PUBLICATION OF THE ANGLESEA COMMUNITY HOUSE
ISSUE 132 SUMMER 2017
How ‘Great’ is our Ocean Road?
Residents and tourists rely heavily on the Great Ocean Road being open and available for year-round use.
The Lifeline of our Towns By Terrence Hoffmann
Highlights
Towns nestled along the Great Ocean Road from Anglesea to Warrnambool cling to the coastline. Viewed from the elevation of the hills behind these towns, they appear isolated and enclosed within the Otway Forest.
Emergency Management
This string of townships and small settlements all depend heavily on the Great Ocean Road for nearly everything that makes them run, so that we probably take the importance of the road for granted.
Great Summer Reads
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Bev Norton’s Anglesea
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Musical Theatre
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Community Corner
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A Community Network
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The Spirit of Anglesea
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As a local, if you need to see the dentist, buy a pair of shoes, get a new Community Houses are for Everyone
refrigerator, or go to the footy, you will leave town and drive there on the Great Ocean Road. On a daily basis, if you want to take the kids to school, pick them up from netball, buy the bread and milk in the morning, or simply get to work, the
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Great Ocean Road feature 4
Stocks Family History
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Lina is in the House
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Farewell Pamela Sandlant 21
Continued on page 4 > 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.
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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. Copies are available from Anglesea IGA Supermarket, Maid's Pantry, Information Centre, Aireys Inlet General Store and Post Office and various other locations. NewsAngle available online at: anglesea.org.au/news/newsangle
Deadlines Issue:
133
Casual ad bookings:
12 Feb
Articles/Contributions:
19 Feb
Subject to availability of space Distribution:
29 Mar
Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Community House.
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NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
News from the House YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER COMPETITION
Emergency Management Pilot Project ‘Recovers.org’ all set for Anglesea By Steve Cameron and Alex Leknius
Like our neighbouring communities along the Great Ocean Road, Anglesea offers locals and tourists a great experience in a unique setting. Our location and way of life are influenced by the natural environment. The bush and the sea are shaped by harsh elements, and the things that we love about our coast can also expose us to emergency situations created by events such as storms, landslides (including falling cliffs) and bushfire. As a community, it is our responsibility to work together with emergency services and the Surf Coast Shire Council, to better prepare, respond and recover from emergencies. Calling all photographers between the ages of 5-17 years of age who live or study in Anglesea or Aireys Inlet. The Anglesea Community House Photography Award is an opportunity for young, aspiring photographers to showcase what they love about living in Anglesea or Aireys Inlet, the unique places and people that make our towns such a wonderful place in which to grow up and live. Judging criteria will include the technical merits of the photo, subject matter and creativity, composition and overall judges’ opinion of the photograph. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups: 5-8 years, 9-12 years and 1317 years of age. Entries will close 28 March 2018.
Entry forms will be available from the Community House when we reopen in 2018 or on our website anglesea.org.au, from late December 2017. So get snapping!
Disaster management is not something that many people want to think about. It is however vitally important for Anglesea to be better prepared to cope, should we be faced with major emergencies and a potential natural disaster.
connections now, will assist local organisations and their communities to strengthen relationships, so that we can better help each other when needed. One of the benefits of this approach, is that it provides opportunities for the whole community to be involved – kids, teens, adults, retirees, weekenders, tourists, businesses and government. Creating and implementing a range of community initiatives – to include emergency planning, can draw from our many skills and benefits from diverse views and talents. The ‘recovers’ website was created after a tornado struck in Monson, Massachusetts, in 2011, to improve disaster response by providing an easyto-use system that empowers
The Anglesea Community House in partnership with Emergency Management Victoria, is working on a community pilot project to support the Anglesea community to better plan, respond and recover from emergencies and natural disasters. This pilot project is aimed at strengthening the community (people, social, economic and environmental assets and values) and building on the combined strengths of individuals, groups and supporting organisations through a collaborative communitybased approach. The project will support people to work together and use the recovers.org website as a central hub to bring the expertise of the community and agencies together. Establishing these
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communities to prepare, mitigate their risk and to match resources with needs. The website provides the tools needed for volunteer management, donation tracking, case management and information sharing. The site also provides for updates on community needs and to secure assistance, donations and volunteers as the recovery process continues to evolve. To find out more information, or to register your group or organisation on the recovers.org website, contact the Anglesea Community House. 3
Great Ocean Road … The Lifeline of our Towns > Continued from page 1
Great Ocean Road is the only means to do it. If you don’t drive, then you will probably catch a bus. Both means of transport rely on the Great Ocean Road. If you are a weekender, you will travel to your coastal house each week or so to live a different life from your usual abode. Without the Great Ocean Road, you can’t enjoy this lifestyle.
Supermarkets and stores in all towns rely on the Great Ocean Road to transport our food, the daily papers, milk, petrol, bread, and all the necessities of daily life. We drive everywhere. The Great Ocean Road is the link that allows us to live here. And there is only one of it. For most towns, it’s the only way in and out. But lots of others want to use it too and are doing so with increasing frequency, taking over, and at times, closing down our lifeline.
The Great Victorian Bike Ride is one event that closes the road for cyclists.
With the new housing estates to the south of Geelong growing into new suburbs, as well as the massive growth in north Torquay, many new day trippers and surfers have been added to the people seeking to swim at ‘their local beach’. There are the various groups that create mini invasions with their numbers, such as riders and their entourages in the Great Victorian Bike Ride, various other cycling, car and
running events, and big events such as the Falls Festival and Pier-to-Pub swim, which attract many thousands of visitors. Tourist buses clog the road every day of the week and overseas drivers who want to see the sights proceed slowly, even stopping in the middle of the road to take photos. The wear and tear on the road, the difficulty in repairing it effectively because of the endless stream of visitors, the lack of an alternative to using the road and the sheer mass of people wanting their share of this piece of paradise have created a mess of issues that need unraveling and some close attention.
This edition of ‘NewsAngle’ will look at the Great Ocean Road from several perspectives. Various articles will consider the question - “How is the Great Ocean Road important to you?”, incorporating various points of view from within our community. The aim is to initiate discussion in the community about how we might better manage the increasing demands on the Great Ocean Road and to predict what may occur if we don’t start to take some action. 4
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A Councillor’s Perspective By Terrence Hoffmann
Surf Coast Shire Councillor and former mayor Brian McKiterick describes the Great Ocean Road as the spine and lifeline of coastal townships in the shire. However, its natural beauty and popularity creates congestion and wear on the road itself and puts enormous strain on not only the road, but its many users.
The time is certainly ripe for such a body as there are many issues under consideration. Some of these include the possibility of a tourist levy or day pass for nonresident users of the Great Ocean Road. The money raised would pay for some of the major works the Great Ocean Road presently needs.
I asked him whether all the visitors using the road actually paid their way. He replied that there were seven million visitors to the Great Ocean Road in 2016. A study revealed that day trippers on buses spent just 17 cents, on average, per visitor. That totals $1,190,000. It sounds like a lot, but it’s not much when you consider the bills left behind. The figure would account for money spent on food and drinks but what about the cost for road repairs, toilet facilities, cleaning, signage, and free tourist information centres? With all that taken into account, the money taken from bus tourists is just a drop in the ocean.
Councillor Brian McKiterick
We might complain of pot-holes on the road surface, but major works that underpin the road and prevent it from falling into the sea are also needed.
Brian mentioned the difficulty in managing the Great Ocean Road, as there are about 15 agencies involved in any decision-making.
Brian thinks that there could be some progress made in these areas if the Management Authority is established and makes some of the hard decisions.
A Great Ocean Road Taskforce is about to convene to make recommendations for an overall Management Authority to be created to govern everything in relation to the road.
At present, the Surf Coast Shire Council is but one of the many agencies involved and cannot singularly drive change or make decisions that could improve and protect our important asset.
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Great Ocean Road … Seniors Express Concern By Mary Bremner
Some of the older residents of Aireys Inlet have family connections to the area going back generations and have witnessed the town change from a remote and sparsely populated coastal village to the vibrant holiday and lifestyle destination it is today. Another section of the town’s seniors has relocated to the beautiful Surf Coast for their retirement. It therefore comes as no surprise to the elders of Aireys Inlet that tourists are flocking to this beautiful stretch of coastline. Why wouldn’t people want to come here?
