NewsAngle Issue 146 Winter

PUBLICATION OF THE ANGLESEA COMMUNITY HOUSE

ISSUE 146 WINTER 2021

Students at Anglesea Primary School recently wore yellow to acknowledge and celebrate World Autism Awareness Day

Anglesea Students Celebrate

By Murray Surkitt

As part of the student leadership program, Anglesea Primary School has an active Junior School Council (JSC).

The JSC Executive consists of three Grade 6 leaders and two representatives from each Home Group within the whole school. The Executive plans and leads the meetings, which are held at least once per term.

This year, it’s planned some exciting activities, including raising funds for Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) and to have the school’s Acknowledgement of Country engraved and displayed within the school.

To help promote diversity in our community, one of the students suggested to the JSC that our school Community Houses are for Everyone

Photo by Patrick Callow

Highlights

acknowledge W orld Autism A wareness Day. The JSC decided to support this and encouraged everyone to come to school on 23 April wearing yellow clothing to recognise and celebrate autism, and also spread “kindness”, which is one of the school values.

Fire Protection

4

Surviving Summer

6

Hidden Treasures

10

Stabb’s Butcher

12

Profile: Libby Mears

14

Profile: Mike Bodsworth

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It was terrific to see students and staff members support this day.

Profile: John O’May

18

In the House

20

At the school assembly, students and staff viewed a short video to give all of us a better understanding of autism.

Mallacoota Camp

23

Book Reviews

25

Arts Scene

28

Watch the video to learn more at https://m.youtube.com/watch? v=RbwRrVw-CRo

Community Corner

30

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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 anglesea.org.au 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:

CREATING CONNECTIONS

By Lucy Lincoln, Committee of Management Anglesea Community House (ACH)

Joining the Community in 2019 has enriched my life and hopefully others. I have made friends and it has reconnected my family and me with our community. It is a privilege and pleasure to work, live and play in paradise.

When I was young, my sisters peeled the skin off my sunburn When I was young, an ice cream at the local shops meant the world When I was young, the waves at Roadknight looked so big When I was young, we bought crays off the beach When I was young, a jack ant bit me on the bum

Spring, 147

Casual ad bookings:

2 August 2021

Articles/Contributions:

6 August 2021

Distribution:

Anglesea’s Lucy Lincoln joined the Committee of Management for the Community House in 2019. She runs local in-home aged care support company ‘Country to Coast’ and values the important contribution that ACH makes to the community, especially the benefits it brings for more isolated members.

When I was young, my sister leapt out of the car on 8th Avenue as a spider said hello When I was young, I wished I was older like my sisters When I was young, I was told to wait but what for?

16 September 2021

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

Anglesea Community House 9.00am - 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.

As I get older, I squint at the telly As I get older, I can predict rain the day before because my knees ache As I get older, my middle is muddleish As I get older, the lines on my face smile back at me in the mirror As I get older, I realise that giving is far better than taking As I get older, I know that we are the sum of our relationships As I get older, I would like to bottle moments like a fragrance As I get older, I would like to decant and fill the room with the view of Roadknight on a sunny day As I get older, I want to share.

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

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Fire Protection on the Surf Coast

By Moreen Dainty

There's been a lot of slashing, mulching and burning going on of late. After a relatively wet summer, planned burns started early with the occasional billowing smoke cloud hovering over our townships and hinterland up until late April.

Most visible has been the clearance of vegetation along entire stretches of the Great Ocean Road and around our towns with the creation of new Strategic Fuel Breaks.

According to local Aireys Inlet CFA Captain, Adam Gilliver, the new fuel breaks are a very welcome development and “well overdue”.

The CFA has been assisting Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) with the planned burns taking place around Fairhaven, Aireys Inlet and Anglesea. He is convinced all this work will help slow the spread of fire and make our community safer.

Bill Bubb, a former Captain of Anglesea CFA for 26 years, said recently, “The last time Anglesea was this well protected from fire was 1984 (after Ash Wednesday)”.

I’ve heard others express similar feelings of enthusiasm and relief at these big changes to our local landscape – but some have been angered and dismayed.

I wanted to find out more about the underlying rationale behind all this fuel reduction work, so in late April I met with a couple of representatives from

In an effort to make the community safer, the CFA has assisted DELWP with planned burns around Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven as part of a bigger fuel reduction program.

DELWP and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV).

Dave Roberts is Manager of the Otway District, and acknowledges this fuel reduction work has been confronting for some. For example, the cutting back of vegetation along the “mad mile” has created a very different feel to the drive into Anglesea.

Mechanical mulching machines have worked their way through vegetation on both sides of the Great Ocean Road leaving behind areas of deep mulch and a few sugar gum trees. Similar work has been completed from Torquay all the way through to Lorne, with the removal and trimming back of nearly 200,000 trees. One of the objectives was to prevent trees and The 40-metre strategic fuel breaks not only reduce fuel loads but overhanging are important to support firefighters when they are back burning.

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branches blocking the road during and after a major fire event. The experience of Mallacoota residents in 2020 clearly plays on firefighters minds. The army took three weeks to open up the main road into town. Says Dave, “No preparatory work had been done, so they ended up having to take a lot more vegetation away”.

He explains that another objective has been to give motorists some protection from radiant heat.

“By cutting back the vegetation 20-40 metres from the road, we know we are giving people a fighting chance of surviving.”

The key messaging from the CFA is to leave early when the fire ratings are high. “We really don't want people on the roads at all – but at the same time, we need a back-up plan in case they are,” says Birgitte Hutchens, DELWP’s community-based bushfire management facilitator.

Like Mallacoota, many Surf Coast communities have only one route in and

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one route out. Given the increasing numbers of visitors each year, authorities are understandably keen to reduce fuel levels in an area that accounts for 20 per cent of Victoria’s total fire risk.

Large bushfires, on the scale of Ash Wednesday, come through this landscape every 35-40 years. “And that's even before the effects of warmer, drier conditions associated with climate change,” adds Dave.

“Nowadays, not only do we have more day trippers to the region, we have three times the amount of housing in Aireys and Fairhaven since Ash Wednesday in 1983.”

Another key activity has been the creation of 35 kilometres of new Strategic Fuel Breaks around our townships. It's the first time permanent fuel breaks have been constructed on private property to the rear of Anglesea, Aireys and Fairhaven.

Getting this huge project off the ground has meant the involvement of multiple fire and land management agencies, as well as the Surf Coast Shire Council and local community groups. It’s also been backed by $1.5 million of state government funds.

A strategic fuel break is a 40-metre wide track of land that has been cleared of vegetation using specialist machinery. The publicity fact sheets distributed last year explain “not only do these breaks reduce forest fuel loads near towns, they also provide an effective boundary to support planned burns and/or backburning operations during a bushfire”. They make it easier and safer for firefighters to move in and out of areas and also help reduce their exposure to fierce, radiant heat.

“It's taken nearly two years to get all the necessary approvals in place.”

Last November, demonstration breaks were built in Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and behind Lorne. Nevertheless, it was only when work was well underway that people began to fully appreciate what they looked like.

Although the breaks will soften over time and be maintained to resemble open grasslands, some legitimate concerns have been raised by community groups. Members of ANGAIR questioned the extent and standard of the works (see ANGAIR’s March newsletter for more detail via www.angair.org.au.)

Similarly, the proposed slashing of the habitat of the vulnerable Rufous Bristlebird population along the east side of Old Coach Road in Moggs Creek resulted in impassioned pleas from AIDA members, concerned for the birds' welfare and environment.

Some adjustments were made after a meeting with residents in late March, but the work still went ahead.

Despite the difficulties, I sense both Dave and Birgitte are genuinely willing to listen and work with the community.

“We tried to liaise as best we could during COVID last year, and now that we have been able to get out and talk to people, I think it’s getting easier. We definitely want to work in partnership with groups like ANGAIR and AIDA and the community as a whole. Fire fighters and land management agencies feel strongly about this environment too! We just want to keep people safe,” said Birgitte.

The next phase of this program is to start looking at ways of reducing urban fuel loads. Peter Ashton, Emergency Management Coordinator at Surf Coast Shire, is in no doubt our communities are facing a serious challenge and threat as the risk of devastating bushfire increases across the country.

“We need to become bushfire adapted.

These strategic fuel breaks are part of that journey. However, the way we maintain our houses and gardens is just as important. Simple changes can make big differences, our community needs to engage, get some advice and start to make the necessary changes,” he said.

I heard the urgency in his voice. So as soon as I stopped writing this article, I went out and started filling my green bin with garden rubbish, determined to do my bit, one week at a time, before next bushfire season arrives.

“These breaks will give us a head start when the big fire comes. We've also put firebreaks around critical infrastructure such as water treatment plants and telecommunications towers, so that the community isn't shut down for months and months after a major fire event,” says Dave.

The new fuel breaks have been very deliberately placed abutting existing fuel breaks built in 2010, which were only on public land. The new breaks took about 12 weeks to complete. The planning approval process took a lot longer.

“We’ve had extensive consultation with 100 private landholders in order to gain their cooperation and agreement to allow the breaks to go ahead.

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Lights, Camera, Action!

By Penny Edmanson

Anglesea residents were lucky enough to witness the filmmaking process firsthand during the months of March and April when a production team descended on the town.

Surviving Summer is an upcoming Australian drama series in 10 parts.

Produced by the Australian company, Werner Film Production for Netflix and ZDF Enterprises, it is supported by Film Victoria and developed with the assistance of Screen NSW. Geared to a younger audience, it is the story of a group of teen divers who race to find their best friend when she disappears after a storm hits their small coastal town.

Filming has taken place along our coast, with an amalgamation of Wye River and Anglesea being used to create the fictional coastal town of Shorehaven. Surf and aerial shots feature beaches from Jan Juc to Lorne.

American actress Sky Katz stars as Summer Torrens, a headstrong 15-yearold from Brooklyn. When expelled from school, she is sent “Down Under” to live with family friends in Shorehaven.

Katz stars alongside Brazilian rising star Joao Gabriel Marinho, Australia’s own Kai Lewins and Savannah La Rain. It also stars Lilliana Bowrey, five-time Queensland junior state surf champion, in her first acting role.

