1. home and garden

E
FRE
Community Newspaper
WATTLE GLEN
• HURSTBRIDGE
• PANTON HILL
• ST ANDREWS
•
SMITHS GULLY
Issue No. 32 - April/May 2015
HURSTBRIDGE DOG PARK
OFFICIALLY OPENED
On Thursday March 5th at 3:00 p.m, the Hurstbridge dog
park was officially opened. The opening was attended by
council officers and the Deputy Mayor, Anika Van Hulsen.
Despite the unusual time approximately 20 dogs (with their
respective owners in tow) turned up. All behaved themselves
(dogs included) and it was great to catch up with a few other
dog owners that we hadn't seen for a while.
The speakers kept the speeches mercifully short. For those
unable to attend, it was confirmed that a water tap is
definitely going to be installed, hopefully by the end of this
financial year. As usual, finding funds has been the reason
for the delay. They also confirmed that Fergusons Paddock
will remain an off-leash area.
Also proposed by a dog owner (to protect her identity we'll
call her 'K') is the idea of park users doing some fund raising
of their own, for example a trivia night, to raise money for
snake 'proof' fencing. Keep your eyes open about the town
for more info.
And finally, that old chestnut, the issue of those brown
landmines, barkers eggs, doggie doo-doo's, call it what you
will, was also discussed. Now I reckon the only thing more
unpleasant than picking up dog poo is stepping in dog poo,
so please remember to pick up your dogs’’ calling cards.
MELBOURNE
UKELELE
So thanks to the council, and to those dog owners who
continued to lobby the council to get the Hurstbridge off-leash
Dog Park up and running so soon.
Sharon the dog walker
FESTIVAL
On Saturday 14th March the streets of Northcote twanged to
the music of hundreds of ukelele devotees, and we were not
left out. Miss Wattle's Panton Hill Ukelele Club, dressed up
to the nines, entertained a full Northcote Uniting Church with
their varied and lively programme of traditional and new
tunes.
The audience had a great time and so did the players.
Longing for the cool Autumn Rains ?
Over the Summer months a Peron’s Tree Frog has found
the bird the house next to the bird bath a cooler, moister
place to dwell than tour he parched garden. Occasionally it
appears in the opening seemingly to check the weather –
but so far has been disappointed.
IN THIS EDITION
Local Church, Schools and CFA News • Christmas Hills Cultural Capital of the world! •
Bunjil Ward Report • Hurstbridge Country Women’s Association-• Karen’s Garden •
Bountiful Bins • Snake Encounter • Handy Hurstbridge Shopping Directory • Nillumbik Shire
Council News• • • and more
Round-about Hurstbridge
Editorial Information
‘Round-about Hurstbridge’ published by
The Hurstbridge Newspaper Group Inc.
Incorporation No. A0057084Y
A not for profit community group
Editorial Team
Editor - Pam Lawson
Advertising & Treasurer - Bill Penrose.
Team Members
Eve Scopes - Anne Fitzpatrick - Nan Oates
Articles, News Items, What’s On, Letters to Editor:P.0 Box 162 Hurstbridge 3099
 9718 2271 email:pajala@netspace.net.au
Advertising & Promotions (Jpeg format preferred)
 9719 7468 email: bill.penrose@pas.com.au
Round-about can be read on our web site:
www.hurstbridge.org
Advertising Rates
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Quarter page
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Half page
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$35
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Deadline for
June/July Issue
Letter to the Editor
Dear Ed,
For several years we have seen inappropriate and
overzealous tree trimming by contractors to SPAusnet,
not only in our residential streets, but also along our main
road and town centre. Recent (18/2/15) excessive vegetation removal in our street has had a huge impact on our
streetscape.
We all agree that some tree trimming must take
place, but the contractors are clearly unconcerned with
how it looks and the long term effect on the vegetation.
When challenged, to justify their methods they have
given us information that we learned later was false. This
has led to further mistrust and occasional conflict between
contractors and residents.
We have also learned that contractors in this area are
not working to standards set by SPAusnet. Concerned
residents have had a very amicable and informative
meeting with this district’’s Field Officer from SPAusnet.
To ensure that these problems do not recur every year he
encourages anyone who has any problems regarding tree
trimming or contractors to email him with your concerns.
He also suggested sending a copy directly to SPAusnet.
Address your concerns to Scott Gentle from Select
Solutions (a division of SPAusnet)
Email scott.gentle@select-solutions.com.au
and SPAusnet customer services
at csc@ausnetservices.com.au
Regards, Sharon Turner
Rotary Recruiting Drive
20th May 2015
(For distribution by June 7th)
We aim to distribute Roundabout on the 7th of each second month. Please
note that the deadline for submission of articles and advertisements is the
20th of the month preceding publication. This must be adhered to due to
the need for editing and printing time.
Submissions received after the 20th will not be included, but articles of a
general nature will be held over for the next issue. Thank you in advance for
your co-operation.
Supported by:-
Printed by AJC Printers - Eltham
Round about Distribution: 2300 distributed
to Hurstbridge,
Wattle Glen, Panton Hill, St Andrews, Smiths Gully. Other areas by
arrangement or request.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in Letters to the Editor, news and
general interest articles are not necessarily those of the Editor and or
Newspaper Group members unless expressly indicated and signed.
The Diamond Creek Rotary Club is on a recruiting
drive. They recently held an information night at their
regular meeting venue, Ashton Manor in Diamond
Creek. About 25 residents from the Diamond Creek and
Hurstbridge areas attended and were given a briefing on
what the club is doing to help out the local and international communities.
Club speakers gave short talks outlining the club’s
activities including The Diamond Creek Town Fair, Shelter
Box which provides emergency shelter and vital supplies
to support communities around the world overwhelmed by
disaster, the Tenderfoot School in Nairobi Kenya, Rotary
Youth Leadership Awards developing our young people
into dynamic young leaders. Rotary is what you make it.
They’re always on the lookout for new members. If you
want a challenge and to help the local community whilst
developing yourself, Rotary might be for you.
The Diamond Creek Rotary Club meets every
Tuesday evening from 6.30pm at Ashton Manor 45-55
Main Street, Diamond Creek.
If you are interested please contact the membership
chair Phil Chambryon on 0416 126 976
Interested?
The small group of volunteers who
publish are in need of new blood. We meet every two
months for about an hour to discuss publication issues,
and the content of the upcoming edition. Other tasks may
include sourcing or writing articles of local interest ie. events, club or
group news, environmental issues, profiles, stories, opinions etc.,
etc., of your choice or assisting with the papers bi -monthly distribution.
The time commitment is not huge and would be largely based on
what you feel personally suitable and manageable. Your ideas, skills,
knowledge, fresh approach and input would be very welcome and
appreciated.
Contact Pam 97182271 or Bill 9719 7468
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A big
THANK
YOU
to local
resident and Hurstbridge Co-op School parent, Sue
for her generous offer to assist with the bi monthly
distribution of Round-about. Community Newspaper
The volunteering of your time and energy is very
much appreciated by all members of the
Round-about Community Newspaper Team.
Ed.
HURSTSBRIGE
UNITING CHURCH
The Vanuatu Disaster Relief
The Cyclone that devastated Vanuatu, and another that
flattened parts of Northern Australia, follows another
cyclone that attacked northern Queensland. It is timely to
listen carefully to our scientists who are working hard to
convince world leaders that things will get worse unless
we act decisively to combat carbon emissions and the effects of climate change. Long term profit must be put before short term gain. The scripture reminds us that “the
love of money is the root of all evil”. God gave human beings the responsibility of caring for the earth home he has
provided for us.
In the meantime we must think of and help those who
have suffered so much with the recent cyclones. Our own
people in Australia need help. Our banana growers have
been devastated yet again.
The people of Vanuatu have a long association with Australian churches. Many of our Missionaries have given
their lives helping these people to develop a strong community of faith. We are pleased our government is giving
significant help and the churches are rallying in support
both here and through our people who are still working
with them. Also, we need to keep all who have suffered
and who are helping, in our prayers.
Rev. Stan Bannon
Science & Faith a contradiction in terms?
Hurstbridge Uniting Church is planning a mini-series
of breakfast sessions commencing at 9.00 am on
first Sundays in the Hurstbridge Uniting Church hall
(opposite the CFA), giving us opportunities to enjoy a free
light breakfast together as well as to explore
a Christian perspective on some contemporary issues.
