NewsAngle 158 Winter 2024

Publication of the Anglesea Community House

Have You Checked Your Pipes Lately?

Helen Thomas

Imagine, if you will, the distress and inconvenience experienced on arriving home to find your house flooded. Anglesea residents Paula Fowler, Deb Elliott and their families have recently dealt with this scenario, experiencing significant damage to their homes due to failing plumbing materials. In both cases a burst flexible plumbing hose was the culprit. This type of hosing is commonly used with kitchen and bathroom mixer taps and Deb and Paula’s stories show what a disaster it can be when it fails.

In March 2024 Deb went out to dinner with friends and arrived home several hours later to find two inches of water flooding the carpeted main bedroom, the ensuite and a significant area in the living room. The site of the problem was immediately clear, the water was spilling from a split in the flexible hose under the ensuite’s bathroom sink. Quick thinking Deb, with the assistance of neighbours, managed to turn off the water and move the furniture out of the main bedroom and other affected areas. Next call was to Barwon Water for assistance. They attended the next day and were able to isolate the areas where water needed to be disconnected and leave a supply to the kitchen and main bathroom, so the property remained inhabitable.

After contact with the insurance company, industrial dryers were brought in to dry out surfaces and prevent mould. The ensuing days and weeks involved an audit of the damage done, followed by the preparation of a Scope of Works document outlining what work was needed to be undertaken to fix the damage to the property. Two months later, Deb is finally commencing in mid-May. This involves replacement of carpets and floorboards, doors, skirting boards, realignment and repairs to kitchen cupboards which have swollen and more. After insurance, the out-of-pocket expenses are in the vicinity of $5000.

A similar scenario took place at Paula Fowler’s house in the early hours of a morning in April. Paula’s daughter found the kitchen flooded. Water gushed from under the kitchen sink across floorboards and into the hallway, laundry area, bedrooms and down into the garage area underneath the house, which is built on stilts. The hot water system had drained, and a burst flexible hose pipe lay under the kitchen sink. Ten industrial fans and humidifiers were required to dry out the flooded areas. Due to the noise and mess Paula had to temporarily rent a property for the family while the initial work was undertaken. After several weeks the family

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Strengthening Our Resilience: A Collaborative Approach to Bushfire Preparedness

In our coastal towns the threat of bushfire confirms the need for a community led approach to resilience. Community Resilience, defined as the ability of a community to withstand, adapt to, and recover from adverse events, should be exemplified in our response to bushfire threats. Through collaborative efforts and engagement with the wider community, the Anglesea Community House seeks to establish a robust framework to help navigate these challenges.

It is locals banding together and adopting proactive strategies to confront and mitigate these risks that builds resilience. At the heart of this resilience lies our CFA and other community organisations, including the Anglesea Community House, serving as vital facilitators and catalysts for collective action.

The House seeks to play a pivotal role in this endeavour, as a hub for both bushfire and home fire safety education, coordination, and support. We will administer information sessions and outreach programs, delivered by our local CFA, with the aim of empowering residents with the knowledge necessary for bushfire preparedness and response. An initial focus will be on property preparation ahead of the next fire season.

Whether you live near our forests or closer to the centre of town, the threat of bushfires persists. It is the power of collective action, preparedness, and collaboration through the efforts of residents, institutions like the CFA and Anglesea Community House that will continue to strengthen our capacity to withstand and overcome adversity, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all.

Tony Revell Committee Member, Anglesea Community House CFA Firefighter

Editorial

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In this NewsAngle

Hard copies are distributed to P.O. boxes in Aireys Inlet and can be found at local cafes/ shops in Anglesea and Aireys Inle

Deadlines for next Edition:

Issue 159 Spring 2024

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Articles/contributions 15 August 2024

Distribution 19 Sept. 2024

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Anglesea Community House 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea PO Box 43, Anglesea, VIC, 3230

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Disclaimer

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

Anglesea Community House is located on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung people. We acknowledge them as Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their elders, past, present and future.

was able to move back in with a working kitchen and bathroom.

Paula describes the worst aspects of the situation, “It was all the unknowns that were the most stressful … What will the assessors report say? What will the Scope of Works document cover? Will we be compensated and even so, how much out of pocket might we be? When will the work begin?” She stated that the waiting and apprehension of what the auditor’s report would say was a constant worry. At this stage, Paula’s house requires replastering and repainting, floor covering replaced, warped kitchen cupboards repaired and a significant drying out of the garage. The damage to the garage under the house, which was used as a storage area, has added to the disaster. As in Deb’s case, costs for replacement of faulty parts and for the plumber’s labour were borne by Paula and the family. Only damage to the property was covered by insurance.

When asked what advice they would offer to people who might experience what they have gone through, both Paula and Deb highlighted the need for insurance and moving quickly to contact a licensed plumber and Barwon Water, who provided advice on how to turn the water off and checked water meter connections.

Speaking with Mark Burrows, from Roadnight Plumbing it is clear this problem is a very common occurrence. Mark attends many flooded houses every year due to burst flexible plumbing hoses. He estimates that there would be on average, one flooding incident per week directly related to flexible water connections.

Prevention is Better Than Cure!

Mark has offered some advice on preventing a flooding incident and how to deal with it if one occurs.

1. If you have flexible plumbing hose contact your plumber and have it checked to ensure that it has been installed correctly and that there is no evidence of rust, fraying, twists, bends, damage or splits. While it is possible to check these hoses yourself, it is recommended that people seek the advice of a licensed plumber who can come and check the hoses.

2. Develop a maintenance plan with your plumber for regular monitoring and inspection of the hosing.

3. Check your Home Insurance Policy for what is covered in the event of a flooding incident. For example, many insurance policies will cover replacement of floor coverings, doors, skirting boards, cupboards, etc but will not cover replacement costs of plumbing parts due to faulty operations, wear and tear etc. This can mean thousands of dollars of costs to the consumer. Some insurance companies allow you to package aspects of your insurance, and this may allow you to deal with a broker who manages your case. It is not expensive and means you deal with one person if there is an incident.

4. If you have flexible plumbing hose, check the warranty period. It is possible to replace hoses and get a 10-year warranty based on the advice of your plumber. It is important to note that the shelf life of flexible hoses is not very long and even though they may come with a 10-year warranty it may be difficult to determine when the hose was certified in the first place. If in doubt it pays to replace them, then a date is provided for insurance purposes and a plumber can provide an invoice that shows that maintenance has been undertaken. Regular checking of hoses is the best defence against leaks and bursting pipes.

5. If you have mixer taps, check for leaks every 12 months. Is there a pressure limiting valve/hose on the water meter assembly at the front of the property? Insurance companies are likely to ask this question. This valve reduces the pressure on appliances e.g. dishwasher, washing machine hoses and connections.

6. If you are unlucky enough to have an incident take photos of damage and record all dealings with Barwon Water, insurance company, plumber, etc.

7. If your house is going to be empty for an extended period have someone checking in on a regular basis or learn how to turn the water off while you are away.

Some of the industrial fans used

We Love the Lighthouse but Not the Traffic

Mary Bremner

A traffic jam in Aireys Inlet? I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t been caught up in it myself. It was February and I was at the intersection of Lighthouse Road and Federal Street. There were horns blaring, cars facing in all directions, one of them trying to reverse awkwardly out of Federal Street, others attempting to do u-turns. I realised that the Chinese New Year holiday had brought more than the average number of tourists to the precinct, but it is a busy place at any time of year.

The Split Point Lighthouse is, without doubt, Aireys Inlet’s premium tourist destination, if measured by visitor numbers. Listed in Tripadvisor’s “Things to do on the Great Ocean Road,” it’s described as a “must-see attraction”. It brings people to our town who may then take a lighthouse tour, stop for a coffee, play a game of mini-golf or spend money with other local businesses. However, with tourist numbers almost back to pre-COVID levels and the volume of visitors predicted to continue to rise, the impact on the town’s infrastructure, the natural environment and the amenity of residential neighbourhoods is an ongoing concern for many townsfolk.

At busy times the Step Beach car park fills up and an unofficial overflow park has been established on Eagle Rock Parade. Random parking in this location may result in erosion and damage to native vegetation. Both small and large buses have taken to parking along Inlet Crescent,

outside designated parking areas. This practice endangers the fragile coastal dunes, but is also an annoyance for the street’s residents, with some drivers reported to leave their motors running while the tourists walk to the lighthouse.

These problems are not new. Sixteen years ago, following extensive community consultation, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) – now absorbed into the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) - and the Surf Coast Shire Council, published the Split Point Lighthouse Precinct Master Plan 2008. Its recommendations aimed to improve the amenity of the precinct for both visitors and residents.

Aireys Inlet resident, Libby Mears, was Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor at the time and was passionately involved in the process. Libby says the value the community holds for the lighthouse came through strongly in the feedback. To preserve this much-loved precinct, and the laid-back ambience of the town, slower and longer tourism had to be promoted. The plan discouraged large groups of tourists, travelling in buses, who only stop for a flying visit.

The thrust of the recommendations was to steer visitors towards parking in designated locations along Inlet Crescent and adjacent to the skate park. Tourist information and signage would direct them to walk to the lighthouse via the track now signed as the “Lighthouse Discovery Trail.” Long car parks, of the type that would attract big tourist buses, were to be kept to a minimum.

The Shire and GORCC carried out many of these recommendations, such as the transformation of Federal Street into a shared road and walkway. Ultimately, only two long parks were provided, each side of the Great Ocean Road, next to the bus stops. The logic here is that tour companies will not put the lighthouse on the route for their large buses, if there is nowhere to park. For a number of years, these measures went some way towards creating a more relaxed experience for visitors to the lighthouse and brought an improvement to the liveability of the neighbourhood.