But there are big concerns that the Great Ocean Road, built 90 odd years ago, was never designed to carry the current amount of traffic. As for most concerned local residents, this is an issue seniors want to see addressed. With a brief to write an article on what the Great Ocean Road means to the seniors of Aireys Inlet and district, I conducted a series of interviews. “It’s our lifeline for everything!” sums up the opinion of many of my respondents. As for the general population, the road is used by our seniors for shopping, social occasions, visiting family and attending medical appointments. It is also relied on to transport supplies and used by family and friends coming to visit. The consequences of a blockage on the road, particularly in the direction of Anglesea, don’t bear thinking about for our seniors. The gravel Distillery Creek Road is not seen as a viable alternative, unless it is upgraded and improved. Elderly people living along the Great Ocean Road find that they have to relinquish their licences sooner than the average, due to the higher levels of skills required to negotiate the more challenging terrain and the difficulties of the traffic. Those people who no longer drive rely 6
Lorne Community Hospital helps transport local residents to appointments and social outings, along the Great Ocean Road and as far as Geelong.
on the public bus and this is seen as vital to their ability to continue living in Aireys Inlet. The need for more regular services, particularly on weekends, was expressed. This would have the added benefit of reducing congestion on the road. Seniors are able to avail themselves of a number of other transport services. The Surf Coast Shire Council provides a monthly shopping bus to Waurn Ponds. The Lorne Community Hospital co-ordinates car transport to medical appointments using volunteer drivers and also organises social outings using the hospital bus. The Red Cross also provides transport to medical appointments. These journeys often have Geelong as their destination, reinforcing the vital role the road plays in maintaining the health and wellbeing of our seniors. Concern about the Great Ocean Road as the only viable means of evacuation in the event of a bush fire is a hot topic with our community’s elders. They take their fire plans very seriously and most have decided to “leave early” on days of serious fire danger. However,
the possibility of being caught by surprise or being part of a mass evacuation is worrisome. The noticeable increase in traffic on the road is of concern to seniors. Where once it was seasonal, the traffic is heavy throughout the year. Those who still drive generally avoid using the road at peak times and on holiday weekends. It was also suggested that new residential buildings add to increased traffic, with more tradies’ vans and heavy construction vehicles coming into town. Seniors are concerned about the increased numbers of slow and very poor tourist drivers, who might be watching the scenery and often act unpredictably. Local drivers get frustrated and may pass unsafely. There were stories about ‘close shaves’ caused by such things as drivers who stop in the middle of the road in the flow of traffic for no apparent reason or who pull out from roadside stops in front of oncoming traffic.
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The increased demands on infrastructure such as toilets and car parks was mentioned, along with the wear and tear on the road itself. The suggestion of a toll on the road was popular – with local rate payers to be exempt. This would be similar to the access fees charged for National Parks and could be used to fund upgrades and maintenance. Residents of Eastern View have their own set of problems due to their proximity to the Memorial Arch. Unpoliced noise pollution is an issue with motorbike riders revving and doing ‘wheelies’ as they drive under the arch and bus drivers honking their horns to get passengers back in the bus. The lack of toilet facilities at this popular location is also a bugbear. GORCC is currently addressing this concern. Aireys Inlet seniors are a tolerant and understanding group of people when it comes to the need to share the road with cyclists. However, despite the scenic route’s popularity with cyclists,
our seniors believe the road, with its double lines and narrow — sometimes non-existent — bike lanes, is not a safe place for cyclists.
and maintain them. This still leaves the portion of road between Eastern View and Skenes Creek for which there is no easy solution.
There were eye-witness accounts of drivers who veer over double lines into oncoming traffic to avoid riders ... and concerns about cyclists who do not ride in single file.
To questions in relation to road closures for bike races, seniors were mostly resigned to the minor inconveniences caused.
One person made the constructive suggestion that use could be made of sections of the original road, for example, between Torquay and Bellbrae on the north side of the road, at Urquarts Bluff and the old road between Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill, which follows the contours and could be used by cyclists if maintained. Ideally, a separate cycle path could be built between Bellbrae and Eastern View, to separate cyclists from cars but money would have to be spent to build
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In fact, they saw the big events such as the Great Victorian Bike Ride and the Cadel Evans race as providing a boon for local businesses and great advertising for the region. They did mention that organisers needed to be aware, when advertising road closures, that not all seniors have access to the internet.
Our seniors love the Great Ocean Road and are happy to share its unique coastal environment with visitors. However, as the conduit for all the vital services that enable them to live here, they call for it to be respected, judicially managed and sensitively preserved for generations to come.
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Great Ocean Road … Conversations with our Local Business & Tourism groups By Jenna Crawford
In the words of Australian songwriter, Shane Howard, and recorded and sung by Irish folk singer, Mary Black, the picture of the Great Ocean Road has been immortalised for all who hear it. ‘If we leave here today we can be a thousand miles away. Take to that road and see how far it goes. On that Great Ocean Road the country's in our bones. All the troubles that you know empty out as you go. Come and walk with me. Talk with me. Tell me your story. I'll do my very best to understand you.’ I am listening to and understanding the stories being told to me by Susan Reilly, President of the Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association. This group has approximately 50 members with many different interests. Susan acknowledges that tourism is the core of the Aireys Inlet community. The town must be as accessible to all tourists as is humanly possible. Being a business owner herself, Susan realises the importance of the Great Ocean Road to the continuation and sustainability of businesses in Aireys Inlet.
ages and interests, including salsa at the Aireys Pub, a women's health retreat, literary events, foodies events and cultural experiences. There is a one-woman live show featuring Lucinda Light, music events and an artists trail featuring sculptures from the Aireys Inlet Primary School. In the past, all these events have had capacity sell-out crowds requiring many people to use available accommodation. Funds generated by this event have been distributed to the Lorne P-12 College, the Anti-Cancer Council and the Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees. The ‘Aireys Inlet Open Mic Music Festival’ held at the Aireys Pub has gained increasing popularity over the 10 years since its inception. The popular Aireys Inlet Market attracts stallholders and shoppers for four weekends throughout January and usually once in most other months. People come from far and wide to purchase unique, quality items. All these events would be severely hampered if the Great Ocean Road did not provide access to Aireys Inlet. There have been occasions when accessibility has been impossible. Bushfires, accidents, falling rocks and sink holes are some of the major handicaps. Susan believes that an inland route needs to be constructed that would allow buses going to the Twelve Apostles to access their destination safely and expediently. The surface of the road could be improved and there is a great need for more public toilet facilities.
The iconic Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet is a major drawcard for visitors wanting to tour the Great Ocean Road.
In addition to catering for the influx of weekenders — many of whom come from Melbourne to stay and enjoy the uniqueness of Aireys Inlet by participating in peaceful and healing activities, cliff top walks or fine dining — the Great Ocean Road has to be accessible to permanent residents as they go about their usual lifestyle activities. These activities and many annual events would certainly be devalued if the Great Ocean Road were not accessible to all. The annual ‘Love Winter in Aireys’ festival offers an enormous range of activities designed to engage a variety of 8
It is nothing to witness 30 full-sized buses passing through Aireys Inlet at the height of the tourist season. Maybe it is time to impose a road toll to assist with the necessary upkeep of the road. If new toilet facilities were to be built, it may also be appropriate to charge a fee for their usage. Signage, of which there is a lot, can be very confusing to non-English-speaking visitors. Pictorial signs may be more beneficial and informative. Lack of bus bays and poor vision in places creates hazardous conditions for road users. People do not want to have their iconic views obliterated by parked buses. All concerned agencies need to be forward thinking to ensure the best possible outcomes for residents, business owners, event organisers and tourists.
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Many of us have our own ideas about the significance of the Great Ocean Road on our lives. Raylene Fordham, the executive officer of Business and Tourism Anglesea, succinctly used two words to describe its impact … ‘brand’ and ‘experience’ … both of which attract tourists to Anglesea and the Great Ocean Road.
The ‘brand’ is what the Great Ocean Road stands for. It is known as the number one tourist attraction in Victoria, only being surpassed by the Great Barrier Reef when listed among Australia's top tourist destinations. The Great Ocean Road is unique, as it is the world's longest war memorial, acknowledging the sacrifices made by our brave Australian soldiers during World War 1. Three thousand returned servicemen, wielding picks and shovels chiseled their way through the rock faces to form the iconic Great Ocean Road. The ‘experience’ factor refers to the playing and staying aspect. The attraction of the Great Ocean Road to visitors is the authentic experience they can have while visiting this part of the
world. Domestic and international visitors can connect with the environment where the bush meets the sea and enjoy a true engagement with nature.
Organisations such as GORCC, Otways Coastal Committee, Surf Coast Shire Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, DELWP and private enterprises all have a part to play in its sustainability.
Raylene believes these experiences are good for the soul, and if visitors could not engage in one or more of these authentic activities in our breathtaking, charismatic settings, they would be disappointed, resulting in the creation of a negative impression.
The uniqueness of each town needs to be honoured. That may be the surfing industry in Torquay, kangaroos in Anglesea or the lighthouse at Aireys Inlet.
There are increasing demands on the Great Ocean Road that equate to many complex elements. Driver behaviour has an impact on all those using the road.
The Great Ocean Road needs protection to ensure its continuing longevity, so visitors will continue to come and play, stay and spend money for long periods. Greater opportunities for dialogue and discussions with all stakeholders needs to occur and continue.
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Who knows, one day a levy may have to be imposed on tourist buses to financially assist in the required maintenance of the road. Raylene believes that all agencies should be involved in working towards influencing the extension of the peak period. With only about five weeks of proven peak capacity this could be extended. Industry sees September through to March as having favourable conditions, which could provide pleasurable experiences for all to find along the Great Ocean Road. Imagine if demand were great enough to create all-year opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
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Great Ocean Road ... Kids Talk About Now and the Future Children from Aireys Inlet Primary School spent a great deal of time earlier this year learning about the history of the Great Ocean Road and exploring different attractions. They also shared with NewsA ngle some interesting ideas about what the future of the Great Ocean Road might look like, and why the road is important to them.
