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PUBLICATION OF THE ANGLESEA COMMUNITY HOUSE

ISSUE 124 SUMMER 2015

Kayakers Complete Chilling Quest Anglesea Surf Club member and founder of Go Ride a W ave, Chris Porter, was awarded the Australian Geographic Societyâ€™s Adventurer of the Y ear award for his part in a 500km paddle around South Georgia Island. Here he concludes his three-part series about this astonishing adventure on the path of the great Shackleton expedition. It was a day that I will never forget. It was time to head off into the (relatively) unknown. I suppose that happens when you have such a unique experience. Highlights Anglesea Tourism

In Praise of Picnics

Holiday Programs

Great Summer Reads

Outback Adventure

Kidsâ€™ Bushfire Education

Community Houses are for Everyone

If I close my eyes and draw back to that morning, I can still feel the cold wind, I can see the low hanging grey clouds and the mist enveloping the British Antarctic base at King Edward Point. It was seriously cold. We pulled on our woollen thermals and wormed our way into our dry suits, donned our hoods and gloves and, after an hour of packing our kayaks, we slid - with a slight bit of trepidation - into the freezing water. Over two years of planning had culminated on this day. What was in front of us? How cold would it be? What was it going to be like on the treacherous south coast?

We paddled out of Cumberland Bay into a stiff headwind and skirted small pieces of ice that had broken off glaciers way up at the head of the bay. It was cold. Only my eyes were exposed to the weather and they were watering, making it hard to see the pieces of ice in the choppy water. After three hours of paddling hard against the headwind, we finally rounded Larsen Point and were into the Southern Ocean. Another two hours and we had our first campsite in view, Hercules Bay. For the first time the wind dropped, as we paddled into a sheltered bay and made for the tiny beach a kilometre in. We pulled our kayaks up the rocky beach and set about making camp whilst the sleet settled on all our gear. Very quickly the weather worsened and we learnt our first lesson about the weather in these polar environments. Kayak Quest continued page 5> 1

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

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

Advertisers If you wish to book a casual or annual advertisement for 2016 please request an Order Form by email.

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

Distribution NewsAngle is free of charge. It is delivered to permanent residents in Anglesea and those with Aireys Inlet Post Boxes. Copies are available from Anglesea IGA Supermarket, Maid's Pantry, Information Centre, Aireys Inlet General Store and Post Office and various other locations. NewsAngle can also be downloaded at: anglesea.org.au/news/newsangle

Deadlines Issue:

125

Casual ads:

22 Feb

Articles/Contributions :

22 Feb

Subject to availability of space Distribution:

21 March

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

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

News from the House By Alex Leknius, Anglesea Community House Coordinator

Jan Morris Honoured At our AGM in October we awarded Life Membership to our much loved and respected Jan Morris in recognition of her service to the Community House. She has been an inspiration to many people both at the Community House and within the Anglesea Community.

As you read this I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather, the longer summer evenings and spending some of your leisure time reading the interesting articles in NewsA ngle! It is also the fire season. Whether you are a permanent resident, a weekender or a visitor to the area, you should have a fire plan and know what you will do if a bushfire starts. For help understanding your bushfire risk and how to get prepared for summer, visit emergency.vic.gov.au, download the FireReady app or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

Jan joined the Community House in 2001 and has, except for a short period, been an active member of the Committee for 13 years. She has acted as Secretary, Chairperson for three years and Treasurer for four years. She has been a major contributor to NewsAngle – having been a writer for more than 10 years and editor/manager from 2007-13. During this time the publication grew both in size and reputation. I have been privileged to work alongside Jan at the Community House and congratulate her on receiving this accolade.

The catering provided by garden members was very yummy! Jane Edmanson was a very entertaining guest speaker. For a full report see page 21.

Save Money on Bills The Community House ran a workshop recently on how to save money on utility bills. If you have a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (or other eligible card) you can access a range of concessions on items such as annual electricity, water and sewerage, municipal rates, as well as non-mains energy concessions, which includes LPG gas and firewood (if it is the only source of heating in your home) and non-mains water. To find out more about these concessions, log onto www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/ financial-support/concessions/ brochures

I attended the opening of Anglesea’s new community garden shelter.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to welcoming you to the Anglesea Community House in 2016.

It was a most enjoyable spring evening.

Alex

New Garden Shelter

REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE

Anglesea Re-Sale Shed Open 10am - 2pm Every SATURDAY You’ll find us at the Anglesea Transfer Station BRIC-A-BRAC & REUSABLE GOODS FOR SALE SECOND-HAND FURNITURE - HOUSEHOLD ITEMS - TOYS ALL ITEMS SOLD AT A REASONABLE PRICE Money raised from the Re-Sale Shed is donated to local charities.

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Kayakers Complete Chilling Quest <Continued from page 1

Within five minutes the wind was gusting to 80kph and the wind chill had dropped to -10 degrees. We quickly placed sizeable rocks on our kayaks to stop them blowing down the beach and further strengthened our tents by double poling them (placing two poles through every sleeve). It was an interesting night. Dinner was cooked inside the tents and it was very nice to slide into a warm sleeping bag for the few hours of darkness. This beach was so small, probably 300m long and only 50m deep, but it was our first encounter with the wildlife. There was a small colony of King Penguins sitting next to the waterfall and they were surrounded by a few Gentoos and Macaronis.

Although it was cold, wet and windy we spent an hour watching their antics ... little did we know that we were soon to come across colonies of a few hundred thousand penguins over the next few days. Life in this environment is tough and man can’t live here full time. We had timed our expedition to coincide with

Chris Porter was overcome with a sense of wonder at the millions of seals, penguins and birds that were so prolific on South Georgia Island.

the few weeks of summer where the snow melts and recedes a few hundred metres back up the mountains.

paddling but because of the pristine, wild and diverse environments, through which we travelled.

We had read many articles about the weather and the wildlife but nothing can prepare you for its abundance.

So many things happened. Every day we had a once in a lifetime experience and in a small space I can’t begin to describe even one percent of the things we did or saw.

This is truly one of the most amazing places on the planet. I had come here to attempt the most challenging sea kayak expedition on the planet but was overcome with a sense of wonder at the millions of seals, penguins and birds that were so prolific and now totally untouched by humans. Over the next two weeks as we made our way around the island we all developed a very strong attachment to this place not because of the amazing

Imagine paddling out to and running your hand down the face of an iceberg. It is a surreal experience. On that particular day there was not a breath of wind or a cloud in the sky. The water was the most beautiful aqua colour and every time we rounded a headland we were greeted with the most amazing vistas. We stopped and just took it in, not a word was spoken … from mountains towering 3000m straight out of the ocean and glaciers carving into bays, to fur seals frolicking around our kayaks and the magestic wandering albatross circling around our kayaks as we paddled. Yes, there were days of sleet, katabatic winds, sub-zero wind chill but we had all found that South Georgia Island was a paradise and one that I can’t wait to visit again. If you are interested in our trip and want to find out more, you can contact me (Chris) at c_porter@bigpond.net.au

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Anglesea Destined to be the Place for ‘Fun and Adventure by the Sea’ By Terrence Hoffmann

Business and Tourism Anglesea (BATA) is an association for local traders working in the tourism industry and related areas. Raylene Fordham, owner of Anglesea Backpackers, is President, and Justin Morris, manager of the Anglesea Beachfront Caravan Park, is Vice President. Both have recently been involved with developing the new ‘Anglesea Destination Plan’ and are bubbling with enthusiasm about what this means for the town. They have been working with the Surf Coast Shire and also Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT) to prepare a master plan for the region that extends from Torquay to the South Australian border. A core strategy is to recognise that visitors to the region are attracted to destinations in order to have experiences there.

With a newly launched website and the “Anglesea Adventure” brand, it’s hoped that this destination will appeal to families with young children wanting to try new things, explore the environment, and learn from the many fun challenges that are here for them.

destination, they will arrange to stay for a short holiday rather than simply pass through on the way to another place, such as the 12 Apostles.

There are so many things to do in and around Anglesea, especially with such a rich and diverse natural environment. The surrounding heath, bushland and reserves provide contact with unspoilt nature that is unique. Some will want to observe and walk through these areas, others may like to cycle or mountain bike their way around.

Then there is the coastline and marine waters to explore. Fishing, swimming, surfing and simply walking across rock shelves full of sea life are pleasures not widely found. The river estuary is an attractive area for boating, kayaking and walking. The various camps and local sporting clubs offer a diverse range of activities to try. Golf, lawn bowls, tennis, plus activities that are popular at the camps such as rope climbing and team sports are all there to enjoy.

The Surf Coast Walk is a highly used nature-based attraction, that runs from Torquay to Aireys Inlet, with hopes to extend this on to Lorne. The trail is intended to attract people to stay for a night or so at each town to which they walk, seeing the environment up close and at human speed. With increased numbers of people staying in Anglesea, the list of things to do is growing.

Anglesea was selected as one of eight towns or regions on the Great Ocean Road to develop a new Destination Plan. The focus is on promoting towns along the Great Ocean Road to increase tourism spending but not necessarily tourism numbers. To do this, each town has developed their individual “brand/identity” that makes each town different from the rest. For Anglesea, this is a focus on outdoor activities and adventure. It is believed that once people are attracted to this 6

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Fun and Adventure by the Sea Tourists have been visiting the golf course for many years to observe the famous kangaroos. There are now tours of the golf course to see the mobs of kangaroos from a motorised cart. The bike shop ‘Trailhead’ now hires bicycles at a daily rate because people want to cycle around the town but don’t have room in their cars to bring everything with them. Anglesea draws more than 100,000 tourists a year who stay in town. You would think it was fully booked all the time. But that is not the case. The peak periods are always very busy and will remain so as long as our holidays remain the same. It’s the offpeak times that need more people to stay. If they did, there would be more full-time jobs for local people, with the work being spread more consistently over the whole year. In 2016 Business and Tourism Anglesea (BATA) will be part of an

Anglesea will be promoted as the place for ‘Fun and Adventure by the Sea’ as part of a tourism destination plan by Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT) and Business and Tourism Anglesea (BATA).

event called KAOS Anglesea (Kids Adventures OutdoorS) running Saturday/Sunday 2-3 April. This will attract children of various ages, encouraging them to try out things “in nature” that they may not have tried before. Parents can participate too in some activities. There will be lots to do at introductory and more advanced levels.