The first of a mini-series of breakfast sessions will be on
3rd May 2015, and our topic will be
‘’Science & Faith – a contradiction in terms??”.
All are welcome to come enjoy a free light breakfast
together and begin to explore the topic with us in a
respectful and fair-minded discussion.
Details:
9:00 am, 3 May 2015, Hurstbridge Uniting
Church hall (opposite the CFA)
Contact:
Ross Macmillan 9714 8334;
Helen Joynt 9438 4107
HURSTBRIDGE SUB-BRANCH RSL
Hurstbridge Sub-Branch RSL will hold their
2015 ANZAC Day Commemoration Service on
Saturday 18th April at 9.00am at the ANZAC
Memorial Stone, ANZAC Memorial Park on the corner of
Main Road and ANZAC Avenue Hurstbridge.
All welcome to attend.
E
aster and why I am a follower of Jesus
With Easter looming Christians are preparing for what is one
of the most important events in the Christian calendar. In
fact it is likely that for most Christians, including myself, the
events remembered and celebrated at Easter are what give
hope to their lives.
If we were to sum up in one sentence what is important to
me as a follower of Jesus, I would put it this way: “God has
revealed his love for all humankind (including me) and his
creation in Jesus.” This sounds like a very simple statement,
but it does need to be unpacked. The world we live in is a
harsh one, with natural disasters, and in which humans regularly do violence to one another. How can I live in such a
world where suffering is common, and yet claim that God
loves the world and his creation? Why is God not doing
something about it all?
There are no simple answers to these questions, but what I
can say these days is that I know God cares, and in Jesus,
God’s son, he has done something about it. When I was in
my early forties, I started reading carefully what
Jesus taught and did, and even though I could not understand everything (and am still learning) these teachings and
actions started to make some sense and give some meaning to my own difficult life experiences. Jesus taught about a
way of living that is very different to what we see in the
world. He said things like “Love your enemies” and “The last
shall be first and the first shall be last.” One of his most powerful claims was that “the Son of Man (Jesus) did not come
to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for
many.”
Where some have understood the death of Jesus on the
cross as his moment of failure, having read what he had
said enabled me to understand this as his moment of triumph. The whole point about being stripped and hanging
naked on the Cross was that God’s love was unveiled. It
was all that was left but it was all that was needed. No one
could take that love from Jesus. In dying Jesus overcame
dysfunction, brokenness, diseases, hatred, and all those
things that make us less human than we ought to be. Jesus’
words and death taught me that love is more powerful than
a gun or bomb, because love alone can transform people.
Love is not love unless it is vulnerable, and is willing to sacrifice. The death and the subsequent resurrection of Jesus,
which gives hope for new life, have changed many lives,
because those lives have experienced love that is unconditional and sacrificial. The thing that gets me up in the mornings to carry on is that I know God loves me in spite of my
terrible failings. No matter how much I mess up, I know that
that love never fails. And this love gives me hope that things
can and will be better one day.
Jesus’ way of living is very different from what we are seeing
in the world today. I can’t understand everything about God
and Jesus, or why God does or does not do certain things,
but I can say that his love has made a very big difference in
my life. The exercise of military and political force has never
produced a lasting result in making the world a better place.
But love has, because it really is more powerful than these
worldly things. Jesus taught me that, even though I am not
very good at showing love at times. But with Jesus’ love I
hope to get better at it, and that is why I am still following
him today.
David Sullivan
St Mathews Anglican Church, Panton Hill
Secretary: Noelene Park [03]9718 1119
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Christmas Hills:
the cultural capital of the world!
If you think Paris, London and New York are the cultural
capitals of the world then think again. Tucked away in the
hills and bushland of Christmas Hills are two cultural icons
that are making it the cultural capital of the world! Yes,
Christmas Hills boasts an orchestra, the Christmas Hills
Orchestral Players (CHOPS) and a poetry event, both of
which are based at the recently rebuilt, very beautiful
Christmas Hills Mechanics Institute Hall (in Ridge Rd).
Actually CHOPS is a really appropriate acronym as we are
guilty on some occasions, (especially rehearsals), of
“butchering” the music.
CHOPS has rehearsals every second Monday night with our
experienced local musician Stuart Favilla conducting. It has
13 players of varying standard but with equal enthusiasm to
make the orchestra the best that it can be. Last year the orchestra had two concerts: a Masquerade Venetian Ball
which was a triumph and an open rehearsal which was also
very successful. This year CHOPS is having an Easter
Concert (9th April), and end of year concert (17th December)
and yes, it’s on again! the mid-year Masquerade Ball
concert (27th June) featuring Handel’s Fireworks Music,
excerpts from Handels’ opera Rinaldo as well as concerti
and a miscellany of folk music.
Now is the time to plot, plan and
create for the 2015 Made on the Hill
Panton Hill, On the Hill
What will you make?
'All things Australian' is the theme
It's time to plot and plan
What can you create?
Grab your tools of creation
A hook, needle, pen or spatula?
It's time to begin
What could you enter?
Something spectacular!!
What will it be?
Something native to our land?
Plant, flower, tree... our flora?
Bird, kangaroo, goanna....our fauna?
Does it grow, fly, crawl or stand?
Oh tell me
Could it be where you're from?
Lands of near or far
Your heritage or history
A symbol, or perhaps a flag for some?
Could it be what is around you?
Or where you have been?
A place?
An old tv. show?
Something you have seen?
Remember, 'All things Australian'
By Kylie Brophy
Email:living.learning@nillimbik.gov.au
for an entry form
4
These are must-see events so keep an eye out for them.
CHOPS is always looking for more players, especially
string players. So if you have a violin, cello, double bass or
viola sitting in a cupboard and your fingers are itching to
play again, do come along and enjoy the fun, the excitement of playing some really great music and the sheer joy
of playing music with others. If you are interested in joining,
or would like more info, call Stuart on 9730 1026.
Poetry@Chrissy Hills is a poetry reading held on the fourth
Thursday every second month. It’s a night of poetry, ideas,
lots of fun and sometimes music. As well as a featured
reader, there is a 5 minute open mike. So come along and
share your poetry or read a favourite poem of someone
else’s that has spoken to you. The Christmas Hills Hall is a
great venue and the night is funny and dramatic but never
too serious. The April reading is scheduled for Thursday
April 23rd at 7.30 pm, $5 entry. Sandy Jeffs is the MC and
organizer of the event. For more info call Sandy on 0418
523 644.
So if you want to infuse yourself with Capital C Culture,
then look no further than Christmas Hills. We have music
and poetry as well as a large number of artists who live in
the area. Yes, we are the hub of culture and proud of the
creative buzz than emanates from the Chrissy Hills.
Check us out, you’ll be amazed.
Sandy Jeffs sandyjeffs@ozemail.com.au 0418 523 644
After Storm
by Amie Grisold
(young writer)
A birdcall
That can only be described as a warble
Hushed
By the pounding of hooves on sodden ground
A sound
No other feet will ever match
The world
Is shadowed and patched
Sunlight
Pushes through a cotton clad horizon
A silent world
Glistens in shadows of dew dropped green
Fog like fallen stars
Retires behind barely visible hills
Trees
Stand tall on velvet ground
And shades of sky
From grey to blue
East to West
Promise
That soon the beauty of this after-storm
Will fade.
The breeze and sun return
The sky
Forever untouchable
Once again
Cr Anika
Van Hulsen
BUNJIL WARD
REPORT
Cr Anika Van Hulsen 0408 281 905
 Anika. VanHulsen@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Were you a Lot 1 Submitter?
Submissions for Lot 1 (Diverse Housing Development at
old Hurstbridge High School site) have now closed, and I
believe there were over 60 submissions. Thanks to those
who submitted and those who gave me a copy. Officers
are now considering all of them and will prepare a report
for councillors.
Personally I see that we want to come up with an innovative design that addresses the site’s environmental and
neighbourhood design criteria; however, in order to be
able to attract interest from a developer with whom to partner, Council also needs to develop a competitive proposal
that is not excessively restrictive. We want to avoid Council needing to either take on a very high risk and cost of
developing the site or to sell the land back on the open
market without good design requirements!
Vale Michael McLaughlin
Michael of Cottles Bridge died suddenly on January 10th
this year.
