PUBLICATION OF THE ANGLESEA COMMUNITY HOUSE
ISSUE 143 SPRING 2020
Photo by Patrick Callow A para-glider cruises over the beautiful beach at Fairhaven ‌ taking self-isolation to an extreme ...or simply enjoying the stunning scenery?
Hanging in There ... By Moreen Dainty
In early August, a State of Disaster was declared for Victoria due to the persistent high numbers of COVID-19 cases. Over the years, Australians have shown extraordinary fortitude and courage in the face of bushfires, cyclones or floods. In this article, we take a look at what the past disasters have taught us and how our local community groups are heeding the challenge to reach out and stay connected. Recently, I watched a video for Community Houses are for Everyone
Highlights Travel Close to Home
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community leaders on the Surf Coast Shire Council website. It was a talk given by Dr Rob Gordon, consulting psychologist to the Red Cross, and a man who has spent the past 30 years working with people affected by emergencies and disasters.
Country to Coast
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He shared his knowledge of how communities recovered from the
Keeping It Real in VCE
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An Anglesea Angel
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Profile: Darcy Bennett
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The Check Up
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19th Hole Bistro
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History Spot
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Community Corner
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Continued on page 4 > 1
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NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
Hello! … from the House
NewsAngle NewsAngle is a free, quarterly magazine published by the Anglesea Community House for the communities of Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven and Moggs Creek. Its purpose is to strengthen connections across our community by writing about the diverse people, businesses and activities that make us who we are. NewsAngle aims to inform, entertain and educate readers, and to provide a voice for local groups and individuals to share information about events, activities and achievements.
Editorial If you have feedback or comments about articles in this issue, or would like to make a suggestion, please contact the editor, Libby Stapleton, at newsangle@anglesea.org.au or leave news items / notices for the editor at the Community House.
Distribution NewsAngle is offered free to the community. You can download a copy online at www.anglesea.org. Hard copies are distributed via Australia Post, using home delivery in Anglesea and PO Boxes in Aireys Inlet. NewsAngle can also be found at local shops/ cafes in both towns.
Deadlines for Next Edition Issue:
Summer, 144
Casual ad bookings:
26 Oct
Articles/Contributions:
30 Oct
Distribution:
8 Dec
Advertisers If you would like to book an annual or casual advertisement, please email Julie at advertising@anglesea.org.au
Anglesea Community House 9.15am - 2.30pm Monday - Friday 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea PO Box 43, Anglesea, VIC, 3230 Tel: 5263 2116 Email admin@anglesea.org.au
Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Community House.
By Michael Varney, Committee of Management, Anglesea Community House
Are you living well? What do you need to do to live a long life? Science journalist Marta Zaraska writes that we have been fixating on the wrong things – miracle diets, foods, supplements and exercise. Whilst exercise and diet are important, she suggests that friendship, purpose in life, empathy and kindness may be more powerful. This is not a surprise to Community Houses, which exist to bring people together and support the development of a community spirit. The Harvard Study of Adult Development has, for over 75 years, comprehensively followed and compared the physical and emotional health of individuals from either Boston's poorest or richest suburbs. It’s known as the Grant Study, a longitudinal study on adult happiness that's been running continuously since 1938. Psychiatrist and Professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Waldinger, summed up the overwhelming conclusion of the study – good relationships keep us happier and healthier.
We are better when we are together and in coming together, we can share finding purpose. The Community House, as well as many other community organisations, can provide each of these. It is not a new discovery; the word community has its origins in the ancient Greek, κοινός, lived out as kononia in the first century. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the need for one another to a focus as we are restricted in how we can be together. We can either retreat or be innovative, abandon or embrace technology, allow our relationships to fade or invest in them. This can be challenging but with empathy and kindness we will, so the studies suggest, live longer and be happier.
Local Council Elections Set for October Voting in local council elections in Victoria this October, including the Surf Coast Shire, will be by post. We are in the ‘Anglesea Ward’, which includes parts of Bellbrae, Bells Beach, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven. Voting is compulsory for residents and also available to nonpermanent ratepayers who have applied to be ‘councilenrolled voters’. It is important to note that a new law, which came into effect in March 2020, means those over 70 years are now required to vote. If you don’t, you may get a fine. Ballot packs will be mailed to enrolled voters between Tuesday 6 and Thursday 8 October. Follow the instructions on the ballot pack and make sure your completed vote is in the mail or hand-delivered to the election office (see website below for location) before 6pm on Friday 23 October 2020. To find out who the candidates are for Anglesea Ward, or for other election information, go to www.vec.vic.gov.au.
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Hanging in There ... > continued from page 1
terrible Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. Those that fared best had something he and other experts call ‘social capital’, i.e. strong bonds between groups in the community that provided people with anything from practical help through to emotional support. In his view, COVID-19, the first international pandemic in living memory, poses a particular kind of challenge. “The major difference is that the threat is invisible. It’s a hazard you can’t see – like a toxic substance in the air, or radiation. It’s highly infectious but takes time to incubate. So, it’s hard to know if you’re safe and that can leave many of us feeling anxious,” said Dr Gordon. He noted in recent months that people had been saying they felt tired “for no real reason”. Others said things like “I feel a bit weird … not quite like myself”. Some talked of their sense of time being “strangely distorted … days and weeks felt like they had started running into each other”. I felt relieved as I listened to him talk, hearing him say these feelings are quite widespread. It felt good to know I am not alone. And yet, at the very time we need good social support, we are being told to keep our distance and isolate.
The Community House has received many creative squares for its Resilience Rug project.
Which is why there is so much emphasis on keeping mentally well during these difficult times, as well as working on our own ‘social capital’.
kind of tipping point, it is important to reach out and ask for expert help,” he explained (see details below for ways to access help if needed).
In a separate interview with Virginia Trioli, on ABC Radio Melbourne in mid-July, Dr Gordon argued we have to be careful about the language we use around mental health. He pointed out that it is quite normal to feel lousy, worried and upset in response to some kind of perceived threat. He warned us however, to watch out for signs that we can’t seem to shift our state of mind.
He argued we need to work at creating some kind of firebreak to stop us feeling overwhelmed. “Often, the antidote to the stress we feel is to stop and think, ‘What’s the threat? What information do I have? What can I do here that might help?’.”
“For some people, these negative emotions can take on a life of their own. They can take off like a bushfire – or a pandemic. And if we reach some
Sticking to a routine, speaking to a friend or family member each day on the phone, via email, or What’s App, and reaching out to local community
For many, it’s the little things in life that are of help.
WHERE TO GET HELP Local Council: For up-to-date information about the current situation around COVID-19, visit the Surf Coast Shire Council website www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au. The ‘Get Help’ section provides links to videos, fact sheets and organisations that we can access to help us take care of our own and our family’s mental health. DHHS provides up-to-date information on current restrictions and advice around testing, cases, etc www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus. Beyond Blue is providing support to anyone feeling worried or isolated. You can chat online, call or access online forums with qualified counsellors www.coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au. Phone: 1300 224 636 (24-hour phone service). Lifeline: For Suicide and Crisis Support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 44 (24-hour phone service). Headspace Geelong (youth): Phone 5222 6690 (Mon to Fri 9am—5pm) 4
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groups, can all help alleviate feelings of isolation.
continue to meet in person – albeit at a distance.
Down here on the Surf Coast, we also have the advantage of a stunning, natural environment to distract us and help us feel more connected to nature. And regular daily exercise is something many more people now relish – that rush of endorphins makes us feel so much better!
“We’ve been doing a lot of work helping groups come up with their COVID-safe plans and finding different, alternative ways for people to connect,” says Marcelle Rankin, Programme Coordinator at Anglesea Community House.
Local exercise groups have continued to meet wherever possible. Tai Chi classes were cancelled for awhile in Aireys but then came back again and were over-subscribed when they did. The Mermaids group, which goes for early morning swims at Anglesea, has continued despite the cold. And when the Community House opened again in mid-July, yoga classes filled quickly. There are many examples of Surf Coast community groups maintaining contact during these challenging times. Depending on the level of restrictions at the time, some have managed to
Early on, many community groups – from bookclubs to pilates groups, writers and artists, families and colleagues – turned to apps like Zoom to help them continue to meet online. A few months later, and virtual communication has become the new reality. For some, it has been a steep learning curve to figure out how to be seen and heard via a computer screen. Again, Anglesea Community House stepped into the breach offering one-on-one, free appointments to help people use their phone, tablet or computer and to help sort out issues connecting to the internet.
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Others turned to their grandchildren for help! (This writer had the sobering experience of an 11-year-old carefully explain how I could share the material on my computer screen on Zoom.) Says Marcelle, “We have been doing a lot of work helping people find alternative, different ways to connect.
“Often people ask us about things going on in the community, so if you are running a group and it’s COVID-safe, please be sure to let us know.” There is no doubt these are testing times – both from a public health and an economic perspective. People will react differently depending on their individual circumstances and personality. The important thing to remember is that there is help out there, so be sure to reach out and seek help if you or your loved ones need it.