Keep an eye out for more information or visit www.kidsadventureoutdoors.org.au and click on the Anglesea tab to see the vast range of things on offer. Don’t forget that all these adventures are close by and you are welcome to try them out too. Tourists shouldn’t have all the fun!

Business and Tourism Anglesea (BATA) helps promote business and tourism in Anglesea. It speaks to the Surf Coast Shire, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and other government agencies to advocate on behalf of Anglesea what it believes is necessary to improve our town. BATA has done a wonderful job of late where it has campaigned for improvements to our shopping centre streetscape. It advocates for things such as the upgrades to toilet blocks, improvements to parklands, removal of graffiti and rubbish, and other things in order to ensure that our town is looking great. If you would like to join the BATA committee or discuss anything with them, they are always willing to listen. Contact: raylene@survit.com.au www.facebook.com/Business-andTourism-Anglesea/261269493890744

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In Praise of the Picnic By James Bell

There’s an old aboriginal midden high on the cliff top overlooking the mouth of the Painkalac Creek at Aireys Inlet. It takes a bit of scrub bashing to get to it from the walking track that winds up to the lighthouse. But it’s a fabulous view when you get there. Just imagine a group of aboriginal families sitting by their small fires roasting shellfish and gazing out over the beach, sea and hills as the sun set in the west. Maybe there were strategic reasons for setting their cooking site on such a prominent viewing place, but I’d also like to think that they were there because they loved the view. Ah, eating in the great outdoors amid the splendour of nature. We used to do it quite a bit ourselves once. Remember picnics?

In a time before today’s ubiquitous cafes; before lattes, frappes, cappuccinos, mugochinos, baby chinos and soy chais: before all-day breakfasts, take-aways, seafood buffets, parmas and pizza … we used to go on picnics.

brie and nutty parmesan, smoked chicken, fabulous salads … you get the idea.

“Simple but splendid” will be our motto. And we’ll go beyond the obvious public open places. We won’t need tables or playground equipment. We’ll head out into nature well and truly. Head for the unusual, the hidden, the picturesque. A little rocky grotto out near the tip of Point Roadknight. A small grassy clearing off the walking track above Urquhart’s Bluff; a shady glen by the side of Love’s Track up the

Bambra Road; or we’ll eat dangling our feet off the rocks at the mouth of Grassy Creek. It will be impromptu. (It takes no time to whip into the supermarket or store and get our provisions. It will take 10 minutes.) It will be “in situ”. We may end up eating at places that nobody has “dined” at for 200 or 2000 years. It will be memorable. Rain hail or shine. We’ll look back in years to come and say, “Remember the fantastic picnic we had on that rocky outcrop up the Bald Hills Road? Gee that was a meal to remember. What a sunset! What a fantastic Semillon! And how good was that gorgeous smoked eel pate?”

Every family car had a picnic rug in the boot. Every picnic basket had a battered old shortbread tin full of biscuits. Sandwiches were filled with stras and sauce or Kraft cheese and Vegemite or slices of yesterday’s roast lamb or a simple cold grilled snag. There were well-worn Bakelite cups and plates and a tartan Thermos with a dented metal lid. Natty little salt, pepper and sugar containers. A small corked bottle with enough milk for the cups of tea. Kiaora cordial for the kids. A bottle of beer for Dad, if he was lucky. Splendid stuff. I think it’s high time we re-visited and re-invented the picnic. Time to turn off the television, cruise past the cafés, the pubs and the takeaway shops and head for somewhere “out there”. Okay, we’ll go up-market a bit with the menu. This time it will be gourmet dips, artisanal breads, antipasti, gooey NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

Summer Holiday Fun in Anglesea Holiday programs and activities abound in Anglesea during Summer. Of course, surfing with Go Ride A Wave is always popular, but there many other activities that you and your family could try these holidays. Here we look at just a few ... DISCOVER THE COAST WITH ECO-LOGIC By Jenna Crawford

Eco-Logic was started in Anglesea in 1996 to provide environmental tours, in response to a noticeable gap in the market for environmental education. Today the business employs 20 staff who are not only suitably qualified but share one basic quality: PASSION! Eco-Logic promotes the philosophy that eco systems of the Surf Coast need to be cared for and nurtured in order to remain sustainable, and they have tailored many exciting and fulfilling activities to promote this goal. They specialise in nature-based, experiential learning to enhance participantsâ€™ knowledge of the heathlands, forest and coastline along the Great Ocean Road.

Activities For All Eco-Logic has activities to suit families, teenagers, children, youth and backpackers, as well as school groups

and specialist groups that may be accommodated in any of the camps in the area.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding pr ovides an opportunity to develop skills on stand-up boards on flat-water rivers.

They also liaise with the Wadawurrung elders to teach participants the significance of the environment to our indigenous occupants and the respect and harmony that is considered crucial to maintain sustainability.

Canoe Discovery Paddles lead guided adventures through the network of canals leading from the Anglesea River and the Aireys Inlet Estuary.

Extensive environmental programs for the general public are offered during Summer school holidays and other holidays, dependent on demand. Ocean Snorkelling is an exciting way to safely explore the secrets of the sea and marine life. Rock Pool Rambles ar e held at Point Addis and the Eagle Rock Marine Sanctuary in Aireys Inlet, teaching about the inter-relationships that exist between beach creatures. Participants can safely handle crabs and sea stars.

DISCOVER THE COAST THIS SUMMER

The Fossil Safari pr ovides exploration of the geology of the coast, its formation and changes that have occurred. Discover fossilised remains of marine life and engage in the making of plaster models, which can be taken home and shared. Learn about the wonders of our unique bush animals and their different behaviour during day and night times. Look at tracks and listen to calls. The Spotlight Night Tour explor es the nocturnal behaviour of bats, owls and possums, while a Bush Tucker experience aims to develop greater understanding of our indigenous culture and its contribution to sustainability. Eco-Logic also conducts 40-minute tours of the Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, with lighthouse stor ies, local history and exposure to the magnificent 360-degree coastal views. Tours begin on the hour during Summer 10am - 4pm and Winter 11am - 2pm. Take the opportunity to enjoy some of these terrific activities by contacting Sharon Blum-Caon (Manager) or Regina Gleeson (Assistant Manager) on 5263 1133 or www.ecologic.net.au

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Summer Holiday Fun in Anglesea IT’S FUN TO PLAY OR STAY AT THE YMCA By Jenna Crawford

The great outdoors just became greater for me after my visit to the YMCA Recreation Camp, which is perfectly located on crown land by the famous Great Ocean Road.

The Surf Coast location, with its spectacular coastline and beaches, surrounded by expansive rainforest, makes it the perfect place to explore and develop skills in settings of sand, sea, surf, bush and mountains. The learning framework offered at the YMCA aims to fulfil three achievable goals: 1. Enhance personal growth. 2. Strengthen a sense of community. 3. Connect participants with their natural environment. It is hoped that participants will build memories for life and that future reflections on those experiences will bring a sense of joy, happiness and accomplishment.

Many of the activities rely on resilience and positivity, whilst experiencing new and challenging activities. People learn to set personal and group goals and try to achieve them whilst taking responsibility for their own actions and interacting collaboratively with others. This can result in the development of new friendships and enhancement of existing ones. Some of the activities offered at the Anglesea YMCA are:  Climbing wall  Archery  Swinging on a giant swing  High and low rope courses  Canoeing  Mountain biking  Nordic walking with poles  Skateboarding  Orienteering  Crate climbing over recycled milk crates  Vertical challenges  Cliff-top walking  Hut building  Overnight hiking  Exploring the estuaries

Underhanded

Many of these activities aim to introduce and foster the love of the natural world in which we live.

Participants are exposed to and learn about the local eco-systems and human impact upon them. Hopefully, this makes everyone more aware of their responsibilities to protect and treasure the environment. People staying in any of the three, comfortable, heated accommodation blocks will have the pleasure of eating delicious, healthy food that is all homemade. You will not find fried food on the menu, and there is an absence of preservatives in the cooking. The meals are all approved by Nutrition Australia and provision can be made for special dietary requirements. Qualified and carefully screened employees and volunteers offer a safe environment for a diversity of groups and individuals, including school children, culturally diverse, people with disabilities (the camp is wheelchair friendly), older persons, church groups, youth groups and indigenous Australians. Manager of Anglesea YMCA, Vicki Chrzanowski, enthusiastically told me what the camp has to offer, and I am grateful to her for her hospitality. I urge you to visit the Anglesea YMCA facility to either enjoy some of the activities on offer or witness the joy on the faces and the laughter shared by others who are being active in the great outdoors.

