Chewton Chat May 2023

CFA Update: Our new tanker has arrived!

We have a new fire truck! Late April saw the arrival of Chewton brigade’s new light tanker, the Brigade’s second. We were very pleased to receive it after long anticipation.

Chewton tanker #2 will be staying with us for training and testing while we get familiar with its operations, putting it and ourselves through the paces so we’re used to working with it and able to use it well when on callouts. After a brief acclimatisation period, the tanker will return

to our District Mechanical Officers for adjustments and any necessary repairs to make sure everything is working at its peak before it comes back to us on a permanent basis. Thanks to everyone at CFA and everyone in our Brigade Management Team who have worked so hard to make a second tanker a reality for Chewton. More about our new addition in future Chats!

More CFA news on page 2...

Bushfire Education at Chewton

Primary

In Term 1, grades 5 and 6 at Chewton Primary undertook a Bushfire Education program, initiated by Neil Munro and Claire Collie of CFA and led by class teacher Scott Purdon. Students made artwork, poetry and journals detailing their learning journey. They also identified locally relevant problems and undertook projects to help solve them.

Fire Danger Period ended

The fire danger period has ended for Mount Alexander Shire on 12 April. The combination of rain, cooler weather and shorter days means there are no longer restrictions on the use of fire or machinery in the open air. Thanks to everyone who observed the restrictions this summer, and to our fireys who were there to answer the callouts that came through.

Remember - even though fire restrictions aren’t in place, we all still need to stay safe around fire!

For heaps of fire safety tips, stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram, and visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au

At the end of the term, students came to Chewton station for fun with hoses and to learn about callouts. They had the task of propelling fire truck trolleys by hosing water at the back of the trolleys. Students experimented with changing flow rates to get their trolleys to run furthest. Then, because the trolleys were not getting to the end of their rails, our pump operator increased the pressure…

The trolleys went further, but the connector that joined the hoses came apart, surprising and drenching the two students assigned to bring the trolleys back to the start! Everyone thought it was really funny and the rails were quickly re-fitted in time for everyone to have a go. Just as well we had given the class teacher a note that “hose crew members’ clothes & shoes may get wet”!

Students also learned about how fire callouts work, starting with pager messages to firefighters. Barry Mounsey, our 1st Lieutenant, explained the difference between the clothes firefighters wear to grassfires and bushfires versus house fires. Barry and our Training Officer, Rob Blaney, explained when lights and sirens are used and the radio messages we get on the way to a fire.

Thanks to Tyrone at Harcourt CFA for lending us the trolleys and compliments to John from Harcourt for building them so well. Thanks to Rob, Barry and Bill Quirk from our brigade for helping to run the session. Thanks also to the students for being such good sports in getting wet while they were learning!

GET IN TOUCH

To find out more about what we’re up to, or to get in touch with us with any questions about fire restrictions, fire safety or emergencies, you can visit our Facebook or Instagram and leave a message. Just search for “Chewton Fire Brigade”.

STAY SAFE!

Photos: Steve Womersley, Claire Colley/Christ de Kessel

Chewton’s ANZAC DAY 2023

A brilliant autumn morning greeted those who turned out for Chewton’s ANZAC Day 2023. And there were plenty who did turn out! Including horses (2) and dogs (many!). Max and Gaylene Lesser had obviously organized and publicized this gathering well.

Father Ian Howarth went through a prayer and spoke about the recent find of the SS Montevideo Maru that had been so tragically sunk with so many lives lost.

Local ward councillor Christine Henderson spoke and Phoenix Chewton CWA’s Jenny Howe read the oath. And Chewton’s main road traffic made its usual contribution to the proceedings.

Wreaths were laid and Carl Harris provided the recorded music to end the traditional minute’s silence. The plaintive sounds echoing across the Soldiers’ Memorial Park ended another “Chewton Remembers” gathering.

The speakers who competed with the traffic, and the just so important “catching up” afterwards

‘Now this pool of yours, how long will it last?’

Possibly not the burning question on everybody’s mind coming into winter, but for some of us it has been a constant worry. Now we have an answer.

Mount Alexander Shire generously covered the costs of an engineering survey, of our pool structure, as part of a condition audit of all the Shire pools. The engineers tested the concrete shell, looked for structural failure in the concrete and reinforcing and looked at the concourse. In a nutshell, the report says that while remedial work is required, the pool shell is in fair to reasonable condition.

Remember, this is a pool that has been operating for 64 years. The pool that in 2010 we were told was on the verge of structural failure and had to be closed, and which has been managed by the community ever since.

A summary of the report findings:

• The concrete shell is overall considered to be in fair to reasonable condition with NO SUBSTANTIVE EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WHICH WOULD AFFECT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.

• The concrete cover is about 40mm thick and still provides a protective environment for the steel reinforcing. There is a problem with the pool gutters which have inadequate concrete cover and steel reinforcing is eroding.

• There are cracks at the deep end which need rectifying. Cracks in the pool lip also need attention.

• The waterproof paintwork has completely failed, due to the poor workmanship of the company who carried out the last waterproofing.

The engineers provided an estimation of remaining life expectancy:

The report lists the remedial work required along with a draft budget and implementation timeline.

• Year One is relatively straight forward with testing for leaks in the system at a cost of about $10,000. However the Committee of Management (COM) has already undertaken this testing and fixed the issues.

• Year Three the major focus is repairs which will cost approximately $125,000. This is to remove and replace corroded steel and low-strength concrete in the main pool gutters and wall, repair cracks and re-paint both pools.

• Year Seven is further inspections and testing ($14,000).

• Year Ten both pools need another re-paint ($60,000).