What do I think the Great Ocean Road will look like in 100 Years? In 100 years I don’t think the Great Ocean Road will look any different, but I think it will be abandoned because everyone will have teleporters that will take us where we need to go and there would be no use for cars anymore. So I think the Great Ocean Road will just become a tourist attraction to look at and not use. If that did happen I would be sad because all the soldiers from World War One built it with no machines, just hand tools and explosives. We wouldn’t want all that hard work to go to waste. By Belle, Year 5
Ollie (Year 5) imagines the Great Ocean Road will one day cater for more tourists with a boat harbour, a wave pool, a shooting range and a zoo.
The Great Ocean Road will probably be covered in plants and vines and things like that because people won’t be driving around in cars on the road anymore. They’ll be flying around with jetpacks and hover cars. The Great Ocean Road will have fallen away in places from erosion caused by bad weather. There will be billions of animals and birds because of all the plants and overgrowth.
Mackenzie’s vision of the ‘future’ Great Ocean Road, which she thinks will be covered in plants and vines because people will be flying instead of driving. 10
It will be terrible because other people will get influenced and things like the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower will get covered in vines because people will be interested in new things like teleporters and hover cars. By Mackenzie, Year 5
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What does the Great Ocean Road mean to me? If you ask me it’s a special way to and from school. Also it has thousands of man-made and natural sites. I may not have been to all of them but I want to see London Bridge, Twelve Apostles and Tower Hill. These are all naturally made places and the pictures are wonderful. I can’t wait to go there one day and I think that when I see any of these sites the Great Ocean Road will make me even happier. By Libby, Year 4
According to Libby (Year 4), driving on the Great Ocean Road is a special way to get to and from school.
Without the Great Ocean Road my life would be impossible.
I live right on the Great Ocean Road which means I can’t take a back road into Geelong or Melbourne. There’s a couple of reasons why the Great Ocean Road is basically my life. Since my family lives close to the ocean we are all big surfers so without the Great Ocean Road we wouldn’t be able to surf. Then we would all be grumpy. I wouldn’t get an education or a job and I would probably die of boredom and annoyance from my younger siblings.
Students in Year 4/5 at Aireys Inlet Primary School drew pictures of what they think the Great Ocean Road might look like in the future.
We probably wouldn’t have an iPad or TV to keep me going so that’s why I really need the Great Ocean Road. By Kaiyha, Year 5
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Great Ocean Road ... Are Events A Good Thing for our Town? By Gary Robinson
Cast your mind back 10 years or so and the number of major events held in Anglesea that attracted large numbers of visitors from far and wide could probably be counted on one hand. Such events as the annual surf carnival, open golf days, ANGAIR Wildflower and Art Show come to mind. Review that situation today and the number is dramatically higher, reflecting the hard work of many businesses and volunteers in our community.
Some residents may think we’ve gone too far and find the influx of large numbers of visitors a hassle. However, compared to Lorne, where the main road can be closed for events and cause traffic headaches and heartache for traders, the main road through Anglesea is always open even if parking is at a premium. It is only a few weekends a year and the influx of people means our traders have several more opportunities to attract business dollars to see them through the lean times of winter. In turn, this means that for the residents a wider range of businesses can survive and stay here to offer a broader range of goods and services all year round.
The biggest event in terms of visitor numbers is probably the Surfcoast Century. With a choice of 100km and 50km endurathon races, elite runners and first timers are flooding to this event. In the marketing blurb that advertises the event across the whole nation, the experience is described as an incredible race that “… takes runners on an extraordinary journey below towering sea cliffs, along remote beaches and through the captivating wildflower hinterland on a twisting single track where no two footsteps are the same”. The organisers do a magnificent job in cleaning up after the event and, if you walked along the river the next day, you would not know an event had been held. Groups from Anglesea can work as marshalls and raise funds for their clubs. Over a five-year period, competitor numbers in this event have swollen from less than 700 to in excess of 1600 participants. Add to this number the family, friends and onlookers, and perhaps between
2,500 to 4,000 people attend the event. As the majority come down Friday evening to register ... and stay in the town to recover and celebrate Saturday night ... the impact on our town of 2,000-plus permanent residents is dramatic.
A standard industry tool used to measure the value of tourism, concludes that overnight visitors spend an average $131 per day. If we take the smaller number of 2,500 people, the likely spend is $655,000 for a weekend event like this. If we have 4,000 people attend, the million dollar mark is reached. Add to this the fact that four training events are held in Anglesea each year, for potential competitors to familiarise themselves with the course and facilities. For these training events, between 40 and 80 folk attend and usually stay overnight. So many competitors have multiple experiences of the environment and joy the region offers. Their stories of the region and their dollar spend is outstanding marketing and a financial boom for the town. In addition to this event, we have the Rock-to-Ramp swim and the Roo Run, which not only attract high numbers of entrants but also provide entertainment for the large number of holiday makers in the town over the Christmas – New Year break; Adventurethon, a triathlon event that attracts people to stay over one to two nights; and the ANGAIR Wildflower and Art show held over two days.
The Surfcoast Century attracts more than 1600 participants to Anglesea. 12
Another wonderful event (of which we
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can be very proud) is KAOS — Kids Adventure Outdoors. The event is organised by the local Business and Tourism Association (BATA), YMCA, Camp Wilkin, local tour operators and a band of enthusiastic helpers. KAOS inspires primary school-aged children to be more active in the outdoors more often, and achieves this with involvement of their parents.
The event has two core functions: firstly, a holistic experience for families, and secondly, marketing the breadth of what Anglesea and its surrounds can offer the visitor. A wide range of experiences are offered including surfing, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, high ropes, stand-up paddle boarding, estuary
explorations, climbing, giant swing, archery and more.
The optional ‘Camp Out’ on Saturday night is ideal for families, with kids of all ages, and by far the favourite part of the event. Local businesses have embraced this KAOS is an important local event that encourages families to visit excellent event and and spend more time on the Great Ocean Road. provide the necessary support to ensure its These experiences promote the town to continuation. ensure our businesses remain viable, in Events such as these offer very broad turn leading to more employment and outstanding experiences in our opportunities for our children, more town and our region. They are work for our tradies, and more fun wonderfully supported by a large events for locals, even if parking and number of volunteers, and financial and travel along the Great Ocean Road can personal contributions from both be a little frustrating ... for short periods BATA and the Surf Coast Shire Council. of time.
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Great Ocean Road ... On the Buses! By Liz Clark
One would imagine that a commute along the Great Ocean Road every weekday could become somewhat of a chore, even more so if you were driving a large coach, dealing with passengers who had minimal understanding of English, and being alert to the everyday alterations to traffic flow that characterise the road at the moment. Not so. In short interviews with a number of drivers, who could only give me a few minutes because of the tight schedule they have to meet, the overall impression was of delight in the views, the newness and changes they see each day, the pride of showing this amazing coastline to overseas visitors. They do not get tired or bored. They are still excited by the unique scenery, by the natural beauty, and by the fact that the National Parks protect this environment and thus ensure a future for the area. Although they have driven through many other parts of the state and Australia, the Great Ocean Road remains a firm favourite. Certainly there is a frustration with road works, which seem never to end. The area between Lorne and Apollo Bay and beyond is particularly difficult at the moment, and each day may be different. Not being sure how long holdups will be is a cause of frustration. Traffic lights in use seem to be less helpful than the traffic management people who give them some leeway and usually allow the buses to keep moving. One view was that if more money is spent more problems are created. And there seems no end in sight. Mostly, the observations were 'there is nothing you can do',' it is what it is', 'we just wait'. One driver was very keen to remind me that the road was built as a tourist road and should remain so, not become a speed track for eager drivers. He was quite content with proposed lower speed limits. Special events often impede easy 14
access for the drivers, and if there is to be a total road closure, they usually know well enough in advance to arrange an alternate route inland. This, however, leads to disappointment for the tourists who have made the Great Ocean Road one of the 'must see' parts of their trip to Australia.
time again, they tell their friends, it is quite well advertised overseas. According to them, travelling by bus — in particular a large bus — is the way to go. People can actually see a great deal more, as they are sitting higher than the bushes that line the road.
Unannounced smaller events where lots of bike riders fill the road are a cause of frustration and not well received by coach drivers.
It was suggested that this is why drivers in cars tend to speed - since they are not able to enjoy the scenery for a large part of their journey, as plants have grown so tall, they just want to push ahead to their destination.
There was a suggestion that because this is 'legitimate tourism', there should be fees charged for entry to use the road - maybe $20 per passenger which then could be used to improve both the road and facilities along it.
Large buses, rather than 24-seaters, were considered to be much better, in that they fit more people. Their opinion was that one bus takes up less room than two smaller buses, both for parking and road use.
The drivers were positive that the Great Ocean Road will remain a favoured tourist spot well into the future. People come back time and
Overall, the Great Ocean Road offers bus drivers a good living, a very pleasant workplace, a sense of pride and the occasional challenge.