The cast trained hard to get ready for this demanding shoot, spending three weeks at surf bootcamp at Melbourne’s URBNSURF, under the supervision of Surfing Victoria’s high performance director Cahill Bell-Warren and fellow performance coach Todd Rosewall.

On a bright sunny day in April, I was lucky enough to catch up with Locations Manager Drew Rhodes.

He fully endorsed Executive Producer Joanna Werner’s comment, “I am so excited to start filming Surviving Summer all along the Great Ocean Road at some of the most stunning beach locations in the world”.

As locations supervisor, Rhodes has worked on numerous feature films, documentaries and mini-series including Halifax Retribution, The Wrong Girl and The Dressmaker.

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Surviving Summer, coming soon to Netflix, was filmed on the Surf Coast earlier this year.

He was loud in his praise of this location. Indeed, he said the production room they were assigned in the brand new Anglesea Surf Lifesaving clubhouse blew the whole crew away.

As he explained, normally they were ferreted away down some side alley with no outlook whatsoever. Here they had one of the best views along the coast.

Not only has the location been pretty special, but Rhodes said they have been overwhelmed by the fantastic local support for the project. He particularly noted the good grace with which residents dealt with the inconvenience of carparks being closed and production equipment invading their favourite spaces.

This of course worked both ways, with the local businesses, particularly

accommodation and food providers, benefiting from the boost to their trades during the eight weeks that filming was in progress.

Accommodation houses were canvassed a good six months before shooting commenced, with the opportunity for a two-month rental.

Graeme Harding’s Airbnb became the home-away-from-home for one of the production coordinators. Graeme said his guest was one of the easiest he’s had: leaving early in the morning, returning late, and really only requiring weekly housekeeping and linen.

Graeme also noted with pleasure that his guest stayed around on weekends and took the opportunity to get to know our beautiful coast.

Another perk for residents was the opportunity to participate. Many locals were employed as extras, sourced

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through local casting consultancy Geelong Extras.

One such lucky youngster was Joel Kerr. Growing up by the sea and the surf, he was originally asked to attend for a week of shooting.

This was extended for a few extra days and then Joel reluctantly had to turn down more work because of school commitments. Apart from it being a nice little earner, Joel said one of the highlights was the awesome food: an enormous spread was provided for breakfast and lunch.

days doing random scenes but mainly surf carnivals, where they were sometimes bystanders and sometimes surfers.

They were also in a few party scenes where they just danced and pretended to hold drinks and talk to friends. As Maggie said, “It would have to be the easiest money I have ever earned … paid to sit on the beach with our friends AND we got free food!!”.

Lina Libroaperto, well known locally for her roles with Anglesea Performing Arts, took the opportunity to answer Geelong Extras social media call out.

Although a veteran performer on the stage she was keen to experience acting in a different setting.

Lina provided the necessary details: height, age, profile, complete with a photo, and in early March received the call to attend a shoot. She was required for a “surf memorabilia auction”.

Some locals said the awesome spread of food was one of their highlights as extras on the set of Surviving Summer.

The extras were split into small groups and then told what they were required to do. For Joel, this pretty much involved just walking along with a board, or sitting in a crowd.

Some other lucky young locals were Maggie Keogh and her friend Rain Scuzr, who just happened to be in the pharmacy when scouts were about.

“When asked if we were local and interested in being in the show, we both thought it sounded fun and agreed to it,” said Maggie.

Rain and Maggie worked for about 10

Maggie Keogh was one of the lucky locals recruited as a paid extra for the mini-series.

A highlight for Lina was the detail in the “mise en scène” – the stage design and arrangement of actors. She described the fantastic set up: like a fete with cake stalls, snail race, preloved clothing stall and even an ice bath challenge.

After wardrobe assistants provided extras with additions to their attire for a summer look, and make up was applied, a minibus drove them to the site in Point Roadknight.

The group was given an explanation of what was required, they rehearsed and were filmed. There were several takes with different angles and lighting ... and now Lina is hoping to see if all that effort “survives the cutting room process”.

Point Roadknight was one of the key locations for filming a new Netflix series.

Although the crew packed up and left at the start of May, it is unlikely the series will hit the screens before the end of the year.

The actual filming is just the start of the process. When shooting is wrapped up, the film is just a mass of raw footage.

It needs to be edited, visual effects added, and sound mixed. Some of this happens during filming but much cannot be done until the director calls “that’s a wrap”, and footage can then be assembled into a sequential narrative.

We’ll need to wait a bit longer before we check out Surviving Summer, searching for familiar faces in the crowd scenes and identifying what parts of Anglesea we recognise in “Shorehaven”.

We can be excited that not only has our little town “survived” the experience but next “summer” should provide some extra viewing for us all!

The new Netflix series Surviving Summer was filmed along our coast, with an amalgamation of Wye River and Anglesea being used to create the fictional coastal town of Shorehaven.

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Anglesea Futures – Clarification

by Sam Gault, President – Committee of Management, Anglesea Community House

In the last edition of NewsA ngle (Autumn, issue 145), an article was written about the “Anglesea Futures” plan developed by DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning). Following feedback from a number of readers, we would like to clarify the following: 1. The three bar charts/graphs that accompanied the article relate to the proposed land uses in the draft Anglesea Futures Plan (Draft Plan) not the final Anglesea Futures Land Use Framework 2018 (the Final Plan).

2. The proposed land uses in the Draft Plan are not exactly the same as the land uses proposed in the Final Plan. A comparison is shown in the table (right) indicating what changes were made in the final version. Readers should satisfy themselves about the differences in the land uses between the draft and final plans, and are strongly encouraged to review the verbatim comments that sit behind the raw data used in the graphs for context.

3. By publishing the charts next to the Final Plan land use descriptions, readers could have been led to believe that the survey data represented in the charts related to the Final Plan rather than the Draft Plan.

4. To the best of our knowledge, no community surveys have been undertaken in relation to the land uses outlined in the Final Plan.

Readers should satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of charts and diagrams derived from data.

Water Body Funding Furthermore, where it is asserted in the article that government will be funding the filling of the mine pit with water to form a lake, or that the lake will be created with public money, readers are advised that there is no current agreement by any level of government to fund the filling of the mine pit.

Alcoa Director John Osborne has advised: “The draft Alcoa Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (MRCP) proposed a waterbody, rehabilitated southern and western slopes and the relocation of a portion of Coalmine Road.

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“The MRCP activities are funded by Alcoa and as such, all costs associated with finalising the water strategy to fill the mine void are being funded by Alcoa.”

The need for these clarifications highlights the complexities associated with this project, and the challenges the community faces in following the planning and consultation processes.

This is a journey we take together as a community. We should not be afraid to discuss the challenges openly and transparently because if we were to stop communicating altogether, misunderstandings and misinterpretations could persist, undermining the integrity of the community discourse.

We again encourage people to satisfy themselves of the facts and to continue to provide us with your unfiltered feedback and questions so we can continue to learn and engage together.

It is important to remind readers that the views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Community House (see page 3).

You can have your say at the following link: https://anglesea.org.au/get-involved/ have-your-say/ Further details, including links to the final Anglesea Futures report, the raw data used to create the charts, and other sources of information can be found at: https://anglesea.org.au/category/newsangle/

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Comparison of Land Uses in Anglesea Futures Draft & Final Plans Anglesea Futures Draft Land Use Plan December 2017 (Draft Plan) compared with Anglesea Futures Land Use Framework October 2018 (Final Plan). (C) refers to complementary use.

Area

Draft Plan Land Use

Final Plan Land Use

Variance

1

Conservation Passive Recreation

Conservation Active Recreation

+Active Recreation -Passive Recreation (NB: Passive recreation included in conservation definition in Final Plan)

2

Passive & Active Recreation Community Tourism (C)

Active Recreation Community and Visitor facilities Camping (C)

-Tourism +Community and Visitor Information

3

Tourism Accommodation Retail (C) Other commercial (C) Renewable Energy (C)

Eco and adventure Tourism Camping (C) Community & Visitor facilities (C) Retail (C) Renewable Energy (C) Active Recreation (C)

Tourism - modified (Eco and Adventure) -Accommodation +Camping -Other commercial +Community and Visitor Facilities +Active Recreation

4

Conservation Passive Recreation

Conservation

5

Conservation Passive Recreation

Conservation

6

Tourism Accommodation Retail (C) Other Commercial (C) Renewable Energy (C)

Eco and Adventure Tourism Camping (C) Community & Visitor Facilities (C) Retail (C) Other Commercial (C) Renewable Energy (C) Active Recreation (C)

Passive Recreation (NB: Passive recreation included in conservation definition in Final Plan) Passive Recreation (NB: Passive recreation included in conservation definition in Final Plan) Tourism - modified (Eco and Adventure) -Accomodation +Camping +Community and Visitor Facilities +Active recreation

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Conservation Passive Recreation

Conservation

No change

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Passive & Active Recreation Conservation Community Accommodation (C)

Conservation Active Recreation Community and Visitor Facilities

Accommodation (C)

9

Passive & Active Recreation Conservation

Conservation Active Recreation

+Active Recreation

10

Tourism Accommodation Residential

Conservation Active Recreation Rural Living Community and Visitor Facilities

-Tourism -Accommodation +Rural Living -Residential +Community and Visitor Facilities

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Hidden Treasures

By Liz Clark

On a trip to the Anglesea Resale Shed (aka the “tip shed”) a few years ago, I was fortunate to uncover two chandeliers hidden in a box, old and dusty, but offering immense possibilities to my imagination. What a find!

Many members of our community will have found treasures there too – a chair or table, scooter or bike, garden pot or book.

Community groups in the Surf Coast Shire see the Recycle Shed as a treasure trove too, as so many of them are able to supplement their fundraising income by working shifts at the Shed on a Saturday, receiving payment for their services. Over the course of a year, this adds up to a wonderful boost to their funds.

Now I can reveal another set of treasures to be found at the Resale Shed – but only on Mondays and Tuesdays.

These treasures are not goods or services. They are real LIVING treasures – from Leisure Networks.

