Bacchus marsh district community news 22-03-2017

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 1

Bacchus Marsh District Community News

FREE MONTHLY

By the Community for the Community

Official handover of Poppy Wreaths from Bacchus Marsh RSL Ladies Auxiliary to Great War Centenary Committee

Photo: Dotty Hazell

Poppy Tribute ready for Bacchus Marsh Anzac Centenary Commemorations

On the 16th of February 2017 at the Bacchus Marsh Soldiers Memorial Hall the Bacchus Marsh Ladies Auxiliary formally presented 300 poppy wreaths to the Bacchus Marsh Great War Centenary Committee.

The 300 Poppy wreaths consisted of 3000 hand knitted and crocheted poppies made by members of the Bacchus Marsh RSL Ladies Auxiliary, other RSL Branches and community members across Victoria. June Webb the Secretary of the Bacchus Marsh RSL Ladies Auxiliary was the project manager who inspired the ladies Auxiliary members knit and construct the wreaths. It started as June Webb’s idea that Poppy Wreaths could be made and used as part of Anzac Centenary Commemorations in 2018.

Continued on Page 2

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 2

It was suggested to the Bacchus Marsh Great War Centenary Committee by Irish Kummerlowe, that poppy wreaths could be a highlight of the centenary event. The Committee embraced the idea and it was with great trepidation that Irish had the job of asking if the Bacchus Marsh Ladies Auxiliary could make not 1 or 2 knitted poppy wreaths, but 300.

Bev Kummerlowe President of Bacchus Marsh RSL Ladies Auxiliary rang me and requested help get volunteers to assist the RSL Ladies Auxiliary to knit and crochet 3000 poppies. A community announcement was made on social media through Apple 98.5 FM radio, the Bacchus Marsh Residents Page and Wombat Regional Arts Network.

The following morning people started lining up at the Bacchus Marsh RSL to collect a copy of the poppy pattern. Phones started ringing off the hook as people volunteered to get involved.

A bus of residents from Ballan Aged Care arrived at the Bacchus Marsh RSL to request the pattern.

Both the Moorabool News and the StarWeekly Melton and Moorabool carried stories to call for volunteers to assist with knitting and crocheting poppies.

RSL Ladies Auxiliaries across Victoria knitted poppies and they started arriving in the mail. Residents of Bacchus Marsh Providence, Grant Lodge and Bellevue Gardens Retirement Village all knitted poppies.

There are so many individuals who knitted and crocheted poppies that it is impossible to name them all.

Bev said “thank you to all the Ladies Auxiliary Members and members of the community who donated the knitted poppies.”

Funding received from the Federal Government Anzac Centenary Grants program enabled the Great War Centenary Committee to purchase 300 wreath bases made by the Bacchus Marsh Florist.

June Webb and the ladies of the Bacchus Marsh RSL Auxiliary then constructed the beautiful wreaths made of 3000 hand knitted and crocheted poppies. Over 1000 additional poppies were knitted and these will be donated to other RSL Branches and used as beautiful tributes.

On Saturday the 11th of August 2018 a bugle will sound in Rupert Moon Reserve in Bacchus Marsh. At each dedicated tree in the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour a poppy wreath will be laid in the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour by the descendants of World War One soldiers and school children from across the district. An event to commemorate 100 years since the planting of the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour.

Descendants of the soldiers with dedicated trees in the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour are invited to contact the Bacchus Marsh Great War Centenary Committee to register to be part of the event, by emailing gwccbacchusmarsh@gmail.com or by contacting Tonia on 0407 014 489.

Bacchus Marsh Great War Centenary Members with the Bacchus Marsh RSL Ladies Auxiliary Committee at the official handover of the poppy wreaths.

(Left to right) Faye Threlfall (BMGWCC), June Web (Secretary BM RSL Ladies Auxiliary), Tonia Dudzik (President BMGWCC), Bev Kummerlowe (President BM RSL Ladies Auxiliary), Irish Kummerlowe (Vice President BMGWCC).

Photo: Carli Hall Article: Tonia Dudzik

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 3

Welcome to the first edition of Bacchus Marsh District Community News.

Bacchus Marsh District Community News is a newly established community group formed to help capture news and stories of our area. The monthly newsletter will be Bacchus Marsh and surrounds focused, promoting achievements of local community groups and individuals, and will provide FREE advertising and stories for not for profit organisations and community groups who find it difficult if not impossible to pay for traditional advertising.

Bacchus Marsh and district is an amazing place to live. Our entrance is the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour showcasing our local produce including lettuce, strawberries, cherries, apples, peaches and more. We have great walking tracks, playgrounds and reserves. We also have a great shopping centre and town centre. We all need to remember to shop local, to make sure local businesses continue to thrive.