Over the years we’ve been great sparring partners; and I
greatly admired many of his overarching principles. I really
appreciated his critical, independent and creative thinking
while always being the gentleman. The diversity of many
community groups will be the poorer for his passing.
Two little known local Playgrounds
In February, Council updated the playground equipment on
the small local park between Kamarooka Dve. and Edwards
St, Wattle Glen. If you are out for a walk with a young child
or one young at heart, this a handy spot for a respite stop.
On a completely different level the Panton Hill Cricket Club
nets were recently revamped by Council and presumably
kept very busy over the summer.
In a few of the submissions I read there was concern over
the cost of such a development to Council and hence ratepayers, so a history recap.
As the state government owned the land (Lot 1) when it
was a school, it was planning a sell-off to private developers. Housing at this location was supported by the Hurstbridge Township Strategy.
Council negotiated to buy the land ($2.3M) so that
residents and Council can have input into the guidelines
covering any future development. Certainly, Council does
not see this as a money-raising venture, but we will be
aiming to get our money back, when the land is re-sold to
developers - so there is no cost to ratepayers.
The Bouncing Bale
There’s a rumour going around Panton Hill that one of our
intrepid locals purchased a round hay bale to help feed his
family’s eclectic collection of animals. However, when
downloading the round bale from the horse float, it slipped
his mind that the bale had not been tied down to anything.
So the bale rolled out of the float and bounced, narrowly
missing our intrepid local, and then bouncing all the way
down the block, demolishing everything in its path and
finally flying over the boundary fence into the reserve, never to be seen again. Consequently, there is one chastened
husband, and many very happy local inhabitants - the kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and rabbits, all rejoicing in the
generosity of their neighbor.
Maybe he should stick to building!
Congratulations
Nillumbik 2015 Volunteer of the Year
Ron Mendelson, Wattle Glen
In Brief
Rate capping will impact Council services
The State Government’s plan to limit annual rate increases to CPI will
have a significant impact on Council, forcing it to review the range and
standard of services and facilities it provides to the local community. A
report to last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting detailed the Government’s
recent announcement that a rates capping framework will be introduced
for local government in 2016-2017.
Nillumbik Shire Mayor, Cr Helen Coleman, said the proposed framework
will cap rate increases to CPI, unless a council obtains an exemption from
the Essential Services Commission (ESC). “Rate capping will have a
significant impact on all councils, including Nillumbik,” Cr Coleman said.“
We need to be able to deliver the level of services and infrastructure that
our residents need but the reality is that we rely on our rates income and
funding from other levels of government to provide more than 100 services
to the community, and if the rates income is limited, it’s going to have an
impact.
Over the coming year, Council will engage with the local community to
consider how Nillumbik should best respond to rate capping and our
response will need to be financially sustainable while still meeting the
community’s needs over the short and long term.”
5
CFA - Local Brigades - News & Reports
Hurstbridge Fire Brigade
Summer Report
The fire season is now officially over
and we were lucky that there were no
significant fires it the Hurstbridge and
surrounding areas. We did have a few
small fires but quick action from our crews, along with
support from other local fire brigades, meant that these
fires were kept to quite small in size.
Now that the grass is starting to green up a little bit many
different agencies like Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water
and The Department of Environment and Primary
Industry have started to conduct burn offs. These burns
are vitally important to help fire agencies when a bush fire
does happen in the area. They reduce the intensity of a
fire which will give fire crews the opportunity to get in and
stop a fire at a strategic point before it gets in to inaccessible terrain and grows into a bigger more devastating
fire. They also make it safer for people trying to flee at the
last minute. Keep an eye on the "Fire Ready" for the latest information on burn offs happening in the surrounding
area.
This October is the ten year anniversary of the new
fire station. There will be celebration later in the year
where the whole community can get involved. So
keep an eye on Round About magazine for more information on these events.
Finally we are always looking for new fire fighters. There
will be a new recruit course starting in May. On this
course you will be taught everything you need to know to
start helping us with emergencies in the local area. If you
don't think you want to be a fire fighter but you would still
like to help, our support team is also looking for new
members. So if you are interested in joining the
volunteers at the Hurstbridge fire brigade drop in any
Wednesday evening from 7:30pm or on a Sunday
morning from 10:00am.
Cheers
Andrew Naismith
Panton Hill
Volunteer Fire Brigade
The CFA Cup
The CFA Cup is an annual event between the Panton Hill
and St Andrews Primary Schools held during the winter
football season. This year will be the 18th year the CFA
Cup has been held. In 1998, the then President of the
Panton Hill Football Club, Tony Cahir, approached the
Panton Hill and St Andrews Primary Schools regarding his
concern at the lack of organized sporting opportunities for
juniors within our districts. Following discussions with the
Panton Hill and St Andrews volunteer fire brigades, it was
decided to hold an annual “CFA Cup” between the two
schools. For the Panton Hill CFA it was also a way of
6
acknowledging the five members of their brigade who lost
their lives in the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983.
Originally, the CFA Cup was held during the half-time break
when Panton Hill Seniors played their traditional rival,
Hurstbridge. The match was two halves of 10 minutes
each, followed by the presentation of the Cup to the winning school.
Not only does the CFA Cup provide a local, well managed
sporting event for our primary schools, it also helps ‘spot’
future talent for the district in later years. It is also great half
-time entertainment. The teams consist of both boys and
girls and often if one of the schools can’t field a complete
team, the numbers are made up from the other school.
The standard of the footy is also improving but inevitably,
those in the goal ends tend to keep to their territory while
the rest of the teams look more like a swarm of bees on
little legs following the ball around the ground. At times,
when the weather was cold, windy and wet, and the ground
a sea of mud, there would be buckets of hot water around
the oval, to try and prevent hypothermia in the kids and to
wash the mud off the football as it became heavier and
heavier.
This season however, the Club has decided to hold the
CFA Cup earlier in the year as this is closer to the end of
the fire season, and the weather is more likely to be milder
for the kids and parents, rather than at the usual time of
July/August.
The proposed date is Saturday 18th April. As the Club is
now in a different division in the Northern Football League,
we will be playing our new traditional rival of Whittlesea in a
twilight match. It is proposed that the CFA Cup be run between the Reserves game and the Seniors game around
the 5.00 pm time slot. This allows a bit more time than the
previous half-time break. It also encourages more of a
family and schools picnic atmosphere than previously.
So why not give the AFL away for a day and come and
support our local footy juniors from our local schools.
Fire Station Upgrade
At last our station renovations are completed and by mid
April we should be fully operational from our new quarters.
These include a new car park behind the station coupled
with proper drainage works, a larger meeting room with a
women’s toilet in addition to the existing one, a special
area for Breathing Apparatus equipment and an area for
putting on our personal protective gear without the risk of
being run over by a tanker in the process.
Thankfully it has been a fairly quiet fire season this
summer, which has certainly made it easier to operate from
our temporary station in Rankin St. In addition, the Brigade
would like to extend its thanks to the residents of the
Rankin St property for allowing us to use their shed as a
temporary fire station.
CFA –News & Reports cont..
Wattle Glen Fire Brigade
Autumn update
The incidence of major fires in Victoria was very much
reduced this summer, and as a result the brigade saw very
little of this type of action, participating in only one Strike
team, which was despatched to Yarrawonga in December.
However things have not been quiet locally; during the
summer months the brigade attended 25 incidents, either
within our own response area or supporting our neighbouring brigades. This number is a little above average, and
covered a wide range of types of incident, including gas
leaks, smoke alarms, a motor vehicle accident, and several small vegetation fires.
Thanks to the generosity of the Diamond Creek Rotary
club, the brigade has been able to purchase a Thermal
Imaging Camera (TIC), and brigade members have enthusiastically undertaken the necessary training in its use.
The camera enables fire crews to locate the source of a
fire in situations where smoke reduces visibility, and it can
be used during “blacking out” of grass and scrub fires by
locating “hot spots” for the attention of fire fighters. It has
already proved its worth in actual incidents, and the brigade hopes that it will be a valuable resource for all our
neighbouring brigades to call upon when required..
Stephen Gaunt
Captain – Wattle Glen CFA
0418 116 313
Normally at this time of the year all efforts are being
directed by members to get ready for the may Exhibition of
Craft and Cooking.
