NewsAngle 162 Winter 2025

Publication of the Anglesea Community House

Scene 1, Take 1: The Anglesea Filmmaking Course

Penny Edmanson

The filmmaking course, held at the Community House during the Easter break, was a happy offshoot of the inaugural Anglesea Short Film Festival. The brainchild of Anglesea Movie Club President, Ev Wuchatsch, and generously sponsored by the Anglesea Movie Club, it involved two days of tuition under the expert guidance of cinematographer, Brad Clark.

Brad Clark, is an award-winning screenwriter and cinematographer, recognised by Film Victoria for his work in television and commercial production. Over the past 25 years, Brad has worn many hats—director, producer, cinematographer, and creative strategist—leading productions across television, music videos, advertising, and business marketing. As the founder of a successful production company, he has spent years creating cinematic visuals that capture stories, connect with audiences, and leave a lasting impact.

Thanks to the generosity of the Anglesea Movie Club, the cost for participants was kept to a minimum ($50) and the two winners of the short film festival were awarded places as part of their prize. The two-day course covered essential techniques in video production, editing and special effects and was designed to suit both beginners and those seeking to refine existing skills.

Advertised through the Anglesea Movie Club email list, fliers around town and Anglesea Life Facebook page, the course reached out to the youth of the district but was open to all ages. There were lots of enquiries and the final eighteen participants ranged from seven to seventy, with six adults and 12 children. Evelyn was a little surprised by this: pleased that it showed that age is no hindrance to learning new skills, but disappointed that the young adult and teenage bracket was not well represented.

Continued on page 4

Making a Difference

Beth Davidson OAM, President ACH

We’ve just received our annual Community Value report and while we know there’s a lot happening locally, this report has blown our socks off in the way it tells the story of the part Anglesea Community House plays in creating an inclusive, welcoming community. https://anglesea.org.au/about/#real-impact

It shows that for every $1 of income we raise, $8.75 is returned in community value, additionally every government dollar invested returns $38.73 community value. Our total income (from self-generated and gov funds) was $436,373. We returned $3,819,639 in value. We work hard to drive the dollars a long way, and this report demonstrates that we’re making a difference. We’re pretty proud of that!

These outcomes are possible only because of our unique model which provides the legal structure of support for so many active groups in Anglesea and district. Our model makes it easy for people with great ideas and energy to focus on the things they love without being bogged down by compliance and accountability requirements. This means that highly successful groups such as the Mens Shed, Community Garden, Movie Club, Community Choir, Rubbish Rangers, Repair Café, Surf Coast for Reconciliation, Community Network have become an integral part of our community doing what they do best, while ACH provides governance, legal and banking support for the boring bits. The volunteer contribution is assessed in the Community Value Report at $1.3M!

When you add our own programs such as Childcare, the Twilight Market, Resale Shed, Foodlink, NewsAngle and our recreation and leisure programs it’s easy to see ACH’s impact. While you may not be aware of it, most residents will be touched in some way by ACH activities. We’re pretty proud of that too!

Would you like to join us in making difference to our great little community? Perhaps you’ve relocated here in semi-retirement, or as a young family. Perhaps you want

Editorial

If you have feedback or comments about articles, or would like to make a suggestion for future articles please contact the editor at newsangle@anglesea.org.au or leave news items/notices for the editor at the Anglesea Community House.

Distribution

NewsAngle is offered free to the community. You can read a digital version online at anglesea.org.au/newsangle

to connect, make friends, get a sense of belonging and purpose without too many commitments? ACH could be the place to meet your needs too - a win win.

Have you thought about offering your skills to the oversight and governance of our small, active, not-forprofit organisation? We are just a few months short of our AGM so are turning our minds to how we make it easy for people to join us and get something for themselves at the same time. Our existing committee has a very solid foundation of skills, an enabling collegiate group, and a good workplace culture. New blood, fresh eyes and ideas help to keep us on our toes and are always welcome. We’d love to have you aboard. The time commitment is not onerous – made even more manageable by technology. Think about joining the team – you won’t regret it.

Hard copies can be found at local cafes/shops in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

Deadlines for next Edition: Issue 163 Spring 2025

Casual ad bookings 21 Aug 2025

Community Corner contributions 14 Aug 2025

Distribution 16 Sep 2025

If you would like to book an annual or casual advertisement, please email Julie at advertising@anglesea.org.au

Anglesea Community House

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

Ph: 5263 2116

Hours: 9am–2.30pm, Monday–Friday Email admin@anglesea.org.au

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.

She says this is something to consider when choosing the time and format of future courses.

The eighteen eager participants arrived at the Community House to be greeted by Ev, and to meet Brad. As this was only a half day session, time was of the essence. The day started with some theory and explanation about planning. Attendees were to break into four groups, appoint roles (camera, producer, director, and actors), construct a story, and decide on props needed for the next day’s filming.

Keaton Fawcett (winner of the senior category in the short film festival) said, “I particularly enjoyed learning about the elements that go into the movie before you even pick up the camera, such as storyboarding and script writing.”

“It was great to learn from, and work with, an experienced director,” he said. “During the course, I learned more and more about what goes on behind the camera and was really impressed by how much work goes into making films.”

Day two was even busier. All filming had to be done in or around the Community House with whatever props they could find to create the scene. One group dragged in a mattress. Others had model planes and toy weapons. All had the chance to dip in to a big box of wigs, hats and funny glasses which resulted in a lot of fun and laughter.

Filming was done in segments, with discussion on dialogue and script writing, interaction between characters and placement between takes. The afternoon was spent editing. Thanks to the speed and ease with which the younger participants handled the technology, this was done in no time. Brad then uploaded the four two-minute films for the whole group to watch.

It was a very busy two days especially with a bunch of super enthusiastic and lively youngsters in the mix. The noise, laughter and high energy was sustained by the morning tea and lunch catered for by volunteers from the Movie Club.

Despite mainly being strangers to each other at the start, the participants were certainly all friends by the end. They benefited not only from the course itself, but the interaction with people of different ages.

“It was a good way to meet new people and there were lots of interesting things to do,” Keaton said. “I’m looking forward to continuing my movie making interest.”

Another participant, 11-year- old Audrey-Rose Wilson, shared her reflections on the course.

“Mum found out about the Anglesea film course through a friend and signed me up to have a go. I learnt that acting is fun, but also requires a lot of takes to get a scene right. I also learnt that there are many different jobs and people who come together to make a film. My role for our film was the director and actor. I didn’t know everyone in my group when we started to make our film, but they were so much fun to work with.

“Once we got started, as a group we quickly realised that we needed to make our film idea much more simple, because it became hard to understand. My highlight was having to pretend to fart in the film, while someone else in my group created the sound effect. We were all laughing A LOT! I would love to do the course again, because there are still many jobs in the filmmaking process that I would like more experience in. I am keen to share some of what I learnt with my friends so we can make a mockumentary!”

We are lucky that despite the huge amount of organisation that it takes, Ev and her team are keen to run another course in 2025, possibly preceding the second Anglesea Short Film Festival. So, watch out for these upcoming opportunities, they are too good to miss!

Audrey-Rose

Keaton

Shares Available in Your Local Community Bank

In 2002, the second of two of the major banks closed its doors in Winchelsea leaving the town without any banking services at a time when the need for physical banking was very high. This meant that local people and businesses had to travel to either Geelong or Colac to do their banking. This often also resulted in people doing their shopping and using other services outside of the township, which had a huge impact on local businesses.

In response to the closure of the banks, a local steering committee was formed with an aim to establish a Community Bank branch, a locally owned bank branch, which operates under franchise to the Bendigo Bank. This involved demonstrating local demand by people pledging to move their bank accounts, and raising capital by people purchasing shares to establish a bank branch. This was successful and a locally owned public company was established with local volunteer directors and local shareholders. The Winchelsea & District Community bank branch was opened in 2003. The Community Bank branch was like no other bank branch, it was community owned, not only providing banking services but also distributing its profits back to the local community groups and shareholders in the form of dividends.

22 years later, the local Community Bank company, Corangamite Financial Services Ltd has grown to three branches in Winchelsea, Anglesea and Lorne, has 19 employees and nine volunteer Directors (four of whom started the original company), holds almost $500 million in banking business, and has returned over $4.5 million to local community groups across the Surf Coast Shire.

You too can own shares in Corangamite Financial Services Ltd. There are approximately 500 locally connected shareholders, many of whom are the original investors that have received annual dividends and are the foundation for all the good things that the Community Bank has done. These shares have been tightly held for many years, but as time has passed some of our original shareholders are leaving their shareholdings as part of their legacy, creating opportunities for new community members to become owners and continue supporting the local Community Bank.

