Perth Voice Interactive

FREMANTLE’S iconic Blessing of the Fleet turns 70 this year; a big occasion the fleet committee has marked with the launch of a stunning history of the festa.

Written by Susanna Iuliano and Maria Amato-Gorman, Blessing of the Fleet: A History of Fremantle’s Festa beautifully captures all aspects of the celebration in a series of short and poignant vignettes.

Accompanying the text are glorious photos from the first festival in 1948, right through to today’s generation carrying the two statues of the Madonna through the streets of Fremantle last year.

There’ll be copies of the book available for purchase during the festival, which is being held on Sunday, October 28.

This year there’ll also be a new market in front of the Shipwreck Museum to keep visitors entertained and well fed during the day.

Run by former Freo councillor Georgie Adeane from 10am to 6pm, it promises to mix the fun of the Sunset Markets, the colour of the Fremantle Festival and the spectacle of the procession.

Another new initiative is an opera singer who’ll emphasise the Blessing’s religious importance by performing a rendition of Ave Maria as the Madonna statues are taken by the fisherman from the procession to be loaded onto the St Gerard and Maddalena for their tour around Fishing Boat Harbour.

The procession starts at 2pm from St Patrick’s Basilica, and the evening concludes with the traditional fireworks at 8pm.

FATE seems to have been waiting for the biggest of occasions to give Sam De Ceglie his day in the spotlight.

After nearly half a century watching other skippers getting chosen to ferry the two statues of the Madonna around Fishing Boat Harbour, Mr De Ceglie was delighted when his boat Maddalena won the annual lottery to carry the statue of the Madonna di Capo d’Orlando this year.

“I’m really thrilled, especially on the 70th anniversary,” Mr De Ceglie said.

Adding to the celebration, Mr De Ceglie will be sharing honours with his brother John, who’ll be carrying the Madonna dei Martiri on his boat the San Gerard. It will be his eighth procession around Fishing Boat Harbour, but the first time with the larger statue.

Pioneer

The pair have been fishing for around 60 years, but their great grandfather Giovanni was a real pioneer of the industry, fin fisherman around Fremantle in the early 1900s.

During the Second World War their father Joe’s boat was confiscated along with much of the Italian fishing fleet, and he spent several years interned on Rottnest Island and down in Harvey before the war ended and he was able to resurrect his career.

“They were all plank boats at the time with a mast and a sail, though we did have an engine,” John remembers of his early days on the sea.

“There was none of these computers or GPS; you only had a compass,” he says with a wave towards his brother’s modern bridge.

His son Joe recalls the hard work of the early years: “They used to be away for seven months, living on the boat without showers, living off the sea, working out of Lancelin, Jurien and Shark Bay for the snapper,” he says.

These days Sam and John have handed the wheel over to their sons, both called Joe after their grandfather, but still travel up to Lancelin as camp cooks.

Sam’s son says these days life’s a bit easier, with crayfish quotas ensuring steady work, and their families having more opportunity to visit in Lancelin.

They say the Blessing of the Fleet has always been a big part of the extended family’s year, as they’d all gather in the back of one of their boats for a big feed and to watch the fireworks.

But then it’s back to work. Their boats had just come off the slip this week and the season starts pretty much as soon as the festa is over.

John’s son says he still loves his time on the sea: “It’s the only life I’ve known,” he laughs.

SENIORS who use unmonitored medical alarms can save up to $300 on an upgrade, as part of the NBN rollout.

Unmonitored medical alarms help to safeguard people who suffer from health issues by calling family members, friends, neighbours or 000 when triggered.

NBN Co is offering a subsidy of up to 80 per cent, capped at $300, to unmonitored medical alarm users who will need to switch systems when their NBN is installed.

“I’m pleased NBN Co has recognised the extra financial obligations faced by many seniors and others who use unmonitored medical alarms,” said seniors minister Mick Murray.

“I encourage anyone who uses an unmonitored alarm to contact the medical alarm register soon to make sure you are ahead of the rollout in your area.

“An 80 per cent saving is a big help for someone on a fixed income and I really encourage anyone eligible to take advantage of the savings on offer.”

When the NBN rollout is happening in a particular area, they will contact people on the register to assist with device upgrades.

To register and to find out more about the subsidy call 1800 003 095 or go to

ALMOST 50 per cent of West Australians have never made a will and risk their life savings going to the state, according to the Public Trustee WA.

Trustee director Etta Palumbo says that if you don’t have an up-to-date, legally-valid will, it’s likely that the state will benefit and your family and friends will lose out.

Ms Palumbo, one of the best-known speakers on wills in WA, will be hosting free community talks on wills and the importance of planning ahead during Seniors Week (November 11–17).

She says about 34 per cent of West Australians reported their will is not up-to-date.

“Writing a will and being prepared can be easy and cost-effective compared to dying intestate and, at the Public Trustee, we want to ensure that all West Australian’s have access to information and services to help them through the process” said Ms Palumbo.

The Trustee will also be giving advice on deceased estates and how to safeguard against financial or elder abuse in later life.

The WA government is so concerned about elderly financial abuse it launched an inquiry into the issue, which was tabled in parliament last month.

The inquiry has so far been told that an estimated one in 20 of WA’s 350,000 seniors will have experienced violence, exploitation or neglect, often perpetrated by a family member.

According to Advocare, which launched the WA elder abuse hotline in 2014, financial abuse (34 per cent) and psychological abuse (33 per cent) were the most common forms of elderly abuse, with adult children being the most likely perpetrators.

Perth lawyer John Hammond told the Voice he was encountering more and more cases of elderly abuse and they usually involved greedy sons, daughters, nieces or nephews that can’t wait to get their hands on their elderly relation’s booty.

Greedy rellies

“I have been told of family members stealing cash, jewellery, cars and other assets from the elderly,” he says.

“I am aware of assets being fraudulently transferred, e.g. houses worth millions of dollars, and family members forging their parents’ signatures to transfer assets.

“And I’ve heard of family members acting unconscionably, to the extent of forcing their elderly mum to live with them in her declining years and using that proximity to pressure mum to change her will in their favour.”

Last month, after the report was tabled, WA attorney general John Quigley said he wanted to reform legislation to protect the elderly from financial abuse.

“The McGowan government is committed to amending the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 to implement the recommendations of a 2015 statutory review which will provide consistency over provisions for guardianship and administration, enduring powers of attorney and enduring powers of guardianship,” he said.

“These are important reforms to strengthen safeguards for adults with a decision-making disability and improve the overall operation of the Act. The previous Liberal National government did not progress the recommendations from that review.

“Drafting has commenced and it is anticipated that the bill will be introduced into parliament in the first half of 2019.

Abuse

“Elder abuse has also been on the agenda of the council of attorneys-general following the Australian Law Reform Commission’s report Elder Abuse – A National Legal Response. Work is underway to develop the national plan to combat elder abuse.”

Free talks by the Public Trustee WA will be held at their offices at 533 Hay Street, Perth on November 12, 10.15am-11.45am, and November 13, 10.15am-11.45am and 1pm-2.30pm.

To book go to http://www.trybooking.com/XUKX

The public trustee is a statutory body which offers independent advice and operates under the authority of WA’s parliament.