At the exhibition of the 10 branches of CWA in the Diamond
Valley region there are individual sections as well as a section for a “Table” of 5 separate items prepared by 3 or more
members. This year the themes we have been given are
Windows for the craft table and Seeds for the food table. So
all discussion has been on what is craft items could we
make associated with windows, e.g. stained glass windows,
patchwork of Cathedral windows, paintings of what we see
through a window (both in and out), window boxes and
window cushions and so on. Of course there are so many
bikkies, cakes and relishes that can be made using seeds,
so the problem becomes how to include a wide range of
items . A potential hitch came when we discovered a problem with using caraway seeds…..readers can check on
google to find out.
This year’s exhibition is being held at Apollo Parkways
School Hall on Sunday 3rd May, 9am to 3pm.
Before the exhibition is held, members will be preparing a
wreath of woollen poppies to lay at the Anzac Service in
Hurstbridge on 18th April. Members have been crocheting
and knitting poppies for this wreath and for one that will be
laid at the dawn service at Watsonia Barracks on 25th April.
CWA branches have also been asked by the
Department of Veteran Affairs to promote the Centenary of
the arrival of the troops at Anzac Cove through ANZAC bikkies. Hurstbridge members will be distributing home made
bikkies after the Hurstbridge Service.
We meet on the third Wednesday of the month at the Hurstbridge Bowling Green at 7.30.
Our Craft for Others meets on the first Wednesday at 1.30.
Phone: Ann 9714 8541 or Jenny 9435 7349 for more details.
HURSTBRIDGE CWA
CWA Mental Health Forum
L-R Vesna & James - Austin Psychological
Trauma Recovery, Jenny Disney - CWA
Our branch can report that the Mental Health Forum on
19th February went very well. Just over thirty people attended and James the presenter said he believed if he
helped one person that was enough! Well he certainly
did help several people who were grieving after family
deaths. He put across the message that if we feel we are
not coping with the stresses of ordinary or extraordinary
events we need to speak to a medical practitioner. Since
the forum the branch has received two requests for catering, one particularly for scones with jam and cream and
one for a lunch.
7
GETTING ON WITH IT..
IN YAN YEAN
The Andrews Government has not wasted a single minute in
its first 100 days of government and Melbourne’s North is
seeing real action after 4 years of neglect. New roads and
schools are being fast tracked, our health services are improving and creating new jobs is now a government priority.
In Melbourne’s North ambulance response time had blown
out to unacceptable levels. The Andrews Government hit the
ground running on its first day by ending the shameful attack
on Victoria’s paramedics, replacing the Ambulance Victoria
Board, resolving the pay dispute and is now working with
paramedics to improve ambulance response times.
Under the Liberals unemployment in Melbourne’s North was
at crisis levels. The Andrews Government’s first piece of
legislation was the Back To Work Act to take immediate action to address the jobs crisis- The Back To Work initiative
will help create at least 100,000 jobs.
The Andrews Government has already started to release
funds from its TAFE Rescue Fund that will see $10 million
allocated to the re-opening of Greensborough TAFE. The
Government has established Australia’s first Royal
Commission into Family Violence, declared Easter Sunday a
public holiday and introduced cheaper public transport for
commuters travelling between Zone 1 and 2.
Last week the Premier released Getting On With It outlining
what action is being taken to fast track vital road and rail
projects and remove the first 20 dangerous level crossings. Getting On With It is good news for the North confirming the Mernda rail extension will be funded in the
Government’s first Budget this May. It also included an
announcement by Danielle Green MP of $400,000 to fasttrack planning to immediately commence the duplication of
Yan Yean Rd and that a new pedestrian crossing will be
built in Donnybrook and a level crossing in Beveridge.
Last month the Premier joined Ms Green in Doreen to announce that the new Mernda P-12 School, to be located in
Breadalbane Ave will be fast tracked with the school to be
delivered in its first term. Construction is expected to begin
in late 2015.
Work is ongoing on other government election commitments. Ms Green is working with Education Minister
James Merlino about how the Government rolls out its extensive schools agenda including new buildings for Hazel
Glen and Wallan Secondary Colleges, working on releasing
funds for the Wallan town centre and netball courts and the
Mernda police station. Ms Green is also taking up the local
and school bus issue advocating for extra services for students trying to access Diamond Valley College, Whittlesea
Secondary College and St Helena Secondary College.
ICE ACTION PLAN
WILL HELP FAMILIES - SAVE LIVES IN YAN YEAN
The Andrews Labor Government will embark on a landmark, $45.5 million effort to reduce the supply, demand
and harm of a drug that’s ruining lives in Melbourne’s
North.
Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green MP, said while ice
use is a complex problem, the Ice Action Plan deals with
the things that cannot wait. It’s about supporting families,
treating users and making our community safer.
Under the Plan, the Government will invest $4.7 million to
help families identify and manage ice users and $1 million
to support frontline workers who are at risk of getting attacked at work.
The Government will invest $18 million to expand drug
treatment and rehabilitation, so users can get the help they
need, and set up a dedicated Ice Help Line that directs
families and health professionals to advice.
Member for Yan Yean, Danielle Green MP, said the Plan
also includes new measures to reduce the growing supply
of ice on our streets.
A $4.5 million plan to crack down on clandestine drug labs
and tough new laws to stop dealers and manufacturers will
make our community safer.
The Government will also invest $15 million for new drug
and booze buses and provide $500,000 to help community
groups tackle ice use in our local area.
A stable job means a stable life, and the Andrews Labor
Government is improving the prospects of young, at-risk
people in our community with the $1 billion Back to Work
Plan and the $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund.
The work of the Premier’s Ice Action Taskforce will continue, with a long-term role to support the implementation of
the Plan and advise the Government where more effort is
needed.
8
A DINING ROUND-ABOUT
The café is open for Breakfast and Lunch Mon – Sat.
For breakfast why not try the popular Zucchini Fritter
($18.50). It is house made with a free-range poached egg,
smoked salmon, avocado, spinach, dukka and relish.
Follow this up with a wide selection of organic teas or fair
trade coffee.
Whether we live in Hurstbridge or any of
the surrounding townships we are truly
fortunate in having a great choice of venues
in which to dine out. If you feel like a quick
breakfast, a family lunch or dinner, there are
plenty of places to choose from and all
within a 15-minute drive from home.
In this edition of the Round-about we visit
the Bridge 2 Eden café at 920 Main Rd
Hurstbridge and have a chat with the
proprietor Cassie Cheffer.
Cassie grew up in the area and in her teenage years she
had the ambition to own a cafe. In 2013 the dream become a reality and Bridge 2 Eden was established where
she has pursued her passion in providing good wholesome food for the local community.
The café has a real quirky feel to it: you can choose to sit
inside or out in the courtyard, it’s a place where friends
gather and catch up on the local news. Cassie is flexible
with the menu, striving to satisfy customers with fresh
locally sourced food and plenty of vegetarian, gluten free
and organic meals.
If you prefer a later start
to your day try the lunch
menu, the Beef Burger
and chips ($17.50) is
huge or if you prefer
something lighter the try
the Frittata with salad
and chips ($14.50) or the
many salads on display.
Kids are well catered for
with their own all-day
menu and play area, for
the older kids there is the
playground in the park
adjacent to the café.
If you are short of time just call in for coffee and the sweet
treats, these are also sourced locally and taste delicious.
Cassie and her team have gained a good reputation for
their fine food and friendly service. When in Hurstbridge it’s
definitely a place to visit.
John Allan
POTTERY CLASSES
COTTLESBRIDGE
Bush Environment
Friendly, Relaxed Atmosphere
* Fully equipped Studio
* Beginners to advanced
Student
*After school and Home-School
Programs
JUDY TREMBATH
Tel:97197431
9
The rabbits will destroy anything they can so new plants
need to have guards. Because I don’t want to have a plastic garden, I have been making wire guards, more time
consuming but more aesthetically pleasing. Then of course
there has been the summer, thankfully quite mild but very
dry! Watering has been a big part of my routine.
One of my projects since the birth of my first two
grandchildren two and a half years ago, has been the
creation of a large, climbable, mosaic dragon. They were
both born in the Chinese year of the dragon. Unfortunately
its evolution is taking much longer than anticipated. The
third granddaughter may have to wait a while to see where
the Chinese year of the horse takes me!
