Travel Agent takes a hit for her clients!

I left my heart in San Francisco……or at least some skin and bone!

You can imagine my excitement when I was  offered  the chance to spend 4 nights in San Francisco – a city I have never visited…….all in the name of self improvement….all for you, our clients…..

What, with the dollar the way it is – I was dreaming of shopping, a little Californian wine, some clam chowder, maybe catching a 49ers game at Candlestick Park.

So you could imagine my horror when I received my itinerary a few days before departure to be faced with the prospect of a 9 mile push bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge….now Jo knows I would do anything in the line of work, I would eat, I would drink, I would inspect hotels, I would suffer a long haul flight, but come on…….do you know how expensive medical costs are in the States????  Me, being the wrong side of 40, on a bike, on the wrong side of the road (and as it turned out, in the rain) is just asking for trouble……..

Never has a truer word been spoken….

Apparently, this is an incredibly popular tour for visitors to Fisherman’s Wharf.  Grab a pushie, throw on a helmet and take off……get to Sausalito and ride the ferry back.  There are numerous companies that offer this.  On paper, the ride itself should have been spectacular. Pedal through Fort Mason, the Marina District, past some truly spectacular homes, stopping at the amazing and little known Palace of Fine Arts, which was built to commemorate the completion of the Panama Canal.  From there, pedal through the Presidio to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. 

The experience would be unforgettable….so I put on my “game face” and gave it a go….I could do this, something to tell the kids and one day (assuming I survived) the grandkids about….

Things started badly – wet cable car tracks are really slippery (I am sure that wasn’t in the 10 page legal document I had signed prior to climbing on my bike……) and you guessed it, I hit the tarmac in the first two blocks……but as you do, you hop up, ignore the pain, laugh self consciously, embarrassed that you have caused a spectacle on the main tourist strip and push on…..all for you, our clients……

Once on the bridge I noticed emergency stations that were located short distances from each other with “Crisis Buttons”.  At this point in the ride, I knew there was no other reason on earth for these to be here except for unfit, inexperienced push bike riders like myself, who thought their life was almost over……all due to a bike ride…….

The good news was that the last three miles were in fact downhill and with just one more little hiccup, I rolled into the ferry terminal at Sausalito – somehow managed to dismount and board the ferry.  I toasted my success with a “BUD” as I looked at the beast I had managed to conquer – and boy, was it a long way up…..

So when you next see a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge, think of me…….and assuming the above article has enticed you into doing a trip to San Francisco, call in and see me and my scars and I can make this dream into reality….all for you, our client…..

Tina Lazell.

TIme to ‘Re:think’ our Tax System

The problem we face is that Australia’s current tax system, which was designed

before the 1950s, is ill-suited to the 2050s.

As a result of changes driven by globalisation and the rise of the digital economy,

Australia’s heavy reliance on income taxes may be unsustainable. This over-reliance

is projected to increase further, largely as a result of wages growth leading to

individuals paying higher average rates of tax (bracket creep).

Around 300,000 Australians are expected to move into the second highest tax

bracket over the next two years. 

In just 10 years, nearly half of all taxpayers will be in the top two tax brackets - an

increase from around 27 per cent today to 43 per cent in 10 years’ time. 

In Australia about 70 per cent of Commonwealth tax revenue is collected from

personal and company income taxes.  

A dozen companies pay around one third of Australia’s company tax.

The rise of the digital economy and globalisation presents significant challenges

for the effectiveness of the tax system.

Capital is more mobile and we need a competitive corporate tax regime to

encourage investment. Multinational corporations operate across many jurisdictions

and that means it can be difficult to determine where tax should be paid.

The Intergenerational Report highlights the need for a tax system that can support

a growing and ageing population while there is a decline in the number of traditional

working age Australians to fund services.

Australia can’t risk falling behind. Many of Australia’s international competitors

are changing their tax systems to make them more competitive.

The Government must build a tax system that delivers taxes that are lower, simpler

and fairer.

The community’s responses will inform the Government’s tax options Green Paper,

due to be released in the second half of 2015. The Government will seek further

feedback on those options before putting forward policy proposals for consideration

by the Australian people in 2016. 

Submissions and suggestions on the discussion paper can be made at the interactive

website www.bettertax.gov.au until 1 June 2015.   

Shed Happens for Men at The Gap/ Ashgrove

Interviews on the previoust Shed night March 18 included Merv. Probert, former The Gap resident and agriculturalist with experience in Africa, China and India.  Prof Alex Crandon is a specialist Gynaecological Surgeon and no doubt dispelled some of the mysteries of “secret women's business”.

April Shed will feature a special tribute for the Hundredth Anniversary of Anzac. Interviews that night will be with Brig. Michael Paramour AM, formally Principal of the Royal Military College Duntroon, now CEO of Greening Australia and an Iraq veteran, and  Chris McCarthy who saw active service in Afghanistan and is currently CEO of  “Hear and Say”.

See us on Facebook: The Gap/Ashgrove ”Shed Night” or on our website www.shedhappensformen.com.au or contact Alan on 3351 2538  042833668.

Anzac Day at Samford Historical Museum

This is the ONLY day in the year we have FREE entry. We will be open to the public after the RSL Service at Samford.

So we are inviting you all to come and visit us on this very important date. Our most relevant display is our very own war museum, (formerly Grovely Railway Station) relating to wars from World War 1 to Vietnam, this is a must see exhibit. Volunteers on the day will be there to assist you with any enquiries and or questions.

With Anzac Day commemorations The Samford District Historical Museum Society will be remembering the role women played in providing and sending "Comfort" to "Our Boys" to supplement their Army rations e.g. Socks, fruit cakes, biscuits, newspapers and more.

For a gold coin donation, ladies and gentlemen can bring along their craft work and join in on our "Knitters and Natters". All money donated will be forwarded to Samford Avenue of Honour.

Charlie Nolan, a historian will be on site to assist with soldier research. "Honour our Heroes" is the theme featured throughout our complex.

Refreshments will be available, with the very favourite Anzac Biscuits, as well as jams, pickles and cakes. On sale we have books with local history written by local authors — “Samford Reminiscences”, “Recollections of Pine Rivers Shire During World War Two" plus many more. The Blacksmith will be busy firing his forge.

For any further information please phone Samford Museum 3289 2743 or Geoff 0417 610 983. Comfort Fund enquiries contact Eileen 3289 1550

Parker State School circa 1915

"Knitting for soldiers in World War One"

Back row LtoR: Ethel Hansen, Florrie Smith. Vera Linnane;

Front row LtoR: Edith Hansen, Martha Smith, teacher Gertie Wood, Evelin Smith and Ivy Krause.