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ISSUE 82, APRIL 2015 Distributed throughout Altona with distribution points in Altona North, Seaholme, Altona Meadows and Williamstown LIKE Around Altona on Facebook! Stay informed and view the paper online faster: www.facebook.com/AroundAltona AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW AT AVALON PAGE 4
SAILING IN A TWILIGHT RACE
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN PAGE 7
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HAVE YOU EXPLORED BEHIND THE TIN FENCE? Petronella Boonen Truganina Explosives Reserve is a hidden treasure that might surprise you if you haven’t explored beyond Apex Park on Queen Street. The Reserve is open the first Sunday of each month (expect Easter Sunday where tours will be held on Sunday 12th April - Check out Greg Milne’s article for more information). On one such Sunday, walking my dog with photographer Jenny Bates we saw the gates were open and had no idea of what to expect. We were greeted by Ken, our volunteer tour guide, who took us through the grounds. The first thing we noticed hidden behind the tin fence on Queen Street were roses, fruit trees and an organised vegetable garden behind the ‘Keepers Residence’. “We kept the same theme here and planted a similar vegetable patch,” Ken said describing the Truganina Explosive Reserve Preservation Society (TERPS)’s efforts
to keep the history of the grounds true and tangible. “They had their own windmill that we found buried. I was digging up the soil and thought, ‘what’s that?’” Ken has volunteered with TERPS for thirteen years and knows the history of this place like the back of his hand. He told us five generations of Grants worked here. The explosives were made in Deer Park and were carted to Laverton by rail. He said there were no safety incidents reported on site in the time it was an explosives reserve, officially operating from 1901 to 1962. The Reserve has also had its moments of fame, with the television show ‘Blue Heelers’ shooting an episode in the Keepers Residence. At first we thought one of the back rooms had been affected by fire until we were told it was all a cosmetic treatment for the show. continue on page 12
PLEASE DO NOT DISCARD - Give this paper to a friend or neighbour to read.
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PUDDLING WITH THE PUBLISHER Australia’s Gallipoli sacrifice - 8709 dead; 19,441 wounded; It being Gallipoli’s 100th anniversary, we remember and salute those of our brave countrymen who put themselves in harm’s way, especially those who gave their all for “king and country” and loyalty to our Motherland. We remember the families and loved ones of those numbered among the terribly tragic statistics; 8709 dead; 19,441 wounded. Lest we forget. I am sure none of us will. I know I shan’t. I’ve seen documentaries where wave after wave of troops were sent ‘over the top’ to be mowed down by machine guns and artillery before reaching the Turks’ trenches. Whole regiments, were almost wiped out in mad charges that achieved little or nothing. Tragically, this slaughter was repeated again and again in Flanders and on the Somme.
his troops fought in the mud and the blood! Fortunately, not all generals were like that: Australian generals Monash and Chauvel for example. British General Birdwood (“Birdie”) was often seen in the front Aussie trenches at Gallipoli. I once worked with a Colonel friend who told me a story about his General. He walked into the General’s office one day and there was a new cartoon hanging on the wall. The balloon said ‘There go my troops, they are a fine body of men, I am their Leader, I must catch them’. So if you think our debt of loyalty to the ‘Old Dart’ is paid in full, you may think it is time to ask Malcolm to step up to the boss and suggest that it is time to once again put the Republic question to the voters, this time with bipartisan support. Bill McPherson billmcpherson@optusnet.co.au
I still have a mental picture of a general back at his club with a cigar in one hand and single malt in the other whilst
RAMBLING WITH THE EDITOR It has been a very busy month! Check out my Australian Airshow Article (not sure which page yet). That was an excellent show, I hope that some of you managed to get there to enjoy this truly remarkable event. We are lucky to have it occur so close to home. People travel from around the globe to see it! We had a great meeting with most of the writers for the papers. One of our longest serving supporters, Peter, has been kind enough to offer to print up some business cards that will no doubt make life a lot easier in terms of getting stories to print.
Easter is not far away now, so prep your body to gain a few kilos here and there due to the vast amounts of chocolate that will no doubt be consumed! Well perhaps that is just me? Ok thanks for the ongoing excellent efforts of our contributors and supporters. I hope you enjoy your read, please send me your feedback if you like a particular article and I will pass it on to the writer. Have a fantastic month.
