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ISSUE 140 JULY 2020 Distributed throughout Altona with distribution points in Altona North, Seaholme and Altona Meadows LIKE Around Altona on Facebook! Stay informed and view the paper online faster: www.facebook.com/AroundAltona COMMUNITY BANK GETS BEHIND COMMUNITY
JACK’S CORNER
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PHOTO PAGE
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13 YEARS BEFORE THE WORLD CHANGED
Jill Brooks started it all. It was the summer of 2006/2007 and I was a regular visitor to her Harrington Square bookshop - WestSide Stories. I was also spending a lot of time at the Altona Meadows Aged Care, where my parents had moved. Jill donated a ton of books to the hostel, so that they could have a library and to thank her, I created a whimsical graphic of her shop with Mr. Squiggle in his little red armchair, flying through the air. Jill showed it to her other regulars, including Bruce McCubbery - a local who like me, loved the shop for both the books and his conversations with Jill. That was what WestSide Stories was about. Children and students would get her advice on any and every topic you could think of. She was always on the lookout for ways to ignite their passion in reading and encouraged them to question what they read and heard; to have a voice and what’s more, an informed opinion. It was no surprise that
she was one of the first financial supporters of Around Altona. When Bruce McCubbery saw my artwork, he requested that he meet the artist. He and his friend Bill McPherson were interested in Altona having its own community-run newspaper. Black and white, printed on a risograph; supported by local businesses and filled with stories that would interest locals. Bruce introduced me to two inspirational men that year. Before I knew it, I was designing the logo for Around Altona Community Newspaper, for its first editor and publisher Bill McPherson. Bill was involved with all sorts of projects including lobbying for a men’s shed at the old EPA site on Queen Street, recycling computers at Link Pumps and promoting the purchase of ‘Vision Quest’ - the yacht famous for the around-the-world adventures of yachtsman Vinny Lauwers. continue page 3
PLEASE DO NOT DISCARD - Give this paper to a friend or neighbour to read.
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ONE LAST LETTER FROM THE EDITOR... Hey Readers, It is with great sadness that I confirm what I’ve feared for awhile... The papers will come to an end after this final issue – our July edition. I can’t tell you what these papers have meant to me these past 7-8 years. I discovered Around Point Cook at a time in my life, when I felt completely lost and with no clue what I was going to do next. A little paper arrived in my letter box, with a call out for volunteer writers, and the rest is history. Daniel Allen was the editor back then, and he and Nella immediately gave me a community to belong to. I was sure that this would put me in great stead to become a real-life Lois Lane... When Daniel stepped away and offered me a shot at being editor, I was honoured, if not a little overwhelmed. These papers have given me so much. Confidence, community and the opportunity to publish as many photos of my kids as I wanted lol. They have always gotten a thrill from that. To the writers: I’m so blessed to have lead this team. I inherited some of you from past editors, and some of you read our papers and felt compelled to join our ‘Around’ family - we are nothing without you! I have put out the call each month, and you’ve always answered it, with professionalism and enthusiasm – I will be forever grateful for your kindness and loyalty to our vision. To the volunteers - you have all played your part in these papers - often without much thanks or direction. I have appreciated every one that has made it all possible. Finally, to our readers – thank you so much for every single time you picked up one of our papers. Every time I spotted you reading a paper in the food court at the Point Cook Town Centre, or found a pile in a waiting room, or library
in Hobsons Bay, you supported our little paper that could. It made us all feel special. It made us feel like writers, and photographers – storytellers, telling your stories – it was a thrill and an honour. I’m so proud of what we did here. See you Around, Melissa Longo P.S. If you’ll miss reading good positive stories about the great stuff happening in the west, subscribe to www.inkcloud.co good news deserves a spotlight.
NO ONE PREDICTED THE COMING OF THE CORONAVIRUS THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES... Physical distancing is everywhere, to limit the spread of the virus. We practice nodding, elbow-bumping and foot-to-foot tapping. Suddenly, we gained the importance of personal hygiene. Immediately, people became interested in gardening and doit-yourself projects to do during lockdown. There was a long queue at Bunnings Warehouse for people trying to buy seeds, vegetables, plants, or materials for DIY.
