FLIGHT OF THE TROPPO BUMBLEBEE

Heavy rain has caused wattle to  burst into bright profusion-attracting  swarms of bumblebees, one caught here in  flight , who mysteriously disappear after a quick sniff  of  the heady  aroma , which  acts  like  snuff .

STEEDMAN LEAVES HIS BLOODY MARK

During his recent overseas trip , revisiting the action packed haunts of the swinging l960s and early l970s , journalist and political activist, Pete Steedman ( subject of the ongoing Steedman Chronicles in Little Darwin ) , crossed from France to Italy. While he failed to crack the Da Vinci Code, he did crack his head on a marble slab when he took a tumble on poorly lit steps at a motel. Bleeding profusely, he was taken to hospital in an ambulance where his head was wrapped like a Christmas pudding , a brace placed on his neck. The motel management was relieved when battered Pete informed them that he was an Australian , not a Yank, and would not sue the pants off them .

During his travels , which included the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey , an expensive trip to Harrod’s , he spent a delightful time being driven about by John Varnom , closely involved with Richard Branson of Virgin in the early days of the record business , now a renowned chef and author of cooking books , still with an interest in records.

Back home in Melbourne , Steedman misses Varnom’s tucker expertise as he opens yet another can of baked beans or spaghetti to decorate a piece of toast . Pete’s finances are  now such  that he would have trouble finding three coins to throw in a fountain  as part of  a romantic gesture.

BURLEIGH CAPTURES DARWIN LOONS

While rebuilding his noble Pajero during a pit stop in the dramatic  outback Redex Trial , Bulldust Diary columnist and illustrator, Peter “Gelignite “ Burleigh ,took time out to send us the above sketch , being his impression of Mr and Mrs Average Darwinite in the oppressive build up - driven troppo by awful drivers , hoons, barking dogs, blackouts , the threat of massive power hikes , outrageous rents , the  gyrating new NT Government  , ABC newsreaders who can’t pronounce words , prickly heat and the media’s obsession with crocodiles and other flim flam while major issues go unreported . Warning : Some readers may be offended  by Burleigh’s   harsh representation of the average salt- of –the- earth Darwin couple . Don’t worry–in recent posts he has upset Telstra , Qantas  Queenslanders, Grey Nomads , Germans, waiters and damaged Australia’s entente cordiale with  France .

STRANGE NT CHILD CARE RESPONSE

You have to wonder if positive, democratic discourse is encouraged in the Northern Territory when it comes to child care- this vital area in a state of apparent upheaval. Take the case of  an Area Coordinator of  the Darwin Family Day Care ,Territory Children Group, who requested in an email "we would really like some feed back ( sic ) " in respect of a discussion paper entitled , Support Educator with [the] Out of Home Care. Responding to that direct request for input, a Carer/ Educator in the Territory Child Care Group (TCCG) since 2007, after discussion with others in the field , produced what reads as a thoughtful, well balanced document and sent it to the Office of Children and Families , and others .

During her involvement with TCCG , the Carer Educator wrote, she had had various children requiring 24 hour care , seven days a week, who are the ultimate responsibility of the NT Department of Children and Families . At the time of writing the response, there were two children in her care under the 24/7 arrangement. She pointed out that the proposed TCCG changes would require all co-carers to undertake additional training under the National Quality Framework . In the case of her co-carers, well known and respected members of the Darwin community , they held First Aid certificates , Ochre cards and attended educational sessions as and when relevant for the children’s ages and needs.

Under the new set up , they would have to undertake additional training as part of the National Quality Framework. Co-carers who volunteered the use of their abilities, time and domestic environment were now expected to have all the qualifications of a carer in a child care centre, including Certificate 3 in Early Childhood, while supporting her for free . The Carer Educator requested that Darwin Family Day Care provide an exemption for co-carers of DCF in 24/7 care being required to attend additional training that is not specificially relevant to children in their care. A readily obtainable exemption from limiting co-carers providing care to 24/7 children to four hours - illustrated as unworkable- in her case, was also sought.

