Reflections

Fortunately I find myslf in good health and happiness as we near the end of a difficult year. A year ago we were renovating the "clinic" at the farm where Vince had been a good tennant with his osteopath business. He'd scaled down over a few years and had been semi retired for some time. When he left we decided to renovate the building into living quarters which turned out to be a more tiring and expensive project than was anticipated. It took our savings. Meredith, Elvie and I contributed to make up the cost. So we started the year skun out and not a little anxious. The prospective tennant we had lined up pulled out but Jod took the opportunity and moved in as soon as it was finished. He pays rent so over time our expense will be recouped.

The big rain of February set the tone for a wet and wild ride which has continued for most of the year with rampant growth of trees and shrubs and grass and weeds creating a high work load which has not eased up. Our scratchy financial position meant we had to chase every dollar we could in the way of keeping customers supplied and happy. Somehow customers have a habit of requiring the difficult or scarce rather than the easy and plentiful. That's the way it goes.

The last three months have been good from a financial viewpoint. Two wet springs in a row made for terrific blossom and beech foliage. We have at last a small buffer in the bank which should tide us over the next couple of months as business quietens after Xmas and we concentrate on farm maintenance eg grass cutting and weeding and pruning and mulching. Not that we are flush by any means but we've gained a little breathing space.

Aside from the sheer brutality of meeting financial commitments there's a psychological endurance needed in small business, and I think I can be pardonned if I have become cynical. It was not long ago that I had a letter from the Fairwork Ombudsman suggesting that I had been selected for a possible audit of my workplace arrangements and payments, and that if I was in breech of any regulations it would be far better for me to disclose my errors beforehand than be detected by the auditor.

Not long after that a letter came from the Tax Office telling me that my figures were below "industry average", and seeing that I was involved in an industry where cash was often transacted, there was chance that I'd be selected for audit shortly and it would be wise of me to make disclosure of any receipts that had not been declared before thy were discovered at audit. I was informed there were hefty penalties and that the tax office had access to my bank accounts, and they worked from information provided to them by other parties.

Now I have nought to hide from anyone but I still find this communication intimidating, and when you are a small business scratching a living out of a few acres and employing a few people honestly and diligently you can't help but feel offended, remembering that as an self employed toiler I have no perks like sick pay or holiday pay. Every dollar is hard won.

Lately when I get home if I watch TV there are advertisements for WorkSafe directed at employers with the theme "We're coming to get you, the inspector is on his way". Of course I pay work cover insurance and we've never had a claim against us. I guess my premiums help pay for the ad.

Nowadays also as I drive to the farm and return there's every chance the police are aiming their radar speed gun at me or there's a speed trap set up to photograph the car's number if I transgress. I have not been booked for speeding for many years but Meredith, one of the slowest drivers I have known was detected and fined for doing 63 in a 60 zone a while back, and Lib copped a $240 fine for speeding whilst going shopping for the nursing home in her lunch hour. I have been pulled up dozens of times and asked to blow in the straw this year.

My farm pack insurance renewal came with a 50% increase in the premium and reading the fine print I find that a healthy portion of the total due is stamp duty and fire levy. There was no explanation for the rise in premium and we've never made a claim. The council rates have gone up double the CPI for two years in a row. It never seems to end. And everybody knows what is happening to electricity and water charges.

So I do feel I'm under constant harrassment. I regard myself as an honest, law abiding, hard working citizen, contributing much to the community above my business interests in voluteer work. My feelings are not diminished by the knowledge the harrassers receive holiday pay, sick pay, healthy superannuation, not to mention compassionate leave, long service leave, maternity leave. Mostly they are public servants whose tenure is 'safe' from economic fluctuation.

I make no apology for what may be perceived as whingeing. I intend to speak my mind more in the future. Despite the grinding oppression, I repeat I'm fortunate to be in good health and happiness and ready to take up arms for new battle in the New Year. I wish my friends and readers a happy and safe Christmas and festive season. May God be with you.