Never has there been so much joy to be found at the tip.

Leisure Networks is a group offering a wide range of NDIS services and programs to people with disabilities, assisting them to build life-skills, confidence and social connections, encouraging them to lead more independent lives and to achieve their aspirations.

Leisure Networks approached the Resale Shed Committee to discuss the possibilities of some of their community members working at the Shed. The agreement was that they were not to be paid for their work, but would gain some experience and find meaningful activities and tasks, as well as offer their unique abilities to support this important work in our community.

On each of the allotted days, a team accompanied by two leaders works at the Shed, managing the day’s business, cleaning and sorting goods, sweeping and dusting, greeting customers, taking payments, suggesting suitable items for customers to purchase, emptying the trailer, and working to make the Shed more productive and more viable.

The first Tuesday I called in to the 10

Leisure Networks Monday group volunteering at the Resale Shed.

Shed, there had been torrential rain the previous night, and the place was flooded. Never have I seen such an energetic and enthusiastic clean up team, wielding brooms and shovels with glee, scraping mud, pushing the water out of the Shed, then wiping down damaged and sodden goods, all with amazing good humour and a sense of fun.

I met the team leader, Sam, who spoke very proudly of how hard they had been working, and offered to introduce me to the Leisure Networks team members.

Each member of the team has a role that suits their specific abilities, but they are encouraged to work together and try new things also.

Firstly, I was introduced to Brad who has been coming to the Shed for two years. His task is to ensure customers sign in, and to offer general customer service. He says he has the ability to “talk under 10 feet of water with a mouth full of gravel” so is the perfect front-of-house person for the Shed.

Brad is very aware that the Shed offers the community a great chance to recycle goods and save rubbish from

landfill. He is also pleased he can help the community groups make a bit of money. Working at the Shed both days is a real joy for him, and he enjoys his role in their sales team.

Scotty told me that he loves to chat to customers, and he was true to his word, trying to sell me any number of goods.

He leaves home at 7.30am on Tuesdays to ensure he is ready for work on time.

He was proud to tell me that he has learned a lot about fixing bikes since he has been at the Shed, and is able to pump up tyres, fix brakes, and salvage bits and pieces. He likes to be busy, is very helpful to customers, and with a wonderful smile and fantastic attitude he is a great asset to the Shed team.

Gary is the newest member of the team and is greatly appreciated for his ability to use his physical strength to help move furniture and goods around with ease. He is a keen cyclist who rides his bike everywhere – about 200km/week. He was a bit discouraged as he had forgotten to bring his lunch and was really hungry after so much hard work during the morning.

Dale came to the Shed late as he had been to a doctor’s appointment with John. Dale is the “money man” for the group, and is very good at assessing

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prices of goods, handling the money and ensuring customers pay a suitable amount for the things they purchase.

The Monday group is capably organised and led by Mark and James, both who were encouraging and supportive of their team.

I met Sam, who loves his “awesome job”, wants to sell plenty of things, and particularly enjoys pricing goods. He has learnt how to drive the golf buggy and trailer, and thinks this is the best part of his day. He likes to help empty the trailer and rearrange the goods.

Zane is r eady in his wor k gear ever y Monday and keen to start cleaning the toys in his department, checking any new items, organising jigsaws and games. He has two other special tasks – one to display the OPEN sign on the highway, the other to count the money and take it to the Community House at the end of his shift. He is very keen to use the EFTPOS machine, and helps lock up before hitting the “frog and toad” to go home. He loves his time at the Shed.

Leisure Networks Tuesday group volunteering at the Resale Shed.

All participants in this program at the Shed are learning new skills, from testing electrical goods to moving furniture, interacting with customers and money handling, cooperating with one another and being responsible.

These are important stepping stones for them to move into other placements and opportunities.

It is said that if you love your job you

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never have to work a day in your life.

These men all love their jobs and bring such enthusiasm and energy to their tasks.

Jim Tutt from the Resale Shed committee indicates that their work is invaluable to our community, and that the benefits for them and for us are the most precious treasures you could find at the Resale Shed.

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Having Another Stab(b) At It

By Penny Edmanson

The excitement was palpable and thanks to social media, news of the most talked about business in town soon spread – Stabby’s was reopening. Locals and holiday owners alike had waited impatiently as their beloved butchery underwent renovations and refurbishments.

On 24 March, approvals were signed off and on Tuesday 30 March the doors opened to pretty much the same business with the same faces, but a different pecking order.

Katrina Stabb is now in charge, with the “retired” Gordon giving a life of leisure a whole new perspective. He is still very much involved – helping Katrina and of course making those famous sausages. It’s clear to see that the two have an easy relationship, able to give each other the occasional ribbing (no pun intended) but also respectful of each other’s views.

Stabb’s Butchery had been part of the Anglesea profile for over 30 years.

Gordon purchased the business in 1986.

He had no prior connection with Anglesea but was looking for a change and a bit of a challenge at the time it came on the market.

Although Gordon didn’t come from a family of butchers, he did get a taste for the trade when he and his four siblings helped their parents out on their small farm in Moolap. His dad was a marine engineer wh\o worked on the tugs in the port of Geelong. Having a threeweek-on, one-week-off roster, and a wife from a farming background, Gordon’s dad used his time off to

The community has been thrilled to see Stabb’s Butchers re-open its doors under the management of Katrina Stabb, with help from her dad Gordon.

become an A-grade farmer, winning prizes for his fat lambs. He taught himself the art of home butchering – a skill that Gordon took to the next level – first apprenticed at 15 years of age in Leopold, where he stayed for 15 months, and then working for 10 years with Knights in West Geelong.

with her forebears the Pescud brothers selling the first meat on the goldfields in Ballarat. The tradition carried on through the generations, with Joy’s mother and brothers all in that line of work. An uncle, Harry Pescud, even built an early butcher’s shop in Torquay from mud brick.

In those days, Knights was a big enterprise, employing a large staff and having an active social club. It was there that romance blossomed, with Gordon meeting and subsequently marrying the young Joy Woods.

In 1976, Gordon and Joy took the leap and bought their first business in Garden Street, East Geelong. Gordon recalls that the community spirit in those days was very much like Anglesea is now, with people genuinely caring for and supporting each other.

What Gordon lacked in butchering heritage, Joy more than made up for,

After 10 years of building up a highly

Photos of the old Pescud Butchers in Geelong in the early 1900s (with Joy Stabb’s uncle on the horse).

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successful business, Gordon and Joy were ready for another challenge.

A chance mention by a customer of a butcher’s shop for sale set them on the path to 117 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea.

Initially, Gordon and Joy, together with their two young daughters, Rebecca and Katrina, lived in the adjoining house (now Anglesea Osteopathic Clinic) so there was little delineation between work and family life.

The girls were often found helping in the shop and as Katrina said, “It was the only way to get to see mum and dad”. Katrina can’t have found the work too displeasing as she went on and completed her apprenticeship with her father.

Gordon’s philosophy is “what goes around comes around” and this has been very much reflected in his unwavering generosity with donations to Anglesea Lions, Football Club, Golf Club and “the list goes on”.

Individuals have also been the beneficiaries of Gordon’s kindness.

Never wanting to let anyone down, he has been known to deliver Christmas orders to people’s homes well after closing time on Christmas Eve. Birthdays were also looked after. As Rosemarie Jones recounts: “I had left it a bit late to purchase the traditional cray for Andrew’s birthday. On enquiring at Stabby’s, Gordon said ‘I’ll see what I can do’ and sure enough he rang to say he had one. On calling to collect it, I was told by the girls that there was no cray and I went home empty handed. Later that day, there was a knock on the door and, true to form, Gordon was there with cray in hand.”

Sam Benjamin, Gordon Stabb (centre) & Trevor Zappas outside the shop in the 1980s.

with improved drainage, the walls were freshly panelled, and a brand new cool room was installed.

The new Stabby’s is a seamless mix of old and new. Still the same high quality meats and excellent service, not to mention those sausages, but with the prospect of free-range meat and other innovations in the future.

Following in her father’s footsteps as a community player, Katrina has happily collaborated with local artist Deb Elliott who, under the guidance of ceramicist Karen Steenbergen, will create a mural

on the exterior wall featuring sunrise over a local beach. Inside the shop, a reminder of the strong family heritage will be found in the collection of enlarged old photos.

Where many small businesses have failed, Stabby’s has survived the competition from large supermarket chains and is able now to move into the next generation. This is due not only to their expertise and fine products, but to their strong family ethic and unstinting care for the community.

Call Stabby’s Butchers on 5263 3582.

In 2019, Gordon felt it was time to retire and put the business on the market. What looked like a hopeful purchaser did not eventuate, so Gordon took this opportunity to close the doors and commence some renovations.

Fortunately, the stars realigned and in October 2020 the time was right for Katrina, who had returned from Halls Creek, Western Australia, and was working for Cannings Free Range Butcher in Melbourne.

Together they completed the refurbishments. A new floor was laid, NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

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LOCAL PROFILE: LIBBY MEARS

Commitment, Passion & Community

By Liz Clark

A deep love of nature and the Surf Coast inspired Libby Mears to move to Anglesea with her family in 1999. Her family has enjoyed a connection with Anglesea since her grandfather Gladstone Mears built the first house in Melba Parade – many years before she was born.

She grew up in Essendon in a family of seven – mum and dad and five children – attending St Vincent de Paul primary school and St Columba’s College for her secondary education.

cemented her life into a warm and generous community and supported her as she moved into various local groups.

After chairing an Annual General Meeting at the Anglesea kindergarten, she was approached by a visiting Shire councillor, Beth Davidson, and invited to give some thought to standing for Council at the coming elections.

Straight from school, she joined the Government School Dental Service, a position that meant she studied and learned on the job and was bonded to work for the service for three years.

Beth had the foresight to see Libby’s unique leadership qualities and noted her respectful and engaging approach to people.

This work took her to various country areas including Warrnambool, Portland and Ballarat, and gave her a deep appreciation for a life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

In 1999, looking for space and more community involvement, she moved to Anglesea with her husband and three small children. It took no time for her to become part of the kindergarten’s

Libby Mears

parent group where she found many new friends and a new passion for active involvement in community life.