0408 659 940 or aroundsell@gmail.com
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Issue 82
Daniel Allen
LOCAL SPORTS CLUB IN CASH SPLASH Altona Magic Soccer Club players and followers were out to support their local team at AAMI Park recently in Hyundai A-League round 18, the designated Hyundai Goals for Grassroots match. With up to $10,000 on the line, Altona Magic were cheering on Melbourne City as they took on the West Coast’s Perth Glory. As the selected Hyundai Goals for Grassroots junior team Altona Magic automatically received $1,000, and for every goal Melbourne City scored during the match the club would receive an additional $1,000 bonus. Despite Melbourne City FC not scoring in Round 18 of 2014/2015 Hyundai A-League, the junior club has scored a $1,000 Hyundai Help for Kids grant.
“The heart-and-soul of all communities is linked to the kids, and we are delighted to be able to participate in actively encouraging and nurturing the community team players and their families.” Local and community based clubs can apply for selection in the program by completing an on-line application indicating why their club should receive support from Hyundai Help for Kids - Goals for Grassroots program.
“Altona Magic will use the Goals for Grassroots grant to replenish old and damaged equipment for our ever growing junior base,” said Nick Taseski - Assistant Junior Coordinator. “Our club is focusing on grassroots development and much more support is needed.” Now in its 8th season, the Hyundai Goals for Grassroots program was initiated to support the growth of football in Australia by nurturing the game at its grassroots level. Over 194 junior clubs have shared more than half a million dollars since the inception of the ‘Goals for Grassroots’ program, a founding recipient of Hyundai Help for Kids. ‘We are very proud to be playing a part in Hyundai’s Help for Kids initiative through the Goals for Grassroots program,” said Melbourne City team Captain Patrick Kisnorbo.
Applications can be completed at www.hyundaihelpforkids.com.au. To be eligible, clubs must belong to an association affiliated with the Football Federation Australia (FFA). The Hyundai Help for Kids Facebook page will feature the winning team each week and will work as an online community where clubs can share stories and tips. www.facebook.com/hyundaihelpforkids.
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Will - M: 0449 834 359 E: will@aroundaltona.com.au
Daniel - M: 0408 659 940 E: aroundsell@gmail.com Issue 82
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AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW AT AVALON – WHAT A RIPPER!
A year of hard work pays off
Piloted and landed from a base in California
Well sometimes being an editor/writer for a community paper does have its ups as well as its downs. On this day I found myself waiting in a media only queue just prior to the gates opening at the 2015 Australian International Airshow. I left home early of course to avoid the traffic and managed to get there in good speed.
show would “Trace the history of aviation from Gallipoli to the present day,” and so it did.
I chose a rather interesting day to attend. One hundred years ago to the day, the Bristol BoxKite was flown in Point Cook. Point Cook RAAF Museum had a major tent at the show and received a great plug in the MC’s daily introduction of flight displays. As I sat down with the camera out, the MC indicated the
One of the stand-out static displays was the Global Hawk (pictured). This is one serious Drone, and it is the first time that this machine has been flown into an Airshow in Australia. Incidentally the pilot flying and landing the plane was sitting at a base in California. But it was not all about planes! There was other hardware there in abundance, and whilst I will mainly let the photos do the talking, one item stood out. This item was a 1943 GPW Ford Jeep also pictured.
Condition of the engine prior to the restoration
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A vastly improved engine bay
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Bevan Fenner Vice Pres of the Victorian Military Vehicle Corpse Inc. said they spent about twelve months resurrecting this vehicle from the grave. It served at a naval base during the war and ended up on French Island for many years as a “future project�. The person died, and it moved to another for the same reason, eventually making its way to Heathcote. It was there for some years before the VMVC acquired it and finally brought it back to original condition. With so many advances in both military and civil aviation, the show continues to offer new and exciting exhibits show after show. I have no doubt that when the next show opens, I will be there grinning, camera in hand, smelling of sun cream ready to do it all again. Daniel Allen
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TWO WAR MEMORIALS IN ALTONA and what happened to it. There is a common belief that the base of the obelisk was cut up and used as the base of the eternal flame outside the council offices in Civic Parade, but again I cannot find any evidence to support this, even though I was told it by several independent sources.
In September 1946 it was decided that a war memorial in the form of an obelisk would be built in Altona Park, on the corner of Pier and Queen Streets, to record the names of Altona servicemen who had lost their lives whilst in the services. The cost was estimated at 250 pounds, with Werribee Shire donating 50 pounds, and the balance to be raised by public subscription. These funds were raised by performances by local schoolchildren, a promenade concert, ball, picture night and house to house canvassing. After a couple of delays the memorial was opened on the 15th December 1946, by Major General Ramsay, of El Alamein fame. He took the salute from a large group of ex servicemen and women, who marched along Pier Street to the park, accompanied by several bands. Three hundred and sixty ex servicemen received wallets to commemorate the occasion.