Regina Gleeson, from Ecologic Education and Split Point Lighthouse Tours, is totally supportive of the concept of slower tourism. “For our visitors we try to keep it as a very chill experience, we encourage people to enjoy the special mood of the place.”

Ecologic also does their best to promote responsible parking. “We regularly post information warning people to park in the right place or risk a fine,” said Regina. Ecologic

Tourists enjoying the shared roadway to the Split Point Lighthouse

directs any visitors planning to come in large buses, such as school groups, to drop their passengers at the skate park and park on the Great Ocean Road. Regina says that tourists, on big buses, usually don’t stop because they have a very strong time imperative to get to the Twelve Apostles. The lighthouse visitors tend to be self-driving in cars or in small groups travelling in mini-vans, which are permitted to drive to the top of Lighthouse Street.

Despite this, it seems that many of the post-COVID cohort of bus drivers aren’t aware of the Council by-laws for traffic movement and parking. The Aireys Inlet and District Association (AIDA) has been proactive in drawing the Surf Coast Shire Council’s attention to the upsurge in traffic and parking problems and has provided photos as evidence. AIDA has requested the Shire to prohibit large buses from entering the area altogether. The Shire has responded with an increase in visits from parking inspectors and undertaken to work on educating bus drivers, but Cr Libby Stapleton acknowledges that these are only short-term fixes.

With her eye on the bigger picture, Libby said that future plans for Aireys Inlet would have to be part of strategic planning for the Great Ocean Road as a whole. Libby speaks with enthusiasm about the development of tourism in the region that is not just sustainable, but regenerative. “Tourism is something that should enhance towns, rather than depleting them and I think we’re not quite there at the moment,” said Libby.

Regenerative tourism aims to attract tourists who come to appreciate, experience and preserve the natural environment and cultural heritage. As an example, AIDA’s quest for Aireys Inlet to become an accredited Dark Sky destination fits well with the ethos of regenerative tourism. Libby was keen to promote the Surf Coast Shire’s quest to become a certified Eco-destination. This would include a commitment to the provision of exceptional nature-based tourist experiences, thus encouraging slower tourism.

Council’s document, A Prosperous Place: Our Economic Story 2021, suggests severely restricting the number of daytour operators under a licence system. Only those tour operators that meet a high level of eco-tourism credentials would be granted one of the few licences. Libby also applauded the work being done by groups such as Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and our local Tourism and Traders Association, to increase the length of time people stay, rather than increasing numbers.

Long term planning around the sort of tourism we want and how it will be managed will now largely be the responsibility of GORCAPA, who took over responsibility for the lighthouse precinct on 1 May, 2024. Speaking in her role as Chair of the Authority, Libby Mears said that their

mandate is to nurture and protect the coast and all strategic work will support that vision, but with responsibility for the lighthouse precinct only weeks old, it is early days.

AIDA members Chris Ryan and Charlotte Allan have recently written to the CEOs of the Surf Coast Shire and GORCAPA, proposing the development of a sustainable

tourism case study for Aireys Inlet, with community organisations, residents, local businesses, tourism operators and relevant government agencies participating in the design process. The study would look at the whole town, including such problem areas as the parking at the “Top Shops.”

While AIDA had not received a specific response to their proposal at the time of writing, Libby Mears said that the Authority will welcome community input and work closely with AIDA on plans for Aireys Inlet.

In the meantime, what can local residents do? Both Cr Libby Stapleton and Libby Mears urge anyone who sees a bus parked in the wrong spot to talk to the driver and gently explain their parking error. If necessary take photos and make a report through the “Snap, Send and Solve” app downloaded to your phone, or the “Lodge a Request” link on the Shire website. Council officers will then have the evidence necessary to follow up with bus companies and data to support future planning. Tourists make Aireys Inlet a more vibrant and interesting place to live, and we wouldn’t be without them. We can all have a part to play in preserving the town’s charm for the generations to come.

Reference: The Split Point Lighthouse Master Plan 2008 https://www. gorcc.com.au/app/uploads/2017/05/Split-Point-Lighthouse-PrecinctMasterplan-2008.pdf

The congestion created by buses parked on the Inlet Crescent corner

Community Bank Anglesea: A Spotlight on Staff Engagement

At Community Bank Anglesea, part of the Bendigo Bank group, the team is distinguished not only by their professional achievements, but also by their deep involvement with the Anglesea community. This local branch is particularly notable for the way its staff members integrate their personal passions with their work, contributing significantly to the community’s vibrancy and wellbeing.

Caitlyn Oakley, who has been with the bank for over four years, is a perfect example of this integration. Originally from Connewarre, Caitlyn has made a home in Anglesea, excelling in her role as a home loan specialist. She is committed to assisting locals in navigating the often complex journey towards home ownership. Outside her office hours, Caitlyn dedicates time to Wildlife Victoria, reflecting her love for the local natural environment. Regular visits to local favorites like Minerva and The Bean are part of her routine, where she’s often found planning her next community initiative.

Julia Capuano brings a unique international flavour to the bank, having moved from Hungary to make Anglesea a home for herself and her young family. A resident for three years and now a proud citizen, Julia is active in local life. She’s often seen on her electric bike with a toddler on the back and enjoying beach life. Julia is frequently seen at community events, proudly wearing her Community Bank polo. Julia’s attention to detail and focus on providing customers with a holistic banking experience is what makes her so good at her job.

Libby Hatton, the newest member of the team, has quickly adapted to the community-focused culture of the bank. Her longstanding affinity for Anglesea, cultivated through numerous family vacations and activities like Scouting with her son, made her decision to join the bank an obvious choice. When she’s not at work, Libby is barracking for the Cats and local footy along with spending time at the Spring Carnival come November. Libby has a background in law and is both personable and customer service focused, making her a great addition to the branch.

The ethos of the Community Bank Anglesea is clearly reflected in how the staff both work in the town and choose to spend their spare time within the community. The Community Bank naturally attracts staff who are community minded and recognise the special difference that Bendigo Bank Community Banks bring to small towns. Our staff’s ground level community knowledge, banking expertise along with local connection is what really sets them apart. With employees like Caitlyn, Julia, and Libby, the branch in Anglesea is a really special, locally owned business. They do more than just work in the community; they live and thrive in it and recognise that successful communities create successful banks.

Julia

Caitlyn and Libby

Kelly Turner

The Hidden Social Issues on the Surf Coast: Homelessness Week August 5-11

Geraldine Ditchburn

Paper houses at Victorian Parliament House, 2023

There is a harsh reality that the right to shelter as a basic human need is not being met for many people, including those living on the Surf Coast and the Barwon region more generally. On the Surf Coast it may not be immediately obvious that homelessness is a real and urgent issue for many people but some startling statistics might serve to jolt us out of any complacency.

According to the 2021 census, about 123,000 people experienced homelessness in Australia, an increase of about 5% over a five-year period. In Victoria, 30,000 people, including 6,800 children, experience homelessness on any given night. Between 2016 and 2021, homelessness in Victoria increased by 24%.

For most kids, home time is something to look forward to. For others, the end of the day means uncertainty. https://bswhn.org.au/barwon-homelessness-network-update-15-apr2024/

What is also disturbing is that the number of young people aged between 12-24 experiencing homelessness increased by 15% and homelessness for those over 55 increased by 3% over the same period. Moreover, in the South Barwon electorate, homelessness rose by a whopping 465% over the same period. Equally sobering is the prediction, according to the City Futures Research Project (UNSW), that by 2041, 940,000 Australian households will face housing stress.

Closer to home, according to Barwon South West Homelessness Network (BSWHN), a network of agencies that supports people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, “[our] region has the least number of

affordable rental properties compared to all other regional areas in Victoria”. And, on the Surf Coast it is estimated that according to the Shire’s draft Social Housing Action Plan, 2021-24, there is an “unmet demand for an additional 335 homes” to house people undergoing rental stress with “only 62 social housing properties at present”.

Rebecca Callahan the Barwon South West Homelessness Network Coordinator says “What’s required is an ongoing pipeline of public and community housing to house the 60,000 households in Victoria that need housing now.”

While these statistics are overwhelming – and sobering - it is the stories behind homelessness that highlight how real and how urgent the crisis is. The flow-on effects of homelessness include the difficulty of being physically and mentally secure and safe and of maintaining health and wellbeing. Effective and supportive social relations are also put under strain as a result of homelessness.

Homelessness is not just about a roof over one’s head, but about the security and health benefits that flow from that.

Causes of Homelessness

According to the Victorian Homelessness Network, there are several main causes of homelessness, with many of the causes being both complex and intertwined. Incidents of family violence, financial stress (often caused by stagnant wage growth and increases in the cost of living), transition from custody and the lack of affordable housing supply all contribute to housing insecurity.

What can be done?

While the reasons for homelessness are complex, responses to alleviate homelessness are equally so. It is useful to understand that any resolution requires commitment on

macro and micro levels and using different time frames and approaches.

On a macro level, government support for the construction of new housing options is fundamental. In the short term, the recent federal budget allocated a $1.9b increase to rent assistance rates as well as $6.2b in specific housing initiatives. According to the BSWHN, these are a “welcome increase” and the $5000 leaving violence payment is also “an important improvement”. Additional initiatives that ensure investment from the private sector have also been mooted.

For support services such as BSWHN, such initiatives are important, but they make a “dent” rather than “resolve” the housing crisis. Increases in Job Seeker and Youth Allowance and targeted housing options and education support are urgently needed so that young people have a better chance to improve their future housing status. Support for mental and physical health, and appropriate responses to domestic violence must be part of the conversation as well.