A subsequent move to Aireys Inlet

She was duly elected to Council and began to appreciate the importance of actually being at the table where decisions are made to support the growth and wellbeing of the community, provide services and a response to needs and concerns.

She felt that being a councillor was all about relationships, and facilitating ways of making communities work together and sort out differences.

Libby had two terms as Shire Mayor, and as well as helping make important changes for the region, she was involved in developing policies and future planning – all skills that she learned through her experience.

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In addition, she was instrumental in working with the Anglesea Community House to set up an occasional care service, assisting women to have broader choices in their lives. She volunteered at the kindergarten, encouraged longer hours there, took turns at canteen duty, and was instrumental in the formation of the Aireys Inlet Eels Football Club.

She was supportive of the many and

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varied town events that dot the local calendar, living a life totally immersed in family and local activities, while supporting the wider community through her work with the Shire.

In 2013, Libby became CEO of Leisure Networks, the disability and support network in Geelong. She describes this work as eight years of joy. Beginning with 20 staff, the focus was then on community sport, and inclusion for people of all abilities.

Libby wanted to find a place for everyone, to welcome people and support families, to break down community attitudes and understandings. This was around the time the NDIS was put in place, which allowed people with disabilities to set goals, procure their own funding, make choices and control their lives.

Now, across a wide range of NDIS services and programs, Leisure Networks focuses on building life skills, confidence and social connection. They support people to lead more independent lives and to achieve their aspirations.

Libby cannot speak more highly of the 150 support staff who now work in the organisation. She describes them as truly amazing people. She recruits staff based on their values, seeking those who respect others, will seek the best for their clients, and who offer a place of belonging and acceptance.

Libby Mears, Chair of the Great Ocean Road Authority and CEO of Leisure Networks

issues, tourism and population are obvious, yet this natural environment needs to be shared with everyone.

The big challenge is to drive a more sustainable economy while respecting the environment, perhaps to slow things down and introduce both locals and tourists to the whole region rather than the obvious beauty spots along the Road. Commerce and business will need to find more workable models.

Libby sees the two traditional owner groups of the area as the key to setting the Authority on the path to success.

Understanding more of their history and values, their aspirations and experience, listening to their stories, learning from thousands of years of knowledge and enabling cooperation and respect for one another are major tasks for GORCAPA. It will require respect and cooperation and good management, at all levels.

Libby has faced many challenges in the past. Hopefully her years of service have equipped her well to achieve amazing outcomes for the future of the Great Ocean Road.

In 2020, Libby took on the challenging role of Chair of the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA). This is a new management body mandated with the vast responsibility of managing, protecting, rehabilitating and fostering resilience of the natural, cultural and heritage values of coastal Crown land and marine waters along the Great Ocean Road.

Not daunted by the scope of her task, Libby sees this as a ground breaking, transformational opportunity to ensure the protection of the future of this remarkably beautiful part of Victoria.

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15

LOCAL PROFILE: MIKE BODSWORTH

Empowering Local Communities

By Jenna Crawford

On day trips from his childhood home on the Bellarine Peninsula, down the Great Ocean Road to Lorne, Mike Bodsworth became endeared to Point Roadknight.

Its natural beauty intrigued him, but to his frustration the family car always continued further down the coast.

Finally, 15 years ago, after studying in Melbourne and spending many years living in Western Australia and France, he had an opportunity to settle here.

Mike is a landscape architect, but it was a job as a project manager with the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee that enabled him to fulfill his old desire to become a Point Roadknight local.

He saw the job advertised while living with Isabelle in Paris, applied and got it after a long-distance phone interview.

The job, based in Torquay, saw him managing many different projects, some of those were devoted to

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conservation and volunteering, visitor facilities, signs and interpretive facilities, Aboriginal-heritage conservation and land-use planning.

The big move from Paris to Anglesea to raise a family with Isabelle has posed challenges, particularly staying connected to faraway family and friends, but it’s a move they’ve never regretted.

Now Mike’s a “home dad”, as well as a Surf Coast Shire Councillor, sharing home and parenting duties with Isabelle

who operates her own business. The couple feel very fortunate to be able to raise their two children in Anglesea.

I asked Mike to nominate the skills one should have to succeed as a Councillor.

He said one needs to be a good listener and be open minded. One had to have sufficient time to commit to the community, and be aware of the dilemmas between development and growth and the need to preserve the uniqueness of towns like Anglesea and Aireys Inlet.

“Surf Coast councillors have a responsibility not just to locals, but also to visitors who are counting on us to look after the place for them too – and for future generations,” he said.

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He sees the area’s school camps as a great example, offering unforgettable experiences of nature and the outdoors for tens of thousands of young people each year and providing a stable source of economic activity. He says if development jeopardises that unspoiled character, it jeopardises our economy and identity too.

and flood zones, landslide risks, the health of the Anglesea River and native vegetation. iii) Planning for tourism, where he thinks strategic planning for the region has focused too much on increasing tourism yield and not enough on what’s best for the place and its people in the long term.

“I think most people love Anglesea because of, not despite, the lack of big tourist attractions and commercialisation,” he said.

Mike finds it very worthwhile being part of a small, tightly connected community. His concerns about the prospect of overdevelopment led to his initial involvement in the establishment of the Save Anglesea group. He is insistent that development should respect local community preferences and align with the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Structure Plans.

The Anglesea Futures plan developed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) for future uses of Alcoa land is of concern to Mike. He thinks that a major tourist attraction like the Eden Project, plus other associated commercial and tourism developments, might offer benefits through jobs and economic growth, but also poses risks to Anglesea and the district’s unspoiled character, which he believes hasn’t yet been properly explored.

iv) The character of local towns and the role of planning, architecture and landscape management. v) Changing demographics, including housing occupation and vacancy rates, housing affordability, the availability of rental properties, the boom in working from home and home-based businesses and the district’s appeal to new families.

Councillor Mike Bodsworth

“I’m dismayed that, despite such a clear, consistent and passionate community campaign and an offer from Council to buy the site, Alcoa still wants the bike park removed,” he said.

Mike is very aware of the major issues facing Anglesea. He sees these as being: i)

The future use of Alcoa freehold land.

ii) The impacts of climate change on wildfire risks, fuel reduction processes, sandy shorelines, dunes

Mike’s key priorities in his role as a Surf Coast Shire Councillor are to make sure the Anglesea and Aireys Inlet districts are looked after, and to ensure local communities are empowered to shape the future of the places they love.

Mike is inspired by the contributions people in our communities are making to looking after others, organisations and the natural environment.

He invites people to contact him about local issues that matter to them, via email or phone: mbodsworth@surfcoast.vic.gov.au 0427 337 558

He’s upset that community concerns about those risks may be ignored and overridden by high level decisionmakers. He hopes we can look back in 20 years and feel proud of what we preserved, suggesting instead of changing the place to suit development plans, how about we change the plans to fit the place?

Mike has been very involved in the Anglesea Bike Park since its creation in 2006. One hectare of land was leased from Alcoa to develop this park, which is used by locals of all ages, visitors and international tourists. It is managed by a committee of volunteers overseen

by Surf Coast Shire Council, and Mike has been part of a six-year campaign to save the site from development. A petition was signed by 6,500 people to retain the bike park in its present location.

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LOCAL PROFILE: JOHN O’MAY

Entertainer Extraordinaire

By Liz Clark

A wall covered with framed drawings of costumes he has worn during various theatre shows is a dramatic reminder to John O’May of a life in theatre that has been rich and rewarding.

In his seaside cottage at Point Roadknight, there is little else obvious around him that reflects the lights and excitement of the stage, or an eventful life in music and drama, though John’s personality and zest for life give a small insight into his love for theatre, for entertaining, for the audience.

He has worked in all areas of the entertainment industry, as an actor and singer, dramatic artist, in cabaret, musical theatre and opera, radio, film, concert performances, writing and directing plays.

Born at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA, into a family of four children, John grew up with a love of reading and literature.

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He says his childhood was just normal, just like everyone else.

diplomatic corps here, and to see the world. Somehow, he just stayed here.

At university he dabbled a little in theatre work, involved in the basics, from building and painting sets, taking on acting roles, and learning a certain amount of stagecraft.

In 1972, he auditioned for the role of Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the W ind, taking his first steps to a new career. He took some singing lessons, found himself an agent and stepped out into a new but uncertain world.

He taught English literature locally for two and a half years, and then decided to purchase a round-the-world ticket, planning to visit his sister in Australia whose husband was a member of the

Theatre work is very much about opportunity. In 1973, John was offered an audition and role in Godspell, replacing John Waters as Judas. This show led to work at the Children’s Arena Theatre, to writing with John Diedrich for Gershwin, to The 20s and all that Jazz, both here and in Hong

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Kong and Bangkok, to Evita ,which opened in Adelaide and went on to Melbourne and Sydney.

John used his off times to renovate his house, design and set up a wonderful cactus/succulent garden, and grow vegetables.

John says he never tired of doing the same show over and over. Every night he said there is a different audience, a different interchange of relationships with them – every night is a new show.

And of course, COVID has not been kind to those involved in the music or entertainment industries so life has allowed him to spend most of his time in Anglesea.

He considers himself blessed to have worked with so many talented people, for work to just come along when he needed it (mostly), to have had wonderful opportunities to make so many friends in the industry.

He is a member of a book club in Aireys Inlet, reads, listens to music, walks, spends time with his cherished granddaughter, and potters in the garden. A long way from camera, lights and action, but a wonderful time in his life as well.

He believes actors are amazing people – creative and inspiring. They are people who love what they do. They wouldn’t be there if they didn’t want to be there he says. Good workmates.

His attitude to work and people allowed John to try his hand at everything – dance, singing, TV work, film.

Over the years he has worked with Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, in TV, in films and productions of Starstruck and The Divorce, the Games.

John remarked on what theatre can mean to audiences.

Performer and writer John O’May

Occasionally, there were times of no work and he would consider returning to teaching.