If you would like to become a Community Bank shareholder or would like further information, contact us. You can drop in and speak to one of our managers at the Winchelsea, Anglesea or Lorne branches, call 5267 3189 or visit the Investor & Shareholder pages on the website https://www.bendigobank.com.au/branch/vic/communitybank-winchelsea-district/

Edible Gardens Tour

Helen Thomas

What’s It All About?

Many of us have heard of the Victorian Open Garden Scheme but are you aware there’s an annual edible garden tour conducted across Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven and Moggs Creek? Now in their fourth year, these tours focus on edible produce grown by local gardeners. These visits to private gardens have given gardeners the opportunity to explore what’s growing and share tips and information on the challenges and successes of growing edible produce.

These tours are part of Grow Free 3231, a community initiative where edible garden produce, seeds, seedlings, flowers, herbs and preserves are shared with the community. The Grow Free 3231 Edible Garden Tour, in partnership with the Community Garden 3231 where the tour begins and concludes with a shared lunch, has become a popular fixture on the community calendar and a highly anticipated event for local gardeners.

This year we were treated to three very different, interesting and productive gardens.

The Gardens

First stop on this year’s tour was Mario DePasquale and Maureen Flannery’s garden in Moggs Creek. Here we witnessed how a small, raised-bed garden, and lots of pots, produced enough food to supply Mario and Maureen throughout the summer with 15 kilos of tomatoes from a climbing vertical vine cleverly constructed by Mario. A variety of lettuces and salad greens and an abundance of fresh herbs, as well as other produce also flourished.

An interesting and unusual planting included in this garden was the pot-grown horseradish, which generated much

discussion. Lots of recipe ideas and tips for using it were shared. Another delightful feature of this garden was a tub containing a patch of luscious strawberries from Amsterdam.

Next was Jo Murray and Sue Guinness’ garden in Fairhaven. This garden, located on a steep block, has a small orchard in one section containing several varieties of apple, as well as pear, quince and pomegranate. Jo’s beurre bosch and pakenham pears are legendary and have produced many kilos of fruit over the years. Much of this delicious fruit has been generously shared at the Grow Free 3231 cupboard. The lime and lemon trees have supplied local preserving enthusiasts with so much fruit that we now have what is locally known as “the Aireys Inlet Marmalade Festival”.

A large part of this garden is fully enclosed within a sturdy wood and wire structure designed to keep out birds and pests. This garden has a huge variety of produce including garlic, lettuce, rhubarb, beans, peas, broccoli, silverbeet and berries including strawberries and raspberries.

Jo shared many tips about her challenges with watering, her love of worm farms and their advantages, and her ongoing fascination with the benefits of composting.

Our final visit for the day was to Anne Cloonan and Steve Thomas’ garden in Aireys Inlet. Anne and Steve shared the story of transforming the rather bare and denuded block they purchased in 2017 into the flourishing garden it is today. They have sculpted an interesting garden by retaining well-established trees and planting indigenous shrubs and plants around them. One of the most interesting features in the landscape design is the small intimate spaces, which also feature wooden sculptures made by Steve. The front garden displays dianellas with smaller purple flags and velvet bush. Pomaderris and coastal daisies also nicely complement the large trees, giving this lovely garden its shape and form.

The raised-bed veggie patches at the back of the block are filled with yummy edibles and are a fabulous example of what can be achieved through growing in small spaces. Steve explained the installation of wicking beds and all the challenges that were initially faced in getting this system up and running.

The garden beds contain tomatoes and rocket, lettuce, basil, pumpkin, beets, kale, celery and rhubarb. In pots there is a lemon tree and a lovely lime tree, surrounded by plantings of nasturtiums and mint. A smaller raised bed is dedicated to herbs and contains mint, oregano, parsley and thyme.

The tour was a huge success with the highly enthusiastic mix of both experienced and new gardeners. Recipes were

Jo Murray Talks Worm Farms

Twitchers’ Corner

shared along with stories of successes and challenges related to pests, vermin, drought and disease.

We Have Moved - Our New Home!

At the end of the garden visits, the approximately 20 gardeners and enthusiasts gathered for the relaunch of the Grow Free cupboard. Produce and preserves were brought along to share in the relocated cupboard and participants were told about the background of the initiative and the “take what you need, give what you can” philosophy that informs it.

Now located at the church opposite the top shops in Aireys Inlet, we have a new shelter to protect the produce and the cupboard from the weather. Designed and built by community garden members it is a sturdy structure made to weather the south westerlies.

Community members are encouraged to check out the cupboard, take some produce if you find some there, and leave fresh produce, preserves, flowers and seeds if you have some to share. If you’re not a grower, no worries, you can contribute by keeping the area tidy, or perhaps leaving small, clean jars for the preservers, favourite recipes or gardening tips.

We operate via Facebook as growfree3231. If you do leave produce, please post and let everyone know, so they can take what they need! All involvement and contributions are welcomed and appreciated in line with the philosophy of grow free as a community sharing initiative. If you are not on Facebook there is a book and a whiteboard at the cupboard where messages can be left.

Written and illustrated by Kaye Traynor

Dusky Woodswallow

Artamus Cyanopterus

Other Names: Beebird, Summerbird, Wood Martin

Wing: 119-133mm

Bill: 17-20mm

Weight: 28-41g

We have three species of Woodswallow in this area. Dusky, Masked and White-browed.

The name ‘woodswallow’ is misleading. They are not closely related to true swallows. In fact, they belong to the family Artamidae which also includes Butcherbirds, Currawongs and Australian Magpies.

The Dusky Woodwallow is medium sized, and generally dark brown-grey colour. Sexes are similar with sepia brown above and below, black wings with white streaks. The tail is black with a white tip. The underwing is pale grey. Eyes are dark brown, and bill is grey-blue with black tip, legs are slate-grey and short. Dusky Woodswallows are known to ‘wag’ or swivel their tails, a common trait of woodswallows.

Immatures: Nestlings are speckled cream and brown and become less marked as wing and tail feathers grow. The speckling grows out with the first moult. Their bills are brownish.

Habitat: Woodlands, forest clearings, paddocks with dead trees, open coastal and inland scrublands. They are communal birds and are often seen roosting and flying in small flocks, up to 25 birds.

Feeding and diet: Dusky Woodswallows have a diverse diet. They eat various forms of foliage and other grassy material found on the ground or in trees and shrubs. They will also eat termites, butterflies and other flying insects which they pick up on the wing. They also eat nectar from flowers.

Breeding: The nest of the Dusky Woodswallow consists of twigs, roots and other similar foliage matted together to form a bowl shape, which is lined with grass. It is positioned securely behind bark or high on a tree branch or sometimes in a hollow tree stump. Nesting occurs from August to January. They lay three ro four eggs which are white with purple-brown blotches, particularly at the larger end. Incubation lasts sixteen days.

The Grow Free Team

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

Urquhart Bluff - No Longer a Hidden Gem

Mary Bremner

Photo courtesy Michael Lawrey

This story starts with the erection of a sign at Urquhart Bluff beach. On Surf Coast Shire letterhead, it contained a Notice of Application for a Planning Permit from local surf school Go Ride a Wave Pty Ltd. The application was for “the construction of a single storey structure to store surfboards and equipment at the Urquhart Bluff Day Visitor Area (Great Otway National Park).”

Members of the early morning swimming group, the Dodgy Dunkers, were first to spy the notice, and comments were flying thick and fast on their WhatsApp page. Outraged swimmers called for mass objections to the Shire about commercial operations on the beach.

Other commentators, perhaps with an eye cast on the date for a decision: “not before noon on 1 April 2025” joined in the spirit of the joke, suggesting an upgrade of the toilets with running hot water, spa bath and sauna, bathing boxes and a café. Another wag called for the reinstatement of the rocket, with a slide into the ocean. (Locals with long memories will recall the windmill designed to look like a rocket, that incorporated a children’s slide).

This admirable April Fool’s Day gag served to draw attention to some very real concerns that regular users have about the popular precinct, known locally as “Urquharts”. Like many of our neighbourhood haunts, the spot is in danger of being loved to death.

The cove’s medium-sized waves and consistent rip against the reef and headland make it popular for surfers. The abovementioned surf school often takes advantage of the reliable break for its lessons. A ramp gives small boats and jet skis access to the ocean. In favourable conditions, swimming is possible, although not officially encouraged, as it is an unpatrolled beach. The rip has claimed a number of lives. At low-tide, the location provides access to the not-so-secret “Mermaids” rock pool. The long stretch of beach attracts dog-walkers and beachcombers, even while locally endangered hooded plovers nest in the vicinity.