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Travel Adventures Close to Home By Mary Bremner
Huddling around your heater and dreaming of campfires in the Kimberley? Still smarting over those cancelled travel plans? When COVID-19 restrictions on local travel are eased, there’s no better time to get out and explore our own region. You won’t have to elbow out any international tourists and our local operators will welcome you. Many of these activities come at no cost. With this in mind, my interest was piqued when the Anglesea Historical Society advertised their July excursion, in the footsteps of William Buckley. I had long been fascinated by the story of the escaped convict who lived with the local Wathaurong people for 32 years. In the window between periods of Stage 3 restrictions, I jumped at the opportunity. Our group of history buffs used their own vehicles, in order to comply with guidelines for social distancing. Tour organiser, Jan Morris, furnished us with a map and information about each of the scheduled stops. The Buckley Falls in Highton provided a scenic backdrop for our introduction to the life and times of this fascinating character. Historical Society member, Karl Jacklin, had researched his subject thoroughly and we learned about Buckley’s life prior to being transported to the new convict settlement of Port Phillip for being in possession of some rolls of stolen cloth. We heard about Buckley’s escape from custody at Sullivan Bay (now Sorrento) in 1803. Joined by two other convicts,
he had the intention of making for Sydney. The futility of this soon dawned on Buckley’s companions, but made of sterner stuff he set off on foot along the coast, eventually reaching present day Lorne. He turned back and at this point met up with the Wathaurong people. Buckley was greeted warmly by the tribespeople, who took him for the returned spirit of a departed kinsman. In the following decades, Buckley learned the native language, became skilled in the use of the tools and weapons and found female companionship. He was revered by the tribe and had a role in settling intertribal disputes. Our tour was organised for convenience, rather than a chronology of events, and motoring on to Indented Head at the tip of the Bellarine Peninsula, we found ourselves at the location of Buckley’s return to white society in 1835. This occurred out of a desire to protect his adopted people, with a dispute brewing between some members of the Wathaurong and an exploration party led by John Batman. Batman had been dispatched from Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania) to scout a suitable location in the Port Phillip area for a settlement. We pictured the vision that William Buckley must have been, all 6-foot 6-
Historical Society member Ed Tame talks with Mary Bremner at Buckley Falls on the Barwon River. William Buckley worked as a guide for new residents to Geelong after his return to white society. 6
inches (198cm) of him, clad in animal skins and carrying aboriginal weapons. He could barely speak English, but the offer of some bread triggered something and words started to come back to him. We continued; stopping at Saint Leonards, Point Londsdale, Barwon Heads and Breamlea, all places laying claim to a connection with the Buckley story. The banks of the Bream Creek
Historical Society members Betty Butterworth and Harry Wendt stand on the pedestrian bridge at Barwon Heads, named in honour of William Buckley.
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would have been a location with abundant eels, fish and duck and a likely spot for the Wathaurong people to set up camp. It is widely believed that Buckley built himself a hut there. Time didn’t allow for further exploration of the places that Buckley would have traversed between present day Torquay and Lorne. Jan finished the day with a story, perhaps apocryphal, that nevertheless was very entertaining – especially for the Aireys Inlet members of the party. Following the coast, Buckley crossed a river – he had lost his fire stick so was looking out for some smouldering timber. When he got to Kuarka Dorla (now Anglesea) it was a scorching January day. He didn’t find any fire and nor could he find any shade, as there were no big trees. None of the shrubs had edible berries and he couldn’t find any drinkable water, as the river was too salty. He tried unsuccessfully to catch fish in the river. He left exhausted, calling it a ‘God-forsaken place’. Buckley followed the beach around to Mangowak (now Aireys Inlet). There he found a cool cave, shrubs with edible berries, fresh natural spring water, and a stump of hot coals, where he cooked the fish he was able to catch at the mouth of the creek. He referred to this place as ‘The Garden of Eden’. It was a most enjoyable day. For some years, I’ve had a tourist brochure outlining the self-guided William Buckley trail, languishing in a drawer. It took being kept at home for the winter to motivate me to get out and explore the places associated with this fascinating part of our local history.
Zoe Morton-Cartwright enjoys the views from Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet—one of the many activities locals can enjoy in their own backyard.
beautiful loop walk up the Iron Bark Gorge – two hours return from my front door in Aireys. Further afield, Lake Elizabeth near Forest, formed in 1952 as the result of a landslide on the East Barwon River, is flanked with glorious fern groves, and at dawn or dusk you have the chance to spot a platypus. Who needs to go to France? You can source black truffles just down the road at Wongarra Farm, near Skenes Creek, and create gourmet meals in your own kitchen. Truffles in hand, travel home via the ‘USA’, with a deviation to admire the forest of 85-year-old Californian Redwoods (Sequoia
sempervirens) at Beech Forest. We all love our local wines, but may not have actually visited the wineries right on our doorstep. Bellbrae Estate is only 12 minutes down the road from Anglesea, and Brown Magpie a 20minute drive away. Dinny Goonan, Pondalowie, and Blakes Estate are all less than an hour from home. (Check their websites for opening hours.) Footnote: For more information about the Anglesea and District Historical Society, go to their Facebook page. Excursions are held on the odd months - COVID restrictions allowing. The society loans out books on William Buckley if you’d like to learn more.
There are many other wonderful destinations in our own area that may well be overlooked by local residents. How many of us have been up the Split Point Lighthouse? Its story is part of our maritime history and the views are awesome. The Anglesea River and the Painkalac Creek are both beautiful waterways for canoeing and the upper reaches are well worth exploring. You might have hiked the Camino or some of Tasmania’s famous walks, but there are some world-class treks in our own back yard – consider the Surf Coast Walk and the Great Ocean Walk. I recently reacquainted myself with the NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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BUSINESS PROFILE
Country to Coast Home Care Services By Liz Clark
When Councils throughout Victoria decided that home-care services would no longer be offered to local communities, opportunities arose for private groups to specialise in caring for the elderly, particularly in helping people stay in their homes for as long as possible. In Anglesea and the local area, Lucy Lincoln took the opportunity to set up Country to Coast Home Care Services, offering a wide range of services to local people to enable them to live safely and well in their own homes as they age.
shopping – either accompanying the client, or getting the shopping required
Her company offers high quality care for a reasonable price to those over 65 years, who have applied for and received a government-funded Home Care Package. Various levels of support are offered and clients’ needs are fitted to their budgets.
maintaining community connections through local social engagements
Lucy leads a fully qualified, experienced team that provides support every day of the week for clients in their own homes. The team includes four registered nurses, who offer clinical support, as well as assistance with day-to-day living needs.
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carer transport help with showering, toileting, hygiene and dressings
social support groups in-home respite gardening and maintenance Lucy Lincoln set up Home Care Services to provide support to local people to live safely and well in their homes as they age.
Their many services include: cleaning and laundry meal preparation
community nursing medication prompts allied health services Specific needs and interests are catered to as well. Lucy has employed local carers who provide flexibility and a personal touch to their care services. They understand that it is important that their clients do not lose their independence, and tailor services to individuals as required. She is proud to base her service on the Charter of Aged Care Rights (see next page).
Lucy brings a wide range of experience in health and community services to her company, having worked for public and private hospitals, a notfor-profit organisation and the Surf Coast Shire. She particularly enjoys establishing a warm relationship with her clients, and is very aware of individuality, special needs and interests, finding this very helpful to ensure that the right support workers are assigned to the right clients.
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She is keen to create a friendly and open service where clients retain their individuality and enjoy the continued comfort of staying at home. They are encouraged to discuss their care plans in an ongoing basis and work together with team members to make any necessary changes. Country to Coast Home Care Services specialises in government-funded Home Care Packages. To be assessed for a Home Care Package, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. An Assessment Officer from the Aged Care Assessment Team will make an appointment with you and come to your home. There are four different levels of Home Care Packages – 1,2,3 and 4. Each has a different level of funding based on the care needed. If you are approved for a Home Care Package, you will be added to the national prioritisation queue. When you reach the top of the queue, you will be assigned a Home Care Package and receive a letter in the mail from ‘My Aged Care’. Older residents in our area who have been assigned a Home Care Package, or simply need some help to navigate inhome aged care services, can feel confident that they are in good hands when they work with Lucy and her team.
They provide a genuine personal service, high level clinical and professional staff, and an holistic approach to ageing and health. Country to Coast can be contacted on 0407 332 016 or via email info@ctchomecare.com.au
Charter of Aged Care Rights
I have the right to: 1. safe and high quality care and services; 2. be treated with dignity and respect; 3. have my identity, culture and diversity valued and supported; 4. live without abuse and neglect; 5. be informed about my care and services in a way I understand; 6. access all information about myself, including information about my rights, care and services; 7. have control over and make choices about my care, and personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk; 8. have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of my daily life, financial affairs and possessions; 9. my independence; 10. be listened to and understood; 11. have a person of my choice, including an aged care advocate, support me or speak on my behalf; 12. complain free from reprisal, and to have my complaints dealt with fairly and promptly; 13. personal privacy and to have my personal information protected; 14. exercise my rights without it adversely affecting the way I am treated. Advertisement
VOTE 1 Raylene Fordham Surf Coast Shire, Anglesea Ward Candidate
In addition to her full time job, Lucy has now joined the Anglesea Community House as a committee member. She says she came from a small community and always enjoyed the sense of belonging there, as well as the feeling that she was connected to so many other people. She is keen to enjoy some of that spirit in Anglesea and offer her skills to the Community House as they work to provide a sense of connection and support among the residents.
I was recently asked why I am nominating in the October 2020 Council Elections and the answer is very important to me. I am passionate about community! Community matters to me. Having lived in Anglesea for almost 12 years now and having been actively involved in both the business and broader community, I have been able to contribute to many community projects that have both brought people together to deliver desired outcomes. This has taught me the Power of Collaboration and Goodwill. My aim will always be to enhance and protect our communities, through my availability and willingness to listen, to consult and ultimately to contribute. Please contact me anytime 0400 151 716
Written and Authorised by Raylene Fordham, PO Box 189, Anglesea VIC.
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Keeping it Real … VCE in 2020 by Paddy Day
There has been a common refrain amongst us year 12s of 2020 that we are the cursed year. It has also been said over and over again that we are living in surreal times and noone could have predicted our last year of school would be so drastically different from years gone by. I’m not going to argue with that, it certainly did come as a shock. If a bush mystic had appeared out of the Otways at the end of the summer holidays and told me that we would spend approximately half of Year 12 at home, I probably would have told them to go back into the mossy cave from whence they came. Yet they would’ve been correct and I would have made a profound error in judgement. That is to say, I was not open to the unpredictability of nature. The fact that the second lockdown coincided with wild and chilly weather lashing the coast is, in my view, of great importance. The virus that has struck communities around the world is now talked about in a very similar fashion to the weather. How many cases today? How many mils of rain did we get last night? What’s the swell doing on the weekend? Have infections risen in the last week? These questions
are commonplace, entrenched in our daily conversation. They show that the coronavirus undulates like the weather.
saying that the virus is out of our control and that we should just focus on the task at hand.
To be honest, as a VCE student, despite the complications, the virus really has just been like an extended period of bad weather and I have faith that the sun will come out before too long.