The eternal flame in Civic parade was built in 1964 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Anzac day, and is one of only 4 eternal flames in Australia. If you ever wanted to go to a dawn service but haven’t, this Anzac day, the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, at one of the 4 eternal flames in the country would be the one to go to. The eternal flame is located at the Hobsons Bay council offices, 115 Civic Parade. The dawn service starts at 5.5am, and if you want to join the march there from the Altona RSL, the march leaves Sargood Street, Altona, at 5.45am. Check the RSL’s website before hand in case of last minute changes to the timings.
At some stage this obelisk was removed from Altona Park, but I cannot find out for sure when it was shifted
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Issue 82
Greg Milne
SAILING IN A TWILIGHT RACE – WITH SAILOR ANN
When daylight savings time finishes, the summer sailing season and twilight races on a Wednesday evening stop too. The twilight races conducted by the two Williamstown yacht clubs , begin at 6.00pm on the northern part of Port Philip Bay. The fleet of yachts race around laid buoy markers. My first twilight race as a boat owner was scary. I had two other crew with me on Paramour. Fortunately we didn’t have the big colourful spinnaker sail flying when a really strong northerly wind gust blew through the fleet as we were heading down wind...whooooaah. I was quietly shrieking expletives! All around us there were bigger boats out of control and spinnakers sails being torn. There was even a man overboard incident nearby. We could see two other Division C boats Tandeka and Nunyarra ahead of us,
still racing. We rounded the bottom mark and headed out for the east side of the course to avoid the ‘traffic’ coming downwind towards us. The Division C boats had gone over to the west side of the course. We sailed our yacht over to join them and began to ‘cover’ our competition –“keep between them and the finish line”. The result was that Paramour crossed the finish line three minutes ahead of Nunyarra, to gain 9th place in our Division C of 14 boats. A happy ending for our first twilight race. There a more stories of breezy adventures under sail in Ann’s published book found on www.blurb.com/bookstore/ sports&adventure titled “Going About”.
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Ann Goodwin
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ALTONA APRIL MESSAGE Public transport continues to be a big issue in Altona. Cr Sandra Wilson recently attended a meeting with the Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan MP, and Local Member and Minister for Health, Jill Hennessy MP, together with a representative of the Altona Loop Group. Issues discussed were the government’s election promises to improve public transport in Altona, especially the resumption of through-services on the Altona Loop during off-peak times once the Regional Rail Link (RRL) opens. This has been of particular concern to the community since we learned that the opening of the Regional Rail Link has been delayed until 21 June. The resumption of throughservices on the Altona Loop has not yet been confirmed. The proposed changes to the Transdev Smart Bus (903) route that would reduce its frequency were also raised, as well as pressure on car parking at train stations and the need for increased bicycle parking. Another key issue for our residents is the safe removal of asbestos from old houses being demolished and replaced by new developments. We recently wrote to the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne MP, to urge him to review and amend the current legislation so that it would require a building surveyor to inspect a property for asbestos prior to it being demolished. Council has no authority to regulate the practices, but is determined that community concerns are taken seriously by the State Government. We will be advocating for this matter to be considered at the Municipal Association of Victoria conference in May to gain support from other Victorian Councils for this change. Good news is that we will soon engage an architect to design much-needed new change rooms and a social pavilion at the Altona Sports Precinct. The rooms will primarily be used by the Altona Cricket Club, Altona Football Club, Altona Junior Football Club and Altona Auskick. At the Altona Library, there will be some variation to regular services during the first two weeks in May to install a new, environmentally friendly air conditioning system, which will save more than 20 tonnes of greenhouse gases and $12,000 in costs annually. For more information please speak to library staff or visit http://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ Altona Library will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in June, so if you have any memorabilia or stories from those early days, please contact our libraries on 1300 462 542. Stage 3 of the Pier Street improvements will start in May