On the weekend of April 18 and 19, my garden will be
open to the public as part of Australia’s Open Garden
Scheme. This is the last season the scheme will operate for
a variety of reasons. I was offered an opening for the 2013/4
season, but the timing wasn’t right (aging parents in law, and
new grandchildren). When the opening was again offered for
this season, I was in need of a refocus and a “return to the
land”.
With over a year to prepare I had to come up with a long
term plan. First a major clean up, then I could see what I
was left with. Some plants had just reached their use by
date, becoming old and woody. Others were suffering as a
result of the harsh weather extremes. Many of the correas in
particular were still dying after suffering damage to the bark
and the layer beneath, from the severe hailstones of three
years ago. The extreme heat and dry conditions have been
slowly finishing them off.
Last year’s heavy frosts also took their toll. Several Grevillea
moonlights have been flowering prolifically for several seasons, always an uplifting sight with their beautiful lemon
blooms. Alas, not this year. However after a good haircut,
the new growth offers hope.
I have been amassing a huge amount of dead plants and
prunings. What to do with them was an issue in itself. Some
of the larger dead bushes and trees were piled up and burnt
off during the winter. Some went to the compost bays-there
are 3 large rotating bays-but they filled quickly.
My largish garden has extended over the years from the area immediately around the house, down the hill towards the
paddock which was formerly pasture for sheep. The masses
of dead material was gradually piled up in a long serpent like
line extending from one side of the garden to the other. It
has been added to as the need arises. What we did recently
was cover the lot with newspaper and then mulch. It took
just about a whole truck load, 10 cubic meters! It has served
several purposes: a place to store accumulating plant refuse, a future source of good compost and a delineation between a weedy paddock and the garden.
As each area was cleaned and weeded, it was mulched,
usually with newspaper underneath to help suppress any
further weeds. It was a race to pull out weeds before they
germinated. New plantings have been added to fill the spaces. It sounds a simple process, but as with all theories and
plans, reality can be a bit different. The resident echidna has
had a great time digging through the mulch, leaving great
holes and lots of scratched up newspaper
.
12
There are a few old trees that date back to our early arrival
37 years ago, other than that, most of the garden has
grown over the last 10 years, post renovations. The driveway and carport were only completed 18 months ago, so a
whole new section of garden was started. A garden is
never “done”. It is a work in progress.
Along the way there have been successes and failures.
Help and support has been generously provided by my
family and friends. I am humbled by Mother Nature and her
power and beauty. I feel privileged to work in my patch and
to watch it flow into the stunning backdrop of bush and
hills.
Come and wander and enjoy with me (150 Wattletree Rd,
Hurstbridge). Part of the gate takings will go to The
Friends of the Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge. This small
group of volunteers has worked an amazing transformation
along the creek, enhancing the wildlife corridor and caring
for our environment.
Autumn Wildlife at Wild Oates
King Parrots taste testing the Pomegranates for ripeness –
they’re still sour.
The Currawongs knowing when the grapes are just starting
to ripen, and cheating them by picking all the grapes and
making them into Verjuice.
A daily patrol and pick of the ripening figs closely watched
by the Currawongs.
A lone old man kangaroo dining on tree prunings and
scratching out a sun bathing spot for himself down the
back of the block.
Rosie the greyhound’s interest in the old roo, barking at
him through the rabbit (and Rosie) proof fence.
Rats eating the espaliered apples.
Cockatoos nipping off top branches of the olives in advance of eating the olives as they grow larger.
Cockatoos and Currawongs eating all of the quinces as I
didn’t net them this year.
At least I had a great crop of tomatoes, zucchinis and
cucumbers!
Nan
but easy and watering a breeze, and it didn’t run off but ran
through to the bottom. When a frost was forecast it was so
easy just to spread some shade cloth across the two bins.
The whole system just seemed to have its own microenvironment and a couple of months later I had red mustard
half a metre tall and a wonderful and continuous crop of
spinach for a couple of months. I was so delighted with this
I immediately bought another bulk bin and started filling it
too with next summer’s vegetables in mind.
For the past few summers I have struggled to grow my
summer crops of tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and
beans. A major problem has been the location, part way
downhill from the house, a sloping area with many red box
trees close by, and ‘soil’ that constantly needed replenishing with nutrients and water. Because of the slope and
primitive nature of these growing areas summer watering
was a wasted effort most of the time, and the surrounding
trees cut out a lot of sunlight. The last summer’s water bill
was the final straw.
After digging in the remnants of the spinach, calendula and
mustard crops I replenished the soil in the bins with more
chook diggings and other organic materials and nutrients
and by the end of October I planted two original bins with
tomatoes and the new one with cucumbers. I put stakes in
the corners and middle of the tomato bins and a tripod in
the cucumber bin. Everything grew beautifully, and soon the
stakes in the corners were being pulled over by the strong
growth of the 15 tomato plants plus a feral potato, and a
feral tomato appeared in the cucumber bin.
Last year some friends mentioned their success with growing vegetables in the large timber crates/bulk bins used in
fruit and vegetable packing sheds/produce stores which
are sometimes offered for sale due to some minor faults.
So I investigated and purchased two bulk bins last winter
as I now had an ideal site right next to one corner of the
house, an area where firewood was delivered for the slow
combustion stove. With the purchase of a twin system aircon/heating, this space was vacant and ideally situated.
From the end of October through to March it was in full
sun, was flat and close to a tap.
I was advised to place the bins off the ground with a brick
on each corner, and to then layer newspapers over the
bottom and gradually build up the layers of materials as
you do for no dig beds. But prior to doing this I lined the
inside walls with some left-over plastic pond liner. Then
came the layers, firstly some lucerne hay or pea straw,
autumn leaves and compost, kitchen scraps and a few
tubs of the chook diggings. Because of my steep block,
the chook scratchings and diggings inevitably go downhill
so that at the bottom fence line there is now a permanent
1 metre depth of soil mixed with straw, their poo, and dirt.
So tubs of this mix was, with great effort, lugged up the hill
and dumped into the bins. Interspersed with all of this was
roadside horse poo or a bag of cow poo.
I then sprinkled over some dolomite, rock dust, and blood
and bone, and watered it in, then started off again with a
layer of pea straw, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, leaves,
and more chook diggings. I also relocated some worms
from the compost and put them into the mix as well. After
a few more layers of straw, compost, mineral supplements
and chook diggings I applied a final topping of cow manure
and potting mix and left it for a couple of months until it
had all ‘settled’. The ‘soil’ level was now about 15 cms
from the top and ready for planting
I planted spinach seedlings in one bin and red mustard
and calendulas in the other. It was wonderful to be able to
plant without having to bend down, weeding was minimal
In the meantime I also purchased another 2 bulk bins, with
the aim of using these for next summer’s tomato crop. And
then another month later I bought another one, so now I
have a vegetable garden comprising 6 bulk bins on the corner of the house.
I had my first ripe tomatoes in the first week of January and
now close to the first week of March, they are finally on their
last legs. For the first time I have had cucumbers in abundance and constantly and it was great to be able to share
them with friends and to find out that a slice or two of cucumber is really lovely in a gin and tonic.
I have now processed 22 kilograms of tomatoes into a
year’s supply of pasta sauce, tomato sauce, chilli jam, and
just whole bottled tomatoes.
When the tomatoes have finally finished, I will dig them in
and do some serious replenishing of the soil as its level has
gone down considerably. When the soil level has built up
again I will plant some peas and broad beans, and in the
newest bin, when full, I will try root vegetables. In the other
2 bins intended for next summer’s tomatoes, I have planted
peas and a range of lettuces, as an initial crop.
The only problems I encountered were from rats nibbling
the tomatoes. I imagine that the bins provided an ideal form
of housing for the rats, providing them with a cosy shelter
and a roof over their heads, with a roof garden on top
providing breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Nan
13
CREEK
Inc
Creek Trailblazers
UPDATE FROM RTAC
The Shire of Nillumbik Recreation Trail Advisory Committee
(RTAC) meeting was held on 26/2/15. At the meeting Councillor Anika Van Hulsen gave the Committee an
update of the Diamond Creek (DC) to Hurstbridge (HB) trail
planning;

Access to 2 private properties for alignment and
survey purposes has not been forthcoming, however
other landowners have been cooperative and are
very keen to see the trail constructed.

Council does own land or have access to Crown land
for significant sections of the trail eg works could
commence in the Wadeson Rd to Hurstbridge oval
section and also for the Wilson Rd section Wattle
Glen.