Urquharts provides a stopover for trekkers on the Surf Coast Walk – roughly midway between Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. At low tide, return trips to Point Roadknight

and a loop-walk to Aireys Inlet are popular short hikes. However, it seems that the facilities at the dayuse area have not kept pace with this increase in patronage. In fact, some would say they have gone backwards. One long-standing resident told me, “I have noticed over the years that first the children’s playground disappeared, next it was the rubbish bins, then the showers went.”

The parlous state of the access road has drawn a lot of recent criticism. A combination of increased vehicular use, weather events and lack of regular maintenance, have resulted in ditches and pot holes that, at the time of writing, present serious hazards to motorists.

Despite this, in summer the car park overflows and vehicles park along the full length of the gravel access road, causing traffic jams. The neglected state of the toilet block and change room is another sore point with patrons. A natural phenomenon in the form of a huge blow of sand has left the picnic tables semi-submerged, forcing users to seat themselves cross-legged.

While signs clearly state, “No Camping,” campervans and roof-top campers can be seen there early on almost any morning of the week, with the car park full overnight in holiday periods. People hear about the location by word of mouth, and it seems that the chances of receiving a fine are low.

There’s no argument that you would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place to back up your camper. Waking to the sound of the surf and a glorious sunrise reflecting on the sand must be a special experience. Under the condition of anonymity, some of these campers spoke to me. They were a mixture of surfers from nearby coastal towns and people, including international visitors, passing through on longer holidays. They already knew about the spot, were told about it by friends, or stumbled upon it on their travels. One couple, from NSW told me they couldn’t stay in National Parks because they had a dog and with unpowered sites in coastal camping grounds nudging $40 a night, this was not financially an option. Official free camps are few and far between. They were prepared to take the risk of illegal camping, because, even if they did cop an occasional fine, they would still be a long way ahead.

Wondering about the long-term plans for the precinct, I established that the responsible body is Parks Victoria. In July this year, the guardianship will be transferred to GORCAPA (Great Ocean Road Coasts and Parks Authority). However, Parks Victoria staff will maintain their role in monitoring and caring for the land for a further 12 months.

Parks Victoria’s plans for the precinct are therefore only short term in nature, but their spokesperson assured me they include giving urgent attention to grading the driveway, digging out the picnic tables and repairs to fences. Recognition was given to the need for an upgrade of the amenities, but all that can be hoped for in the near future is a “sprucing” of the toilet block. I was told that these improvements are contingent on funding becoming available.

The lack of a connection to mains water is a limiting factor in any major long-term improvements to the facilities. The toilets are supplied with water from two header tanks that are filled by a water cart five times a year, with a small rainwater tank for back up. This is costly and explains why patrons are asked not to wash themselves or their wet suits in the basins.

Parks Victoria officers are aware of the defiance of the no-camping rules and have issued some fines. The rangers say their ability to lay fines is hampered because their inspections only take place during working hours, while campers are there overnight. One officer has contacted multiple free-camp websites and ensured that any reference to Urquharts was removed. Additional warning signs have recently been installed.

As far as the future of Urquharts is concerned, GORCAPA officers can offer nothing concrete at this early stage. It is notable that the facilities at this day visitor area are one, among many, that the Authority is inheriting in a dilapidated state. (If you are interested in the statistics refer to the GORCAPA document Asset Management Strategy 2023 page 26, available on their website.) Their future development will be part of the ongoing review of priorities for this new management authority as it seeks to protect, conserve and enhance our coastal environment for the enjoyment of all.

It seems our April Fools Day jokers will be waiting quite a while to see a spa bath, sauna and café at Urquhart Bluff.

A morning traffic jam at Urquhart Bluff

The Languages of Victoria’s First People are Not Lost

Helen Gardner

As Black American scholar James Baldwin stated, “Sometimes it takes a long time to learn a little”. This is true for those of us only recently aware of the reality of dispossession for Aboriginal people and the ongoing effects of settler-colonialism. Eager to learn a little more, over sixty people attended the Aireys Inlet Community Hall for a talk on Aboriginal languages of Victoria.

With the permission of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and following a moving Welcome to Country that was spoken and sung by Talia Hart, Stephen Morey, Adjunct Professor of Linguistics, launched into 90 minutes on the linguistics of the First Nations people of Victoria. As a teen, he hunted out 19th century manuscripts and word lists at the State Library of Victoria, seeking details on the languages of those on whose land he lived. What he found surprised him. First Nations people of Victoria had passed on much information to amateur linguists and anthropologists in the 19th century. Documents produced from this collaboration, sometimes spanning hundreds of pages, eventually made their way to Museum Victoria, where they sit as a trove of untapped details.

Morey noted that settler interest in language and culture died in the 20th century, as the policies of assimilation convinced administrators and the public that First Nations people and their languages had died out. It was not until German anthropologist, Luise Hercus, spent time in Victorian Aboriginal communities in the early 1960s that scholars learned language had been maintained. Yet it was another fifty years before language reclamation or reawakening began in a collaboration between Traditional Owners and linguists such as Stephen Morey, familiar with the linguistic treasures in the libraries and museums of the nation. Increasing numbers of First Nations scholars are studying their languages and the results are a gradual sharing of knowledge.

It is not clear how many languages there are in Victoria. Some 19th century word lists gathered by untrained linguists name distinct languages when in fact many of the words are the same. Therefore, determining where one language stopped and another started can be difficult. For this reason maps with language groupings are more useful than those claiming hard boundaries around a single distinct language. First Nations people were multi-lingual. A settler in northern Victoria wrote that the people he

knew spoke at least two or three languages but understood seven or eight more. By the mid-19th century those multilingual speakers who might have assisted with language questions were struggling with colonialism. Morey gave the example of a song collected from a man in Pentridge prison, illustrating both the harsh lives of First Nations people and the knowledge lost through settler colonial policies.

A German scholar, Wilhelm Schmidt, who probably never visited Australia, made the first serious attempt to group the languages of Victoria and indeed those of the continent using published journal articles and word lists in manuscripts. He classified the languages of the Kulin people (an alliance of five nations inhabiting a vast area of south-central Victoria) into east and west. The language of the Wadawurrung people (whose land is bordered in the west by the Painkalac Creek and encompasses Ballarat, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula) is now considered distinct from the eastern Kulin language.

Morey showed that there is no true one-to-one comparison between English and First Nations languages. The latter are grammatically more complex than both English and Latin. To illustrate this he compared English and Aboriginal pronouns and kinship systems. First Nation pronouns have complex forms of inclusion and exclusion difficult for English speakers to understand. Kinship systems are also different from English forms; in many languages people use the same word for grandmother and grandchild, and distinct forms for elder and younger siblings.

Morey held the attention of the audience for ninety minutes including questions. His detailed slides and complex information showed how contemporary language work, driven by Traditional Owners, can remake the landscape and the relationships of the present. This was echoed by the Uniting Church of Aireys Inlet which hosted the event. The church recognises it was complicit in the injustice that resulted in First Peoples being dispossessed from their land, their language, their culture and spirituality. Over the last twenty years the Uniting Church has sought to work alongside First Nations people in contemporary settler-colonial Australia. The lecture raised around $1200 for the reawakening of language for the Wadawurrung community.

A Passion for Passata and a Chat over Chutney

Helen Thomas

As part of the summer/autumn gardening calendar, Grow Free 3231 and the Community Garden 3231 in Aireys Inlet offered a series of food preserving workshops. For the third year Mario DePasquale and Maureen Flannery commandeered the DePasquale family equipment to conduct a passata bottling session at the Community Garden.

Passata is a tomato-based puree made thinner than tomato sauce and is a staple in Italian households. It forms the basis of many Italian dishes and is traditionally made in summer when tomatoes, ripened by the summer sun, are plentiful and usually at their cheapest! A few bottles of this staple in the pantry can last well if bottled and sealed correctly.

Under Mario and Maureen’s expert guidance the 18 participants, and three helpers, washed and pressed kilos of tomatoes through a machine. The resulting sauce was then bottled, boiled in a tin drum and left to cool overnight. The process was enriched by Mario & Maureen’s anecdotes of the passata making days they experienced with Mario’s family throughout the many years that the DePasquale family lived in Werribee and had a market garden. The family would gather to make the passata together, then feast at long tables in the summer sun while the passata boiled.

In keeping with this tradition the passata makers enjoyed an Italian feast under the vines at the community garden. The lunch included a delicious Napoli sauce made from a recipe passed down from Mario’s mother many years ago, which was shared with the participants.

Happy participants returned the next morning to collect their bottles of passata and begin the fun of exploring its many uses in their cooking.

Chatting Over Chutney!