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Summer Holiday Fun in Anglesea <Continued from page 11

GREAT OCEAN ROAD ADVENTURE TOURS (GORATS) By Simon Williams

We had just stopped at the top of the Currawong Falls circuit after a tough 5km climb, to wait for the rest of the group. The boys were covered in sweat, tired but proud to have made it to the top. Bikes and helmets were laid down to rest. Water bottles drunk and refilled. No wind stirred, silence in the bush. “Quiet boys,” I say, “did you hear that?” The laughter stops, the bragging stops, we all listen. I let go a ripper, laughter resumes. The rest of the group arrives. I look across to the other instructor, nod, talk about the ride down, get serious for a moment with the group. Helmets on, clipped up, and bikes mounted. One by one we tear down the single track to the falls, living in the moment, loving every moment. Welcome to GORATS. As a Ferrari-driving wedding photographer said to me once, “It’s not about the photos, it’s about the experience.” At GORATS every job we do is unique, fun and challenging. Whether it’s mountain biking through bush, canoeing down a quiet river, or getting your legs ripped out in a spin class, we will bring it on! We look at the clients’ needs, group size, location and budget, and customise an experience to suit. I once took a women’s group paddling down the Aire River, where they brought a beautiful lunch to share. Sitting on the grass near the river, an older lady looked up at me and said, “This is one of the best days of my life!” Tick. To me there is no option but to give the best. This coming summer, we will be running lots of activities on our coast and in the bush. HQ will be at Trailhead bike shop in Anglesea, which I share with Ari. From there we hire out a great range of bikes (which are also available to demo if thinking of buying from us) and run tours. We also do spin classes from the footy club (yes pain), hire out canoes in Aireys through the Holiday Park with Terry and Avis, and have our regular ‘Big Hill Down Hill’ ride in Lorne, working with Go Ride A W ave. Programs and options will be posted on our website www.gorats.com.au and thr ough Facebook and Instagram. We are also available for custom group bookings. So give us a call 0417 576 973, drop in for a chat at the shop, or go online (see our ad above right). Boom! Sime- Dog 12

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ANGLESEA ART HOUSE

January ‘Art Bash’ for Kids By Liz Clark

During the normal course of a year, the Anglesea Art House, tucked away in Cameron Road, is fairly quiet, although within its four walls many artistic endeavours are brought to fruition through hard work and varying ranges of creative talent. So, a casual visitor could walk in on any given day to find groups of people taking painting lessons, making glass, printing, working clay, cutting tiles, or participating in a range of classes. They could also enjoy a browse around the room, or a shopping spree, as craft and artworks are available Kids are invited to Anglesea Art House through January to have for sale at very fun with art. reasonable prices. part in a variety of artistic challenges Usually there is the buzz of quiet making masks, china painting, chatter, sometimes background music, weaving, mosaics, card making, and always cups of tea. drawing, or whatever comes to mind However, a visit to the Art House in that involves applying a paintbrush to January is another story. From 30 paper. Volunteers assist with basics December and throughout the school but are not teaching. On the whole it holidays, the doors are flung open, and is open slather for a range of dozens of families come along to take imaginative art and craft works. Some

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children come on their own, but often families come together, all keen to make something more splendid than their previous years' creations. This is supposedly for kids, but many mothers and fathers take time out just to explore a new craft or a fresh idea, and leave wearing as much paint as the children do. It doesn't matter if you are already an artist, an amateur or just a trier everyone is welcome. For some families the Art Bash is very much part of their annual summer holiday - if they arrive and there's no room, or come a day or so after it is all over, they are very disappointed. Each year we try to add something new - last year dream catchers were a big hit, with volunteers quickly having to learn the skills of weaving and beading and feathering, as the expected tutors were unable to come. For 2016 - well, you need to wait and see. Maybe the craze for colouring-in will be a hit. Or perhaps someone will teach knitting, or who knows what it may be? Cost depends on what each person is making, beginning with a $2 fee to paint all day. Some of the larger china painting items are dearer, but making mosaics is a very economical activity, taking parts of two days to complete an item. There are a few rules - participants must wear shoes, and must be accompanied by an adult - this is not a child-minding service. Everyone involved is expected to respect other people's work. Smocks are available for painters. There is an overhead covering outside, but sunscreen and a hat are good ideas. On the hottest days, the air conditioning will be on. And on Extreme or Code Red days the Art House will be closed for the community's safety and so that volunteers can stay home and follow their own fire plans. Please join us from Wed 30th December to Saturday 23rd January from 10am to 4pm for the Kids’ Art Bash at Anglesea Art House. Closed Sundays. 13

LOCAL PROFILE: BILL HUGHES

An Exceptionally Fine Run By Mary Bremner

“I can’t go past a hill without running up it,” said Bill Hughes, with a twinkle in his eye. Bill has scaled hills all over the world, but it’s also a very appropriate description of his approach to life. You may have seen Bill running along the tracks around Aireys Inlet - his sinewy, athletic build belying his 83 years. Bill’s connection with the area goes back to his childhood when, with his sister Estelle and mother, he spent six weeks every summer camped behind the Fairhaven Guest House. Bill’s parents later bought land in the first subdivision at Fairhaven and built a holiday home. There were no other children at Fairhaven, so six-year-old Bill would run over to Aireys Inlet to catch up with friends. They whiled away days climbing around the rocks and up the cliffs to the lighthouse, before Bill ran home again. Running was just something Bill did to get to his destination quickly, not realising how big a part of his life it would become. Bill enjoyed tennis, swimming, diving

and gymnastics at school but at the age of 15, he joined the Melbourne Harriers athletics club and ran crosscountry competitively.

In his last year at school, Bill competed in the College Mile, a handicap event, where, after waiting for the last competitor to complete a lap before he started, he went on to win. Leaving school at 16, Bill was employed with a firm of accountants in Queen Street. They specialised in auditing and, sitting opposite the client, Bill acquired the ability to read just as fast upside down, as the right way up, something he can still do. A turning point came at the age of 19 when Bill met Percy Cerutty,

(centre)

controversial coach to Olympic champion Herb Elliot and considered to be one of the greatest athletics coaches of all time. Bill treasures the letter he received from Cerutty, congratulating him on a recent “exceptionally fine run”, which was, in Cerutty’s opinion, “indicative of high promise”. He offered to meet Bill to discuss training. Cerutty’s letterhead was modestly subtitled “Conditioner of Men & Maker of Champions”. This demanding coach required his protégées to run two circuits of the Tan, the 3.8 kilometer circuit around the Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, before training started. Bill represented Victoria at the Australian championships in his first marathon, finishing tenth. In the same year, Bill was one of four to break the Australian record in the 10-mile event. However, running and work were not the only priorities in Bill’s life. His Christian faith and his participation in the life of the Catholic church have always been a big part of who he is. It was through this involvement that Bill met the love of his life. Arriving at a Parish picnic in the back of a furniture van, Bill knocked back an invitation to the pub and joined the Piazza San Luca girls. He met Marlene Killingsworth and a five-year courtship began.

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AN EXCEPTIONALLY FINE RUN At the age of 23, Bill faced a difficult choice. While at school he had made a pact with his best friend to travel overseas together. The two mates worked every weekend for two years as builders’ labourers, had the money saved and their return boat passages paid. But as the holder of two Victorian state titles, Bill was eligible to try out for the Melbourne Olympic Games. Bill’s conscience wouldn’t allow him to break his promise and the buddies set off on a 12-month long odyssey, hitch-hiking through 29 countries. Bill never regretted this decision as his friend passed away only 12 years after their return home. With his choice made to travel overseas, followed by the establishment of his accounting practice, marriage to Marlene and the arrival of six children in quick succession, Bill stopped running, but time would prove that his career was not over, just on hold. In fact the best was yet to come. Later, with his family grown up and a successful private accounting practice firmly established, Bill decided it was time to rekindle his passion for running. His success as a veteran was remarkable, with a list of titles that would take up pages. Some highlights are the Australian record for the 10,000m at the Victorian Championships in 1978, a gold medal for the same event at the Australian Championships in 1983, followed up by another gold at the World Games in 1987. Gold and silver medals in high jump, steeplechase and hurdles events also form part of Bill’s collection. At the age of 66, Bill held the Australian record for the Bill Hughes of Fairhaven 300m hurdles, and the 2,000m steeplechase. He has run 30 marathons with a fastest time of 2 hours and 52 minutes.

NOW FULLY LICENSED

Bill and Marlene always owned a holiday home in Fairhaven and, after Bill sold his practice, they chose it as their principal residence, firmly cementing their involvement with the local community.

Dine in or Take Away Home Delivery or Pick-up

Hip replacement surgery and a health scare necessitating a pace-maker have been little more than mole-hills in the way of this passionate athlete. Bill runs on most days, rewarding himself with a bracing plunge into the surf and plays tennis once a week. Bill and Marlene’s final move is back to their unit in South Yarra, within a stone’s throw of Bill’s old training circuit at the Tan. With their son purchasing the Fairhaven house as a holiday home, they still plan to be regular visitors and there’s not much doubt that Bill still has quite a few hills left in him yet. NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

Blurred Vision By Sam Gault

A quiet little village that heaves at weekends and pops its figurative “top trouser button” during summer as it swells and stills in gridlocked traffic. A village completely orientated to the mighty southern ocean: thunderous or cut, like glass, but also nestled into bushland so pure and peaceful that one feels as the first - or dare I say last - person on earth. Where there is a thriving and caring community, should you wish to seek it out. Quarter acre blocks, but few neighbours. Where the soundtrack to our lives alternates between the screech of birds and the music echoing throughout the natural amphitheatre created by the cliffs and the hills. At once nothing and too much. It’s strange … and wonderful. So, unlike many places, we have a particularly hard time creating a shared vision for this place. Luckily some people are thinking about the future of Anglesea. A great body of work was done in 2012 resulting in the Anglesea Structure Plan – purporting to be the 20 – 30-year vision for Anglesea. According to the Structure Plan, the vision for Anglesea is thus:

This vision is underpinned by five values: 1. Responsible growth and development (essentially low density, low scale, non-suburban, retaining small size of town and village and buffer to Alcoa.) 2. Healthy and Protected natural environment (retaining bush meets the sea concept)

“Anglesea will remain a small coastal village that offers a harmony of permanent and nonpermanent living for all in a healthy, sustainable environment. “It will be a place which achieves a balance between the built environment and nature, celebrating and protecting its natural setting with the surrounding bush, heathland and ocean an integral part of the town. The town continues to be attractive to families and there is a range of accessible services, infrastructure and facilities including an integrated open space network, community hubs and a vibrant attractive town centre to cater for community and visitor needs.”