In sections of challenging topography between DC
and Wattle Glen (WG) , a possible road alignment is
likely.

The price estimates have increased over time .

Council officers are no longer opposed to the view
that the trail may have to be built in sections

The new Graysharps Road trail in HB is attracting lots
of users, who wonder why the trail comes to a dead
end at the oval!

A Cultural and Heritage survey has been conducted
including the Wurunderi people on properties that
have permitted access.

Councillors will submit budget ‘asks’ for 15/16 to include allocations for the trail and an ‘on road bike
path’ on the highway.

Many other Nillumbik trails have been completed and
their completion will be advertised and signposted to
shire residents .
Council Officers will put forward a report on the
‘proposed route alignment’ to Nillumbik Council in April , for
a decision by Council in May 15. This will be a major milestone in the development of the trail – a decision on the
route after considering all options.
AGM
Creek Trailblazers Inc. AGM was held at Bridges Restaurant on 12th March 2015. It was very well attended and the
new committee was elected. To read the Presidents Report please visit our Facebook Page Trail Blazers Supporters of a recreational path from D.Creek to Hurstbridge.
We are always looking for members . Annual membership
fee is $5.00. Please contact us through either of our Facebook Pages
Great News - the first stage of the extension of The Diamond
Creek to Hurstbridge Regional Shared Trail is nearing completion, and continuing along Graysharps Road to the back of the
Hurstbridge Community Centre. We all eagerly await the next
stage of the trail.
HELP FUND THE TRAIL BY USING
THE NEW REDY APP
Creek Trailblazers Inc is excited to be
one of the pilot projects chosen by
Bendigo Bank with the roll out of their
new REDY APP. Every time you use
your REDY App to pay for goods and
services at local participating businesses, you receive creds which can be
donated to fund the trail. Is simple to
use - give it a try today.
So you want to run
a Bed & Breakfast?
Need more information? Need to know how to go
about setting things up? Want to have some hints
and tips to have guests?
Nillumbik Tourism Association is running an information session on Thursday 23rd April at 6.45pm.
RSVP necessary to 1300 660 072
or info@ntatourism.com
14
What’s Happening over the Bridge at Hurstbridge Primary School
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
We are extremely excited to announce that we are now part
of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. This
program will provide a fantastic link between our gardens
and students, offering new learning opportunities stemming
from growing and cooking.
Hurstbridge Primary School has an ongoing culture which
values environmental sustainability. This, teamed with our
passion for science and desire to embed learning in 'real
life' experiences, leads us to see the program blending
seamlessly with our philosophies and further enhancing our
existing work. Thanks to all the hard work of both parents
and teachers, the gardens have already been established
and student education has commenced.
After a cooking session the
Grade 4 children wrote about
their lesson. Here are just a few
of their thoughts.
For cooking we made tzatiki dip,
tomato and banana capsicum
salsa and flatbread. There were
3 groups. Each group made a
different thing. I made flatbread
which was made from flour and
water and we put it on the BBQ. We got to eat everything.
The flatbread tasted doughy. The salsa tasted like tomato.
The dip tasted like cucumber and yoghurt. The food was
very tasty. By Alex – 4FB
On Friday we went to the garden and we picked carrots,
banana capsicums, zucchinis, eggplant and tomatoes.
Then we headed back to the 4FB classroom and brainstormed recipe ideas. We made salsa, flat bread and
tzatziki. I was in the flat bread group and it was yum!
By Jordie W - 4M
The World’s Greatest Shave
14 students and Mr Tatnall participated in the World’s
Greatest Shave on Tuesday 17th March. Together they
earned over $6000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, a charity that raises money for scientific research into the cure for
leukaemia and support programs for the patients.
A vast majority of the school joined in the Crazy Hair Day
for students who wanted to help raise money for the same
charity, bringing a gold coin donation.
The day was a huge success, and we are grateful to all of
the students who helped to earn the funds that will benefit
people with cancer.
We would like to thank all the people who organised and
supported this amazing day!
By Mia and Spencer - 56M
10
Science Initiative Program
The students in Grades 3 and 4 have benefitted from the
garden as they have been investigating the process of
germination, the stages in a plant’s life cycle and what
plants need for growth. One of the tasks was the planning
and conducting of an
investigation looking at
the conditions that affect
plant growth.
Students in the Grade
5/6 area have been
immersed in hands-on
activities that explore the
role of electrons in
transferring energy in
electric circuits. Through
investigating batteries, light bulbs, switches, conductors and
insulators, they are able to explain how battery-operated
devices work.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence (EI) looks at the ability to express
and control our emotions and be aware of the emotions of
others. Higher levels of EI lead to increased academic and
personal success, well being, leadership and reduced bullying and unwanted behaviours. The staff participated in a full
day EI training workshop, prior to the students returning to
school, and was very impressed with what the program has
to offer. We are working with Swinburne University this year
to deliver an EI program at Hurstbridge. Initially, our grade
3/4 teachers will be completing further training and
implementing EI programs into their classrooms. We hope
that the students will see benefits from this exciting
program.
THE Term 1 Top 5
at
Panton Hill Primary
Literacy and Numeracy plus having the opportunity to have a go at everything else.
New Preps
Our new preps have settled in very well working hard with Mrs
Thompson.
NESST Year 6 Leadership Day
Students from all the local small schools held a leadership day at
Panton Hill Hall on Thursday 12th march. Guest speaker was
Olympic Kayaker Warwick Draper who talked to the students
about goal setting and never giving up on your dreams
School Picnic
The whole school picnic night and races were held on
Friday 20th February.
Grandparents Day
On Wednesday 18th March year P-2 invited grandparents and
special friends for a visit.
Cybersafety
If you are passing Panton Hill Primary, you may notice a new sign on the front
fence. Staff and students are all very proud of our school having reached
eSmart status. This is the culmination of a three year process of students and
staff working together to investigate the very important topic of cyberbulllying
and embedding it into the curriculum at all grade levels.
The students work on defining what cyberbullying is, researching the impact it
has on all people involved and exploring ways of preventing cyberbullying.
Safety online is a continuous topic at Panton Hill Primary and the students are
very passionate about not only keeping themselves safe, but also spreading
the word to the community. Next time you’re in the library bus, be sure to
check out the posters with handy hints on cybersafety which have been produced by the students.
Throughout the process of gaining Esmart status, we have sought information from many different sources. The students
have accessed online cybersafety programs which take them through possible scenarios, we had a very well attended information day/evening for parents, students and teachers and they have participated in State wide webinars on topics such
as “How to be a good Bystander”.
The school is committed to continuing to learn about how to be responsible online users and to spread the word to the
community.
COMING UP I N TERM 2 AT PHPS
Year 3-6 Camp at Ace hi week 3
Carnivale Italian Day on 22nd April
Winter Interschool Sport Year 4-6
Storytime sessions for 3 & 4 yearolds
District Cross Country on 27th May
Year P-2 Zoo excursion
Education Week 18th to 22nd May
Open Day/Evening Thursday 21st May
NAPLAN testing 12th to 14th May
11
“A force to be
reckoned with!”
The end of the 2014-15 Lawn Bowling Metropolitan Pennant Competition has drawn to a close. The Hurstbridge
Bowling Club has followed up its successful season last
year with another outstanding performance overall.
On completion of the Saturday home and away games our
number one side finished well in front on the ladder, having
only lost one game all season, and went on to win a tightly
contested section final by five shots against Warburton. As
a result Hurstbridge will proudly field a 1st Division next
season; the first time in the club’s 52 year history.
The second team (4th Division) finished second on the
ladder but unfortunately couldn’t knock off MCC Kew
Sports in the Section final. However finishing Runners-up
in their section still ensures the team’s promotion to 3rd
Division.
Our third side (6th Division) finished fifth after the home and
away games (only six points outside the final four), still a
very commendable result considering their recent promotion from 7th division.
A fourth Hurstbridge side (Division 8) also competed, however at times they struggled to field enough bowlers and
didn’t secure a place in the finals. Still an enjoyable time
was had by all and it was a valuable learning experience
for many of the club’s new bowlers.
Two Hurstbridge sides competed in the mid-week Pennant.
16
The top side (1st Division) won their final, unfortunately our
second side (3rd Division) didn’t fare so well and as a result
will be relegated a division next season.
