Newsangle issue 121 final

PUBLICATION OF THE ANGLESEA COMMUNITY HOUSE

ISSUE 121 AUTUMN 2015

Jamie MacKenzie—AFSM

By Liz Clarke

If I were in Grade 4 at Anglesea Primary School, I'd hardly be able to wait for the first day the class goes to the Fire Station.

It's not the fascination of little boys for trucks and sirens and helmets, but one of the most exciting and interesting learning experiences in which a child could be involved.

The CFA Bushfire Education project involves collaboration between the Anglesea Primary School, Anglesea CFA, and Melbourne University, and has been developed under the wise and invigorating leadership of Jamie Mackenzie, a man with a passion for training, fire safety and nature. In Grade 4, children are introduced to the CFA station, to the machinery and how things work, and they become familiar

Highlights Jamie Mackenzie—AFSM

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History Spot

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Aireys Eels

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Youth in Action

11

Allan Noble Sanctuary

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Bus Survey

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Resale Shed

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New House, New Rules?

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Madagascar

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KAOS

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Anglesea River

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Community Houses are for Everyone

with all that goes on in a fire station. In Grade 5 and 6 they begin to learn more about their local environment, fire behaviour, bushfire safety and awareness, mapping, fuel loads, fire danger indices, and are encouraged to take an active role in fire planning with their families and the whole community.

The CFA also conducts fire education programs and activities with school students staying at our local camps. The skills these students learn about weather, technology, forecasting, the ability to judge and monitor possible fire activity will remain with them forever, helping make them become extremely responsible members of our community.

The relationship with Melbourne University involves field sensors and monitoring tools located around the town with students learning to observe heat/ wind/humidity weather patterns and use

the necessary technology to monitor what is happening in their environment.

They use their iPads, to tap into the University system and study the local information found there. They can also input and read data from the Phoenix Fire modelling system, and forecast what a fire might do at any given time in given conditions. This means they can observe all the information and predict what would happen if a fire began right now.

Once upon a time we would just look out the window and try to gauge what was happening with the weather - not any more for our tech-savvy children.

A recent visit to the magnificent Anglesea CFA station allowed me to meet with Jamie Mackenzie and find out what led to his Australia Day honour the Australian Fire Service Medal. This Continued on page 4> 1

Published By Anglesea Community House Inc. 9.15 am - 2.30pm Monday - Friday (During school terms) 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea PO Box 43, Anglesea, VIC, 3230 Tel: 5263 2116 Fax: 5263 1077 Email: newsangle@anglesea.org.au

Feedback/Comments To be addressed to the NewsAngle Editorial Committee, c/o Anglesea Community House or by email.

Advertisers If you wish to book a casual advertisement (not annual) please request an Order Form by email.

Annual advertising (all four issues) is closed for 2015. Annual advertising for 2016 will be open from September 2016. Register your interest to be notified by email.

Contributors/Writers Please leave or email news items, notices at the Community House or by email and the Editor will get in touch with you.

Distribution NewsAngle is free of charge. It is delivered to permanent residents in Anglesea and those with Aireys Inlet Post Boxes.. Copies are available from Anglesea IGA Supermarket, Maid's Pantry, Information Centre, Aireys Inlet Post Office and various other locations.

NewsAngle can also be downloaded from: anglesea.org.au/news/newsangle

Deadlines Issue:

122

Casual ads:

22 May

Articles/Contributions :

22 May

Subject to availability of space.

Distribution:

26 June

Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Community House.

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NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

News from the House From the ACH Coordinator

By Alex Leknius—ACH Coordinator

Congratulations to the Anglesea Community Garden for winning the Surf Coast Shire’s Australia Day Community Event of the year award for organising and hosting Gardening Australia’s presenter Costa Georgiadis who launched the Surf Coast Shire’s Heritage in Schools program and edible landscapes project.

the courses offered through the U3A Surf Coast and discuss what courses could be offered in Anglesea. The meeting will be held at 2.00pm at Anglesea Community House, Entrance 4, 5 McMillan Street Anglesea. If you are interested in volunteering as a tutor, the Surf Coast U3A would be very pleased to hear from you.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Octavia Chabrier our new youth worker. You can read more about Octavia and the transformed youth group on page 11.

A bus survey is being undertaken to determine whether there is a need for a regular bus service from Anglesea to Waurn Ponds. Have your say on whether a bus service is needed by completing the survey on page 14 or you can complete the survey online. The link to the survey is provided on page 14.

Responses are required by April 30.

The U3A (University of the 3rd Age) is coming to Anglesea! Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven residents are invited to attend a public meeting on Wednesday April 22 to find out about

House Groups

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Children have a strong sense of identity;

Occasional Care

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Children are connected with and contribute to their world;

By Caroline Price—Occasional Care Coordinator

Anglesea Occasional Care operates in accordance with the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework (V.E.Y.L.F) practices. With dedicated and highlytrained staff, educators offer a stimulating learning environment where families and children feel welcomed, secure and valued. As children learn, grow and develop at different rates, educators provide a learning environment which supports individual development with a sensitive, caring, holistic approach.

The V.E.Y.L.F (2009) recognises the importance of three key elements of children’s development; Belonging, Being and Becoming.

Belonging r elates to r elationships and connections with the wider community.

Being r elates to the skills of individuals and teams of early childhood educators and the learning they bring to the educational environment. Becoming relates to the importance of learning and every child reaching their potential. The outcomes of which are:

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I hope you are enjoying the 'new' look of NewsAngle. It takes considerable time and effort by volunteers to write, edit, come up with story ideas and get the publication to print. We are always looking for volunteer writers. If you would like to join the team or submit an article which you think may be of interest to others in the community, contact the Community House.

Easter Worship Times Trinity Uniting Church

Children have a strong sense of wellbeing;

(Rev Helen Robinson: 0408 527 521)

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Children are confident and involved learners;

7.30.pm.– 9 pm Holy Week Reflection (Details on page 24)

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Children are effective communicators.

How this is put into practice: Children are recognised and respected for their individuality with appropriate learning environments, the children’s learning is fostered through play, utilising intentional teaching moments and continuous assessments of learning.

Occasional care operates five days a week, 9.15 am – 2.15 pm. There are places for 14 children per day and we have spots available for children over the age of three, Monday – Thursday. If you are interested in enrolling your child please feel free to call in anytime and meet the team of educators.

Supporting the Anglesea community for over twenty years, occasional care is a service we are proud to provide for our families and the wider community.

Tuesday 31 March 2015

Good Friday, 9.00 a.m. Combined service hosted by Baptist Church followed by the Stations of the Cross Easter Sunday: 9.00 am celebration Anglican Church of the Transfiguration (Rev. John Webster: 52 615 558) Maundy Thursday: 5.00 pm Easter Sunday: 9.15 am. Holy Communion Anglesea Baptist Church (Pastor James Lewis 52 632 744) Easter Sunday: 10.45 am.

Outdoor service at Lions Park (Uniting Church building if wet) St. Christopher’s Catholic Church (Fr. Linh Tran 52 439 891) Easter Sunday : 10.30 am Mass

We look forward to meeting you.

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JAMIE MACKENZIE CONTINUED is one of the highest awards for fire service in Australia.

Jamie was born in Geelong and grew up with his parents and two younger sisters in Bannockburn. His father, a plumber, became a Member of Parliament, Speaker of the Upper House in the Cain/ Kirner era. His was a political household, but Jamie learnt that politicians are just people, and that anyone can rise to great heights if they put their mind to it. His mother was the bursar at Matthew Flinders School for many years. Jamie enjoyed sport, playing football, cricket and taking part in triathlons as he grew older.

He is currently coach of Anglesea U 16's football team and in 2012 was awarded Youth Coach of the Year for the Geelong region. When he left school he began an electrician's apprenticeship but found that this wasn't for him and looked for new fields. In 1983 he joined the Forests Commission as a member of the summer fire crew, and there developed his great love and respect for the environment.

The Ash Wednesday bushfire was the second fire he attended, just one

month into his job.

He was deployed to the Mount Macedon fire and after a week spent there, assisted with 'mopping up' along the coast. The following fire season he spent a lot of time on the walking tracks at the back of Aireys Inlet, rebuilding walking tracks and bridges, finding a love of both the bush and the sea.

In 1987 Jamie applied for a job with the British Forest Commission and spent twelve months working in the western highlands of Scotland. He was married in Scotland and had a pushbike honeymoon, riding from Lands End to John o'Groats, fuelling his love for travel before returning home to work with the Forests Commission as a Forest Officer.

In 1990 Jamie moved to Anglesea to reestablish a departmental work centre. He found a strong link between the old Forests Commission and CFA, and soon began to volunteer with the local brigade, continuing a legacy left by Pat Denham, a past Forest Officer and a life member of the Anglesea Fire Brigade.

Managing the eastern Otways for fire, involvement in the natural environment and with community members were career highlights; however, the job was becoming more office-based and a lot of

<Continued from page 1

former tasks were now becoming 'noncore duties'.

About 20 years ago he saw a real need for young people to learn more about their natural environment and for them to be trained to be responsible and capable of caring for the land in which they live.

Anglesea was the perfect place to set up a new service to offer school camp groups and local families the opportunity to learn more about the surrounding bush and coastal region - thus the company Ecologic was born. This meant that Jamie was no longer office bound, and could share his love of both the marine and bush areas of the coast. He was able to employ local people and provide real and interesting experiences to all participants. He was involved in developing programs and hands on teaching and began to seek ways of widening his own skills by undertaking training in various areas.

Since the late 90's, Jamie has become more and more involved in fire awareness education, to such an extent that it has become a true passion for him.

He has been given wonderful insights through involvement with local CFA members. He particularly emphasizes the great support and guidance he has received from Billy Bubb, Andy Rankin, Barry Davidson and Fabian Crowe, plus all the members of the Anglesea Fire Brigade.

Jamie acknowledges the immense importance of mateship, camaraderie and personal involvement with fellow brigade members and says that this is largely the impetus for his motivation to learn and to share knowledge at both the local level and throughout the State.

Interaction with the broad cross section of CFA volunteers makes him realise that although we are all different, in many ways we are all the same.

After the Linton bushfire in 1998, CFA Continued on page 24> 4

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HISTORY SPOT

ARTHUR UPFIELD – 1890-1964.

Boney and Bony

By Jan Morris Arthur William Upfield was born in Gosport, England, the son of a prosperous draper.

On leaving school at the age of 16 he was apprenticed to a firm of estate agents, but failed the qualifying examination – partly because he spent all his time writing. His father sent him to Australia in 1910, where he travelled widely, working at various labouring jobs, spending 20 years in the bush.

He served with the Australian Infantry Forces (AIF) during the First World War, in Egypt, Gallipoli, UK and France. He spent the rest of his life in Australia.

Upfield is best known as the creator of Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte (Boney) of the Queensland Police, who appeared in twenty-nine novels, most set in outback Australia.