The water is cloudy, from the many boats passing through. Now, the clarity of the water has improved. We are now starting to look after our neighbours, checking in on them. One day, my next-door neighbour gave me 24 rolls of toilet tissues. When I asked him how much, he said, “Free.” How thoughtful! We just hope and pray that we stay safe, and that soon, a vaccine will be discovered for Coronavirus.
When I visited Venice in 2016, the water was cloudy from the many boats passing through. Now the clarity of the water has improved.
0408 659 940 or aroundsell@gmail.com
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Issue 140
Maria Pagunsan
from page 1
On the front page of issue one was a column from our then local MP, the late, Honourable Lynne Kosky, looking forward to a long association with the paper. Those early contributors, councilors and politicians, organisations and businesses started the ‘community conversation’ that grew into a warm, inclusive chat, available in resident’s letterboxes or at the local libraries and one of its great epicentres of news, the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre. In April, I met Jill Bilston who ran the Centre at the time. Looking back, I realize she immediately picked up on my anxiety, as an introverted writer so, that first interview with her was more of a dictation session, where she gave me the gift of her friendship, alongside a foot in the door of a community I will always treasure. The early editions included a map of Altona, the copies of the business cards Bill picked up from local businesses; his ‘Wayne’s World’ style method of ‘if you book them they will come’! At the time, I was studying journalism, so I was thrilled to become a contributor, but by May I had become its sub editor and layout artist and its editor a year later. It was a great privilege to serve the community in this way and an immeasurable gift to become part of Altona’s warm, welcoming community conversation. Amazing, funny and inspiring voices filled the pages. Curious and comical cartoons and poems by Gordon Lescinsky, the exquisite botanical drawings and articles from Helene Wild, contributions from local schools, book and movie reviews, a word find – if it was conversational and inclusive, it was in! I must mention I am also grateful to Bruce, for his introduction to Daniel Allen, who at that time had done the layout for Around Altona, before handing it over to me. Who would have known 14 February 2007 would also be the anniversary of meeting my future husband!
of paper skyscrapers in our garage! I filed them by laying them out on our trampoline and realized just how many Altona moments intertwined with our personal lives. I remember the photo-shoot for the State Government $40,000 grant for the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed was also the day my father died. We had discussed the progress of the project from Bill’s early lobbying days and it was a heartwarming development to share with him that day. We covered Altona’s great Bayside Festivals, art exhibitions, events and theatre productions; the anger surrounding the removal of the ‘Altona Loop’ stations from the main city route; the celebration of having our own, local Prime Minister Julia Gillard. As a single mum, travelling around Altona was often something I’d do with my daughter Mia, and I’m grateful for the opportunity we both had coming into contact with community leaders and visionaries. Louis Joel’s Kim Reilly has known Mia since she was very short and now, as an adult Mia teaches Dramawerkz classes there. I watched the conversation fly to new heights with Daniel’s editing of the papers from 2012, and when he passed the baton on to our super driven and talented, current editor Melissa Longo, the paper become stronger and better than ever. It’s time to wrap up Around Altona - Dan and I thank you for our time in your postbox. One thing we know about life ‘around Altona’ is that the community conversation will always be a wonderful chat. Petronella Boonen
As some of you know, Dan also took over as Editor of the paper in December 2012, alongside the Around Point Cook and Around Hoppers Crossing, before the incredible Mel Longo took the reins. When you spend a good part of each week editing, writing and producing layouts of a publication, it almost morphs into a member of your family. One sunny weekend, I decided the copies of the Arounds had started to take on their own life, becoming an infrastructure
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FAREWELL FOND FRIEND...
... and a huge thank you to all those who enabled this little punch-packing paper, to give insights and support to our community over many years through news, perspectives, stories and more. I think we will all miss seeing Around Altona as a free pick-up at the dry cleaners, or the library, or wherever. Perhaps we have been accustomed to taking it for granted. It has been inspiring that so many good people have worked so hard to keep community information in print for so long, but alas, the tide of change makes this labourof-love an impossibility to keep going. As for much print media across Australia and the world, ongoing viability is too much of a challenge, despite the quality of the people
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who make it happen. I want to thank all those people who pulled it together each month over many years, and I especially give a special sing-out to the indomitable Bill McPherson, the soothing Nella Boonen and the effervescent Melissa Longo. I will look forward to a someone, somewhere hosting a retrospective of the Arounds, to celebrate what it has meant for our community... just seeding an idea, so we don’t just have the quiet demise of something that has been very special and showcased so much about our community.
