I must clarify that this post is not a review: my knowledge of classical music is sadly limited. I enjoy it and seek out any opportunity to listen to skilled musicians but my technical knowledge is zip. I'm sure there will be a number of reviews of the performance by people more qualified to comment.
However I was very disappointed to hear that the Federal Government have withdrawn funding (amounting to approximately $2.5m per year) from the Australian National Academy of Music. Without this funding the Academy will not able to develop Australia's elite young musicians (55 currently enrolled), preparing them for positions in the Australian Chamber Orchestra, State Symphony Orchestras and other orchestras. The academy also uses this funding to bring in world class musicians from around Australia and overseas to inspire their students. It is expected that without this funding the Academy will close its doors at the end of 2008. It appears that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's education revolution does not extend to music.
Arts Minister Peter Garrett has pulled funding from the Academy at the eleventh hour, claiming that the money could be used more effectively without proposing an alternative institution or means or training classical musicians beyond undergraduate level. Apparently the Academy is perceived as 'elitist'. However one doesn't need to be elite, or elitist to enjoy the wonderful, world-class music that the Academy's graduates produce. It would be a shame if more young Australians are forced to head overseas to seek the training and development opportunities that no longer exist in their homeland.
Perhaps Peter Garrett would prefer that we replace the National Academy of Music with the 'Peter Garrett Interpretive Dance Centre'? Or perhaps the 'Peter Garrett Academy of High Volume Political Ranting and Forgetting About All Of Your Convictions When You're in a Position to Do Something About Them?'
Can we not learn from our friends in the United States that pandering to the lowest common denominator is not the best strategy?
If you have a moment, please sign the petition on the Australian National Academy's website and show your support for this vital Australian institution.
I encourage you to seek out, support and enjoy the performances of Australia's classical musicians, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and in WA for example, the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra. Even if, like me, you have no knowledge of classical music, go with an open heart, mind and spirit and enjoy what you find there. Classical music is not the solely the domain of the wealthy or elite (and since when did they become dirty words?). An A reserve ticket for an ACO's Perth performance is $30 if you are under the age of 30, or $70 full price. Discounts are available for season subscribers and in the Entertainment Book.
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]]>I'm a (26 year old) P plater. I have never had a driving infringement, no speeding tickets, have never even been pulled over. Nor have I ever had a driving accident. I also drive a turbo car.
My car is a twin turbo. It has 18 inch rims and sports suspension.
It also has more air bags than you could imagine, excellent safety ratings and very good visibility (without being an urban assault vehicle).
So what do I drive? A beige Volvo sedan, specifically a 5 year old s80. Many larger European cars are turbo powered as this is more efficient than putting in a v8.
It is, admittedly, a big car, about the length of a Holden Statesman. As I think I've mentioned before, my husband and I only have one car between us. Our 'daily driver' is a big green Mercedes that runs every 15 minutes or so. However every weekend we ferry a bunch of rowdy passengers around in comfort - our elderly grandparents who are now unable to drive.
It would not be legal for me to drive this car in NSW. If the WA Opposition has its way, this high powered abomination will be banned here too.
The fact that some idiotic young drivers have turbo cars and also have accidents does not show a causative relationship. The idiots will be idiots whether they are driving a turbo or a 10 year old Hyundai Excel. It is quite possible to do very serious damage in a small, underpowered car and you are far more likely not to make it out of a tiny tinbox alive.
While the idea of assessing cars based on a power to weight ratio is a more sensible one, it still misses the point. It isn't the car that kills, it is the driver.
The real issue for young drivers on the road is insufficient driver education, alcohol and drug abuse, boredom, fatigue and immaturity.
When I called to renew my drivers' licence, the operator at the DPI commented that I was eligible for a free licence for a year because I have not had any infringements in the past two years while a probationary driver. Frighteningly, she told me that I was one of very few who were eligible.
While the proposed changes won't make a difference to me personally as I'm off my P's in 3 days, I am concerned that the Opposition is again looking for an easy scapegoat rather than addressing the real issues.
What do you think? Am I a hoon? Or are they just looking for an easy answer?
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]]>For 20-30somethings in Perth it's an after-work home-handyman renovation-in-progress on a 3 by 1 with a timber deck extension, lots of shiny stainless steel (or is it brushed this season?), a couple of feature walls and a hundred sparkly down-lights burning through the ceiling.
You get extra points if you have an extreme mortgage and a massive commute.
photo credit: sgatto
This is why I never have anything to talk about at barbecues. My bathroom looks the same as it did two years ago, except perhaps the grout is coming away a bit more. We don't have an oiled timber deck. Our house is not swathed in stainless steel. Hell we don't even have children and we only have one car.
Worst of all, there's nary a feature wall to be found. That's almost enough to get you completely evicted from generation X or Y or whatever it is these days.
So why is it that in this land of opportunity and freedom and expression and wonderfulness we have become a single-minded generation obsessed with backyard banality and reckless renovation?
It is obvious really.
The only place ever open in Perth is Bunnings.
Cosmopolita-what?
Despite the new legislation which was sold as a scheme to make Perth a mini-Melbourne, vibrant and full of lovely little places to have a drink, the reality is that it is rather difficult to drink or shop after work anywhere satisfactory. Unless of course you like socket sets, designer tap fittings and nondescript monstrosities where every man and his dog goes to get completely shitfaced.
photo credit: wine and painting color swathiness
In my very own area a local restaurateur proposed to open a small bar down the road in what is now a derelict run down sort of place. The council naturally rejected the application on the grounds of insufficient parking.
Plainly the local councils have banded together (except, to some degree, the city of Perth itself) in order to maintain the status quo in Perth of Sunday morning hammer shopping and driving absolutely bloody everywhere while drunk.
So what is there left to do?
Grab a beer or 40, paint the spare room antique-off-white accented with lemon and drive to your mate's place to watch the footie on the new plasma installed on his deck. If there's a break in the game just complain about debt and repeat ad infinitum.
You'll fit right in.
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