Many people get sucked in to conspiracy theories surrounding the machinations of VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assesment Authority), the changes to the ATAR calculations and whether we will even have exams. But if the virus has taught us anything, it’s that substance takes precedence over superficiality and that those who are passionate, talented and hardworking will be rewarded in the long run.
When we first went into remote schooling, I asked my Chinese teacher during a Zoom call how he was going with the lockdown and online learning. He almost brushed the question aside, saying that we should just keep doing what we are doing. I have heard similar sentiments expressed over the last term or two by friends, fellow students and teachers,
At home, the temptation to sit back on the couch and watch the footy or Netflix or dink around on your phone for hours on end is, for some, quite hard to manage. Remote learning has in many ways sorted the wheat from the chaff, those who are disciplined and committed from those who are slack and indulgent. No matter what happens from here on in, year 12 has not been what we expected, but that doesn’t mean it’s now null and void.
We haven’t had the final year of celebration we all hoped for, social distancing has prevented us from making the most of our final year together as a cohort, but we will still have all been through it together. Personally, I am appreciating the excitement of it all and the realisation that we are living in history. This year, while studying the Russian and French revolutions in VCE, I have come to realise that, in the scope of things, we are pretty well off in this part of the world. Some might not have ideal family 10
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Paddy Day, ‘keeping it real’ as he studies for his VCE from home in Aireys Inlet, during the second COVID stage 3 lockdown.
situations or be disadvantaged in one way or another, but the fact that most of us have access to a VCE curriculum is a privilege and miracle in itself. Whenever I have felt down about the virus or wondered in a Latin class ‘tantaene animis caelestibus irae?’ (can there be such anger in the minds of the gods?) I just think about those impoverished Russian and French peasants who had no such access to education and who were oppressed by the draconian regimes that presided over them. But we are living in 21 st Century democratic Australia. Coronavirus or no coronavirus, it is better than 18th Century feudalism or early 20th Century authoritarianism.
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While we wouldn’t want to rest on our laurels politically, particularly on matters of ecology and justice, I still feel that we are blessed to have the opportunity to follow our passions and cultivate our intellects. The coronavirus is a life force, an organic being that morphs and changes like our own desires and whims. We are not fighting a war against a biological entity. We are not taking up arms against a living thing. We are learning from it, letting life be our teacher and accepting that we humans are but humble disciples of a bigger thing. If the world is our classroom, then Mother Earth is our teacher and we are the students. VCE is not just about metrical scores and statistical figures, although they are important as well. It is about applying what you learn, drawing parallels, interpreting, and marvelling at the world around you. There is certainly a lot to be thinking about right here, right now. NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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LOCAL PROFILE: PAULA FOWLER
An Anglesea Angel
By Jenna Crawford
Paula Fowler has been a resident of Anglesea for 40 years, moving from Colac when her mother and father (Marion and Noel Russell) purchased the Anglesea General Store, which was more commonly known then as Maid Marion's. Paula finished her year six at Anglesea Primary School, then went on to Grovedale College, where she embraced opportunities to learn both technical subjects and academic ones.
As a 12-year-old, she often helped out at Maid Marion's, thus developing her abilities in customer service and relations … values she still holds dear today. Her early career saw Paula working as a customer service officer in the Rates Department for Barwon Water in Geelong, where she developed a sophisticated computer system for the issuing of rates notices. Prior to her time at Barwon Water, she had also worked in the Rates Department at the City of South Barwon. Both roles required a keen
Anglesea local Paula Fowler is a great support to many in the community.
attention-to-detail and a high level of customer service, offering help and advice to a mixed variety of customers.
They have three beautiful children and could not think of a better place to raise a growing family, than Anglesea.
She left her job at Barwon Water to start a family with her husband, Darryl.
The community aspect of caring and giving is paramount to Paula, and played a large part in their decision to stay in our small coastal village. When the Russell family initially moved to Anglesea, they became very involved in the Anglesea Football and Netball Club in voluntary capacities. Paula and her sister played junior netball, whilst her brother played football. Paula’s two sons became involved in cricket and football, and her husband was soon coaching the junior cricket teams. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Paula has spent much time volunteering in the football and netball realms. She felt it was time to give back to the community and volunteered to fulfil many different roles over the years at the Anglesea Football and Netball Club. She played netball, coached netball, umpired netball and spent time on the committee.
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She became Team Manager for the Under 10s football team and remained in that position for many years. Her role encompassed many different tasks, including the organisation of all paperwork, making sure everything was in place – registering players, organising volunteers, first-aid supplies, applications and assigning umpires. Her role extended further to the organisation and provision of club apparel. She became a general committee member and, in 2017, became the Junior Co-Ordinator for Under 9s through to Under 17s.
This year, Paula is filling the role of Club Secretary. In appreciation of all the hard work and hours Paula has dedicated to the Anglesea Football and Netball Club, she was awarded the Anglesea Football and Netball Club's ‘President's Award’ in 2018. In her professional life, Paula began working as an administrator at Great Ocean Properties, in the Anglesea office, eight years ago. With her natural ability to chat in a friendly manner, she soon progressed into sales.
She worked with Jamie Mackenzie three seasons ago to embrace some recent refugees from North Geelong into Anglesea's Under 15s, 17s and 19s football teams, offering them an opportunity to experience Australian Rules Football and share extended family experiences. One of the highlights of Paula's time at the Anglesea Football and Netball Club was to take the responsibility to get the club online. It now has its own website, meaning that registration, merchandise and payments can all be completed online.
Her strong community knowledge has enabled her to offer the best form of service to both buyers and sellers. She has a strong dedication and a high degree of respect for her fellow team workers and loves being involved with them. Paula says it is most rewarding to help others realise their dreams and her local knowledge is unsurpassed in offering properties to prospective buyers. In her advertising promotion, Paula states, “My enthusiasm for helping others, my local knowledge and friendly approach help me connect with clients and provide them with the best possible service”. I couldn’t argue with that, as Paula is passionate about all things Anglesea.
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Communities Coming Together By Mary Bremner
“Tis an ill wind that blows no good,” as my mother was fond of saying. COVID-19 is trying our communities sorely, but some of the practices that have resulted are meeting with so much favour, they are likely to stay with us when the pandemic is behind us. Those of us who’ve been involved in the Surf Coast Shire’s Community Support Meetings are all in agreement that these forums should become a permanent fixture.
from the Council, with Council Community Support officers Lynne Hume, Lauren Watt and Kate Smallwood on hand to provide additional input.
Back in March, our Surf Coast Shire Councillors identified that they could have a role in connecting community groups and co-ordinating efforts to help people most affected by the pandemic.
“We quickly realised that local responses are absolutely vital in helping people through this pandemic. We took a place-based approach and supported each community to lead because every community is unique and focuses on its own issues,” Cr Smith said.
Shire officers identified people in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet who represent a cross-section of community groups, and invited them to take part in weekly meetings using the Zoom platform. Representatives came forward from the towns’ traders’ organisations, churches, businesses, schools and other community groups. (See next page for list of all local groups involved). Anglesea Ward Councillors, Margot Smith and Tony Revell, have taken turns to chair the meetings, which usually start with an information update
In the early days, the agendas covered the programs instituted to keep the community safe. The use of our beaches, the need for social distancing in public places and the potential influx of holiday-makers over Easter were hot topics raised by participants. There was concern about the consequences for families of school students learning from home and the impact of social isolation on people’s mental health. Information about the support available
from the Shire, including online resources, was channelled through the participants back to the community, along with knowledge of the limits of the Shire’s powers during the crisis. For example, it was useful, when talk turned to closing the Great Ocean Road, to know that Council does not have the power to shut off roads – this rests with the state government. Participants were happy to provide councillors with frank feedback – some of the Council signs were seen to be a bit too aggressive in tone.
One community member offered to balance this with homemade signs displaying positive messages –an idea that received the nod from our councillors. The meetings proved to be a valuable opportunity for the community representatives to share how local groups were adapting to the restrictions and the needs that became evident when people were isolated in their own homes. There is also an active group in Lorne, and the councillors noted that different communities across the Shire have focused on different issues, including food relief, local communication, support for businesses, mental health and homelessness. Council brought welcome news in April when they announced a $2 million COVID-19 support package, including relief for ratepayers and businesses experiencing financial hardship, support for tourism, food and hospitality businesses, and grants available to businesses and community groups. As the months rolled around, the concerns changed from ones of public safety and health issues, to a greater emphasis on the survival of our towns’
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economies, encouraging tourists back to the coast, promoting the ‘shop local’ campaign and negotiating the easing of restrictions.
The following community groups /organisations have been represented through the Council ‘Support Meetings’ during COVID-19:
Anglesea
Praise for the benefits of these meetings has been high. Participants have expressed great appreciation that Council was making a genuine move to consult with local community leaders and that the councillors and shire officers were really listening to, and acting on, the feedback from the community.
Anglesea Community House
The meetings provided a great opportunity to learn about how other groups are adjusting their operations under the restrictions, to hear their stories and find ways we can work together and support each other.
Business and Tourism Anglesea (BATA)
Anglesea Community Network (ACN) Anglesea Primary School Anglesea Medical Centre Anglesea Football / Netball Club Anglesea Baptist Church Anglesea, Aireys Inlet Society for Protection of Flora & Fauna (ANGAIR)
Aireys Inlet/Fairhaven (3231) Aireys Inlet & District Association (AIDA) Aireys Inlet Primary School
Libby Stapleton, representing the Aireys Inlet Market, commented, “With the situation constantly evolving, it’s been helpful to receive regular updates and be able to ask our Councillors direct questions.
Aireys Inlet Primary School Parents & Friends
“The value in staying connected as community leaders and representatives from various organisations, will no doubt serve us long after COVID settles.
Captain of Aireys (Aireys Tourism & Traders)
“These are the sort of connections that help communities become more resilient and, if we can maintain this as a regular forum, I think we will all be better positioned to manage new challenges as they arise,” Libby added. Aireys Inlet resident, Geoff Brown, foreshadowed that this model could be used to great effect at the beginning of the fire season with the Council, CFA and community representatives meeting online to impart accurate information and discuss fire-readiness strategies.