Local governments also have a role to play. Accessing funding from a range of sources and providing land for social housing are the first steps. At the local community level, awareness raising is a priority. If we don’t know there is a problem, then we will not respond. Having a conversation, developing empathy and exploring appropriate

smaller-scale options can be powerful ways of creating change.

For the BSWHN, Homelessness Week is a way to increase community knowledge and awareness. With this in mind, the network is asking businesses, schools and community organisations to make 7,000 paper houses to be displayed for Homelessness Week. This is the number of households who are on the Victorian Housing Register under a priority application (are homeless and/or have survived family violence) who require housing now in the Barwon region. It’s a visual reminder of how we can raise awareness, and encourage governments, to do something about homelessness. You are invited to join the campaign and add to the tally of paper houses. To be part of the paper houses initiative, go to vhn.org.au

Where to go for homelessness support

Salvation Army Homelessness Barwon 35 Myers Street, Geelong Homelessness entry point for adults and families experiencing homelessness. 1800 825 955

Meli at 222 Malop Street, Geelong Homelessness entry point for young people (12-25 years) experiencing homelessness. 5226 8900

Drive, Drop, Dink and Repeat - Pickleball

Penny Edmanson

Late in February 2024, two Anglesea locals were seeking an alternative sport. Michael Castaldo played tennis for many years until tennis elbow forced him out. His friend Bart de Vries came from a badminton background but could no longer play due to a shoulder injury. Bart suggested they try a new sport. He had just heard about pickleball, and after trying it out in Waurn Ponds, he and Michael were keen to establish something locally. They approached the Anglesea Tennis Club where the president, Tony Whelan was more than helpful. Initially he provided them with a regular booking for courts on Fridays from 12.30 -2.30pm. However, the community reacted to this new sport with such enthusiasm that there are now two additional sessions each week: Wednesdays and Sundays from 10am – 12noon.

New pickleballers need to join the Tennis Club, but then there are no extra fees for playing or using the courts to practise. As pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, the club initially made do with court marker kits. At the time of writing, they had just received permission from the Tennis Club to add permanent line marking to Court 1. Michael and Bart were full of gratitude to the ATC, especially Tony and the committee for their support, saying that it had been essential to the success of pickleball in Anglesea.

Contrary to what many might suppose, pickleball is not a recent fad. In fact, it was devised in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. After playing golf one Saturday during the summer, Joel Pritchard, congressman from Washington State, and Bill Bell, successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home to find their families sitting around with nothing to do. The property had an old badminton court so Pritchard and Bell looked for some badminton equipment and could not find a full set of rackets. They improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. At first, they placed the net at

badminton height of 60 inches (152 cms) and volleyed the ball over the net. As the weekend progressed, the players found that the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and soon the net was lowered to 36 inches (92 cms). The following weekend Barney McCallum was introduced to the game at Pritchard’s home. Soon the three men created rules, relying heavily on badminton. They kept in mind the original purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together.

This spirit of inclusivity is very evident at the Anglesea Pickleball Community sessions, where visitors are welcomed onto the court for an immediate try out and players are rotated throughout the session so that it is an equal playing field for all. It really is a game for all ages and all abilities. As new member and beginner Deb Churchward said, “Everyone has been really welcoming and Bart and Michael have been great in helping beginners like me with skills.”

Those with a competitive edge can also take part in one of the four free annual tournaments, where pairs vie for a swag of prizes. An amazing trophy, generously donated by Michael will be presented to the winning team who will hold it and then defend it at the next tournament. Tennis without the running, table tennis without the table, badminton without the high net and no pickles to be seen! In fact, the mix of sports accounts for the name. Joel Pritchard’s wife jokingly called it pickleball, a reference to the American rowing term ‘pickle boat’ describing a crew thrown together from oarsmen left over from other boats. Somehow the name stuck!

From this humble beginning the backyard game grew. In 1972 a corporation was formed to protect the creation of this new sport. 1976 saw the first tournament in Washington State and in 1984 the first rule book was published. Also in 1984, the first composite paddle was produced and in 1999 the first pickleball internet website was launched providing information about the game, equipment and products.

Fast forward sixty years from the original idea and pickleball has spread worldwide. It arrived in Australia around 2014 with now upwards of 20,000 players nationwide. At the time of writing the Anglesea Pickleball Community had 88 members, with 15 to 25 heading down for a hit at each session.

The rules are predominantly the same as tennis or badminton. Scoring is to 11, with points only won on the serve. Serving is underarm and the ball must be hit off a bounce on each side of the court once before it can be volleyed. One cannot volley while standing in “the kitchen”, an area closest to the net.

Michael has created a pickleball Facebook page where he keeps everyone up to date with regular posts, information about equipment, tips for playing and video tutorials. He has also worked hard to gain sponsorship both locally and nationally. Klein’s Anglesea Hotel is the official ball sponsor for 2024 and is on board for all tournaments, offering $100 vouchers as prizes. Mal Williams, one of the first members and professional pickleball coach, is another sponsor and is presenting two free coaching prizes at the tournament. Hayden Real Estate has also come aboard and is covering the cost of the bumper stickers you will see around town. Laneway 73 Café has also contributed toward the cost of line marking for the courts. Farther afield, Six Zero Pickleball and Tension 24 have both chosen to sponsor the Anglesea Pickleball Community, offering demo equipment, advertising paraphernalia and discounts on purchases as well as contributing to prizes in the tournaments.

Still in its infancy in Anglesea, the interest in pickleball is growing exponentially. Don’t miss out! Pop down to the Anglesea Tennis Club any Wednesday 10am – 12pm, Friday 12.30pm – 2.30pm or Sunday 10am -12pm and discover what everybody is talking about!

Jim Maffett’s Journey to the Past

Liz Clark

During the pandemic, when people had the unexpected gift of a little more time to fill, it became very popular to delve into family history. It was a thrill to find out where relatives may have come from, how far back you could trace your name – misspelt and altered as it may have been – what ancestors did to make ends meet and feed their families, which parts of the world they had moved between and how these stories had come together to make your life in the here and now.

Some found wild scandals through their investigations, others discovered their beginnings in Australia were through transportation of petty criminals, adventurers, military personnel, heroes and explorers, law makers and breakers, villains and rogues, and just ordinary everyday people who wanted to improve their lives and make a fortune in the new world. It became almost a badge of honour to be able to claim “First Fleeter” status, no matter if that relative was a ship’s captain, a criminal, good or bad, noble or ignoble, guilty or innocent.

Computers, technology and access to almost anything you need to know has made it much easier, though maybe more challenging, to find out intimate details of our forebears and their lives. Anglesea resident, Jim Maffett at age 91 decided he needed to know a little more about his Irish ancestors, particularly Edward Sinclair Maffett, whose exploits had been part of rumour and myth within his family for a long time. Now was the time for him to clear up any questions he had about his “famous” kinsman. In May he headed off to Ireland for an adventure in Carlow.

Jim was able to verify that his grandfather, the said Edward Maffett, a solicitor, had been involved in a criminal incident in 1923 during the Civil War in Ireland. He shot and killed one man and injured another after having been hijacked by two men at gunpoint on the road near his home one morning on his way to work. The two assailants were members of the IRA intent on searching for arms they believed to be hidden in Maffett’s home, “Thornville”.

A previous attack on his home and the death of a lawyer colleague had forewarned Maffett to prepare to defend himself if another incident occured. While the men searched the house he created a diversion so that he was able to retrieve a pistol from his bedroom. He loaded the weapon and then shot the two men, killing one assailant, injuring the other. He also removed a Mills bomb, the popular name for a series of British hand grenades which were designed by William Mills, from the pocket of one of the men.

The ensuing inquest was highly political and vocal. The jury brought in a verdict of manslaughter and Maffett was released on the surety of 1,000 pounds. He retired later that year, rumour suggesting that his retirement at 59 was part of a settlement with the state authorities in exchange for non –prosecution of the manslaughter charge.

Jim has no First Fleet story but can brag about his family’s part in an important historical event. He has found it immensely satisfying to have nailed down the truth of this story, and particularly enjoyed meeting quite a few people in Carlow who were able to lead him in the tracking down of the veracity of events leading up to and including this part of history.

Many people around town will be interested to hear this Irish episode of Jim’s story. He is well known and highly regarded by many residents here as a man who is involved in many activities. He takes a keen interest in people and town activities, and has made his own mark in a quiet but efficient way.

As a member of the Anglesea Rock Choir – though he says he can’t really sing – he finds wonderful companionship with other participants; at the Men’s Shed he is always up for a chat and enjoys the comradeship he finds there. Keen to keep fit, and willing to try new things, for quite some time he was the only brave male participant in the Active Adults exercise classes. He inspires others by maintaining his good health through the discipline of his involvement in that class, by keeping on the go walking his beautiful dog companion, Millie, and joining the activities of the movie club and Probus.

Over the years Jim has happily taken part in a number of health studies, keen to add what he can to advances in medicine, even if he is merely being given a placebo. Community is important to his everyday life.

Jim considers he has been very fortunate throughout his life. He grew up on a farm near Camperdown, where his father was offered land through the Closer Settlement Scheme after service in India during the First World War. He initially attended a one room school, then went to Geelong Grammar for his secondary education. He returned home to help on the farm, spent three months in compulsory national service, a year jackerooing with a friend, learned a great deal about country life and farming – he sees these early years as a huge learning curve.

In 1957 Jim and three friends spent nine months travelling around the world in a Volkswagen – this was also quite a learning curve and sparked his sense of adventure and desire to travel on an ongoing basis. He has frequently travelled overseas, often accompanied by his wife Kathy, to places including Nepal, New Zealand, South America, South Africa, Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia Mongolia, China, Spain, various Greek Islands, Egypt, Norway, India, Central Asia to name a few. Jim has 25 photo albums to highlight these amazing adventures.