The COM is currently assessing the report and its implications and are plotting a path to raise funds to carry out the remedial work. The COM has been putting aside $10,000 each season for future maintenance works and will now begin looking for grants to assist us, and programming works that can be done in the short term.

The COM is committed to the transparent provision of information and a copy of the JWC Engineers report can be found on our website, https://www.chewtonpool. com.au/

We need volunteers!

Did you know that Chewton Swimming Pool is governed by a voluntary Committee of Management? Workers on the grounds, in the kiosk and at events are also volunteers. After several years of volunteering, some committee members and volunteers are standing down, creating an opportunity for new people. We need people who love our community and want to contribute to the pool.

The pool has a number of specific roles that need to be filled: Digital Promotions: Assist the Communications Manager with social media and communicating with members and supporters.

Grant Writing: From small dollars to significant amounts there are grant opportunities requiring the skills of someone who can be precise and accurate. Winning grants means the pool can purchase new equipment and improve its services, even rebuild ageing infrastructure.

Events: identify events the pool could hold and work with the operations team to deliver them. Requires some imaginative, out-of-the-box innovative thinking.

Fundraising: Support the committee to promote the Sponsor a Piece of the Pool, fundraiser for future maintenance. Requires some imaginative, out-of-the-box innovative thinking.

Grounds Maintenance: Help the team that keeps lawns and grounds of the pool area fresh and lively.

Bookkeeping: Assist the Treasurer with in-season payments, invoice tracking and monitoring kiosk takings.

Since 1946, when Chewton community began raising the money to build the pool that we still swim in, volunteers have been the backbone of Chewton Swimming Pool. Become part of the team sustaining the pool into the future.

To join the committee management or for further information please submit an expression of interest at https://www.chewtonpool.com.au/volunteers or write to the Secretary at chewtonpoolsecretary@gmail.com

Sera-Jane Peters, President, Chewton Pool Inc.

The most vibrant little community pool in the whole wide world

A Mount Alexander Shire Restructure is coming…

The second round of submissions have closed and a decision is imminent. The final report is scheduled to be published on Wednesday 24 May 2023. If the recommendation is accepted, any changes will apply at the October 2024 local council elections. The final report will be available on the VEC website at vec.vic.gov.au or you can request a printed copy by calling 131 832.

Three models are being considered:

Model 1: Would a single-ward model serve the numerous communities spread across our Shire well. Residents from the smaller towns and communities across the shire should have ready access to representation on council. A “one-ward” model raises the risk of larger population centres dominating the Council and smaller communities being left without a local representative. While there are some common issues across the shire there are also different needs and aspirations between the many Mount Alexander communities.

Model 2: Two representatives from each ward would mean an even number of councillors, and is that an ideal situation when issues divide numbers evenly? Local democracy could be better served by having smaller wards with one representative each.

Model 3: Why are there 8 wards producing 8 councillors? An extra councillor means extra expense, and the possibility of 4/4 split votes giving the mayor the right to deliver casting votes.

And some random local observations and thoughts about Chewton within the restructure... Chewton is a geographically spread-out community as a legacy of the gold rush. It may be difficult to do but it needs to be treated as an entirety by being totally within the same ward with whichever model is finally chosen. In the 1850s when municipal governance was being considered there was much debate about the need to be one community - and not be linked to Castlemaine! The Borough of Chewton resulted – then when it faded with population decline, the former debate was rekindled with passion. Chewton community then became part of the Shire of Metcalfe –until amalgamation into the Shire of Mount Alexander was mandated. Chewton has a proud history of independence - maybe dating from the Monster Meeting of December 15, 1851? Should this be respected by ensuring Chewton sits entirely within one ward of any new restructure of the

How does war begin?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that he and cabinet will decide if Australia goes to war. Parliament will not be given a vote. This keeps Australia out of step with the US, UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries whose parliaments decide if they go to war. It is also out of step with the vast majority of Australians. A Guardian Essential poll in April found that 90% of voters believe the prime minister should be required to get parliament approval before going to war.

The prime minister and cabinet can bypass parliament because of a British Monarch Royal Prerogative – from medieval times – to declare war without consulting parliament or getting its approval. Cabinet occurs behind closed doors. Cabinet papers are not released for 20 years.

During question time in March on the 20th anniversary of Australia’s invasion of Iraq, Independent MP and former army and intelligence officer Andrew Wilkie asked Mr Albanese: “Prime Minister will you help prevent such unconscionable disasters in future by bringing Australia into line with countries like the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands where declaring war is the prerogative of the parliament not the prime minister?”

Mr Albanese said MPs will be

able to express their view but will not be given a vote. Cabinet will make the decision. “Parliamentarians should be given the chance to express their views following a cabinet decision to go to war,” Mr Albanese told the House.

Twenty years ago Mr Wilkie was an intelligence officer with Australia’s peak intelligence assessment agency, the Office of National Assessments. He quit and went public with his concerns about the “evidence” then prime minister John Howard was using as justification for invading Iraq. Subsequent overseas inquiries found that the evidence was false. Iraq didn’t have weapons of mass destruction and wasn’t harbouring al-Qaeda.

The United Nations did not approve the US-UK-Australian invasion of Iraq. The invasion led to 14 years of war, the death of hundreds of thousands of people and the rise of ISIS. It destabilized the region and the world.

Mr Wilkie, along with the Greens and other MPs, is calling for war powers reform, particularly in light of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal between the US, Australia and the UK and rising tension between the US and China over Taiwan. “I think the community would be much more comfortable with AUKUS, would be much more comfortable with this purchase of nuclear submarines,

if it was accompanied with war powers reform,” Mr Wilkie said. “The community could be assured that if, for example, there was a war over Taiwan, that it would be the parliament that would decide whether or not it’s in our national interest to participate in that war or to not participate in that war.”