Arthur Upfield wrote the story of the “The Mystery of The New Shoe”, set in Aireys Inlet and many other widely read mysteries.

He used his experiences and local characters in his novels. Upfield purchased ‘Cliff Cottage” in Eaglerock Parade, between Roadknight Street and Sandy Gully, from Ivan Roadknight in 1950 He wrote ‘The Mystery of The New Shoe’ there.

It is the story of a murder at Split Point Lighthouse. Judith Venables bought the house in 1954. In an article for the Historical Society Judith described the house when they purchased it. It had the basic amenities of the time.

Our original structure was a four room bungalow. It had been owned by Sarah and

Ivan Roadknight, who let it to holidaymakers, until Arthur Upfield purchased it. It was Arthur who enlarged it, adding a gallery 'scullery' and bathroom.

He also enclosed half the veranda, and this was his workroom. The walls, when we first saw them were covered with the dust - jackets of all his books. There was of course, no hot water service or toilet in the house. The wash house and toilet were partitioned off the back of the garage, and we walked up a concrete path with the initials A.W.U. set in it, and NANDA in the branch off to the garage where he kept his Daimler. The toilet at the back of the garage was a wooden bench with a hole in it and a bucket underneath.

We kept a pail of sand and lime there to sprinkle in. No night soil removal, so in winter one dug holes, so as to have "spares" when the ground became rock hard in summer.

There was a wood stove for cooking in the original kitchen, and a sink with a cold water tap in the scullery. Tanks of course, and there was a chip heater in the bathroom, and cold water taps to bath and basin. The "laundry" had a trough, and a copper to boil.

‘Cliff Cottage’ had a wonderful view of Sandy Gully Beach with the rolling ocean, and the imposing cliffs with Eagle Rock and the lighthouse beyond.

Recently William Upfield the grandson of Arthur, contacted me at the Historical Centre. He is republishing Arthur’s books as E-books. They will be available shortly.

Many of us who read the Bonaparte series years ago may like to enjoy them again.

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Australian TV audiences were introduced to Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte in 1972. "Boney" was a half-Aboriginal detective who tracked murderers by spotting an overturned twig or a crushed ant on the sand. A loner who never failed to crack a case, he was impatient with authority, charming, arrogant and an expert burglar, moving in a world of sunbaked claypans and the most distant reaches of the outback where only the Aborigines could survive.

Upfield always intended to call his detective "Boney", but a printer's error had changed it to "Bony" - so his preferred spelling replaced "Bonaparte" as the series' name. The crew put together by Fauna Productions (same producers as Skippy the Bush Kangaroo!) flew to Alice Springs during July 1971 to film the first episode, "Boney Buys A Woman".

In 1992, a series entitled Bony was shown in Australia. Its thirteen episodes were produced by Grundy, a company known for packaging quiz show formats and producing soap operas. Starring 26 year-old actor and singer Cameron Daddo, the Bony pilot film was about Inspector Bonaparte’s grandson David, himself a detective but a white policeman who had been brought up by Aborigines, and who had an elderly black mentor, his uncle.

The series bore no other relation to the Upfield books nor the Fauna series.

(Extract from Wikipedia: http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boney_% 28TV_series%29)

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Rustic Italian Pizza and Cucina

Casalinga

5 Diggers Pde, Anglesea

52 632 904

Airport Transfers Parcels Tours

Anglesea

Business Accounts Special Occasions

Bookings recommend-

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From the Mayor’s desk

By Margot Smith, Mayor They do say that time flies when you are having fun and it certainly is for me. I am approaching the halfway mark of my year as Mayor and it has been enlightening, challenging, but most of all good fun. While the diary seems to fill up very quickly, and it is important to make sure there is still time for family and friends, I think I have been able to strike a good balance.

There are many good events and programs happening within the Shire and recently two events struck a strong chord with me. The first was the launch of the Happy and Healthy Ageing Program offered by the University of the Third Age (U3A) in Torquay. This program is probably half way through by now, and I’m sure those enrolled are finding the lectures, panel discussions and demonstrations enlightening. It is really important for us all to ensure we keep active, healthy and mentally stimulated when we step away from the workforce.

U3A not only provides this special program but regular sessions to support intellectual stimulation, physical activity, friendships and community connections. As stated by one of the speakers – “We all need something to love, something to do and something to look forward to” – and that goes for all ages. While

this program is offered from Torquay – only a short drive away – we do have other local activities to get involved in via the Community House and the Sporting Groups in our community.

So join in the fun.

The other event was another visit from our gardening friend Costa Georgiadis. Costa’s visit last year to the Anglesea Community Garden was a great success and congratulations to Winsome Coutts and her gardening friends for hosting the event and for winning the Shire Event of the Year. This year his visit coincided with the launch of the Good Fish Project and the Sustainable Hook and Vine Festival, the first sustainable seafood festival in Australia.

Council is working with the Australian Marine Conservation Society on the Good Fish Project promoting sustainable seafood. Specifically this means promoting fishing practices which protect marine life and ensure marine species stay at healthy levels, with local restaurants and businesses signing up to serve seafood that is sustainably sourced. We want the Surf Coast to be known as a base for clean and green produce – from both the land and the sea. So, for all ages we can eat well, and keep our minds and bodies active.

Best Wishes, Margot

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SURFCOAST SHIRE NEWS

By Libby Coker As I write this article I am about to take part in the National Coastal Conference taking place on the Mornington Peninsula.

This is an amazing conference that focuses on coastal issues across Australia from the management of our estuaries to pressures of coastal population growth and visitation, disaster recovery and coastal erosion.

As one of the two Victorian National Seachange delegates, I am particularly interested in securing additional funding for coastal councils that are facing unprecedented growth pressures. I also wish to better understand how different coastal councils manage to balance environmental priorities with increasing urbanisation.

Our Shire, will also present an informative report at the conference, discussing the significant economic and employment benefits that flow from our surfing industry to our region.

Did you know that more than a quarter of all jobs in the Surf Coast are surfing related? In fact 26.9% or 2034 people work in the industry which "value adds" $217 million into our economy. At a time of rising unemployment, these are statistics worthy of celebration!

Victoria's new State Government has also flagged a renewed focus on climate change adaption and planning for sea level rises and I look forward to hearing from the new Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Hon. Lisa Neville, when she addresses the conference.

On another issue, there has been significant community interest in a proposed Adventure Park on the Great Ocean Road between

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Bellbrae and Anglesea. The proposal includes a high ropes course and trampoline complex. More than 100 submissions from members of the public have been received and a Submission Hearing will take place at a date yet to be set. I particularly like taking part in Submission Hearings because they are a great opportunity to hear directly from you about the issues that affect local communities.

On a different note, we have just celebrated International Women's Day (IWD) at Winchelsea's Barwon Park Mansion with an eloquent speech from our local Surf Coast Shire Australia Day Event of the Year recipient, Winsome Coutts. The exhibition, Love, Desire, and Riches, coincides with IWD. It explores the changing fashions and role of women through a fascinating exhibition of famous wedding dresses spanning 200 years. Well done to all involved.

Finally, I hope you take time in the coming weeks and months to take part in the many great events that are on offer in our Shire.

The Aireys Inlet Open Mic festival, March 13-15, is certainly a must on my calendar. At the time of writing, the stages are being erected around the township. Great local music acts will perform across the festival, and there will an amazing mystery guest performing at the Aireys Inlet Pub on the evening of Sunday March 15!!

All the best, Libby

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The Aireys Eels turn 10

By Terrence Hoffmann

Ten years ago, this year, several Aireys Inlet

parents felt that the growing number of local children warranted a local footy team.

They decided to start the Eels Football Club. Under 10 and under 12 teams were formed.

So 2015 marks the first decade of the club. There are both girls and boys playing in the teams. One of the girls, Allie Kogler, played her 50th game last year. Aireys Inlet resident Greg Day, who is the coach of the Eels Under 12s, says he has seen some very skillful girls playing in the competition and the Eels are very proud of their tradition of girls wearing the guernsey.

Despite attempts to remove some of the competitive aspects of the game that, in extreme cases, creates the ugly parent syndrome, the kids do love to win. Junior footy doesn’t allow scoreboards – the under age competition is so politically correct. There are no finals and no ladder. With the ultra competitive aspect removed there are many positives. Greg believes that it does no harm to acknowledge that the team has played very well and their efforts are as good or better than many opponents. If the culture of the club is good and the game is played respectfully, then the players know how to handle victory as well as defeat.

There is a difference between the under 10s and Under 12s though. By the time the kids play under 12s they are more intense and want to learn more sophisticated aspects of the game.

The theme song gives a clue about the nature of the culture at the Eels. “We will run and share.

We’ll always play fair, But you better beware, “ The Aireys Inlet Eels!” (See page 10) The youngsters only play for the Eels for a little while. They understand they will move on to play with other teams and with people they don’t go to school with or live amongst. Playing footy helps the kids to understand their own community and its great for the Lorne and Aireys Lorne kids to come together as a team.

After every game the two opposing teams sit down on the ground and the two coaches speak

about what went on. Last year the Eels played a team which had a few players who weren't really playing the game in the right spirit. There was no fun in what they were doing. At the end of the first quarter they were thrashing the Eels. The Eels players came in shocked at the behavior and asked the coach what to do. They did what they had to do. They got the ball and teamed together to make certain they played well. In the end the Eels won the game. After the game their opponents were very unhappy and despondent.

Greg spoke to the kids from the other team about some positive things about football. He feels that it's important to spread good feeling through both sides, win, lose or draw.

Greg describes the culture when he played junior footy as really bad. Coming off the ground watching brawls between parents is, happily, a thing of the past. The kids in the Eels are never subjected to that kind of thing. Even so playing footy in a team helps kids to learn things they can apply to their lives and how they might deal with other setbacks next time.

The original principles and club culture of the Eels is based on the life-cycle of the local eels in the Painkalac Creek. They migrate to the Coral Sea to breed and then the little eels, or elvers, swim all the way back on their own and return to our coast. TEAMWORK, STAMINA and COURAGE are the key themes.

For parents and others attending a game it is great fun. It really ties the community together.

The home games are played at the lovely Bellbrae oval. It is surrounded by bush and is a pretty setting. Games begin at 8.30am so you had better start early if you want to see them.

Have a look at the Eels blog to keep up to date.

They have footy cards of most of the players, reports of all the games written by the players and lots of photos too. http:// aireysinleteels.tumblr.com This is a wonderful example of something that is working beautifully and is a model of what local people can do. Go Eels!

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Eels song on page 10> 9

BRIDAL TRAIL

<Continued from page 9

When? 7.30pm Friday 22 May 2015

AIREYS INLET EELS CLUB THEME SONG

Where? Anglesea Memorial Hall Ladies – Come and reminisce about that wedding day, not just when you were married, but when you were a bridesmaid or when you were a guest, or mother of the bride.

A Bridal Trail evening on Friday 22 May is a girls’ night out. Weddings are always exciting events and so this Bridal Trail will be exciting too.