In mid-April with autumnal fruits a focus, a rhubarb chutney workshop was also held at the community garden. Last year quinces were abundant at this time, but a long, hot, dry summer ruined many crops in the local area. Rhubarb, however, was abundant, leaving local gardeners looking for preserving ideas for the rhubarb they grew this season. The harvest from the community garden and contributions from local gardener Tonni Van Der Horst gave participants plenty of produce to make their chutney.

The group gathered around the pots and cleaned, chopped and spiced fruit to make the tasty condiment, which can be used to accompany cold meats and curries, be added to fillings for toasted sandwiches and much more.

The workshop discussed the differences between relish and chutney and offered the top ten tips for making chutney, along with some dos and don’ts in the preparation and cooking of chutneys. There was a quiz with prizes and while the participants stirred pots and the chutney was boiled, simmered, bottled and labelled, they shared recipes and tales of cooking successes and mishaps.

While we waited for the chutney to settle, we ate a delicious afternoon tea made by Heather McKee. The theme was continued with rhubarb cake and rhubarb compote with strawberries, as well as a beautiful rhubarb tart with pistachios being served. The many uses of rhubarb were explored and debated including rhubarb and ginger jam, cordials and syrups, crumbles, fools, and savoury additions to tagines and salads. One adventurous participant even suggested rhubarb gin!

As a local preserver, and a member of the Grow Free team, I was happy to take a break from quinces to explore the wonders of rhubarb. Coupled with apple, another wonderful autumn fruit, the finished chutney had a sweet, fruity flavour profile rather than a hot, spicy one. So for those of you who like chutney hot and spicy with a serious hit of chilli, this chutney may not be for you!

Many thanks to Heather McKee for her work developing and bringing these workshops to fruition at the community garden. Her commitment to the promotion and facilitation of shared partnerships across a range of community-based organisations and initiatives such as the community garden and Grow Free 3231 is appreciated and acknowledged. The aim is to promote and encourage community engagement and connectedness in an enjoyable environment amongst like-minded gardeners, growers and preservers and in the process produce delicious treats to share.

Significant Changes to Probate Fees

Probate is the legal process of validating a deceased person’s Will and in Victoria there has been a significant change to fees, impacting estates valued at more than $250,000. A tiered fee system has been introduced by The State Government and whilst many argued against the fee hikes, given the additional financial burden on grieving families, the new system is now in place and has seen an increase of up to 650% for the cost of some applications.

Fee increases have been introduced to cover the cost of managing larger and often more complex estates, which consume extensive court resources due to disputes over will validity, property rights, or disputes among beneficiaries.

Summary of changes:

• Estates below $250,000 will have probate fees waived

• Estates with assets between $250,000 and $500,000 will see fees increase from $68.60 to $514.40

• Fees for estates valued between $500,000 and $1 million will rise by 180% and those between $1 million and $2 million will rise by 250%

These are not legal costs but are called ‘disbursements’ which are direct costs incurred for probate at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

What does this mean for you and/or your family?

The affordability of probate is a key issue and may be a potential barrier to accessing the justice system. It may be particularly relevant where estate assets are inaccessible prior to a Grant of Representation being made, or the estate may be largely real estate assets with little or no cash to fund or reimburse an application fee without selling assets.

A named executor or administrator may be required to pay significant costs for the application fee upfront, where personal savings may be limited and they may be forced to consider obtaining a loan, credit card or access to superannuation.

Whilst the fee changes bring the probate costs in Victoria closer to those in other states, this change is significant and extremely important to be aware of.

Navigating the probate process can be stressful and it is incredibly important to review estate values carefully, considering probate fee changes and remember that any legal services sought will have an additional cost.

The following table provides a summary of updated fees:

and over, under $1,000,000 $1028.80

$1,000,000 and over, under $2,000,000 $2,400.50

$2,000,000 and over, under $3,000,000 $4,801.00

$3,000,000 and over, under $5,000,000 $7185.20

$5,000,000 and over, under $7,000,000 $12,002.60

$7,000,000 or more $16,803.60

This is a timely reminder to ensure your succession planning is in place and consideration is given to asset protection and executor and beneficiary needs. It is very important to liaise with professionals to manage the level of assets held in personal names to mitigate the potential impact on executors, administrators or beneficiaries in the future.

Council Plan Update

Cr Mike Bodsworth, Mayor, Otway Range Ward

Like councils all over Victoria, we’re currently working on our Council Plan and the associated Health and Wellbeing Plan, Asset Plan and Financial Plan.

The development of these plans is mandatory under the Local Government Act (2020). Some of the contents and characteristics of them are mandatory too, like the use of a ‘deliberative engagement’ approach in the development of the Council Plan and Community Vision.

In our case, a 40-person panel was formed to hear evidence about Council functions, challenges and opportunities, deliberating and developing principles to help guide Council’s decision-making.

It is a time and resource-intensive process, but it provides a great guide to community perspectives and priorities. I’m grateful to all who took part.

Caring for the natural environment and fostering greater involvement from young people were two standout priorities. Both were at the fore on 21 May at the Anglesea pub, at a meeting convened by the Friends of Anglesea River to discuss Alcoa’s application for a license to pump groundwater to fill the disused mine on the north side of town.

I’ve been excited to see the level of community interest –especially to see three generations represented at the latest Friends meeting.

I’d encourage anyone who cares about Kuarka Dorla (Anglesea River) to review Alcoa’s application, check out the information compiled by the Friends of Anglesea River (friendsofangleseariver.org) and make a submission. The six-week submission period should be open by the time this is published.

Another great opportunity for cross-generational collaboration is the Anglesea Community Plan. Local facilitator Helen Jennings has been appointed to help community members collaborate on a vision and steps to achieving it. There’s info on Council’s website, coming to letterboxes and through print and social media.

There’s also a drop-in session at Anglesea Bowls Club on 18 June from 4-6pm.

Finally, I’m pleased that Council has been able to upgrade the busy pathway between the end of Murch Crescent and the river.

The good news is that the path has been widened from 1.2 to 2.5 metres wide, making it much safer and less scary for walkers and riders to share and contributing to a more walkable and rideable Anglesea – something I’m passionate about.

The bad news is that the roomy new path still leads into a horrible chokepoint at the bridge, which is State owned. Council has been advocating for a better crossing, but I think the real advocacy power lies with community.

I’m keen to hear from people who want a proper, safe and roomy shared path across the river. You can email me at mbodsworth@surfcoast.vic.gov.au or call 0427 337 558.

Or you might like to make that part of your contribution to the Anglesea Community Plan.

Wonderful Reads with Great Escape Books

James by Percival Everett – Pulitzer Winner 2025 I grew up fascinated by the stories of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, horrified by the treatment of slaves (though I didn’t link this to the treatment of our own First Nations people). A story of these adventures, reimagined from the point of view of the slave Jim, was always going to appeal. What I wasn’t prepared for was what an absolutely incredible read it would be. Percival Everett introduces us to James the man, not Jim the slave. A man who can read and write, who knows how to fit in but who eventually has to stand up for himself and his family.

Thrilling from start to finish, James is poignant, insightful, funny, horrifying, poetic and thought provoking – written with such beauty and wit, it is quite simply breathtaking. Please read it! Review by Andi @ Great Escape Books

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Author of Migrations, and Once There Were Wolves, Charlotte McConaghy’s latest novel Wild Dark Shore is a masterfully written novel that captures the beauty of the natural world, explores the complexity of human connection and weaves in a gripping mystery.

On a remote island between Tasmania and Antarctica, Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of a former research station, home to one of the world’s largest seed banks. In the wake of a devastating storm, a womanRowan, washes ashore on the island and finds herself in the Salts’ care. When Rowan discovers that the island’s radio has been sabotaged, she realises there’s no way to leave and no means of calling for help. As sea levels rise and extreme weather devastates the island, Rowan and the Salts must overcome their pasts, learn to trust each other and work together to ensure a future.

With stunning descriptions of the native landscape and wildlife, McConaghy vividly portrays the current impacts of our climate crisis, crafting a beautiful, impactful, and immersive story. Review by Jess L @ Great Escape Books

Lyrebird by Jane

Caro Lyrebirds are remarkable creatures capable of mimicking almost any sound - other bird calls, car alarms and even human screams ...

When young PhD student Jessica hears a lyrebird imitating the harrowing screams of a woman pleading for help, she is horrified by the thought of who it might be mimicking and immediately contacts police. With no other evidence the case is closed – until twenty years later a body in the same remote area is discovered. Now Jessica and original detective Megan are back on the case and determined to uncover what they missed all those years ago. The truth is far darker than they imagined, and danger is closer than they think.