Former diplomat and president of Australians for War Powers Reform, Dr Alison Broinowski AM, said: “It is way beyond time that we reformed our war powers so that going to war overseas is debated and decided by all MPs and Senators in the Federal Parliament. It’s time to ditch the captain’s call.”

Under the US Constitution, the power to declare war belongs to the Congress. In the UK, the convention is that the prime minister seeks authorization from parliament before engaging in any significant military action. Under the French Constitution, the power to declare war belongs to the French parliament (the National Assembly and Senate). In Germany, the power to declare war belongs to the German parliament (the Bundestag). Under the Dutch Constitution, the power to declare war belongs to the Dutch parliament (the Senate and House of Representatives). Mr Wilkie said: “We are the outlier. In Australia, the prime minister, on a whim, with rushing blood to his head, can just declare war.”

Mike Smith, Canberra, ACT.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can send Australia to war. Parliament will not be given a vote.

Mike walked from Chewton to Canberra to raise this issue in 2016

It is still an issue!

Laura Veleff comes from an artistic family. Her mother is a botanical artist and her father a fine woodworker. Laura’s partner Greg is an artist, and his parents are both artists as well. So, with all that artistic inspiration around her it is no wonder that 8 years ago Laura changed her career from being a lawyer to a potter. She produces attractive functional ware, hand thrown on a potter’s wheel and glazed with beautiful nature inspired glazes that she mixes herself.

A few years ago, when living in East Brunswick, Laura did a beginners’ pottery course at Northcote Pottery and together with lots of mentoring from her artistic family, particularly her brother-in-law who is a master potter, she developed her skills to the point where she launched her own business. She obviously struck on a winning style and look of product as she soon had multiple outlets with large orders coming in. Planter pots, hanging pots and arrangement vases are her main lines, but she also produces tableware and takes commissions for unique

pieces. The glazes she makes are given names like Misty Morning, Midnight Sky, Blue Frost, Glacier, Landscape and Moss Green. The pots are dipped in multiple glazes so when they are fired the magic happens and the elements mix in delightful ways.

Sustainability is important to Laura, and she puts a lot of thought and effort into making sure her practice is as light as possible in using the earth’s resources. Laura tries to source the most eco-friendly products available. She purchases her terracotta and stoneware clay by the ton from a 4th generation clay making business in South Australia. She recycles all her clay waste by using her own pug mill, uses solar power as much as possible and recycles the plastic bags her clay comes in. Laura gave us a demonstration of a great machine she uses to produce her own wrapping that is used instead of bubble wrap. Waste cardboard is fed into the machine which cuts the cardboard into a pliable mesh like wrapping.

Laura uses an electric Rohde Kiln which was made

in Austria. It has a pull-out shelf for easy loading and unloading. She fires off peak and says that it is surprisingly affordable, only costing about $30 per firing. She also has a smaller crumbling old kiln which she keeps going, as it uniquely produces some of the glaze effects she wants.

Laura has a large following on Instagram, particularly on her leaf and thread seconds page where pots with slight glaze imperfections are snapped up at discounted prices. Laura says that when she lived in Brunswick, she used to have a samples and seconds sale day and she would open the door to find people lined up down the footpath.

A couple of years ago, Laura and Greg relocated from Brunswick to Chewton, drawn by the artistic community and what Laura describes as “interesting, awesome people”. They were pleased to be able to buy their own home and get out of the rental market in Melbourne. They have settled in and now each have their own studio spaces, a thriving garden and comfy home to raise their children in.

Laura plans to continue her production work but spend more time doing larger or more interesting projects like the pieces she recently exhibited at the Brickworks Gallery during the Castlemaine State Festival. If you would like to see more of Laura’s work, you can look at her website at www.leafandthread.com or check out her instagram pages.

Words by Jackie McMaster and photos by Julie Millowick

PLUMBING & GAS FITTING: Please contact us for all your requirements

• Unblock drains, pipes & sewer, repairs and new installations • Repairs and New installations to Roofing and Spouting

• Water Meter Connections & Backflow Prevention Devices • Supply and installation of

• HOT WATER SYSTEMS: Gas Storage & Continuous Systems, Evacuated Solar Systems and Electric Storage, Heat Pumps, Chilled & Boiling Water Systems

• GAS HEATING: Space Heaters, Ducted Systems, Hydronic & Gas Log Fires

• WOOD HEATING: Freestanding & Inbuilt

• COOLING: Inverter Splits and Evaporative systems

• KITCHEN: Upright Cookers, Ovens, Cooktops, Range Hoods, Tapware, Sinks & LPG Fridges

• BATHROOM: Tapware, Basins, Baths, Shower Screens, Toilet Suites, Vanities and Cabinetry

• LAUNDRY: Tapware, Sinks & Cabinetry

Given the right conditions, the lion can lie with the lamb!

The April Caption Comp for the Jirrahlinga family pass (two adults and two children) has been won by Anne Markiewicz who contributed: “Animals can teach us to transcend difference and focus on the universality of love and care for another living being.”

And the second prize went to Brenda Purden, “Hi all, please meet my new adopted sibling! Such a cutie don’t you think?! Name and gender reveal soon.”

The photo itself was of Samson who is a service dog and Iddy the little wombat. The little wombat was a Sanctuary animal under a Sanctuary Licence. Iddy is now a very large wombat and still happily lives at Jirrahlinga.

Now for the May caption Comp...