You will see bridal dresses from over a100 years ago to very recent dresses. It will be fun to see how things have changed.

In 1840 Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress and from there it became the fashion to wear white when married. First it was just the rich who wore white but gradually it became popular with everyone. Before white dresses became the fashion, most young ladies had a new black dress for their wedding. The black dress then became their best dress for the next several years. Remember washing was difficult then, so it was easier to keep black clean.

The Bridal Trail evening is guaranteed to be great fun. You can book a table or we will place you with an appropriate group. Tickets are $30.

Finger food is supplied. Both alcoholic and soft drinks are available at bar price. Booking is essential.

To contribute to the Parade, contact: Marg Sheehan on 0407 971508.

Tickets – Annette Dwyer 5263 3004 or

Jan Morris 52633085

This is a fund-raiser to support the children of Las Lomas, Peru. This is the third year that Anglesea has sponsored these children so they can receive an education, that will hopefully lead them out of the poverty cycle. Don’t miss out

Rain hail or shine it’s footy time We’re running down the ground Like the old Painkalac runs down to the sea We’re backing up and we’re fighting hard Having fun, larking about While round the ground our people are cheering We’re the EELS the Aireys Inlet EELS We come to play and to win the game And we will RUN and SHARE We’ll always play fair But you better beware Of the Aireys Inlet EELS

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YOUTH IN ACTION

Anglesea Community House Youth Group: Re-loaded The ACH Youth group is starting up again, so now is the time to get involved!!!

swing rope)

ACH Youth is an initiative from the Anglesea Community House aimed at strengthening kids’ sense of community whilst developing capability and, most importantly, having FUN!

The first meeting is on Tuesday 17th March 2015 at the Anglesea Community House, Entrance 4, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Open to school age kids aged 12+.

Call on 5263 2116 for details.

Like us on Facebook!

The “leader of the pack” is Octavia Chabrier. Octavia has lived and worked down the coast for a number of years: volunteering in sporting, school and community groups and has young adults of her own—so she gets it!

She is also a highly qualified Wellness Consultant having worked in wellness coaching, remedial massage and relaxation in the youth and aged care industries. So we are lucky to have her!!

Whilst the group itself will largely determine what the group does, some ideas being kicked around include:       



Cooking (and eating) Skating—Decorating skate decks, taking professional instruction, skating comps Music—listening, learning, performing Learning and showing animations and films Making things: Candles, soaps, creams, painting Hanging out (eg) Going to movies Getting involved in a community project (eg) revitalisation of the skate park Improving local conditions for local kids (e.g. the river)

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Sanctuary Needs More Friends

By Mary Bremner, (with contributions from James Bell, Ellinor Campbell and Ross Murray)

A Norfolk pine stands sentinel over the profusion of bird and plant life that flourishes in the wetland environment of the Allen Noble Sanctuary in Aireys Inlet. Tourists and locals enjoy the sight of water birds feeding and nesting in the reeds and amongst the water lilies.

Small birds chatter amongst the indigenous plants that grace the banks. However, it was not always so. Old photos show a swamp with banks grazed to the water’s edge by cattle.

Allen Noble, who lived at “Angahook” homestead, just beside the swamp, took a leading interest in preserving its wildlife. Prior to the declaration of the wetland as a sanctuary, the resident birdlife was fair game for hunters.

Several generations of the Bell family holidayed at “Bungara”, overlooking the swamp. James Bell recollects that from time to time there'd be gunshots when passing travellers decided to bag a few ducks. James’ recollections include the following stories: “Mr Noble used to fish for eels, but never in the swamp. He’d head up the river and bring back huge silver eels that he’d hang from hooks in the back courtyard before he skinned them. But in the swamp there were black eels as thick as your arm. (You can still see them today if you peer down into the water at the viewing platform.) As a trick to amuse guests, the Nobles would crack a few hens’ eggs and run the contents from the edge of the swamp up

onto their lawn. In the evening the big, glossy eels would wriggle up onto the grass and devour the trails of egg. It was quite a show.

In the 1967 drought the swamp dried up and you could walk across its cracked, crusty surface. But a bit of digging revealed the ooze beneath and it was possible to grab out some of the eels that were still alive in the mud. It was a slippery business and the eels weren’t very impressed! Somebody told us that if you kept these eels alive in fresh water for a time their muddiness would wash out and they’d be edible. So a couple of us captured some eels and popped them into Jack Mawhinney’s rainwater overflow drum.

After a fortnight we netted them out, dispatched them and persuaded my mother to cook them up. The result tasted like pure swamp mud. So much for that theory!

In recent decades Claire Roberts, daughter of Allen Noble, kept a detailed log of the swans on the Sanctuary and their breeding progress each season. If an unfortunate swan died and its body lay prone among the reeds, Claire was quite effective at persuading any available local male to wade out to the dead creature and recover its remains in order to check on the cause of death and remove the sad evidence from public view. I know this because one year she chose me!

After the Ash Wednesday fire that devastated Aireys Inlet, “The Swamp”, as it was known, became a tangle of Scottish thistles. In the 1990s it was decided to upgrade the sanctuary and put in the boardwalk, pathways, and planting. With regular inflows due to increased storm water drainage, the wetland attracted birds and people alike, the former to enjoy the abundance of natural food and water and the people to enjoy the peace and natural beauty of the environment.

By 2010 the sanctuary was looking tired and overgrown with weeds as the shire struggled to maintain it, and some Aireys Inlet residents decided to take action to care for this precious natural resource.

Margaret MacDonald got the children from Aireys Inlet Primary school involved in a big planting. Ellinor Campbell approached Angair to auspice a Friends of Allen Noble Sanctuary (FANS) and, with the agreement and support of the Surf Coast Shire, organised regular working bees to attack the weeds.

Tourists can now be seen stopping to

Margaret McDonald with the Aireys school children

Allan Noble Sanctuary in its earlier form as a swamp Photo supplied courtesy of the Anglesea Historical Society 12

One of Aireys Inlet’s most enduring sounds, for me, is the night-time chorus of frogs from the sanctuary.

On a still night it can almost seem deafening.”

Continued on page 13 >

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<Continued from page 12

SANCTUARY CONTINUED look at the birds from the small jetty, and picnicking at the table. Swans return annually to the sanctuary to nest and raise their cygnets, although they did not breed this year. The shire has recently added an informative sign with photos, taken by Margaret Lacey, of eight species of water birds that regularly visit the sanctuary.

After the initial enthusiasm for FANS working bees, numbers have dwindled to two or three regular weeders, and the sanctuary is looking tiredagain. The shire has agreed to do more replanting and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;friendsâ&#x20AC;? are calling for more volunteers to help at monthly weedings.

These take place on the 4th Sunday of the month from March to November, from 9.30am to 11am, and with volunteers asked to bring a weeding fork and garden gloves.

It is hoped that this beautiful community asset will continue to flourish and be a botanical showcase of endemic plants.

Contact: Ellinor Campbell at ellinor@iprimus.com.au or Ross Murray at rossandmerle@bigpond.com

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13

Accommodation, care and lots of fun

By Liz Clarke

ANGLESEAâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;WAURN PONDS BUS SERVICE The Anglesea Community are investigating the need to run a regular bus service from Anglesea to Waurn Ponds.

Please help the project team of volunteers assess interest by filling in this survey. It will only take you a few minutes and we will keep you informed of the outcome.

You can fill in the form below or access the survey on line, from the Anglesea Community House Website http://anglesea.org.au/

Expressions of Interest Survey Please cut out and return to the Anglesea Community House OR the Anglesea Post Office by 30 April 2015

Would you use a bus service to Waurn Ponds?

Yes

Rarely (annually)

No

Occasionally (monthly)

Maybe

Frequently (weekly)

If so, where would you want to go? (If other, put in comments)

Address

Would you be willing to be a volunteer driver?

Homemaker Centre

Yes

Main Shopping Centre

No

Train Station

Maybe

Comments:

Name

If so, how often would you use the service?

Although Anglesea Aged Care residence is set back from the main road in Weir Street, it's certainly not a place of isolation, quiet or seclusion. Anytime, most days, the facility is abuzz with residents and staff going about the business of the day.

Mornings begin with showering and dressing followed by breakfast, reading newspapers, gentle exercises, distribution of books from the library, manicures, hair care, quizzes and puzzles, visits from various churches for prayer and services, music, bus trips to the Men's Shed and a once a week purchase of goods from the shopping trolley. Interspersed with all these activities is morning tea, general socialising, and the arrival of many visitors who are able to come and go as there are no set visiting hours. Each morning provides a different activity, and then there's lunch, often tempting both residents and visitors with the wonderful aromas from the kitchen.

Residents who are bed-ridden or less ambulatory are cared for in their rooms by qualified and caring staff. Medicines are dispensed and health checks made each day. It is quite common to walk down a corridor and hear the buzz of conversation and occasional burst of laughter coming from the rooms as choices are made about what to wear for the day, discussions about how one has slept (or not), a joke is shared, bits are read from the newspaper, and people reminisce a little or talk about an expected family visit or event.

Afternoons at Anglesea Aged Care are as busy as mornings with staff and many volunteers offering an incredible range of activities. Last month these included gardening, birdbath mosaics, armchair travel, a wide range of musical entertainments, beach dress up day with fish and chip lunch, an outing to shops at Waurn Ponds, residents' and relatives' meeting, bingo, craft, cooking, bus outing and mystery afternoon tea, Waitangi day celebrations, Valentine's Day trivia, knitting group, happy hour, and a group enjoying A Place to Call Home on DVD. Of course, all these activities are optional, but frequently the sound of music or laughter will draw people from their afternoon nap out into the loungeroom where they can take part in whatever is going on. Most residents retire to their rooms for a quiet rest before dinner and the business of preparing for bed. There are no dull moments for those who choose to take part in the many activities available.

The Anglesea Aged Care residence has sixty places in wellappointed single and shared rooms. It is situated beside Kuarka Dorla Nature Reserve, and residents enjoy a feeling of being right in the bush as views from the windows around the building highlight gardens, walkways and a very interesting bird life. 24 hour nursing care is provided, with individualised care and nursing plans in place. Residents can see their own doctor and dementia and palliative care is available. A happy and relaxed atmosphere make this facility very attractive to residents and visitors alike.

Phone

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Resale Shed

By Alex Leknius (with contributions from Annette Dwyer, Simon Clarke and Jim Tutt)

The Resale Shed at the Anglesea landfill officially opened in May 2013.

The idea was initiated by former Cr Jim Tutt, Surf Coast Shire, as a means of diverting bulky items from the land fill site. Used items, in good condition, would be recycled and the life of the landfill site would be extended whilst reducing the Surf Coast Shire’s carbon footprint - A great outcome for the environment and the community.