3. Sustainable community (close knit, active community networks and safety) 4. Prosperous local economy (employment opportunities in retail/ commercial, service business/industry and tourism, local goods and services to residents and visitors) 5. Sustainable transport options and infrastructure (public transport, traffic flows, walking and cycling tracks) As a result of the closure of Alcoa in October 2015, the community has now been invited to a process – creatively named “Anglesea Futures”. (www.delwp.vic.gov.au/parks-forestsand-crown-land/anglesea-futures). If you access the link, you may notice that the findings from the first two community engagement meetings largely mirror the vision outlined almost three years before in the Structure Plan. It sparked in me a quest for facts, some of which I’ve summarised on the next page. I recommend you to the following sites for further information: www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ census_services/getproduct/ census/2011/quickstat/UCL215003? opendocument&navpos=220 www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/ My_Council/Population_Information www.enterprisegeelong.com.au

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Blurred Vision

CENSUS DATA REVEALS INTERESTING FACTS heard? Do they want to be? Do almost 15,000 at they understand their power and peak times. importance to our future? Are their  Like everywhere interests different? Would they still our population is come here if there was not an allforecast to age, but year-round town? in Anglesea this is 5. How do we create a strong sense of more pronounced. community when many of us don’t By 2036 we will live here all the time, others have have more people long commutes and life is busy? aged over 85 than 6. Most properties in town are houses. between the ages of Who will buy them and what will be 5 and 9. done with the land in the future? So, having done the Photo: Judy Scanlon, SurfAngle 7. The industries in town do not align searching, the with the current talents of the town. reading and some thinking, it seems to  We are a small town. Only about How do we gain alignment now and me that in relation to our future, we 2500 residents. Our annual average in the future? need to face some difficult growth rate to 2036 is forecast at 8. We need to bring the Alcoa site into fundamentals: 0.39% as opposed to the average for the fold – under the Structure Plan 1. We want to attract and retain the Surf Coast of 2%. the idea was to buffer the town from families (who are essential to it – now we need to integrate it.  About half of us are married building and maintaining a local 9. What of the bus-loads of day  About 40% of us have kids (about 2 economy and vibrancy), yet without trippers coming through town? How of them). They are likely to be growth, access to affordable do they fit into our local economy? young. accommodation, infrastructure and What is their impact on our industry this is unlikely.  Of the 2800 private dwellings in infrastructure and environment? town, only 33.4% are permanently 2. We want a prosperous local Why do we need a shared vision economy, transport and occupied. (For perspective the anyway? Can’t we just enjoy the infrastructure, but without growth & Australian average vacancy rate is bucolic ideal without analysis? industry we are unlikely to get it. 10%.) If you care about Anglesea, you need to 3. Are protection of the environment  We are most likely to live in a house get involved. These are tricky and existing town culture mutually (94.3%) and least likely to live in a questions. We need to work them exclusive to growth & new industry? semi-detached house (1%). through together. 4. The majority of residents are holiday  About half own outright, about a Otherwise, the future will arrive and home owners who outnumber quarter rent and about 30% still you may not like it … permanent residents. Are they being have a mortgage to pay.  We are most likely to be professionals (22.8%), followed by Split Point Lighthouse Tours technicians/trades (18.9%), managers (14.9%) and community/ Our 30-45 minute tour includes personal services (11.2%) lighthouse stories, local history, and  bout 50% of Surf Coast residents amazing 360o views. live in the area and work outside the area – so we are likely to be It’s the perfect adventure for Round the commuting some distance for work. Twist fans, sightseers, photographers,  If we work, we are almost equally budding historians and lighthouse likely to work full time as part. lovers.  The main industries in town are OPEN EVERY DAY education, residential construction Tours begin at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and food/accommodation related. With extended hours in January and Easter  Our median weekly income ($961) is slightly higher than if we lived in BOOKINGS Ph: 1800 174 045 Lorne ($909) or Aireys ($934) but (free call) lower than those living in Bellbrae See our website: ($1325) and Torquay ($1446). www.splitpointlighthouse.com.au  Our population swells by 600% to Census data on local demographics is worth considering in light of the future vision for Anglesea.

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Summer Reads Brought to you by Nicole and the team at Great Escape Books

Recipes for Love and Murder

The Girl in the Spider’s Web

by Sally Andrew

by David Lagercrantze

This must be the ‘feel good’ book of summer.

Years since you’ve read Dragon Tattoo? Time to meet Lisbeth Salander again!!

The Karoo plains are one of the quietest, most serene places in South Africa, but in district of Ladismith in the Klein Karoo, three irresistibly optimistic journalists find plenty of action to occupy them.

David Lagercrantze has continued the Millennium story with the same cast. A helpful index of characters gets the setting right and gives a clear direction to the story.

Tannie Maria writes for the local Gazette newspaper ‘Tannie Maria’s Love Advice and Recipe Column’. A new column, she is quickly inundated with letters with both big and small issues. She responds to her writers with heart-warming advice and a recipe for a meal that will lighten their heart (at the end of the book are all the yummy recipes). Filled with joy, love and laughter, this is a beautifully uplifting novel that will still pull at your heartstrings. Read slowly and enjoy! Review by Nicole, Great Escape Books

The Last Four Days of Paddy Buckley by Jeremy Massey

With its strong Irish feel, this is perfect for anyone who loves a laugh. Paddy Buckley, a likeable Irish undertaker, is having a very big week. He's fallen in love, accidentally murdered one of Dublin’s most feared gangsters, lost bodies and become a dog whisperer. By turns a thriller, a love story, and a black comedy, The Last Four Days of Paddy Buckley is a delightfully funny debut novel. Review by Nicole, Great Escape Books

Lisbeth and Mikael join together for a battle with cyber crime and life threatening corruption. The battle is on to protect a scientist and his gifted, disabled son who has witnessed a horrific crime but presumed to be unable to communicate. Fast paced … enjoyed it immensely. Review by Sue, Great Escape Books

The Whites by Harry Brandt

Perfect for anyone who loves gritty literary crime … widely regarded as possibly the best crime novel of the year. Seven young rookie cops were dropped in one of the worst precincts of the East Bronx. They became The Wild Geese: a tight-knit crew of mavericks, looking out for each other and their ‘family’ of neighbourhood locals. Every cop has a personal ‘White’: those who had committed violent crimes on their watch and then walked away untouched by justice. Now a seasoned cop, Billy Graves gets suspicious when the Wild Geese seem to have come back from the grave, with the ‘Whites’ having mysterious accidents. A ripper read! Review by Nicole, Great Escape Books

Archipelago of Souls by Gregory Day

Ghost River

Read this and keep it close. A remarkable novel!

A superb read from local Aireys Inlet author Greg Day. Set between two islands, but very different worlds … war-time Crete and post-war King Island, where you follow the wounded but resilient life of young Australian soldier Wesley Cress. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Wesley Cress, a hero of the underground resistance on German-occupied Crete is fragmented and broken. Left behind in the British evacuation of Crete, he has lost his beloved brother somewhere in the aftermath. Evocatively written, Wesley gradually finds solace and redemption on wild King Island, in the mouth of Bass Strait, in the Roaring Forties latitude of the Southern Ocean.

Review by Nicole, Great Escape Books

by Tony Birch

Tony Birch is one of Melbourne’s true gems. Everything he writes is a masterpiece. This coming of age story will resonate with you long after you finish it. Ren is wild, but Sonny is even wilder and together they explore and try to save a river as old as time itself. A river that has its own stories, its own secret places and is a place of sanctuary for all who love it.

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Cooooo-eeee â€Ś local author wins support for new childrenâ€™s book Coo-ee Teddy by Eliza Feely She said that involving the community has not only made the book more soulful but also the normally isolated practice of being an artist way more fun! Coo-ee Teddy is a rowdy, quirk-laden children's book for imaginative souls. Fired by colours and sounds indigenous to its place of origin, it's teddy love with a twist! You could see it as a fantastic example of a wildly intuitive narrator, inspiring young hearts to have faith in themselves. Or a classic wee book that is super fun to read and may well inspire you (or the people you love) to draw. The story is ideal for 3-7 year olds with a lot of COOOOOEEEEE!ing and smiling at one rollicking bear's adventures. When this bear goes walkabout, anything is possible. COOO-EEEE TEDDY! Local award-winning Author, Illustrator and Cartoonist Eliza Feely has decided to bypass conventional publishing methods and used the crowd-funding platform Pozible.com to enable the printing of her new book Coo-ee Teddy.

You can order a copy of Coo-ee Teddy by emailing Eliza at eliza.feely@gmail.com or by visiting your nearest good local independent bookshop(s).

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TUTOR PROFILE: IN THE HOUSE WITH ...

PETER MUIZULIS Each term, Anglesea Community House provides access to a great variety of courses and activities, from cooking, art and computers to yoga, fitness and creative writing. There are always new courses on offer, so keep an eye out for something that interests you. In this issue, we meet tutor Peter Muizulis who will teach a course on mindfulness at the House in February 2016. courses and workshops at Anglesea Community House. Since his early life, Peter has been profoundly interested in the nature of human awareness. He first became interested in mindfulness while studying medical science at Adelaide University in the early 1980s. Back then, there was very little scientific research into the benefits of mindfulness, and things like meditation and yoga were definitely seen as very odd things to do! You may have read about mindfulness in the media lately, as its popularity seems to be increasing exponentially. It’s being taught in schools and universities, in hospitals, professional sports and corporate workplaces. Many people think of mindfulness as a type of meditation – which is partially true – but it's also much more than that. It’s a personal life skill that can be used anywhere, anytime – at work, at school, at home, or standing in a slow-moving supermarket queue!

Like surfing or playing the guitar, mindfulness is a multi-layered set of skills that you learn progressively, one step at a time.

Nevertheless, Peter’s personal experience was very positive, so he continued to learn and develop these skills. Guided in his study and practice for the next 30 years by a series of remarkable teachers, Peter went on to train in a wide variety of awareness practices, including Vipassana Meditation, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Transcendental Meditation (TM), Chi Gong energy work, and Hatha Yoga. Over the years, Peter has taught people from all walks of life, from corporate managers to schoolteachers, university students, artists, athletes, and mums and dads. Peter’s mindfulness courses are inspired by the evidence-based MBSR

program developed by the University of Massachusetts, as well as Peter’s own passionate exploration of human awareness and mental health. Peter is a filmmaker, writer, actor and nationally accredited workplace trainer. He is the founder of ‘Mindfulness For Living’ a training consultancy created to connect people with the benefits of mindfulness. He has worked with a broad range of businesses and organisations in Melbourne and the Surf Coast, including Arts Access, Johnson & Johnson Medical, Manningham Council, Surf Coast Secondary College, Sensis, and National Australia Bank. He also writes a regular mindfulness column for the Surf Coast Times. Peter is a warm and engaging teacher who loves helping people learn skills that will make a real difference in their lives. To find out more about Peter and obtain details about upcoming mindfulness courses, please visit his website mindfulnessforliving.com.au. Check out the enclosed Courses & Activities guide for details about Peter’s next program at the Anglesea Community House in February.