Aireys Inlet Market Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR) Aireys Inlet Uniting Church CFA Aireys Inlet Brigade Community Garden 3231 Great Ocean Road Health Great Ocean Road Real Estate Repair Café Surf Coast Country Women’s Association (CWA) Thinker / Community Member (Geoff Brown)
Beautiful blinds & curtains designed for your lifestyle
Julie Martin, representing the Anglesea Community House, reflected the mood, after the announcement of the return to Stage 3 restrictions. “It has been a very different world during COVID-19 and we know that it won’t be over anytime soon. We have to find the positives and watching our community coming together is definitely a positive.” If you belong to a group that you would like to see represented in these meetings, please contact Lynne Hume at the Surf Coast Shire Council, via LHume@surfcoast.vic.gov.au NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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LOCAL PROFILE: DARCY BENNETT
I Still Call Anglesea Home By Libby Stapleton
When Darcy Bennett’s parents made the move to Anglesea 23 years ago, little did they know they were laying the foundation for Darcy’s future career as a real estate agent in town. As a four-year-old, Darcy’s parents Helen and Dale Bennett, moved from Peterborough to create a new restaurant in Anglesea called The Olive Tree Café, on the site that is now Morgans. At the time, it was student accommodation, so the Bennetts made the original transformation of it into a venue for hospitality. Like most kids in town, Darcy loved growing up in Anglesea; surfing, bike riding, playing footy and hanging out with mates. It was the good life. But he didn’t take any of it for granted and worked hard at school, becoming school captain in Grade 6 at Anglesea Primary School, then again in Year 12 as he studied for his VCE in Lorne. Breaking free from the shackles of childhood, Darcy made the move to Melbourne to start a university degree but soon discovered it wasn’t for him. However, he wasn’t ready to leave the big smoke and, for a number of years, he enjoyed working in hospitality (it was in his blood) while living in the city. Darcy’s direction began to change around the age of 21, when he landed a role with a building company called ‘Boutique Homes’, where he started to help people design and develop their dream homes. Working with them and sister company ‘Home Buyers Centre’,
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Darcy Bennett (right) with partner Sophie and their new baby son Woody.
he soon discovered a passion for the building industry, and took great delight in helping people “solve a problem”. However, Darcy still felt a strong connection to the coast, and the lifestyle it afforded. His knowledge of working with developers and in the building industry paved the way for a
new role at Hayden’s Real Estate in Torquay in 2019, where he took charge of land development projects. At the end of last year, he made his final move back ‘home’. Hayden’s had an opening in their Anglesea office, and Darcy soon found himself located directly opposite the place his parents had started. He had gone full circle.
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Now, as a 27-year-old and recent new father, Darcy sees Anglesea through adult eyes. “Anglesea and Aireys have both managed to retain that coastal village feel, which is really important and I hope we don’t lose that,” he said. “I still love being able to surf and to get out in the bush on my bike. That hasn’t changed. And I’ve recently joined the Anglesea Golf Club but, with a new baby and lockdown restrictions, that probably wasn’t the best timing!”
Darcy and his partner Sophie had their first baby, Woody, in May and, for Darcy, coming home to his smile is the highlight of his day. “I have this special way of making him laugh, and it just melts me,” said Darcy. “We have our own little routine at night, when I bath him and give him a bottle. You can’t understand what
it’s like until you have kids of your own.”
“They are a great family to work for and they run a great business.
Darcy and Sophie have recently built an investment property in Winchelsea, where Darcy says many young families are starting to move.
“After years in Melbourne and Geelong, the best thing about being back on the coast is being able to work in this environment every day … surrounded by beautiful trees and surf, just being able to do what I love.”
“It’s a growth area for sure, and a great way for young families to get into the property market without a massive mortgage. We’re seeing lots of young families moving in around us, which is great for kids and community. “It’s been a bit tough on Sophie, having a new baby during lockdown. We both have big loving families who live nearby in Winch, Anglesea and Geelong, so we’re really looking forward to when they can come and visit, to see more of us and Woody.” So what’s next for Darcy Bennett? “Honestly, I’m so happy where I’m at right now. Living back on the Surf Coast, with an amazing partner and beautiful baby, working for Hayden’s.
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“It’s also great being around people I grew up with, walking down the street or into the bakery and seeing familiar faces. I enjoy talking to people, which is part of the reason I love my job so much. I like being able to help people and to get a good outcome for them.” With Darcy well and truly committed to setting up his future life in and around Anglesea and the Surf Coast, who knows … maybe one day we’ll be writing about Woody Bennett and why he still calls Anglesea home.
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LOCAL PROFILE: DANI HULYER, EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST
Peak Pursuit By Penny Edmanson
For a community like ours, nestled in a beautiful outdoor setting with beach, bush and multiple community sporting facilities at our fingertips, we are drawn to an active lifestyle. How fortunate that we have such a diverse range of professionals to support us when our exercise regimes don’t run smoothly – GPs, physiotherapists, osteopaths, myotherapists, masseurs – all on our doorstep. Now we can add a new one – an exercise physiologist.
Rite of passage involved the inevitable backpacking trip overseas. This extended to be a 12 or 13-year experience, during which she lived and worked in Whistler, British Colombia for 18 months and then based in London for nearly 12 years, developing her career whilst travelling to compete in various sports (adventure, race, outrigger canoe paddling).
Dani Hulyer moved to Anglesea in April. With COVID-19 really starting to take hold, it was not an ideal time to relocate her business ‘Peak Pursuit’ from the Mornington Peninsula. However, with Exercise Physiology deemed an ‘essential service’, her home visits with clients for exercise could still occur, albeit with socially distant methods in place where possible. It was inevitable that Dani would have to take some time off from seeing clients to supervise remote learning for her son, including the eagerly anticipated home-based PE lessons! Although Dani was born in Melbourne, she grew up in Perth, where she finished school and went on to complete a Bachelor of Physical Education (Human Movement) and Diploma in Education at the University of Western Australia. As part of a beach-loving and surfing family, most of her weekends and holidays were spent “down south” around Yallingup and Margaret River, and weekdays in and near the beach in
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Dani works with clients at their homes to assist with a range of health goals.
metro Perth. Little did she know that several decades later she’d be enjoying the same lifestyle on the other side of the continent. From an early age, sport was a priority for Dani: playing netball at school, university and state level; and joining North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club, where she was part of some of the early female surfboat rowing crews, and competed at ‘the Aussies’ in Kurrawa, Queensland.
When Dani and her 10-month-old son returned to Australia in 2008, she chose to settle on the Mornington Peninsula, as her parents had relocated there. For the next 12 years, she steadily built up her business, Peak Pursuit: visiting private clients, Medicare referrals, DVA, TAC and Worker’s Compensation clients in their homes, as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), whilst continuing with her ongoing education into rehabilitation and movement in general as a Human Biomechanics specialist (Level 2) through Functional Patterns. Another move was inevitable, however, when Dani met her partner, a long-term Geelong/Surf Coast local ... and so they established on another piece of coastline (arguably the best of all the moves!). Having bought a block of land in Anglesea, Dani, her partner and two boys look forward to building in the near future. Meanwhile, they are settling into the
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Dani is a team player and feels it is imperative to form respectful, supportive and reciprocal relationships with Allied Health Professionals. She says the Anglesea Medical Centre doctors have been extremely supportive of her business, knowing they now had an experienced exercise physiologist capable of doing home visits and attending to a wide variety of patient exercise and healthy lifestyle needs. This encouraging reception on a professional level has been reflected on a personal level by the welcome they have received as they transition to life as Anglesea locals. Dani will soon be an integral part of our community with her transfer into the local CFA, impending transfer from Point Leo SLSC and Ocean Grove SLSC to the Anglesea SLSC, and her son's involvement with local cricket and tennis clubs.
Barry BEFORE (left) and AFTER working with Dani, taken one week apart, showing how his posture has improved.
community, pinching themselves every time they walk the beaches, paddle at Roadknight or bike around Coogoorah Park and the coalmine, so excited to call Anglesea ‘home’. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist “specialises in exercise interventions for persons at high-risk of developing, or with existing, chronic and complex medical conditions and injuries. The aim is to assist in restoring optimal physical function, health and wellness through behavioural change”.
Like others who’ve moved to our town, she loves the fact that someone she has met through the CFA might be her local plumber or postman, her auto mechanic reappears as one of the local sports team coaches, and many of her lovely new clients have all sorts of other roles within the community. An updated Peak Pursuit website is in development at the time of print, but you can find out more information about Functional Patterns at www.functionalpatterns.com, YouTube or follow fpdanihulyer on Instagram. In the meantime, Dani can be contacted on 0405289355 and is happy to provide a FREE first consultation.