The Anglesea Resale Shed was initially operated on a trial basis by the Anglesea & District Men’s Shed between April 2013-June 2014. From June 2014 other community groups assisted on Saturdays in volunteering at the recycle shed and participating in an equal share of funds collected. In July 2014, the operation of the Shed was

awarded to the Anglesea Community House with support from the Anglesea & District Men’s Shed through a competitive tender process by the Surf Coast Shire.

The objectives of the shed are to:



Educate and strengthen the concept of sustainability within the community



Reduce the landfill



Complement the 2nd hand sales currently located in Anglesea



Provide an ongoing source of income to local community groups

The Shed is open every Saturday throughout the year between 10.00am – 2.00pm. It is staffed by volunteers from community groups throughout the Shire who share in the proceeds of the sales.

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To date, more than $28,000 has been distributed back to the volunteer groups While many community groups have enjoyed the income from this venture, none of this happens without a great deal of work by tireless helpers spending many voluntary hours working at the site as they collect, sort, move and tidy the goods and then eventually cull unsaleable items.

All proceeds collected from shed sales over a three month period are divided across participating groups on an equal basis. The groups who currently volunteer include Foodlink, Senior Continued on page 34>

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Twitchers Corner

By Grey Peta

Calyptorhynchus funereus or Catyptorhynchus Xanthanotus. The latter having a wider bill than the former but both having striking plumage of funerial black (hence “funereus”) and contrasting bright yellow tail panels and ear coverts.

The former, also known as the Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo, being the eastern subspecies and the latter being the southern found in Western Victoria Tasmania and the islands of Bass Strait.

I suspect that the Surfcoast black cockatoos are of the “funereus” or eastern sub-species.

Their flight is distinctive and punctuated by harsh screeches, squealing and perhaps if imagination allows...giggling.

Breeding in the southern regions takes place between November and February with nests accommodating 1 to 2 eggs. Seeds of native trees and pine cones are favoured although some grubs are consumed as they forage in banksia, hakea, acacia and coastal heathlands.

NOW FULLY LICENSED Dine in or Take Away Home Delivery or Pick-up

Black cockatoos in flight, usually in groups of five or more pairs, are easily recognised by the torpidity of their aeronautics which are occasionally punctuated by un-bird like squeals.

Groups of 100 or more have been observed at the end of the coastal summer as they move north and east.

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TUTOR PROFILE

Peter Shaw The best career moves are often the most obvious, and when Peter Shaw sat down with his wife and partner, Simone, roughly 20 years ago to look at the books, something unexpected but very nice was staring them in the face.

At that point in Peter’s career he would have described himself as a Geelong boy, trained and practicing as a greenskeeper who was now living in Anglesea. But the figures were showing that his sideline in landscaping – squeezed in between early morning and late night turf work – was taking up more and more time as his collection of loyal customers grew.

So Peter made the obvious decision and Ocean Road Landscaping was officially opened for business. As things became busier, a team of very good people joined them, and together they’ve worked at building a landscaping business based on a genuine wish to do things the right way. In this time Peter has also attained a qualification in Landscape horticulture, and continued his passion for drawing and creative design.

Anyone can see it. Customers are listened to and kept informed.

There’s respect within the team, beautiful gardens are built and then maintained. Doing it the Ocean Road Landscaping way does take more effort, but everyone feels it’s important. Like sending a new construction-team member to work alongside a seasoned maintenance hand to build their skillset, or visiting a work-site to take images and clips to bring the client up-to-date with progress.

Then there’s the other layer to the business, the part that underpins how appealing it was for Peter to shift from turf to landscapes all

those years ago. For Peter, creating gardens is a personal creative outlet. He draws, and he believes in the benefits of working with nature (rather than imposing something impractical upon it). As over-used as the term has now become, he understands the value in creating sustainable landscapes through sustainable choices of materials and methods.

Twenty years on, that career choice has proved a good one. The fact that Ocean Road Landscaping’s work is valued and given respect is obvious – from their client base who do a great job promoting Ocean Road Landscapes by word of mouth; due to the growing number of their gardens taking part in the Open Garden Scheme; and from their awards.

Peter Shaw, director of Ocean Road Landscaping has just been inducted into the Geelong Business Awards Hall Of Fame in February of this year, along with winning 2 Landscape Victoria Awards in late 2014, for designing Feature in

Landscape, and Plants in Landscape.

Peter is delivering a Garden Design & Maintenance course at the Anglesea Community House on Saturdays, starting on 9 May for 5 weeks. This comprehensive course will cover all sorts of vital information to help you start and complete your garden project successfully, and will include elements of design, planning and management, as well as garden tours.

Book in at the Community House on 52 632 116 or courses@anglesea.org.au

Split Point Lighthouse Tours Our 30-45 minute tour includes lighthouse stories, local history, and amazing 360o views.

It’s the perfect adventure for Round the Twist fans, sightseers, photographers, budding historians and lighthouse lovers.

OPEN EVERY DAY Tours begin at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm With extended hours in January and Easter

BOOKINGS Ph: 1800 174 045 (free call) See our website: www.splitpointlighthouse.com.au

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17

About Us

By Christine Walker, Secretary APA

Anglesea Performing Arts (APA) formerly Anglesea Entertainers has had a long association with the local community as a provider of quality live amateur theatre ranging from musicals and comedies in earlier days to serious contemporary drama today.

APA produces one major show each year, usually running for two weeks at the Anglesea Hall and then relocates the play to a different performance space and audience.

For the past twenty-five years APA has hosted the Anglesea One Act Play Festival. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25th Festival is scheduled for Saturday 22- Sunday 23 August 2015.

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Entries range from 12-25 plays for the entire weekend from theatre companies across Victoria.

Many of the local businesses sponsor the festival, as it's a great opportunity to showcase our unique township. APA generates their own One Act Play for this occasion, aiming to utilise the skills of local writers. We aim to continue to enrich the Surf Coast community with arts and culture and welcome any individuals who would like to be a part of this small but dynamic team.

For details about the 2015 One Act Play Festival please contact Christine Walker, E:walkercchristine@gmail.com M: 0408 444 199.

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Surfcoast Air Action Update

By Regina Gleeson

We live in one of the most beautiful places along the coast, with glorious natural attributes - all good for body and soul. But, is our health being compromised?

It is now a year since Alcoa announced the coal mine and power plant were on the market. It is time that the community were given some answers. Alcoa tells us that the emissions from the mine and power plant are within safe limits. However, it is these Australian levels which our own government body, the National Environment Protection Council has found are inadequate to protect human health. Interestingly, Nial Finegan, the CEO of the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority stated in Anglesea that: “Alcoa’s compliance with standards does not mean the mine is safe” 1.

The Mine Manager Warren Sharp has reiterated that it is not possible to provide the community with real time data on Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Hourly readings allow spikes to be averaged across the hour, whereas the impact on lungs occurs within minutes. By

contrast, in China, air quality will be monitored in 1,436 stations across 338 cities, and real-time readings of density for six pollutants, including the coal dust particulates PM 10 and PM 2.5, plus SO2 will be provided to the community. 2.

Sarah Henderson (Federal member for Corangamite) is to be commended for her efforts in securing a commitment from the government to a comprehensive review of the standards that govern SO2 emissions. “Currently Alcoa’s coalfired power plant in Anglesea emits some 39,000 tonnes of SO2, an amount three times of that emitted by Hazelwood power plant, near Morwell.

When inhaled, SO2 can significantly affect human health causing airway irritation particularly for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions.” Additionally, Environment Minister Greg Hunt has stated: “I strongly share the concerns that you have raised about the health

impacts on the local community as a result of coal mining and power station activities at the Anglesea site and the need to review the national ambient air quality standards for sulphur dioxide.”3.

Minister Hunt recently met with State and Territory Environment Ministers and SO2 emissions were placed firmly on the agenda for the COAG meeting in 2016.

The Minister also announced that a discussion paper on the National Clean Air Agreement will be released seeking community feedback on priorities for action including strengthening the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (NEPM) standard for SO2. Already, the NEPM standard for (coal) particulates is in the process of being strengthened.

This is very exciting news, and we encourage you to send a short submission outlining your concerns in Anglesea. Our website will provide details.

When it comes to our health, the Anglesea community must be included in discussions and decision making.

References: 1.Nial Finegan. Alcoa Community Consultation Meeting 2.3.15. Community House.

2. http://news.xinhuanet.com/ english/china/2014-12/30/ c_127348323.htm 3. http:// sarahhenderson.com.au/2015/02/23/big-winfor-anglesea-community-on-so2emissions/

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New House, New Rules?

By Terrence Hoffmann

When many of us built our homes we faced the usual requirements of meeting building codes and consulting with neighbours to ensure we did things that did not encroach on them.

Today there are many more things to do and more groups to satisfy before you build, while you build, and after you have finished building. I spoke with two local people building new houses. They raised some important issues about what lies ahead for those planning a new house.

The Royal Commission into the Black Saturday bushfires made many recommendations about rules governing the construction of new houses in all areas of Victoria. New legislation is in place governing house building. The effect this is having on those wishing to build or renovate their homes is a major talking point amongst those directly affected.

governing what the building must have to protect it. A high BAL rating will mean for example, that no exposed timber is allowed, that steel shutters must cover all windows, that you need to install a water tank, a high powered diesel pump and that a range of other factors must be in place for building approval to proceed. Even low BAL ratings will have some effect on what materials are used and how the house will look. Many of these requirements add to the cost of building.

Yet we should not forget that they also increase your safety when living in this house.

Those planning to build a new house need to consider the effect these rules will have on the construction cost as well as the difficulties associated with the management of vegetation on the site both before building and after.

Continued on page 32 >

The rules have already made some impact on how prospective buyers are viewing real estate. One manager of a local real estate agency said that those thinking of buying land firstly wanted to know the Bushfire Attack Level of the site to factor this into their decision to purchase

The Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) The BAL is a measure of the radiant heat that a fire may cause on your house site even when no house is presently there. Several factors are taken together to calculate the BAL, including the vegetation type, distance of the vegetation from the house and steepness of the slope between vegetation and the house. Vegetation type will affect the intensity of any fire because with more fuel present, the higher the fires intensity.

Research has shown that a slope will effect how a fire burns because it intensifies as it moves uphill. This combined with the distance of vegetation from a house will determine how much heat is produced. Because of the complexity of this calculation, there are professional companies that complete BAL ratings as well as the CFA. Of course the property owner pays for the report that defines the BAL rating for his/ her site. (1, 2) The BAL ratings operate at several levels:

Once the BAL has been determined, additional rules flow 20

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FEATURE ARTICLE

A wake up call in Madagascar

By Mary Bremner

A young woman poked sticks into the coals that nestled under a well-used cooking pot, set on an earthenware fireplace. She avoided eye contact.

Smoke swirled around us, stinging our eyes - there was nowhere for it to escape other than the doorway through which we had stooped to enter, or one tiny window. In the dimly lit room, we felt the curious gaze of a group of children, sitting cross-legged with us on the tattered floor matting. The smoke-blackened mud brick walls and ceiling

gave off an acrid smell. It was a tight squeeze, but this was the room that the widow and her seven children shared as their kitchen, living room and bedroom. Her husband had recently died in a fall from a mango tree.