During his working and family raising years (when travel wasn’t one of his options), Jim was a property manager at a race horse stud, owned and managed various farms, from his own smaller farms to huge properties working with cattle and cereal growing. He was involved in the AI industry – not Artificial Intelligence, but artificial insemination, working mostly with sheep. Jim and Kathy both enjoyed endurance horse riding as a hobby, although he admits she was the expert, he just accompanied her. Together, they raised four children and now have seven grandchildren.

His final move to Anglesea has opened up a new but different vista and Jim enjoys his life in the community and the many activities he is part of. Returning to Anglesea after a trip now always feels like coming home.

Married for 70 Years

Jan Morris

Douglas and Dulcie Anderson are making history on the 21st of August when they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. They married in Lebanon where they were both missionaries with the British Syrian Mission, now Middle East Christian Outreach (MECO). It is a big milestone to reach a 60th wedding anniversary, but very few people reach their 70th. Douglas was 28 and Dulcie 27 when they married in 1954.

Douglas has had connections with Aireys Inlet and Anglesea all his life. His father, Adiel, served as a surveyor in France and Belgium with the 10th Field Artillery Brigade during the First World War, before he reenlisted in the Survey Section Royal Australian Engineers/Australian Survey Corps. In this role in 1920, Adiel surveyed a section of what was to become the Great Ocean Road. In 1927 he commenced surveying Aireys Inlet. He returned on several occasions to do further survey work at Aireys Inlet. On one occasion Douglas accompanied Adiel for three months.

While surveying, Adiel Anderson purchased a one-acre block on the corner of Beach Road and Eagle Rock Parade. He considered it the best block in Aireys. The family came to Aireys for their annual holiday. Travelling from their home in Moonee Ponds was a day’s journey. Adiel’s car was an Essex tourer with a canvas hood and mica windows. Sadly, Adiel passed away suddenly in 1946 when Douglas was nine years old. Douglas came to stay with the Cowan family at Fairhaven for six months. He attended the Aireys Inlet school, at that time the old dining room from Hasty’s boardinghouse, which had been pulled up the hill beside the hotel.

Douglas won a scholarship to Scotch College where he excelled in art and had a promising career under artist Francis Roy Thompson. Part way through a Diploma of Architecture he felt the call of God to be a missionary. After training at Melbourne Bible Institute, he went to Lebanon in 1948, where he taught art and English in an all-boys school.

Dulcie who had also trained as a missionary, was sent to Tyre in Lebanon in 1952, while Douglas was in Beirut, two hours travel away. They married two years later and as a couple they served in evangelistic work in Baalbek, Lebanon. Baalbek was an old Roman settlement known as the bread

basket of the Middle East. It had many Roman ruins including the Roman temples to Baal, Jupiter and Venus.

Douglas commenced English classes for young men who required English for their businesses. Dulcie taught the girls English which increased their employment opportunities. As Baalbek was a tourist destination those employed as guides needed to speak English. A Lebanese Evangelical church was formed where Douglas preached. Their children were brought up in Lebanon. Their two daughters were born there, but their son was born while they were on leave in Melbourne.

After serving in Lebanon for 48 years, Douglas and Dulcie retired, first to Melbourne then they built a house in 2007 in Aireys Inlet. Their house was built on the block that Adiel had chosen 80 years before. Douglas & Dulcie are active and caring members of the Anglesea Baptist Church. For many years they served in Seaside Seconds Opportunity Shop. They moved to Cordelia Grove in 2022, where they currently reside.

Dulcie and Douglas at Cordelia Grove

Douglas and Dulcie with their children Bruce, Jill and Helen

Douglas & Dulcie’s Wedding Day

Conversations That Matter

ACH Coordinator Julie Martin recently attended an event run by the Give Where You Live Foundation featuring Stan Grant as the guest speaker. The conversation centred on how to improve public discourse. Stan encouraged us to meet people, especially our opponents, with grace, generosity and curiosity. He reflected on how humans need silence and warmth to nurture us, but instead the world provides an “icy pandemoniu”.

Stan spoke about his recent experiences during the referendum for The Voice and the difficulties in having respectful conversations about emotional and controversial topics. Stan reflected on friends of his who chose to vote NO and said that they are “still his friends”.

It is an important reminder that there are conversations that we need to have where people may not always agree with your opinion, but they are conversations that matter. Having respectful conversations about controversial topics is crucial in maintaining constructive dialogue and

Caring for Carers

Neighborhood Houses Barwon were recently successful in receiving a grant to develop a caring for the carers project through the Surf Coast Shire. Jo Zdybel has been appointed as the facilitator for this project and has worked with several carers over the past 6 weeks to get an understanding of carers needs in the area.

One of the themes that has developed through this process is that some people don’t even realise that they are a carer. Recognising yourself as a carer can sometimes be subtle, especially if your caregiving role has developed gradually.

Here are just a few signs that indicate you may be a carer: Emotional Support: Providing emotional support, companionship, or being a confidant to someone who needs it regularly. Time Commitment: Spending a significant amount of time each week caring for someone, whether it’s in person or remotely. Advocacy: Taking on responsibilities like attending medical appointments, coordinating services, or advocating on behalf of the person you care for. Sense of Responsibility: Feeling a sense of responsibility or duty towards someone’s well-being on an ongoing basis.

It’s important to acknowledge and understand your role as a carer, as it can impact various aspects of your life. Seeking support and resources can be helpful in managing caregiving responsibilities effectively. You don’t need to be receiving a carers payment to be recognised as a carer. If you think this could be you

relationships. It’s important to approach these discussions with an open mind and a willingness to listen to different perspectives. Respect forms the foundation of meaningful dialogue, allowing us to navigate challenges with empathy and understanding. Let’s remember to uphold respect in every conversation, fostering unity and support when it’s needed most.

please join us for the launch of the Caring for Carers Network, details below.

July, August and September 2024

Health and Wellbeing

Life in Balance Fitness Pilates Classes

With Lina Libroaperto

The Pilates method is a safe and effective approach to building your functional fitness. The low impact exercises help strengthen the body with an emphasis on the abdominal and back muscles. Improvements in strength, balance, flexibility, posture and overall wellbeing can be achieved through Pilates. These classes cater for beginners through to those experienced with the Pilates methodology.

When Wednesdays 9.30–10.30am

Cost $15 per session

Active Adults

This class is open to all adults over 55. We use hand weights, bands and gym equipment to build strength, flexibility and balance.

When Mondays 9–10 am &10-11am

Cost $10 per session

Personal training also available. Bookings essential

For more information about these classes and bookings, call Lina on 0403 797 973.

NicFIT

with personal trainer Nicky Friel

Cardio Blast Combo

This class is a combo of Tabata, powerbar ,body combat, muscle conditioning and abdominal exercises.

When Saturdays @ 8.30 am at Anglesea Hall

Powerbar Classes

The ultimate fat burning workout, focusing on all the major muscle groups using barbells and dumbbells all set to motivational music that will leave you wanting to come back for more!

When Mondays @ 9 am Wednesdays @ 6.30 pm at Anglesea Hall

Cost All classes are $16 or $150 for 10 sessions.

Sessions are suitable for any level of fitness. Bookings required for all classes. BYO mat.

For further information about each class call Nicky on 0403 779 084. Personal training available at reasonable rates.

Accredited training

Blended CPR (HLTAID009) and Provide First Aid (HLTAID011)

With Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), every minute counts. People who collapse with SCA only have a short 10minute window of survival. With every passing minute, the chance of survival reduces by 10%.

When Contact Kel for current dates or for group bookings 9–10 am (CPR only), 9 am–12 pm (First Aid) Where Online/face-to-face combination Cost CPR only : $70; First aid inc CPR : $175 (inc. GST)

Contact Kel at: 0458 701 482.

Anglesea Community House

Entrance 4, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea (PO Box 43, Anglesea VIC 3230)

Unless otherwise indicated, all courses can be booked via Anglesea Community House and are held at the Community House.

Call us for more details on 52632116 or email info@anglesea.org.au

Keep up to date with upcoming events and courses via our website: www.anglesea.org.au Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

@angleseacommunityhouse

THE CHECK UP

Interest groups & meet-ups @ACH

The following groups meet at the Anglesea Community House and are always open to new members. If you are looking to get involved in an activity, get in touch so we can help link you in.

Talking Points

With Trevor Chappell from ABC Radio

Come and discuss current events with friends, new and old! Trevor hosts Overnights on ABC 774, and joins the group every fortnight to facilitate a discussion around current events. Bring along any clippings or articles you would like to discuss. All welcome!

When Fridays 2–3 pm

Cost Gold coin donation

Anglesea Jammers

Do you enjoy playing a musical instrument including your voice? Would you like to join a social jam session? Bring along your instrument and a few copies of your favourite chord chart to share.

Suitable for 18+ and all abilities.

Enquiries welcome – please call Joanne: 0450 782 592

When Second Friday of the month, 11.30 am–1 pm

Cost Gold coin donation

Mahjong

If you enjoy playing cards you will love the new challenge of this ancient Chinese game. Come along and learn as you play a challenging yet stimulating game!

When Thursdays 1 pm–3.30 pm

Cost Gold coin donation

Wednesday Stitchery Group

This group meets for a catch up and to work on their individual pieces. The group is open to any crafters who are looking for some company and to share ideas/tips each week.

When Wednesdays from 10 am–12 pm

Cost Gold coin donation

Sewing with a Purpose

Come along for social sewing with a purpose. We will work on sewing items for community groups in need like the Royal Children’s Hospital, local libraries, animal rescue as well as making Boomerang bags to help save waste from landfill. Come along to help sew, cut material, have a chat and share a cuppa. All welcome.