Lose the jargon and you have an expert who, regardless of your age or standard of fitness, can assess your body’s needs and capabilities and guide you to appropriate exercise and behaviour to get the most out of life. Dani stresses that not only people suffering from chronic disease or injury benefit from working with her as an AEP. Many private health funds also recognise exercise physiology. Dani has had experience with a broad range of sports interests at many levels. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a sport or age group she hasn’t worked with. Her youngest client was a nine-year-old devoted netballer, many were golfing couples ranging in age from 60 to 80 years, her oldest client to date was a spritely 97-year-old WW2 veteran and a new local client is a young aspiring UFC (Mixed Martial Arts) competitor. Professional sport, amateur sport, surgery preparation or rehabilitation, lowering your golf handicap, keeping fit or just keeping up with the grandkids – Dani’s consulting can assist. As she says, “Essentially it all comes down to being able to do the ‘Big 4’ movements well and with integrity – standing, walking, running and throwing – the blueprint for our foundation movements that evolved many, many thousands of years ago. “Combine this with some positive, holistic changes to a person's health (thinking, eating, drinking, dealing with stress, sleep, getting into nature and sunshine) and almost everyone comes out the other end of a session feeling better and knowing just a little bit more about how to look after themselves.” NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone
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In the House … By Marcelle Renkin, Program Coordinator
The global Pandemic has had an impact on all of us, albeit in different ways. For us here at the Community House, it has meant we are missing the ‘heart’ of the House, the people who participate in courses, regular meet-up groups, yoga, pilates and the many other activities that see people coming and going from the Community House. We have been working hard to develop a flexible approach to learning and engagement with community as we navigate the challenges that COVID-19 brings, to enable us to continue to connect community and build community spirit. We feel that our core business as a Neighbourhood House is strongly aligned with the thinking around how we as a community can come together to reconnect under a ‘new normal’ by creating COVID-safe spaces and activities in our community. Due to the current uncertainty, our ability to implement courses and events in the near future has been hindered. However, the Committee of Management and the House Coordinators continue to work behind the scenes to develop strategies that will allow us to safely connect in the near future. We are also working to strengthen and promote the many wonderful activities, groups, social activities (COVID-safe), exercise and wellbeing activities that happen in our local community. For details of some of these activities, please see our ‘Activities and Events’ guide in the centre pages of NewsAngle. If you run a group or
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activity that is open to new members, please get in touch with us so we can let people know how to connect with you. We continue to offer one-on-one support for access to technology through our ‘Staying Connected’ program. If you need help with programs or apps like Zoom or Facetime to stay in touch with friends and family, or to join in a local activity, please get in touch with us to set up a time to meet. Call us at the House on 5263 2116 or email courses@anglesea.org.au
The Resale Shed ACH continues to work to strengthen our current projects. The Resale Shed at the Anglesea Transfer Station has been a passionate project for the volunteer committee that runs it. We have noticed a lot of interest from people wanting to know when we will re-open the Shed. This project involves participation by many local organisations, as it provides a great way for smaller groups to raise funds by volunteering at the shop on scheduled dates. So not only are we saving recyclable goods from landfill, but we are also helping small community groups fund their activities.
We will re-open The Resale Shed when we are advised it is safe to do so, in line with government policy.
Foodlink Anglesea and Aireys Inlet / Fairhaven Foodlink is another project that is run by the ACH. Volunteers have worked for more than 20 years to keep our food security program running for residents of Anglesea, Aireys and surrounds, who may at times find themselves in need of some support. Foodlink is grateful for the generosity of individuals and local clubs/ organisations that donate towards this cause. Through this generosity, we are able to supply emergency food parcels as well as offering an ongoing service to community members in need. If you or anyone you know is in need, please reach out to access our fully confidential service. You can call us on 5263 2116 or email admin@anglesea.org.au.
Get Involved! If you would like to volunteer with the Community House and/or with any of the projects we manage and support, please get in touch with us to find out more information and discuss how you can get involved.
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The Check Up By Dr David Corbet, Anglesea Medical
What a year it has been so far! When the last edition of NewsAngle came out, restrictions had eased and it seemed that we might have been past the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately it didn’t pan out that way, and we have found ourselves back under Stage 3, with Melbourne having even tougher restrictions in an effort to decrease community transmission. Hopefully though, as you read this, we are moving into another new phase. Throughout this year, despite the difficulty experienced by so many, it has been encouraging and inspiring to see how our community has come out to support each other. We are still very fortunate down here on the Surf Coast – and even in Australia in general – compared to some countries around the world. As we have discussed in previous editions of The Check Up, the mental health impacts of the pandemic have been, and will continue to be, significant. Alongside the one-on-one support provided through our clinic, and the various online services available, we started thinking about how to support the community outside of the clinic. nd
Back in May, someone mentioned during a consult that they rarely got any mail and that they were feeling lonely. We initially thought about sending out letters from the clinic to people who might be lonely or struggling with social isolation. This sparked the idea for our new community engagement project called ‘From 9 to 90’. We have partnered with Anglesea Primary
School, Anglesea Aged Care, and the Anglesea Men’s Shed to develop a letter writing project between grade 3/4 children and older members of the Anglesea community. And what a treat it is already turning out to be! For some people, simply having the opportunity to participate has improved their mood and outlook. And our sneak peak at some of the content has been heartwarming. Intergenerational and social connection develops understanding and can reduce the negative impact of isolation. The project also fits in with literacy aims for primary school, and learning about differences between generations and how things have changed, will allow increased understanding and foster positivity. Thanks must go to the lovely Caroline Woodhams, our receptionist, who has taken the lead and is coordinating the letter drops and pick up. More about this project can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/From9to90
Welcome Amy Finally, because so many of you haven’t had the chance to meet our new nurse, Amy McElgunn, who started with us back in March just as we were going into the first lockdown, we thought we’d introduce her here. Amy completed her Bachelor of Nursing at Australian Catholic
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Anglesea Medical Nurse, Amy McElgunn.
University, Ballarat, in 2006, with her Graduate year at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. An interest in rural health saw her move to Swan Hill for a few years, working in the Emergency, Medical/Surgical and high-dependency departments. Amy then moved to London and nursed in a range of areas, mainly in Oncology and Interventional Radiology. On return to Australia, a move to Melbourne saw her continue to work in Interventional Radiology specialising in Breast Care. In 2015, Amy’s interest in preventative health drove her to complete the Nurse Immuniser Course and make the transition to Primary Health Care as a Practice Nurse in Geelong. Further training in Cervical Screening and Sexual Health has strengthened Amy’s passion for practice nursing and she has now been at Anglesea Medical since March this year.
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BUSINESS PROFILE: RAFFAELE AND JOYCE CAPUTO
19th Hole Bistro - A Family Affair By Liz Clark
Raffaele and Joyce Caputo, and their three daughters, have enjoyed getting away from Melbourne for holidays at Point Roadknight for 40 years or so, and have come to love the area, the people and the lifestyle. They have been involved in the catering industry for many years in Melbourne, Sydney and South Australia, and have a wealth of experience particularly in event catering.
the new look and feel of the restaurant, and so ‘19th Hole Bistro’ was born, to offer a family bistro to the public, with catering to feature good, attractive food, somewhere in-between restaurant style and pub meals.
In June 2019, they approached the Anglesea Golf Club with a proposal to take over the management of the restaurant. It was exciting to have the opportunity provide a new look and feel to accompany the refurbishments in the golf club house.
Frederick Carcedo was employed as head chef, some existing staff members agreed to join the team, and others were recruited, including the restaurant manager, Sarelle Kemp, a kitchen team, and their daughter Gina. They were off to a great start.
A lease agreement was signed, with the expectation that they would provide staff and food for the restaurant, and work with the club on future promotions and events. This was an exciting step for them as a family, as they moved to permanent residency in Anglesea, and had the chance to put their unique stamp on a dining venue already well loved by residents and visitors.
The summer season was extremely successful for the restaurant, meals poured through the kitchen, there was great support for the brighter looking restaurant, the professional and friendly staff and the wide range of food offered.
A name change was in order to go with
Raffaele reported what he called a ‘bumper season’. Theme nights, like the always popular roast night, returned to the restaurant and were well received by the public. It was a wonderful start.
Dining out with a view of the golf course.
It’s normal to expect things to slow down in a tourist town as March and April and winter approach, but no-one was prepared for the COVID-19 virus and the changes required for businesses, restaurant and food outlets. Shut-down meant just that, and staff had to work out ways to both look after the members and local customers, and provide for their needs, as well as to keep themselves employed. Like many, they made the move to take-home food. A new menu was worked out, and life changed in the kitchen. Raffaele cannot speak highly enough of his loyal, hardworking staff who have supported these changes so well despite ongoing difficulties with restrictions, changing rules, and having to adapt to new roles. Kitchen staff became delivery people too, and everyone pitched in to fill roles as required. It has been difficult to keep everyone motivated, particularly with the excitement of re-opening being taken away so quickly, with another lockdown. Service with a smile has continued though, under difficult circumstances. As a customer, the writer of this report
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can confirm that the meals have been excellent. In the middle of such trying times, the days when you don’t have to think ‘what’s for dinner?’ but can pick up the phone and order just what you feel like is an amazing comfort. The only thing I found a bit disconcerting was the fact that dinner was delivered to my door around 5pm, a time I would normally be thinking about what on earth we were going to eat. Raffaele told me that he had concerns for his staff making deliveries in the dark in unfamiliar streets – so early meals for us. A quick zap in the microwave meant the quickest meal I had made for a long time. I, for one, am very grateful. When opening was again permitted, new rules only allowed 20 people in one area and 20 in the other. It was decided to have two sittings on the nights they opened and to continue with take-home meals on those days as well. This certainly kept staff on their toes
19th Hole Bistro staff, L-R: Frederick Carcedo (Executive Chef), Mika Krywult (Assist Front of House Manager), Sarelle Kemp (Front of House Manager) and Mani Kant (Sous Chef).
but efficiency and hospitality have become key words in their service to the public, and customers were able to enjoy sit-down meals once again. Not for long, however, and at the time of writing, an uncertain future awaits. For Anglesea, the 19th Hole Bistro offers an interesting and exciting dining
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future and the chance to support local people in their business venture. For the Caputo family and the staff: their positive attitudes and pride in a job done so well, so far, should be an encouragement to keep on going and to provide Anglesea with ongoing creative food and welcoming service.
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NO-MAINTENANCE
DECKING
No Rot No Oiling Slip-resistant
to Australian Standards
Banking on our Community By Rob Cameron Bendigo Community Bank ®
Concealed
fixings Comparable in price to Merbu
Made from recycled timber fibre and HDPE
Phone: 0417 591 113 Email: huntersales@netspace.net.au www.timberlast.com.au
The Anglesea RSL War Memorial project (located adjacent to Cameron Park) has taken an exciting step forward, as funding from the Anglesea and District Community Bank and the Surf Coast Shire Council has complemented the local donations and club funds, to see the building target of $65,000 finally reached. The project will commence as soon as it appears on the council building roster and COVID restrictions allow. Although the timeline is short, the RSL is hopeful the construction will be completed by Remembrance Day, on 11 November. The Memorial will be a constant visual reminder to both the Anglesea district locals and visitors to our region, of the sacrifices made by our service men and women. It will also provide a larger open space for special commemorative occasions and quiet reflection, while creating an educational place for younger members of the community.