Money wasn’t always easy. He had bought a property in Anglesea about 12 years ago, loving the close proximity to the sea, with the sound of the ocean always in the background.

He performed in Phantom of the Opera for three years, there was never an unsold seat, people booked months and months ahead.

One night, there was an empty seat, and much discussion among the cast.

Why? It seems that it was not an empty seat – the ticket purchaser had died prior to his booking date, and the family had brought his ashes along in an urn. There he was, placed on the seat. Enjoying the show til the end.

An ongoing list of his performances includes HMS Pinafore, Seven Little Australians, The Phantom of the Opera, The Merry Widow, Mamma Mia, Cabaret and The Last Confession.

John commented on the great number of beautiful theatres in Australia, not only in the capital cities, but many quite old and grand examples in smaller cities and country towns.

He is particularly fond of Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, not only for its grandeur and beauty, but it was there he received his first standing ovation in Godspell.

Another favourite is the Comedy Theatre. He remembers standing at the front of the Sydney Opera House and realising with elation “this is my workplace”.

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In the House …

By Marcelle Renkin, Program Coordinator

It feels like things are almost back to normal here at the Community House with plenty of people coming and going and getting involved through activities, social groups, volunteering, recycling and just popping in to say hello.

Connecting to Place Anglesea Community House was recently awarded a small grant from the Surf Coast Shire Council to implement a project that aims to create spaces for community to become more aware of First Nations history and current considerations in this area. The hope is to further develop ways we can all walk WITH our indigenous communities moving forward.

Keep a look out for information about future session dates on our website and through social media.

Focus on Youth During high school years, mental health problems for young people are among the main causes of difficulties in friendship groups, relationships, substance use or abuse, or events in a young person’s life that can have a long lasting impact.

The Community House is proud to collaborate with Youth Gurus to bring a FREE mental health accredited Youth & Teen Mental Health First Aid training to Anglesea.

This training is targeted at parents or adults who support or work with young people, and provides participants with the knowledge and confidence to recognise the warning signs of a mental health crisis, and to respond and reduce stigma around mental health in the wider community.

We are also pleased to be able to offer a series of workshops for secondary school aged children during the school holidays, with the Active Kids Active Futures program, which will provide engagement through activities to provide a safe space for young people to gather and connect.

Zero Emissions Ideas Fest ACH is celebrating National Science week in August and this year’s theme is Acclimatise: The Science of Sustainability and Adaptation.

With the support of The Royal Society of Victoria, the Anglesea Community House is proud to present “Zero Emissions Ideas Fest” on 22 August 2021 at the Anglesea Memorial Hall.

Working with an emerging local group of climate mobilisers “Zero Emissions Surf Coast”, we will be bringing together community groups, businesses and local community members to share ideas, be inspired and celebrate action on climate change. Keep 22 August free to check out our familyfriendly event.

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Power Saving Bonus We are helping people in our community apply for the $250 Power Saving Bonus.

This is a one-off payment to help you with the cost of living.

To be eligible, someone in your household must have a pensioner concession card or receive JobSeeker, Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance.

Please give us a call on 5263 2116 to make an appointment.

More Activities and Events We have many more activities coming up in the next few months that aim to provide a way for you to get and or stay connected with others in the community.

Check out the Activities, Courses and Events guide here in NewsAngle, or our website for up-to-date information about how you can get involved in your local community. www.anglesea.org.au

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The Check Up

By Dr Stuart Jones, Anglesea Medical

DIETARY MANAGEMENT OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL Due to the restrictions of the past 12 months, some patients have noticed a rise in their cholesterol due to changes in their dietary habits and reduced activity.

Hypercholesterolemia (or high cholesterol) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart attacks.

Types of cholesterol

When you are told you have high cholesterol this often refers to your total cholesterol. The two main types of cholesterol are: 1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol because it can build up fatty deposits in your arteries leading to coronary heart disease.

2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol which helps to protect against coronary heart disease.

What causes high cholesterol?

 Low intake of healthy fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats) that increase the good (HDL) cholesterol – such as oily fish, nuts, seeds and avocado.  High intake of unhealthy fats (saturated fats and trans-fats) – such as fatty meats, butter, and deepfried takeaway foods and baked products (such as pies and pastries).  Low fibre intake – fibre (such as vegetables, fruits, wholegrains and nuts) can reduce the LDL (bad) cholesterol.  Genetics – some people will have high cholesterol even if they have a

healthy, balanced diet low in saturated fats and trans-fats. These people may need to take cholesterol lowering medicine and should discuss this with their doctor.

Healthy eating tips to lower cholesterol  Limit takeaway foods and salty, fatty, sugary snacks (such as cakes, pastries, lollies and chocolate).  Eat lots of vegetables – aim for 5 serves every day (1 serve is ½ a cup of cooked vegetables).  Choose wholegrain breads, cereal, pasta, rice and noodles.  Snack on plain, unsalted nuts and fresh fruit (two serves of fruit/day).  Include legumes – such as chickpeas, lentils and beans into at least two meals a week.  Replace saturated fat (such as butter, coconut oil and cream) with unsaturated fats (such as canola, sunflower or extra virgin olive oil spreads).  Have 2 to 3 portions (150 grams each) of oily fish every week (such as salmon, mackerel, blue fin tuna and sardines).  Choose lean meat (meat trimmed of fat, and poultry without skin) and limit unprocessed red meat to less than 350g per week.  Avoid processed meats including sausages and deli meats.

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Triglycerides In addition to cholesterol, your blood also contains fats called triglycerides, and high triglycerides increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Your body stores any extra energy from your food as triglycerides.

In addition to the above healthy eating advice, some ways to reduce triglyceride levels include:  limit sugary, fatty and salty takeaway meals  limit sweetened drinks  reduce alcohol intake  include foods with omega-3 fats (such as salmon, sardines and tuna).

Final thoughts Be mindful about how much you are eating. Portion sizes have increased over time and many of us are eating more than we need. Ideally, a healthy plate includes servings of ¼ protein, ¼ carbohydrates and ½ vegetables.

Make the healthy options the easy options. Try not to buy the unhealthy snack foods when grocery shopping.

Strategies to help with this include going with a list, avoiding shopping when hungry and avoiding impulse buying.

Regular exercise will also help to improve your cholesterol and your cardiovascular health.

If you have further questions please consult your doctor.

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Banking on our Community

By Rob Cameron Bendigo Community Bank ®

The local community is starting to return to some normality, as the COVID restrictions in regional Victoria have become a little less imposing, but no less serious.

The Anglesea Roos footy team has performed extremely well so far this season, providing their faithful followers with some excitement for the winter and a vibrant, happy environment for their junior footballers and netballers to join and grow together, as all good sporting clubs should.

During these times it has been noted that the restriction on gathering for all types of community groups has had a serious effect on people of all ages, and general health and wellbeing is being tested.

Many folk rely on their friends or fellow volunteers for support and fulfilment, and when the purpose of connection is taken away and routines are broken, many people feel anxiety and loss.

Small communities like ours have been extremely proactive in finding new ways to keep connected and special thanks must go to work done by our local churches, Lions Club and sporting groups for reaching out to check on members and friends.

It is times like these that the true resilience of a community is tested – and Anglesea and district has certainly passed that test.

The Bendigo Bank was thrilled to be able to provide support for victims of the devastating Mallacoota bushfires.

Assistance was provided for impacted residents to visit Anglesea and stay for a little respite.

They were extremely grateful for the warmth and hospitality shown by the local community and businesses that extended a welcome to all.

The renovations for the new Community Bank at the old Rose’s Restaurant site are well under way and on track for relocation of local banking services by the middle of the year.

The Community Bank owners, Corangamite Financial Services, is thrilled to be taking over the new premises and continuing to provide all of the banking facilities in a new modern site. We hope the transfer of business location will be smooth and cause little inconvenience to our loyal customers.

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From Mallacoota to Anglesea

By Miriam Riverlea, Editor, Mallacoota Mouth

Earlier this year, Anglesea hosted an All About Fun camp to provide some fun and fellowship to the communities of Far East Gippsland who had suffered through bushfires.

During the second week of the Easter school holidays, members of the Mallacoota and Gipsy Point communities traversed the eastern half of the state to gather at Burnside Camp in Anglesea.

They were joined by families from Clifton Creek, Sarsfield and other parts of Gippsland, each with their own story of how the bushfires had impacted their lives and communities. But while the fires were the impetus for bringing everyone together, the focus of the camp was firmly on fun and fellowship.

The idea of offering a camp developed early in 2020, when a group from Anglesea, led by Pauline Dean, gathered to discuss ways to provide support.

Fiona and Brad Simcoe, managers of Burnside Camp, Baptist Camping Victoria, offered the use of their facility, while many Anglesea community members devoted their time, energy and local knowledge to support the group throughout the week.

They liaised with Reverend Jude Benton, who promoted the camp through her local networks, with the support of MADRA (Mallacoota & District Recovery Association) and the Lions’ Clubs of Mallacoota and Anglesea.

The camp provided a welcome interlude from the experience of living in a bushfire affected community.

The 42 participants included several farming families who often find it difficult to leave their properties for a well deserved holiday. For everyone, it was a chance to rest and recharge, and experience the sights and spectacles of a different part of Victoria.

All meals were catered by the team at Burnside Camp, while the program itself was generously funded by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal conducted in

Families travelled from bushfire affected areas of Gippsland for a week of fun in Anglesea.

partnership with the Victorian Government and Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation.

Vouchers were provided by local businesses, including Morgans Bar & Grill, and Anglesea News & Lotto.

The program included a wide range of activities both at the camp and in the local area.

On the first day, the group quickly bonded while scaling the rock climbing wall and encouraged each other as both children and adults navigated a challenging high ropes course that culminated in an exhilarating zip-line ride.

In quieter moments, the kids played board games and tie-dyed t-shirts, while adults visited the local community garden and art space.

Families were also free to explore the region on their own, taking in the surf and shopping, with many campers bringing home bargains from Anglesea’s Seaside Seconds op shop.

There were opportunities to visit the nearby Chocolaterie, as well as surfing and golf lessons supported by Go Ride A Wave and the Anglesea Golf Club and Pro Shop.