At Bacchus Marsh District Community News we have a group of people who are committed to writing regular articles for the newsletter. We invite members of the community to submit their stories and photographs for publication. If you are interested in writing articles, or taking photos, we welcome your contribution. We also welcome articles for publication from community groups, sporting clubs and schools.

Bacchus Marsh and District Community News will be published online on a monthly basis. Please submit your articles and photos by the 10th of each month in preparation for the newsletter to be released in the last week of each month.

At this stage we are an online publication only, however should we gain support from local businesses we hope to print the publication. Any advertising dollars raised above our printing and graphic design costs will be donated to not for profit organisations and community groups who struggle to get funding from other sources.

Please get behind Bacchus and Marsh District Community News so we can get independent, inspirational and affordable information (free advertising for not for profits) out to the community.

With best wishes from The Team of Volunteers at Bacchus Marsh District Community News.

This publication is a community project of the Bacchus Marsh and District Community News.

Bacchus Marsh District Community News would like to acknowledge Lois Outjers as the local artist who painted the Avenue of Honour painting featured in our logo.

We also acknowledge Ann Van Alkemade for the concept of The Four Seasons of the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour. As the seasons change so too will the logo of Bacchus Marsh District Community News.

Published Monthly.

Editor: Margaret Scarff Contributors in this editon: Anne Van Alkemade, Jeanette McGonegal and Tonia Dudzik Photographers in this edition: Anne Van Alkemade, Carli Hall, Dotty Hazell, Jeanette McGonegal, John Hannah, Renee Hall, Tonia Dudzik Not for profit advertising: Tonia Dudzik All contributions must be submitted (copy, letters or advertising by the 10th of each month to bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com The name and address of any person submitting material must be provided (address not for publication).

The Management Committee reserves the right not to publish material considered to be offensive or inappropriate or deemed to not have community interest or relevance.

The views expressed or information provided in this publication are not necessarily the views of the Bacchus Marsh District Community News or any members or persons associated with it.

Facebook: facebook.com/bacchusmarshdistrictcommunitynews

Web editions: issuu.com/bacchusmarshdistrictcommunitynews

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 4

THE NEIGHBOUR’S PLACE INC. Emergency Food Relief for Moorabool Shire Residents Only.

Our operation hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30 am – 2.30 pm School Holidays we close at 12.30 pm.

We are closed on public holidays and on weekends.

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 5

SWAP INSPIRES

by Anne Van Alkemade

If your cupboards are bare and the supermarkets are all closed, would you have anything at all to eat? Could you still cook a meal?

These questions have occurred to Darley resident Chris Kiss who is an enthusiastic, regular participant of the monthly Produce Swap at Darley Community Art Garden in Holts Lane.

“There are so many things (food skills) that are lost and we couldn’t live without a supermarket,” Chris said. But she believes one way to counter this, not only through growing your own produce, is also the food and information sharing that happens at the Produce Swaps.

“You go along with your surplus and because you have so much of it, it doesn’t seem to have much value – a dollar value on it,” Chris said of her occasional bumper crops. “But if you have lots of something, and you meet other people and swap for something you haven’t got, you always walker away feeling richer.”

Darley resident Chris Kiss is a regular enthusiastic participant in the Darley Community Gardens’ monthly Produce Swap where people are invited to bring along surplus from their veggies patch.

Chris explains that it’s not just swapping foods though.

She said meeting people who have similar interests but also with a huge range of experiences means there’s a great deal to learn.

“I had no idea what you did with olives and thought they were just too hard. Sarah (Anderson) told me they’re not hard at all and she showed us how to pickle them. I now have my own olive tree,” Chris said. She is watching her tree produce its first fruit and is looking forward to giving it a go.

“We’ve had people talk about making cheese and yoghurt. A lady came along with a book on herbs and what to do with them. It had remedies made with calendula. I was a big skeptical, but I made it - it was easy. It’s terrific for burns and bites and now I make skin preparations regularly. You’re inspired to just give it a go.”

Continued page 6

Darley resident Chris Kiss grows many food crops amongst her regular garden, including this Vietnamese mint which is thriving in her fish pond.

Photos: Anne Van Alkemade

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 6

SWAP INSPIRES continued Chris first became interested in these events when she visited the first Bacchus Marsh Produce Swap held at the "That's Not Art" Festival run by BMCU (Bacchus Marsh Community Unlimited) at Rotary Park in 2011. The swap was started with help from BMCU and also Moorabool Environment Group, who continue to be supporters.

One of the first events she attended after that was about building “wicking beds”, a type of self-watering vegetable garden as designed by Aussie gardener Colin Austen.

“I’d grown vegetables with mixed success and I heard about wicking beds. I joined the community garden and learnt how to make my own and the amount of production went up using them. Everything does so much better,” Chris said.