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HISTORY SPOT
Lane’s Toll Road – The final link to the Great Ocean Road By Jan Morris
The Great Ocean Road (GOR) has not always included the coast road between Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. When the GOR opened in 1925 it only came to Aireys Inlet. To get to Anglesea on a government road one travelled along Gilbert Street and Distillery Road and followed the telephone line, a rough road with steep inclines. However people preferred not to use this track, they favored using a private coastal road built by Melbourne tailor, C.J. Lane. Lane had his road built privately at a cost of 3000 pounds. Lane’s Road opened all the beaches between Anglesea and Aireys Inlet to the public. He was community minded and wanted to ensure people had access to the coast. Over the years 1922 to 1930, C.J. Lane had acquired most of the coastal land between Anglesea and Aireys Inlet. We have Lane to thank that most of coastal area has remained in its natural state. Lane built his holiday house Sunnymead on the Aireys Inlet end of the road. After building the road, Lane found that traffic was greater than anticipated and maintenance was very expensive. In 1922, he approached the local Winchelsea Shire, offering them the road and surrounding land at no cost, if they would maintain it. The council refused. They were not interested in the most southern part of
Lane’s Toll was instigated to help cover some of the costs of road maintenance on the private road he built to provide vehicle access between Aireys Inlet and Lorne.
their shire, so Lane had no alternative but to put a toll on the road. The road toll was unpopular with travellers, so they developed a loop to circumnavigate the tollgate. The loop became known as Scotsman Road. Lane then moved the gate further up nearer Urquhart Bluff. Charges were per vehicle, with additional charges for each passenger. The toll-dodgers were not to be outdone and people would alight before the tollgate and walk along the beach, being picked up further down the road past the tollgate. Lane realised what was happening and placed someone on patrol along the beach.
Anglesea. When a Mr. Schofield came out and attempted to start it, the car caught fire and was destroyed. C.J. Lane died unexpectedly on 14 September 1925 at the age of 58. The estate was then in the name of his wife. It was not until 1930 that she was able to hand it over to the Country Roads Board, which removed the tollgate and the road became part of the GOR, free to all travellers. Source: Keith L Cecil, The Great Ocean Road 1990, Anglesea & District Historical Society.
When Lord Stradbroke, the Governor of Victoria, came to open the Aireys Inlet to Lorne section of the Great Ocean Road on 18/3/1922, he and his party travelled to Aireys Inlet along Lane’s Road and stopped at Lane’s holiday home, Sunnymead for lunch. In December 1923, C.J. Lane’s car (a Delauney Beville) broke down at Hutt Gully between Aireys Inlet and NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
Travelling along Lane’s Toll Road between Aireys Inlet and Anglesea. 15
Great Ocean Road ... A Futuristic View of Transport in 2035 and Beyond By Terrence Hoffmann
Imagine that it’s 2035 and there is a new era of transport along the Great Ocean Road. The new Great Ocean Road rail network has opened and operated last summer for the first time. The Otway Skyrail cable way and trainlinked Otway Express can now take you from Melbourne to most major towns along the Great Ocean Road from Anglesea to Warrnambool. The Otway Express is a long established train line running from Melbourne to Warrnambool. It now has a loop added running through Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and to Lorne, then back to the main line through Deans Marsh, and Birregurra. A Skyrail cable car service goes from Lorne to Apollo Bay with return trips to Lorne. A second rail loop runs from Camperdown to Port Campbell and return. Where towns are not serviced, there is a new Gull bus division that connects them. A number of problems have been solved with this new rail network. The majority of tourists and day trippers from Melbourne can now travel by train rather than car or bus. Tourism has boomed. The train trip express to Port Campbell and then by bus to see the Twelve Apostles, now takes an hour less each way. Real estate agents and developers are elated at the rush to build new apartments and rental properties, creating a huge demand for workers and services. The Great Ocean Road has become less clogged with all types of vehicles. Road transport still operates, but the large coaches are now mostly confined to a few hot spots. A side benefit has been the ability to clear coastal towns efficiently and rapidly in the event of bushfire. With special escape trains running every 15 minutes, Lorne and Aireys Inlet were cleared inside three hours 16
The Skyrail Kuranda Village and Scenic Train near Cairns. Could something like this even be considered for the Great Ocean Road ?
during the most recent extreme fire danger day. Those choosing to escape in their cars were gridlocked for most of the day, while the train travellers waited in Torquay for the ‘all clear’ to return. Anglesea residents commuting to jobs in Melbourne have the daily commute fixed. The trains have computer recharge facilities and wifi throughout so that it’s possible to ‘work from home’ on the 90-minute express trip to Melbourne. Before work commenced on these projects, there was much debate about the cost of installing such expensive infrastructure. In the end, the locals screamed the loudest. ‘We’re worth it’ was the motto.
Of course it didn’t stop all vehicles, but there was at least some satisfaction from knowing that the toll was subsidising the train fare and the train took half the time to arrive and return compared to road travel. Even businesses started to use the rail service to carry goods. This transformed deliveries in all areas, from supermarkets to building materials. But moving people safely, quickly and affordably was the prime goal. Now VicRail is offering combined rail fares to Lorne over summer with a beach access ticket. In line with many beaches in Europe, people need to purchase an access ticket if they wish to lie on the sand and swim.
Saving lives in bushfires, evacuating people under threat from fires and clearing the road of the endless swarms of cars and buses with day trippers and visitors were the goals.
The traditional Pier-to-Pub swimming carnival now stretches over three days with tickets required to enter the heats on days one and two and the finals on day three.
A one-off return train ticket from Melbourne was a third of the price of the new Great Ocean Road toll. Seasonal tickets were cheaper.
There is talk at Council that grandstands may be needed on the foreshore to cater for the 100,000 spectators anticipated to attend.
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Glimpses through time – A History of the Stocks family in Aireys Inlet By Terrence Hoffmann
Mike and Terry Stocks came to Aireys Inlet as young boys to stay with their Aunt Sarah and Uncle Ivan Roadknight. The twin boys loved staying at ‘Bryn Teg’, their Aunt and Uncle’s home. Sarah and Ivan previously resided at ‘Mountain House’, which sat at the top of the hill with north-east views out to sea towards Mornington, as well as views to the south towards Lorne. Coming from their home in Newport in Melbourne, Aireys Inlet in the early 1950s, was a very small community and a wonderful place to explore. Standing at the corner of Alice Road and the Great Ocean Road, just down from Mountain House (now the site of the Aireys Inlet Holiday Park) looking east towards the ocean, the only houses they could see were a couple of fibro weekenders at the end of the road, and the old army barracks down the hill from the two weekenders near the corner.
Alice Road was not really a road, more a well-worn track. Eagle Rock Parade, was not yet named and was even less visible as a throughfare. It was a world open to adventure for young boys: swimming, catching crabs and yabbies and walking around safely in a now vanished world. Mike and Terry were lucky boys to be able to enjoy life in such a beautiful place, and all due to them having family connections that stretch back to the first settlers to come to the district.
IT ALL STARTED WITH WESLEY ANDERSON The first of their family to come here was their great, great grandfather Wesley Anderson. An African-American, he arrived in Australia in 1836 as a 19-year-old. He fossicked for gold in Ballarat and Bendigo before moving to live in 18
Local residents Terry (left) and Mike Stocks have a family history that stretches right back to the first settlers to come to Aireys Inlet.
Sydney. There he married an English woman Sarah Jane Clark in 1840. They had six children, the first three in Sydney and later, after moving to Victoria, their youngest was born at Lorne. Wesley Anderson must have struck quite a figure at the time. With his African heritage as well as his dynamism. He arrived in Aireys Inlet with an ox-drawn cart and proceeded on to Lorne despite the lack of a proper road. He was reported as unloading the dray and lowering the load and the dray by ropes down the steepest part of the Devil’s Elbow, then coaxing the oxen down the cliff face as well. He was a strong and very resourceful fellow.
JOHN AND MARY ANDERSON SETTLE IN AIREYS INLET Wesleys‘s second son, John, married Mary Loughron from Grovedale (then called Germantown) in 1868.
They settled in Aireys Inlet raising 10 children, including twin boys Charles and George. Twins were to reappear later in the family through Terry and Mike Stocks. John Anderson was a major contributor to the early days of Aireys Inlet, having provided the land for the Primary School and Community Hall. The hall now bears the Anderson and Roadknight pioneer family names. John’s eldest son Albert set up the first boarding house and hotel on Bambra Road when that was the main Cobb and Co coach route through the town to Lorne. Then when the route altered and Cobb and Co transport began coming along the route from Anglesea that we use today, Albert carried the old hotel on the back of a cart and relocated the hotel to its present site on the Great Ocean Road. Parts of the original hotel remained in place until Ash Wednesday fires destroyed it in 1983. He also set up the Post Office and a general store on the hotel site.
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He spent Mondays correcting the homework that he left behind in his absence. For his efforts cycling to and fro, he was paid a travel allowance of 14 shillings a week. This was a ‘princely sum’ in those times.
STOCKS AND ANDERSON UNITE
The original ‘Bryn Teg’ homestead, where Mike and Terry Stocks spent much of their youth with their Aunt Sarah and Uncle Ivan Roadknight.
John and Mary Anderson‘s second eldest was Amanda. Born in Geelong in 1871, she married James Alford. They had three children, the eldest, Eva, married Croft Stocks the teacher at the Aireys Inlet Primary School. Their five children include Mike and Terry Stocks, the twins.