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The group set off early one morning down the Great Ocean Road to explore the Split Point Lighthouse and estuary at Aireys Inlet, before heading to Lorne to visit Erskine Falls and enjoy a BBQ. Evening entertainment involved a live performance by talented local musician Tristan Ross, and on the final night the camp was transformed for a Bollywood party.

The region’s indigenous culture was acknowledged throughout the week, with a moving Welcome to Country by Waddawurrung woman Corinna Eccles on the first night, and a session on caring for country as part of the Eco Logic estuary and lighthouse tour.

These moments served as reminders of the importance of family, community and treading lightly on the earth.

It has become apparent that the recovery process is a long one, and that it’s vital to recharge along the way.

Thank you to all the individuals and businesses who donated their time and energy to make it such a fun and memorable experience!

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HISTORY SPOT

Bridging the Gap

By Jan Morris, Anglesea & District Historical Society

It has always been a problem – the Anglesea bridge. At first it was lack of a bridge that was the problem.

The western side of Anglesea River was known as Gladstone. The eastern side was known as Swampy Creek.

How to get from one side to the other was always a problem.

The horse-drawn coach drivers used to wait for low tide, make their passengers walk, and canter the horses across the mouth of the river, hoping they wouldn’t get caught in the quicksand.

Many a near fatality occurred to both man and beast when vehicles were overturned in the quicksands.

The other alternative was to row across.

That is why Mrs Murray had a landing below her store, so people could row across to get their supplies.

Newly built “old” Anglesea Bridge

to come. A petition sent to the Winchelsea Shire in 1889 received the following reply from the Council meeting:

“That in the opinion of this meeting, a bridge over the Anglesea River is a work of the utmost necessity.”

Swampy Creek before the bridge was built

Eventually a small footbridge was constructed across the upper reaches of the river at the narrowest point. This would not take horses and carts.

Anglesea River was the demarcation between Winchelsea Shire on the west and Barrabool Shire on the eastern side.

In the 1800s neither shire wanted to pay for a bridge. However, good news was

Walking across the bridge 1900 24

The locals raised 100 pounds and the two shires had to share the remaining cost. However, the project ran over budget and guess who found the extra money? The locals!

It was 1892 before the completion of the bridge joined both sides of the river into one village named Anglesea River.

The “River” part of the name was dropped in 1950.

By 1968, the bridge was over 70 years old and inadequate for the traffic of the 60s. After huge amounts of rock and

Car crossing the bridge 1920s

infill on the banks of the river, the bridge was re-aligned and replaced.

The road to the bridge was diverted from Murch Crescent.

What is the worst traffic problem in Anglesea today? The Anglesea bridge.

On a nice summer’s day cars come down the Great Ocean Road by the thousands. Where do they bank up?

The Anglesea bridge.

Every year the problem gets worse, as more and more traffic comes to enjoy the Great Ocean Road. We are not selfish. We are happy to share our beautiful coast with visitors, but they get frustrated as we do, because it takes so long to get over the bridge.

What is the answer? Widen the bridge or make another road at the back of Anglesea. I don’t know the answer but it certainly needs to be addressed.

New & old bridges 1968

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

One Hundred Days

by Alice Pung

At 16, Karuna, an only child, is constantly observed and managed by her obsessively over-protective mother. After a momentary sexual encounter, Karuna cannot deny the truth of her pregnancy any longer and as her mother uncovers the reality, their already tense, smothering and uncomfortable relationship implodes. As the baby grows and soon arrives, Karuna is locked inside the 14-storey housing commission tower for the next 100 days to protect her from the looming outside world – alone, isolated and afraid. It is in these moments that Karuna comes into her own. Long days lead to beautiful moments of connection with her new daughter away from the interference of Grand Mar. The author has so brilliantly articulated the nuances of emotional abuse and control in this story, which is written slowly and secretly by Karuna to her daughter. It is deeply personal, will challenge your beliefs and push and tug on all your emotions as you devour the pages. Messy, stirring and so, so good. Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books The Winter Road by Kate Holden Kate Holden casts a discerning eye on the incredible true story of the murder of environmental officer Glen Turner, by a member of the most lauded gentry in the district – an 80-year-old property holder and head of a farming dynasty, Ian Turnbull. Throughout the revisiting of the murder and subsequent trial, she explores in detail the philosophical notions of traditional white entitlement, privilege and land ownership. Do we step lightly on this great continent, or is it our right to reap, harvest and potentially lay waste to all it has to offer? What responsibility do we have for preserving remnant vegetation and wildlife corridors? These and many more environmental and social concepts are handled with a deft and clear sighted hand. A thought provoking read, and great addition to any collection on the natural world.

Review by Nicole @ Great Escape Books

The Dressmakers Of Yarrandarrah Prison

by Meredith Jaffe

In this wildly hilarious read, Derek’s only daughter and pride and joy, Debbie, is getting married. Even if in Derek’s eyes she is far too young to commit, he would do absolutely anything to be there. Only problem is Derek is stuck out in the Yarrandarrah Correctional Facility for a little crime known as embezzlement of funds from his local golf club. His ex-wife Lorraine has made sure all contact with Debbie stopped the moment he was locked up and now Derek just wants his daughter to know how much he loves her. Inspiration breaks through while Derek meets with his weekly prison sewing circle, and this dad decides to make a wedding dress for the occasion. Together, the motley crew of crims gather around to create the most enthralling gown, but not without some hitches along the way. Will they get the dress finished in time? Will Debbie let her Dad in?

This gnarly and uproariously funny book is ultimately about unconditional love, courage and supporting others in the darkest of times. Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books

The Girl Remains

by Katherine Firkin

Set in the Victorian coastal town of Blairgowrie, this chilling police thriller tells the story of cold case Cecilia May. Three young girls out on a midnight adventure on the cliffs are spooked and separated, and only two return. Their stories don’t add up and it has been a mystery ever since. After 20 years, Cecilia’s skeleton is found in a rocky cave along with articles of clothing and one shoe. The Girl Remains is a clever, twisting tale with plenty of different suspects from which to choose. It is utterly impossible to guess the outcome, but an exciting race to the finish. I love to read Australian crime and this writer has arrived with a bang! Wonderful – can’t wait for more. Review by Sue @ Great Escape Books

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Tech Angle TWITCHERS’ CORNER

By Chris Dos Written and illustrated by Kaye Traynor

Tech Angle

By Chris Dos

Cryptocurrencies Last week, I was advised that my family has invested in cryptocurrencies in yet another attempt to throw away our hard earned money. No doubt everyone has heard of Bitcoin by now, but it’s one of thousands of currencies currently available to buy, sell and, heaven forbid, actually use to purchase goods and services.

Plenty of cryptos can also be obtained by ‘mining’, using a powerful computer to do auditing work for the currency and verify their transactions. A small reward comes your way if you are first to find that digital needle in a haystack.

However, most people doing this from home will be more likely to stumble across a gold nugget in their veggie patch.

Shining Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus Two small cuckoos in our local area are Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo and the Shining Bronze Cuckoo.

The Shining Bronze Cuckoo is a summer visitor along the entire east coast of Australia, including Tasmania and west of the Adelaide area. Another population occurs in the south west of WA. They are found mainly in dense foliage, rainforest woodlands, bushland, parks and vegetated gardens.

During autumn, Western Australian birds migrate to Indonesia. In eastern Australia, the birds migrate north from southern regions while some northern birds move to Torres Strait and New Guinea. They also occur in New Zealand where the birds migrate to the Solomon Islands in the winter months.

Shining Bronze Cuckoos are named for the colour of their upperparts and wings which are a rich, metallic bronzed green. Above that is more purplish brown on the crown and nape. The underparts are white, boldly and conspicuously barred across the belly, throat and chin with dark bronze brown, which become closer and finer round the head. The upper tail has a broad dark band across feathers from the tip, and the outer tail feathers are conspicuously broadly banded with black and white. Immature birds are greyishbrown above, with only a dull bronze green sheen.

The first sign that a Shining Bronze Cuckoo has arrived is the call, which is a series of repeated ascending whistles.

They tend to prefer to remain in the dense foliage in the canopy where they search for caterpillars and other small insects.

The popularity of investing in these products has risen dramatically in recent times for many reasons. The fees involved are low compared to the regular stockmarket, you don’t need a middle-man – just an app to make your transactions – and they exist separately to governments so are seen by some as a safe and secure option.

Even so, they can be volatile. Their stability relies on a giant trust exercise and if big players in this game start to get the jitters, things can turn ugly real quick. A late night tweet from the right billionaire can wipe out your fortune before breakfast.

In other news, sales of Apple’s new AirTag have been paused by the major retailers due to safety concerns that the battery can be too easily removed and possibly ingested by young children.

AirTags emit a signal that the Apple ‘Find My’ system (usually used to locate a lost phone) picks up to pinpoint its location. You could attach one to your keys, your wallet, your backpack and then track it down using the Find My app.

Unfortunately, far less is being made of their potential to track unsuspecting people, compromising their privacy and possibly endangering them.

Even the way the ‘FindMy’ system works using any nearby device to relay information from the tag is cause for unease.

It’s one thing to give permission to have your activity tracked but quite another to have it done without that permission being granted.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens with this one.

Here the Shining Bronze Cuckoos remain during the spring nesting season. The nature of cuckoos is their habit of parasitising nests of other small birds, and the Shining Bronze Cuckoo lays a single egg in a host nest and removes the host egg. After hatching, the baby cuckoo ejects the host nestlings from the nest. They seem to prefer the domed-shaped nests, of smaller species, especially thornbills.

Breeding Season – August to January. One egg: pale olive green to bronze brown, 19 x 13mm.

(References: Garden Birds - Clifford B. Frith. Complete Book of Australian Birds – Readers Digest) NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

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Surf Coast Shire Council

Fire Lines

By Tony Revell Anglesea CFA Community Engagement

Is Your Home Fire Safe?

By Mayor Libby Stapleton, Anglesea Ward Councillor

It’s hard to believe we’re already more than half way through the first year of our four-year term as local councillors.