Caitlyn Oakley from the Community Bank, with War Memorial committee members, Angie Hunt, Keith Hornibrook and David Morris, receiving a $10,000 donation toward the $65,000 memorial fundraising effort.
In addition to $10,000 donated by the Bank for the memorial, an additional $3,000 was contributed towards the installation of a safe walkway with wheelchair access to the Memorial Garden at the rear of the RSL building in Murray Street, to ensure it can be easily accessed and enjoyed by all. The Bank is proud to work with the RSL to bring this project to life. ANGAIR has also recently benefitted from funding support provided by the Community Bank, with a grant of $1,250 to refurbish the signage on the Anglesea Perimeter Walk. The signs had faded quite considerably over time and the committee felt the need was urgent to complete an upgrade to enable visitors a clearer, informed passage. The Anglesea and District Community Bank has now provided in excess of $1,000,000 in grants to local schools, sporting clubs, service groups, medical facilities and environmental groups throughout the area. The Bank’s staff and directors would like to thank our customers for choosing to bank locally. We wouldn’t be able to give back in this way without them. 24
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Great Reads Brought to you by Nicole and the team at Great Escape Books
The Yield - winner 2020 Miles Franklin Award by Tara June Winch
“Yield in English is the reaping, the things that man can take from the land. In the language of the Wiradjuri 'yield' is the things you give to, the movement, the space between things - baayanha, baayanma.” On the banks of the Murrumby River, Albert Goondiwindi is looking back over his life, knowing he will soon die. Albert begins to catalogue language and culture to pass on to the next generation in a sacred transcript. His granddaughter, August Goondiwindi, after living overseas for the past decade, is drawn home at his death. She is faced with all that she ran from many years ago ... all the grief that so deeply weighs her down. Heart-wrenchingly, their precious community is amidst the fight of repossession of their land by a mining company, with dire consequences for all those who belong to this tribe. The Yield is a book of culture, of rich history in language and identity, written from three perspectives. A book to ponder and to savour, not wanting it to end but allowing the words to soak right through. Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
The Safe Place
Gulliver’s Wife
by Lauren Chater
Gulliver’s Wife is the mesmerising story of Mary Gulliver, imagined wife to the fictional character Lemuel Gulliver in the historic and iconic book by Jonathon Swift, ‘Gulliver’s Travels’. Author Lauren Chater is well regarded for her historical fiction books and has created a masterpiece in this latest one. So vividly presented is an imagining of what life would look like for Gulliver’s wife. It’s 1702 London, when Mary's husband is lost at sea. A herbalist and midwife, Mary must rally to rebuild her life in a world not designed for solo women, full of violence and prejudice, and marred by desperate poverty. After three years, Lemuel is unbelievably returned home and Mary must face her greatest battle yet. With her husband struggling to make sense of reality, he draws Mary and her daughter into his life of outlandish reason, further risking them both to greater shame and ostracism within the community. Mary has no concept of how wildly courageous she is, and of how she must find a deep inner strength to face the insurmountable challenges before her. The perfect winding journey of a female protagonist, that will capture your attention and take you on a hopeful adventure. A great escapist read for right now. Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
The Last Lighthouse Keeper by Anna Downes
Emily is having a very bad day. A fledging actress, she loses her day-job as a receptionist and is being threatened with eviction for rental arrears . When her talent agent unexpectedly drops her before one last-ditch audition, she is all out of options. Distraught, Emily jumps at a chance to put her life back on track when Scott Denny, an old boss, offers her a job as housekeeper and companion to his wife Nina, at their property in the south of France. The estate is remote and stunning and as Emily starts to make friends with Nina and her five-year -old daughter, Aurelia, she believes she's landed the job of a lifetime. But with Scott constantly absent and the main house out of bounds, all is not as it seems. On a rare day off, Emily finds out more about the estate, and as flashbacks fill in some of the secrets behind its current occupant, she starts to realise she is in grave danger. A great suspenseful read from a debut author to watch. Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books
by John Cook and Jon Bauer
This book was so unexpectedly brilliant. I couldn’t put it down, as the intrigue and raw human emotion of the story developed. The isolation faced by lighthouse keepers and their families of John Cook’s era, prior to electrification of lighthouses, created emotion that pulled between their inspiring natural settings, and the cruel mental struggles that isolation amplifies. The uncertainty of John’s family situation and the price he pays to pursue a vocation that gives his life purpose, is an extraordinary tug of war that has the reader turning pages to the end in search of resolution. The book is full of pearls of wisdom that I found myself jotting down, so I could keep them with me after the book ended, which I was very disappointed to see it do. Beautiful, honest and entertaining, you will be involuntarily transported to a place that many of us hope we don’t have to deal with but we know is, in some form, a scary possibility. Review by Marty Maher (Nic's partner) @ Great Escape Books
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HISTORY SPOT: LOVERIDGE LOOKOUT
Now Victorian Heritage Listed By Jan Morris, Anglesea & District Historical Society
We nearly lost it in the early 2000s. It had concrete cancer and some people thought it would be best to just demolish it. BUT ... others recognised its historical significance and fought for it. These people included Jim Tutt, who was councillor at the time, architect James Kelly, historian Lindsay Braden, shire employee Peter Bromley and others.
Stift car (equivalent to a Rolls Royce) and a considerable number of staff to run their household. They certainly enjoyed their retirement and were very generous to Anglesea.
They were able to convince authorities of its historical significance and obtain government funding to have it restored. It stands today as one of the memorials to the Second World War (WW2).
Each day, James Loveridge walked down along the cliff where the lookout now stands. Folklore says that he kept a supply of his favourite alcohol in the shrubs there. That may or may not be true. However, it was certainly the spot he visited frequently. After he passed away, Bertha had the lookout built in 1938 in his memory.
As we celebrate 75 years since the end of WW2, Loveridge Lookout has just received a Victorian Heritage Assessment. This means it is to be preserved and kept in good order for future generations.
Just why is it important as a WW2 memorial? Prior to WW2, James Loveridge, a wealthy importer, built a house, maybe better described as a mansion, just above where the lookout stands today. He and his wife Bertha retired to Anglesea from Melbourne. They not only had a beautiful house, they had their own electricity plant, water pressure from a high tank, a Graf &
Little did Bertha realise that only a few years after being built, the lookout would be used for important war defence. A small temporary room with a stove was built beside the lookout, as volunteers staffed it 24-hours-a-day. They had direct access to centres at Geelong and Preston. The Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) was formed to establish a series of continuous and regular observation posts. The books in which they kept details of all spottings, are in the museum at
The Loveridge Lookout with temporary building added during WW2 . 26
Spotters working at Loveridge Lookout during WW2.
Anglesea History House, as is their Morse Code sender and other memorabilia relating to the VAOC activities. Different people over the years have attempted to have this lookout declared a Victorian Heritage Site. In 2020, the assessment of the Loveridge Lookout was a joint project by the Veterans Branch in the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and Heritage Victoria, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2. The Heritage Council of Victoria committee recommended just two sites this year, and Loveridge Lookout was one of them. On 8 August, it was announced that Loveridge Lookout was officially recognised and now holds the status of being a Victorian Heritage site.
Morse Code Key
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Tech Angle TWITCHERS’ CORNER By Chris Dos Written and illustrated by Kaye Traynor
Tech Angle By Chris Dos
The digital revolution has devastated traditional media but at the same time created greater opportunity for voices that weren't previously heard. For decades, Australia got by with only two major sources of news shaping public opinion. While they were generally trusted, recent times have seen them less holding those in power accountable and more influencing upon whom that power is bestowed. While the new platforms have certainly democratised news, we are learning that there’s no guarantee of truth in any of these forums.
Striated Fieldwren Calamanthus fuliginosus The Striated Fieldwren, or Calamanthus, is not one of our readily identifiable small birds. However, they are often present in our local heathland areas. Their habitat varies from low, dense heath, saltmarsh, sedges and tussock grasslands – often treeless, or near wetlands. The Striated Fieldwren is more often heard than seen. It possesses a melodious and prolonged song with canary-like warbling notes and trills. Although it can be heard calling all year round, it sings most frequently in the Spring during the breeding season. Characteristically, these little birds are often observed throughout our heathland, usually calling from a higher branch protruding through a clump of bushes. In appearance, the Striated Fieldwren is a small, blackstreaked bird. Upper parts are a dull olive-green or olivebrown, streaked black. Underparts are buff to yellow, streaked black. It has a comparatively short tail, which is carried cocked upwards, and also moves from side to side. Males and females vary slightly in appearance, but the male has heavy white eyebrows, lores and throat. There are shades of brown on the female. Immature birds are also similar but plainer and generally light brownish. Much of their time is spent on the ground or in the undergrowth foraging for insects and seeds. Breeding season occurs through late winter to early summer, and if conditions are suitable, they can produce two broods per season. They will lay their eggs in a nest hidden on the ground, under tussocks or bushes. The nest is a dome-like structure constructed from coarse grasses and other fibres. They line the interior with softer grasses, feathers and down. They will lay three or four pale, chocolate to purple-brown eggs, indistinctly freckled with darker shadings, with a distinct cap at the larger end (22 x 16 mm).
Considering their power and possible motives in guiding the readers’ opinions, a discerning eye is needed to sort today’s news from tomorrow’s fish wrapper. Consumption of online news already exceeds print media and is not far behind television. Recent wholesale sackings of TV news departments indicate that no-one sees this trend reversing. Politicians and others are quick to denounce unfavourable reporting as ‘fake news’, and with people turning to Facebook and other social media platforms, the difference between fact and opinion can be rather blurred. As algorithms tailor content to our interests, we see fewer items we disagree with. It’s easy to trap ourselves inside a bubble of news designed to shield us from the outside world or worse, spread disinformation.
The sheer volume and breadth of news and opinion these days requires more involvement on the readers’ behalf to separate fact from fiction. We have far more choice, diversity and ways to engage with and talk about the news. As with so many of the technological changes we’ve embraced, the responsibility falls back on us to be either the organ grinder or the monkey.
Ref: The Field Guide to the Birds of A ustralia – Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight.
So always be wary of scribes who misuse famous quotes to reinforce their opinion.