Our visit to the former French colony of Madagascar - the world’s fourth largest island - was our first experience of Africa. Our impression on arrival in the capital, Antananarivo, was one of constant activity. Every person we saw was doing something productive - street vendors sold everything from joints of meat to exhaust pipes, mobile phone credit to fried dumplings. Young boys pushed wheelbarrows, pulled loaded handcarts fitted with wooden wheels or drove larger carts pulled by oxen. It was rush hour and the streets were clogged with “deux chevaux’ - the old-style French cars used as taxis - cattle trucks carrying zebu with their horns roped to the roof and crowds of people on foot. Drivers roped impossibly high loads onto the top of their “taxi brousses” - the local mini-buses that provided the only form of transport into rural areas. (The story goes that a taxi brousse can never be full - there is always room for one more body on board.) Amongst the assorted goods atop one bus, a crate full of turkeys craned their heads and readied themselves for the journey ahead. Women walked along the roadsides balancing loads on their heads - sacks of rice, baskets of groceries, layers of freshly picked lettuce, piles of straw and sometimes just their handbags. Babies were strapped to backs.

On the outskirts of town, hundreds of brickworks edged the road. Clay was gathered by hand from the flats, the bricks slapped into moulds and then cooked in the charcoal fired kilns. It didn’t seem possible that one country could provide the demand for so many bricks. We watched, slack-jawed, as

a trio of women carried stacks of a dozen bricks each, on their heads. As the city gave way to the countryside, we saw people tending vegetable gardens and bent double in rice paddies, planting, or turning the soil by shovel. Families gathered wood from the countryside and tended fires in underground pits to produce charcoal for cooking fuel. Bags of this product were stacked along the roadside for sale.

Children cut handfuls of dry grass later to be stashed in the charcoal bags as lids. Wherever there was water, women and children were washing clothes and spreading them out on flat rocks or over bushes to dry. With Madagascar listed amongst the ten poorest countries in the world, idleness is a luxury that no one can afford.

Traveling by 4WD vehicle, our group of four was in the capable hands of a guide and drive, Mana, and this proved to be a wonderful way to absorb the sights and develop an understanding of this fascinating country. The main roads were passable and Mana knew the potholes off by heart. He was proud to inform us that he had been David Attenborough’s guide on two of his excursions to the country. His particular expertise and passions were wildlife and nature. We did not need to be told, to realize that environmental degradation was one of the biggest problems facing the country.

The bare hillsides were scarred with eroded gullies and the few patches of vegetation were largely composed of Australian eucalypts - planted for their ability to coppice and continue to provide the timber for charcoal. They grow like weeds, but there is no understory and they provide an unfriendly environment for the native fauna.

Bushfires, often deliberately lit to encourage re-growth, also take their toll on the animals and their habitat. Our itinerary was planned to take us to the few precious areas set aside as nature reserves, where the lemurs and other indigenous animals cling to a precarious existence.

Mana was also very ready to share his views on the political situation in Madagascar. Since gaining independence in 1960, the country has never had a strong government. Mana spoke of a golden period under rule of President Mark Ravalomanana, who introduced free education and health care and set about providing roads, electricity and water throughout the country. Mana would point out to us a neat building set back from the road - “One of President Mark’s schools.” This all ended with a coup d’etat in 2009 when a former DJ was installed as President. Corruption is now endemic. Mana clicked his tongue in disgust to see sections of primary forest cleared since his last visit. Conservation laws exist but a bribe to police will ensure illegal land clearing goes unchecked. Several times we witnessed a version of this corruption, with the drivers of over-loaded taxi-brousse passing money into the hands of police at roadblocks.

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Continued on page 22> 21

<Continued from page 23

MADAGASCAR CONTINUED Despite this despair, Mana also shared his love for his country and there are many very beautiful regions.

The road often followed river valleys, patchworked with rice paddies and terraced hillsides in shades of green and brown.

The simple two-story brick houses glowed orange in the sun.

The stream of human activity and industry along the roadsides added colour and movement to these scenes.

Our visit to a typical Madagascan village house came about through a chance request to our “Local Guide” as we returned from a hike into the Tsaranoro Valley in the south-east of the island. Our walk had been rewarded with a sighting of a family of ring-tailed lemurs. In this remote location, we were able to observe them unhindered by the sharp elbows and bulky camera lenses of fellow tourists that had been part of our wild life spotting experiences in some of the more popular destinations. Over two weeks, we saw a great selection of Madagascar’s 33 species of these enchanting primates. I loved the diadem sifakar, with its tan and grey colouring and the white ruff around its face that inspired its name. It was a treat to see the indri using their enormous legs to leap from tree to tree - none have ever survived in captivity. With torches we spotted several nocturnal species, including the tiny mouse lemur.

Try as we might, we never managed to be first to spot a chameleon.

Fortunately, our guides’ eyes were better trained and, on most excursions, we were joined by freelance “spotters”, who would await us beside our path, grinning broadly and pointing out one of these masters of disguise. Beachcombing on the southern coast, turned up shards of egg shells from the now extinct elephant bird - enormous, flightless birds most closely related to the kiwi.

I asked our hostess what she was preparing for lunch. She flashed a gold-toothed smile my way and answered, “Rice.”

You can read all the statistics you like - but it is undeniable that the gap between the richest people in the world and the poorest is widening. This experience shifted that knowledge from my head to my heart. It hit me that this woman’s daily struggle to put food in the mouths of her children is the standard human experience on this earth, while our cosseted lives represent the existence of the privileged few. With gratitude mixed with shame, we slid some notes into the woman’s hand and made our departure.

Like Australia, Madagascar’s isolation over millions of years has led to the evolution of many unique plants and animals.

Author in Madagascar

Lemurs 22

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Anglesea Primary School – Educating Our Children for the Future Family Picnic Evening.

The Annual Family Picnic was held at the school on February 10 th. In a casual and friendly atmosphere, families welcomed and greeted new families and enjoyed the company of all who attended. During the evening, Year 6 students presented their beautiful handmade ‘buddy bags’ to their Prep buddies. The 2015 School Captains, House Captains, Junior School Council Executive and School Ambassadors were announced and were presented with their badges. The picnic was well attended with almost all families represented.

CFA Project The CFA Project is up and away for 2015 with students from Year 5 and Year 6 working in collaboration with the local CFA and Melbourne University. During 2015, Yr 6 students will refine and deliver several presentations to various groups within our community. The Yr 5 students are developing their knowledge, skills and understanding of a range of factors that influence bushfire behaviour. The CFA Program is ‘one of a kind’ and we are developing it with a view to creating a greater awareness and preparedness within our community, regarding the safety of all in the event of being threatened by fire.

Students recently undertook an excursion into the bush to change batteries on the CFA sensors that monitor the local conditions.

School Captains Sid Caulfield & Olivia Smith

Cooking and Gardening Students participating in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program are developing a range of gardening and cooking skills and are developing a greater awareness of the importance of nutrition and healthy eating. Each week, volunteers and teachers assist students in either the kitchen or the garden.

The BluEarth Program.

The BluEarth Approach was developed to engage children in movement and instil in them a lifelong love of physical activity.

The BluEarth Approach uses six elements: Coordination and Agility, Skill Activities, Movement Challenges and Games, Core Movement, Dynamic Movement Control and Moving in the Environment

Staff and students participating enthusiastically with Coordinator / Trainer Mitch Barrow.

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JAMIE MACKENZIE CONTINUED culture changed and it was seen as vital that all members receive in-depth training and that each firefighter should meet certain standards. Jamie applied for a position in training, and was given a senior instructor position in the district. He helped set minimum skills training, developing courses and programs adapted to current needs of firefighters, making them 'user friendly'. Multi agency operation training programs were developed, supporting a healthy connection between Department of Environment & Primary Industries (DEPI) and CFA. Strong leadership in both agencies allowed Jamie to be innovative, and provided an opportunity for him to travel to Colorado, USA for six months to study leadership training. In 2004 he took part in a study tour to Florida looking at prescribed burning operations. Over the years he has studied many other programs and has adopted and adapted his knowledge to Australian communities and their needs. He sees the development of strong and knowledgeable leaders as vital to the organisation of the CFA,

and the safety of all communities.

Involvement with communities after bushfires has given him many amazing insights into people and events and into the ways we can learn from tragedy, courage and adversity.

He particularly cites the Linton Staff Ride, an experiential training project involving simulated learning events of the 1998 bushfire in which five firefighters lost their lives, as being one of the most rewarding things he has ever done. It involved both firefighters and the families who were affected by the fire, and helped them come to terms with their loss and with the decisions that had been made at that time.

The 2015 Australian Fire Service Medal was awarded to Jamie Mackenzie on Australia Day for providing a wide range of leadership training throughout the State, both at the highest and local levels .

<Continued from page 4

His great ability as a communicator as well as a down to earth approach ensure that his programs are effective and enjoyable.

Throughout Australia the Fireline Leadership Program is used extensively as the primary leadership training for multiple agencies. Jamie says he is humbled but extremely proud to have received this high honour, and commends his colleagues at all levels who have supported and been involved in his vision for training and for understanding what we can learn from what has already happened. Jamie certainly 'puts his money where his mouth is' by providing inspirational leadership within the CFA, with the local school and in the community in general.

Jamie welcomes all visitors to the CFA station in Anglesea. He says it was built for the community, and hopes everyone will feel free to call in, whether to inspect the facility, talk about their fire plans or maybe, if lucky, get the opportunity to sit up in the truck.

The Association of Combined Christian Churches of Anglesea invites you to an evening of meditation, prayer and music as we prepare to celebrate Easter. Our journey will take us through the Old and New Testament writings, foretelling the redemption of man as told in the religious oratorio of Handel's Messiah .

Trinity Uniting Church, Murch Crescent, Anglesea.

Tuesday 31st March 2015, 7.30 9pm. Everyone is welcome at no charge, but please book with Simon Clark 5263 1812 or email: sgc133@bigpond.com due to limited places.

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Lorne-Aireys Inlet P-12 College

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Aireys Inlet Campus

Everyone at Aireys has gone GA-GA!!

Our school yard now boasts its very own Ga-ga pit. For the uninitiated, Ga-ga is a variant of dodgeball that originated in Israel, and is played with one ball. The game combines dodging, striking, running and jumping with the object of hitting opponents with a ball below the knee while avoiding being hit. It is played in an octagonal or hexagonal enclosed pit on a sand surface. Our Eagle Rockers environmental group played Ga-ga at the Anglesea YMCA Camp when they participated in the Conservation Camp which is held there biennially. They became so obsessed with the game while on camp that they returned to school determined to campaign for a pit of their own. Their efforts (nagging) paid off, and with the generous support and labours of the Parents and Friends Club, their dreams finally came to fruition. Our Ga-ga pit is complete, and is now “the place to be” at playtime and lunchtime. Teachers aren’t too thrilled with the sand coming inside afterwards, but they are definitely happy about their quiet afternoons with very tired and co-operative students.