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and continue through to September. The works, between Blyth and Queen Streets, will include new paving, lighting improvements, new trees and designated pedestrian barriers. The precinct will remain open for business during this time, though sections of Pier Street may be closed to parking or traffic at some times. Public transport will not be affected. And finally for capital works news, a new car park is currently being designed for Apex Park, with construction due to start in late May. April is once again the month for Art in Public Places. This annual event features more than 150 artists and 40 exhibitions, events, installations, pop-ups and paste-ups in unexpected places in more than 80 venues throughout Hobsons Bay. Some Altona highlights include a handcrafted butterfly display along Pier St called Flight in Altona, a progressive, immersive performance in the Explosives Reserve in Altona called Explosive Measures, and an installation of (lost and lonely) socks at the Eco Laundry Room called Soctopia. On the weekend of 11/12 April, make sure you head down to Pier Street for a busking festival called Busk A Move, in partnership with the Altona Village Traders Association. Let’s finish this month’s column with a question - Kim, Rush, Ransom, Logan, McIntyre, Ford, Langshaw, Cooper and Cresser. What do these names mean to you? You may recognise a few of them from local geography, but they are in fact the names of the first nine Councillors of Altona Shire. Photographic portraits of Shire Presidents and City Mayors have recently been relocated to a meeting room at the Civic Centre. To celebrate, we will be hosting an afternoon tea at 4pm on Tuesday 21 April. Please email arts@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or phone 9932 1000 to RSVP for this event. Lastly, you should by now have received the first edition of the Hobsons Bay Community News. If you haven’t received a copy, give us a call on 9932 1000. Cherry Lake Ward Cr Sandra Wilson Contact details: 0419 287 117 or swilson@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Cherry Lake Ward Cr Jason Price Contact details: 0438 871 814 or jprice@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au Council’s website – www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
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SUSTAINABILITY EXPO IN ALTONA A varied and exciting Sustainability Expo is due to be held at Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre (28 April -10 May). The event aims to raise awareness of sustainability and environmental issues among the wider population within Hobsons Bay and beyond. To this end, a number of diverse activities will be on offer for adults and children alike throughout the expo. Come and listen to two free presentations by organisations and experts specialising in sustainability and the environment. Positive Footprints, designer and builder of sustainable homes, will give a presentation on cost-effective sustainability for new and established homes (Saturday 2 May, 1.00pm).
new to make Mothers’ Day gifts (Saturday 9 May, 1.00pm). Also come and see the plastic bottle wall, edible garden displays and much more throughout the event. All activities are free and everyone is welcome. Bookings are essential. To book, phone 93982511, email admin@louisjlcc.com.au or visit www.joelgallery.com.au. For more information on plastic pollution, email Prof Osborn at mark.osborn@rmit.edu.au or tweet@MicrobialLife. Fabienne Chevalier
Altona resident and RMIT’s Professor Mark Osborn, who leads research on the impact of microorganisms in rivers, seas, agricultural soil and drinking water pipes, will talk about plastic pollution in our rivers and seas and its current and longer-term impact (Saturday 2 May, 2.00pm). Readers are invited to attend these presentations, ask questions and engage in discussions with the speakers about these very current and relevant issues. Also come and see, on Saturday 2 May, a demonstration on how to make recycled jewellery from everyday items (11.00am) and a demonstration and discussion of food preserving (3.30pm) as well as an Open House by Positive Footprints (Sunday 3 May, 11.00am and 12.30pm), a water tank information seminar (My Smart Garden, Tuesday 5 May, 6.30pm) and a workshop for children of all ages on recycling old into
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Notices
COMMUNITY CAFÉ WEEKLY
ALTONA LADIES PROBUS CLUB
Laverton Community Centre (the Hub) 95-105Railway Ave Laverton
FUN, FELLOWSHIP & FRIENDSHIP
Every Wednesday, 12noon-1pm Altona Meadows Community Centre 28 Trafalgar Avenue, Altona Meadows
We meet every 4th Thursday At the Altona RSL – 10am start. We have monthly speakers, Theatre outing every 4th Monday Lunch dine out every 3rd Wednesday Occasional trips and outings New members will be made very welcome Enquiries to Merle – 9398 3640 Or Jenny – 9398 3379
ALTONA NORTH COMBINED PROBUS CLUB: Retired or semi-retired? Interested in developing new friends, or interests. Join our friendly group at the Community Hall, Cypress Av., Brooklyn -10.00am on 3rd Wednesday of each month. Guest speakers, trips and other activities are organised. Enquiries: Lois 9399 2554 or Pam 9314 4640
COMMUNITY CAFÉ
Bookings essential by Monday/ Thursday Phone:8368 0177
Wednesday Laverton Community Centre The Laverton Hub 95-105 Railway Ave Laverton
ADAVIC ANXIETY & DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP Connect with others in a safe environment to share experiences and coping strategies. Every Tuesday 7:30-9:30pm at the Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre, Sargood St, Altona. $5 Casuals / $3 Members For more info phone: (03) 9853-8089 | email: adavic@adavic.org.au | visit: www.adavic.org.au
Saturday 11th April, 10am - 4pm, Truganina Explosives Reserve Homestead, 276 Queen St, Altona 3018. A free day of art activities for all ages: art demonstrations, displays, children’s activities, watch and do art activities.