Overall it was a magnificent result for our small club
and congratulations are in order for all our bowlers for
their dedication and practice. Once again we proved
that the Hurstbridge Bowling Club is a force to be reckoned with!
Although the Pennant competition is over until September
there is still plenty happening at the Hurstbridge club…..
’Get on the Green” on Monday nights
The ever popular “Get on the Green”; Monday night bowls,
kicks off at 6 p.m. It costs just $5 to bowl and a $10 meal is
available as an optional extra. No one takes their bowling
too seriously: it’s really just a fun-filled evening full of
laughs, socialising and prizes. A thoroughly enjoyable cure
for those Mondayitis blues.
No previous bowling experience is required and
non-members are welcome. Enquiries: Brian Anderson
0419 580 663 or Email to bandja73@gmail.com
Saturday Winter Bowls
Over the winter months Hurstbridge Bowling Club is hosting
a friendly triple’s team competition on Saturday afternoons.
Only $7 entry per bowler, non-members and new bowlers
welcome. If you can’t get a team of three bowlers together
we should be able to slot you into a side anyway. Just call
the club on 9718 2159 or club coach, Peter Wardle on 0418
671 720 by Midday on Saturday, bowling commences at
12.30 p.m. (Individual coaching sessions can easily be
arranged).
An Indian flavor
comes to Panton Hill
It’s now 5 months since Al and Barb McGuiness decided to
look for greener pastures and new adventures, after being a
fixture of the Panton Hill General Store (The Hub on the Hill)
for so many years. Since October last year the brothers
Pranav and Vishal Bhatt have been the new management
team of the Panton Hill General Store.
Pranav and Vishal grew up in the Indian state of Guyasat in
the western part of India, and come from a hard working
family. Both their parents were doctors, as well as being
working partners in a range of business interests. Vishal
and his wife Tina moved to Melbourne in 2005, followed by
older brother Pranav and his wife Trupti in 2008, both having worked as mechanical engineers in India. Their mother
still lives in India and visits her family here in Melbourne
from time to time.
Pranav and Vishal came to Melbourne looking for new business opportunities in the retail industry. They worked for a
time in a convenience store in the city but found it hard to
get to know their customers, so they started to look further
afield for a more community minded area. After spending
some time looking for alternative opportunities they felt that
Panton Hill and its General Store ticked all the boxes in
regard to friendliness, coupled with a strong sense of community.
They are very keen to expand the range of products and
services they can offer, and one of the first of these is that
they now provide a “Swap & Go” facility for us to exchange
our gas bottles locally. They also intend to widen the range
of goods available, especially fresh goods.
The service I had to looked forward to is the availability of
their real Indian curries take-away –introducing us to the
diversity and subtlety of regional Indian cooking with the
emphasis on the use of spices. Roti and Naan will also be
available. However, Friday night will still be for pizzas.
I for one can’t wait!
Nan Oates
Bowlers Wanted
Hurstbridge Bowling Club is recruiting new bowlers for the
2015/2016 Saturday Pennant Season commencing in
October. Despite a recent increase in members we are
still in need of more bowlers in order to field an additional
16 player side in Division 7, - no experience necessary,
coaching freely provided. The first year of Club
membership fees are waived.
Enquiries: Hurstbridge Bowling Club: 9718 2159 or
Peter Wardle: 0418 671 720
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Snake Encounter in the Dog Run Park
Sasha
In October 2014 a Dog Run Park was constructed on grassland next to the Diamond Creek in Hurstbridge. When completed it was very popular and keenly enjoyed by local residents and their dogs. But when the warmer days of summer
came so did the snakes. ‘
The nearby bushland alongside the creek is inhabited by
Common Wombats, Black Wallabies, snakes and other
wildlife. And the grassy area where the Dog Park had been
constructed was used between twilight and dawn as a feeding place for the Wombats and Black Wallabies among others and an area where snakes came to sunbake and search
for food during the warm days.
Unfortunately, when the fence for the Dog Run Park was
built, the gap in the wire was big enough that smaller, slender snakes could fit through it. Over the first few weeks,
generally on the hotter days, several Tiger Snakes were
seen in the Dog Park and warning signs were put up to alert
dog owners. So on hot days after that the park was often
empty. Each sighting scared dog owners so that the Dog
Park would be unused for several days before people and
dogs ventured back. People would cautiously return to the
park, but were very watchful and would carefully check the
grounds around the park for snakes. In time, keeping the
grass cut short (they prefer long grass) and the presence of
humans and dogs would eventually deter the snakes from
the area. But in the meantime, it would be a bit of a risky
place for people and dogs to enter and play.
Very early one Sunday morning in November (9th) I visited
the park with our young (6 months old) German Shepherd
Dog Sasha. It was a mild day and I thought it would be a
safe time to go there and we would be home before it got
too hot. Even then I was still alert and walked slowly around
the fence line nearest the creek (where the previous snakes
had been seen) with Sasha beside me and looking ahead of
us on the lookout for snakes.
As we were almost finished walking around the boundary of
park and just about back at the entrance site I saw an old
friend coming through the gate with her two young terriers.
We said hello to each other and chatted as she came closer. While we were talking I noticed Sasha had stopped
walking and was standing still intently looking at something.
She was to my right around metre and a half away, between
me and the fence. And there in front of her and me (to my
left) about 1.5 metres away lying lengthways looking at her
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was an Eastern Brown Snake about 1.2 metres long. I was
anxious Sasha might move and as a result provoke the
snake to attack, so I told Sasha to stop and wait and she
didn’t move. And then I yelled out to my friend not to come
any closer because there was a snake there. The snake
had by this time raised its head above the ground, which
worried me as this is a warning and often a prelude to an
attack. I walked slowly and calmly over towards Sasha
watching the snake and saying stay several times more to
her. Sasha meanwhile stayed quite still, which was such a
great relief. I got to the side of Sasha and put the lead on
her collar and pulled her backwards and we walked
unhurriedly in an arc around and away from the snake. As
we walked away from it, the Eastern Brown Snake turned
and headed for the fence and went through it and towards
the bush outside the park.
When later thinking about this incident with the snake, I
thought about the reasons Sasha didn’t get bitten. Firstly,
that she didn’t get too close to or harass the snake. This is
probably I think because we have several Blue-tongues in
the yard at home and we have always told her not to bother
them. Though of course they are different reptiles, the
snake would have seemed like the same creature to her.
Secondly, that Sasha did what I’ve taught her to do (when I
say stop and wait or stay and wait, she is meant to stop
completely motionless and wait) and stayed quite still during this encounter. As any sudden moves towards the
snake or even in my direction may have made it feel frightened and it would have then lunged at her. And that could
easily have had terrible consequences for Sasha and
possibly me as well.
Surprisingly, while I was very concerned and keenly watching the snake I also recall thinking how pretty it looked. It
was a light brown colour, but as well had orange and yellow
speckles and patterns on its body.
After we left the park I went straight home and made a sign
warning people of the snake sighting and returned to the
Dog Park to nail it on the fence near the park’s entrance
gate. Since then I don’t think any other snakes have been
seen in the Dog Park and thankfully, as far as I am aware
the summer has passed without any humans or dogs being
bitten by snakes there. Now harmony has come to the
park, with numerous people and their dogs visiting the
each day park in peace and the snakes live in peace somewhere else.
As well as us humans being scared of snakes, we should
remember snakes are also very frightened of us and are
just out seeking food, water, shelter or somewhere to sunbake in peace. As snakes usually only bite to get prey or to
defend themselves when threatened, it is always best just
to leave them alone when you see them, as you or your
dog are more likely to get bitten trying to catch or kill them.
And wear strong boots and watch where you are walking in
grassy areas so as not to accidently tread on or get too
close to a snake. Like other snakes, Eastern Brown Snakes
will usually flee when confronted, though they can be highly
defensive if provoked however given the opportunity they
will try to avoid us and endeavour to just get away. So stay
attentive and safe in summer by doing all you can to stay
away from snakes.
Steven Katsineris. February, 2015.
Eastern Brown Snake Basic Information.
The Eastern Brown Snake (also called the Common Brown
Snake) is considered the world's second most venomous land
snake. It is native to Australia, Papua New Guinea and
Indonesia. In Australia it is found all the way along the East
Coast from the top of Cape York Peninsula through Qld, NSW
and Victoria to South Australia. They are also found in arid
areas of the N.T. and the far east of the Kimberley in W.A.