Anyone can do it, and the benefits are wide ranging, including increased calm and clarity, improved empathy and connection in relationships, better decision making, and a greatly improved ability to deal with stress in positive ways. Peter Muizulis is a trainer specialising in mindfulness, who is now offering 20

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NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY GARDENS By Terrence Hoffmann

Grow It Local Training for Gardeners If you want to learn how to grow your own vegetables at home, here is a great way to get started. Three training courses will be run during January and February at the Community Gardens in Torquay, Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. Look out for the “Grow It Local” posters in shop windows. The Training and Education Committee at Community Garden 3231 in Aireys Inlet conducted a training needs survey amongst garden members. The results have guided negotiations with the Surf Coast Shire, and other community gardens, over the best topics and speakers to run training sessions over summer. With financial support from the Shire, the training will be very affordable (a gold coin). The aim is to provide practical skills to gardeners and use our garden beds and crops to show how to grow great food. The training is open to everyone in the community. Many members of the community gardens will want to attend,

but if you want to learn, then join in and be part of the fun. All are welcome. Danawa Community Garden in Torquay, will run a training course on the Australia Day weekend - Sunday 24 January 2016. Andr ew Laidlaw is the gardening expert on ABC Radio 774 Saturday morning talkback. He will speak on “How to Manage Your Garden” in order to grow good crops of food. Crop rotation, feeding plants and other topics will be covered. Anglesea Community Garden will r un a midweek session on Wednesday 17 February. This will be a twilight event with pizza. Bring some friends and hear about raising crops from seed gathering, to propagation, to sequencing planting for continued production.

At Aireys Inlet, Community Garden 3231 will offer an evening session on Friday 26 February. Improving your Soil is the topic. Easy composting, the science of soil improvement and methods of soil testing will provide the essential basics to grow successful crops. Although speakers are to be finalised, participants can be assured that all presenters are knowledgeable and able to impart practical skills that you can use. All sessions begin around 5.30pm. There will be food available from pizza ovens in each garden. Bring drinks and make it a social night after the training. You will find each venue very welcoming and full of people who love gardening. The detail of topics and speakers will appear on posters around town in mid January 2016.

Anglesea Community Garden Shelter Opens letters WELCOME along the top step of the shelter. After a glass of wine, some social chatting and lovely nibbles, we got down to business with key speaker Jane Edmanson from Gardening Australia. Entertaining, knowledgeable and very approachable, she was the icing on the cake of a splendid evening.

Jane Edmanson from ‘Gardening Australia’ opened the Anglesea Community Garden shelter.

Following a great amount of labour and construction, Anglesea Community Garden’s shelter was officially opened, and all the volunteers acknowledged. It’s a lovely looking building. Closed on two sides with windows and exposed timber, it’s reminiscent of shelters for bush walkers in National Parks.

Steps lead up to the main floor where built-in cupboards store the tea and coffee-making basics as well as cups and jugs. There are fold-out bench-tops and a breakfast bar, and overhead lights for after dark. As we entered, Winsome was putting out the finishing touches. She placed a row of pots containing sprouting radishes spelling out the

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Next, the architect and project manager of the building, Nick Walter, was thanked. He acknowledged all of the able helpers who contributed many hours to build and complete the details. After the formalities, we settled down to finishing off the delicious food and putting away the wine. Jane Edmanson was available to talk with interested gardeners and answer questions about how to solve their own particular gardening problem. What a grand celebration for the opening and a memorable way to celebrate a proud achievement. 21

TRAVEL

An Outback Adventure By Annette and Bob Dwyer

At the end of July we joined an “Outback Spirit” camping trip with 16 others to travel along the Canning Stock Route for 16 days. We travelled in 4 and 6-wheel-drive off-road Mercedes Benz G wagons, which were pressurised to keep the dust out. They carried all supplies, including food, luggage, tents, tables, fuel, spare parts and everything one needs, as there were no shops along the way. One vehicle was fitted with two showers and flushing toilets (which was a real luxury.)

Who was Alfred Canning? Canning’s first large surveying job was to establish the 2,000-mile rabbit fence across central Australia. In 1909 he then established and set up the Canning Stock Route. The cattle stations in the north wanted to access the southern markets in WA, however their cattle had ticks which would contaminate the animals in the south if they were transported by ship. It was thought that by droving the cattle through the desert, the cold nights would kill the ticks, which proved to be the case. After a few years, the Stock Route fell into decline and was abandoned. Many years later at the invitation of the WA Government, Canning re-opened the old Stock Route, walking the entire distance twice. He was 70 years of age at the time.

The Adventure Begins Our adventure started in Broome, WA. After a luxurious day at the Cable Beach Resort, we left at 7:00am the following day and drove to Fitzroy Crossing for lunch and then on to Halls Creek, where we camped for the night. After setting up our tent and enjoying a hearty meal, we settled down for the night to the strains of very loud music. It was a Saturday night and all were merry in the town! The next day was the beginning of our off-road adventure for the next 14 days. 22

The stunning outback of the Canning Stock Route.

Originally the Stock Route was 900 miles (1800km) with 900 sand dunes to cross and four deserts: Tanami Desert, The Great Sandy Desert, Gibson Desert and The Sandy Desert. There were 51 wells installed along the Stock Route, placed 21 miles apart, as this was a day’s droving distance. Between wells 41 and 43, the track crossed 120 sand dunes. Our journey went from north to south. Approximately 12 wells are in good order with useable water. Each year a well gets restored. Next year it will be well 18 through the generosity of “Outback Spirit” and its passengers. The Stock Route is only wide enough for one vehicle, but is a two-way track. Communication is by two-way radio and each car must have a flag 3-4m high mounted on the front to enable

vehicles to be seen by others, particularly in the sand dunes. The route was originally made to cater for 800 head of cattle, however this only happened twice — once in 1939 and the last time it was used to drove cattle in 1956. The first time it was used in 1910, 250 goats walked the length of the track. Other droves were less than 400 head.

In its day, the Canning Stock Route was only used 39 times to bring animals from the north to the south. Most of these droves were from Billilluna Cattle Station, which is at the start of the Canning Stock Route. Permits must be obtained to drive along the Stock Route.

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TRAVEL

An Outback Adventure Fuel along the track is accessed at various points where 44-gallon drums have been dumped, identified only by your name written in permanent marker.

 Low mountain ranges  Driving up the sand dunes  The colourful slate ranges  The flocks of budgerigars and finches that awaited us at each well, hopeful of water

To have a fuel dump delivered from the Capricorn Roadhouse costs $800 a drum, which works out at $4 per litre.

 The endless winding track, which joined all these amazing, almost untouched areas of nature.

The vehicles travelled in a set convoy with the 6-wheel-drives going first, followed by a 4-wheel-drive. The 6wheel-drives negotiated the sand dunes easily. On two occasions a 4-wheeldrive had to be pulled over the dune as it had lost momentum near the top.

The journey took us through Billiluna Aboriginal settlement (was a cattle station), Kunawarritji an Aboriginal settlement, Glen-Ayle cattle station and onto Wiluna, which is at the end of the Stock Route.

We only encountered four incidents with the vehicles, including two flat tyres, one broken towing coupling that had to be replaced, and a universal joint that disintegrated on the 6-wheeldrive kitchen truck. All these issues were quickly fixed with very little lost time. Vehicles travel in convoy on the Canning Stock Route.

Trip Highlights We travelled in the most remote part of Western Australia and we loved:  The vastness, panorama and openness of the land  he variety of bush vegetation  Seeing most of the wells that had been initially built

 Having lunch under spotted gum trees  Rustling through the spiky spinefix grass as it waved in the breeze. It looked like silk -but didn’t feel like it!

For 14 days we had no phone contact, heard no news or sports results and no one seemed concerned or commented on it. There are things we can do without.

It was a really engaging outback experience and certainly provided an opportunity to get away from a busy lifestyle, live simply and relax in the ever changing beauty of our wonderful country.

 A multitude of wildflowers  Warm to hot days and cool nights  The ochre/red soil  The numerous corrugations!!!!! 

The silence of the nights except for the howling of the dingoes and the movement of the camels to the waterholes around our tent

 The brilliant blue skies  boriginal art in the escarpment caves  Driving across dried salt lakes  Sighting dingoes, camels and kangaroos

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Choose your Complementary Therapy By Emily Lens

Complementary therapy is known by many different terms, including alternative therapy, alternative medicine, holistic therapy and traditional medicine. A wide range of treatments exists under the umbrella term of ‘complementary therapy’. Each treatment has its own unique theory and practice. So how do you choose a complementary therapy? Where did they come from and what makes them so appealing?

conditions. From its local Australian origins, his innovative and unique technique has now been adopted worldwide.

Let’s take a look at three very different therapies that are available along the Surf Coast - Bowen Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy and Ayurvedic Medicine. There are a few similarities between them, but they’re up there with the most misunderstood of modalities. Unless you’ve actually had a treatment that involves one of these therapies, there’s a good chance you’re at least a little confused.

The Benefits

So how exactly were they created, what can they be used for and what can you expect when you turn up for an appointment? In this issue of NewsA ngle, we start by taking a look at Bowen therapy.

Bowen Therapy

Bowen therapy can be used to treat musculoskeletal or related neurological problems including acute sports injuries, back pain, frozen shoulder, pelvic imbalances, respiratory and digestive problems. It is gentle and relaxing and does not use forceful manipulation. Bowen therapy is performed on the superficial and deep fascia. The fascia, or soft tissue, is the part of the connective tissue that envelops, separates and influences every organ and tissue in the body. Therefore fascial dysfunction can affect every structure, muscle, nerve and organ in the body.