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www.carissprinting.com.au Issue 140
COMMUNITY BANK GETS BEHIND COMMUNITY
The need for food relief more than tripled during the course of this pandemic. Jamieson Way Community Centre were originally assisting 5 local families with food packages, but that number quickly grew to 16. Demand went up across the country, which meant supply began to buckle under the strain. While everyone stayed home, Warren, Melinda and the team at Jam Way continued to work through (under restrictions,) offering much-needed assistance to all who asked. Concern grew as weeks turned into months - perhaps the food relief program would not be sustainable for much longer. Would there be enough food to carry on? Food Bank was running low. Second Bite was stretched thin. Council’s support about to come to an end...
Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) were trying to come up with meaningful ways to assist the communities they represent. Everywhere you look, there are people struggling to cope with this new normal. What could they do to really make a difference? The Board recognised the incredible effort of the Jamieson Way Community Centre, as well as Laverton Community Integrated Services, and Latitude – all offering food relief programs throughout these trying times. A $5000 IGA voucher has been supplied to each of these community groups, not only helping to feed locals in need, but supporting local business in the process - doubly effective. Well done to all involved – continue to support each other, in small ways when you can. Shop local. Bank local. Love Local.
Enter the local Community Bank! The Board behind the Altona, Laverton & Point Cook
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Melissa Longo
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HOW TO BE RESILIENT IN TOUGH TIMES
Knowing how to be resilient in tough times is a huge benefit and a blessing. You can recover from setbacks quickly, readily find your feet again, and easily bounce back with a better frame of mind. Practicing resilience is empowering. You’re able to stay confident, optimistic and buoyant in the midst of difficult situations. In emerging from home isolation, schooling and work, parents, kids, and workers have again been feeling the stress of adapting to new regimes. Feelings and finances are being stretched to the limit. However, there is good news. When life seems out of control, resilience helps you stay firmly on-track, keeps you mentally balanced, and in charge of your daily activities. HOW TO BE RESILIENT To be a resilient person means to have a bend-not-break attitude at home, school or work. It’s being flexible and adaptable, not thinking or acting in a rigid, inflexible manner. The key to being resilient is to embrace and practice bendability, flexibility and bounce-backability. These thought-qualities allow you to easily rebound from tough situations and recover readily from stress. While the ability to rebound quickly and easily is sometimes thought to be a quirk of nature, or to be inherited, it actually isn’t. Resilience is a spiritually mental capability which we all can express. It comes from a divine Source – the Bestower of all that’s good, and everyone has access to it. TIPS TO HELP YOU BE RESILIENT • Be a bend-not-break person. When faced with
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hardship, draw on spiritual resilience to help you overcome it. Have the flexibility to bend with the winds of adversity and then expect to recover quickly and easily from trouble. • Boost your resilience. In the morning and during the day, affirm that you’re a resilient, flexible person whose been created to triumph over hard times and be successful at home, school or work. • Have confidence. Don’t stay rigid with fear or despair. Take the next step forward with courage. “We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up.” Bible. II Corinthians 4:8. • Be strong. Bounce back from disappointment or discouragement. Get up each day, mentally stronger than the day before. “The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.” Mary Baker Eddy. Science and Health p.574. • Practice being resilient. Emulate the humble rubberband, which being both pliable and elastic, can stretch a l-o-n-g way without breaking. You can do likewise in tough times. No matter how far your stretched, with inner resilience you’ll be able to recover and rebound with ease, whenever times are tough. Beverly Goldsmith writes on the connection between spirituality and health and is a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing. A FAREWELL TRIBUTE TO AROUND POINT COOK AND ALTONA NEWSPAPERS. When I moved to Point Cook in July 2012, I was delighted to find in my letterbox, a free local newspaper written for