Fancy a free family visit (two adults and two children) to the Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Education Centre? Thanks to the generosity of Tehree and Hamish Gordon, you have that opportunity right here! And right now!

To win this next exciting prize you need to provide us with the best caption for the photo (right). This is open to all ages. Just compose the best caption you (or your family) can come up with – before May 25th...

• put it in the letterbox at Chewton’s Primitive Methodist Church

• or email it to chewtonchateditor@gmail.com

• or post it to Chewton Chat, PO Box 85, Chewton 3451

A panel of Chewton Chat volunteers will then consider all entries and select the lucky family. And there’s a second and third prize! The captions judged second and third best will each win a child’s pass.

Winners (and the winning captions) will be published in the June Chewton Chat...

Have your say on our 2023/2024 proposed budget

We’ve released our 2023/2024 proposed budget and we want to hear from you.

Some of the highlights include initiatives that increase flood protection, replacement of existing bridges and significant investment in improving recreation reserve facilities.

Copies can be viewed at the Castlemaine Civic Centre, the Castlemaine Library or online at shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Feedback can be made online via Shape, by emailing info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or by writing to: 2023/2024 Budget, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council, PO Box 185, Castlemaine VIC 3450.

Grants boost local projects

Congratulations to 18 community groups who will share in almost $50,000 to boost local projects. Some of the groups to receive funding include Harcourt Valley Landcare Group, Castlemaine Safe Space and Queer Book Club.

Read more at mountalexander.vic.gov.au/News.

Final small business workshop

Don’t miss out on our final, free small business workshop: Generating cashflow.

When: Wednesday 17 May, 6.30pm-9.30pm

Where: 17 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine Book now at mountalexander.vic.gov.au/ BusinessResources

Working together for a healthy, connected shire mountalexander.vic.gov.au (03) 5471 1700

Graffiti continues... ...at

scrawling pace!

The photos above have been provided by Bill Wiglesworth… and photos below are of the VicRoads overpass...

As the graffiti problem is still being observed (and in some cases recorded), key players have been contacted for updates. From Mount Alexander Shire Michael Annear (Director, Infrastructure and Development) has responded…

The information you outlined in your recent post touches on a number of key points which are correct. With regard to a working group, presently there is no formalised group established. This has been proposed and is under consideration. Council is considering allocating additional resources in the 2023-2024 financial year budget to increase its capacity in responding to incidents of graffiti as well as to support such a group if formed. Officers are also in discussion with the local Police on how a group would interact with their role. Council Officers are also in discussion with a number in interested individual residents as well as community service groups regarding potential interest and expectations.

As you have pointed out the issue of graffiti is challenging, and responsibilities rest across multiple State Government agencies, Council, Police and community members themselves. Council Officers have been engaging with these stakeholders to advocate for action as well as to consider alternative management approaches that could be undertaken within our Shire.

Recently Council has undertaken the following actions:

1. Council has increased its cleaning of graffiti on Council assets. This includes street furniture such as seats, bins, signs; as well as bus shelters and other small infrastructure. This is combined with our ongoing focus on removing graffiti from public toilets. While we have increased our removal activity, not all graffiti can be removed by council staff, where this is the case we engage specialised contractors to support the removal.

2. Council has also been generously supported by local Rotarians who have volunteered to support the removal of graffiti on Council assets. Council provided training, protective equipment and materials for Rotary to assist in removing graffiti in Western Reserve. This was a positive cooperation and Council will look to see how we can build on the experience with rotary, and expand to

other community service groups and interested residents.

3. We have written to residential and commercial property owners where graffiti is present, informing them of their responsibility to remove graffiti under Council’s local law. As part of this approach, where a property owner requires assistance, Officers have offered to facilitate the connection between the property owner and community volunteers who have expressed an interest to assist in the removal of graffiti.

4. Council has also held discussions with multiple state government agencies to highlight the importance of the timely removal of graffiti from their assets, as well as to explore how this process can be streamlined.

5. Council is also assessing the opportunity for establishing sites for community art under our Public Arts policy. The provision of such sites has been successful in providing locations for street artists in other parts of the country and abroad.

Graffiti plagues infrastructure other than council’s too, as we regularly see. NBN, VicTrack, VicRoads, VicRail, billboards, power companies, Aussie Post and even privately owned property assets are all potential targets. We in the Mount Alexander Shire community don’t have a reputation for proactively targeting graffiti so graffiti appearing on these “outside-owned” assets aren’t treated as an urgent issue – as the Calder overpass at Faraday is. Graffiti (some pretty offensive) was reported to VicRoads some two months ago – and the only action in those two months is the addition of more and more graffiti! Similarly, we can see private property that has been graffiti-ed left as a continuing eyesore for months.

To be treated this way, it shows we (the community and council) are obviously of no consequence to VicRoads and until we make a presence felt by formulating a substantive community response we’ll remain of no consequence. How do we achieve such a presence? Leadership first and foremost is going to be necessary - is anyone within the Mount Alexander community equipped for that role? Or motivated to even try? Or do we idly leave it for now and then try to retrieve something that inevitably will be way, way bigger than it was when we could have done something? John Ellis.

Post Office Hill Action Group

– your community Landcare Group!

Little things mean a lot …..

You live and learn … at least I continue to do so. Rock stacking? Who knew this could be detrimental to the environment? I did not. Since joining POHAG I have learned so very much. Seemingly little things and yet they all make a difference. We try to not a leave a trace as we walk through the bush and yet it seems we cannot help ourselves. I heard on a recent radio program a discussion about rock stacking. I chatted with my niece who has a degree in Outdoor Education about what I had heard re the rock stacking and she told me that during her course they were advised not to rock stack because it could lead to people mistaking the rock stacking for a trail and then getting lost. However, this wasn’t the main reason I heard for not rock stacking.