We’re currently in the midst of preparing our Council Plan, and other strategic plans, using the community panel’s People Place Future report as our guiding framework.

Reflecting on the first part of my first year on Council, there are many achievements to celebrate. Some highlights for me so far include: Reconciliation Action Plan: Council’s commitment to respectful reconciliation and the need to grow our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. We will develop and deliver a Reconciliation Action Plan – titled Reflect – by the end of 2022.

Social Housing: Our dr aft social housing plan will help deliver a $20 million state government commitment to social housing in our region. This is the first step in helping those most in need of a place to live. We recently declared a short-term accommodation crisis on the Surf Coast, so are working on strategies to accommodate key workers as we head back into the busy season. The ongoing lack of affordable housing in our coastal towns concerns me greatly, and is a key focus for our current Council.

Climate Emergency Corporate Response Plan 2021–2031: Sets out important goals for us to achieve in response to the community’s call for urgent and extensive action on climate change.

Aquatic Centre: I know this isn’t in Anglesea! But it is something that should benefit many in our community.

Securing the remaining funding to finally make a pool a reality for all locals is worth celebrating. The new aquatic centre will be the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken

by Council, and will deliver wellbeing benefits to many across the Shire.

We’re hoping to see it built by the end of our four-year term!

Anglesea Netball Pavilion: While we are still awaiting news of a recent grant

application for the development of a new netball pavilion for Anglesea, we know we’ve put in a really strong bid and are hopeful of positive news on this front. Again, this is a significant investment in local infrastructure, with Council committing $775,000 if we’re successful in securing the $500,000 through the state government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.

IDAHOBIT Day: Raising the Rainbow Flag and launching the inaugural ‘IDAHOBIT Cup’ between Anglesea and Torquay women’s football clubs. A strong crowd of local supporters gathered on a wintery night to witness a brilliant match, with a fitting result – a draw! I’m excited that this will now become an annual event on the fixture.

Budget: Fr om the Anglesea Ar t Space to drainage at the Aireys top shops, we have been advocating strongly for local needs to be included in the next budget. The final budget is still to be approved as I write this, but we have seen strong submissions from various local groups, such as the Community Garden 3231, the Aireys Open Mic Music Festival, a Library of Things, and improved local pathways.

Thanks to all in our community who took time to submit, review and comment on what’s been proposed.

Casuarina Leadership Program: It was such a privilege to watch the 25 Casuarina participants graduate from this leadership program. I was witness to so many passionate ideas and felt really inspired by the way this group connected, encouraged and supported each other. Brilliant work!

One of the things I love most about being mayor is the opportunity to connect with so many different people in our community. It’s such a privilege to attend so many openings and events, to meet with local community groups and to advocate to state and federal politicians for the things that matter most in our region.

Thanks for putting your trust in me to do this.

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We would like to remind Anglesea and Aireys Inlet residents of the risk of fires in your home.

Firefighters attend more than 3,000 house fires in Victoria each year.

Many could be prevented by taking simple precautions to reduce the risk of fire.

In the kitchen: Never leave cooking unattended, keep tea-towels and flammable items away from the stove and keep grills, fans and cooking surfaces free from grease.

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

Wood fires: Have your chimney checked. Ensure fire ashes are completely cold before removing them from the fireplace. An Anglesea house was destroyed around three years ago as a result of warm ashes being cleaned from a fireplace. We have also attended several shed and back yard fires caused by ashes.

Power and appliance safety: Never overload power boards, and replace faulty appliances immediately. Check power leads for damage or kinks.

Clean the lint filter on your clothes dryer after each load.

In bedrooms: Don't leave electric blankets on for more than 30 minutes.

Never put weight on the bed while the electric blanket is switched on. Never smoke in bed.

Smoke alarms: Working smoke alarms save lives. It is law in Victoria to have at least one smoke alarm on each level of every home. Extra smoke alarms are recommended to ensure every sleeping zone is protected and in bedrooms where the door is closed when sleeping.

Change smoke alarm batteries every year and test them regularly.

More information?

Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au

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Our Local Arts Scene Compiled by Deborah Elliott, local resident, oil painter, photographer and textile artist

With so much art and culture to see and enjoy in Anglesea and Aireys Inlet, NewsA ngle has decided to include a regular update for readers. Below you will find a summary of what’s happening in our local Arts Scene for the next couple of months.

The information has been supplied by each organisation, so please go to their websites to confirm the details of the events listed below. Of course, all events are subject to current COVID guidelines and restrictions.

ANGLESEA VIEW – paintings by local award-winning artist, Louise Price INCOGNITO – oils by Zory McGrath The gallery will be buzzing with sculpture demonstrations throughout the Surf Coast Arts Trail weekend and most Saturdays from August to September. Drop in at 48 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet. www.eaglesnestgallery.com.au

Surf Coast Arts Trail 6–8 August 2021 This year's Arts Trail will launch with an exhibition of works at Surf Coast Art Space @The MAC in Torquay on Friday 6 August, before artists throughout the region throw open their studio doors for the weekend in a COVID-safe celebration of our vibrant Surf Coast visual arts community.

Eagles Nest Art Gallery The Mysterious Moonahs by Veronica McDonald—see SIDE BY SIDE exhibition

SIDE BY SIDE – an exhibition of paintings by local artist friends Veronica McDonald and Dee Mathison.

Anglesea Art Space

Veronica and Dee are also presenting an artist demo/chat event on Saturday 3 July from 1-3pm.

Details below supplied by Surf Coast Shire Council Arts Officer, Harriet Gaffney

ABSTRACT + BLUE – paintings by Mark Noel

WINTER OPENING FRI 6 AUGUST 6–9pm at the gallery – all welcome

In the wake of Council’s draft budget that set aside funding for the continuation of the Art Space beyond 30 June 2021 – and in recognition of the love held by the Anglesea community for the Art Space – Council has adopted Anglesea Art Space as the new name for the facility.

RECENT WORKS – group exhibition

by Geelong Sculptors Inc.

Shire wide, Anglesea Art Space plays a vital role as an incubator for new artists

POSTCARDS – small landscapes by Pamela Reid August–September

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See the full conditions of use on Council’s website at www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au, and keep an eye on Surf Coast Art Matters, the Council’s arts and culture social media channel, or the Art Matters e-news.

Artists will continue to be mentored through the full requirements of their exhibition with the support of Council’s Anglesea Art Space Coordinator and the Arts Development Officer. From the Expression of Interest (EOI) process, which develops artist skills in articulating and documenting their work, through to the skills gained in the production and installation of exhibitions, sales, marketing and promotions, this program supports artists through the exhibition journey.

The Arts Officer is now programming June–November shows from those exhibitions that were unable to go ahead last year due to COVID (with a few exciting additions!).

https://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/ Experience/Arts-culture-and-heritage/ Surf-Coast-Arts-Trail

June–July

embarking on their exhibiting journey in a small, supported venue, and as a local venue for more experienced artists.

EOI’s open on Friday June 25 for exhibitions from 12 November to 30 June 2022. Assessed by a panel, the EOI process ensures equity of access to the Space for all members of the community and takes into account diversity of practice, access and inclusion, as well as the number of weeks in the year and the numbers of applications!

Shop 2, 103 Great Ocean Road, Anglesea https://surfcoastartspace.com.au

Anglesea Art House The Art House is fully operational, with 120 members attending each week over 13 sessions. All classes are currently fully booked so another Print Group has been added to Monday

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mornings. With the delivery of a new print press, there are now three presses available in our print area.

New members are always welcome. The Art House is open on days when classes are running, as well as Saturdays 11am to 3pm.

For information on Term 3, email info@angleseaarthouse.com.au 23 Cameron Road, Anglesea www.angleseaarthouse.com.au

A new print press for Anglesea Art House

Anglesea Snappers Photography Club The Snappers meet at 7:30pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Anglesea Community House, 5 McMillan Street, Anglesea. The 1st Tuesday is show and tell and the 3rd Tuesday is a technical session. The purpose of the group is to share a love of photography, share our knowledge and learn from each other. Contact Deb Elliott – 0439 686 585.

Technical sessions coming up: Topic

Month

Speaker

Long Exposure

July 20th

Paul Wright

People and Portraits

August 17th

Salli Hickford

Outdoor – Nature

September 19th

John Lenergan

Anglesea Indoor Market A boutique mini market, shared retail space with up to 15 select indoor stalls, and outdoor food truck sites. Discover and shop small creative brands from local independent artisans, designers, creatives, makers, finders and crafters.

Local operator Mandy also tutors a range of craft workshops, such as macramé and knitting. Discover more at 143c Great Ocean Road, Anglesea.

Aireys Inlet Winter Market Warm your soul with winter goodness while supporting local artisans at the Aireys Inlet Market season finale on Sunday 11 July. Up to 60 stalls featuring your favourite local makers, growers and creators can be found at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall, 6 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet, 9–1.

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Community Corner NEWS AND UPDATES FROM YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD

One-Act-Play Festival Celebrates 30 Years Anglesea Performing Arts (APA) is well known for its award-winning productions and shorter one-act plays. This August, it hosts the 30th One-Act-Play Festival at the Anglesea Memorial Hall.

Each year the One-Act-Play Festival sees many plays being performed over one weekend at the hall in the spirit of friendly competition for prize money.

Sponsorship is provided by local businesses including the Anglesea branch of the Bendigo Bank.

“There is an adjudicator who gives feedback to the performers regarding the individual plays, and it is a great way to experience theatre and learn about the craft at the same time,” said APA member Lina Libroaperto.

APA Actors are preparing to return for the 30th One-Act-Play Festival in Anglesea.

Festival, so come along and see a wide range of short plays performed by theatre companies from throughout regional Victoria over a pleasant weekend at Anglesea Memorial Hall,” said Christine Walker, APA’s Secretary.

The Festival Café will sustain you with hot food and treats all weekend, and a wine bar is also provided for refreshments.

Adjudicator Xan Coleman will judge the One-Act Plays at this year’s Festival.

The festival draws theatre groups and audiences from across Victoria and has only skipped a beat twice in its history; the most recent last year due to the COVID pandemic and the statewide lockdown.