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the community, by people in the community. It was all positive stuff - including reports on local happenings, locals with interesting activities or ideas, as well as local people and organizations doing good things. I liked the paper’s tone and content very much. So, several months later, I tentatively sent in my first contribution. And since my life had been blessed through discovering the connection between spirituality and health, my first 450 words aimed to offer helpful tips and ideas on how to live a happy, healthy life. To my joy, it was accepted and published. Thus began my 7-year, monthly journey, of sharing on a range of topics - many of which were suggested in emails from our intrepid volunteer editor, Melissa Longo. Now, after having 78 monthly articles regularly published in Around Point Cook – 36 of which were also shared in Around Altona, both papers are signing off. My July 2020 piece is my last. While it’s sad to see these community papers close in these unprecedented times, they can retire with pride, knowing that they have served both communities well. So, now it’s time to say a heartfelt thank you: to all the volunteers who’ve worked tirelessly for the papers, giving freely of their time and effort; to the local businesses whose advertising dollars have enabled the papers to be printed and distributed in the community, as well as shared online via Issuu; to our editor, Melissa, for her untiring direction, encouragement, and hard work; and lastly to you, the readers, for your support. I hope that your life continues to be filled with happiness, health, and an abundance of divine Love’s riches and care. With love, Beverly Goldsmith
A FAREWELL FROM AROUND ALTONA I am nearing the end of the line, With my best behind me. My final issue is in your hands, I leave memories for all to see. I have been in and AROUND ALTONA for 12 years. In Banks, Book Stores, Libraries, Letterboxes and more. My pages have spoken of all things local. Something for everyone, rich or poor. I have highlighted todays, tomorrows and yesterdays. Never foreseeing the day, When COVID-19 would come calling, And I would have to go away. Tales of Local Legends from the past, present and future. With Peace, Love and Understanding a common feature. When you’re having fun, Time really does fly. The moments, the memories. Now all that’s left to say is goodbye. Who knew 3 months ago, That a novel virus would cause my demise? And sadly, COVID-19 leaves no room For a Reprise. So, the end is nigh, My last publication is in July. Thanks to all my writers, And my readers too. And please be assured, I will miss you. No need for Watery Eyes, Or sad goodbyes. My legacy’s there for all to see, From issue One to One Hundred and Forty. John Dawson
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Jack’s Corner
FAREWELL AND ADIEU
THINKING Thinking is the process of thought, And it’s thought that leads to knowledge. It is knowledge that I was taught In those years I spent at college. A little learning is dangerous; Or so said Alexander Pope. I think that’s what he’s telling us, But without some knowledge, we can’t cope. Now, on the subject of thinking, Something that I do all the time, It’s useful when versifying, And endeavouring to find a rhyme. Thinking, according to Descartes, Is the proof of our existence. Could it be that my beating heart, Is unreal and has no substance? What philosophers do, is think About life and the Universe. They record their thoughts with pen and ink, Sometimes expressed in metred verse.
Readers will know me as the Jack of Jack’s Corner, poetry segment of these papers. I have been a contributor since the day nine years ago, that I met for the first time, my good friend - Publisher Bill McPherson in Zoran and Mary’s coffee shop, Altona Meadows. That encounter led to the publication of my poem, “Altona Bay.” Since then, I have submitted a monthly poem. Over the ensuing years, I also contributed articles on local history and issues of the day. I have had a most enjoyable and satisfactory relationship with Editors Petronella Boonen, Daniel Allen and Melissa Longo. It is with great regret that relationship must come to an end with the demise of the “Around” papers. I have regarded these papers as the voice of the Altona and Point Cook communities.