THE LAVERTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
Takes place on the second Saturday of every month from 10:30am to 11:30am at the Rotunda in Logan Reserve PierStreet, Altona. 10
18th - 26th April, The Gallery, Williamstown Library, Ferguson St Williamstown. Featuring 5” x 7” artworks by artists from Melbourne’s Western Region and Hobsons Bay schools. This is the inaugural year of this new community art competition, which is proudly supported by Qenos, Hobsons Bay City Council and presented by Hobsons Bay Arts Society.
Every Friday, 12noon-1pm 3 course meal, both days cost: $8/$5 (conc)
GET ARTY WITH HOBSONS BAY ARTS SOCIETY
THE ALTONA FRUIT AND VEGIE SWAP
5X7 ART PRIZE
is running Everyday Banking Workshop on Tue 5 May: 1.00–3.00 pm Free Saving & Spending Workshop on Tues 21 April: 1.00-3.30pm Free Other courses include: Anger Management for Men & Self-Esteem & Assertion for Women Bookings are essential PH: 8368-0177 or email community@lcis.org.au. Issue 82
12 Noon – 1pm
Friday Altona Meadows Community Centre 28 Trafalgar Ave Altona Meadows Bookings Essential 8368 0177
HOBSONS BAY (ALTONA) GARDEN CLUB INC. We invite you to join us. We meet on the third Monday of the month at 1pm. Located at the Youth Hall, corner of Civic Pde and Sugargum Drive, Altona.We have great speakers, demonstrations and a trading table. Enjoy a social afternoon tea with warm and friendly people. Any inquires please ring Val on 9398 2002 or Bernice on 9314 2593
Altona Kids Hi Kids, Happy Easter. Or it would be if Mython the Python hadn’t banned Easter. Outright. Just like that. She’s the Matron here at the Institute for Performing Humanimals, where I live. It’s Squidge’s fault – it was her note passed around during decorum lessons, even when everyone knows ‘one must pay attention in class, at all times.’ (even when they’re snoring!) Now there’s no Easter egg hunt this Sunday after Mass. But, I’m not worried. (‘cuse I found a recipe for Chocolate Bunny Droppings in the scullery when I was on dishes duty. And now, I can’t wait. I just know I’ll find an eggstra special treat in my semolina pud come Sunday supper.) Yumbo. Scrumbo. I hope so. Cook always thinks of us humanimals. (especially when Python’s being mean.) Uh oh. Matron’s coming. Don’t tell the adult-humans. If word gets back we’re having an Easter treat, there’ll be hell to pay! ‘Til next time. Mweow for Ciao. C.A Thornton
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Cook’s Chocolate Bunny Droppings
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from page 1
photo by Jenny Bates
In 1968 to late 1969 the water tower had a hole made to its side and a door was added. Rumour has it, the occupants played cello inside as the acoustics were so good. We met with Rob Andrews and Jack Halliwell who have been part of the group for some years. It was the potential of this place that originally peaked the interest of current TERPS President Jack Halliwell, who is keen to take the reserve to its next step. Truganina Explosives Reserve is a place to visit if you are looking for a community project to sink your teeth into. The Society with the assistance of the Hobsons Bay Council Conservation Team has faithfully maintained the property. TERPS have lobbied for its historical value and is now working on getting the property heritage listed however it will need funds and manpower to make that happen. The Keeper’s Residence in particular, requires some maintenance to become eligible. “My son used to keep horses here,” Rob said, handing me us a crisp apple grown on the property. “I got involved in 1995,” said Rob, one of the people along with Andrew Shannon, Judy Hindle and Hugh Basset,
who fought to keep the grounds in the hands of the Altona community. This space could well have been used for housing were it not for the efforts of these wonderful people. There will have been others involved in that fight, who are not mentioned in this article. In fact we didn’t have a chance to see the entire reserve, which is extensive and we’ll be sure to visit again and again as so much of our history lies there. We didn’t explore the laboratories or the tower as it wasn’t a dog walking space and we’d spent so much time in the first half of the grounds. There’s so much to encounter on our next visit. Being right next to the shore the Reserve supports its flourishing bird life - you’ll find many such as the royal spoonbill, Blackwinged Stilt and Curlew Sandpiper. Rob said muttonbirds fly from Alaska then island hop all the way down where they breed in the Bass Straight islands. They then head back retracing their flight. “The chicks stay and when they are ready, they take off en masse to Alaska with no known instruction on how to make the trip,” he said. “It’s all instinct.”