Grade One’s Adventures with Zack One day Zack decided to go to the pool. It was very hot and Zack always went to the pool on hot days. So he ran upstairs and said to him mum, “Mum, can we go to the pool? It’s very hot and we always go the pool on hot days.” “Yes, yes,” groaned his mum. Sometimes Zack could be a bit bossy. So Zack and his mum got their bathers on and drove to the pool. When they got there, Zack saw something he had never seen before. He went to take a closer look. It looked like a waterslide! Zack had never been to that pool before and he just stared at the waterslide the whole time. Then his mum called. “Zack! It’s time to go!” Zack gasped. He hadn’t even had a swim yet! “Hold on, Mum,” he said, and jumped straight into the water.

Zara Cook

S

urfing, swimming, having fun

U

nder the Australian sun

M

ums and dads and kids together

M

ake the most of the sunny weather

E

veryone having a really fun time

R

elishing the last weeks of sunshine

Zack was a kid. He liked to play and was a bit naughty. One day he got into the car and started driving. He drove 160km until the car stopped. “Oh no, ran out of petrol!” he said. In the distance he saw a café. It looked nice, so he went in. He ordered a cup of jelly and a bottle of Coke. He took a sip of the Coke and somehow he was transported by magic to Hong Kong! He couldn’t understand any of the people there, so he took another sip of Coke and transported himself back to Australia.

Lucas Nguyen One day Zack was going on holidays. He was overjoyed, but he was leaving his Aunty Fay behind so he was a bit sad too. They went to the airport, got on the plane and Vrooom ........ off they went. Zack looked out the window. Everything went past very fast. They played a quiz game to pass the time and then they landed. It was night time and Zack was really tired so he went straight to bed. The next day they went home.

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Rumi Renkin

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Kids Adventure Outdoors set to excite Anglesea

By Simon Madden

Kids Adventure Outdoors – KAOS! – is coming to Anglesea and it’s going to be great!

KAOS is THE adventure festival designed especially for kids and families, where parents can safely get their tykes into a range of fun outdoor activities set in the beautiful natural surrounds of Anglesea.

Over the weekend of 1112 April, the all-new KAOS festival will transform YMCA’s Anglesea Recreation camp into a bustling hub of young Adventurers.

damper cooking lesson that provides breaky in the morning. It’s the perfect way to refresh from Saturday’s activities and prepare for more of the same on Sunday!

There are heaps of other sleeping options if you don’t want to tent it.

YMCA is offering reduced-price dorms on site and the town of Anglesea has every kind of accommodation imaginable so it is easy to make a full weekend of it.

KAOS is a great way to participate in both the Victorian Government’s Premier’s Active April initiative and Nature Play Week. The Premier’s Active April encourages all Victorians to do 30 minutes of physical activity a day during April, promoting healthy lifestyles by getting all Victorians hooked on physical activity.

KAOS is a choose-yourown-adventure – come for a day, come for the full weekend, camp out under the stars, choose the activities that best suit your kids, and have a ball in Nature’s playground.

KAOS is just one more reason why Anglesea is awesome.

Kids Adventure Outdoors is a new joint initiative between the Australian Camps Association and YMCA, with support from Sport and Recreation Victoria and Adventure Types.

Book your tickets online at: www.kidsadventureoutdoors. org.au or call YMCA Anglesea on 5263 1512.

In and around the camp, the beach and the estuary, kids will be able to get a taste of active adventures designed just for them whilst being guided and watched over by qualified instructors.

The inaugural event will engage school -aged children with nature, challenging them to use their bodies to ride, run, climb, paddle, sail, skate, orienteer and engage in plenty more ‘wild’ play in a safe, welcoming setting. The idea is to get more kids more active in the outdoors more often.

Why? Because direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults.

Being active in the outdoors from a young age engenders life-long healthy habits of activity and KAOS is designed for more than just thrills, with activities demonstrating the value of teamwork, fostering personal resilience, rewarding effort, all whilst having an absolute ball. Kids can try loads of different activities, find the ones they like and then make use of pathways to continue them after the event.

And on the Saturday night for those who are keen to continue the adventure by sleeping in a tent, there is the option to join a communal camp out with a bush BBQ, campfire activities and a 26

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Anglesea Football & Netball Clubs The wheels have been in motion for some time now as the Anglesea Netball and Football clubs gear up for another season. From Under-10’s to Seniors, coaches, players, and administrators, are busy fine tuning for another year of competition, with hundreds of participants from Anglesea, Aireys, Bellbrae and beyond, all committed to an enjoyable and competitive year.

At the Netball club, new president, Karen Leeman is very positive about the team she heads up. The Netball group has a very powerful vision: “To engage the Anglesea Community and beyond through sport: by being a club people can be proud of, that is united, inclusive, competitive, vital and viable now and in the future.”

There is a very strong sense of volunteering and participation. Senior

players are involved in mentoring junior players, so vital to their development and the future of the club. This is a formalised program and not left to chance.

The coaches this year are as follows: Senior – A and B grades: Stacey Benney, a long term player with the club, and now non-playing coach, Stacey will be assisted by Brooke Connelly.

C and D grades –Carolyn Hogan, a mentor umpiring with the juniors in past years, Carolyn has stepped into coaching this year and will be assisted in her role by Marianne Caulfield.

Juniors will all be coached by: Carolyn Hogan, U-19’s, M Caulfield, U-17, Bree Walters and Lucy Kerr U-15, Beth Dangerfield, U-13, and Ellie Bews, U11’s.

Over at the football club, a new senior coach and former South Barwon

champion, Jason Armistead has been appointed.

Jason is supported by a team of coaches down to Under10’s.

The team is as follows: Reserves- Nick Schramm is firing up again; Clarke Veal with U-18s; Jamie McKenzie with U-16; Craig Leeman and Geoff Brown with U-14; Steve Cameron and Rob Benney with U12s; and Ian Benney with U-10s.

Again the accent is on youth, and developing locals.

To this end, successful junior coach and local identity, Jamie Mackenzie has been appointed as Football Department Co-ordinator with the role of developing an integrated mentoring culture in the club.

We spoke to Jamie recently about his involvement at the club.

When and how did your first involvement with the club occur?

In 2004 when my son played Under14, I was an assistant coach Do you hold an off-field position at the moment and what is the most enjoyable part of the job?

I currently coach the U16s and coordinate the football department.

With coaching it is seeing the development of the boys both as footballers and also young men and with the football department role it is putting systems and resources in place to help the club develop to keep Continued on page 37>

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ANGLESEA RIVER ESTUARY-WATCHER LOVES GETTING INVOLVED

By Rose Herben, Victorian EstuaryWatch Co-ordinator

Anglesea locals like Gabriel Fuller make an invaluable contribution to monitoring and improving the health of the Anglesea River.

Gabriel is a member of the river estuary’s community monitoring group and she loves being part of the local environment group.

She’s the Anglesea River EstuaryWatch Team Leader and said what excited her most about EstuaryWatch was getting outdoors and being part of a quality local community environment study.

EstuaryWatchers monitor estuary openings or closings after heavy rainfall and storm surges, and capture low pH events caused by acid sulphate soils. The volunteers receive training and support from the Corangamite CMA EstuaryWatch Coordinator, and with the knowledge gained they’re able to share what they learn with people they chat to along the river.

Estuaries are where freshwater from a river mixes with salt water from the sea. They’re a great spot to spend time fishing, swimming, walking, canoeing, or having a picnic with friends and family. Importantly they also act as a nursery for a variety of fish and provide essential food and habitat for birds and other wild life.

monitoring involves a series of referenced photos at the estuary mouth, recording mouth state (open or closed), wind direction, wind strength, sea state, tides and estuary water level.

On average there are four physical/chemical monitoring sites on an estuary. At each site volunteers record dissolved oxygen concentration, temperature, salinity, pH and turbidity at depth. Salinity records taken along the length of the estuary help determine the extent of a salt wedge and can give an indication of what fish species inhabit the estuary at any point in time.

All information EstuaryWatch volunteers collected is publicly available at www.estuarywatch.com.au. The Corangamite EstuaryWatch program hosts community seminars, workshops and field trips throughout the year.

Anglesea River EstuaryWatch is on the lookout for new volunteers. If you’d like to know about upcoming events or are interested in becoming an EstuaryWatcher please contact Rose Herben, EstuaryWatch Coordinator rose.herben@ccma.vic.gov.au or on 03 52329100.

EstuaryWatch volunteers capture fantastic wild life observations. The most recent was an Orange-bellied Parrot spotted by Coal Creek EstuaryWatch volunteers in West Gippsland.

The Anglesea community and visitors are interested in the health of the estuary and EstuaryWatch’s monitoring provides a record of how indicators of estuary health have changed.

The Anglesea River has experienced frequent acidic or low pH water quality events due to natural sources of acid in the catchment. Water quality monitoring data EstuaryWatchers have collected is invaluable in understanding conditions before, during and after an acid event.

The Anglesea River EstuaryWatch group, one of four pilot groups established in 2007, loves sharing what they know about the river with people they chat to when they’re out monitoring.

EstuaryWatch was initiated as part of the Corangamite CMA river restoration initiative - Managing Our Great Ocean Road Estuaries. The program’s guiding vision is to:

‘Increase the knowledge of the community and waterway managers to inform estuary management decisions and encourage waterway stewardship’.

There are now 19 active EstuaryWatch groups in Victoria.

The groups meet monthly to conduct estuary mouth condition and physical/chemical monitoring. Estuary mouth condition

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Water for monitoring

NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

Police Beat

By Kevin Warburton, Seargeant, Anglesea Police Station

The busy January period is behind us and it is pleasing that our reported crime for the Anglesea and the Aireys Inlet area is down.

The figures would indicate a drop in thefts from vehicles in and around our beach car parks. Traffic flow continues to be a concern for us and the emergency response agencies.

However some progress has been made and VicRoads will be commencing a community consultation process soon.

Unfortunately we had two tragic drowningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the Surf Coast Police service area, both at Torquay. On the 7 th of January we responded to a near drowning at Urquhartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bluff beach.

A 12 and a 14 year old were rescued from the surf by six others who were on the beach at the time. Without the quick response from these rescuers we could have had a double drowning. We commend those people for their efforts and we have provided the relevant details to SLSV for recognition of the rescue of the two girls. Together with other emergency agencies we are examining the high risk beaches in our area and hope to have some positive initiatives ready for next summer.

New Years Eve crowd behaviour was excellent and we responded to very few incidents. This was a trend across most of the Surf Coast and other areas. Over January we had extra police on the coast, travelling throughout the area providing support for local members. Searches and rescues both water and land provided us with a few challenges.