“We are excited to be hosting our 30th

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Anglesea’s 30th One-Act-Play Festival will be held over the weekend of 14–15 August 2021.

Further information: www.angleseaperformers.org.au Christine Walker, Festival Convenor 0408 444 199 Tickets through the Trybooking link on the APA website above.

U3A Surf Coast Program Back Underway After a difficult year in 2020, U3A Surf Coast recommenced its term two program with a variety of courses, both regular and new.

Occasional lectures also returned and a highlight was a lecture in May about Starfish Nippers, an inclusive program created in 2011 by Janet Jones and Naomi Symington to enable children and young adults with a disability to participate in beach and water/surf lifesaving activities.

COVID restrictions and limitations on numbers at some venues have meant waiting lists for courses, but many are returning to normal, with either faceto-face or Zoom, which may be of interest to people isolated or without transport. Zoom classes currently offered are: Poetry, Cinema Studies and W riting Y our Life.

Popular classes like yoga, tai-chi, ukulele and computer classes have returned, while Money Matters for the Third Age also makes a comeback.

Flexibility is needed due to the pandemic and we anticipate there may be future changes to venues, classes and the regulations under which we operate as things unfold.

Please check the website for details of all programs and course descriptions, along with online enrolment, at www.u3asurfcoast.org.au/coursesactivities Enquiries via mobile 0435 374 139 or email info@u3asurfcoast.org.au.

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Love Winter returns to Aireys Inlet Aireys Inlet has come alive with a series of events returning to town to warm the soul over the winter months.

After a year off, the Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders Association is thrilled to announce that Love W inter in Aireys is back this year with a jam-packed calendar of events to celebrate the town’s food, music and arts scene.

The program is filled with events to help get us out in the fresh air, to soothe our souls with delectable food offerings and superb sounds from of our favourite venues, and to keep us connected to community.

Now in its ninth year, the festival’s program features a range of food, music, arts and literature activities that will run until the end of August.

From mini-golf championships to hearty soups served in the community garden, a poetry competition and sculpture weekends, there will be more than 30 events from which to choose.

To find out what’s in store for the remainder of winter, see the program below or visit www.aireysinlet.org.au for details of all the events.

Sculpture by Brendan Merriman — see Living the Life exhibition at Eagles Nest Gallery this winter.

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Lioness Club Joins Forces with Anglesea Lions

by Betsy Newman, Anglesea Lioness Club

On Monday 19 April, 16 of the 18 members of the Lioness Club were inducted into the Lions Club of Anglesea.

The Anglesea Hotel was the venue for a very happy evening with many guests attending this very important occasion for the Lions Club of Anglesea.

The Lionesses were individually introduced by Lioness June Taylor and the induction was carried out by Lion Trevor Taylor.

June and Trevor have been wonderful members of the Anglesea community and particularly the Lions Club and have recently relocated to Melbourne.

We were delighted they were able to be a part of this special occasion as both had an extensive role in preparing the clubs for this transition.

Guests included District Governor Delwyn Seebeck, past District Governor Dennis Grant and his wife Shirley, Membership Chair Biddy Weel

and her husband Nick, and past Lioness Presidents Margaret Vise and Beverley Voisey. The Mayor of the Surf Coast Shire, Councillor Libby Stapleton, was to be guest speaker but unfortunately was unwell and unable to attend. Her prepared speech was made available and presented by Margaret Russell on her behalf.

After their induction, each Lioness now a Lion, was presented with their Membership Certificate by District Governor Delwyn and an embroidered Lions badge by Membership Chair Biddy. The badges will be sewn onto our signature yellow shirts which we will continue to wear with pride at community events in the future.

Our years of service will be recognised by the Lions Club and recorded on the Lions members information site.

The Lionettes Committee will retain its identity within the Lions Club structure and we look forward to our future involvement in the community as formal members of the Lions Club of Anglesea.

Our activities and service will now be recorded as part of the Lions Club service to the community.

A well supported raffle was held to raise funds for the Australian Lions Foundation Ltd National Disaster Appeal to support communities in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria affected by flood waters.

We welcome enquiries about the Lionettes Committee and the Lions Club of Anglesea via email to anglesealionessclub@gmail.com or you can contact Betsy Newman, Secretary via mobile 0412 769 144.

District Governor Delwyn Seebeck (left) presented a certificate to each Lioness after they were inducted into the Anglesea Lions Club.

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Local Nippers Program at SLSC More than 80 local children participated in a Nippers program earlier this year at the Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club.

The children were taught invaluable skills for swimming in the ocean, navigating boards and very important lessons regarding safety in the ocean – so important when the ocean is your backyard!

Thank you to Laura Boyer who led the program magnificently and also to the other volunteers from the Club for dedicating their Wednesday and Sunday afternoons to providing instructions and water safety for the children.

Special mention to a couple of dads who took the plunge and completed their Surf Rescue Certificate, which helped the Club to meet water safety ratios, which are of course so important.

One special day during the program was when the summer Nippers and local Nippers joined together for a celebration event over Easter, which was followed up with a BBQ and parent meeting to explain how to join the Club and get further involved.

Thank you to all the wonderful families who have been involved and we hope to see you in Term 4.

Further information: Jennifer Mclntyre, General Manager, Anglesea SLSC 0437 516 600 NewsAngle | Publication of the Anglesea Community House | Community Houses are for Everyone

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COMMUNITY CORNER

Surfcoast Bluearth Playgroup at Aireys Inlet Primary School Toddlers from 0–3 years and their parents have been welcomed into the Aireys Inlet Primary School, as part of the newly launched Surf Coast Bluearth Playgroup.

Mitch, the Bluearth instructor, uses evidence-based strategies to engage “little people” and provide the building blocks to support active play – physically, mentally and emotionally.

After the session with Mitch, toddlers are able to enjoy free play with the many toys borrowed from the Anglesea Toy Library, while the parents connect with each other over a cup of coffee.

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Anglesea Lions Club has recommenced its Friday night raffles from 6-7pm at the Anglesea Hotel. $2,400 was raised during March and April, with all proceeds going to the following: Anglesea Memorial Hall upgrade, Aireys/ Anglesea Red Cross for WA bushfire relief, the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday appeal and the Anglesea RSL for Anzac Day. Additional local, Australian and international causes continue be supported.

For information: John Roberts, Lions Treasurer 0410 458 907

The mums and dads also participate with their children.

School Principal Jennifer Abel said it has been fantastic to see so many youngsters join the program.

Anglesea Lions Club

The Bluearth Playgroup is conducted at the school on Tuesdays every fortnight during the school term.

There is no cost.

For more information and to register your attendance please email the school Principal, Jennifer Abel.

Jennifer.Abel@education.vic.gov.au

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Anglesea River Management Update

By Dr Greg Woodward, Senior Manager Waterway Health , Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP)

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is continuing to investigate longer term management options for the Anglesea River estuary.

A flow study of the Anglesea River funded by DELWP and managed by Corangamite CMA has recently been completed to better understand the timing, duration and amount of water needed by native plants and animals in the Anglesea River system.

The study was undertaken by GHD and was prepared by experts in the fields of natural resource management, freshwater ecology, aquatic vegetation, coastal and estuarine ecology, hydrology and a Wadawurrung Traditional Owner representative.

The project was supported by a working group consisting of members from Corangamite CMA, Surf Coast Shire Council, Barwon Water, DELWP and local community representatives.

The key findings of the study included: 1. The Anglesea River system supports a range of environmental values including fish, vegetation,

4. Under the current conditions, natural estuary openings are likely to occur less often and vegetation in the estuary will transition to include more freshwater dependent species.

amphibians and terrestrial vertebrates, particularly in the upper catchment area.

2. The significant reduction in rainfall experienced over the last 20 years as a result of climate change and variability has greatly reduced flow, particularly in the upper catchment area of Salt Creek.

3. Climate change impacts in the lower estuary had been lessened by Alcoa’s EPA-licenced discharge (~4ML/day), which ceased in March 2016.

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The findings from the flow study will help inform waterway managers on how to make the best use of the available water and provide the best possible environmental outcomes.

Climate change and reduction in flow is impacting the current environmental, social, cultural and economic values of the system.

DELWP, with the assistance of stakeholders including Barwon Water, Surf Coast Shire Council and Corangamite CMA has already implemented several of the study recommendations and will continue to work with key stakeholders and the community to support the river during this period of change.

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Write Angles

By Melva Stott

A Weir-d Tale There has always been a sandbar across the Anglesea river mouth, and until the bridge was built, horse-drawn coaches crossed the river on this sandbar, at some peril, due to patches of quicksand.

A sand spit stretched out into the sea from the western side of the sandbar and dunes.

This spit would have had some effect on the way the ocean tides related to the stream and to movement of sand.

In 1975, Barrabool Shire gave approval for the construction of a weir across the river to keep it at a constant level. There was local opposition and concerns, but to no avail.

The weir was originally visible above the waterline. A solid rock wall, with an open section in the centre fitted with four removable dropboards that could release water or retain it to form a lagoon.

After the installation of the weir, the long sand spit was washed away. Sand then began building up in the river mouth, eventually covering the weir, then deeply burying it; thus widening the natural sandbar. The next episode in this story comes in the form of a good old country yarn. It is a tale

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of sabotage, and whispers of a bit of nefarious night work carried out by persons unknown, assisted by a few sticks of something explosive. This account infers that the controversial weir had been well and truly tampered with.

In 2013 Surf Coast Shire Council reported that a section of rock wall was removed. It was not clear if this was the entire man-made structure or whether one side is still buried.

Family River Experience Beneath our beautiful river is an ugly expanse of black mud, which would be revealed whenever the water level dropped, making it unattractive to visitors.

My children ventured into the river one day when the water was low but still concealing the black mud. They emerged covered in the sticky substance … and were not allowed in the car. They were banished to the open boot and transferred to a hot bath. (Try doing that these days!)

Girls on Wheels On two occasions recently, I've talked to girls alighting from motorbikes near the Post Office. I told them I used to ride one years ago … and we've all agreed that they're great fun!

Keep smiling!

Melva Stott

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Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays at the YMCA

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