The Australian Bird Guide – Peter Menkhorst, Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, Jeff Davies, Peter Marsack, Kim Franklin.
“Believe only half of what you see and none of what you read.”* *Excepting this publication of course.
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Community Corner NEWS AND UPDATES FROM YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD
Anglesea & District Men’s Shed 2020 began for the Anglesea and District Men’s Shed in early January in much the same way as we closed 2019, slowly. The year gathered pace as we started preparing ourselves for the Easter Riverbank Market. March saw a dramatic change as Victoria entered lockdown due to COVID-19 and the Shed closed.
on Mondays. As NewsA ngle went to print, we were still in Stage 3 restrictions but, all going well, the Men’s Shed will re-open to the community as soon as restrictions have eased.
During lockdown, we organised a phone tree to keep in contact with our members, visiting where possible, keeping appropriate distancing and coming to grips with social isolation. Some of our members found it much more difficult to cope with than others.
Men are most welcome to come and have a look, and see if the activities and social opportunities of the Shed might be of interest. Once we re-open, you’re welcome to join us for a cup of tea at 10.30 on Tuesday or Thursday mornings, at the western end of the Anglesea Bowls Club precinct.
The Shed recommenced activities on 23 June when the first round of restrictions were eased. There were many relieved faces and greetings from members in the first few sessions. Members adjusted to the new norms of social distancing, hand sanitising, temperature checking and being mindful of numbers of people in each room. In late July, quite a few of our members turned up with face masks, which soon became the norm for all of us. During the lockdown, Shed members completed a number of community tasks, including a set of disability stairs for Zarah Marretta from Geelong. This project took longer than we had hoped, but it was worth it when we saw a photo of Zarah standing at the top of the stairs with a great big smile on her face. We also completed a ramp to enable a
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Zarah Marretta showing her delight in the set of practice stairs made by the Anglesea and District Men’s Shed.
dog to get into a car without being lifted and a community library for the Anglesea Community House. We have been working on some seats for the Aireys Inlet Tennis Club, as well as producing Christmas decorations and other goods for sale at the Anglesea Riverside Market. The Shed will run a woodworking course for women as part of the Community House’s Spring 2020 program. Whilst social outings have been severely restricted, a number of our members have a weekly walking group
You can also contact the Convenor, Ross Davey, on 0432056270 or email the Secretary, Jeff Wilson, at sec.angleseamensshed@gmail.com to see what we are about.
Correction In the Winter edition of NewsAngle (Issue 142), the article about Offshore Café incorrectly referred to Pastor John Russell as being from the Lutheran Church, instead of the Trinity Uniting Church in Anglesea, where he remains an active member. Apologies to John for this error. Acknowledgement also to Margo Davey from the Trinity Uniting Church, who also visits Prue regularly to assist with the ‘Pay It Forward’ project, supporting people in need in the community.
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From 9 to 90: A community engagement project By Murray Surkitt, Principal, Anglesea Primary School
The impact of COVID-19, coupled with Anglesea’s status as a rural area, has presented the community with unforeseen challenges when it comes to creating and maintaining meaningful community connections with older residents.
connections between students and older residents living at Japara and older patients at the Anglesea Medical Centre. Hence the name 9 to 90, linking 9-year-old children to 90-year-olds.
Similarly, there have also been challenges for children who are missing out on the social connection with older Australians that they once would have had from grandparents and other older family members.
Linking older and younger residents of Anglesea to forge meaningful connections with each other;
In response to this, all students in Grade 3 and 4 at Anglesea Primary School are participating in a letter writing project in conjunction with Anglesea Medical Centre and Japara Nursing Home. This authentic learning opportunity aims to forge meaningful community
The students were matched to an older resident to exchange letters on such topics as chores, school, sport, games or pets. Benefits of this project include:
Older residents who are experiencing loneliness, depression and anxiety due to the COVID lockdown will have something to look forward to; and Anglesea Medical Centre was the conduit for a positive community project, benefitting many patients and community stakeholders. Thanks to the Anglesea Medical Centre team for initiating the 9 to 90 Project.
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Following are some reflections from the students after writing their letters. The 9 to 90 project was where I got to write a letter to a resident at the Aged Care Home in Anglesea. When I heard we were doing this project I was jumping up and down with excitement! I loved expressing my emotions and sharing my story with someone via a letter. I was even lucky enough to get to write to two people! The best part about the 9-90 project is that the residents write back to me! I can’t wait to get a letter back from them! By Scarlett. The 9 to 90 project is about writing a letter to an older person in Aged Care. I enjoyed writing to Doug and I’m excited for him to write back. Everyone in my class is excited and we are waiting for the older person to write back. The topic that I chose was sport, so the older person could share some memories from their childhood. I chose two classic sports and one sport that is really new, so Doug can learn about it. By Alexander.
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COMMUNITY CORNER
Gardening in the Time of COVID-19 Community Garden 3231 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. At CG3231, we decided early on that the community garden had a vital role to play in nurturing and supporting our community, in keeping people connected, and providing members with quality garden produce. However, in April and May, COVID-19 level 3 restrictions meant that we needed to think differently about how the garden could operate. This involved rethinking all aspects of the garden, including working bees, meetings and how people actually accessed the garden. If we couldn’t meet at the garden, how would we connect? Committee meetings became Zoom meetings. Then why not garden on Zoom too? We organised a Zoom gardening workshop titled ‘Pests and how to be rid of them’ and followed this successful foray into the online world with a Zoom morning tea with special guest (and garden member) Barbara Evans, who had experienced COVID quarantine after her adventure and ‘cruise of a lifetime’ aboard the Greg Mortimer travelling to Antarctica. We introduced new hygiene protocols, installed signage, hand sanitiser, limited numbers in the garden and developed our
online presence with a revamped webpage, Instagram, Facebook and introduced a weekly bulletin. When we were able to return to smaller group gatherings in public spaces, we modified our working bees by having 2 shifts of 10 people in order to keep within the rules. We knew the lockdown was making people feel socially isolated and it was important to reach out and create opportunities for social connection. After months of neglect, the garden benefited from two working bee teams. We organised a ‘snail stomp’ in response to the prolific damage snails were inflicting upon our garden plots (and it was a good excuse to have a night out). We produced a promo video and advertised the event via Community Garden 3231 Instagram and Facebook pages. This was an early evening soirée with local talent Tim Kingston (harmonica and guitar) providing some acoustic accompaniment. Unfortunately attendance was limited to only 10 people (including Tim). Stompees were encouraged to be self-sufficient and bring their own torch, drinks, glass and nibbles. The fire was well stoked and throwing out some decent heat, and the chairs around the fire were strategically placed to ensure 1.5m physical distancing could be observed. Tim’s tunes drifted out into the night air as our stompees wandered off into the darkness, torches in hand, to surprise a few unsuspecting snails and slugs. Chatter, squeals and giggles mingled with the music and our snail stomp vibe wafted over Aireys Inlet. Planning for our next snail stomp is underway, it might need to be a ticketed event! Our capacity to adapt, modify and improvise in these strange COVID times means that our garden community can garden and socialise within the constraints we all face. Our experience demonstrates what is possible when communities are confronted with new challenges. In our case, we have thrived and found new ways of being. Keep your hands dirty. Liz Wood, CG3231 President
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Anglesea Community Garden The Anglesea Community Garden has been a life-line for many of its members who have been otherwise pretty much isolated in their homes since March. From the onset of COVID-19, the Surf Coast Shire Council recognised that the investment in the Garden could not be lost and the plants allowed to die, so they gave the Garden members permission to continue to care for it – although under very strict conditions. It was explained to members through the newsletter and by word-of-mouth that it was permissible for up to six people to be in the Garden at a time. Members were scrupulous in their conformity to the rules and so our (often) sunny green space was used as a chance to get a bit of fresh air, get some exercise, continue growing food and, perhaps most importantly, to catch up with other people in a safe outdoor environment. Even though working many metres apart, the sense of working together for the common area was hugely therapeutic. To make our visits more purposeful, there was a constantly refreshed list of jobs, big and small, kept on the table. A member with 10 minutes or an hour to spare could select a job from the tear-off list and get it done. This system has been a huge success. In-between our stage 3 lockdowns, we were allowed up to 20 people in the Garden at once, provided distancing and sanitising were observed. We had three fully subscribed working bees – so successful that we tried mid-week sessions to give everyone a chance to participate. It is now necessary to prebook to attend. There is so much written about the benefits of gardening to our health and mental wellbeing, I think our many members would agree the Garden is helping them through these difficult and strange times. New members are always welcome. Enquire at angleseacommunitygarden.org.au At the time of writing, the limit is two at a time in the Garden – but this will continue to allow us to keep the plants going while we wait for better times.
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COMMUNITY CORNER
Cinnamon Stephens Discusses Her New Role at Eagles Nest Gallery NewsAngle caught up with local artist Cinnamon Stephens about juggling her new role at Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys Inlet with COVID-19 restrictions and her own creativity. When did you start working at Eagles Nest Gallery in Aireys Inlet?
So why do you also work at the gallery?
You know, it happened so gradually I didn’t even notice until I was suddenly booking artists and working every Saturday! I had only recently resigned my position as Surf Coast Art Space coordinator in the middle of 2019, with the plan to dedicate more time and energy to my own art practice.
Throughout my creative life, I’ve always enjoyed discovering new artists, supporting and encouraging artists and promoting artists! Working in a gallery certainly allows me the freedom to do all this. Eagles Nest is such a beautiful environment in which to work. A purpose-built space, right on the busy Great Ocean Road, it really is a dream come true to have the opportunity to work there.
Your creative metalwork is very distinctive. How long have you been doing that? I have been living off my artwork for close to 30 years. I feel very lucky, especially during this crazy year, to be able to work in the medium I love AND make a living from it. I like to work on different things week to week, you will find us creating large gates or wall pieces one day and then playing with my new jewellery designs the next. Variety is the spice of life!