THIS MONTH IN 1946 The Truganina Explosives reserve, at 276 Queen St, Altona was operated by the Victorian Government from 1901 to 1962. It was used to store mainly civilian explosives, used in construction. When movement of the explosives was required it was carried along a light rail system, pulled by horses onto a 1.5 km jetty and then loaded onto lighters, which then transported the cargo out to larger ships. In 1946 one of these lighters came to grief, causing the article below to appear in The Argus-
were again inundated with telephone calls. Officials on the beach yesterday believed the ammunition amounted to about 300 tons, mainly shells. At low tide attempts to remove the ammunition in trucks taken out over the sand were unsuccessful because of seaweed and the softness of the sand. At full tide this morning efforts will be made to pull the lighter out with tugs. If un- successful, aerodrome meshing will be laid at low tide and a further attempt will be made to unload the ammunition.
The Argus Wed 10th April 1946 Grounded Munition Ship Scares Altona Great alarm swept through Altona yesterday afternoon when it was broadcast that an ammunition lighter which had grounded in the storm was in danger of blowing up. Scores of women telephoned the police and asked what they should do. Some telephoned their husbands at work in the city, and the husbands went home early. Children were warned by teachers to keep away from the beach, but when the news was broadcast scores of sight- seers flocked to the beach. Altona police immediately telephoned all radio stations and asked that it be announced that there was little danger of the lighter exploding. A rumour spread around the city last night that the lighter had blown up, and Altona police
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Today the Truganina explosives reserve is open for tours where visitors can view two early Altona residences, gardens and landmarks of historical significance. The tours are normally the first Sunday of the month from 1pm to 3pm, but due to Easter, tours will instead be conducted on April 12th. In conjunction with the 2015 Heritage Festival they will also be having a special event on Sunday May 17th, between 11am and 3pm, with guided tours leaving every hour. There is plenty of parking at the adjacent D K Grant Reserve. Greg Milne
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AMBULANCE CRISIS - PUBLIC FORUM A few weeks ago, the Premier and I visited the Altona Ambulance Branch and released the Interim Report of the Ambulance Policy and Performance Consultative Committee. It was great to visit our local ambulance branch and to talk about this very important report. We know that every minute counts when it comes to saving lives. We established this Committee because we wanted to hear first-hand from our hard working paramedics about the issues they’re facing, and find opportunities to improve the ambulance service. The report found that ambulance response time performance have fallen dramatically over recent years; that dispatching an ambulance to a Code 1 incident in the metropolitan region takes, on average, one minute longer compared to six years ago; that public demand for emergency ambulance services has increased 5 per cent over the past six years; and that in recent years, almost 60 per cent of all emergency incidents were classified as Code
1, but on arrival paramedics found that a Code 1 response was not required. The report also found that our paramedics are experiencing excessive fatigue, low morale and unacceptable injury and violence, with around 45 per cent of the workforce last year saying they would not recommend the service as a good place to work. The Committee has proposed a number of opportunities for reform, and we hope the community will now provide feedback so that we can really work together to fix the ambulance crisis. I will be holding a public forum on the 21st of April at 7pm at The Phoenix Hotel, 40 Wallace Ave Point Cook, and I would love for you to come along. This will be an opportunity to hear about the work that has been done so far, discuss your concerns and have a say on what happens next. The Interim Report can be found at www.health.vic.gov.au/ambulance.
SONS OF THE WEST It was a real honour last month to help launch the 2015 Sons of the West program along with Bulldogs legend Tony ‘Libba’ Liberatore.
Visit their website for more information http://sonsofthewest.org.au/ - and be sure to encourage your fathers, brothers, husbands and mates to sign up.
This is a fantastic program which is all about supporting men in the west to lead healthier lives and I encourage everyone to get along to the Men’s Health Expos being hosted by the local councils in coming weeks.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via jill.hennessy@parliament.vic.gov.au or 9395 0221.
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HEALTHY EATING TIPS FOR EASTER LAUGHTER IS BRIGHTEST WHERE FOOD IS BEST.’ – IRISH PROVERB 1. Keep calm and eat chocolate Treat chocolate as a luxury – in moderation after a meal or snack. Chocolate hasn’t made it as a food group! (yet ;)
olive oil instead of margarine or cream. Use less salt, more herbs, and more vegies. Play with funky ingredients like quinoa, chia, lentils, chickpeas, and lychees. Visit taste.com.au for ideas.
Pick dark chocolate: it’s good for your heart! That’s the findings of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
4. Eat, drink, and be merry Easter is the perfect time to catch up with loved ones over food. Linger over breakfasts, plan picnic lunches, and look forward to bbq dinners.