When 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondayof the month 1–3 pm

Ukulele Jam Sessions

Keen on getting out the Ukulele and jamming with some friends new and old? Come along and make music with fellow musicians. Share your skills and learn from each other. .

When 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month 7-8.30pm

Cost Gold coin donation

Anglesea Snappers Club

Come and join with other local photographers – both amateur and professional and share your images, your knowledge, have some fun and learn from each other.

When 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7.30 pm Cost Gold coin donation

ACH Book Club

Do you love books? Are you new to town and wanting to meet people? Call us to find out more about the Community House book club.

When 1st Wednesday of each month from 11 am Cost Gold coin donation

Papercrafting Group

BYO craft projects,examples.are book making, card making, scrap booking, quilling, art journalling etc...

When 1st Tuesday of each month, 1pm-4pm Cost Gold coin donation

Surfcoast CWA

Women supporting women their families & community! Friendship, skill learning/sharing & most of all fun! Keep this a positive and supportive environment!.

When First Friday of the month 11am

Contact : surfcoastcwa@gmail.com to confirm location

Cost Initial membership fee

Gold coin donation to monthly meeting

Bingo

All welcome to come along and join in the fun! Afternoon tea provided..

When Mondays 1pm-4pmth, Cost Gold coin donation plus up to $10 for games and afternoon tea.

What is the Extended Medicare Safety Net?

Dr David Corbet

The Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) is a program that helps people with high out-of-pocket medical expenses for out-of-hospital services covered by Medicare.

How does the EMSN work?

There’s a yearly threshold you need to meet for out-ofpocket costs before the EMSN kicks in. This amount varies depending on your situation and resets on January 1st:

• General threshold: Applies to everyone enrolled in Medicare. For 2024, it’s $2,544.30.

• Concession threshold: This is lower, at $811.80 for 2024, and applies to concession card holders and families eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A.

• For a registered “Medicare Safety Net family” all out-ofpocket expenses count towards the threshold amount. See below to learn how to include all family members.

Once you reach your threshold, Medicare covers a higher percentage of your expenses. For covered out-of-hospital services, Medicare will shoulder 80% of your remaining outof-pocket costs for the rest of that calendar year.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• There are caps on the benefits Medicare will pay under the EMSN for some services. This means you might get 80% back, or the capped amount, whichever is lower.

• The EMSN doesn’t affect any benefits you receive from private health insurance.

For information about the specifics of the program, including thresholds and capped benefits, visit the Services Australia website: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ms016

Ok, so how exactly do I include my family members? It does take a little bit of effort as you can’t simply register online with your current Medicare/My Gov accounts.

• Online: You can’t register online, but you can access your Medicare account and see your current family registration status.

• By phone: Call the Medicare program on 132 011 to register your family. Be prepared to wait!

• By form: Fill out the Medicare Safety Net couples and families registration and amendment form from https:/ /www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ms016 and send it in.

Some more information to consider:

• You only need to register once, unless your family situation changes (e.g. having a child, separating from your partner) and you need to amend the registration.

• Even if all your family members are on the same Medicare card, registering as a family is still necessary.

• Each year, around January 1st, Services Australia may contact you to confirm your registered family members before reaching the threshold.

• There are different capped amounts for consultations and procedures, but regardless, once you have met the EMSN you will pay less in out-of-pocket costs.

For more information on registering a Medicare Safety Net family, visit the Services Australia website at Services Australia. For more detail on caps visit MBS Online.

Alright, so how will this make a difference?

As an example, here are some common MBS item numbers used for general practice appointments, with private fee amounts (these are not necessarily what you will pay depending on the private fee set by your GP) and the differences in the out-of-pocket cost before and after reaching the EMSN threshold.

If you see private non-GP Specialists, or allied health practicioners such as a psychologist, the out-of pocket costs also contribute to your threshold. If you have seen a nonGP specialist or clinical psychologist, and paid a private fee, you will be aware that the out-of-pocket costs are much higher than those listed below, and will contribute to you reaching your safety net threshold much quicker.

References and links: Registration form: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ms016 MBS Online: www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing. nsf/Content/Factsheet-EMSN-1Jan2024

Going Stir Crazy

Helen Thomas

We are all pretty familiar with the saying, “from little things big things grow.” Well, meet Helen Kline, Aireys Inlet resident whose highly successful Stir Crazy cordial empire truly embodies this notion! Helen is a highly talented foodie who took an interest in food and turned it into a career. After completing an Arts Degree at the University of Melbourne, Helen decided to attend the William Angliss Institute and explore her abiding interest in all things food and hospitality. She undertook a commercial cookery course and later added another string to her bow, undertaking a Graduate Diploma of Horticulture at Burnley College.

Helen worked for twelve years in restaurants and other food related outlets and catering ventures in Melbourne, including the David Jones Food Court, before being mentored by Greg Brown from Brown’s Bakery in Hawthorn. She credits Greg

with teaching her French culinary techniques and for giving her the experience needed to develop an eye for detail in food preparation and presentation, as well as looking at food from the customer’s perspective. Together she and Greg also began catering for private dinner parties and this continues to be an area of interest for Helen in her range of food and catering pursuits on the Surf Coast.

Helen’s work at The Pastry Lounge in Mitcham was where she finessed the art of tarts, canapés and pastry. She ran the sweets and dessert bar section of the kitchen and participated in selling products at farmers’ markets on weekends. She worked there for five years, also venturing into the world of high-end corporate catering. Throughout this process Helen was mentored by the owner of the business, Fiona Richardson. It was through Fiona’s mentoring that she learnt how to develop a business model that would later inform her own business practice. This involved auditing what was being offered at local accredited farmers’ markets and identifying where the gaps were and potential ways to enter that market. As she was not a grower or primary producer, she tried to identify what she could make that was not being offered by other stall holders and she set about attempting to fill that gap.

Helen’s foray into biscuit making was born and she began baking delicious specialty biscuits with all Victorian ingredients. She sold these at accredited Melbourne farmers’ markets including Gasworks, the Collingwood Children’s Farm, Veg Out and the Abbotsford Convent. Gradually Helen looked for ways to expand and diversify the business. The presence of a prolific Meyer lemon tree growing in her in-laws’ backyard, along with connections with fruit growers in Mildura, gave her the idea of making cordial and Stir Crazy cordial was born. This eventually became a family concern with Helen’s son Oscar going up to pick fruit with the growers, her husband Andrew working alongside her in the production of the cordial and daughter Nina handling sales from the very cute and groovy caravan “Josephine”, at the various markets. In the summer months the cordial is

also served as a frozen granita at the markets. For six years online sales have also been a successful and important part of the business.

These unique cordials with interesting flavour combinations and names such as Cumquat Crush, Bergamot and Lavender, Yuzu with a Lemon Twist, Lemon Grass and Ginger Refresher have become very popular. They are now stocked in boutique outlets along the Surf Coast and beyond, in local bars and gin distilleries, and are also purchased for inclusion in hampers.

Helen discussed how lucky she felt that during the recent pandemic she was still able to continue selling cordial, both online and at the farmers’ markets, because accredited local farmers markets were considered an essential part of the food supply chain and in fact, during this time they became a very busy source of trade.

Helen is now based full-time in Aireys Inlet with a new and glamorous commercial kitchen where she prepares food and beverages. She is interested in pursuing other food and cooking ideas, for example, offering cooking classes and catering for dinner parties and other functions.

For the past two years, Helen has coordinated the Anglesea Twilight Market, which operates through December to February from 4.30pm - 8pm on Friday nights. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity that this market provides to encourage and support local artists and artisans, growers and farmers and to promote local crafts and food. She has focused on establishing a new mix of stalls, improving seating at the market and developing an Instagram page. In 2023/24 the market made $15,000 for the Anglesea Community House through its gold coin donation takings at the gate, along with stall holder fees. It is a small boutique market which has also become a platform for participation by local groups, for example, the Anglesea Community Rock Choir, which has performed there on several occasions along with other local musicians. On one night alone, in January this year, 2,200 people passed through the gates and for the entire month of January a staggering 8,500 people attended the market. This has been a real feather in Helen’s cap and the highly successful Anglesea Twilight Market has become a fixture on the summer calendar for Surf Coast residents.

Helen identified her principles of a good business model:

• Have a passion for what you produce

• Respect people who you serve

• Be generous with your product (word of mouth is invaluable in developing a good reputation)

• Have an eye for detail (quality ingredients, packaging, marketing)

• Use quality local ingredients

• Support local suppliers

• Develop relationships (with growers, suppliers & customers too).

Helen observed that any start up business, product or service that is unique, tends to do well regionally and if you can get it up and running, local communities will support it. So we see, with Stir Crazy cordials gracing the shelves of many homes along the Surf Coast.

For further information please contact helen@stircrazylady.com.au or check out the website on www.stircrazylady.com.au and you can follow updates on Instagram @stircrazykitchen

Djarrak’s Past and Future

Councillor Mike Bodsworth, Anglesea Ward

On 24 May I joined fellow councillors and a throng of rugged-up competitors and supporters at the opening ceremony for the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles, held at Bells Beach – Djarrak.

The competition has been held at Djarrak since 2012 and has a unique vibe. This year, surfers were treated to clean, head-high waves on opening day and slightly bigger waves throughout the weekend.

The ceremony included a mixing of waters brought by First Nations surfers from their home countries to Wadawurrung country, as well as a powerful welcome and smoking ceremony. Thanks to Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Surfing Victoria, event volunteers and indigenous surfers from far and wide for making it such a special event.