This snake occupies a varied range of habitats from dry
Eucalypt forests and heaths of coastal ranges, through to
woodlands, grasslands and arid scrublands and farmland. This
species is attracted to rural and farming areas, probably due to
the presence of their preferred food, rats and mice. Such
areas also normally provide shelter in the form of rubbish and
other cover.
The Eastern Brown Snake is active during the day. It is wellknown for its speed and aggression. When highly agitated,
they hold their necks high, appearing in an upright S-shape.
Like other snakes they will usually try to flee when confronted,
as they will not deliberately seek out and bite humans, although Eastern Brown Snakes can be highly defensive if
attacked or provoked. They will bite repeatedly if provoked, but
only inject a small amount of venom, about 4 mg, which is less
than one-thousandth of an ounce. This is enough to kill a
person, but there is no advantage to attacking an animal so
much larger than itself. Defensive bites are mostly ‘dry bites’;
that is, no venom is injected.
Despite Australia being home to so many species of venomous snakes, the entire country records only about 5 deaths
from snake bite per year. More deaths are caused by horses,
or even bee stings, than by snakes. So let’s respect each
other and live and let live.
S.K.
St Andrews Water Cartage and Tank Cleaning
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Pools & Spas
Water Tanks
Stock Water
Vacuum Pressure Tank
High Pressure Wall Cleaning
Servicing our local areas
Please contact Mitch 0407889063
Email: melbournetankcleaning@hotmail.com
Web: www.melbournetankcleaning.com
19
Serious home growers: come
and sell your surplus produce at
a new 'community market stall'
in Eltham
Local Food Connect is a voluntary
organisation interested in all matters food in Nillumbik and the surrounding areas. One of our objectives is to encourage people to
consume food which has been
grown locally. Another is to encourage the local production
of food. And a third is to put local consumers and producers
in more direct contact with each other.
Historically, our main activity in pursuit of these objectives
has been food swaps where home growers swap their
surplus produce. There are now 10 local food swaps covering every weekend and all parts of the local area (see our
website - www.localfoodconnect.org.au/food-swaps/wherethey are). They include the recently rejuvenated Hurstbridge
Food Swap, which takes place from 10-11am on the first
Sunday of each month, at the rear of Allwood House.
In 2014, we established Eltham Farmers' market, which
takes place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month
(see www.localfoodconnect.org.au/elthamfm). An important
priority has been to include as many truly local stallholders
as possible. As a result, there are currently 14 stallholders
from within Nillumbik and a further 19 from the neighbouring
suburbs.
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But we have now identified a major gap between these
two initiatives, namely serious home growers who have
too much surplus produce to swap at a food swap but not
enough to sell through commercial channels. In reaction,
we have set up a 'community market stall' at the Eltham
Farmers’ Market on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The
stall allows people to sell their surplus produce on an occasional basis, offering them a great opportunity for selling
fruit, vegetables or herbs which might otherwise be
wasted.
We are looking for growers who would like to be involved. At each market, there will be up to 3 growers
sharing the stall. No cost is involved for you. On the contrary, it will give you the opportunity to make money from
your produce and recoup some of the costs in keeping
your garden going. You don't need a permit either but, for
permit reasons, you will need to join Local Food Connect
(cost of $10 per year).
At the first two markets where the stall has happened, the
growers sold out. If you are interested in selling your surplus produce at the community market stall, please contact Guy Palmer (guy.palmer1@gmail.com; 0416 203067;
9444 1400) or come and have a chat with us at the Local
Food Connect Information Stand at the market.
Guy (Palmer)
NILLUMBIK MEMORIALS TELL OUR ANZAC STORY
As the Centenary of Anzac approaches, we as a nation
will pause to reflect and remember the enormous contribution made by Australians 100 years ago in World War
One. Here in Nillumbik we are restoring our existing memorials and installing new interpretive signage to tell our
local Anzac stories.
WW1 was a tragic time for the Nillumbik community and
it is our honour and duty to recognise this loss and sacrifice said Nillumbik Shire Mayor Councillor Helen Coleman.
“Our Memorials Advisory Committee, chaired by Cr
Meralyn Klein has been working closely with the local
community to document and convey the Nillumbik Anzac
story.
“Local community members, the RSL, historical societies, the Memorials Advisory Committee and people from
outside the Shire whose ancestors left Nillumbik to serve
in WW1, have very generously given their time to research local folklore and share their families’’ stories.
“Some of these stories are deeply personal and moving,
others inspirational. It is these local Anzac stories that
will be conveyed through stunning new interpretive signage at the site of the original gates of the Hurstbridge
Memorial Park, the Christmas Hills War Memorial and
Kangaroo Ground Tower,” said Cr Coleman.
The interpretive signage and the restoration of the Christmas Hill War Memorial have been funded by federal
contributions via the JagaJaga, Scullen and McEwen
electorates.
Nillumbik Shire Council secured over $70,000 in federal and
state funding for the restoration of other local memorials and/
or sites with significance to WW1.
Funding from the Victorian Department of Veterans’ Affairs
will enable the installation of contemporary signage and traditional plaques to mark Eltham’s remnant Avenue of Honour.
A plaque will also be installed to mark Hurstbridge’s three
remaining Avenue of Honour trees.
Ground works will soon commence at the four sites in preparation for the installation of footings. A suite of launch events
are in the planning to commemorate Nillumbik’s contribution
to the nation’s Anzac stories
Installation of Interpretive SignageHurstbridge Memorial Park
Removal of L shaped bench /seat
Work has commenced on the installation of the commemorative interpretive signage at the Hurstbridge Memorial Park.
The L shaped park bench/seat -constructed from timber
salvaged from the mature eucalypt tree removed when oval
extensions were required to meet a standard size, has been
removed.
The Friends of the Diamond Creek, having approached
Council urging that it be retained, are now investigating a
suitable site in the surrounding area for its relocation The
seat is currently having a make over and a bit of a spruce
up..
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Notice Board
Hurstbridge Food Swap
Date: 1st Sunday of each month. (excluding January)
Time: 10.30 a.m. -11.30 (1 hour)
Place: Outdoors - Allwood House
Swap and share any excess fruit, vegies and herbs, seeds and seedlings, jams or other preserves, gardening tips and local knowledge.
Note: Our Council doesn't permit swapping of eggs.
For further info: email: angie@growingresilence.com.au
Volunteer Wanted.
With the advent of a new shed, the Allwood
Neighbourhood House is seeking a volunteer
co-ordinator for the Wednesday Men’s Group.
A technical knowledge of woodworking and good
interpersonal skills are required.
Enquiries and further details to 9718-2717
Allwood Community Market
Allwood House and Garden
901 Main Rd., Hurstbridge
FRIENDS OF THE DIAMOND CREEK
HURSTBRIDGE
Markets are held on
First Sunday of the month 9am ~ 2pm
2nd Sunday of the Month
10am on….
Stallholders Wanted & Welcome
Join us on our activity day—to help or have a say
Best to phone prior to turning up as we do move around and
there are a lot of bushes to keep us out of sight
Convener: Anne Fitzpatrick 9718 1339
(excluding January)
Vintage, Retro, Antiques, Oddities, Bric-a-Brac
Plants and fund raiser stalls welcome
Contact: Lara 0429 696599
larajames@bigpond.
Nillumbik u3a
Free trial African drumming classes will be
Contact us at u3a.nillumbik@gmail.com and share in the
fun, friendship and mental stimulation
No qualifications are required-just that you are over 50
and don’t work fulltime.
u3a Office  0468 300764
Monday & Thursday mornings
offered
at
Allwood
Neighbourhood
House,
Hurstbridge on Thursday 16th April at 7.15 pm. and
Friday 17th April at 1.15 pm. Drums are
supplied and timid beginners are welcome! Affordable
term courses continue after the introduction for those who
wish to continue. Info and bookings: Annie 0407 102 578.
(University of the Third Age)
Hurstbridge Wattle Festival
Planning is underway for this years Hurstbridge Wattle Festival which will
take place on Sunday 30th August, 2015. If you would like to be part of the planning of this great event, please give Carol a call on 0409
191 613 or pop into Bridges at 7.30pm on Thursday 14th May when our next planning session will take place.
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