Thinking exercises the brain, Repository of wisdom and wit. This process sometimes brings me pain, But I’ll keep doing it; I shan’t quit. People say, “Look before you leap”. This really means, “Think before you act”. Well, thinking keeps me from my sleep: This I tell you, for it’s a fact. We’re often asked a thought to spare For someone, something or other. I’ll do that for those, for whom I care: Any good man can be my brother. Jack Nystrom
Good fortune and farewell my friends. Jack Nystrom
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“A penny for your thoughts”, folk say: You can have what I think for free. You see I have never sought pay For thoughts expressed in poetry.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHERRY LAKE WARD COUNCILLORS PROPOSED 2020-21 BUDGET RESHAPED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY Council has released its Proposed Annual Budget 2020-21 for community feedback and submissions. The proposed budget has been shaped to ensure it continues to deliver more than 100 vital community services and capital works improvements across Hobsons Bay, while also supporting the community and local business through the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed budget includes: • Council’s third Community Support Package, worth at least $3 million, which was developed through community consultation to assist our people and businesses to recover from the pandemic • $67.866 million capital works program to boost our local economy in the recovery phase of the pandemic • 57 community requests for budget allocation, with the majority of the Pitch Your Idea submissions included in the proposed budget In the Cherry Lake ward, some of the big ticket items are: $775,000 for the Brooklyn Community Hall Redevelopment; $2.775 million towards the WLJ Croft Reserve, Altona North Open space, pavilion and enhancement access project as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project open space enhancement and access package; $1.755 million towards the Seaholme Foreshore Upgrade Stage 2; and $1.3 million Blackspot funding for Mason Street, Altona North Hobsons Bay residents are invited to provide feedback on Participate Hobsons Bay by 24 July. Visit https:// participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/2020-21-budget. You can also join us for our Facebook LIVE Q&A on Thursday 16 July from 6.30pm to 8pm. For details, visit https://business. facebook.com/events/964852130620681/ COUNCIL SERVICES OPEN FOR BUSINESS Council is pleased to announce the reopening of a number of services to the public, following changes to state government restrictions throughout Victoria. In line with the latest advice, safety measures will remain in place to ensure the wellbeing of community members and Council staff. CUSTOMER SERVICE Hobsons Bay Civic Centre in Altona is open from 11am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. There is also a dedicated hour from 10am to 11am for the elderly, their carers and those requiring additional assistance. Social distancing is in place and a maximum of 10 people are allowed at any one time in the Customer Service area. Hand sanitising is required upon arrival, and those on site for 15 minutes or more must register their attendance. Cashless payment options are preferred. HOBSONS BAY LIBRARIES Hobsons Bay Libraries are open from Monday to Friday, 2pm to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. There will be a dedicated hour from 1pm to 2pm on weekdays for our vulnerable community members, their carers or
those requiring additional assistance. Concierge greeting, compulsory sign-in, hand sanitising and temperature checking are entry conditions. Personal protective items are available upon request. An adult must accompany children under 15. COMMUNITY CENTRES AND HUBS Laverton Community Hub, Newport Community Hub, and Seabrook Community Centre are open for booked groups only. The Woods Street Art Space is open for regular user groups. Please check with other community centres for opening arrangements. MEALS ON WHEELS, SENIOR CITIZENS AND PLANNED ACTIVITY GROUPS Meals on Wheels is continuing and Council is working on safely reopening shared Senior Citizens spaces and Planned Activity Groups. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND YOUTH COUNSELLING Face-to-face maternal child health consultations and new parent groups have recommenced with social distancing and a maximum of 10 participants (10 parents, each with their infant). Face-to-face youth counselling sessions have resumed. COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS IN COUNCIL FACILITIES For outdoor physical recreation, no more than 20 people per group are permitted for all age groups. Organised noncontact training and competition is permitted for all age groups where participants can stay 1.5m apart. Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre, Bayfit, Altona Sports Centre, Altona Badminton Centre and South Pacific Health Club have reopened with restriction and capacity limits. For up-to-date information, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus SO LONG AROUND ALTONA “Finally, on behalf of Council, we’d like to thank the Around Altona team for their dedication in providing such a wonderful local publication to the people of Altona over the years. In this, your final edition, we’d like to congratulate you for all you have achieved, the many issues you have covered and for being a real community voice for the people of Altona.” Deputy Mayor and Cherry Lake Ward Cr Sandra Wilson Contact details: 9932 1044 (BH) 0419 287 117 (AH) or swilson@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Cherry Lake Ward Cr Tony Briffa, JP Contact details: 9932 1044 (BH) 0418 398 906 (AH) or tbriffa@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Council’s website – www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