What is rock stacking? Well may you ask. According to Wikipedia: “Rock balancing is a form of recreation or artistic expression in which rocks are piled in balanced stacks, often in a precarious manner.´

People have been stacking rocks since the dawn of time, typically for directional and burial purposes. I have been intrigued and admiring of the rock sculptures I have come across on my walks. However, rock stacking destroys and disturbs sensitive and crucial wildlife habitats. Environmentalists worldwide are becoming increasingly alarmed. Moving rocks can have numerous unintended consequences for insects, animals and even the land.

What is concerning scientists today is the practice of creating rock piles as an art form or for attractive social media posts. Stacking rocks is not an innocuous practice. Many insects and mammals are under rocks to live, reproduce or escape their predators. Move a rock and we might destroy a home. Stack a few and we may have just exposed the hunted to their hunters.

Whether we are stacking rocks in the bush or on the beach or in a more arid landscape, our actions could inadvertently knock out an entire colony. Or, perhaps threaten an endangered species.

Should we come across stacked rocks leave them where they are. The minute we move a rock, a species habitat is compromised amongst many other detrimental factors.

Many of you are no doubt already aware of the above. However I was not, and I found it interesting and helpful. Slow to learn am I! And now, somewhat reluctant to pick up even a stick!

Our next working bee is scheduled for Saturday May 13th and our next meeting Sunday May 14th.

Contact Kerry on 0417 136 769 for further information regarding POHAG. “Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.”

Kerry Bourke.

POHAG’s showy Silver Wattles

Grade 5-6 Bushfire Education Learning Expo

This term the Grade 5-6 students have been working on a Bushfire Education unit with Neil Munro, Rob Reid Smith and Clare Collie from the CFA. It has been an incredible learning journey, with students identifying an area they can make a difference in for their school, family or local community to better our education around fire safety. A big thanks to Scott and John for all their hard work, and to everyone from our local CFA who gave lots of support and provided fun learning activities through the burn table and CFA visit!

State Festival Art Excursion

The whole school went to the State Festival to see a series of Art Exhibitions. Students went to the Market Building and viewed art works, met Uncle Rick who showed the students Boorp Boorp Boondyil, and worked with David Frazer at the Castlemaine Art Gallery. The grade 3-6 students went to the Goods Shed while the P-1-2 class saw art displays in shop windows. We loved seeing Kaori and Laura’s art work!

At the Goods Shed, students experienced the video installation “Essays On Earth” which is a collaboration between artists Paul Kane, John Wolseley and Brodie Ellis. After viewing the Exhibition, students were lucky enough to meet Brodie Ellis and ask her questions about the work and life as an artist.

Thanks to Kate for organising such an amazing day of learning. Chewton Primary continue to be a stand out in the region for our participation in art and cultural events. Thanks to James and Castlemaine Art Gallery for making David Frazer’s workshop possible!

Bushfire Education

Sustainability

This year Serena is working one day per week at the school with each class on our Sustainability program. In Term 1 the veggie garden got a make over, with students learning about soil health, planting and even harvesting some foods for our cook up at the end of term. Serena will be working on Waste, Water, Biodiversity and Energy with each class this term as part of our 5 Star Sustainability program.

Chewton has been nominated for a state environmental award for our outstanding curriculum work in sustainability. We participated in developing the education department’s Sustainability policy and were filmed for the DET website. We are also being nominated for a National Reconciliation Award for leading the Reconciliation Walk last year. Please join us on June 1st at 10am to walk this year. We would love to see all of Chewton come to join us.

Grand opening

Our renovations are finally complete! Our official opening is 5 May at 9:30am and we welcome visitors. Come and have a look: we have the honour board back up and everything is looking absolutely stunning!

Education Week Open Day

We have our annual open day on Wednesday 17th May 9-11am and would like to see lots of families come to look at our amazing school and what we have to offer! If you know a family with a child who will be starting school next year, please let them know! If you are unable to come in this time, please ring and book a tour.

Look out for us on Instagram and Facebook. There are always updates on the fantastic things we offer! Bernadette. The school garden cook up

Chewton Domain Society (CDS)

The Chewton Domain Society Management Committee had an entertaining meeting in April. Whilst much of the conversation centred around managing the community public toilets and the park, other business was kept ticking along.

There has been a number of new CDS members which is great and a letter welcoming these new members will be sent out explaining some of the benefits to both them and to the society itself. There were also some welcome donations that will enable the volunteer committee to continue looking after the properties under our custodianship.

A submission to the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program Round 8 for painting the public toilets was submitted and we now have to wait to see if it was successful.

The Bendigo Historical Society is planning to commemorate the 170 year anniversary of the much undervalued Red Ribbon Rebellion and Bendigo Petition in August this year as part of acknowledging the story of the road to democracy in Australia’s history. The anniversary has been celebrated in the past in a fairly low key way and the plan for this 170 anniversary year is to celebrate it in a manner more appropriate to its importance as the instigator of the first Victorian Constitution and significant changes to the gold license system. More information will be made available as plans develop.

Property management of the park was interesting. Committee members had an on-site meeting with MASC Parks and Gardens staff to work out how the area of the park that is now recognised as being under council management will actually be managed. After discussions it appears that MASC Parks and Gardens will maintain the area including the fence (one section currently broken), install low bollards to indicate the boundary, maintain the roadside verge along the Pyrenees Highway and Fryers Road to Cribbes Street and will report the rubbish bin missing from the BBQ area.

