fractures, especially of the hip, wrist or spine.

While the majority of women develop osteoporosis later in life, there are increasing cases of young women in their twenties and thirties, who are jeopardising the health of their bones through eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, and over exercising, which can disrupt normal periods. Both of these can reduce oestrogen levels in the body and contribute to thinning of the bones.

Your bones reach peak strength by about 18 to 20 years, with a great increase in strength in adolescence. At about the age of 35, bones start to lose calcium at approximately one percent per year, except for women around menopause, who for 5 to 10 years, lose calcium at a much faster rate than men. The healthier your bones are when they reach their peak bone mass, the stronger they will be later on in life. Because females are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis, it is particularly important that teenage girls and young women have the highest possible peak bone mass in early adulthood.

Whatever age you are, you can build better bones by making smart diet and lifestyle choices.

BONE BOOSTERS

Supplements. Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Potassium, Evening Primrose Oil capsules.

Essential Fatty Acids. Oily fish, Sunflower Seeds, Sunflower and Linseed Oil, Soya beans, Walnuts, Eggs.

Phytoestrogens. Soya Beans, Tofu, Chickpeas, Lentils, Linseed.

Calcium. Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt, Almonds, Sardines and Salmon.

Micronutrients. Apples, Pears, Oranges, Leafy Vegetables, Broccoli, Brazil Nuts, Wholemeal Flour.

Exercise. Weight bearing exercise three times a week for half an hour to an hour.

Yours in the best of health,Cherie de Haas

ARE YOU SAFEGUARDING YOUR BONES?

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WANT TO RESET YOUR HORMONES?FOCUS ON WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR FORK

Leading Melbourne Naturopath and Nutritionist, Caterina Morrison, talks about nutritional

endocrinology, explaining 5 ways to change your hormones by what you put on your fork.

1. Diversify Your Gut Bacteria

Your gut bacteria, or micro biome plays a large role in whether you are fat or thin. They control how you respond to the food you eat: whether you store it as fat, or use it as fuel. To turn on your ‘skinny bacteria’ and turn off your ‘fat bacteria’, eat more probiotic-rich foods, such as: organic miso, sauerkraut, Kim chi, Kombucha and other fermented foods. Taking a probi-otic, which has between 15 and 50 billion CFU per day, is a great start. If you’re new to probiotics you need to start low, less than 5 billion CFU per day, and gradu-ally work up to avoid the ‘die off’ reaction, feeling like you have the flu issues.

2. Increase the Fiber.

Our foods are becoming more processed and less whole, with fiber being processed away. Increased fiber intake has been shown to reduce cortisol, (the main stress hormone), stabilize insulin and blood sug-ar, and lower bad estrogens, (which may reduce your risk of breast cancer). As a broad statement, women should consume 35 to 45 grams of fiber per day, as part of a healthy food plan; men slightly more than this. To compare, most women only consume about 13 grams of fiber per day. Eating a combination of fiber rich foods, such as vegetables, fruit, chia seeds and flax seeds and taking a fiber supplement is a great start. But beware: increase your fiber intake slowly, by no more than 5 grams per day. Going faster may cause gas, bloating, and even constipation.

3. Forgoe the Grains.

If you struggle with your weight, have sugar cravings or have pre-diabetes or diabetes, you need to flick the grains off your fork. Eating too many refined carbohydrates and grains often causes hormonal havoc - more stress, higher cortisol levels, lower sex hormones, (such as testosterone). Focus instead on low-starch vegetables and clean protein, eaten slowly and mindfully. After a period of mastering your hormones, many people can add back grains, but focus on the slow burning types, especially sprouted grains that do not contain gluten.

4. Ditch the Dairy.

Dairy and conventional cheese often cause food intolerance to casein, the main milk protein. If you are sensitive to casein, avoid it, as intolerance raises cortisol, contributes to leaky gut syndrome and internal Inflammation issues that disrupt hormones in your body.