Set against the spectacular landscape of the BarringtonTops National Park in NSW, Caro delves into many complex topics, from human trafficking to climate change with awareness and respect. An original and compulsive thriller from a marvellous Australian author. Review by Jess L @ Great Escape Books

Signs of Damage By Diana Reid

Diana Reid crafts a gripping psychological thriller across two timelines, the present 2024 and the past 2008, around the obscenely wealthy Kelly family and their guests.

Signs of Damage pivots around Cass, an outsider, and friend to both Kelly daughters - Skye, beautiful, with the world at her feet and Anika, filled with rage. On the very first page we learn a body has fallen from a balcony. From this point onwards Reid skilfully weaves layers of mysteries around each of the characters, as she reveals their inner secrets and fears through an accomplished juggling of writing each of their points of view in first person narrative.

Set in a villa in southern France, waterfront Sydney and over a weekend wedding in Italy, you are kept enthralled by this masterful novel that entertains, and also examines the very real way suppressed trauma and grief can impact the body.

A marvellous novel, this would be great as a book club read. Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books

What’s happening at ACH

July, August and September 2025

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 5263 2116 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

Grounding of the Hereford

Jan Morris

A small piece of rope has recently been donated to the Anglesea & District Historical Society museum by John Richardson. What makes this piece of rope significant is that it was part of the sailing ship Hereford’s deep-sea line. It was kept by Charles Atkins, John Richardson’s grandfather and crew member of the ship, when it ran aground on rocks just out from Swampy Creek, or Anglesea as we know it today, in 1881.

The Hereford, was an iron sailing ship commanded by Captain McCarthy who had been in charge for sixteen years. He knew her strengths and weaknesses, the biggest of which was her slowness to obey her helm. Hearing they were getting close to the rocky coast, McCarthy ordered, “Drop anchor”. All 12 cabin and 37 steerage passengers and the crew then waited for favourable winds to carry them further out to sea. Two hours later, despite the anchor being down, the tide was dragging them further in. The decision was made to set the sails and try to sail her out to sea. The crew hoisted the sails and attempted to catch the wind, but it didn’t work. The helm did not respond, and the ship drifted further in. Then a loud grinding sound occurred. The Hereford was stuck fast on a rock platform.

George Noble, one of only seven Swampy Creek residents, was watching from land. Realising the Hereford was in trouble he rowed out and arrived as they were loading the first lifeboat. They attached rope from the lifeboat so George could guide it to shore and crew members were assigned to row. Those in the lifeboat were mainly women and children. They were landed on the beach and George directed them to his house. Eventually all passengers and crew were brought to

shore. Some went to Jan Juc, a few to Mrs Murray’s, but most ended up at the Noble’s house.

The resourceful Mrs Noble chopped up what meat she had, harvested as many vegetables as she could from her garden and put it all in the laundry copper to cook the largest stew you could imagine. To this she added rice, cooked in a large black pot over the fire. Dinner was ready for exhausted and hungry passengers and crew. The next day Cobb and Co brought out a coach full of bread to feed the crowd. Cobb and Co commenced ferrying crew and passengers to Geelong, from where they were able to go to Melbourne by train and report the disaster.

The Hereford carried a huge variety of cargo including plain and printed cotton, woollens and worsted, carpets and rugs, straw and felt hats, saddlery and harness, sewing machines, agricultural machinery, books, paper and stationery, horsehair seating and upholstery, iron bedsteads, pianos and lots more. Total value £32,700: a huge amount for 140+ years ago. Unfortunately, two men drowned recovering cargo. The Cobb and Co coaches were not empty coming to Swampy Creek, lots of sightseers were anxious to come, not just to look, but to see what they could find washed up on the beach. There were so many sightseers that Paddy O’Toole, a Geelong hotelier, established a publican’s booth.

The Hereford was later towed off the reef and repaired and used to trade between India and England.

Please speak to us about other volunteer opportunities, such as helping in reception like our wonderful Cheryl!

Local Profile: Phil Robbins

Penny Edmanson

Born in Brunswick and growing up in Strathmore, Phil Robbins is the eldest of three boys. For generations the eldest boy in his family was named Arthur, but Phil’s mother Gwen, a staunch Royalist, was adamant that her first born had to be named after Prince Philip.

Phil’s father, Arthur, worked at the Maribyrnong Munitions Factory for over 40 years and Gwen was a stay-at-home mum. With two boys only 18 months apart and another one to follow, family life was typically full of rough and tumble. Growing up, their time was mainly spent outdoors, enjoying the freedoms of childhood in the 60s. Phil and his brothers, Neil and Glen, would race billy carts, build cubbies, climb trees, and explore. Phil remains close to his brothers today, the three of them can often be spotted checking out the vibe at Point Roadknight before taking the plunge.

Phil’s connection with Anglesea began in 1961 when his parents bought a holiday house here. The boys would spend their holidays swimming and surfing, hanging out in old clothes and only occasionally washing! At that stage Phil would not have imagined living permanently by the sea and indeed it took a plane virtually landing on his house for that to come about.

Phil met his wife Jenny at a Melbourne Cup picnic. He wryly suggests that her interest initially was somewhat misdirected as he had turned up in his dad’s smart car and in addition, she mistook him for his brother. Nevertheless, love flourished. After living in Gladstone Park where they had a close shave with an air ambulance which crashed on their back fence, Phil and Jenny rented in Keilor before looking around the ‘burbs for a house to purchase. Serendipitously, on one of their regular weekend visits to Anglesea, Jenny suggested living here. Within twelve months they had bought land, built a house and moved in. It was here that their children, Jack and Tess, were born.

Well known in the Anglesea community for his involvement with Tai Chi, his ocean swimming and organising the winter solstice swim, Phil is a great proponent of mindfulness. The concept of being able to switch off the busy thoughts and be in the moment is not a new one to him. He reflects that even when he was a smoker, the act of stepping outside and lighting up was simply an opportunity to do nothing, to allow the mind to wander but not worry.

These days his mindfulness practice is linked to healthier pursuits which he is keen to share with others. After coming off second best to a rogue wave in 2020, Phil joined the Tai Chi classes at the Anglesea Community House as a form of

rehabilitation for a severely damaged shoulder. Phil had studied Tai Chi in the 1980s under Master Lin Xi Chan. One of only six Caucasians in the class of 40, the Master ignored Phil for the first year. In the second year he was honoured to receive a nod of acknowledgement and in the third year he was spoken to. Phil had earned the Master’s respect for his perseverance!

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art form. It has proven to be of value in the treating or preventing of many health problems. A low impact, slow motion form of exercise it improves balance, strengthens muscles and increases flexibility. In addition, the focus on breathing deeply and naturally helps to reduce stress. Mindfulness is at its core, an ability to “quiet the monkey mind” and be in the moment.

When approached by a life member of the Anglesea Bowls Club to run Tai Chi classes on their greens, Phil saw the opportunity to bring mindfulness to the wider community. He acknowledges the Club’s commitment to opening their space to the community and he in return donates all proceeds to Foodlink. Classes are held outdoors, weather permitting, every Thursday 9.30am-10.30am and newcomers are welcome. There are no restrictions on age or ability. Just switch off your ego, be in the moment and achieve to your own level.

The Ant Man Cometh

Helen Booth

Winter’s chill has descended and Anglesea couple Elizabeth Gooding and Les Barnes (aka the Ant Man) have already decamped to the rocky fossicking fields of the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. It’s an annual pilgrimage of adventure, enterprise and creativity. They drive over 11,000 kilometres, camp, dig for and trade in gemstones—apatite, garnets, zircons, sapphires and opals. Along the way they set up stalls at markets where they sell

gemstone jewellery and glittering insects that Les makes from gemstones, craft wire and sparkly fishing lures.

Les has always worked with his hands, starting as a boilermaker, moving to the more people-centred art of customised prosthetics and orthotics, then passing his meticulous skills and knowledge on to others as a lecturer and tutor at La Trobe University. In an earlier hobby, Les fashioned life-like Australian birds from clay and sold many at exhibitions in Melbourne. Several peer down at us from their living room perches: a beautiful Barn owl, Masked Wood Swallow and three Weebills.

So how did Les get from that hobby and illustrious career to making ants and insects from gemstones?

It started with the joys of fossicking in the outback with Elizabeth, a singer, writer and former teacher also known as The Zircon Queen, due to her keen eye for finding zircons in places no one else can. Eight years ago, while camping at Hart’s Range, east of Alice Springs, Les and Elizabeth traded stones with a woman who included in her bundle an ant made from gemstones.

“I knew ants,’ Les says, “I’d been studying them for years.” Elizabeth nods and laughs, “It’s true. He’s got a whole shelf of books about ants.”