Produce Swap is held on the first Saturday of each month from 1-2pm at Darley Community Art Garden.

All are welcome to attend. Bring anything surplus from your garden, or perhaps some handmade or reusable items. The Community Art Gardens hosts other events in addition to the produce swap. This includes all sorts of art activities, cooking and preserving workshops, talks on gardening, sustainability, and get togethers often centered on the wood-fired oven. For news about upcoming events, go to the Bacchus Marsh Produce Swap Facebook page and click ‘Follow’.

Bacchus Marsh District Community News proudly provides FREE advertising for NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATIONS. We are a Bacchus Marsh and District COMMUNITY focused newsletter.

To submit a story for future publication or if you are interested in advertising with Bacchus Marsh District Community News please email Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com .

Proudly by the community for the community.

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 7

You’ve got a friend Lots of people are keen to become involved in community organisations but not so eager to find themselves wearing the secretary or treasurer’s hat. Enter the “Friends of” concept recently launched at the Darley Neighbourhood House. Being a “friend” means belonging to the House in an informal sense, supporting its activities and sharing in its aims to assist the local community.

Chair Jill Geurts says there are a variety of ways people can benefit from becoming a DNH friend.

“By joining in with special events, fundraising activities like sausage sizzles, and street promotions, you get to enjoy a sense of community and meet new people,” says Jill.

“You are helping the organisation by donating your time, but there are lots of benefits on a personal level.”

DNH is a not-for-profit organisation overseen by a Committee of Governance – a team of 10 volunteers responsible for the decision-making and finances. Enlisting as a “friend” is a very different story.

“Friends don’t have any official position and don’t have a vote,” Jill explains.

“They are people who believe in helping the community and helping individuals enhance their lives. They get the opportunity to join in whenever they choose but there is no obligation to do so - it’s the best of both worlds.”

People should not assume they need any particular qualifications or skills to become a friend of DNH, says manager Jeanette McGonegal.

“People often underestimate their abilities and don’t realise how many skills they have acquired just living normal lives, bringing up families and going to work; all we want from volunteers is an interest in the community.”

Becoming a Friend of the House is as simple as filling in a registration form and paying a $5 membership - a requirement to ensure volunteers are covered by insurance when involved in events.

Anyone interested in joining the Friends of Darley Neighbourhood House program can phone the House on 5367 4390, email info@dnhlc.org.au or visit the House at 33 Jonathan Drive, Darley.

Photo of Darley Neighbourhood House Mosaics Group.

Photo and article by: Jeanette McGonegal

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 8

Bacchus Marsh RSL elects new President On 10th of March 2017 there was a changing of the guard at the Bacchus Marsh RSL AGM. Cherrison Lawton was unanimously elected as the first female President of Bacchus Marsh RSL. “For the past 98 years men have done a marvellous job of managing the Bacchus Marsh RSL. I feel so honoured to take on the role and have everyone’s full support” she said. ‘Irish Kummerlowe did a magnificent job as President and while he is stepping down, he is very happy to assist where he can said Cherrison.

To be eligible to be President of an RSL branch you need to have a service history.

Cherrison Lawton is a third generation servicewoman and served in the Air force at the Laverton RAAF base as an Air photo plotter. Cherrison met her husband Bruce Lawton at Laverton RAAF base. “He was the most clean cut man at the air force base and so I married him” she said.

Bruce Lawton will be the new Bacchus Marsh RSL Secretary and Treasurer assisted by others, and together they are set to be great leaders for the Bacchus Marsh RSL. Cherrison and Bruce Lawton have both been volunteering as welfare officers supporting the returned service men and members of the Bacchus Marsh RSL for many years.

David Childs has been elected as Senior Vice President of Bacchus Marsh RSL. As a past RSL President he is experienced in the role and is very supportive.

Cherrison said she has already started making some changes and I think people will be pleasantly surprised.

Cherrison pointed out that, “Be bold for change is the 2017 International Women’s Day theme.”

“I extend a personal invitation to everyone in Bacchus Marsh to join the RSL on Sunday 23rd of April at 2pm for our ANZAC Day March. We will be leaving from the Bacchus Marsh Hospital, progressing to the Bacchus March RSL. Cherrison invites everyone to “please join us for this important event”.

Article: Tonia Dudzik

Photo of Bacchus Marsh RSL President Cherrison Lawton Photo: John Hanna

SHARE COMMUNITY NEWS Does your Community Group, Sporting Club, not for profit organization or school have a positive story of success to share?

Are you organizing a community event and need to advertise it to the Bacchus Marsh and District?

Bacchus Marsh District Community News is open to community contribution of articles.