5. Make Your Liver HAPPY.

Many Westerners have an ‘Acute Fatty Liver’, which leads to problems with how you utilize hormones in the body, since your liver helps synthesize your hormones. What helps? Avoid fructose, sugar, sugar substitutes and highly fried or fatty foods. Focus on getting liver detoxifiers such as beets, dandelion leaves, St Mary’s thistle and artichokes into your diet.

For more tips for Your Best Health Ever, visit Caterina’s Facebook page:

Caterina Morrison, Naturopath, Health and Wellbeing Expert.

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WHEN THEY ONLY WANT YOU! - HOW TO MANAGE A 'CLINGY' CHILD!

At times, your child may display a stronger sense of attachment towards you or your partner. Unless you or a health professional are significantly concerned regarding this behaviour, it may be safe to assume that this may be a short term clingy-ness. Even though the logical side of you knows it’s ‘just a phase’, it doesn’t make it any less tiring or challenging for both you and your child. Here’s some of my Dos and Don’ts to manage this:

Don’t:

Try and find particular causes or reasons for this: Sometimes a child just wants you and that’s all there is to it. Finding out reasons may lead you to particular solutions for this ‘problem’, creating more conflicts and dramas around the house.

Try and distract yourself or your child unless absolutely necessary for survival: Self explanatory. If your child recognises that you are trying to ‘get rid of her temporarily,’ for something or God forbid, someone else, it may make them feel insecure and hence react strongly.

Regret parenting… (just yet! Wait till they are teenagers maybe?) - Like all stages and all ages of your child’s life, this phase is just a part of it. Don’t give into your negative thought patterns that can hint towards thoughts such as, ‘this is it! I will never be able to breathe’!

Do:

Accept it: Remind yourself, it’s just a phase. Ask those around to remind you, it’s just a phase. Without trying to fight this situation, work towards acceptance! It saves energy, time and a lot of heartache for both you and your child.

Milk it!: Indulge in the attention being showered upon you! It won’t happen for too long, or too often. Feel the need to be needed so much by this one little being you created :)

Plan and Prepare: Since you are aware of the situation, use this inside information to better prepare for daily activities, so as to save time and energy, to be present for your child when they are around you. Do things around their sleep times, ask for help and let go of things that won’t challenge your existence.

Self Care: Spend a few minutes here and there, consciously engaging in activities you enjoy. Coffee, shopping, gym-ing, internet surfing etc. Tell yourself ‘my child doesn’t need me for the next two minutes, (or longer if you are lucky) and I will spend this time by doing……’

Make yourself feel special and give yourself a break.

Though I am a superwoman, like all other partnered and single mums out there, it was important for me to recall that saving the world wasn’t as important, as providing my child with the attention and connection she needed from me.

If you are struggling with something similar and nothing seems to work, feel free to contact me and we can work on a plan together.

*A longer version of the article mentioning my recent struggle is available on the blog section of my website.

Neha DaveRegistered Psychologist

Www.nehadave.com

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A MAN AND HIS PINT

The habit of drinking beer straight from the bottle is one of the more distressing features of modern life. It started with Gen Y, and I blame it on the lack of a male role model in the lives of many of that generation.

Let me take you to a snug in some small Irish town, to observe how a real man drinks his beer. Let’s call him Arthur.

He comes in wearing a tweed cap and boots that

indicate work in muddy fields. He nods to the barman; they know each other, and the nod is the silent order for a pint of the national beverage. The French would like to change the measure to some number of ml, but not even the might of the EU can change the sacred significance of THE PINT.

The barman fills the tumbler slowly, initially resting it at 45 degrees in the palm of his hand. The process, done properly, takes between 119 and 122 seconds, spread over two instalments.

Then he sets the offering down. He has been doing this for years, but somehow manages to put it in the wrong place. So Arthur picks it up as carefully as if it were the holy chalice and moves it five cm.

After some minutes, without looking at the glass, his right hand moves slowly and deliberately to pick it up. He looks at it with something between disinterest and reproach, like a nun picking up Playboy, if you can remember Playboy.