2. Go on that Easter egg hunt Get the whole family out of the house, away from the tv and the stash of Easter eggs. Take in the sunshine, fresh air, and fun on that Easter Egg hunt, visit the Werribee Zoo, or frolic at the beach. Visit ExperienceWyndham.com.au for what’s on. 3. Variety is the spice of life Try a few new recipes with a range of colourful and seasonal ingredients. Bake, grill, and steam instead of frying. Use
Take turns to cook, or… go on, a little take away won’t hurt! Explore jamieoliver. com or kidspot.com.au for quick, tasty, healthy meals even the kids will adore. Above all, sit back and savour fresh, tasty food cooked with love and shared with good company throughout the Easter break. HAPPY EASTER!
Cynthia Marinakos
MYSTERY SOLVED AT ALTONA HOMESTEAD MUSEUM In the February issue, we asked Around Altona readers to help with identifying what a mystery metal stake found in a local garden might be (photo 1). The Laverton Historical Society received many suggestions from the local community in response to the article. Definitive information came from reader Paul Muscat from Altona Meadows who recognised the stake as being similar to those he used to make for friends while working as an apprentice in the 1970s. The object is believed to be a stake that was driven into the ground with a hammer to tether a horse (or other animal) on a long rope in an unfenced paddock. Differences in the colour of the shaft of the stake as well as indents on the top of the object that were probably made by a hammer support this. The stake was found in a garden in Wren Street in Altona where it was common for horses to graze on the open grassy fields before houses were built.
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As this is the area of Altona where brown coal mines were situated in the early 20th century, it is possible that a miner or worker used the stake to tie up his horse after riding to work. Modern-day tethers appear to have changed somewhat (photo 2).
1.Mystery object
The local community’s assistance such as that provided by readers on this occasion is essential in supporting the work of both the Altona Homestead Museum and the local Historical Society. Many people also continue to support the Museum by taking in their photographs to be scanned on Tuesdays or Saturdays while they examine the displays. Visitors may also enjoy a scrumptious Devonshire tea in the courtyard on the first Sunday of the month. Further information about the activities of the Museum and the Historical Society is available at www.alhs.com.au. Fabienne Chevalier
2. Modern tethers
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AUSTRALIAN PELICAN (PELECANUS CONSPICILLATUS)
The Australian Pelican is a large waterbird common and widespread on Australia’s coastal and inland waters. It is also found in New Guinea, Fiji, parts of Indonesia and, occasionally, a stray bird is seen in New Zealand. If you spot a very large white bird with black wings and a huge pink bill paddling about on, for example, Cherry Lake, you can be sure it’s a pelican. However, by pelican standards, the Australian species is only medium sized. It has a wingspan between 2.3 and 2.6 metres and it weighs from 4kg to 13kg. Even by pelican standards, the pale pink bill is enormous. In fact, it’s the largest bill in the avian world. The male bill can reach as much as 50cm in length while female bills measure around 35cm at maturity. Pelicans are commonly seen on large expanses of open water such as large lakes, reservoirs and rivers as well as estuaries, swamps and coastal lagoons. Australian Pelicans follow the availability of food rather than be in a certain place at a particular time of year. The occurrence of drought frequently determines movements. When the normally barren Lake Eyre floods, only a handful of pelicans remain in coastal areas, but when the lake dries
again, the population disperses once more and thousands of birds migrate to the coast. A social bird, the Australian Pelican works in groups to drive fish to shallower water, thus making them easier to catch. Birds are particularly fond of introduced species such as goldfish, European carp and European perch, but will eat native fish whenever possible, a favourite being Leiopotherapon unicolour, an Australian perch. Birds also feed regularly on insects and aquatic crustaceans, especially shrimps and the common yabby. Pelicans also take birds such as the silver gull and grey teal, including eggs, nestlings, fledglings and adults, and reptiles and amphibians when available. In southern Australia, Pelicans breed in spring, their nests being a shallow depression in earth or sand, sometimes with a grass lining. The one to four eggs are chalky white and often appear scratched and dirty. Incubation is 32 to 35 days and the chicks are naked when they hatch. Young pelicans fledge at around three months of age.
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Helene Wild helene.wild@optusnet.com.au
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FROM USHUAIA TO USHUAIA – A CRUISE TO THE ANTARCTIC THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
The Falklands pier at Stanley
Ushuaia – our departure point for the journey
In mid January, my wife and I embarked on an adventure to the Antarctic Peninsula. After quite a deal of research, we decided that the best trip for us was one that started at Ushuaia, at the bottom of Argentina, and took us to our destination via the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Islands. It is not the most direct route, but it does take in some spectacular scenery, wildlife - and plenty of water! Our ship was the M.V. Hanseatic, a passenger ship with the highest ice class, and one that could accommodate about 180 passengers. A “small” ship has the advantages of being able to get closer to land and enable all of the passengers to go ashore on remote locations via Zodiacs.
them some food. The albatross, with their chicks, nested calmly amongst the penguins. In flight, these birds with 2-3 metre wingspans were a truly spectacular sight. In the afternoon the Hanseatic sailed on to Carcass Island. Many of us disembarked for a hike across the island to McGill’s Settlement. The hike was not too demanding and we were able to walk across the paddocks and hills of this very remote settlement - not so easy once winter sets in. Six people live at McGill’s settlement and only three on New Island. It is a long boat ride to visit your neighbours and an even longer trip to the bright lights of Stanley.