With the public toilets saga, the CDS has requested a meeting to discuss with MASC the future management of this facility. The volunteer CDS Management Committee asked some questions for clarification mainly centred on whose role and responsibility it is for maintaining, repairing and financing these community public toilets? After recent sewer blockages where the toilets had to be closed until repaired, a handwritten note was found in the adjacent BBQ area which made all the volunteers on the CDS Management Committee question the role of a volunteer:

I also get bitter when I can’t use the sh#*ter

It brews back up at you like a vile brown stream

Now volunteers of Chewton

Try and keep it clean!!!

So cop that you Chewton volunteers!

The sign on the Ellery Park BBQ (above) obviously “inspired” someone who was inconvenienced by not being able to use a temporarily closed convenience!

Mount Alexander Photographic Society

(MAPS)

MAPS guest speaker on April the 25th was field naturalist Geoff Park, who gave us a fantastic presentation on his world of Bird Photography. The Chewton Town Hall was buzzing with bird lovers and photographers alike, keen to know Geoff’s secrets.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved and all those who attended - it made it a wonderful night,” president Harley Parker said.

Many people follow Geoff’s blogs (and photographs!) on Natural Newstead https://geoffpark.wordpress.com/

Mount Alexander Photographic Society Inc. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1566703736941660/

Phoenix Chewton Country Women’s Association

Autumn my favourite time of year

It doesn’t matter where you travel to in Australia, there is something soft, gentle and beautiful about autumn. Here in Chewton, it’s a perfect time for walks and picnics without the heat of summer and the multiple layers of clothing for winter. The trees are putting on their show of fabulous colours and the birds seem to be a little more active as they prepare for winter.

Perfect picnic weather, can be a thermos of tea on a bench, after school treats on a blanket or discovering some of our uniue landscapes and history on the weekend.

Here’s a guide to some awesome spots. Pack some sandwiches or a bbq chicken pasta salad, a thermos and some treats and enjoy this special time of year.

https://www.goldfieldsguide.com.au/blog/136/bestpicnic-spots-in-the-central-goldfields

May means Mother’s Day

If you need some inspiration, Phoenix Chewton CWA will have lots of yummy things and gifts at our stall outside the newsagent in Castlemaine on Saturday morning the 13th of May. We’d love to meet you and I’m sure you’ll find just the thing for mum.

I reckon most mums would love breakfast in bed and time with the family. A card (particularly if it’s hand made by younger children) will be treasured; slippers, flowers and a lovely day out with a picnic is perfect. Above all, they want to spend a relaxed time with you.

Here’s a few ideas that won’t cost the earth but will be very much appreciated, starting with delicious pancakes for breakfast!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of self-raising flour

• 1/3 cup of caster sugar

• 1 cup of milk

• 1 cup of water

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 30 grams of butter

• 1 tbs vegetable oil

Method:

https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064867203428

Sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the sugar. Gradually whisk in the combined milk, water, eggs and oil. Give it a good hard whisk getting rid of any lumps and put it in a jug.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan on medium heat. Wipe out the excess butter with a paper towel and then pour into the pan giving it a swirl. Cook for a few minutes until bubbles appear and then flip it over and cook for a couple of minutes on the other side.

Put them on a plate and keep them warm with a clean tea towel and repeat

Top with any combination of honey, maple syrup, vanilla yoghurt, bananas and berries.

YUM !!!

We always welcome new members and you can come and meet us before you decide to join. We meet most Tuesdays at the Chewton Town Hall. Contact Jenny Howe or email phoenixchewtoncwa@gmail.com

Madeleine

A new serialised book started last month...

Keep track of the spirit, the progress and the pages in coming months until we run out of puff!

At 4:30 P.M. mum and dad Thompson climbed into my cab and took charge of me. Mum slowly raised the steam level and I gradually came to life. All my metal parts began to sing in harmony. I gave a loud musical whistle and made a cloud of steam in excitement. It was a warning that I was about to take off. The big wide doors of my shed were about to be flung open. A n d o p e n t h e y w e r e .

P 05

Collect all 15 pages to get a chance to win a jigsaw puzzle of this book.

We’ll be steaming back on time next month...

Real Estate Round Up

There have been no Chewton property sales for the past month. Is this a correction in the market after the heady real estate frenzy during the Covid lock-down era? At the time of preparing this report, here is the Round Up for May.

Belle Property:

• 28B Steele St, 691m2 vacant land. Clear block in a nice pocket of Chewton. $260,000

• 1 Adelaide St, 1,350m2 vacant land overlooking Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park. Mains services nearby. $325,000

• There are also several bush blocks available on the Vaughan/ Chewton Rd zoned Farm Zone which may or may not gain approval for building.

Bush Blocks and Buildings:

• 9 Pitman St, unusual opportunity to complete a renovation and extension to a California Bungalow home. The current 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home has plans and approvals for a large living room, kitchen, bathroom and laundry extension. The flat block is 1,287m2. $690,000

Cantwell Property Castlemaine:

• NEW - 30 Archers Rd, a large parcel of land, ready to build with power, water and sewer. There is a large dam and building envelope together with a lovely outlook over a bushy landscape with views to Mt Alexander. Land size is just over 1.8 acres or 7362m2. $445,000

• REDUCED - 21 Browns Ave, elevated brick home on 1,320m2 block, overlooking the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. Features central open plan living, dining, kitchen, with high end finishes. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double garage, carport, water tanks. Energy saving features include solar back to grid, double glazing, good insulation and split systems in all bedrooms as well as living spaces. $850,000

• 172 Main Rd. 1,113m2 residential block with uninterrupted views over Forest Creek and Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. There is a large workshop with high ceiling, a partially concreted floor. 3 phase power and water tank. $395,000