Other constructive points made included the observation that the new regulations and quality assurance system was about mainstream child care, with an emphasis on family engagement and sharing of information which was out of context with caring for children 24/7 in lieu of family responsibility.

On October 12, Ms Heather Havens , Director Territory Childcare Group, responded : "Darwin Family Day care is an approved Education and care Service operating under the National Quality Framework which is administered locally by Quality Education and Care Northern Territory and federally by the Australian Children’s Education Care Services Quality Authority . Being an approved service we are required to comply with the standards and regulations set out by the legislation. Referring to your emailed  dated the 3rd October addressed to the Office of Children and Families and copied to your Darwin Family Day Care Coordinator, it is clear that you are unable to sustain your commitment to being a registered Family Day Care Educator.

There is a clear demarcation between providing care for children as a Registered Foster Carer under the Care and Protection of Children Act and providing education and care for children as a Registered Family Day Care Educator under the Education and Care Services National Law Act. Due to your consistent failure to recognise your role as a Family Day Care Educator under the correct legislation (Education and Care Services National Law Act) I wish to inform you that your registration as a Family Day Care Educator with Darwin Family Day Care (Territory Child Care Group Inc. ) will be terminated as of 5.30pm on 9th of November 2012".Strangely , it ended Kindest Regards.

As a result of this abrupt termination letter, the Carer/Educator requested a list of all the so-called occasions that she had failed to recognise in her role as a Family Day Educator and what actions TCCG had taken on each occasion. “I am very disappointed that you have taken my letter as evidence that I am unable to sustain my commitment to being a Registered Family Day Care Educator ,” She went on: "My letter was aimed at attempting to practically apply the regulations under the legislation , without adversely affecting any of the children in my care . All of the training I have received has emphasised the welfare of the children in my care , and I am confused why you did not refer to the effect on the children in care. " It appeared that , in conjunction with past incidents, to be bullying in response to her asking questions or finding out alternative advice to that which the TCCG is implementing . The Carer/Educator said TCCG had threatened fines or possible litigation if the regulations were not adhered to.

This is clearly a matter which requires prompt intervention by the new NT Government as the issue not only raises serious questions about the treatment of the Carer/Educator but the added requirements on co-carers and the impact on children in 24/7 care.

A quick Google search shows the legislation was never intended to cover children in 24/7 care. National Education and Care Services Legislation ( from SA Government website)

In December 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a new National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care. The aim of the new Framework was to deliver better quality services and promote good educational and social outcomes for children attending long day care, family day care, outside school hours care  and preschool. The new national approach replaced the licensing and accreditation processes previously undertaken by the Commonwealth, States and Territories.

There has been no response from  Ms Heather Havens, Director of Territory Childcare Group Inc.,  to the letter  sent 24 days ago, from the Carer/Educator seeking detailed reasons  that  led to the decision to cancel her registration which takes effect tomorrow.

 

GUARDIAN OF THE LIGHT ON THE HILL

A befuddled  Darwin  Leaping Lizard  poses in front  of  what  he  thinks  is the Statue of Liberty-a solar powered garden light.  He intends to  stand somewhere   between  a  rock and a hard place as the Republican candidate at the next US  Presidential  election.

WEIRD SIGHTINGS IN DARWIN

One of Little Darwin’s roaming reporters who actually gets  out and about looking at what is going on in the city made some interesting discoveries at the Dump Shop . There was  Ned Kelly , above , sweltering in his armour, bailed up by a huge spider. Instead of  being in  the company of seven  dwarfs,  delicate Snowhite , exposed to  the elements , was surrounded by an army of  repulsive garden gnomes and other odd  statuary. Tucked  away in the nearby shed  was  a pile  of  framed Power and  Water Occupational Health and Safety Policy statements ,apparently surplus to requirements.

HUNGARIAN LIBERTY CHAMPION VOTES FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA

We get the early  mail  on the outcome of the US Presidential election .