The Bowen technique is safe to use on anyone, from newborns to the elderly. It is a holistic treatment that treats the whole person and aims to treat the cause of problems, rather than the symptoms. What to Expect A treatment will typically last between 30 minutes and one hour. It can be provided through a layer of light clothing, although you may be asked to remove heavy or thick garments. During this time, the therapist may leave the room for periods of two to five minutes at a time. This allows time for your body to respond to the treatment and for the necessary changes to occur in your body before commencing the next sequence of moves. Part 2 of ‘Complementary Therapy’ will be continued in our next issue. Emily holds a current professional membership with Bowtech and the Bowen Association Australia. In the next issue of NewsAngle, she will explore Craniosacral Therapy and Ayurvedic Medicine.

The History Bowen therapy has been used for over 40 years to successfully treat thousands of people suffering from a variety of illnesses. The Bowen technique is a dynamic system of muscle and connective tissue therapy that was developed by the late Tom Bowen (1916 - 1982) who was from Geelong. In 1975, the government-instituted Webb Committee of Inquiry into Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Naturopathy in Australia reviewed Tom Bowen’s work. They found he was seeing some 13,000 people a year and achieving a success rate in his practice of more than 80 percent of presenting NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

YOUTH IN ACTION

Get Your Kicks at Anglesea Karate Dojo By Patrick Day, participant (blue belt)

the step-by-step movements of the techniques and then speed it up, is just brilliant. I remember the first training session I went to, I had no idea what was going on because all the moves were so complicated. That is now why I feel so connected to the dojo’s community since I have an understanding.

The Anglesea karate dojo is a fantastic place to learn Kyokushin Karate. Kids and adults of all ages go to the training and most of them really enjoy it. Kyokushin Karate is not easy and when you go to training you should be ready to achieve something and come out knowing more than when you walked in. The instructors use a method of discipline and the occasional joke, to teach us and help us with Karate.

Karate training at the Anglesea dojo

The dojo set up is good as well. In one room there is the general class and in the other the “Young Lions” or white belts plus the younger red belts.

The training isn’t always the same, sometimes we might do a long session of kata and others times we might do sparring, it just depends.

The belt order goes white, red, blue, yellow, green, brown and black. To go from one belt to another you must get a certain amount of stripes, which are achieved by gradings. These are held at dojos around the area and are like a normal training session but longer, with some extra twists. The pleasure of receiving a new belt or a stripe is a great feeling and one to be proud of, especially because there are only a few gradings each year.

One of the things I love about Karate, is it really makes me concentrate and think about what I’m doing. For an hour and a bit each Thursday I can go to a Karate lesson and learn from people who know so much about what they do. The instructors are always open to questions and queries on anything we are slightly unsure about. The morals and phrases that they use are really inspiring and it makes me really respect them. The way they show

Recently we did a grading at the North Shore dojo. It was really good to be with all the other kids from the dojo and to be taught by other instructors, as well as to watch yellow belts spar, not just from the Anglesea dojo. I think that Karate is a great thing, you learn not just about Karate but about things that are needed in life, to succeed in doing something really well. It isn’t a matter of if you like Karate or not, it really is just a great thing to get along and do. So if anyone is interested, I thoroughly recommend it, because like so many others you will have a fantastic time. Kyokushin Karate runs every Thursday evening at the Anglesea Memorial Hall from 6pm. All ages welcome. Contact Sensei Rocky on 0418 597 819 for information.

Come to the Anglesea Uniting Church Fair (just past the pub in Murch Cres.) Saturday 9th January 8.15am till after lunch Breakfast - Lunch - Devonshire Teas Plants - Books - Handcrafts - Preserves Cakes - Toys - Cushions “Trash and Treasure” Sale (Baptist Church initiative)

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AIREYS INLET PRIMARY SCHOOL

Finalist in Biodiversity Award

Aireys Inlet primary school was recently selected as one of four state finalists in the ResourceSmart Biodiversity Primary School of the Year Awards, demonstrating the school’s commitment to sustainability. As a bonus, and a great highlight of the awards presentation ceremony at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, the Aireys year 5/6 students were invited to perform their own ‘sustainable’ version of the Juicy Wiggle song and dance. The ResourceSmart Education A wards are delivered by Sustainability Victoria to reward and recognise a huge range of imaginative and inspiring activities that have led to outstanding sustainability achievements for the Victorian community. One project from Aireys Inlet that caught the judges’ eyes was the building of ‘Bugingham Palace’ in the Aireys school nature reserve. Foundation to year 2 students researched and designed the hotel, then

‘Bugingham Palace’ was created by Aireys students with help from Anglesea Men’s Shed.

collected materials for its construction, which volunteers from the Anglesea Men’s Shed helped them to complete. Cooking and gardening projects have included removal of non-indigenous plants, replanting, brush-cutting and cleaning up of the beach and inlet area, while year 3-6 students participate in an annual fish count at Lorne Pier. Aireys Inlet campus was selected as a top-four finalist due to its commitment to guide students in developing a set of knowledge, skills and behaviours that will prepare them to create a sustainable future. In the early years of their education, Aireys students learn about the foundations of their local environment, being aware of significant features and how human activities impact on them. Students become immersed in sustainable practices, which protect our natural and built environment. In the middle and older years of primary school, students are extended to build breadth and depth of knowledge, strengthening their ability to further explore sustainable practices and develop solutions for environmental issues. The Aireys students are caretakers of the magnificent local environment in which they live. They are given the opportunity to learn in the natural environment: the local beaches, the bush and the local waterways. They feel very passionate about their local environment and through the learning that occurs at the school are empowered to maintain its natural beauty into the future.

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AIREYS SCHOOL WANTS EVERY DAY TO BE A SUN-DAY Aireys Inlet campus is undertaking a campaign to make crippling power bills a thing of the past, and invest its savings into the students. The school aims to install a $20,000 solar power system, funded by the community, saving the school up to $3,500 a year. Assistant Principal, Meg Parker, said if fundraising is successful, the benefits to students will be realised immediately. “From the moment the solar panels are installed, we can start to invest money we’d normally pay to the power company into school improvement projects. “But without the support of people and businesses throughout the Surf Coast, it simply won’t happen,” Meg said. “I urge anyone who has a soft spot for the primary school in Aireys to chip in a little or a lot to help us reach our target. “We have plans to reinvest the money saved into projects such as the kitchen garden program, rain gardens and frog ponds,” she said. Five schools around Australia are participating in the Bendigo Bankbacked Solar Schools initiative. Donations to the Aireys Inlet fundraising campaign can be made online at www.thepeoplessolar.com/ projects/laic-aic/ Further enquiries to Meg Parker on (03) 5289 7144. 27

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ANGLESEA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Students Lead the Way in Bushfire Understanding and Knowledge By Liz Clark

This exciting and innovative project involves collaboration between Anglesea Primary School, Anglesea CFA and the University of Melbourne. The key objective of the project is for students to gain knowledge and understanding of the local environment and its link to bushfires. At Grade 4 level, children are introduced to the CFA station, to the machinery and how things work, and become familiar with all that goes on in a fire station. In Grade 5 and 6, they begin to learn more about their local environment, fire behaviour, bushfire safety and awareness, mapping, fuel loads and fire danger indices.

Students are encouraged to take an active role in fire planning with their families and the whole community, and this year they have addressed various groups from other schools to share their knowledge and expertise. The skills the students learn in regard to weather, technology, forecasting and the ability to judge and monitor possible fire activity, will remain with them forever, helping make them extremely responsible members of our community. The program itself expands as it unfolds, and has become an authentic, meaningful, real life project for all concerned.

Anglesea primary school students are part of an innovative education program to improve bushfire understanding and awareness.

As well as providing lifetime skills and insights, several aspects of the curriculum are covered - literacy, mathematics, scientific skills, technology, speaking and listening. Students develop rapport with others, they grow in confidence and resilience, having to learn to address a wide range of people, from other young students to the CFA locals and hierarchy, staff from Melbourne University, parent groups, and other Anglesea residents. They develop personally as they become connected to the land, to other people, and have a strong sense of belonging in their own community. A good understanding of the threat to themselves, their families and their community encourages students to take an active role in preparing their own fire plans for the coming season.

University is using the project to build evidence relating to children's capacity to take an active role in bushfire safety. The students were challenged by an opportunity they had to interview bushfire victims/survivors. It was a telling and thought-provoking moment for them to hear one man say that although he had survived and was able to go home, all his neighbours were now dead. To even spend time thinking about this statement brought home the seriousness and importance of all that the bushfire awareness project brings. Long term, the CFA and the school are hoping to package the program together as a teaching kit for other communities. Short term, this group of young people is gaining amazing social capital as future citizens of Anglesea.

Bushfire awareness and a trip to Anglesea CFA each week is part of the school's curriculum. They have had the opportunity to visit control burn sites to learn more about fuel reduction and fire behaviour. Trips to monitor field sensors around the town are an important part of the project. Students learn to observe heat, wind and weather patterns, using iPads to connect to the University of Melbourne's computer system. The

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The Anglesea students recently met with a group of aboriginal people for a 'Connecting to Country' session, where they were introduced to the significance of the use of fire by indigenous people. 29

TWITCHERSâ€™ CORNER By Kaye Traynor

FAN-TAILED CUCKOO Cacomantis flabelliformis The call of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo during the spring season has a haunting quality. It is a rapid and repeated sadsounding, descending trill, which may be heard day and night. It can be monotonous although I rather like it. The Fan-tailed Cuckoo is attractively marked with slatey-grey above and pale on the throat with brown grey wings and a rufous breast becoming paler below to buff undertail coverts. The tail feathers both above and below are dark grey with large, regular white markings. The eye is encircled by a bright yellow ring. The female plumage is duller and the young ones are dark brown with reddish edging to the feathers. The underparts are paler and finely barred.. These birds can be found in a number of different habitats including open woodlands, river red gum forests, rainforests, paddocks, orchards, gardens and roadsides. The Fan-tailed Cuckoo is also a parasite. During the spring and summer, females lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, one egg to each host nest. They leave them to be incubated by the foster parent who must then feed the demanding chick. She seeks out the nests that are domeshaped or hooded and close to the ground, such as the nests of scrubwrens, thornbills and fairy wrens. They will also use cup nests of some honeyeaters, flycatchers and silver-eyes. Like many of the cuckoos, the preferred food of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo appears to be predominantly caterpillars, particularly hairy ones. They also eat many other types of insects and their larvae. Individuals are often seen perched in an up-right, tail-down posture on a bare branch, stump or fence. From these vantage points they can fly out to take prey from the ground or foliage without landing. (Ref. Garden Birds â€“ Attracting Birds to Australian and New Zealand Gardens by Clifford B. Frith. Consultant editors: Cyril Walker and Tim Parmenter) 30

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THE DOG BLOG

Snakes alive! And how to survive ... By Doc Dufous

I’m a dog. Not a doctor. Some people (and dogs) get confused because of my name. But my nose gives me away. I’m definitely a dog. But a smart one. I know stuff. Like I know that it’s a dog’s life. And a good one! We’re definitely in charge these days … what other animals get to sleep on the couch (or bed in some households!). Okay, maybe cats in some circles manage such privileges but in my neck of the woods cats are definitely on the outer. It’s not just a dog’s life down here on the coast, it’s a dog’s world. Except when the snakes are out. And believe me, they are out now! I’ve been around for long enough to know a few tricks about our slithery friends, so here’s the deal …

DON’T PLAY WITH SNAKES

messages to the brain. I wouldn’t be a smart dog anymore. Venom has an anticoagulant in it so the bleeding from a bite doesn’t stop. Tiger snake venom breaks down muscle tissue, which in turn damages our kidneys. Venom travels through the lymphatic system so it’s no use trying to bleed us.