A large midden and other more dispersed shell and artefact sites are a focus for the conservation efforts. At Djarrak, as at Point Roadknight, Split Point and all over Australia, shoreline erosion is threatening Aboriginal sites. Sea levels in Victoria’s south-west are predicted to be about half a metre higher by 2070, causing dramatic shoreline recession.

Going back 20,000 years to the end of the last ice age, when Australia’s Aboriginal story was already two thousand generations long, sea levels were over 100 metres lower than present and rising at an estimated one centimetre per year as ice sheets melted. Tassie was connected to the mainland, Bass Strait was slowly filling in and volcanoes were active in (what’s now) western Victoria. Amazing changes!

Changes, albeit more mundane, are imminent at Djarrak. In about a month, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority will take over management of the Bells Crown Land reserve after 53 years of Council management. The Authority will inherit the Bells Beach Advisory Committee, that I’ve enjoyed meeting with over the past three years, and no doubt will continue to build the Gobata Dja relationship with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.

You can search ‘Djarrak’ on Council’s website to find out more about 53 years of Shire management of Bells. If you use Facebook or Instagram, check out Council’s posts to see some wonderful photos from the past and read the stories behind them.

I’d like to acknowledge members of the Bells Beach Advisory Committee, past and present, and all those who saw the area being loved to death decades ago and mobilised surfers (and successive councils) to take better care of the place. Bells today has a unique character and status that reflects thousands of years of traditional culture and decades as a sacred site of world surfing.

If there are Council issues you’d like to talk to me about, please call me on 0427 337 558 or email mbodsworth@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

A couple of years ago, heritage studies in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners confirmed the name Djarrak as a traditional name for the Bells area and a year ago Council engaged Wadawurrung’s Gobata Dja (Caring for Country) team to undertake conservation and rehabilitation works in the Djarrak reserve.

Jordie Campbell surfs at the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles. Image courtesy of Surf Coast Shire website.

Darryn’s Coastline Life

Lina Libroaperto

Darryn Jacobs may have founded Coastline Advice in Anglesea in 2002, however the seeds of his business were germinating many years prior to those modest beginnings. A child of immigrants from South Africa, Darryn watched as his parents made the tough decision in 1983 to bring their young family: Darryn and his sister Adele, to Australia. They left behind a troubled and at times volatile country struggling to dismantle an apartheid system. The cost of a safe haven meant they had to relinquish assets and successful careers along with their family and friends.

Arriving in Geelong, Mervyn and Brenda Jacobs began to rebuild. Brenda, who had been a teacher, worked in a factory here and then moved into a successful career in aged care, which she loved. Darryn’s dad, Mervyn went from working in sales in South Africa to factory shift work and eventually as a Supervisor at ALCAN.

During these tough years of settling in Geelong, Darryn developed a strong work ethic, picking up part time work with a paper round and making deliveries for a local chemist on his bike. He offered to do odd jobs as he completed his paper round and spent many hours mowing lawns. The tough times took a turn for the worst with the collapse of Geelong’s Pyramid Building Society in 1990. This collapse kick-started a nation-wide financial crisis, obliterating the hard earned savings of many “mum and dad” investors. Amongst those caught up in the collapse were Darryn’s parents. Seeing his parents’ financial challenges at an impressionable age further galvanised his

desire for financial independence. He continued to work hard and built an appreciation for the value of money; realising he couldn’t take things for granted. His sense of ease when talking to people meant he had plenty of jobs to keep him busy.

Darryn began an Engineering degree, but this endeavour was short-lived and Darryn headed to the UK to play semiprofessional cricket in the Hampshire League. After a successful season he returned to Australia to attend his then girlfriend Suzanne’s 21st birthday celebrations. Darryn returned with enthusiasm to continue the fledgling relationship, a tin of cash and the determination to be strategic with his little stash. After meeting with a financial advisor, who was a friend’s dad, Darryn’s path became clear. He wanted to help people like his parents to improve their financial literacy, achieve their financial aspirations, and gain a sense of security.

Later in 1999 Darryn and Suzanne moved in together in Anglesea. Suzanne had landed a great job as a designer for Rip Curl and Darryn happily lapped up the new proximity to the surf beaches - a great source of joy for him! He initially worked in hospitality in Lorne and had a gig as a surfing teacher at Go Ride a Wave. Within 18 months Darryn was enrolled in the Post Graduate Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and was renting office space with a firm in Pakington Street. Game on!

From those modest beginnings in Anglesea in 2002, when Darryn founded Coastline Advice, he has transformed it into one of the region’s premier Financial Advice and Mortgage Broking firms. Coastline has earned multiple prestigious awards including Astrum’s esteemed Large Practice of the Year award in 2022. In 2023 Darryn attended a week long intensive Business Leadership Course at Harvard University. It has been one of the highlights of his career. With a focus on strategic thinking and decision making, the experience tapped into Darryn’s passion for helping others and the intuitive, person-centred approach he takes.

So, what else have Darryn and Suzanne been up to since 2002? They married, had three children, renovated several homes, bought, sold and built businesses. Suzanne is now a proud co-owner of a thriving home interiors store and interior design business, Jarvis and Jarvis in Torquay. Suzanne and her partner, Lucy are a dream team, understanding the demands of running a business whilst also managing a young family. They are a formidable duo and appear to do it all seamlessly! They may be paddling madly but they make it look so graceful. Coastline Advice now has four offices: Torquay, Anglesea, Barwon Heads and Wonthaggi. Given that

Coastline has grown how does Darryn manage to keep a healthy work life balance? By keeping very busy!

Darryn and Suzanne lead very active lives - each carving out a little time for their own interests while still being strongly involved in their children’s many activities. He enjoys early morning walks on the beach with his dog Bobby or quiet strolls through the Otway National Park. Suzanne loves a little bit of body pump, gym circuit and Pilates. The kids are heavily involved with team sports including netball, cricket, football and soccer. As well as chauffeuring the kids to their sports, both Darryn and Suzanne have taken on support roles. Darryn has for example coached at the Anglesea Cricket Club, the Anglesea Football Club and with the juniors soccer team in Torquay. He also invests in his community: Coastline Advice sponsors the Anglesea Primary School, Anglesea Cricket Club and Anglesea Football Netball Club.

After more than two decades in the financial advice sector, Darryn still loves what he does. While the endless paperwork is not a favourite element - and lets face it, there are very few who enjoy this aspect of running a business - there is plenty that brings Darryn joy in what he does. He loves helping clients gain financial certainty and giving them peace of mind. He enjoys providing guidance that builds understanding of what is happening with their money. According to Bruce, a relatively new client, there is a perfect balance of professionalism and personal care.

“Darryn and his team have demystified the financial investment world. He picks up on people’s anxieties and concerns, listens attentively and gently addresses all questions.” said Bruce. “There’s definitely no agenda or product pushing that I had found frustrating with a previous advisor. We’re very happy,” he added.

Darryn acknowledges that the financial advice industry can be tarnished by the practices of a few unqualified and, at times outright fraudulent individuals. His advice is to check the ASIC register or the Financial Advisors Association of Australia before engaging with an advisor.

Darryn loves bringing up his young family on the Surf Coast. “It really is the most beautiful part of Australia. I love being this close to nature and the four seasons we get down here, even if the winters are a little cool! I get to walk, swim, surf, ride my mountain bike and occasionally go fishing.”

“The people across the Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven and Anglesea communities are welcoming, caring, engaging and generous. How good is that?” beams Darryn. Well the little boy from Cape Town who used to mow lawns for pocket money has come a long way but it certainly hasn’t changed him. There’s still a smidge of that young boy that remains and all that lawn mowing must have left a huge impression because if you ask Suzanne she’ll definitely let slip that Darryn is obsessed, if not in love with his lawn. I’ve seen that lawn … it is a beautiful work of art that any greenskeeper would be proud of!

Wonderful Reads with Great Escape Books

Specialising in fiction and non fiction books for all ages, this delightful independent bookshop has a wide range to choose from. Pop in and see the wonderful staff at Great Escape Books in Aireys Inlet

Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright –Winner of the Stella Prize 2024

Set in the fictional community of “tidy town award winning” Praiseworthy, Wright’s novel is the story emerging from a “haze” afflicting the country that represents a plethora of issues from the intergenerational trauma of Aboriginal people and the comfortable ignorance of white Australia to the environmental devastation of the Anthropocene and ongoing disaster of climate change. Every character is so much more than a character; they are metaphors for the deep connections to the lands the Aboriginal people have taken care of for over 65,000 years and the complex, nuanced, and individual battles Aboriginal people still face for recognition in modern Australian society (Made even more poignant after the Voice referendum ). This is so much more than a novel. More than an epic. Zeitgeist comes close, but still falls short of what Alexis Wright has achieved in Praiseworthy. The amalgamation of historical fiction, personal tragedy and farce with elegiac prose that champions the Dreamtime, Songlines and the tradition of oral storytelling is inimitable.

It’s said that, “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” In this way, Wright’s epic is everything art and literature can and should be. Not just my book of the year for 2023, this takes a place in my Top 10 of all time.

Review by Katina @ Great Escape Books

Prophet Song

by

Paul Lynch –Winner of the Booker Prize 2023

Be haunted by this intense novel of a very near possible future. On a quiet rainy evening Eilish Stack, mother of four, wife to a trade unionist, answers the door to two of the newly formed Irish GNSB Guardia police. They look like ordinary men.

They ask her husband Larry to come down to the station later to answer some routine questions, which he does and returns home a bit grumbly. Little does he know this will spiral into a chain of events that will lead Eilish fighting to the very edge of her sanity for her families lives.