Castlemaine Property Group:

• NEW - 65 Main Rd, 615m2 residential land with Crown Land or road reserves on all sides offers a greater sense of space. All mains services available. Close to town services and walking trails. $259,000

Keogh Real Estate:

• 61 Main Rd. 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home in need of renovation. 1000m2 block in 2 allotments has scope for subdivision (STCA). $495,000

Jellis Craig:

• 116 Fryers Rd, 1,034m2 township zoned block with Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park along the rear boundary. Water and sewer connected and power nearby. Planning permit in place with Mt Alexander Shire Council and house, garage and studio plans have been drawn up which can be viewed upon request. $298,000 to $320,000

PRD Bendigo:

• 115 Miners Hut Road. This property has breathtaking views. The 2 storey home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, extensive use of stunning natural timbers, quality fittings and fixtures and extensive outdoor entertaining decks. There is a second dwelling on the large 36,422m2 block. The second dwelling has a kitchen, bathroom and various other rooms. The property is off-grid and has a well set up alternative power system. $1,500,000

Services at St John’s for May

• Saturday 6th, 5pm Eucharist

• Saturday 13th, 5pm Eucharist

• Saturday 20th, 5pm Eucharist.

• Saturday 27th, 5pm Eucharist

“Into the Silence” - silence meditation continues 2.55pm until 4pm each Monday.

Jackie McMaster.

Prologue

A poem is something

Be it the sum of nothing

Something about nothing Or something about something.

It might be the sum of things Where the sum is nothing Or the sum is some thing about the sum of things.

So here’s the thing

A poem is something About something Or nothing about Something Or something about Nothing.

@theozgreeenman

Cockatoo

Autumn days are here for all

The rain clouds hear the call

But on my roof is

Screech of white and yellow

A truly cheeky fellow

Sentinel on the roof

Alert and aloof

Cockatoo is his name

Mayhem the game

Trees trimmed by the bite

And then up and take flight

@theozgreenman

Black Cockatoo

Where Bushlands abound

Two black cockatoos

Circling, found

A moments respite

With the heating up day

Leaving weary night

Behind

Two jaunty yellow tails

With graceful wings

Screeching across valley

It lightens my heart

To hear them sing

@theozgreenman

Welcome visitor!

Although we have always heard the sounds and occasionally sighted koalas here, as ex-patriots David Watson and Jenny Jarman would testify, it seems possible that the koalas have been travelling through the bushlands often along the roads from the Bush Sanctuary Road Reserve all the way to the Rankine Road/Bushmans Track Parks Victoria Reserve. Spotted by Joel Bloom on a night walk, he has been monitoring the situation. Currently the residents of the Chewton Bushlands are looking for some advice about the safety of the koalas and are now looking at purchasing signs to put on private land with owners approval to alert drivers to the possibility of koalas crossing the road but hope to do this with advice and approval from Parks Vic. With many thanks to Joel!

Antoinette Birkenbeil.

Who would have guessed?

We advertised Samsara as our film for March as a beautiful film, made in 25 countries on 5 continents.

Instead, unbeknownst to everyone, we had bought a totally different film of the same name. Who would have guessed there were two films of the same name?

So, we watched the other Samsara filmed in 2001 and set in Ladakh, India.

This Samsara told the story of Tashi who had spent his life from the age of 5 as a monk. We meet him when he is removed by his seniors after completing 3 years and 3 months in a cave in isolated meditation. On return to the monastery, Tashi is advised to leave for a time and learn something of secular life. This Tashi does in spectacular fashion, falling in love, marrying and creating a family.

The film was memorable and extremely well acted by debut actors. Our audience was very understanding and accepted our mistake, with a red faced apology from our President. The second Samsara scored extremely well with our Star Box ratings.

Our next film, to be shown on Thursday 4th May is Ida’. Ironically Ida has a similar theme to Samsara 2. Ida/Anna is a novice nun having lived her life in a Catholic convent and now a novice nun about to take her final vows. Anna is sent by her mother superior to an aunt called Wanda, who knows her family history. Together they go on a journey, searching for information about Anna’s parents.

The film is set in the 1960s in Poland. Shot in black and white the 2014 film is now considered a masterpiece. Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski who also wrote the script with Rebecca Lenkieicz, the film has won an Acadamy award for best foreign language film in 2015. Pawlikowski became Poland’s first Oscar winner with Ida.

Margot Ryan.

If you are interested in joining Chewton Film Society, you can fill in the membership form on our website: www.chewtonfilmsociety.wordpress.com, or call Margot on 0407 533 339

May Concerts at Yandoit Cultural

Return Concert with Ceridwen McCooey and Darcy King

When: Saturday May 6th, at 6pm

Where: Yandoit Cultural- the old church in the bushUniting church road, (off High St), Yandoit

After a packed house and standing ovation at their concert last year Ceridwen, on cello, and Darcy, on classical guitar, are returning for another fabulous concert on Saturday May 6th at 6pm.

Ceridiwen McCooey is both cellist and composer and together with Darcy King’s classical guitar they are a formidable duo. Both Ceridwen and Darcy are graduates of Melbourne’s Conservatorium of Music and soon leave Australia to pursue postgraduate studies

They will present a new varied repetoire of contemporary classical music from around the globe as well as a series of Ceridwen’s own compositions for solo cello and electronics from her upcoming album.

Hymn and Her Ensemble

When: Saturday May 20th, 4pm

Where: Yandoit Cultural- the old church in the bushUniting church road, (off High St), Yandoit

New Yandoit residents Harmony Byrne and David Elias, in collaboration with Serene Byrne & Gabriel Kenner - Hymn and Her Ensemble - will present an acoustic performance consisting of vocals, acoustic guitar, flute and cello on Saturday May 20th at 4pm. Together they offer honest folk, bluesy songs of contemplation and country campfire vibes. Join us in supporting these fabulous young musicians.