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THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF FOOD MY 3 FAVORITE WAYS TO FIND THE BEST FOOD IN ANY CITY DITCH THE DIET: LIFE IS SHORT. EAT ICE CREAM AND DRINK SAKE
Illustration by Cynthia Marinakos. One of my fondest memories of Christchurch in New Zealand was punting in a gondola, in my All Blacks top with my lovely tour guide-turned-friend, Kristy. My husband and I often lust over the huge, juicy, green-lipped mussels and crème caramel in St Germain, a quaint French restaurant that’s sadly been shut down since we visited last. Bangkok took me 9 levels to heaven, where my feet were washed in sweet-smelling, rose-petaled water and a woman soothed every knot in my body, by using her body in ways I never imagined possible. And the food? I expected green curry or pad thai would entice me. But no. Ecstasy came from a simple pork and basil omelet. Vancouver, my second home is best remembered for rollerblading in beautiful Stanley Park — and the most incredible bottle of hot sake I’ve ever drunk. I explore cities through food. I can’t imagine a better way to experience the culture, people, and places of a city, than to follow the scrumptious scents wafting enticingly through its streets. There are many ways to find a good place to eat. My least preferred are tourist brochures, because they are typically a pay-to-be-included approach. Then there are plane magazines and local newspapers. I can’t help but get excited to read about an editor’s top picks in Singapore, or where the air hostesses like to eat Sunday brunch in Boston. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a hawker stall that only does pick up, a back-alley hole in the wall that only seats 8 people, or a fine dining restaurant. Good food is good food. Here are my 3 favorite ways to find the best food in a city: 1. Ask the locals Grab a map and a pen, and shove it in front of a local. Tell them to pinpoint their regular eating spots. But don’t stop there. Interrogate them about their favorite dishes. 2. Check reviews Get online and check real diner reviews. Don’t settle for anything less than 4 stars and check the most recent 5–10 comments to get the lowdown about food and service. Keep in mind there are always whingers, and once in a while a server might have a bad day and get grumpy. Reviews will help get
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the gist of a place. Also, note what dishes people repeatedly mention. 3. Explore and peek inside I have a terrible sense of direction. I choose to go with the flow and embrace the adventure of getting lost. My reward is stumbling across rustic cafes in residential streets or carts in dingy neighbourhoods. I quiver with anticipation when I see people in a cafe or restaurant with groundhog day eyes — and I don’t see anyone with a backpack. The more locals caught up in boredom of the daily grind, the better the food. Except if it’s cheap and nasty fast food like Wendys (a burger chain in North America) or crappy Starbucks coffee, of course. In Hanoi, I learned that I’d rather shower next to a bucket of dirty dishes, than stay in a 5-star hotel alone. And the street vendors forever tarnished my taste-buds with their soulwarming soup noodle dish, pho. San Francisco found me dancing all night with whiskey in hand — then drooling on my plane ride to Vancouver in the morning. Also, as much as I’d like to, I’ll never forget what possessed me to try garlic ice cream from The Stinking Rose restaurant. Back home in Australia, little Launceston surprised me with its quaint houses embedded in hills with million-dollar waterfront views for much less than that. On my way up to Hobart, I hiked world heritage trails and fed possums in tree houses by night, along the way licking creamy, rich, lavender ice-cream from roaming cows that feast on the sweet, green grass. And though I dined in 5-star restaurants, my favorite meal turned out to be a brisket burger with homemade mayo, from a humble charcoal grill stand in Salamanca market. When these restrictions are over and we can again travel, go forth and find good food: Ask the locals. Check reviews. Get lost and peek inside. Oh yeah, one more thing: Ditch the diet. Life is short. Eat ice cream and drink sake.
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Cynthia Marinakos
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EDIBLE GARDENS WITH CRAIG CASTREE THE MYTH ABOUT GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD YOU DON’T NEED A VEGETABLE GARDEN
Over the past few months, I’ve shared easy ways to grow your own food. I really hope you’re now reaping the rewards from taking some of my advice on board and putting it to good use. In this issue, I want to share tips, to make the most of your garden. Whether your garden is big or small, front, or back, you can grow food plants in these areas - without having to turn your garden upside down. Or be a farmer to do so. You don’t need a vegetable garden to grow food. Most of my life, I’ve grown food for my family in our rental homes. I’ve had to grow food plants amongst plants in gardens that were not mine. It never ceased to amaze me how much these gardens produced.