Overnight on the 8th of January we had a number of unlocked vehicles entered and some cash and other valuables were stolen. None of this property has been recovered. We need to take more care in securing our vehicles as we can be randomly targeted. The people responsible for these crimes will target unlocked vehicles so please secure your property.

If you witness suspicious behavior please ring 000 or if you have any information which you think may be helpful please give us a ring at the station.

Anglesea Police 52633468 or if urgent 000.

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A d v e r t o r i a l

Alcoa Community Update from Power Station Manager, Warren Sharp I am pleased to provide this update about the Anglesea Power Station. The plant continues to operate well, and as we await the outcome of the sale process my team and I continue to focus our efforts on running our operations as safely and efficiently as we possibly can.

Mine fire safety Fire prevention is a major priority for Alcoa and I can assure the community that we have robust preventative measures built into our daily operations, plus extensive emergency response procedures in place. We take this very seriously, and are proud that in 50 years of operation we have not had any significant fire events.

Alcoa is also an active member on the recently formed Surf Coast Coal Mine Emergency Management Taskforce. As a result of the Hazelwood Coal Mine Inquiry in 2014, a taskforce was established in September 2014, for both the Latrobe Valley and for the Surf Coast, to examine fire preparedness for Victoria’s four brown coal mines.

faces a much lower probability of major fires due to a number of factors - it is smaller, it is shallower, and has significantly less exposed coal than any of the mines in the Latrobe Valley.”

Peregrine Falcon chicks take flight We have reached the end of another successful peregrine falcon breeding season at Alcoa. After nesting on a ledge of the power station for just over a month, two chicks took flight under the watchful eye of our regular resident adult female falcon, Ava (pictured below).

Anglesea has been home to peregrine falcons for many years with several different pairs breeding at the power station since 1991. Each season has been documented in a week-by-week account on our website: www.alcoa.com.au/anglesea.

Alcoa has an ongoing interest and involvement with peregrine falcons, working alongside the Victorian Peregrine Project (VPP) to assist with research and conservation of the species.

Headed by Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, the Surf Coast taskforce’s immediate priority is to ensure the Anglesea mine is as well prepared as possible for this fire season and beyond.

Members include Alcoa, Country Fire Authority, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Surf Coast Shire, Department of State Development and Business Innovation, Victorian WorkCover Authority, Environment Protection Authority and Emergency Management Victoria.

At a recent workshop the taskforce conducted a tour of the Anglesea mine. Taskforce Director Peter Schmidt said that the day was positive and productive for all involved.

“Alcoa provided us with a good tour and outlined how they currently deal with emergencies within the facility itself, as well as a historical perspective.”

“What struck many of the members is the significant difference in risk profiles between the Anglesea facility and those in the Latrobe Valley. The Anglesea facility

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Community consultation

If you would like to discuss matters relating to our operations, please call 5263 4200, email angleseaps@alcoa.com.au, visit www.alcoa.com.au/ anglesea or come along to our next Community Consultation Network meeting.

Best wishes, Warren Sharp, Power Station Manager

NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

By any other name

By James Bell

Don’t you think it’s amazing how tetchy people get about names?

We all know a Susan who’ll only answer to “Sue” or a Katherine who turns all snarly if you dare call her “Kath”. To you and me the difference seems minimal, but to the “namee” the distinction seems to be crucial and possibly life threatening.

But this thing with names seems to apply to place names too. For example the person or persons who kept amending the “Urquhart’s Bluff” road sign to “Urquhart Bluff” (or was it the other way around?) in recent years. My reaction was – “Who the heck cares?

Spell it how you like!” (In my day we called the place “Cutler’s” anyway.)

Why all the fuss?

That was until our local shire, while “prettifying” the lighthouse surrounds at Aireys some time ago, went to the trouble of screwing wonderful shiny metal letters onto the picket fence proclaiming “AIREYS INLET LIGHTHOUSE”. Which it isn’t. And never was.

I don’t know how many times I walked past that sign and plotted a midnight raid to unscrew the offending letters and replace them with what SHOULD

have been there – “SPLIT POINT LIGHTHOUSE.” (I would have done it too, except I wasn’t sure where I could purchase the two “T”s, two “P”s, an “L” an “O” and an “I” that I’d need for the modification.)

I mean, people, you go to all the trouble of gentrifying the approach to the lighthouse, employ draftsmen, landscapers and probably town planners, but you can’t check the spelling of the thing???

Look at a map. Ask the bloke walking past with his dogs!!!

To their credit, the council did eventually take off the erroneous letters and screwed on SPLIT POINT. (I wonder how loud and for how long people complained before the error was rectified?)

But the point is, the incorrect title really rattled me. Maybe I’m particularly pedantic and old fashioned. Maybe I’m out of touch. I admit that, when all’s said and done, one name for the lighthouse is as practical as the other.

But “Split Point” is on the map. It’s distinctive. It’s who the lighthouse really IS! (Now I understand how Susan, sorry, “Sue”, feels!)

Things get a lot more “iffy” when we come to unofficial names - colourful, quirky, often time-worn descriptors that have rarely made it onto official maps.

Names that have evolved among families and groups of families.

Informal names.

For example “Stinky Beach” (or just “Stinky”). It’s the little cove on the Sandy Gully side of Steppy Beach at Aireys. Due to the very frequent accumulations of seaweed there, we naturally called it it “Stinky”. A perfectly apt name. Yet maybe “we all” didn’t call it that. Maybe some other families called it something else – “Weedy Beach” or “Pongy Bay”.

It’s such a small, insignificant little place, you wouldn’t swim there most of the time, wouldn’t plan to meet there for a picnic….. so who cares?

And this makes sense of the emergency services placing those numbered yellow pyramids on poles along the coastline with 142W or whatever as identifying points rather than relying on local namings.

Imagine the confusion of the incident controller with someone ringing for the Westpac Chopper to pick up a tired fat man on a lilo drifting off “Pinky’s Beach”. “Where?”

“Pinky’s!!!” “But where’s that?”

“Well, right next to Tadpole Point!”

“Where’s Tadpole Point?” “Crikey, you know, between the Clown Rock and the Nipper Pool!!!”

Recently a cousin, who spent a lot of his childhood in Aireys, came to visit.

He’d been looking at the Marine Sanctuary Noticeboard and Map up on the cliff tops. “Those idiots!” he roared. “ What should be Seal Rock they’re calling Wedding Cake Rock.

They can’t do that!!” He was sincerely upset. As if a part of his childhood had been trashed.

When we were kids we had names for all of the fishing spots and the best pools. The Sweep Pool was a smashing place for sweep and the occasional crayfish (I’m going back a fair way here.) In the Zoo Pool you seemed to catch just about anything.

The Flat Rocks were great at low tide but got pretty wild as the tide came in.

Then there was Horse-shoe Rock off Steppy and Swim-off Rock fur ther ‘round.

And when it came to rocks surely everyone knew Witch Rock at the river mouth and Staircase Rock out in the water which reveals its hidden stair case only at low tide.. These were rather magic places for us. And if other people called them by other names, well….. we didn’t know and didn’t care. The maps we made in our minds were labelled with the names we knew. Some we’d inherited. Some we’d made up ourselves. As long as no one came along and labelled them otherwise with shiny screw-on letters - we were happy.

NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

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<Continued from page 20

NEW HOUSE NEW RULES CONTINUED The two people that I interviewed who are building their new homes had few problems with the BAL ratings. They received helpful advice from the CFA and the cost was between $800- 1,000 for the report. They saw the need for this and simply got on with the next stage.

Existing vegetation The next step in the process was where some difficulties arose for both parties.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI), oversee a system of protecting the environment.

The Shire is also involved through the building approval process and the shires overlays that are designed to protect habitat and community standards. Any vegetation that already exists on the site must be mapped. A qualified person such as a horticulturist will complete this task for you at a cost of about $700 or so, depending on the size of the land and the difficulties encountered. With the vegetation mapping is a description of what plants must be removed in order to build, what new plantings will be done to offset the necessary removals, and a timetable for completion of these tasks. This must be completed before submitting a building permit application to the Shire.

Where a vegetation protection overlay exists over the land, the removal of vegetation in order to build may require that carbon offsets be purchased. In this process money is paid to companies who plant trees to grow for set periods of time to compensate for the removal of carbon (in the vegetation), from your site. One landowner I spoke to has paid $30,000 for this. This was unexpected, and put a hole in the budget before the building approvals had even been sought. The role of DEPI was not clear to either of the new home builders that I met. Both were surprised at the degree of control over vegetation that exists.

However, it was the extra costs that were the real shock.

The Shire and building approval

However, given that Newsangle is a quarterly publication, we may obtain a response to publish in the next edition.

The next stage is to gain a building permit from the Shire. Not a simple or easy task according to my informants.

There can be delays as you wait your turn for planning review and further delays if changes are needed and wait again for your plans to be approved.

The end to end process can take a long time and impact your planning. For example, one owner had agreed with their builder that site preparation would begin in December 2014 to be completed in January 2015. However, when December came around, there was still no building permit thus the contractors had to be called off and new dates re-negotiated. With no approval coming by the end of January, the contractors needed to be deferred again.

This has led to chains of extra costs for the owners.

One of the two informants has put their building application to the Shire, yet is now delayed pending resolution of an objection from one of the neighbours.

A delay of this type is something that the Shire cannot prevent and has processes to follow to resolve the problem. However, for the new house builder, it does lead to delays that are not only annoying, but costly.

This couple are renting while the house is being built. However, with all the delays, they have seen their lease agreement expire and have had to find another property to rent and have signed another lease, adding even more costs. This article was written in early March and there was still no approval at that time.

I approached the Shire to obtain a view on why such delays appear to affect new home builders. At the time of writing no reply had been received.

Both home builders are proceeding with their dream of their own homes.

The delays are just part of the process.

However they both warned prospective new home builders to do their homework before starting and discover what overlays, if any, exist on their land. Then, once plans have been drawn, to talk with your neighbours and let them voice their concerns. The new rules and the BAL ratings will make living in their new homes safer so they like that despite the costs.

References

1. The Building Commission Authority has a brochure on how to calculate the Bushfire Attack Level for your house site. Download it from this site. (www.vba.vic.gov.au ) 2. A comprehensive brochure (PDF) is available from the CFA at this site http:// www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/attachments/ plan_and_prepare/planning-for-bushfire-web.pdf

There may also be requirements to plant new vegetation after the building has been erected and the site prepared.

One of my informants is planting 30 native plants to replace those removed to make room for the house. The plants need to be from an approved list which may not include plants that you favour.

Final approval for occupancy may depend on this work being finished.

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NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

Write Angles

By Melva Stott

This is the story of the Three Wise Shepherds: On Christmas Eve at the riverbank stable the gospels underwent a bit of a re -write when a star-bearer approached from the north followed by what appeared to be three wise men. But when they arrived at the stable the wise guys turned out to be shepherds dressed in bed sheets and tea towels 'borrowed' from their place of accommodation. Instead of crooks they carried hoes (a dutch hoe, a three-pronged hoe, and a small rake) all of which would have been suitable for hooking wandering sheep .... not to mention a variation of "Hoe! Hoe! Hoe!".