CROFT STOCKS ARRIVES IN TOWN Croft Stocks arrived in Aireys Inlet in 1935 to begin teaching at the school. The Aireys Inlet school had been closed for several years because of a lack of pupils, and the few children there requiring schooling went to Anglesea.
However, the numbers grew to 15, justifying the re-opening of the school. Croft Stocks was recruited straight from teachers’ college to commence his teaching career. When he first arrived, he found a rather dilapidated building for him to use. His first act was to write a letter to the Education Department requesting funds to build ‘Out-Offices’. He meant toilets but it may have been impolite to call them that in those days. He also wanted a fireplace to warm the school through the winter.
Croft Stocks was required to share his time between the school at Aireys Inlet and the school at Wye River. He used to ride his bicycle between the schools, teaching for a week at a time at each. On Monday mornings he would leave Aireys Inlet at 3.30am bound for Wye River. The Great Ocean Road had been open since 1932 so his trip took around four to four-and-a-half hours. He usually arrived at Wye River around 8am, just enough time, he wrote, to change his clothes and get school started by 9am. The worst time to travel was in winter when there were few bridges made and he needed to cross rivers at fords or wade through.
While teaching and living in Aireys Inlet, Croft boarded at Mountain House where the owners Mary and Sarah Anderson ran a boarding house. It was at Mountain House that Croft was introduced to the Anderson sisters’ niece, Eva Alford. The rest, as they say, is history.
The family as a whole, has accumulated over 180 years of history and life experiences in the one small township of Aireys Inlet. Living in a small population meant that they are also related through various uncles, aunts, cousins and more distant relatives to many of the other early settler families. Mike and Terry and their families still have houses in the town and participate in the life of the community. Mike’s daughters Catherine, Claire and Laura are now filling the local primary school with the next generation of this family, who will remain a significant part of the new and evolving history of the town.
The Education Department’s response was even more coy, referring to toilets ‘O.O.s’ and approving funds to build one. They were rather tight fisted though with money for the fireplace, replying, “The funds of the Department cannot be expended upon a building which is not its property”. In the end, the school committee raised half the cost of the fireplace through subscription and asked for the remainder from the Department. NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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TUTOR PROFILE: IN THE HOUSE WITH ...
LINA LIBROAPERTO 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 Lina Libroaperto who runs weekly pilates classes. makes my work fascinating and challenging … from teaching exercise technique to Year 9 students at Santa Monica camp through to running the Anglesea Active Adults (AAA), with participants ranging in age from 50s to 80s. Established in 2015 by Leisure Networks, my AAA group is a labour of love!
I arrived on the Surfcoast and settled in Fairhaven in 1999, after a six-month trip around Australia solidified our family’s decision to move out of the suburbs. I took up a local teaching position and began looking around for fitness classes. With little on offer, swimming and bushwalking became my fitness activities of choice and there was certainly a wonderful, abundant environment within which to enjoy them. Fast track to 2012, where an emptying nest and an impending retirement from teaching had me exploring what might be next. Outside my family I had two main interests: keeping fit and Anglesea Performing Arts. So being realistic enough to know I wasn’t going to make it big on the stage, I chose to qualify as a Personal Trainer!
I established Life in Balance Fitness and now train PT clients and run circuit training and Pilates classes, in Anglesea, Fairhaven and Lorne. My PT clients and class participants range in age from 15 to 85 and this 20
They constantly inspire me with their preparedness to give most activities a go. We focus on balance, flexibility and strength training and occasionally challenge activities such as rock-wall climbing or low ropes. I love connecting with people, especially in respect to wellbeing. Personal training and small groups provide opportunities for individual attention, and not only does this minimise the risk of injury, it means having fun too! Pilates in particular, is an enjoyable and powerful way to develop core strength, build lean muscle and strengthen the back – all essential for an active lifestyle.
the Anglesea Community House, the YMCA, the Anglesea Football Netball Club and Eco-Logic that provide our members with access to facilities and resources.
Wellbeing and fitness mean different things to different people and 18plus years after the seachange, I’m amazed at the smorgasbord of options in our little townships. As well as surfing, cycling and walking, there is great choice with many exercise classes, yoga, Tai Chi, reformer Pilates, walking groups and of course, my Pilates mat classes at Anglesea Community House. It is great to have the choice because fitness isn’t one size fits all. This is the message I aim to get out there: sample a variety of activities, find what works for your physical and mental wellbeing and go for it … and have fun! Pilates classes will be held Wednesdays at 9.30am throughout January at the Anglesea Community House. Bookings are essential. For information regarding classes and PT, please contact Lina: 0403 797 973.
As current research continues to highlight the benefits of exercise, especially strength training into midlife and beyond, it really is a case of ‘use it or lose it’! I enjoy living in our township environment where there is a strong community spirit, and I appreciate the generous support from local organisations and businesses such as
Pilates mat classes with Lina are on offer at Anglesea Community House throughout summer and during the year.
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From Lexton to Anglesea and Back – A Teacher’s Journey By Gary Robinson
The small girl struggled with the ‘dunny can’ … an unpleasant enough task, but one that had to be shared amongst the five females since the young girl’s father died. state award-winning CFA ‘Thrive and Survive Program’.
That was just one of the many physical jobs that had to be done around the farm, if it was to continue to support the determined young family.
The school continues to produce resilient children with a sense of being connected to their community.
During those difficult years, the young girl learnt resilience and fortitude that would carry her through life with a determination to succeed, doing so with a warm, engaging smile. That young girl was Pamela Sandlant. A journey that began on a small farm in Lexton, north of Ballarat, now reaches the point of her retiring as Principal of Anglesea Primary School at year’s end, when she will return to the award-winning wool growing business that she and her husband run in Lexton.
Pamela started her teaching journey graduating from Ballarat University in 1976 and then onto her first appointment in Avoca for eight years, before heading to Lake Bolac for 14 years, four of which were as Principal. After a year of Acting Principal in Ballarat schools, Pamela was appointed Principal of the Anglesea Primary School in 2001. This was at the old school site on the corner of Camp Road and Wray Street.
Pamela Sandlant is retiring as Principal of Anglesea Primary School.
Her passion for connecting the school to the community in an interactive way has been positive and significant for the children, the school, and the Anglesea community. A wonderful and lasting legacy. A love of intergenerational projects where the kids have been involved across the community in many ways, started with the delivery of Meals on Wheels, to the more recent national and
A belief in positive relationships and building confident and resilient children is an outcome that Pamela reflects on with great self-satisfaction. She is very pleased with having worked with and led a wonderful team of teachers, children, parents and individuals in the community over the past 17 years, and will miss the friendships and the challenges that the role brought to her life. However, a busy and successful person always finds roles and activities in any community that will bring satisfaction and joy, and Pamela will certainly find that wherever she travels. We thank her for her contribution to the children and very many members of the Anglesea community to whom she gave so much of her love and inspiration for learning, and we certainly wish her all the best in her retirement.
Pamela project-managed the building of the new school and the move to the current site in 2011, resulting in a wonderful establishment — a school for now and the future. Not content to take on the considerable load of a school principal, Pamela joined the Committee of Management of the Anglesea Community House and served for 16 years before recently retiring from this position. She has also been a Director of the Anglesea Community Bank for the past four years. When asked about highlights of her career, Pamela’s eyes lit up and the passion she has for educating children was obvious. Her philosophy of ensuring that whatever she does leads to a positive learning experience for the kids, is apparent in many of the outcomes from this special school that Pamela has headed. NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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Great Summer Reads … for Adults Brought to you by Nicole and the team at Great Escape Books
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
This highly evocative book will appeal to both literary and historical readers.
The Few by Nadia Dalbuono
Abraham Lincoln’s beloved son is gravely ill on the evening of a grand ball, held in the presidential manor. Here we are introduced to conflicting firsthand reports of the night – all accurately historical, but all agree to the depth of his dedication to his son. When he passes the next day, George Sanders tweaks this literary device and layers it with a cluster of imaginary ghosts who are standing by young Willie, advising him and urging him onto a peaceful afterlife as he resides in the ‘bardo’ - the waiting place between life and death. It is a time of great social upheaval, the civil war is pulling the nation apart, but at Willie’s tomb Lincoln can be himself, he holds Willie’s body close and mourns him. A beautiful novel, this reveals so very much of both Lincoln as a President, a father and as an ordinary man. Fabulous! RRP: $29.99
We've just been introduced to the great new author Nadia Dalbuono, who pens gritty Italian crime. Leone Scamarcio is a lone-wolf detective with the elite Flying Squad in Rome. Viewed with a combination of grudging admiration and veiled suspicion, due to his Mafia roots, he gets things done. In a city rife with corruption, he battles at every level to save the life of a young girl who is part of a much larger web of deceit. A sophisticated thriller, perfect for discerning crime readers. Currently in the series - The Few, The American, The Hit and her new book The Extremist will be coming in January 2018. RRP: $29.99
Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books
On the Java Ridge
Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books
by Jock Serong (AUS)
Bridget Crack
Jock Serong sets up a frighteningly real political scenario where a perfect storm is gathering. It's the week before the Australian federal election and Cassius Calvert, the debonair minister for Border Security, is congratulating himself on his new hardline refugee policy.
by Rachel Leary (AUS)
Bridget Crack is a 21-year-old convict who has arrived in Hobart Town, Van Dieman’s Land in 1827. She is sent to work as a domestic servant, but finds the work unbearable and after being punished for insubordination and sent from one place to another, she finds out she is to be sent to the ‘Interior’, where the hard cases are sent - and subjected to an isolated and brutally hard life with a cruel master. Bridget escapes and soon finds herself lost in the Tasmanian wilderness, only to be saved and rescued from certain death by Matt Sheedy, a bushranger on the run. But her survival among dangerous and murderous bushrangers is a different kind of hardship and suffering. Surrounded by the wild, rugged and inaccessible Tasmanian landscape and hunted by soldiers, Bridget finds she has to make a near impossible decision in order to survive. This is haunting, gripping and moving literary historical fiction about a young woman’s struggle for survival in the beautiful, yet brutal and unforgiving landscape of Tasmania. The vivid imagery and prose will pull you in and have you turning the pages until well past midnight. I loved it.