Then instinct takes over; he brings the glass to his lips, tilts it to an angle of 9.4 degrees and the black stuff flows smoothly, as if obeying some obscure principle of hydrodynamics. There is no urgency, the only movement an almost imperceptible rise and fall of the Adam’s apple; this is the kind of smoothness that you could use to sell engine oil.

When the glass is three-eighths empty (some virtuosos go to seven-sixteenths), he puts it down on the counter and slowly wipes his lips. He is content.

He will read his paper for some time before his hand reaches for the pint again. This time he will drink five-sixteenths before settling back to his paper. The remainder of the drink will be finished in one visit, and if your arithmetic is up to scratch, you will work out that this will involve either one-quarter or three-sixteenths.

Only women or rank amateurs require more than three visits to the glass to finish a pint; only university undergraduates or Australian Prime Ministers do it in less than three.

You wander out to the evening traffic, to the world of everyday things, content that you have watched a master at work. You feel better for it.

And you promise yourself that you will never again drink beer from the bottle.

Frank O’Shea

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MY MOTHER’S TRADITIONAL SHORTBREAD

By Melissa Haber

Food is one of those things that accompanies many of life’s moments.

From weddings and birthdays, to Christmas, Easter and other holidays as well as celebrations of life, death and everything in between - food is the one thing that binds these very different moments together.

My mother honours life’s ups and downs with a homemade shortbread.

Her shortbreads have adorned tables at birthday celebrations, made someone smile when they were feeling lonely and have been combined with a listening ear for grieving family and friends.

It has always been her way of showing people that they are loved.

Although she insists it is just a basic shortbread recipe, to me, seeing her take the time and effort to make this sweet treat for someone, is something I want to share with you all.

Who knows, maybe she will make me some after reading this article.

Ingredients:

225g sifted plain flour

115g sifted rice flour

A pinch of salt

115g sifted caster sugar

225g butter

Method:1: Preheat oven to 150 degrees and grease a baking tray.

2: Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.

3: Rub in butter and gently knead to form a smooth dough.

4: Place dough on baking tray and press down. At this point you can either prick the surface of the flattened dough with a fork and bake as is, or you can cut out shapes with a cookie cutter and place on a separate tray. Sprinkle a teaspoon amount of castor sugar on top before placing in the oven.

5: Bake in the oven for 40 minutes until the surface of the shortbread turns light golden in colour.

6: Allow to cool before removing from tray, as the baked shortbread remains quite soft until completely cooled.

Recipe Page

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A CARD COLLECTION WORTH HANGING ON TOby Melissa Longo

Some of my earliest childhood memories revolved around the kitchen. As a child of Italian descent, food has pretty much been the centre of my universe and that is a tradition that I happily pass along to my daughter every chance I get.

My mum had one of those Women’s Weekly Recipe Card boxes and I used to get much enjoyment from flipping through them endlessly and watching my mum work her way through, one recipe card at a time. Of course my mum didn’t ever really follow a recipe, merely using the box as an infinite source of inspiration.

One of my all time favourites was the Cabbage Rolls, served with Lemon Sauce – I haven’t eaten these in years, but the smell and the tangy flavours linger long in my memory….it could be time to drag out that old box of cards mum…Ingredients:

Cabbage Rolls

18 large cabbage leaves 500g mince

30g butter 250g sausage meat

1 onion salt & pepper to taste

2 sticks celery basil

½ green capsicum 2 tbsp passata

1 carrot ½ cup rice

Lemon Sauce

½ cup lemon juice ¼ cup chicken stock

1 tbsp oil dash of Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp tomato paste salt & pepper to taste

Method:

Drop cabbage leaves into boiling water. Boil for 3-5 minutes, then drain. Melt butter in pan, add diced onion, celery, capsicum and carrot – season with salt and pepper. Sauté for two minutes. Add mince and sausage meat, basil and passata. Cook until meat is browned, drain off fat and allow to cool. Cook rice until tender, drain and add to mixture. Place portions of mixture into centre of each cabbage leaf and fold into neat parcels. Arrange rolls in oven proof dish. To make lemon sauce combine all ingredients well in jug and pour over cabbage rolls. Bake in moderate oven for 40-45 minutes, or until cabbage rolls are tender.