“I looked at that ant with its googly eyes and two-segmented body and I said to Elizabeth, “That is so wrong. I can do much better than that!’”

Les worked on early prototypes and perfected anatomically correct, four-segmented garnet ants. He recently created his prized opal ant made from red and black opals procured from miners at Lightning Ridge and a green boulder opal he

found at Yowah in Queensland. The ant brooch glows in the sunlight with flickering reds, greens and blues.

“My ants usually sell for $30 to $50 but this one’s worth $1000 because those opals are precious and becoming quite rare.”

Once people saw the ants, they suggested Les make other insects, so he took on the challenge and has crafted many since, selling them in Australia and overseas. Some examples include a garnet centipede, a chalcedony and turquoise dragonfly, an aventurine praying mantis, and an oversized redback spider with a garnet head and an obsidian body inlaid with a stripe of carnelian. He’s even

made a red agate hermit crab with a shell sourced from Indonesia.

“My work is unique,” Les says. “Look around, google it— no one else in the world makes gemstone insects like mine.”

“And he is unique,” Elizabeth says, smiling with love and pride. “Les is a very unique man.”

To find out more about Les and his work:

• Listen to Les speak in a 2022 podcast at https:// podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/winton-opals-lesbarnes-the-ant-man/id1534473322?i=1000569575774

• Visit his Anglesea Jewellery Etsy shop at https:// www.etsy.com/au/shop/AngleseaJewellery

The Anglesea Dog Groomer

Helen Booth

Charli Bechmann is The Anglesea Dog Groomer. Her mission is to give dogs a calming makeover that puts a confident spring in their step. She opened the doors of her purpose-built salon in the garden of her family home at 18 Fernald Avenue in January 2025. Since then, a parade of over 300 furry four-legged clients of many breeds, ages, shapes and sizes have enjoyed a pampering bath, blow dry, cut, and pedicure. They leave the spa, happily freed from unseemly odours, troubling ear or bottom hair and any loose or matted fur.

“It’s really important that the dogs enjoy their experience here,” Charli says. “When we’re finished, I can see a change in their demeanour—their eyes are soft and warm, their tails wag, they’re playful and strut about, quite proud of their fresh new look.”

The business is a family affair. Charli’s dad Rob Bechmann has gone from previous careers in boiler-making, and bread baking to become The Anglesea Dog Bather.

“We’re a great team,” Rob says. “I lather the dogs up and give them a good massage, condition, rinse and blow dry before handing them over to Charli to work her magic.”

Both are well-qualified. Charli worked as a groomer after completing Certificate 3 courses at Geelong’s Gordon Institute in Animal Studies and Animal Care Services,

including Pet First Aid and CPR. Rob’s already long CV now includes an Intensive Grooming Course with the International Grooming Academy.

Rachelle Thom, Charli’s mum and Surf Coast Primary teacher, provides essential business and administrative support. “Dogs have been a much-loved part of our family life in Anglesea for many years,” she says. “Charli and Rob are born dog whisperers, so it seems only natural for them to team up and use their skills to offer this much needed service.”

Louie Bechmann is the family’s two-year-old crossbreed rescue dog. He watches longingly from his enclosed backyard as a daily procession of pups and dogs trot through the front gate, up the driveway and into the salon’s secure patio. Charli specified this area in her plans for the salon which Rob built. She didn’t want dogs waiting in cages and provides relaxing beds inside and on the patio. She also plans appointments to minimise numbers and waiting times. Once inside, the dogs are greeted with calming music, pleasant scents and Charli’s mindful, kind welcome.

“Dogs pick up on your mood,” she says. “It’s so important to be calm, positive and confident with them. And they all have such different personalities, so I have to find an

approach that helps me connect with and reassure each one of them.”

Once Rob passes the dogs over to Charli, they receive one hundred percent of her attention. As she clips and shaves, she chats to them, praises them and tells them how wonderful they look as their makeover progresses.

“I love my work,” Charli says. “I think I was destined for it, ever since the day I chose my first puppy from a litter of Staffies that belonged to our neighbour. Ruby was the smallest, the runt of the litter with a little white diamond on her neck. I was seven years old, and we had an instant bond that lasted until she passed away last year.”

Charli grew up in Anglesea surrounded by ocean and bush. She went to Anglesea Primary School and spent her childhood climbing trees, riding bikes, exploring trails and playing in the surf with friends and her dog Ruby. She and her brother Leni were frequent visitors to their grandparents’ farm where Charli loved to help care for the cows and their calves. As a teenager Charli worked in parttime jobs at the Anglesea Pharmacy and Rose’s Chinese restaurant.

Rachelle says it was these early jobs that gave Charli her strong work ethic, sense of responsibility and exceptional commitment to customer service. “I am so proud of her. It is quite an achievement for a young, 21-year-old woman to start up and build a new small business like this.”

While many of Charli’s canine clients reside in and around Anglesea, she also receives visits from holidaying pooches whose hurried departures from Melbourne and other parts of Victoria or interstate meant they left home feeling shaggy and in need of an uplifting zhuzh.

Most owners are required to drop their pets off for grooming, which can take up to two hours—plenty of time to visit the shops, enjoy a coffee or long lunch or take a solitary beach or river walk. Charli is now offering a free pick up and drop off service for local pensioners who are unable to drop their dogs off.

You can contact The Anglesea Dog Groomer on 0455 291 204 and @angleseadoggrooming (Insta and Facebook).

NAIDOC Week 2025: A Call to Action for Health Equity

Dr David Corbet

From 6 to 13 July 2025, Australia will celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week, an annual event that honours the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” underscores the importance of empowering young Indigenous leaders while acknowledging the enduring legacy of their ancestors.

While NAIDOC Week is a time for celebration, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a life expectancy approximately eight to nine years shorter than non-Indigenous Australians. They also experience higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders.

These health inequities are not solely due to individual lifestyle choices, but are deeply rooted in social determinants of health, including reduced access to healthcare services, education, employment opportunities, and experiences of systemic racism. Historical and ongoing colonisation has led to intergenerational trauma, further exacerbating health outcomes for Indigenous communities.

Culturally safe healthcare is crucial in addressing these disparities. This involves creating healthcare environments that are respectful of and responsive to the cultural identities and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It also means involving Indigenous

voices in the design and delivery of health services, ensuring that care is not only accessible, but also appropriate and effective.

NAIDOC Week 2025’s theme calls upon all Australians to support the next generation of Indigenous leaders in their pursuit of change and health equity. This includes advocating for policies that address social determinants of health, investing in community-led health initiatives, and fostering partnerships between Indigenous communities and healthcare providers.

As we commemorate 50 years of NAIDOC Week, let us commit to actions that will ensure the strength, vision, and legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are not only celebrated but also upheld in our healthcare systems. By working together, we can move towards a future where health equity is a reality for all Australians.

For more information on NAIDOC Week events and how to get involved, visit www.naidoc.org.au

Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club Welcomes New IRB Thanks to Community Bank Surf Coast

The Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club is thrilled to announce the addition of a brand-new Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) and motor to its life saving fleet, made possible thanks to the generous support of the Community Bank Surf Coast. This vital rescue equipment plays a crucial role in the Club’s ability to perform life-saving patrols and respond swiftly in emergencies. The IRB is an essential asset for water safety and beach patrol operations, especially along our challenging and dynamic coastline.

Anglesea SLSC President David Marsh said, “We are truly indebted to our wonderful sponsor, the Community Bank Surf Coast. Their support has directly strengthened our frontline capability. Their commitment to community safety and volunteerism is something we deeply value.”

In a special ceremony, the Club was proud to christen the new IRB in honour of long-time member and beloved Anglesea local, Col Anderson. A Life Member of the Club, Col has given decades of unwavering service and continues to play an active role to this day. Most notably, Col supports the Club’s IRB racing team in his role as honorary mechanic — a testament to his enduring passion and commitment.

“Col represents everything that’s great about our club — dedication, mateship, and a selfless commitment to helping others,” said David Marsh. “It was a fitting tribute to name our newest rescue boat after him.”

The Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club thanks Community Bank Surf Coast for their ongoing support of local organisations and helping to keep our beaches safer.

ANZAC Day with Anglesea RSL Sub-Branch (Inc)

Our ANZAC day Commemorative Service is an event we look forward to and we love how our community and surrounding districts join in to make it such a great day of remembrance. Numbers were up at our Dawn Reflection this year. We extend our thanks to The Anglesea Bowls Club and our fabulous talented Tristan Ross.

This is Jack Tucker, our newest Veteran to Anglesea, who resides now in Cordelia Grove. Jack will be turning 100 this November. Our ANZAC Service at the Aged Care Facility is always a memorable time for us. Hats off to the staff who also love what they do for the day and the residents really enjoy the talks with our Veterans on ANZAC day.