Hundreds of miles north the female skipper of the Java Ridge, Isi Natoli, is struggling to assert her authority over a group of disgruntled surfers. Unknown to both parties further north again, young Hazara refugee, Roya, is nervously eyeing all the passengers on the Indonesian junk, the Takalar, as the heat, lack of space and water cause tensions between each ethnic group to reach tinder point. Out at sea and in Australia, a physical and ethical storm is brewing. Wild and raw, worlds collide in the most brutal way imaginable in this tense political thriller, which will have you questioning everything you know or have read about Australia's border security. Strap yourself in for a magnificent, compelling read as you care, feel and bleed for the characters and the ultimate dilemma that they face - the explosive end that will leave you reeling. A sensational read!
RRP: $29.99
RRP: $29.99
Review by Jenny @ Great Escape Books
Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books
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NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
Great Summer Reads … for Kids The Great Rabbit Chase
Bad Dad
by Freya Blackwood
by David Walliams
This charming book will warm your heart. Mum goes out one day to buy boots and instead comes home with a rabbit! ‘Gumboots’ is now part of the household. Gumboots likes to do lots of things, but what he does best is escape. In a madcap race across the town chasing the elusive Gumboots, we meet lots of people (look closely at the superb illustrations). A celebration of family and community, this gentle book is delightful. Freya Blackwood has designed this book with lots of thought …the endpapers at beginning and end of the book are a fabulous board game. Design your own little game pieces using origami and race to get to the end to find Gumboots! Suitable ages 3+. RRP: $24.99 hardback (AUS) Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books
Bad Dad is a heartwarming ‘rags to riches’ and cops and robbers adventure story about a boy who tries to break his dad out of prison. Frank’s dad went to prison for driving the getaway car in a bank robbery, but he wants to put the money back and so Frank and his dad devise a brave and daring plan to break his father out of prison for the night, so they can put the stolen money back. But will the evil crime boss Mr Big stop them? With a strong storyline, quirky illustrations from artistic genius Tony Ross and a touching father-son relationship and bond throughout, this is by far my favourite David Williams book! RRP: $19.99
Scarlet and Ivy the Lost Twin series
Review by Jenny @ Great Escape Books
by Sophie R Cleverly
When Ivy’s twin sister Scarlet goes missing, Ivy does not know what to do. The thing is they are nothing alike … but when Ivy finds out she must replace Scarlet at her old school she gets very suspicious. Ivy has heard of Scarlet’s old school but she thought she would never have to go there or especially attend there. But why is Ivy so scared of going to a boarding school? Well it’s got frightening teachers and it’s a creepy old building. There aren’t many people you can trust. With a friend and enemies, Ivy will find true friendship, teamwork and pages from Scarlet’s diary that will help her find her lost twin. As I was reading my hand was trembling… if you love mysteries then Scarlet and Ivy the Lost Twin and the other books in this series are great books for you. There are currently four books in the series, with ‘Book 5’ to be released January 2018. RRP: $15.99 each. Review by Ava Saw, age 9, Anglesea
This is David Williams’ 10th book and it is fast paced, hilarious and laugh out loud funny!
The Road to Winter and Wilder Country by Mark Smith
Set against the rich tapestry of the Australian bush, a virus has spread across Australia, killing the old, the young, the weak, but in particular it seems to target women. The world has evolved and become a dangerous, lawless place. Yet not all are ready to lay down their humanity. Finn has lived alone on the coast with only his dog Rowdy for companionship, but his uncomplicated existence is about to change. With broad appeal to teens and adults alike, both books are a heart-pounding quest for survival in a world where many of the laws of morality, kindness and decency have become redundant. It is dangerous to be decent in such a world. Smith’s first book The Road to Winter was shortlisted for the prestigious Indie Awards. RRP: $19.99 each (AUS). Signed editions available. Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books
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Bev Norton: A Changing Landscape By Jenna Crawford
Bev Norton came to Anglesea in 1963, when her husband accepted a job testing vehicles at the proving ground, off Forest Road. It was a permanent move for Bev, her husband and Murray, their two-year-old son. Bev has been a long-term resident ever since, never wanting to relocate elsewhere. The town was a much smaller place then, with only about 1000 residents but the general lifestyle was always appealing with very little tangible pressures. There was a new kindergarten on its present site catering for about 12 preschoolers. The school accommodated approximately 45 students in multiaged grades with Mr Burgess as the headmaster and one female staff member. The Catholic and Presbyterian congregations both used the church in Murch Crescent, whilst the Anglican followers attended their church which is still in operation in Camp Road.
There was a football ground, two tennis courts and a bowling green, which had a tin shed to house a copper for the boiling of water. The shopping experience was fairly limited in those early days. The post office also served as a bank in its present location. Next door to the post office was a general store selling groceries, fruit and vegetables and fresh bread. Above the post office, a Torquay-based doctor set up practice and was available for limited hours each week. Much has changed for the better in Anglesea to enhance the quality of life for permanent residents and holiday makers alike. From a food retailing point-of-view, Anglesea now boasts a successful IGA 24
Bev Norton has witnessed many changes during her life in Anglesea.
supermarket, two bakeries and many eateries and coffee shops appealing to many different tastes. There are numerous clothing outlets, which were non-existent when Bev first moved here 54 years ago. Seaside Seconds also provides many items of secondhand clothing and many other treasures, allowing affordable goods for all incomes as well as providing an outlet for goods no longer required by their owners. It was recently named the third best recycling shop in Victoria. The Medical Centre, open five days per week, is a great asset for Anglesea. People can access the services of doctors, nurses, blood testing and physiotherapy without leaving town. An ambulance service is also available for those needing urgent hospital treatment. Having a well credentialed pharmacy adds to the effectiveness of the local medical services. If you want to get involved in leisure or sporting activities, Anglesea has much to offer.
Ongoing developments at the football club, tennis club, golf club, bowling club, as well as creation of basketball courts and a new bike track, provides many opportunities for people to get involved in some or all of these activities.
The Anglesea Community House offers a range of learning and leisure pursuits, while the Senior Citizens Club offers a variety of activities for those over 50. The original Memorial Hall has been refurbished and many different performances and exhibitions are held there. The annual Art Show and One Act Play are two that spring to mind. The local RSL offers a meal once a month and many residents enjoy the food (without having to prepare it themselves) as well as participating in accompanying social activities.
NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
Bev considers the building of the Anglesea Nursing Home, which offers permanent accommodation and respite, and the independent living units at the Lion's Village now managed by Sirovilla, to be two of the most welcomed assets for the town. Since her arrival here in Anglesea, Bev has seen the sealing of many road surfaces and the preservation of local vegetation, which has been successfully managed by ANGAIR and its many volunteers. A clear, clean river has enabled people to swim, fish and paddle boat and she hopes that level of early cleanliness can be regained and maintained. To balance the impression of living in this beautiful town, we talked about some of the negative changes that have occurred over the years. The increase in the volume of traffic is worrying and the confusion created by the recently redeveloped roundabout has only compounded the confusion.
The high cost of living is a concern and so is the current cost of housing. These factors could be a contributing factor in the reduction of young families settling in Anglesea. Every town needs a balance in demographics. More should be done to support and engage the youth living in the town. A regular bus service to access shops and train services in Waurn Ponds would be a welcome asset. Bev can remember when there was a permanent policeman stationed in Anglesea, when Sunday's markets were exciting places to frequent and enjoy, and the haberdashery shop offered everything necessary for the home needle worker. It would be great to see the resumption of these services.
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Email: anglese@bigpond.net.au
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My Passion for Musical Theatre By Lily Newcombe, Age 14
Most teenagers my age have a commitment to one or more types of sport. Although I love going for a ride on my bike and in summer going for a surf, my passion is musical theatre. I often get asked "what are you interested in?" or "what sports do you play?" and most of the time people are surprised when I tell them I'm interested in musical theatre. Normally after that, I am asked "what part of musical theatre do you like?" or "what makes you interested in that?". Musical theatre has three main aspects: singing, dancing and acting. I personally enjoy all three of these things.