This is a novel that will leave you gasping. Utterly magnificent, it brings to visceral life the very tangible reality of our times where being a refugee is a real thing. Read it and be awed.

Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Award-winning author of Everything I Know About Love, podcast host and journalist featured in The Sunday Times Styles, GQ and Marie Claire, Dolly Alderton is a talented and accomplished writer. Alderton’s new novel Good Material follows 35-year-old Londoner Andy, as he grapples with being dumped by his long-term girlfriend Jen. Now without a home and a failing career as a comedian, Andy struggles with what his life looks like without Jen and uncovering why she left him in the first place. Left behind by his friends, already married and with young kids, Andy’s perspective is an honest and sometimes unlikeable reflection of navigating life and dating in your twenties and thirties. Beautifully wrapped up by an incredibly powerful ending from Jen’s perspective.

An incredible insightful narration of dynamic characters and themes of modern romantic relationships. Alderton’s writing is funny, heart-breaking and enjoyable to read. A great read and perfect for fans of Coco Mellors and Sally Rooney.

Review by Jess @ Great Escape Books

Unraveller

by Frances Hardinge

Darkly gothic, set in a fantastical world where dark curses can be laid upon the unwary, Unraveller will appeal to teen and adult alike.

Written by Costa award winning author Frances Hardinge of The Lie Tree fame, we venture into gloriously perilous marshlands and Wilds where we meet the surly, unstable Kellen, the Unraveller, gifted with the ability to unravel curses woven upon victims hearts. His ability is so powerful he must wear iron cuffs so he too doesn’t start to unravel. His constant companion and ally is the gentle Nettle, who while she remains with him will stay unravelled, but while she doesn’t wish to become separated, she knows her curse will cause her to shapeshift into the body of a snowwhite heron.

While there are many who claim to have the gift, Kellen is the only true Unraveller in Raddith, so when the pair find themselves in grave danger, they make a deal that will alter the course of the their quietly underhanded existence, making every step more dangerous and treacherous than the last. The world building is immense and the writing exquisite, with fantastic characters. Unraveller is very special indeed.

Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books

Twitchers’ Corner

Written and illustrated by

Kaye Traynor

White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea

Wingspan: 75-95mm

Bill: 16-21mm

Weight: 16-24g

Other names: Little Treecreeper

There are several species of Treecreepers throughout Australia. The one which is common in our forests, is the Whitethroated Treecreeper.

Treecreepers are appropriately named as they forage along tree trunks and branches in search of insects and spiders and especially ants. Their sharp, downward curving bill enables them to prise prey from bark crevices. They tend to move quickly, spiral around the trunk and up to the top of the tree then swoop down to the base and forage their way up to the top again.

Description: Greyish olive-brown above with grey uppertail coverts and central tail feathers. The outer tail feathers have grey bases, are broadly barred across the lower half with black, and are tipped white. When opened, the blackish-brown wings are boldly marked by a broad creamy buff bar across all flight feathers. The throat is white and extends down the middle breast. The undertail is white, heavily barred with dark brown.

Females have a small russet spot below the ear region. Immatures: chestnut rump; light streaks on upperparts, in flight, shows fawn wingbar. Their range extends from Adelaide, through southern Victoria and eastern NSW into eastern Queensland. They are found in rainforests, both tropical and temperate, wet eucalypt forests, coastal-banksia heathland and inland, drier woodlands.

Nesting season occurs between August and January. The nest is a tree hollow often filled with debris; lined with hair, fur or feathers. Two to four eggs, usually three, are laid. They are white marked with rounded spots of red-brown or purple brown, especially at the larger end. Both sexes incubate eggs and feed the young.

Reference: The Australian Bird Guide: Peter Menkhorst, Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, Jeff Davies, Peter Marsack, Kim Franklin.

Introducing The Legal Spot

We are proud to introduce a new column, made possible by Baré Legal. In this column, Tim, Sharyn and the team at Baré Legal will endeavour to answer your legal questions and offer general advice about navigating the legal system, but first let’s meet the power couple behind the business ...

Baré Legal is a family-owned business with Tim as Principal Lawyer and his wife Sharyn as Business Manager. Their children participate in local community sports and tournaments, and they feel passionate about servicing community members in Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast and beyond. They offer legal services with a particular focus in property law and conveyancing, retirement villages, commercial law, including business puchases and sales, estate planning and will preparation, deceased estates, litigation and more. They employ local staff from Anglesea

and the Bellarine, which they feel gives them important local insight into the communities they work in.

Tim has been practising for more than a decade, with practitioners in the firm combining over 50 years of experience. Both Tim and Sharyn are proud to offer services that are modern and professional within a supportive and comfortable environment. They are not interested in confusing you with complex legal terms, but rather explaining processes and options in an easy-tounderstand manner.

Tim, Sharyn, and the team are passionate about educating the community on options available in legal circumstances and helping you to be better informed.

As a demonstration of this commitment, the team are asking for any legal questions you would like answered in the next edition of NewsAngle to be sent to them at: info@barelegal.com.au and they will endeavour to address them in the next issue.

In the meantime, if there is any assistance you need in their areas of practice, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Phone: (03) 5213 1300

What is “HousingChallenge3230”?

Michael Varney

HousingChallenge3230 is a local group that formed in 2021 in response to shared concerns regarding the availability of affordable housing in Anglesea. Anglesea had just experienced the highest increase in annual rent (31%) in Victoria and, together with increasing house prices, the concern was that the lack of affordability and housing diversity would have a significant impact on the long term livability of Anglesea. The group heard many stories of individuals and families leaving Anglesea and set out to raise awareness and encourage conversations that might offer some solutions to a challenge now countrywide.

Whilst the Shire has been proactive in re-starting a social housing project in Aireys Inlet and looking at the potential for affordable housing in Anglesea, that won’t be sufficient. Whilst rent increases have slowed, the latest annual rental affordability index for Anglesea rates it is unaffordable for the average rental household income. The May 2024 annual median weekly rent is now $625 and with a median house price of $1,490,000, the challenge remains. The group

remains focused on continuing the conversation and looking for answers:

1. What other land options are there? What are the roadblocks and how can they be removed?

2. How can the housing diversity be increased to suit the changing needs of our community? Can we encourage and educate on a change of building forms in new and existing residences? What progress is there in the Airbnb trial? How will the planning change for second dwellings impact Anglesea? Can house sharing in an older population be better facilitated?

3. Statistics only tell one story, how can we capture the stories behind the statistics?

Everyone is welcome to join the conversation, email housingchallenge3230@gmail.com

Aireys Inlet Community Garden Becomes Even Greener

Heather McKee

Last year the Aireys Inlet Community Garden, through the Surf Coast Shire’s Climate Emergency Grant funding round, succeeded in securing funding to develop an off grid, solar battery power system.

Prior to this, the Community Garden relied on a gas camp stove to boil water for morning tea and heat water for washing dishes; a petrol mower and whipper snipper kept the grass down and limited lighting from a single small solar panel and 12 volt battery provided light after dark at social events.

Our community garden members come with a wide variety of skills, and for this project Rod Tucker and David Huck brought their extensive skills and experience in electrical engineering, decoding Australian standards and debugging obscure communications protocols. They designed the system and sourced the various parts online, including driving to Gippsland to collect second hand solar panels at a special price found on Gumtree! Construction involved several other garden members and here again a qualified electrician came in handy. Many hours later we now have solar power and a state-of-the-art lithium battery to store

energy. The system can provide up to 5 kilowatts of power, and has the energy storage equivalent of about 40% of a Tesla Powerwall home battery. Not bad for a total cost of a little over $5,000!

This has enabled the garden to reduce emissions by converting our petrol-based lawn mower and whipper snipper to battery operated, thanks to a small equipment grant from the Surf Coast Shire. Solar power and a battery now also offers the opportunity to organise events using an urn for hot water and two portable induction cooktops.

Since the installation of the off grid system, the Community Garden has introduced food preserving workshops to enable members to learn the skills and enjoy the group experience of preserving food when it is in abundance. A bottling workshop using the Fowlers bottling system shared pears, plums, peaches and cherry tomatoes; a tomato passata workshop bottled 50 kilos of tomatoes and a chutney workshop using quinces have all been possible at the garden thanks to our new solar power system.

A small funding incentive has resulted in a significant shift in both reducing carbon emissions and making better use of food when it is in abundance. For anyone interested in learning more we would be pleased to share our experiences. Contact the community garden at info@communitygarden.org.au

Reduce Your Bushfire Risk with a CFA Property Advice Visit

Tony Revell, Anglesea CFA Community Engagement Officer

A well-prepared property and a well-considered fire plan are the most important actions you can take in reducing the bushfire risk to your home and keeping your family safe.

The Anglesea CFA is taking a leading role in a program ahead of the next fire season, to provide our community with the knowledge necessary for bushfire preparedness and response.

A CFA volunteer will visit your property, conduct an assessment and provide practical advice as to the preparation activities you can do before and during the warmer months to reduce risk to your home and your family. Residents will also be informed of their local fire risk and hazards and how this may impact individual fire plans. The program will run during spring.

To register an interest in receiving a Property Advice Visit, contact Anglesea Community House.

Phone: (03) 5263 2116

Email: info@anglesea.org.au

Visit: Entrance 4, 5 McMillan St Anglesea VIC 3230 Monday-Friday, 9am-2.30pm

Keeping Your Home Fire Safe?

We would like to remind Anglesea and Aireys Inlet residents of the risk of fires in your home. Many could be prevented by taking simple precautions to reduce the risk of fire.

Smoke Alarms: Ensuring you have at least one smoke alarm on each level of every home and in sleeping zones.

In the Kitchen: Never leave cooking unattended and have a fire blanket nearby.