However they did come bearing a gift - a brightly coloured royal purple cardboard casket full of chocolate treasures of Turkish Delight, Cherry(s) Ripe, and other succulent treats to thank us for all our years of witness. It took them 14 years to get here rather than the traditional two years. We didn't know them, but they certainly made our day!!

You know you're getting old when your birthday candles are lit and they set off the smoke detector! It's just happened to me!!

Barry Booth, our local boatman, is already looking forward to my 100th birthday party. He says he's planning to take a day off work for it. When I told him he'd be 89 by then he decided he might need two days off to recover. Sounds like the PM won't have to pay him a pension until he's over 90!

Keep smiling!

Melva Stott

Tech Angle The Federal Government's Stay Smart Online website, provides some fantastic tips and resources on how to protect yourself from internet threats.

The website covers a host of topics including securing equipment, banking and shopping online, cyper-safety for children and information for small businesses. The Stay Smart Online Alert Service is a fr ee ser vice available fr om the website. Users can receive alerts via email, online or through Facebook or Twitter of known security issues.

Some of the tips on the site include: 

Your smartphone or tablet is a mini-computer and you need to protect and secure it just as you would your home or laptop computer.



Some online games privacy policies specifically state that they can use your and your friends' information in whatever way they like if linked to your social media accounts.



A secure web page should include a https:// at the beginning of the address bar and a locked padlock in the browser.

See: http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/home NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

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<Continued from page 15

RESALE SHED CONTINUED Citizens, Community Gardens, Yacht Club, Lions, Toy Library, Bowling Club, Surf Coast Cancer Council , Anglesea and Winchelsea Mens’ Sheds and the Historical Society.

Since 2013, it is estimated that some 10 tonnes (100m3) of materials has been diverted from landfill. Plans for the near future include the building of an undercover area to store and display goods for sale. This will be provided through the construction of an 8m wide x 18m long verandah across the front of the existing resale shed with funds provided by Council, Anglesea Lions and the Anglesea & District Community Bank. This verandah will protect many more items that are currently ruined by sun and rain and have to be thrown into the rubbish rather than being recycled.

Other planned works for the recycle area include:



further installation for the collection of additional rainwater to the current water storage tanks.



extension of the customer parking and traffic management to ensure safer and quicker drop off and collection of items.



provision of a 'courtesy' trailer for customers to use for removal of sold items.

The expansion of the undercover area will double the size of the shed. The resource recovery and diversion from landfill would be in direct proportion to the footprint. It is estimated the diversion should be in the vicinity of 20 tonnes each year. An additional carbon saving will be made and a reduction in the production and purchase of new materials due to the 'second life' of resale items.

The increased engagement of community groups cannot be overlooked, as the involvement at the recycle shed provides great personal satisfaction for individuals and economic benefits for local groups.

This builds stronger communities while delivering an economic benefit for further services.

The project is enthusiastically supported by the broader community. Existing feedback from resale customers reflects the win/win feeling that they are helping the environment, helping the community with some extra funding while being given an opportunity to source good re-useable items for their own use. People enjoy coming and some make it a regular place to visit. It has become the "New Tourist Attraction" on Saturdays for the Surf Coast Shire, with the opportunity to pick up some bargains while helping with recycling and assisting community groups.

FREE CLEARANCE SALE IN EARLY APRIL: The date of the sale will be finalised soon. Look out for further information around town and in the local paper.

If your group is interested in volunteering at the shed and fundraising for your local group, you can contact the Anglesea Community House on 52632116 or email admin@anglesea.org.au 34

NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

Awesome Anytime Reads

By Nicole Maher and the team from Great Escape

The Collected Works of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin.

Long title, great book. This highly engaging novel about a cranky bookshop owner (reminiscent of Bernard Black out of 'Blackbooks') who has recently lost all he has to live for - not only his beautiful wife, but a rare book more valuable than the shop itself. But fate intervenes when a quirky and charming Sales Rep, Amelia calls, and a child is left with a note to him in his bookstore- young Maya, who wriggles her way with ease into his heart. A book about how love and community can rescue you, this novel is perfect for fans of 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' and 'Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.' Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books

All the Birds Singing by Evie Wyld All the Birds Singing is a beautifully crafted, suspenseful read that moves with an unsettling force. Living on a desolate island off the English coast, Jake is fiery and fiercely independent, shunning all company except for her loyal dog. She has severed all ties to both happier and bleaker times in Western Australia - she has been extremely careful to cover her tracks. In a complex series of flashbacks, we start to unravel why she is so deeply emotionally and physically scarred. Then when something or someone, animal, human, or perhaps supernatural, starts brutally picking off her beloved sheep on her remote farm, we wonder if the ghosts from her past will ever cease to prey upon her. Beautifully, yet simply written, with a mounting sense of the tension building page upon page, this is an utterly compelling read.

Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books

A Mad and Wonderful Thing by Mark Mulholland This book inspires a sense of pure delight. Set in the swirling mists of Ireland, we follow the story of Johnny Donnelly, a wild, compassionate young Irish lad who epitomises all that is good about Ireland with his quick wit, his love of books, song and philosophy, and the abundant sense of joy he feels for his friends and family. He feels that he wears life lightly and nothing harsh will ever happen to him. He is blessed. But he has a dark, hidden private side known to only a very few. He is an IRA sniper. When he falls helplessly in love with the beautiful Cora, his two worlds crash and collide. Despite some dark themes, this riveting novel manages to be one of the great uplifting reads of the year…a truly fabulous novel. Review by Nicole@ Great Escape Books

Continued on page 36> NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

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ONE MORE FROM GREAT ESCAPE BOOKS

<Continued from page 35

Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz Such is the enduring love and fascination for Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle stories can be enjoyed time and again. Anthony Horowitz though is the only writer approved by the estate of Conan Doyle to write more. After the deadly meeting of Sherlock Holmes and Professor James Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, two detectives - Pinkerton detective agent Frederick Chase who arrives in Europe from New York days after the Reichbach affair and the Scotland Yard Inspector Athelney Jones - start to decipher this brutal murder and its possible connections with the dangerous criminal Clarence Devereux, a man who claims to be a Moriarty’s successor. As the story develops, more mysterious and unsolved clues must be solved by the detectives who as their friendship becomes closer, evolve into a “Holmes” and “Watson”. A great new series from the author of A House of Silk.

Review by Nicole@ Great Escape Books

Great Escape Books, Aireys Inlet Opening Hours: 10-5pm –7 days including weekends Closed Tuesdays except public holidays & school holidays when we are open 7 days. p: (03)5289 7052:

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nicole@greatescapebooks.com.au web: http://www.greatescapebooks.com.au www.facebook.com/greatescapebooks

NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

A village within a village

By Sam Gault

This is my first article for NewsAngle (or any publication) and I’m nervous when I front up to the Lions Village Anglesea to meet Tim Liston, Executive Officer of Sirovilla, to suss out what goes on here.

I found Tim chatting with a group of three ladies in the common room who had just finished their monthly greeting card making session Fortunately, the ladies were happy to share their time and insights for the purposes of this article—and life!

The Lions Village Anglesea was run by Lions Village Anglesea Inc. (LVA Inc.) for over 20 years. The volunteer Committee of Management found it increasingly difficult to keep up with all the demands making the long term future of the village uncertain.

Fortunately LVA Inc were able to interest Geelong based Sirovilla into taking over the management in 2013 Anglesea Lions Village comprises 18 villa units (single and double bedrooms), centrally located to the community precinct and town. The units are accessible to independently living retirees with a demonstrated connection to the region. Currently there is a great mix of residents; the eldest being 97 (an excellent cook!), couples and singles. Some have spouses residing in the nursing home down the road. Some become involved in community activities, others prefer their own company.

The amenities and light-filled units are maintained to a high standard, a sense of pride clearly evident. On the day I visited the gardens looked beautiful; roses blooming and the lawn around the BBQ and rotunda area looking, uncharacteristically (for this time of year), lush.

But, what is it like to actually live here?

Tell me ladies!

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FOOTBALL & NETBALL CLUBS CONTINUED current players and attract new players to be successful.

Library area

Doreen - a true local – having lived in the area since 1968, sat on the LVA Inc. committee for years and has been a resident at the village for the last five. “It has a wonderful atmosphere. Everyone looks after everyone. We have happy hours [when birthdays are celebrated] and morning teas.”

Norma, moved her e almost 18 months ago with her husband . For Norma it was like coming home. Originally hailing from Geelong and living in Queensland for 34 years, she says, “I’ve never been so happy!”

Thelma moved to her unit almost 3 years ago, having lived in the area since 1987 and remains active with the local Uniting Church, Historical Society and other organizations. Thelma said, living alone in a big house, she was bothered by the need for house maintenance and dealing with flourishing weeds in the garden.

Thelma’s advice is “When the time is right, do something about it! I put my name down [for a unit] for my 80th birthday and got a personal alarm for my 85th!” she says with a wry grin.

Who are some of the personalities with whom you have been involved at the club?

Craig “Jacko” Leeman who is an amazingly dedicated club person and inspiration to all. Trenton Little whose enthusiasm and dedication for football and the club are unrivalled. Peter “Mongrel” Gowans who you are never left guessing what he is thinking and hates wearing shoes.

What is one amusing occurrence you have seen at the club?

In a social past players game, two former teammates and friends both running for the ball and when they realised and recognised each other started punching on. Also a text for an U16 boy who said he’d been off school sick and couldn’t make training but texted back 5 minutes later saying he’d been to the toilet and it was only wind and he’d see me at training.

What role do you consider the club plays in the community?

PS The greeting cards are beautiful and for sale!

The club plays an enormous role in a small community such as Anglesea with junior football and netball programs that develop a real community involvement that lasts for years. The club provides a fantastic support network for team members at all levels and is serviced entirely by local volunteers from all types of backgrounds. We make our facilities available to the community and visiting teams to use and are currently working with the Surfcoast Shire to be the first club-managed community gym.

For more info:

Anything else?

http://www.sirovilla.org.au/the-village/ anglesea/ or call 03 5241 1517.

It is enormously satisfying as a small club to see home grown players come up through the ranks to play seniors and also to see some go on to play high level football such as TAC, VFL and AFL.

If you are thinking about downsizing, want to remain in the area and like the idea of having a caring group around you, you need to get you name on the waiting list!

Phew, first article done!. If I can do it – YOU CAN TOO ! Contributions to NewsAngle are warmly/desperately welcomed/needed– Contact newsangle@anglesea.org.au.

NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

We wish all members and enjoyable and successful season.

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Leave donations at the Anglesea IGA supermarket or the Community House (including Gluten/Dairy/Nut/Meat free)

Donate cash or food items through the local churches

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NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

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