Photo courtsy Ryan Yokins Photography

Village Fair Fantastic Result!

Russell Taylor-Shaw

The 2025 Village Fair, held the week before the school holidays commenced, was a fantastic success. We had huge and very consistent crowds throughout the day. At one point the queue to get in was back to the front gate. It was wonderful to see so many people keen to donate and buy their raffle tickets. The stalls were a great mix of some of our old favourites, like the cakes and fresh produce, and books and toys, and new arrivals like the chocolate toss. People were able to enjoy hot dogs and burgers with Blackmans beers and Pondalowie wines while listening to the Anglesea Rock Choir, Ben Birchall, Superlike and who could forget our amazing students displaying their talents on the stage and dancing along to DJ Dollarbucks at the end. As always, the rides drew a crowd, with wristbands still being sold well after 6pm and squeals echoing all over the oval from the dizzy heights of the giant slide and the crazy spinning of the Cha Cha.

The school community came together in force, with all stalls and activities being fully staffed by volunteers. We had record donations for silent auction items and books and toys. Of course, we also owe a massive shout out to our generous sponsors, many of whom are school families.

Supporting the Grief Journey

Grief can be a lonely road, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Thanks to the vision of Nicole Andrews and Alison Henry, Registered Counsellors, local grief support groups are now providing a safe space for people navigating the loss of a loved one or of other significant losses.

The first group launched in Torquay in February 2024 and has a growing waitlist. A second group in Anglesea opened in February this year and has spots available. It meets fortnightly on Thursdays from 4pm–5:30pm at 71 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea (next to Seaside Seconds). A gold coin donation is appreciated.

We’re over the moon to announce that the overall profit for the VillageFair this year was $33,465.20. This is a 5% increase from last year and this was achieved without the extra pull of a long weekend crowd.

The funds were earmarked to be used for improvements to the indoor and/or outdoor basketball courts/ gymnasium (including possible resurfacing), which would benefit the school community as well as the broader community groups who also make use of the facilities, or for upgrading classroom libraries and providing extra resources for wellbeing spaces. We will now work with the school council to best allocate the funds accordingly.

A big shout out to the Village Fair organising team, a group of 20-plus parents whose work on the Fair began way back in October 2024. It was their months of tireless work behind the scenes that enabled the Fair to be the success it was. Thankyou to everyone involved in the Fair, whether you helped in the lead up, volunteered on the day or came along to enjoy the day and spend money to support our school.

These groups offer gentle guidance, validation, and understanding—free from judgement or empty platitudes. Participants receive insight into what’s normal in grief and where to seek further help if needed.

Grief workshops are also offered twice per term. To register or learn more, email: info@surfcoastpd.com.au.

Surfcoast PD Personal & Professionl Development is a local business owned by Alison and her husband Ross.

Community Rallies to Protect a Precious Waterway

Sophie Stewart

It began with a connection (through their wives) between two river-loving mates Dick and Keith who were holding their meeting at the Anglesea pub. Since then a multigenerational concerned interest group was formed when Tarryn, a PhD student ecologist/anthropologist happened to be working behind the bar and heard their discussion. Their shared concern for the river’s health sparked the conversation that has lead to the formation of the Friends of Anglesea River (FoAR).

The Anglesea River was known as Kuarka Dorla by the Wadawurrung people, meaning “place for good mullet fishing”. But decades of groundwater extraction by ALCOA have upset the river’s delicate balance, exposing acid sulphate soils which have led to feeder-creek acidification. Fish kills, harmed wildlife and degraded water quality since then have been noted. Professor Ralf Haese from the University of Melbourne, visited Anglesea and presented at the Pub to outline the link between these environmental changes and industrial activity.

ALCOA is currently seeking approval to extract more groundwater for mine rehabilitation (filling the pit). FoAR, with support from the majority of the Surf Coast Shire Council, is urging caution, warning that further extraction may cause irreversible damage.

Community involvement has surged, with FoAR’s membership growing rapidly across generations. River walks, poetry readings and music at Grow have us feeling glorious and engaged about bringing people together, while FoAR’s distinctive bumper stickers and artwork have been popping up around town. FoAR are planning a “Paddle In” to demonstrate community support for the river – keep an eye out for updates soon.

FoAR invites all residents of Anglesea and our surrounds to get involved: sign the petition, join the Paddle In, or make a submission opposing ALCOA’s application. Stay updated via https://www.friendsofangleseariver.org/ as well as the Friends of Anglesea River Facebook and Instagram pages and help keep the river flowing for future generations.

Lions Club of Anglesea Update

Betsy Newman

The Lionettes held a very successful April Fair in the grounds of the Sirovilla/Lions Village. The cakes and produce stalls, and Devonshire Teas were very popular with locals and visitors.

This was a fundraising activity with the profits donated to Anam Cara House, Geelong. A palliative care facility in the grounds of Deakin University at Waurn Ponds. In May, several Lionettes visited Anam Cara House to view their beautiful facilities and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. We were made aware of the range of palliative care services available to support people with a life limiting illness. This was a very rewarding visit which we followed with a social lunch at the Waurn Ponds Hotel.

Our next social outing was to support the Kithbrook community celebrate Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, raising funds for the Cancer Council. An amazing array of savoury and sweet treats were served in their lovely community building and several of our ladies were lucky winners of raffle prizes. We were well represented in our distinctive yellow shirts.

Unfortunately, the proposed Lions Club Charter Anniversary Lunch was postponed and our new members will be inducted at the next available date.

Many members are heading away during the colder months, but we are now in the planning stage for our next big fundraising event, the Pink Ribbon Lunch, to be held on Wednesday October 15 at the Anglesea Bowling Club. Thank you to everyone who supports our fundraising activities and we welcome enquiries about our Club and activities and are happy to offer our assistance where possible.

Contact the Secretary on anglesealionessclub@gmail.com or 0412 769 144

Additional Acronyms!

Miriam Hercus

Many thanks to those who reached out to let us know of the acronym for their organisation. Here’s a little table of updates to the big table that was published in NewsAngle Issue No. 161, page 29.

The updated list will be posted on the ACH noticeboard.

Acronym Organisation

ABC Anglesea Bowls Club

ADMS Anglesea & District Mens Shed

AGC Anglesea Golf Club

FoHPSC Friends of the Hood Plover Surf Coast

SCFHG Surf Coast Family History Group

Two corrections to the last list:

Acronym Organisation

EPA Environmental Protection Authority

FEO Friends of the Eastern Otways

One day when I was teaching a little girl told me that their usual classroom teacher was away yesterday and they had a replacement teacher who was an old lady with eyebrows on her chin.

I told a group of Prep, Grade 1 and 2 students that I could speak another language. When they asked me what it was I told them it was magpie. Every time I went into their room they asked me to speak some more magpie and after a while I could warble quite well. One day I went to school wearing a white blouse, black slacks and a black jacket, only to be told that I looked like a magpie today. One little girl looked at my over sized nose and told me I also had a beak. She was not being cheeky, just observant.

Jenna Crawford

Repair Cafe Surf Coast: Help Us Help YouClean it Before You Bring it In

Kate Long

The Repair Café Surf Coast is a vibrant community initiative helping reduce waste by repairing rather than replacing. Our skilled volunteers offer free fixes for household items including:

• Toasters, vacuum cleaners, bikes, and lamps

• Jewellery, sewing, and knitting repairs

• Knife and garden tool sharpening

We also operate a recycling station for plastic bottle tops, textiles, oral and disposable razor products, and plastic bread tags.

To keep things running smoothly and safely, we ask that all items are clean and dust-free before being brought in. A little preparation makes a big difference. For example, most toasters have a removable crumb tray—emptying it prevents crumbs from spilling across our workstations. Vacuum cleaners often just need a cleaned or replaced filter to start working again. These small steps can even solve the problem before you arrive!

Dirty or dusty items can damage tools and slow down our repairs. Please take a moment to wipe down and check your item before bringing it in.

A typical vacuum filter

Winter Repair Café Dates

Aireys Inlet Community Hall, 10am – 2pm Sunday, 6 July Sunday, 3 August Sunday, 31 August

Last items accepted at 1:30pm.

Is Your Home Fire Safe?

Tony Revell, Anglesea CFA Community Engagement Officer

With winter upon us, we remind residents of the risk of fires in your home.

Firefighters attend more than 3,000 house fires in Victoria each year. Many could be prevented by taking simple precautions to reduce the risk of fire.

In the Kitchen: Never leave cooking unattended, keep teatowels and flammable items away from the stove and keep grills, fans and cooking surfaces free from grease. Have a fire blanket available.