For more info like this, grab a copy of my book at www. craigcastree.com.au or you could book a video consultation with me, no matter where in Australia you live. To book, call: 0411 720 283 Consultations include a copy of my book for the first session, mailed out to you. Craig Craig loves talking to people about how to set up their own edible gardens and make healthier, more sustainable choices. He is also a cheesemaker, an apiarist, Published Author of “Edible Gardens a practical guide”, and regularly appears on ‘Vasili’s Garden to Kitchen’ program on Channel 44 and 7 TWO. Website: www.craigcastree.com.au
You see, most people believe they must have a vegetable garden to grow vegetables. And grow everything in rows as farmers do! Nothing could be further from the truth. Farming is a lot of hard work. Ask the farmers, they will tell you. This method of farming is needed to feed the masses. Growing like nature intended - in a food forest - is where a lot of our food plants started out. This means that plants of the same variety are not necessarily planted together. Instead, they’re planted amongst existing plants, trees, and shrubs in your front or back garden. What’s exciting about this concept, is that you’re watering and looking after these spaces. Under-planting your garden with edibles means that you will get fewer weeds. When you fill the spaces, your trees and shrubs will benefit, as the shading they will give the soil or mulch will cause less evaporation. You may think these plants/vegetables and herbs will take water from your gardens, but you’ll be watering and fertilizing more as a result of them being there. Your whole garden will benefit. Most of us don’t water our normal gardens much. That changes when you’re growing edibles. You will need to water more often, but there’s a win-win here: Your garden wins due to the food and water you will bring to it. You and your family win with fresh, organic produce. Worth the effort, don’t you think?
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A WORD FROM HON. JILL HENNESSY MP I was so saddened when I heard that this would be the last edition of Around Altona. This paper has become an iconic part of the local community and has provided people with a platform to share their stories and successes. It has also served the invaluable role as a place for up and coming and aspiring writers and journalists to get a leg up and get published, and I’ve always been grateful for the opportunity this paper has given me in getting important information out to you about state government projects and initiatives.
home and keep your loved ones safe. It is as important as ever to remain vigilant. Remember - even if you only have mild cold/flu-like symptoms, you should go and get tested. It’s free. All you need is your Medicare card or another photo ID card such as a driver’s licence or student card.
With that being said, I’ve included some news below about some of the things the State Government has achieved in Parliament over the last month, as well as an update on how we’re tracking as we tackle coronavirus and work towards a COVID-normal future for Victorians. My heartfelt thanks to the team at Around Altona for your hard work over the years - let’s hope we can see this special local paper back in our coffee shops and community centres soon. Wage theft bill passes in Parliament No worker should ever have to stand on their own when it comes to being exploited by their bosses. But listening to the stories of workers we know that this is the reality all too often. Now, with our Wage Theft Bill passing the Parliament, they’ll have the full force of the law on their side. A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work isn’t a negotiable extra, it’s the law. For more information on our Wage Theft laws, you can check out the Premier’s website at premier.vic.gov.au/newlaws-to-crack-down-on-wage-theft/ Coronavirus We must remember that we are still in a pandemic. If you do have to see people, keep your distance. Don’t share food or drinks. And if you’re feeling unwell – stay at
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Photo page IT’S BEEN THE BEST OF TIMES... What a journey! Photos tell the story of a community that shared. When you open a community paper, you meet your community – one story or photo at a time. With any luck, you see your own face, or someone that you know – because that is what community papers are for – a little local acknowledgement. We have met mayors, chefs, singers and writers. We have been there for protests and parties. Festivals and intimate gatherings. We’ve remembered the way things used to be, and marvelled at how we are travelling. We have witnessed growth and development in our time, and more will certainly come. Around Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Altona and beyond, we have been there, trying to capture it all – what a journey...