My week is normally filled up with two singing lessons and one drama/ dancing lesson. I have been involved with my drama group GAPA (Geelong Academy of Performing Arts) for four years now and each year it just keeps getting better. During that time, I have had a lot of
amazing opportunities to perform in productions like A lice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins and Peter Pan. Throughout my time at GAPA I have been able to take on the role of the Scarecrow (Wizard of Oz), Nelly Rubena (Mary Poppins), a pirate (Peter Pan) and my most recent role as Alice from A lice in Wonderland. Although I love the fancy costumes and the amazingly made props, my absolute favourite thing about performing is being able to convince a crowd you are someone else and perform for them, purely to entertain them and tell them a story. But overall, everything about musical theatre is amazing and unique. It isn't like in sport where you have strict rules. In musical theatre you have the ability to make your character evolve around you, you get to choose whether you'd like to make that character a little
Anglesea teen Lily Newcombe
more quirky or a bit less full on or whether you want to add a bit more "oomph" to a song or bring it back a little.
Another thing I particularly like about musical theatre is that you have to work with others to make the performance/end product the best that it can possibly be. For example, you have to have trust that everyone in the group will learn their lines off the script as well as the songs and that they will practice the dances along with making it to class every single week. Without that commitment, the show to some extent wouldn't work or come out as well as it could have. This teamwork is essential in my GAPA group because we only have one or two performances for a year of work, so there's never the excuse of "there's always next time". Musical theatre is something I think everyone should have a try at ... it is lots of fun and very rewarding.
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Tech Angle By Chris Dos
A NEW START FOR THE YEAR?
In the interest of simplifying this complicated existence, I thought it might be helpful at this time to offer an all-purpose, printable Tech New Year’s Resolution List. I, (state your name) hereby promise*… • I will back up my devices at regular intervals. • I won’t buy that intelligent fridge that posts Instagram pics of my wilted lettuce to shame me. • to replace my expensive phone with a cheaper, top-of-theline last generation one, the next time I break it.
• I will be less smug about my Mac being ‘immune’ to viruses and malware. • I will disconnect the TV from our wifi so I don’t need to lower my voice in the lounge room in case it’s listening in on me. • I’ll finally navigate the labyrinth of settings to stop Facebook from remembering every single thing I’ve ever googled on any of my devices. • to try and get over my disappointment in the speed and reliability of the NBN … or alternatively, buy that house with the node right out the front. • to not panic every time I get a scam email trying to trick me into revealing one of my passwords. • to recognise there certainly will be strings attached to anything offer ed ‘free’. • to make sure the flash on my camera is turned OFF when attending intimate concerts, weddings or any event where the centre of attention won’t appreciate being blinded during that special moment. • to spend more time enjoying life and less time documenting it. • I will turn my phone OFF once in a while! Have a happy and safe new year. *to the best of my ability
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Community Corner NEWS AND UPDATES FROM YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD
Lions Club Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations The Anglesea Medical Centre has been able to upgrade its service to patients thanks to the overwhelming success of the recent Lions Club fundraiser for an ultrasound machine.
Not only did the fundraiser meet its target of $24,000 for the state-of-the-art ultrasound machine, but raised an additional $6,000 that allowed the medical centre to purchase two adjustable height beds and further specialised equipment to augment the use of the machine. The Anglesea Lions and Lioness Club, in partnership with the Anglesea Community Bank and the Surf Coast Medical Centre, received overwhelming support from the Anglesea community for the fundraiser, so an ultrasound machine could be purchased and permanently located at the Anglesea Medical Centre. The initial aim was to raise $24,000 for the machine but with the support of groups such as Anglesea Seaside Seconds, Anglesea Men’s Shed, Beachfront Caravan Park, Anglesea Senior Citizens, Anglesea Lioness Club and many individual private donors, the Lions Club was able to present the Anglesea Medical Centre with a cheque for $30,000.
A morning tea was recently held at the Community House to thank the organisations who made major contributions to the project.
The Anglesea Lions Club would also like to acknowledge and thank the many private donors who contributed to this outstanding community fundraising effort.
Anglesea Medical Centre staff test out the new ultrasound machine with Lions Club President Leon Wilson.
Specialised equipment for the ultrasound machine has now been purchased to augment diagnosis, with the majority of the scans that were previously referred to Geelong services now able to be performed by the medical staff at the Anglesea Medical Centre. The selected machine is portable, enabling diagnosis at venues such as the Anglesea Aged Care, and will also be an advantage for young patients who now may not need to travel to another centre. The steering group of the Lions Club, along with representatives from the Community Bank, acknowledge the significant contributions from community members who have assisted in the fundraising with efforts such as raffles, social nights and other activities to make this diagnostic service possible in Anglesea. 28
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WHAT’S THE U3A?
Try Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Come and try this fun activity! Great for fitness and core strength.
This year the Anglesea Community House has played host to a number of University of the Third Age (U3A) events.
Board, life-vest and wetsuit provided
Two of the ‘Occasional Lecture’ series were held at the House.
Make this a part of your weekly fitness routine.
The first gave an opportunity to learn more about the growth and importance of the Arts on the Surf Coast, and the second was an eye-opening lecture on the growing importance of cyber security. During Term 4, a short course titled ‘Australia: Post War Reconstruction from 1945 to 1949’ was held. This proved to be an extremely popular topic.
To give everyone an opportunity to learn more about U3A Surf Coast, we are offering a ‘Welcome to Surf Coast U3A’ coffee morning at the Anglesea Community House, 10.30am Tuesday 6 February 2018.
Mondays 9.15-10.15 Fridays 1.00-2.00 Just $20! Agnes Lane ramp (Wray St) Anglesea River
This will include copies of the Term 1 course information, enrolment details and the opportunity to meet some of the tutors.
Qualified instructors 10+ yrs old Bookings essential 5263 1133
We invite all those interested to join us for an informal, friendly get together.
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Community Corner NEWS AND UPDATES FROM YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD
Wild Lives Matter Do you know what to do if you find injured or orphaned wildlife? FOR 24-HOUR EMERGENCY WILDLIFE RESCUE, PLEASE CALL SURF COAST WILDLIFE SHELTER GROUP OR GREAT OCEAN ROAD WILDLIFE RESCUE ON 0490 035 006. Do NOT attempt to handle raptors, snakes, bats, adult koalas, adult possums or adult kangaroos and wallabies as they can cause serious injury. PLEASE CALL OUR RESCUE LINE. For all other animals and birds:
ROADSIDE RESCUES ·
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RESCUE—If it is safe to do so, most small animals and birds can be picked up by placing the towel or blanket over the animal (including its head) and pick it up like you would a small load of washing. Be careful to avoid being scratched or bitten. HOUSING—Place the animal in a well-ventilated cardboard box lined with a towel or blanket. The towel will give the animal something to cling to so that it doesn’t slide around. Ensure that the lid is securely closed so that the animal cannot escape and place the box securely in your car (not the boot as exhaust fumes can kill the animal). To give the animal or bird the best chance of survival, PLEASE TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST LICENSED WILDLIFE SHELTER OR THE NEAREST VET CLINIC.
· DO NOT keep the animal or attempt to raise it yourself. Not only is this illegal but injured and orphaned wild animals and birds require immediate specialised care, fluids and foods that only a vet or licensed wildlife shelter or carer can provide. KEEPING IT COULD KILL IT.
OTHER RESCUES · CONSIDER IF THE ANIMAL OR BIRD NEEDS RESCUING — Unless the animal is in immediate danger just keep an eye on it to ensure a parent returns to care for the baby. Removing a baby bird unnecessarily can be very detrimental to its wellbeing. If in doubt, contact us for advice. 30
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WARM/DARK/QUIET—Keep the animal or bird in a warm, dark place away from children and pets and keep noise to a minimum. Our native animals can die very quickly from stress.
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DO NOT OFFER ANY FOOD OR WATER as native animals have very specialised diets and feeding an animal or bird in shock can be fatal.
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CALL THE EMERGENCY LINE OR TAKE THE ANIMAL OR BIRD TO THE NEAREST VET OF LICENSED WILDLIFE SHELTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
POUCH CHECKS · If you find a kangaroo, wallaby, possum or koala that has been hit and killed or injured make sure you check the pouch – joeys have been known to survive in the mother’s pouch following her death for several days. · PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY FOR ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE. · DO NOT REMOVE THE JOEY especially if the Joey is still attached to the mother’s teat as irreparable damage can be done to the joey’s mouth if this is done incorrectly. WILD LIVES MATTER SO BE AWARE THEY’RE OUT THERE AND PLEASE SLOW DOWN ON OUR ROADS.
CALL 0490 035 006
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Summer Markets
Aireys Inlet Market Sunday 31 December: 9AM—1PM Sunday 7 January: 9AM—1PM Sunday 14 January: 9AM—1PM Sunday 21 January: 9AM—1PM Sunday 28 January: 9AM—1PM
Meet the makers and growers from our local region at the Aireys Inlet Market, where hand-selected stalls showcase homegrown, handmade, recycled, vintage and local wares of the highest quality. The market is held every Sunday over summer at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall. Remember to BYO coffee cups, water bottles and bags to help keep our environment plastic free. NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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Anglesea Community Network is Underway By Gary Robinson
Recent discussions have been held in the Anglesea community between representatives of the 50-plus service groups and clubs in the town to identify the potential for an ‘Anglesea Community Network’. The aim of inviting these groups to come together was to initiate a grassroots approach to discuss the prospects of forming a community network that would enable better representation of the community to the Surf Coast Shire Council and other agencies.