In Living Areas: Have gas heaters and chimneys checked, make sure heaters are off before going to bed or going out, always use a fire screen in front of an open fire and keep flammable items at least one metre away from heaters. Keep candles, incense, and oil burners away from anything flammable and matches out of children’s reach.

Wood Fires: Have your chimney checked. Ensure fire ashes are completely cold before removing them from the fireplace. We have also attended several house and shed fires caused by ashes.

Power and Appliance Safety: Never overload power boards and replace faulty appliances immediately. Use only approved chargers and check leads and cords for damage.

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

Smoke Alarms: Working smoke alarms save lives. It is law in Victoria to have at least one smoke alarm on each level of every home and near sleeping areas. Additional smoke alarms are recommended in bedrooms if the door is closed when sleeping. Change smoke alarm batteries when due and test regularly. Smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.

Help Us Locate Fire Hydrants in an Emergency

We need your help to ensure we have quick access to fire hydrants.

Hydrants located throughout Anglesea and Aireys Inlet can be identified by a white post with red and blue markings. The hydrant cover is white, and on main roads there may be a painted white pointer and blue ‘cat’s eye’ on the road.

Help us to locate them in an emergency by keeping the area around the hydrant clear of vegetation, ensuring it is visible from the road. Ensure that no cars or trailers are parked over hydrants. Report any hydrant maintenance issues to Surf Coast Shire.

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

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.

ANGLESEA ART SPACE

Shop 2, 103 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea @angleseaartspace www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/angleseaartspace

3-20 July: ‘Tracks’ – a community art showcase

During the winter school holidays, local students and community groups are invited to create artworks inspired by the species that live along our region’s walking tracks and beaches.

24 Jul-10 Aug: Nature’s Colours

A diverse group exhibition of local artists that will be open during the Surf Coast Arts Trail.

Please check the website and social channels for opening days/times.

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.

ANGLESEA SNAPPERS

The Anglesea Snappers Photography Club is a group of Surf Coast locals who are passionate about photography and the natural environment. They 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. When: 7.30pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at Anglesea Community House, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea. Contact: Deb Elliott – 0439 686 585.

EAGLES NEST ART GALLERY

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

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

Exhibitions: 7 June - 3 August 2025

Main Gallery: Sand to Soil by Craig Penny Mini Gallery: Coastal Recollections by Peter Smales Gallery open 10am-5pm Friday to Sunday, 11am-2pm Mondays

SAVE THE DATE FOR STORIES, SOUP AND SOURDOUGH

Literary Lunch at the Anglesea Bowling Club Sunday 10 August from 12pm-3pm Australian authors Kate Mildenhall, Lucy Treloar and Kgshak Akec in conversation. Organised by Aireys Inlet Rural for Refugees as a fundraiser for women in Afghanistan.

Stay tuned for ticket and RSVP info.

ANGLESEA PERFORMING ARTS

Anglesea Performing Arts has just wrapped production on Women of Troy, an emotionally charged and powerful production that brought together captivating storytelling and dynamic performances. Anglesea Performing Arts will be unveiling a second exciting production for the mid-year season. Follow @angleseaperformingarts on Instagram check: www.angleseaperformingarts.com for updates.

CINNAMONSART CONSULTANCY

Cinnamon Stephens is a well known Surf Coast artist who, in addition to producing her own work has been convenor at Anglesea Art Space and worked for many years at Eagles Nest Gallery. Last year she started CinnamonsART Consultancy.CinnamonsART Consultancy has been branching out around the region, “doing art differently” in a number of ways.

Cinnamon has been curating art in people’s homes, in spaces of wellbeing, Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library, and has now launched her Curated Sands series at the Sands Resort, Torquay.

You can hire her services to rearrange/curate your existing artwork, find fresh art suitable for your home or business, curate art exhibitions, and guide artists through creative crossroads.

Curated Sands

Calendar of showcases @ The Sands Resort, Torquay

July - August: Colour of Art, Peta Uthmeyer, Kaz Shirley and Lindy Banner

September - October: Threads that Tie us Together, Barbara Roe Hebb, Maria Cook and Roe Clapham

November - December: Lines and Details, Linda Hunter and Robyn Mackay

Open Stockroom

CinnamonsART Consultancy now has a studio stockroom full of examples of other artist’s work in Anglesea that is open by appointment and she has private Sunday Stockroom Soirees once a month. Join the waiting list and view the artists currently being promoted at: www.cinnamonsart.au

FOLLOW online@cinnamons_art.consultant

CONTACT Cinnamon on 0400 436 308 or cinnamonsart33@gmail.com

SUBSCRIBE to CinnamonsART news and keep up to date with the newest artworks available, art talks, studio updates, portfolio reveals and more

Surf Coast Arts Trail 2025: 2-3 August 2025

It is that time of year again; we are rugging up, enjoying blazing fires and anticipating the Surf Coast Arts Trail. For over 14 years, artists from the hinterland to the coast have opened their studios, sheds, galleries, and homes, welcoming more than 16,000 visitors each year.

The full program will be released in July 2025. Keep an eye on www.surfcoastartstrail.com.au for more program details and start planning your arts trail.

DIXIE CHOOKS ROCK ANGLESEA

On Friday, May 2 the back room of Klein’s Hotel Anglesea was abuzz with 150 people who came to hear the Dixie Chooks in concert. Our generous community came out in force to support the Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR) in their efforts to raise money for the Wesley Asylum Seeker Welcome Place Foodbank in Geelong. This foodbank currently supplies 18 refugee families on a weekly basis with their household grocery needs, as well as other vulnerable members of the community. AIRAR member Rosita Vila said, “We all know when we fill up our supermarket trolley that it either costs a lot more or we are getting a lot less!” This fundraiser will supply much needed funds directly to those in need via grocery purchases.

The Dixie Chooks are Wendy Ealy and Moira Tyers, a multi-instrumental blues duo who donated their services to support the cause. Their eclectic range of material traversed musical genres, and these two talented musicians entertained the audience with their stories of politics and protest.

As well as their own material they also gave us a few favourite covers including a beautiful rendition of ‘Into My Arms’ the Nick Cave anthem and a rousing version, albeit somewhat tongue in cheek, of Tammy Wynette’s country and western classic ‘Stand by Your Man’.

AIRAR Coordinator Celia Meehan said, “It wouldn’t be an AIRAR event without a raffle,” and the prizes, donated by generous locals and traders in Aireys Inlet & Anglesea, contributed to a highly successful fundraiser. Upwards of $5000 was raised on the night and will be used to purchase groceries. An AIRAR roster of volunteers delivers these groceries monthly to the Welcome Place Food Bank in Geelong for distribution to refugee families each week.

AIRAR extends thanks to all involved in making this night such a huge success.

WRITE ANGLES

Travelling:

My son drove through Gisborne over Easter and saw more kangaroos (and rabbits) than he’s ever seen in one place. The ‘roos were in groups of about 100 spread over 30 minutes of driving time and he estimated the number at around 2,000. It looks like Anglesea is not the Kangaroo Kapital anymore.

I spent a few days in Dromana to see my daughter’s new home. We went to the peak of Arthurs Seat in the gondola. I texted a friend, “I’m on the top of the world looking down on creation.” The swift reply was, “Don’t step backwards!”

A time of change:

We reached the end of an era in Anglesea when Paul and Corrine left the newsagency.

I thank them for their dedication to our organisations and local people - especially the way they cared for the older residents. Luckily, they are going to continue with some of their interests in our town - so keep a look-out for them. It’s the end of an era for me as well - after 35 years of writing columns and comments for newspapers and other publications, the last one was sent off in April this year, so I’m only continuing with NewsAngle now.

Tossing can be hard to do:

Hoarding can be a problem for some people - there has been a suggestion in a family close to me that they have a gene for it!

Getting older:

Age is just a number: Every month I have lunch with a group of long-time friends - the youngest is 83 (and that’s

not me). However, we had to postpone our last lunch because the 97-year-old was going to a meeting in Geelong.

A lovely story with a sad ending:

My house, on a rise, looked out towards a huge gum tree. Magpies had been nesting there for a long time, building their nest larger every season. At hatching time, the parents would come to our deck, and I’d put muesli out on a table. The parents took it back to their offspring. Each year, when the chicks fledged, the parents brought them to meet us.

This was a lovely annual happening ... until the Council removed the tree. With it went the well-established nest and the yearly contact with our feathered friends.

Food for thought:

Dim sims are a year older than me. They are a Melbourne invention and not Chinese. The first dim sims were made in 1940. I was made in 1940 too, in what is now Melbourne.

Yes, all right I’m going now.

Keep smiling.

Melva Stott