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WELCOME TO JULY Yes folks, we are midway through winter. Slow cookers are living their best lives, open fires are stoked and roaring, and as I flip the calendar, I am reminded yet again, that my birthday is rapidly approaching. Being born in July bestows upon me certain gifts, that mean nothing to some and so much to others, depending on what you believe. Rubies. Considered the king of gems and the most valuable of gemstones, they represent love, health, and wisdom. In ancient times, it was believed wearing a fine red ruby bought good fortune to its owner. I am still waiting. Water Lilies. Flowers that represent joy and fickleness, sweetness and magic. Perfectly portrayed in Monet’s Garden, and ironically the ponds of the Williamstown Botanical Gardens, that hold so many fond memories from my childhood. Green, russet and red. The colour of my eyes, of my first dog Prince, and the colour I love so much, yet find it so difficult to wear. July 23rd also makes me a Leo. People born under the sign of Leo are said to be natural born leaders, dramatic and creative. Often self-confident, dominant and extremely difficult to resist, a Leo often has many friends, for they are generous and loyal. Self-confident and attractive, they are capable of uniting different groups of people, and their healthy sense of humour makes them seriously fun to be around. Which is good to know, because often I have just thought of myself as annoying.
The tricky thing about celebrating a July birthday in Woodend, is that no matter how much you hope, no matter how often you dream, you will most likely never enjoy a barbeque or garden party on a warm sunny day with family and friends. On the flip side of the coin, that’s all the incentive I need to start planning my fiftieth birthday in Florence. Dee xx You can now check out my cooking clips on YouTube at https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCzqLbLo5eZqQvtlZTnemtLw
THREE HUNDRED WORDS
A few years ago, my Dad decided I didn’t have enough to do. I’m not sure why, because as a wife and mother I was working four days a week, living on a semi-rural property in country Victoria and enjoyed a number of hobbies in my spare time. One of them just happened to be writing.
Fast forward to today and I’m still a wife and mum, now working full-time with a four-hour daily commute, still living in country Victoria, regularly engaging in extra-curricular activities, which now include meeting deadlines while writing for a community publication.
Frequently I was not on the same page. Occasionally I was not even in the same book. But it never mattered. Taking that leap of faith and putting myself out there has been a huge challenge for me. Presenting yourself for public criticism and judgement isn’t easy, but I don’t regret it for a moment. Thank you for your encouragement, support and acceptance. Three hundred words? Challenge accepted
Dee xx
To be completely honest, I wasn’t sure how things would work out. How would I find the time to submit a three-hundredword piece each month? What would I write about? What if the editor didn’t like what I wrote, and was it the right decision to make a commitment to something that wasn’t even in my own backyard? All valid concerns but, looking back, I needn’t have worried. I have learned that if you love something enough, you will always find the time. As a writer inspiration is never far away, and more often than not the challenge to limit your words is far greater than to find them. Our esteemed leader and fabulous editor Mel, never knocked back anything I submitted, even when my topic was nothing like the paper’s monthly theme.
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Artist impression of the veloway approaching Moonee Ponds Creek crossing
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UPDATE ON THE WEST GATE TUNNEL PROJECT Work is continuing on the West Gate Tunnel Project to widen the West Gate Freeway and build a new elevated road above Footscray Road providing links to the city and CityLink. New bridges to create new connections In May, crews removed two old West Gate Freeway pedestrian and cycling bridges in Yarraville and Brooklyn. The old bridges, which were installed in the 1970s, won’t span the width of the new freeway. Two new and improved bridges are being built and will open later this year. The new bridges will provide better access and a safer crossing over the freeway with new lighting and CCTV footage. While the bridges are being constructed, a free shuttle-bus service is available. Footscray Road connections lift into place Meanwhile in Footscray, construction of a bridge over the Maribyrnong River and the new elevated road are continuing. A massive gantry crane that is taking shape in the middle of Footscray Road will lift 1600 concrete segments into place to form the elevated road. It will start at the city end of Footscray Road, and work west to build the outbound lanes before turning around to complete the inbound carriageway. Once built, the new road will provide a direct route for trucks to the Port of Melbourne, taking 9000 trucks a day off local streets. Revitalising the cycling commute The elevated road also provides the structure for Melbourne’s first cycle superhighway. The veloway will be attached to the underside of the elevated road and once complete, cyclists will benefit from an off road, dedicated path from Footscray to the Docklands.
Find out more about the Project's cycling benefits at: westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au
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