The concept was that by improving the flow of information through the community, we could build on our community’s strengths to create and communicate opportunities and to embrace issues together. With positive support for the notion, meetings followed to determine some
of the issues and opportunities in the community that might be of interest. Additionally, ideas about the structure of such a network and its aims and objectives were sought. Among 20 topics identified, discussion was generated around issues such as maintaining the character of the town and its environment, post-emergency resilience, transport and roads, ongoing health of the river, an alliance for sports clubs and volunteering.
The next action of the current working group will be to support the establishment of active issues and opportunities, i.e. ‘theme’ groups, and then to share with the community the information arising from the work and activities of these groups. It is intended this will be achieved via
Gary Robinson is one of the facilitators of the Anglesea Community Network.
the Anglesea Community Network, which will communicate more effectively with the community via the membership of service groups and sporting bodies and by using other communication methods to inform the town. Meetings will be held with the core representatives again in December to further discuss the nuts and bolts of establishing the structure of such a network, along with planning for a public meeting in January and, if needed, again in March. Torquay, Lorne, Winchelsea and Moriac all have some form of organisation representing their communities to the Surf Coast Shire. It is long overdue for Anglesea to have one strong united voice better representing it to Council and other associated agencies. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact any one of the facilitators:
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Peter Doyle
0418 176 467
Raylene Fordham Gary Robinson
0400 151 716 0448 117 360
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Surf Coast Shire News By Ward Councillor Libby Coker Summer on the Surf Coast is here and with it comes sun, surf, holidays and preparation for the fire season. It’s also a time when we look back on the year and what has been achieved across the Anglesea Ward and the Shire. I am proud of the work Council is doing to strengthen town boundaries and ensure we retain our green belts and open space for generations to come.
BUSHFIRE PLANNING
A NEW MAYOR
With the Surf Coast recognised as one of the world’s most bushfire-prone areas, now is the best time to understand your fire risk and get prepared. Handy tips include:
I would like to recognise newly elected Mayor, Cr David Bell, and Deputy Mayor, Cr Clive Goldsworthy.
• Talk to your household and neighbours about what you'll do on high-risk days and have a plan if fire threatens you and your home this summer.
Council is also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint on Shire buildings and precincts, and within our communities. The new Surf Coast Art Space in Anglesea has been a resounding success with exhibitions and onsite workshops. Visit Shop 2/103 Great Ocean Road to see the latest exhibitions. The Anglesea Bowling Club redevelopment is underway, and will provide another great community facility. I would personally like to thank club members who have worked tirelessly to achieve a great outcome for the club and community. In Aireys Inlet, there is a new pedestrian refuge safely linking the skate park with the bottom shops.
• Check Fire Danger Ratings daily at emergency.vic.gov.au to find out how dangerous a fire would be if one started and monitor warnings, especially when the Fire Danger Rating is Severe, Extreme or Code Red. • Pack an emergency kit of essentials - including important documents, a first-aid kit, medications, blankets, water and a battery powered radio and keep it handy. • Visit emergency.vic.gov.au, and download the VicEmergency App.
Newly-elected Mayor of the Surf Coast Shire, Cr David Bell. Our Council is dedicated to working with our amazing officers, and you, the community, to ensure we create a place where you can achieve your potential and enjoy the environment in which you live. Do have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year on the Surf Coast, Cr Libby Coker Surf Coast Shire 0427 337 558
There are also plans afoot to enhance the Anderson Roadknight Reserve precinct. The Anglesea Futures project, following the closure of the Alcoa power plant and mine, continues with community input into what this significant site will be. Things to consider include future of the bike park, the use of substantial open space, potential for some residential development and possible inclusion of recreational, eco-friendly accommodation, and importantly, renewable energy generation. Visit www.engage.vic.gov.au/ angleseafutures to get involved in this exciting project. 34
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TWITCHERS’ CORNER Written and illustrated by Kaye Traynor
Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis The Golden Whistler is one of our very popular and wellknown birds. They can be found over much of Australia and generally in areas of denser habitat such as forests, gullies, woodlands and rainforests. Their diet consists mainly of spiders and insects which they search for in the foliage of trees, vines and shrubs. They will also eat berries. The male Golden Whistler is spectacularly coloured with bright sulphur-yellow nape and underparts, white chin and throat patch and black head plumage which extends down to a narrow band on either side and joins across the chest. The back is olive-green suffused with yellow. Wings are greyish and the tail is black or grey. Adult plumage for the males is not acquired until he is at least three years old. By contrast the female is an olive-grey with paler, more buff underparts and whitish chin and throat. Immature birds resemble the female but have conspicuous, rufous leading edges to wing feathers. Although the male Golden Whistler is brightly coloured he isn’t always easy to see in the foliage, however the calls he makes have a variety of rich, clear whistling sounds and immediately attracts attention. For most of the year the Golden Whistler maintains a solitary existence, but with the onset of breeding, when pairs form, both sexes join in persistently loud vocalising to announce their territory and deter rivals. Breeding season is through August to January. The male and female share the nest building, incubation and care of the young. The nest is a shallow bowl of sticks, twigs, coarse grass and other dry matter built in the fork or intersection of branches, between one and six metres above the ground. Two to three eggs are laid. They are blotched with brown and lavender on a variable background of cream, light brown or pale olive. The young hatch after 14-17 days. (Ref. The Robins & Flycatchers of Australia by Walter E. Boles)
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Looking for the Spirit in Anglesea By Michael Varney
There is something special about Anglesea. Something that breathes a sigh of relief and relaxes the soul. Is it the beautiful scenery? The friendly welcome? The opportunity to rest and rejuvenate? Or is it something else? What, where or who do you think is the spirit in Anglesea? The spirit that makes Anglesea such a great place to be. Why are we asking? Because we need your input to help design a wall mural to be placed on the outside wall of Seaside Seconds that will depict the spirit in Anglesea. As I have pondered this question my first thought was to consider how the geography of Anglesea has shaped the spirit of the community in Anglesea. Water is the first theme to arise as I looked for the source of the Anglesea River. The absence of fresh water shaped both Indigenous and subsequent settlement, making Point Roadknight a place of party rather than permanent settlement. The arrival of permanent drinking water and the making of Coogoorah Park have shaped the spirit of Anglesea. Bushfire has shaped and scarred the landscape but also created opportunity. The ravages of the 1983 bushfire also opened the land to new growth and regeneration. The constant need for awareness and fear of fire shapes the spirit of Anglesea.
Ideas are sought for a wall mural at Seaside Seconds to capture the ‘Spirit of Anglesea’.
different ways. Is there a presence that whispers to us in the beauty of creation, warns us of our limits or prompts us to respond? How will we capture this for all to see and share? What images or ideas come to mind as you contemplate the spirit in Anglesea? How would you describe it?
If you would like to be involved with the project, have some images or ideas to share in creating the ‘Spirit of Anglesea’, I would love to hear from you. Call 03 5263 2744, email pastor@angleseabaptist.org.au, or drop into Seaside Seconds by the end of January 2018.
The overwhelming beauty of our landscape that draws visitors and residents alike is significant. The demand for the beauty both sustains and limits those who call Anglesea home, shaping its spirit. Yet the spirit in Anglesea is more than geography ... it is the community that calls it home — home for days or decades. It is the community that smiles in the street, plays at the park or in the water, gives acts of kindness and unselfishly serves others, to name just a few. Does Anglesea have its own spirit? One shaped by many things and lived out in NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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Write Angles By Melva Stott
The end of an era
Now that he is no longer with us, the powers-that-be have fitted handrails on either side to enable everyone to safely tread the slippery slope.
For the past 16 years, thousands of people driving on the Great Ocean Road at Christmas time have seen a nativity scene that moves, and they have waved and tooted in response.
Jingle bells
Hundreds of travellers, from all over the world, have dropped in to the stable for a chat. Countless photos have been taken and put on social media, annual newsletters, and become ‘next year's Christmas cards’. These visitors have done a lot of our town's promotion for us, and Anglesea has become known world-wide. Some Sydney-siders told their neighbours they were coming to Anglesea and were advised to visit the Live Nativity. Sadly the stable will not be seen this year as Joseph has gone to meet his Maker after so many years of being God's ambassador on the riverbank.
The second mile The ramp near the Community House leading down to the carpark in the community hub can be like walking on ballbearings when small pebbles and gravel roll on to it. Stan regularly borrowed a broom from the Senior Cits and swept the ramp as an unknown community service.
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Heading back to Anglesea on Forest Road one evening my son, Alister, and I saw a deer on the verge. Which reminds me that both male and female reindeer grow antlers in summer, but males shed them as winter comes on. Females keep theirs until they've given birth in spring. Therefore, all of Santa's reindeer are of the feminine gender. Well, we should have realised that only a pack of females could pull a jolly old man in a red suit and his cargo right around the world in one night, without having to ask for directions! And Santa has the right formula for making good friendships - he only visits once a year and comes bearing gifts, so he's always welcome.
And finally By the time you're reading this, the Great Ocean Road will have once more become ‘the world's longest memorial carpark’. On Australia Day will you be having the traditional sevencourse Aussie dinner? A pie and a six-pack. Keep smiling! Melva Stott
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