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“I love my mum because she’s nice to me,” Oliver.

“I love my mum because she gives me lots of hugs,” Norah.

“I love my mummy because she’s my best friend and she loves me,” Madilyn.

“I love my mum because I was in mum’s tummy when I was a baby, and since then I’ll be with mum all the time,” Chiyoka.

“I love your support, Mum, even when I’m in Australia and you’re in Japan, I can feel how much you care,” Akiko.

“I love you because you are my beautiful mother … I miss you dearly. I love you so very much, Happy Mothers Day! All the way to the angels above,” Jessica.

“I love my mum because she cares for me,” Sienna.

“I love my mum because she loves me so much,” Charlize.

Norah and Oliver with Mum, Christine

Jessica and Mum, Halina

Sienna and Charlize with Mum, Alicia

Norah and Oliver with Mum, Christine

Chiyoka with her Oba-chan, Hiroko, and Mum, Akiko

Hi Kids, We have a special Mothers Day Tribute Page this issue. Some

local kids, big ones included, thought it a good idea

to say what they love about their Mums. I hope you think of something beautiful and kind to say to your mum, or step-mum, or grandma, or foster mum this Mothers Day! - KJ

Kid’s Corner

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“I love my mum because she’s happy and laughs with me,” Gabriella.

“I love my mum because she takes me to see the planes. I really like to take a plane and am looking forward to visiting grandpa and grandma’s place in Japan soon,” Karin.

“I love my mama because she is kind and gives the best koala-snuggles”

“I love my mummy because she gives big squishy hugs and she does great cooking!” Jacob

“I love my mum because she cares and loves me a lot! She helps me with my homework and keeps the house very clean,” Dean.

“I love my mum because she takes us everywhere. She is the best mum. She does great birthday parties too!” Catherine.

“I love my mum because she is my mummy – she gives me lots of hugs and kisses.” Christian.

Gabriella and Mum, Kyla-Jayne

Willow with Mum, Melissa

Dean, Catherine and

Christian with Mum, DianaKarin and Kai with Mum, Rina

Jacob and Chloe with Mum, Carmel

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SAVING YOUR AGE PENSION, ONE GIFT AT A TIME

Our media is full of discussion around changes to the age pension assets test that will come into effect from 1 January 2017. However, some of the strategies being promoted, with the aim of enabling affected Australians to keep their pensions intact, are scary to say the least. For some, the idea of giving away money or assets to children, even if it is only a “loan”, may appear attractive.

Steve and Kathy

Let’s consider Steve and Kathy. They are both receiving a part age pension which is supplemented by their superannuation. They have around $900,000 in assets that are assessed for age pension purposes. However, because their assessable assets exceed $823,000, they will lose their age pension entirely from 1 January 2017. This is concerning for Steve and Kathy as they rely on their part age pension and their concession card. In order to preserve their age pension Steve and Kathy’s neighbour, who has read something in the media and “knows all about this stuff”, has suggested they give $200,000 to their children. Now we know that while this will technically be a gift, the deal is that the children will be required to help Steve and Kathy out financially from time to time, if needed.

So, if they proceed with this plan, will it save their age pension? To their mind, their assessable assets will be below the new cut-off point for a part age pension, so they will retain a small age pension, and will keep their concession card

THE SYSTEM

Delve into the inner workings of Centrelink and the age pension system, however, and you will come across a couple of key considerations. The first relates to loans, and the second covers gifts. Loans made by a pensioner, even an informal loan made to a family member, will continue to be counted as an asset for assets testing, and an amount of income will be “deemed” to be received, even if the loan is interest free.

