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FrOm tHe editOr

eMbRaCing

Change

ur precinct is well known for bucket lists, and to lift their mood, we’ve
our ability to look beyond our included an article by Ron Searle telling us
oimmediate creature comforts about his wildlife and birding trip to Assam.
and reach out to those less fortunate. Keeping with the natural theme, James
Now, more than ever, the threats to Clarke also chats about why the leaves of
the disadvantaged are great cause for deciduous trees turn red in autumn, and
concern, especially as we’re heading into we have a DIY step-by-step article on how
the winter months when colds and fl u are to bring nature into the home by building
more prevalent. The inability to earn will an indoor succulent garden.
see a shortage of food, medical supplies,
cleaning materials, clothing and blankets in Succulents are relatively easy to propagate
the poorer communities. And so our efforts and have become more prominent in
to help them will need to be stepped up suburban gardens in the last few years
considerably. – for an important reason. Water-wise
gardening is essential in our water-scarce
An inspirational story in this issue covers region and planting succulents is a
the activities of the outreach programmes wonderful way to keep the garden looking
already under way in our precinct. It’s good even in the dry months.
wonderful to see how much is already
being done – but of course there’s always This brings to mind the very real possibility
room for more and anyone who has some that water restrictions could become our
spare time or spare resources will be next big concern as the rains recede. I
welcomed with open arms. have to admit, it seemed quite ludicrous,
watching a video on how to wash your
Helping our children come to terms with hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19,
the drastic changes to our lifestyles is that the woman demonstrating the
equally important.Online schooling was a technique had the water running full speed
huge culture-shock, not only for the kids, from the tap for the entire 20 – 30 seconds
but for parents and teachers too. Not of her demonstration. Please let’s not do
being able to play sport, not being able to that.
arrange play dates, not being able to go to
the movies or nag Mum or Dad for treats Now may be a good time to invest in
while shopping – these are all aspects a reasonable supply of hand sanitiser.
of a child’s life that were completely There are a number of companies that
taken for granted. Suddenly, that was all have adapted their manufacturing facilities and robots that dispense medicines and
taken away, and for some, that was very to produce hand sanitiser – and others cope with waste removal, among many
stressful – and therefore, in this issue, who are now producing 3D-printed face other interesting inventions – and there’s
Dr Ilse Ruane has shared some tips on shields, fabric masks, and even basic much anticipation that our local whiz kids
how to nurture resilience and help the ventilators. will be matching many of these innovations
kiddies cope in the face of all the ongoing soon.
changes. Overseas, there are innovators who have
devised social distancing aids, optical As the motivational gurus say – a
By now, a lot of seasoned travellers will be sensors to measure the number of people time of crisis is a time of opportunity.
itching to tick off more destinations on their in a room, anti-viral air fi ltration systems, Let’s embrace this phase and make it
memorable and meaningful for all the right
reasons.
Please stay safe and take care.

Warm regards,
A

Ann Arnott
Editor

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