In Living Areas: Have chimneys checked and ensure fire ashes are cold before removing them from the fireplace. Keep candles and oil burners away from anything flammable.

In Bedrooms: Don’t leave electric blankets on for more than 30 minutes and never put weight on the bed while the electric blanket is switched on. Never smoke in bed.

More Information? Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au

This winter make sure your fireplace is safe!

The Repair Café extends beyond its primary goal of saving items from landfill. It is a vibrant locally based organisation, nurturing connections within the community. Volunteers, hailing from diverse backgrounds, generously contribute an array of skills to the Repair Café and its visitors.

Meet volunteer Jerry - a familiar face to the residents of Anglesea and visitors to the Repair Café. Jerry embodies the spirit of community service, generously dedicating his time and skills to this grassroots initiative.

After retiring, Jerry sought out opportunities to contribute to his local community. In 2022, he stumbled upon the Repair Café and immediately saw a perfect fit. With an extensive background in graphic design and technology, Jerry was going to make an impact.

Jerry’s passion for photography seamlessly fits with his role at the Repair Café. He has become the maestro behind captivating video presentations that not only document successful repairs but also capture the reactions of visitors. Through his lens, he paints a vivid picture of the Repair Café’s mission and impact.

Beyond the camera, Jerry is the person behind the Repair Café’s online presence. With a blend of information, creativity, and humour, Jerry’s posts on

Facebook and Instagram keep the community engaged and informed.

Jerry is not just a volunteer; he’s a storyteller, and a keen advocate of community empowerment. So, next time you visit the Repair Café, be sure to say hello to Jerry - the man behind the lens and the keyboard, making a real difference one repair at a time.

Winter Repair Café Dates:

7 July, 4 August, 8 September in the Aireys Inlet Hall. 10am-last repairs @ 1.30pm

Book in for our Workshops – see our Facebook page:

• Making Jewellery from Recycled plastics - 7 July

• Pattern Making #1 & #2 - 4 August & 8 September

Recycling Trial:

The Repair Café is now acting as a collection point for Upparel – a textile recycling enterprise.

Bring along any clean clothing, rags and textiles (no underwear) and we will send them to Upparel for recycling. Shoes in reasonable condition, wiped clean accepted too. All proceeds go to Save the Children.

Wildflower and Art Weekend

Planning is well underway for the 2024 Angair Wildflower and Art Weekend, which will be held in the Anglesea Community Precinct on September 21st and 22nd. Entry fees, at $5 and $2 concession, remain unchanged from last year, so it is great family entertainment value as well as being packed full of environmental information! Children of primary school age are admitted free.

The weekend activities will again include guided wildflower walks (buses provided by Surf Coast Shire), supplemented by self guided walks with information posted on angairnatureshow.org.au. There will be indigenous plant sales, children’s activities and competitions, fauna displays, Environmental Agency and Community Conservation Organisations displays and information, and of course an extensive display of indigenous flowers including local terrestrial orchids. There will be many electronic displays to complement the physical displays.

The virtual nature show is also available online at angairnatureshow.org.au with themed collections of articles, games, walks, information and interviews.

Art works and photographic exhibits will be situated in the Community House. Anglesea Art House and Angair have recently purchased new display screens to enhance the artworks and improve visitor experience.

Catering will be provided by the local business Crave Brew ‘n’ Bar and the Anglesea Lions Club.

The organisation of this popular event requires a large voluntary workforce. If you would like to volunteer your services for a variety of tasks please contact:

admin@angair.org.au

Want to have your community group or project featured in Community Corner?

Email: newsangle@anglesea.org.au

Deadline for next edition: 15 August Edition 159 distributed from 19 September

Parks Victoria booth

Student art exhibition

Compiled by Deborah Elliot

Art abounds in Anglesea and surrounding towns. Below you will find a summary of the Art Scene in Anglesea for the next couple of months. Please go to each organisation’s website to confirm the details of the events listed below.

EAGLES NEST GALLERY

48 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet www.eaglesnestgallery.com.au

Housed in a stunning purpose-built building, they exhibit an ongoing display of local and regional artist’s artwork, plus bi-monthly exhibitions.

June/July feature exhibitions are:

• Signature Spots: Acrylic Paintings by Craig Penny

Craig is an award-winning artist who regularly travels and leads painting workshops nationally and internationally. These paintings depict a variety of scenes captured on Craig’s many road trips throughout the state.

• Currents: Oil Paintings by Jane Millington Fascinated with the healing nature of our waters, Jane focuses on creating delicate stills of moments.

• Telling Tales: Mixed Media Paintings by Helen Hewitt

Helen is a self-taught artist/illustrator and selfconfessed “detail-ist”. Her art predominantly reflects her love of the natural world, fantasy and story telling.

Gallery open 10am-5pm Friday to Sunday, 11am-2pm Mondays

ANGLESEA ART HOUSE

23 Cameron Road, Anglesea www.angleseaarthouse.com.au

The Anglesea Art House continues to run new and interesting classes and workshops. To keep up to date with what is being offered please see their website:

https://angleseaarthouse.com.au/

ANGLESEA SNAPPERS

The Anglesea Snappers Photography Club is a group of Surf Coast locals who are passionate about photography and the natural environment. The skill level of the group ranges from amateur to professional and there is no requirement regarding equipment. Members use everything from smart phones to sophisticated DSLR cameras. Some photos are edited digitally afterwards while others maintain the original qualities.

The Anglesea Snappers organise regular excursions, share their photographs for viewing at the first meeting of the month and aim to have a dedicated speaker for the second meeting of the month.

The group meets at 7.30pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Anglesea Community House, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea. The 1st Tuesday is “show and tell” and the 3rd Tuesday is a learning session. The purpose of the group is to share a love of photography, share our knowledge and learn from each other.

The convenor is Deb Elliott – 0439 686 585.

Facebook Group: Anglesea Snappers Photography Club.

ANGLESEA INDOOR MARKET

143c Great Ocean Road, Anglesea

There are many workshops at the Indoor Market. Please see their website and socials for details. To book into workshops please message Anglesea Indoor Market or call 0400 166 905

ANGLESEA PERFORMING ARTS

Anglesea Performing Arts is an independent theatre company committed to challenging the concept of what theatre is, by nurturing, making and producing work that is high quality, contemporary, collaborative, innovative, risktaking and edgy. See their website for upcoming productions.

www.angleseaperformingarts.com

SURF COAST ARTS TRAIL 2024: 3 - 4 AUGUST

Welcoming hundreds of artists ranging from hobbyists to professionals, exhibiting and demonstrating skills in mediums ranging from painting, sculpture and glassware to jewellery, ceramics, textiles and photography, venues will range from private studios to community venues and arts hubs, and will be open to the public between 10am-4pm each day.

The 2024 digital program/map is coming soon. For more information go to: www.surfcoastartstrail.com.au

AURORA - SECOND COMING

Poem and photo: Neville Millen

The Aurora came again last night

The best astral show I have seen

Magenta and purple glow at height

A slim lower band of vibrant green

Dark but for a single speck of light

The Aireys lighthouse shone alone

A beacon piercing through the night

Fully enveloped in an eerie tone

The sky was misty - looking yonder

It cleared - colours then flared bright

Streaks filled my eyes with wonder

A rare display for human sight

I sensed how men create their gods

In the illuminated heavens that shine

The Aurora lifts minds and also prods

The earthly witness to seek the divine.

MIA DYSON & THE ONE-NIGHT CHOIR

Members of the Anglesea Rock Choir were lucky enough to be part of the backing choir for Mia Dyson when she performed her original song Bleeding Heart on March 21st in Geelong.

The Choir arrangement was by our fabulous choir mistress Lucy O’Grady, who not only co-produced the video with Ruby Taylor, but accompanied us on the piano.

Check out Mia Dyson and the OneNight-Choir at this link: https://youtu.be/Hh3olfw--wY? si=iLab8ClTyl7JjEDe

Artists in Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and surrounds who’d like to have work featured in NewsAngle please contact the Anglesea Community House.

WRITE ANGLES

Our home town:

We all know that it takes a village to raise a child; but when a village decides to nurture its senior members that’s a very special place. And that place is Anglesea.

The business people look after us in many ways that go far beyond normal trading expectations. Our younger neighbours provide us with transport and friendship. We appreciate all of this, which makes living in our own homes an easier possibility.

Memories:

I like visiting the Lions Village as there are lots of memories of Stan in there. He was Brian’s builder’s labourer during the construction of all the buildings.

Later, he was the gardener and then the handyman. If he got a phone call late in the evening and I heard him say, “I’ll be there in ten minutes,” I knew that one of the residents had a blind that wouldn’t close, a tap the wouldn’t turn off, or some other problem.

Stan had learned the old art of dry rock walling while working at Deakin University after leaving his family’s jewellery business; and his rock walls are permanenttly on display around the gardens at the Lions Village.

Late summer:

Late last year I had been waiting about three years for summer, but when it finally came in a short hot burst, I didn’t like it. Is that climate change of opinion?

In hindsight:

Maybe we could have saved our old Senior Cits Hall if we’d known that numbats eat 20,000 whiteants every day. We could have let a few loose in there to have a feast.

Remind me:

We have to write contributions so far ahead of publication that I have to read Write Angles like everyone else to see what I’ve written.

In conclusion:

I recently read that Spellcheck is a wonderful aid. I disagree. I find it to be an annoying intrusion as it inserts alternative phrases, changes words, and often puts in American spelling. Therefore writers need to be vigilant in re-reading before sending anything.

Our family refer to these alterations as BSC - you can guess what the ‘B’ stands for.

Keep smiling!

Melva

Melva Stott