THE THING WITH GIFTS

Gifts however are handled differently. A current or prospective pension recipient may gift a certain amount each year without it having adverse impact on their pension. The current limit is $10,000 each financial year, subject to a maximum of $30,000 over any continuous five year period. Where the amount gifted, whether it be money or other assets, exceeds the annual limit, the excess will continue to be counted as an asset

for the next five years, and will be subject to deeming for income purposes. So, simply giving assets away does not solve the problem. So, in Steve and Kathy’s case, simply lending or gifting their excess assets is not going to provide the outcome their helpful neighbour suggested.

ONE MORE THING

Incidentally, giving away assets before applying for the age pension won’t necessarily get around the gifting provisions. You see, when you apply for the age pension, you will be asked to provide details of any gifts made in the previous five years. And gifting includes the disposal of an asset for less than its market value! The rules around the age pension, loans and gifting can be quite complex. It is likely that around 330,000 Australians will either lose their age pension altogether, or have their pension reduced come January 2017. We would encourage all readers to seek appropriate advice from a qualified source if they are concerned and certainly before acting.

Originally appeared on: http://blog.cpal.com.au/realiseyourdream/

17

Pick a Husband, Any Husband

As the hostess at the casino buffet showed me to my table, I asked her to keep an eye out for my husband,

who would be joining me momentarily.

I started to describe him: “He has gray hair, wears glasses, has a potbelly …”

She stopped me there. “Honey,” she said, “today is senior day. They all look like that.”

Laugh Out Loud

ALLEGED ASSOCIATES ‘GET THE GIGS!’Local band, Alleged Associates are building up quite the following, after three years of dedication, practice and door-knocking to 'get the gigs'.

The band features the exceptionally talented Ms Gabbie Grozdonovski from Altona Meadows on lead vocals, her brother John Sortino, also from Altona Meadows on

drums and vocals, the very experienced James S Baker, of Werribee on bass, with the Master of the Stratocaster, Ken Burgstrum and Terence O'Donnell on vocals and guitar.

The band was established at DANCEMAX STUDIOS in Hoppers Crossing, where Ms. Grozdonovski is part owner.

A fully soundproofed rehearsal space allowed for many hours of 5-piece vocal harmony development and the growth of a now very strong play list. The band reaches across several genres from hard edged rock, cruisy blues and often converts to unplugged/electro acoustic arrangements, for Ms. Gabbie's sweet sounding ballads.

With the adaptability of performing as a 5-piece line-up, or converting into various duo, trio and quartet combinations, Alleged Associations are finding greater success through the increase of regular gig options. They now find themselves picking up outdoor festivals, Clubs, Pubs and Private Corporate functions.

The band have secured a Friday Night residency at SMOKEHOUSE, at 101 Rosamond Rd, Maribrynong, (now in its second year) and are becoming regulars at the Newport Bowls Club and Festivals in The West.

Keep an ear out for Alleged Associates and support our local talent!

www.facebook.com/Alleged-Associates-479599945525048

Why Can’t Coffee Shops Spell Correctly?

When asked for his name by the coffee shop clerk, my brother-in-law answered, “Marc, with a C.” Minutes later, he was handed his coffee with his

name written on the side:Cark.

My Grandson Is A Smart Egg…

At the mall, my five-year-old grandson joined the other children in line, waiting to sit on the Easter

Bunny’s lap. When it was his turn, Jake didn’t move; he just stared.

“Don’t you want to sit on the bunny’s lap?” I asked.

“No!” he shouted. “There’s a man in his mouth!”

18

FAMILY DINNERS

I recall a time long agoWhen families sat down to dinner.The pace of life was rather slow;

Conversation was the winner.

There was no TV, just radio;Mobile phones had not been invented.

Movies and dancing were the go;With simple pleasures, we were contented.

Summoned to table by Mother,We’d sit in our usual place,

Absorbed in the meal and each other:In some families, Dad would say “Grace”.