Share the success stories of residents in the area by emailing bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 9

World’s Greatest Shave challenge in Bacchus Marsh On Saturday 18th March Nic and James from The Brazen Fox in Bacchus Marsh held an event where they assisted people to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation of Australia to support Australians with blood cancer.

Eight year old Ivy Stringer selflessly had eighteen inches of her beautiful long hair cut off so that it could be made into a wig to assist needy patients suffering hair loss from cancer treatment. She was inspired to donate her hair after a family friend was impacted by cancer. Ivy was incredibly brave as her hair was cut off in lengths and was happy with her new look. Elly Stringer, Ivy’s Mum and school friends looked on with pride.

Pete Turner who we all know as “Scrappie”, bravely had all his long blonde hair and beard shaved off completely. It was a total transformation for Pete and those who know him will have trouble recognising him. Pete’s hair was saved to be made into fringes on wigs for patients undergoing cancer treatment. “It’s such an important cause and I want to help people” said Pete Turner.

There were others who participated on the day and had their locks cut, head shaved and coloured. Congratulations to all involved and Thank you to The Brazen Fox hairdresser in Bacchus Marsh for hosting the event.

It’s not too late to sponsor any of the wonderful people who participated in The World’s Greatest Shave in Bacchus Marsh. All funds raised go the The Leukemia Foundation of Australia. You can donate online through https://worldsgreatestshave.com.au and by the individual participant name.

Article and Photos by Tonia Dudzik

Pete Turner known as Scrappy shaves his hair and beard for to raise funds for The Australian Leukaemia Foundation.

Ivy Stringer has 18 inches cut of her hair to create a wig for a patient with cancer for The Australian Leukaemia Foundation ]

Nic Troy from The Brazen Fox with Ivy Stringer and Pete Turner after the World’s Greatest Shave.

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 10

BACCHUS MARSH REMEMBERS RUPERT MOON VC & ALL THOSE FROM BACCHUS MARSH & DISTRICT WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR ONE. The Bacchus Marsh Great War Centenary Committee and The RSL Sub Branch Bacchus Marsh

INVITES ALL TO ATTEND A Remembrance Service commemorating the 100th year anniversary since Rupert Moon VC from Bacchus Marsh was awarded his Victoria Cross during World War One. A commemorative Victoria Cross paving stone and signage will be unveiled in Rupert Moon Reserve.

Followed by a special dedication at Bacchus Marsh RSL.

WHEN: Saturday 6th May 2017 at 10.30 am at Rupert Moon Reserve followed by special dedication at 11.00 am at Bacchus Marsh RSL. Light refreshments will be provided (Gold coin donation).

COMMUNITY DIARY Sunday 26th March

10-3 Ecolink Sustainability Expo

Sunday 2nd April

Daylight Savings Ends

Friday 14 April 9am

Bacchus Marsh Easterfest

Saturday 15 April 11-1

Blackwood Easter Wood Chop and Carnival

Sunday 23 April 2pm

Bacchus Marsh RSL ANZAC March leaving from BM Hospital

Tuesday 25 April

Bacchus Marsh RSL ANZAC Day Dawn Service 5.45 am

Friday 19-20 May

Festival of Stories at Lerderderg Library

Saturday 6 May

BMGWCC Dedication Honouring Rupert Moon VC, Rupert Moon Reserve 10.30

Saturday 6 May

BMGWCC Unveiling memorial for Bacchus Marsh district, BM RSL 11.00

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 11

Recognising our Emergency Services Our Emergency Services work long hours in terrible conditions and through the night. Rostered on to duty 24 hours a day, weekends and public holidays.

The Emergency Services attend accidents and events and assist others often receiving very little thanks or recognition.

One Bacchus Marsh family decided “to start another Christmas tradition by giving at Christmas time to people in the community that give to us all year.”

Renee Hall said “The children love making and delivering the gifts. They especially love to get to see the ambulances, fire trucks and police station. Hopefully should we ever require any of their assistance, the children will be familiar with the services and it hopefully would be less traumatic.

We deliver to the urgent care at the Bacchus Marsh Hospital, the police station, the fire station, the ambo’s and the State Emergency Services.”

So last Christmas when most people were wrapping presents for families and friends. The Hall family took the time to visit all the local Emergency Services to show them that they are appreciated.

Thank you to all our Emergency Services who are there to assist the community in times of need.

Article: Tonia Dudzik

Tahlia Hall, Brodie King, Kylah King and Jai Warner visited all emergency services at Christmas with gift baskets to show their appreciation.

Photos: Renee Hall

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 12

Photo Credit: Renee Hall

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 13

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 14

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 15

Email:Bacchusmarshcommunitynews@gmail.com BACCHUS MARSH DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWS – Issue 1, March 2017 Page 16