Before we become weak or paralysed, we might collapse, vomit, or have heaps of drool or frothing at the mouth. We could tremble, shake or twitch, blink strangely, have dilated or unresponsive pupils, trouble breathing, bleed continuously, wee blood and (even worse) often drop a load of diarrhea.

It sounds simple, I know. But it happens. And it’s not pretty if they bite.

What if a snake bites me?

Like I said before, it’s not pretty. Snake venom contains neurotoxins, which means the nerves won’t take

First Aid for Snake Bites

Apply pressure bandage on the bite site, carry me to the car (please don’t let me walk) and get me to the VET urgently. Don’t try to catch the snake (really!) and don’t try a tourniquet (they are so last season). What can the vet do?

What do I know about snakes?

They’re long and skinny, mostly brown or with tiger stripes where we live. These are two of the most venomous snakes around and can kill us pretty quickly (and our cat friends too). If they don’t slither away when we come to play, they might strike at us. Those browns are much more aggressive but can only strike half the distance of their body length. Snakes have more venom in their bites at the start of the warmer months because they’ve been hibernating all winter. Not a good time to try and play with them. Watch out when you head down to your favourite watering hole for a drink. They like to hang out there. I guess we should be kept on leads so we don’t annoy snakes (or birds or lizards or humans who don’t want to play). Some of us just know that, but some, well, some need to be reminded. Have you met my mate Rufous?

dog’s life, lots of cats are lucky – about two-thirds of them can overcome the effects of snake bite with no treatment but of course they stand a much better chance with anti-toxin. All these signs vary according to the time of year, type of snake, where we’re bitten and how long it’s been since the snake had some tucker. We usually get bitten on the face or legs but often no-one can see it. The closer a bite is to the heart, the more chance it’ll do us in. It can take anything from one to six hours for clinical signs to appear in dogs and 15 hours in cats.

Then after 30 minutes we might appear to get better, only to deteriorate within hours and probably die if not given antivenom. That’s the good juice. And that’s why we need to get to a vet urgently if we’re ever bitten (or even just showing signs of it).

Sometimes there are no signs at all! Tiger snake bites can make us hyperexcited (weird I know) or agitated until we collapse with our tongue hanging out. Brown snake venom takes longer to affect us and starts with hind limb paralysis and trembling. Our cat friends usually lose control of their movements and start to stumble when walking. Check their eyes for diluted pupils. Even though it is a

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Give us some antivenom, which can cost anywhere from $300 to $2000 per vial. Usually, one vial would treat a little dog like my mate Milo (Jack Russell) but you’d need two for big fellas like me. All depends on the bite. The antivenom needs to be given by a drip (that’s not the vet, it’s the line they put in us) but it does need to be done by a vet (who is preferably not a drip) so they can make sure we don’t have an anaphylactic reaction. After that, it’s a stint in hospital for a minimum of 24 hours (I do love hospital food), then back home to lie on the couch (or bed if you’re lucky) maybe for up to two or three weeks before we’re back to normal (if ever). It costs a fair bit and unfortunately it’s not always a good result, so …

DON’T PLAY WITH SNAKES And remember they’re all protected in Australia so nobody should try to kill them. Some might even say it’s a snake’s life. Thanks to Aireys Vet Liz Brown who assisted Doc Dufous with his research. 31

Surfcoast Shire News By Ward Councillors Libby Coker and Margot Smith

Police Beat By Sergeant Kevin Warburton Officer in Charge Anglesea Police Station

Secure your Valuables With Christmas and the holiday season just a few weeks away it is a timely reminder for all of us to secure our valuables.

As summer approaches we start thinking about the hot weather, beach days, BBQs and Christmas. But it’s also a time for us to think about our fire plans, make sure we are prepared for an event we hope never happens. Think about making sure you have cleaned up around your house, decide what you’ll do on a Code Red day, make sure you know what you need to take with you and have it in a handy location, and don’t forget your pets. Many of you will have attended local sessions to better understand what to do but if you haven’t been able to attend then go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au and read advice on planning and preparing. This year we have had many community conversations. We started with the Aireys Inlet to Eastern View Planning for the Future, have continued with ‘Testing the Water’ on the pool across the Shire and, more locally, we’ve had the conversations around Anglesea Futures. For Council it is important that we have discussions to get community input and ensure we hear from many people. It is not just the big issues – sometimes it can be planning issues in your neighbourhood. Proposals put out for consultation are for that very purpose – to get the views of the community. They may have been prepared with the best intentions, but your input can re-shape them to get a better outcome for our community. We encourage you all to have a say on the issues important to you. Wishing you a happy and safe Christmas and very best wishes for 2016. Your Ward Councillors, Libby Coker and Margot Smith

In recent days we have had a spike and increase in the number of burglaries on private and rental properties in Torquay and along our coast as far as Moggs Creek. During our patrols we are seeing vehicles unlocked and valuable property, especially surfing gear, left out creating an easy target. Our offenders are coming into our coastal areas due to the easy access to vehicles and houses. Please take the time to secure your property to help us to reduce the burglaries and thefts over the coming months.

Noise Complaints We often get calls for assistance to deal with noisy parties and stereos. The time of the day is irrelevant when it comes to excessive noise. In simple terms, if the noise is deemed to be excessive at any time of the day we can be called upon to assess the problem. We can attend and speak with the person/s responsible and deal with it by way of a warning. If we have to re-attend and they fail to abate the noise, we may take the next step and issue an infringement notice, if we deem it appropriate and the evidence supports it. If you are subjected to excessive noise by noisy neighbours, seek our advice and, if after hours, I encourage you to ring 000. We have introduced a Torquay nightshift patrol unit which provides a response for you after normal working hours. As this is our last article for the year, we wish everyone a safe Christmas and New Year. Drive safely and take care. Anglesea Police 52633468 or if urgent 000. Kevin Warburton Sergeant, Anglesea Police Station Email: kevin.warburton@police.vic.gov.au

DO I NEED A WILL? Without one, there is less chance of your assets ending up where you want them Do you have : · Children? · A spouse or partner? · A Business? · Superannuation? · Assets/Investments? If your answer is ‘Yes’ to even just one of these – then you may wish to seriously consider having a Will. Have you considered who will look after your children if you and your partner were to die? Have you planned and appointed guardianships, and structured funding to ensure they are looked after?

Do you have Superannuation and Life Insurance with a nominated beneficiary and does your Super fund know who to pay the benefit to if you die? Parents often don’t give enough consideration to ensuring their personal affairs are in order, which can ultimately have an adverse impact on their loved ones at the time of death. In the absence of a Will, it’s likely your affairs will end up with a State appointed administrator, causing a lot of unnecessary heartache for those you leave behind, not to mention unexpected costs! Getting your affairs in order no longer needs to appear as daunting as you may think.

Jason Pascoe understands that your loved ones are at the forefront of your mind and appreciates how sensitive and confronting Will and Estate Planning can be. Offering a comfortable and structured home consultation, Jason’s calm and thoughtful approach will assist you in making decisions to ensure your loved ones are looked after, leaving you with certainty and peace of mind. Call Jason today for an obligationfree chat about how he can assist you to develop the binding legal documents you need to protect your family! Jason is located on the Surf Coast and is available for after-hours consultations.

Jason Pascoe - Law Clerk M: 0400 328 900 jpascoe@australianprobate.com.au www.australianprobateprofessionals.com.au/ jasonpascoe/

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HISTORY SPOT

From the Coolgardie Safe to the Refrigerator By Jan Morris, President Anglesea and District Historical Society

The latest restored acquisition at Anglesea’s History House is an ice chest, donated by Allan Poigndester and his sister Dawn Hollibone. The ice chest came from their parent’s home. It had been stored in the Historical Society garage for many years. Ice chests replaced the old Coolgardie Safe. The Coolgardie Safe was made of wire mesh, hessian, a wooden frame and had a galvanised iron tray on top. The galvanised iron tray was filled with water. The hessian strips were hung over the side with the ends in the tray to soak up the water. When a breeze came it would pass through the wet hessian bag and evaporate the water. This would cool the air inside the safe, and in turn cool the food inside. The safe was usually kept under the tank stand, where it was cool and could catch the breeze. Unlike the wet Coolgardie Safe, the ice chest was a nicely polished piece of furniture that was kept inside the house. An ice chest had two doors, the compartment at the top held a block of ice. The central, largest part of the

chest acted like a refrigerator and was used for milk, meat, butter etc. The tray underneath caught the drips as the ice melted. Depending on the weather the block of ice would last between three days and a week. Our Mawson brand ice chest or ice box was manufactured by Carricks Ltd of Queensland. They began manufacturing ice chests from 1925. We estimate our chest to be

manufactured in the 1940s. Malcolm McDougall restored our chest by removing the back and top, as they were infested with borer. He replaced these parts with the same wood as was used in the original chest. He cleaned and polished the hinges and handles and varnished the restored ice chest. It now has pride of place as a piece of furniture in History House. In Anglesea, ice could be purchased from the dairy beside the hotel. In larger towns ice was delivered by the "Iceman", a horse and cart that would proceed slowly down the street, with the driver yelling out "ice … ice … ice". He would deliver the ice to houses, or residents would come out to the cart to pick up their blocks. The block was about 18 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches (45cm x 30cm x 30cm) and cost one shilling (10 cents) in 1950. Ice chests were superseded by refrigerators, either electric or kerosene driven. Kerosene refrigerators were used in places where 240-volt electricity was not available. The kerosene refrigerator tank had to be filled regularly and the wick had to be maintained. With the advent of refrigerators came home-made icecream and ice-blocks, to the delight of many children. The Historical Society is always looking for items of interest from the past. It is continually adding to and changing its museum displays.