The meal would be two or three course.There was no noisy distraction,Just friendly family discourse;That’s to say vocal interaction.

We’d discuss events of the day,Politics, sport or whatever.

Everyone got to have their say.There were jokes - some dumb, some clever.

Afterwards some of us might playMonopoly, Crib, Draughts or Canasta.

You played to win, I’ll not gainsay,But there was also lots of laughter.

Family life started to changeWhen TV came into the home.

The above scene would now seem strange,In this age of the mobile phone.

Anywhere you go, far or near,People are texting and tweeting;

Or have the darn thing up to their ear;Or there’s some stupid game they’re playing.

iPads and iPhones are the rage;The art of conversation’s dying,

Soon to be gone like Thebes and Carthage:We’ll be poorer, there’s no denying.

Jack Nystrom

19

Calling on Hoppers Crossing Schools and Parents to share photos, art, stories, writing for this page.Email your contributions to will@aroundpointcook.com or post to the PO Box 1145 Altona Meadows 3028

Movie Review BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

Whether you enjoy Batman V Superman, or find it to be the definition of underwhelming will likely depend on your expectations going in: those hoping for the Citizen Kane of comic-book movies may find the CGI-heaviness overbearing and the story weak, whilst those anticipating nothing more than a fun and action-packed precursor to the Justice League, should get their fill.

There are one too many plot threads and side-characters who feel shoehorned in, and the titular confrontation between Batman and Superman is disappointingly short; even so this is not a bad film

We finally get to see Batman break bones, rather than bread, Wonder Woman makes her first big-screen

appearance with a smirk and an amazing theme, and if anything, the film’s biggest enemy is its own lofty ambitions— director Zack Snyder and his team perhaps tried too hard to give the fans what they wanted, which results in a film that lacks focus.

Regardless, now that the pieces have been set and the groundwork laid for the future, we can and should expect a Justice League film (or films) to make Gardner Fox proud

And a word on Lex Luthor, unrecognisable from the comics: Jesse Eisenberg’s interpretation is decidedly eccentric, decidedly out of place, and a welcome slice of hubris in an otherwise dour affair.

Brandon McLaren

20

HOBART AND ADELAIDE ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

Last month Jetstar began flying direct from Avalon Airport to Hobart and Adelaide, bringing two more cities that little bit closer to communities in Geelong, the Surf Coast and Wyndham regions.Adelaide – a beautiful historical sunny city is only an hour from the stunning Barossa, and, as many happy AFL supporters have pointed out, is home to Adelaide Oval.Hobart has historical significance of its own and is the closest major city to Port Arthur, the former convict settlement and open-air museum. It will also host AFL this year, with North Melbourne playing several of their home games at Blundstone Arena.

The timing of the new flights is spectacular as both cities are in the lead up to major festivals to brighten up winter: the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and DARK MOFO in Hobart.The Adelaide Cabaret Festival has a proud history of attracting world class acts – and Artistic Directors. Ali McGregor and Eddie Perfect have taken over this year from Barry Humphries - who took over from Kate Ceberano. This year it features a fabulous array of acts such as Rhonda Burchmore, die Roten Punkte, Lisa Fischer, Restless Dance Theatre, Tripod and so many more. It runs from 10-25 June.DARK MOFO at MONA celebrates the dark of winter through “art, food, music, light, film and noise.” It’s been a hugely successful festival for the past two years at a gallery that continues to shock, amuse and provoke thought in visitors from all over the world. Past artists have included Marina Abramović and Antony and the Johnsons. It runs from 10-21 June.Both cities offer fantastic experiences in art, culture and food, and are a perfect complement to the direct flights Avalon already offers to Sydney and the Gold Coast.Follow all our news, discoveries and visuals on Facebook, Twitter (@AvalonAirportAU) and Instagram (@avalonairport).Image: Adam Bruzzone | Rundle Mall, Adelaide | Courtesy of South Australian Tourism Commission