Overnight the Hanseatic After a day at sea our first sailed on to Stanley, the port of call was the Falkland capital town of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Islands. It is a somewhat an archipelago of two main unusual feeling that you Rock Hopper Penguins and Black Browed Albatross at New Island islands with 338 smaller have on arrival – an English islands, located 483km from village in the middle of the the coast of Argentina. The Falkland Islands has about South Atlantic Ocean! And an English village it is, with 3000 permanent residents, 500,000 sheep and an average quaint little streets and houses, pubs with warm beer, fish annual temperature of 5.6c - so it can get a bit chilly at and chips, an old English Post Offi ce, a Government House times! Sheep farming and tourism are the major industries. – and English accents everywhere! Our first landing was at New Island where we observed a colony of nesting Rock Hopper Penguins and Black Browed The Falkland Islands do not belong to the sub Antarctic Albatross. It was a truly spectacular sight, thousands of region, but form a spectacular start point for the trip ahead. penguins “hopping” up and down steep, windswept cliff Our next port of call was the South Georgia Islands, two faces. Wisely the penguin chicks did not move far from days sailing away. John Dickenson their nests and waited patiently for mum or dad to bring
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FOCUS
Film Review From the same writer/director duo that brought us the instant classic, Crazy Stupid Love, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa give us another angle from which to view love, in Focus. A mash up of genres, this flick takes everything fun about heist movies and mixes it with a little romance and drama to boot.
the romantic element. There are plenty of plot twists - some more entertaining than others, but overall a pleasurable viewing experience. Keep expectations low and simply enjoy the ride!
Will Smith plays Nicky, a con artist at the height of his game, running a rag-tag team of thieves – so far, so Ocean’s 11. In walks Australia’s very own Margot Robbie and suddenly the film kicks up a notch. Obviously Robbie is very nice to look at, but this young actor is so much more than that. She is proving to be quite the power player in Hollywood, outshining the usually charismatic Smith in every scene. Much like George Clooney, Will Smith does not have to do a lot to keep viewers happy. Smith is a little under in this film, but Ms. Robbie more than makes up for it. A little slow at times, this film works best when it avoids
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Melissa Longo
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WATERLOO In Belgium you will find a field Where took place a famous battle. When the Old Guard refused to yield, Those men were mowed down like cattle. Two great armies fought this action Till the War God bestowed his favour On the Iron Duke of Wellington, Great Britain’s and Europe’s saviour. After the victors enjoyed their win, The map-makers would have a ball. For the loser bitter chagrin: Napoleon had a long way to fall. The future of four great empires Was decided there on that day; But there were great funeral pyres: ‘Twas a big butcher’s bill to pay. Wellington said, “A close run thing” With considerable human cost; The Iron Duke also remarking, “Worse than battles won are battles lost.” After this historic slaughter, For the Emperor no cause to smile: The victors gave him no quarter, Just six years of bitter exile. A relative peace of forty years On that day was so dearly bought: Crimea brought more mothers’ tears When Brits and French as allies fought. The Lion’s Mound now marks the spot Where so many men fought and died, Ensuring they will ne’er be forgot, And their place in history denied. The name of that battle, Waterloo, Where Napoleon’s hopes were laid low, Gave English a word that was new: “Waterloo” means a crushing blow. Jack Nystrom, 24.10.2014
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ALTONA BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY
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Your stories and photos are what keep the Around Altona conversation going. Local club news is also welcome. Send your stories, articles and
PILATES & BACK-FITNESS
letters to editor@aroundaltona.
Are you a retiree/semi-retired? Want to exercise smarter? Classes: Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am Venue: Scout Hall, Civic Pde/Pier St, Altona (right of council offices) $60.00 per 6-week session, $13.00 casual Call Monica: 0487 115 234
com.au or drop them off at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Sargood Street.
LEARN TO BELLYDANCE Beginner to Intermediate Classes in Altona East. Great for all age, size & fitness levels. Call Nicole on 0430 595 702 www.bluefirebellydance.com.au
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