I have been involved with the gallery since it first opened in Aireys, as I am good friends with the owner’s son. I exhibited and sold my work from there, even before I lived on the Surf Coast. Colin and Jan Peele, the original owners, used to drive to Geelong West and pick up fresh artwork from my home studio. Then when they designed and built the gallery, I was lucky to be asked to create the Art Nouveau inspired door handles, plus a few other things around the building. Now I work with the current owner, Bruno Rocchi. He had been doing a fabulous job keeping the business going after his wife Nadia passed away. When I came along, he was really ready for someone with local knowledge to give him a hand. The timing just felt right.
What is happening at the gallery now? Unfortunately we had to close our red doors for the second lockdown! I am really disappointed because we’d just opened four new solo exhibitions. The huge difference this time is that we now have a fabulous website with all the exhibitions, plus examples of over 50 other artists’ artwork available for people to check out online. This is the result of many hours of work during the first lockdown to make the gallery more visible. So I am very happy we did that. The current exhibitions (which I am guessing will be extended past the end of September) are: POLLOCK – Still Painting in the Main Gallery, large evocative intuitive paintings by Donna Pollock (Winchelsea) ON THE BRIGHT SIDE – in the Feature Gallery, bright colourful figurative oils on canvas by Peta Uthmeyer (Torquay) NEIGHBOURS – in the Mini Gallery, lyrical watercolour portraiture by Jiri Tibor Novak (Aireys Inlet) BEGUILED BY LIGHT – in the Foyer Gallery, impressionistic oil paintings by Ray Wilson (Aireys Inlet/ Melb) Coming up in October/November (ish) will be The Geelong Sculptors METAMORPH, Irene Majer LARGE ACRYLICS, Kathryn Junor LAND + SEASCAPES and Dianne Leslie ABOUT TIME.
Give your websites a plug … www.eaglesnestgallery.com.au / www.cinnamonsart.com 32
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Upgrade for Anglesea Memorial Hall The community of Anglesea has long been advocating for an upgrade to the Anglesea Memorial Hall to improve the sound and lighting infrastructure. With strong advocacy from Dr. David Corbet of The Sound Doctor, and Anglesea Performing Arts (2020 would have marked the One-Act-Play Festival’s 30th anniversary), the Surf Coast Shire Council worked to fully scope the project. This very exciting upgrade to the hall will mean more than improved sound and lighting. The hall will receive improvements to the stage, the curtaining, the window treatments, as well as a fully functioning projector and movie screen.
looking forward to the improved technology.
This wonderful new performance space will greatly improve both the hall user and audience experience.
For this project to proceed, a commitment from the community is required. We need to raise 25 percent of the funds of the full $191,000 project cost, which equates to $47,500.
Do you remember when you could go to the movies in Anglesea? With these improvements, movies and many more recreational arts will be delivered at a quality unlike any we have experienced in our town. Local hall user group, the Anglesea Rock Choir is also really
The Fundraising Committee is delighted to partner with the Anglesea Community House as our Auspice host, the local Anglesea and District Community Bank, and Anglesea Performing Arts, who are generously kicking off the fundraising efforts.
Are you interested in making a financial contribution towards this community fundraising goal? Please make a *gift payment to: Anglesea Community House via EFT Bendigo Bank BSB: 633 000 Account #: 126493535 and include reference: AMH2021upgrade. To obtain a receipt, please request via email to admin@anglesea.org.au with your name and date of gift payment and amount. *Please note any personal donation is kindly received as a gift and is not tax deductible. For more information please email: amh2021upgrade@gmail.com
GREAT OCEAN ROAD COAST AND PARKS AUTHORITY (GORCPA) The following information is taken from the ‘Great Ocean Road Action Plan — Quarterly Community Update, July 2020’, which is published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
The new regional parks management authority, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCPA) is being established to protect and manage coastal Crown land along the length of the Great Ocean Road, and is set to commence operations on 1st December 2020, with coastal land parcels being progressively transferred to the Authority over a number of years. The Authority’s primary purpose is to protect and manage visitation of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks. It will manage, protect, rehabilitate and foster resilience of the natural, cultural and heritage values of coastal Crown
land and marine waters along the Great Ocean Road. On its commencement, the staff, assets, liabilities and Crown land of the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee and Otway Coast Committee will be brought together in the Authority. There will be no job losses and accrued entitlements will be retained. The planning and implementation of the transition is being delivered in conjunction with both the Coast Committees.
Community Views To support the implementation and establishment of the Great Ocean Road
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Coast and Parks Authority, community views were sought on how people would like to be involved with the new Authority in the future, and their views on possible funding options to support the Authority’s operations. To view a summary of results of this community consultation, visit https:// www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-andstrategy/great-ocean-road-action-plan. Consultation summarised is from the community, as stakeholders were not targeted for this round of consultation. If you would like to subscribe for regular updates from GORCPA, email greatoceanroad.actionplan@delwp.vic.gov.au
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Surf Coast Shire News By Tony Revell, Councillor, Anglesea Ward
Community Responding to COVID Challenges I was fortunate to participate recently in a Zoom forum attended by more than 50 community leaders from the Anglesea region. Sponsored by Bendigo Bank and supported by Surf Coast Shire, this forum challenged us to consider how our community is responding and how we will meet the challenges ahead. I view these challenges through three lenses; the physical health response, mental health and wellbeing, and economic recovery. In relation to physical health, the high level of compliance from the community is pleasing, the efforts of our businesses and the work of our medical centres is outstanding and we have kept a tight lid on infections in our region. Participants all thought we were responding well as a community and we are seeing many examples of clubs
and groups adapting and supporting members and those in need. Discussion on looming challenges then focussed attention on where we may need to do more. This includes older members of the community and those who may not access digital communication channels and may be feeling very isolated, young people unable to participate in the social interactions that are so important to their development, and others, such as single parents and first time mothers, who may require additional support.
Economic challenges are also significant. With the visitor economy currently on hold, over 50 percent of our businesses are reliant on JobKeeper and we all know this won’t continue indefinitely.
So, what are some of the actions we can all take now to further our COVID response? Reach out to others, call up those who you have not heard from and ask if they are okay. Some organisations have initiated a telephone call tree to keep in touch with members. Remember not everyone will ask for help. Be the one to offer it. Shop local to support our businesses. Check out the Surf Coast Shire website for details. Business groups and community organisations should consider recovery ideas. Surf Coast Shire has allocated $1,000,000 to a grant program that supports COVID recovery initiatives. Contact Anglesea Community House and Surf Coast Shire as valuable sources of information in relation to what help is available. I was reminded that 37 years ago our coastal towns faced enormous challenges from Ash Wednesday. We recovered from that and we will get through this challenge.
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Fire Lines By Tony Revell Community Safety, Anglesea CFA
With warmer weather approaching, Anglesea CFA is preparing for the coming fire season.
SURFCOAST U3A STAYS ONLINE
Pre-summer activities will commence as soon as COVID restrictions allow and will include equipment testing and upgrades, and reviewing and practicing firefighting procedures.
Surfcoast U3A has continued to offer courses online for as many of its members as possible.
With many of us spending most of our time at home, now is the right time to start your own preparations. Whilst we are doing all we can to make our town as safe as possible, we also encourage residents to take the time to reduce the risk to their property. There are three main reasons houses burn down during fires. They are embers, heat and flame. Many of the trees around Anglesea have bark that is prone to extensive spotting in the event of a fire, so even if the fire front is some distance from the town, significant ember attack is possible. There are several things you can do to lessen the impact of ember attack,
reduce the risk of fire getting inside your house and reduce flame and heat near your house.: Keep grass cut to less than 10cm. Keep woodpiles away from house. Remove flammable items from decks and verandas, such as boxes, furniture and doormats. Store flammable liquids away from house. Keep gutters clear of leaf litter. Get rid of dry grass, leaves, twigs and loose bark. Cut back overhanging branches near buildings. Do not have large shrubs next to or under windows. Prune lower branches of shrubs to separate from surface fuels underneath. More information on preparing your property is available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare
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We all miss the direct contact and companionship that face-to-face classes provide but at least this way we can stay connected and keep on learning. New classes that have come on board for Term 3 include Cafe Italiana and Yoga for Beginners. An Occasional Lecture is also on offer. New members are always welcome and as Term 4 approaches, it would appear that online learning will continue. If you are looking for something to fill in a little of your time, head to the U3A website www.u3asurfcoast.org.au as you may find just what you are looking for to keep yourself active and engaged. Stay well and stay positive!
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Write Angles By Melva Stott
Salutations I hope you're all coping with the disruptions to our lives. Lockdown wasn't much of a change for me as I'd been nursing an achilles and a hamstring, so I hadn't been doing much dancing in the street. One of the new rules meant sitting in the back of the local taxi and pretending to be a lady. Luckily I've had plenty of stage experience and street theatre activities, but I'm not sure that I fooled anyone.
Inspiration A 113-year-old Spanish woman has survived the virus and only has four years to go until she enters the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living female. I think I might have a go at that … it sounds like the lazy person's passage to fame.
Isolation One good thing that came out of lockdown was that you could get a tradie at short notice. I even had two here on the same day – it was raining men! And I was surrounded by music.
Oops! When thanking my son and granddaughter for visiting me, I said, “I always feel better after you've gone”. What I meant was that I feel better after having them here than I did before they came. Luckily, we all had a laugh together. I've had a bossy spur-wing plover guarding my driveway making sure that I don't have any visitors.
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Identification After all these restrictions, you may need a new career, and if you go into acting you'll need a good stage name. This is how you find one: Combine the name of your first pet with the name of the first street you lived in. That makes me Ginger Heatherton. And Stan was … wait for it … Pixie Brown. Do let me know what yours is.
Reflection Tourism has been a casualty of this virus. When Stan and I were crying the virtues of the Surf Coast, I would say that William Buckley was our very first tourist and he stayed for 32 years, but we didn't expect our present-day visitors to stay quite that long. However, our area should remain a popular destination once again when this crisis is all over.
In Conclusion Since I mentioned in the last edition of ‘Write Angles’ that I'm writing my memoirs, I've got people lining up for a copy! So now I'll have to get on and do it. The Cat has turned 12 – so now he's a bit older than me. But he is doing better than I am. I can't get over our new high paling fences. All right. I'm going. Keep smiling! Melva Stott
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Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays at the YMCA
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