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OUR ROVING REPORTER Bringing you news from the streets By Parr Hesiastes

Torquay residents’ plans to get their local pool subsidised by the ratepayers living everywhere in the Shire but Torquay, appears to have hit a few snags. Unsurprisingly, those attending the meeting in Anglesea to discuss the pool project were shocked to hear that there was not a lot of enthusiasm for it amongst locals. One resident put things quite succinctly when she said that the building and its upkeep was too expensive, and besides, the Shire didn’t have the money to get it started. As there are several swimming pools in Torquay already, and another planned for just down the road in Armstrong Creek, it’s unlikely to get the go-ahead. Local residents are terribly disappointed that the rates will probably not rise again this year. Wringing our little hands we are. The summer garden is producing wonderful veggies. I noticed that the snails have stopped crawling around. I found that they had a bad case of dry mouth. Apparently they became type 2 diabetics because the peas were so sweet. Walking near the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club I nearly Freaked Out! There’s a dirty great hole UNDER the road. It appears to link an enormous house on one side of the road with the dining facilities at the life saving club on the other. To navigate a safe trip home would simply require a surf reel to tow home any family member in need of assistance. Can’t imagine why there was a need for that.

Clearing on the clifftops of Aireys … but where’s Rufous?

I went walking along the cliff top path in Aireys Inlet recently. Teams of workers were removing coastal scrub and mulching it. It seems that the shrubs removed are “weeds” and will eventually be replaced by indigenous plants of the area. However, there used to be a fairly dense coverage provided by the weeds. Now you can see straight through from the road to the clifftop. I wonder where the Rufous Bristlebirds go to hide while the “weeds” are replaced by natural growth. The planners hiring the workers probably didn’t consult Rufous before acting, thinking, he can go whistle. 34

0419 616 676 wendy@surfcoastacupuncture.com.au

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FireLines

Tech Angle

By Terry McKnight

By John Cummings

By the time this goes to print, summer will be upon us and all indications point to a long, hot and dry season. With Australia being in the grip of an El Nino weather event, there is little chance of significant rain. Already Victoria has had two significant fires during October, which resulted in loss of property. This is a very uncommon occurrence for that time of year. The fire at Wensleydale burnt for 24 hours and the Lancefield fire for six days. Fire restrictions were introduced on 9 November, seven weeks earlier this year, as the surrounding grasslands and bush are drying at a rapid rate. Due to the dry winter, we have insufficient water in most dams for emergency fire fighting.

Residents are encouraged to visit their existing fire plans and familiarise themselves with them. Take into account that there is one road in and one road out, a situation that exists in Anglesea. Residents need a plan for: A - leaving early, but also a plan B - if they are unable to leave town. Those who do not have a fire plan should visit the CFA website for information on how to prepare one. Alternatively they can contact the community safety officer at the Anglesea Fire Brigade on 0447 625 131.

Beware the Credit Card Auto Payment Care needs to be taken when buying over the Internet something that has a recurring charge – for example, an antivirus program which is only good for one year and needs to be renewed to continue on after it runs out.

Many companies want you to pay by credit card and recommend that you accept the autopay function, i.e. they can automatically deduct the next year’s fee when it becomes due against your credit card. Nothing wrong with that in principle but if you decide to switch to another vendor and forget you have the auto payment set up with the previous vendor, you may find a deduction on your credit card when the time comes. Some vendors will advise you a few days before that they are going to make the deduction which gives you the chance to contact them and stop payment, but some don’t bother to warn you. They just deduct it and it isn’t always easy to get a refund. My advice to people buying such software is to ensure that the auto payment facility is not turned on. This may mean making a phone call or going into your account settings after purchase and turning off the auto payment facility. Then, when it becomes due in 12 months’ time, the vendor has to ask you to renew it and you then have the option to do so or go elsewhere.

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Write Angles By Melva Stott

Dangerous Curves

Kids can have exciting and slightly scary thrills there!!

Luke Chapman, who grew up in Anglesea, is drummer for the Geelongbased band Dangerous Curves that has been competing in Band Wars. After successfully negotiating many heats this year they reached the grand final ... and came third, which they were happy with. Granny told Luke that there was nothing wrong with Bronze, especially as they beat about 45 other groups.

Fairyland A new Queenscliff playground has a lighthouse climbing frame; but in Anglesea we have acquired two delightful magic toadstools … yes, we know we live in fairyland.

Slippery Slides On a recent holiday in Bright, we visited a park beside the Ovens River where there was a long slide down a sloping bank; just like the one we once had at Coogoorah Park. But this one shoots you off into the river.

Whenever I ride past Coogoorah Park playground I still miss the old slide and all the fun it provided before outdoor play was deemed to be too adventurous. Is there any hope of having it reinstated? And who remembers the mud-bath pools in the hills where everyone slid and slithered around and emerged looking as if they'd fallen into a giant vat of chocolate custard?

Please Don’t Feed the Cockies And finally, can I make a plea to residents and visitors not to feed the cockatoos, thus encouraging them to stay in town when they should be soaring around in the surrounding countryside. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are addicted to cedarclad houses and can do massive damage to a home almost at the speed of lightning … as one family discovered when they visited their holiday house recently and found a whole wall missing after the cockies had a raging banquet at their expense. Well, keep smiling everyone and enjoy the festive season!

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO TRY BASEBALL? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! Deakin Baseball Club is seeking interested boys and girls aged 8 – 14 to participate in Summer baseball in both our Little League and Junior League divisions. Little League players must be 12 or under at 1 May 2016 Junior League players must be 14 or under at 1 May 2016 Baseball is an exciting participation sport which builds friendships, skills and fitness. Games will be played at the world class Waurn Ponds Baseball Stadium (Pioneer Rd Waurn Ponds) every Wednesday night and alternate Sunday mornings until March.

For more information, call Rob on 0439 294 290.

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<continued from page 35

GREY NOMADS CONTINUED

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Across the Bar

A Publican’s Tales By Tim Wood, The Aireys Pub

Local legend Colin Stagg was born in Beaufort, and grew up in Staggs Waterloo Cup Hotel in Moonee Ponds, before heading to Ballarat Grammar for secondary school. His great aunt and uncle, Bill and Win Vowles, bought two blocks on Federal Street in Aireys Inlet in 1928 at 20 pounds each. This became a regular holiday destination for Staggy from a very early age. Legend has it that in 1969, Staggy’s mum, Joan Van Aalst, came down to Aireys Inlet to recover from a historic Melbourne Cup hangover. The weekend away was a cure so miraculous that she decided she needed a beach house of her own and bought one that same weekend for $7500.

partner in the business, before setting up his own business “Scrubbies Earthworks”. Staggy’s love affair with the Case Backhoe continues to this day, although his business model is a little flawed. Not many invoices end up in the mail. He has spent huge amounts of time and effort at the Aireys Primary School even though his kids Kristy, Jaymee Lee and Brodie finished up over a decade ago. He can also sometimes be spotted repairing our secret boat ramp at Eastern View.

The new acquisition quickly became Staggy’s weekend jaunt. With cousin Reg, they fished and surfed, and cut firewood and explored the bush. This idyllic lifestyle was cut short when Staggy was called up for National Service in 1970. He was drafted to Vietnam from early 1971 and was part of the pull-out at the end of that year. A recurring and reassuring thought for him was that upon his return he would return to his beloved beach house and spend six months recuperating. This recuperation lasted just three days until he was seconded into washing glasses for Stuey Calvert at The Aireys Pub. The town then had a permanent population of 80, so I’m assuming this was not a monumental task. Staggy then applied to “The Red Scheme” for six weeks forestry job experience, not realising that it would turn into 12 years working in the Otways. Back then, controlled burns were undertaken by himself and two to three other men in gradual strips along the roads with the dozer and tanker. Big areas would get the backup from Lorne and Forrest crews. None of this prevented Ash Wednesday from burning 41,000 hectares of his beloved forest, unfortunately, including most of

our town, and Staggy’s house. I’m a little surprised he hadn’t thought to control burn around this particular structure! Not dwelling on his own misfortune, within a fortnight Staggy was in Cann River fighting another fire that reached 240,000 hectares. He has now been a member of the CFA for 36 years. He has also been an active Fairhaven SLSC member, and played nearly 200 games for Anglesea Football Club, including winning two Best and Fairest awards. Whilst rebuilding his house following Ash Wednesday, he worked odd jobs at the pub (this time under Pat Hutchinson) and did general maintenance around town. In the late 90s, Staggy became a machine operator with Diamond Plumbing. He worked his way up to becoming a

What else you may find interesting about Staggy is that although he’s a regular of The Aireys Pub, he ceased drinking years ago. He just loves to come up here and chat with friends whether they are old or new. He’s always quick with a joke, and even with the odd helping hand of glass collecting when we are under the pump! Early mornings you’ll find him drinking our freshly roasted coffee, or if it’s past noon you’ll be sure to find him sipping on a schooner of Coke. He’s known to be seen on the occasion working his way through steak or parmi, but the one thing that’s guaranteed is he will always be up for a good quality yarn. We’re seeing a little less of him in winter these days as he migrates north to travel, camp and fish, but he’s always welcome. He is a generous and lovable character and we all enjoy his company and his cackle. On ya Staggy.

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www.azplumbing.com.au Email: azplumbing@bigpond.com

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