Entry by donation.

Bookings essential: Contact Alison King on 0415 555 081 or email ycfcpg@gmail.com

Entry by donation.

Bookings- Contact Alison King on 0415 555 081 or email ycfcpg@gmail.com

Grevillea Alpina sighted on Post Office Hill

Council has awarded grants to 18 community groups...

Community choir workshops, radio programming for people with disabilities, and funding to promote mental health initiatives are some of the local projects funded through the latest round of Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Community Grants program.

Council has awarded grants to 18 community groups who will share in almost $50,000 to deliver projects that foster connection and community across the shire.

One of the community projects that this round of funding will support is the Harcourt Valley Landcare Group, who are expanding their online presence to reach more members of the Harcourt community.

Another group to receive funding is Castlemaine Safe Space, a community-led opendoor centre that welcomes people in emotional distress. They’ll be using their funding to get the word out about their services.

Some of the other groups include Sunstone InDidj’n’Us, the Solomon Islander Castlemaine Community Choir who will be hosting workshops, Queer Book Club, who will be establishing their club and reaching out to the local LGBTIQA+ community, and Maldon Athenaeum Library, who will be developing a welcoming space for their residents.

This round of grants has been awarded to a number of not-for-profit organisations, local clubs and community groups. Together they present a diverse range of projects and opportunities that focus on access and inclusion, and community outreach, all of which will benefit residents across the shire.

Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Rosie Annear, said that Council is proud to be able to support

local community groups.

“Our shire is incredibly supportive and communityfocused, and it’s heartening to see so many groups fostering connection. These grants go a long way to helping new community groups get projects up and running, as well as ensuring that long-term groups continue to thrive. Congratulations to all our grant recipients. I’m excited to see these amazing projects come to life.”

Council offers two rounds of Community Grants every year. The next round of grants opens on Monday 17 July 2023.

Taken from a Press Release.

Walking together - towards Makarrata

Makarrata = ‘coming together after a struggle, facing the facts of wrongs and living again in peace.’

Reconciliation

Reconciliation Week will run from 27th May - 4th June following Sorry Day on 26th May. This year’s theme is...

‘Be a voice for generations. Act today for a reconciled tomorrow’

The theme hints at an important question being put to us in a referendum this year, but also invites us to consider these ideas from multiple perspectives. On the 24th of March, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the question to be asked at the upcoming referendum.

‘A proposed law: To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?’

At a federal level Australia does not currently have an advisory body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people regarding laws and policies that impact them. While the Voice’s composition, functions, powers and procedures can be changed by successive governments, its existence would be enshrined. This means that unlike previous government bodies such as ATSIC, this body can be changed but not readily scrapped, and successive governments can be held to account by the people.

In hearing diverse voices with diverse platforms, the asking of one question results in the asking of many. The Referendum prompts us to enrich our personal understanding and our deeper social and cultural fabric. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are underrepresented in this referendum, this is about their voice. We are called to listen and grow our understanding of the complex history of the long journey towards reconciliation across this vast continent.

Lilla Watson, activist, academic and artist, often credited with the following words, attributed these to the collective voice of an Aboriginal Rights group in Queensland in the early 1970s that she was part of.

“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

Systemic and institutional racism continues in homes, workplaces, schools, legal systems and other institutions. Assimilation is still often confused for reconciliation. White supremacy and colonisation continue.

We live on the lands of the oldest surviving cultures in the world, with deeply held laws and customs. Precolonisation, this continent had over 250 distinct language groups. First Nations People have lived here for over 65,000 years, or from a First Nations People’s perspective - time immemorial.

Reconciliation embraces the rich connectedness embedded in First Peoples’ notions of ‘Country’ which includes the living systems that we ultimately depend on. It is in our interest to listen to First Custodians of these unceded lands we tread, honouring Country, responding to climate change, and living sustainably.

The Uluru Statement From The Heart calls for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to be embedded in the Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to guide truth telling and bring us closer to treaty. Importantly, reconciliation occurs at every level of government and society and the journey to Voice, Treaty, and Truth may not be so linear.

In May 2021 in Victoria a formal truth telling process the “Yoorook Justice Commission” was established. Further work is being done through the First People’s Assembly towards Treaty.

In 1987 a Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was established. We are yet to see all recommendations followed despite the ongoing disproportionate Aboriginal deaths in custody.

The Bringing Them Home Report was tabled in Federal Parliament on 26 May 1997. 26 years on and twelve years since the National Apology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still 10.6 times more likely than non-Indigenous children to be removed from their families.

Our actions do not only affect First Nations People’s story but, ultimately, all of us. Here is a call to non-First Nations People to amend personal constitutions considering one’s culture, history and future responsibilities. There remains a considerable amount of work to do for us to be a voice for generations and act today for a reconciled tomorrow.

Watch for the Nalderun program of events happening locally for Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week.

This article was prepared by a member of Friends of Nalderun. Nalderun is a service that supports the Aboriginal Community, led by Aboriginal people. Many people and organisations in the Mount Alexander Shire contribute to Nalderun; the name is a Dja Dja Wurrung word meaning “all together”.

More information can be found at www.nalderun.net.au

Floria Maschek.

“Scene” and snapped around Chewton...

Always a great start to the day when the locals are soaking up the sunshine and solitude. This went on Facebook and was immediately matched by Julie Millowick’s resting group...

An interesting observation in Castlemaine - both EV charging stations were in use at the same time! And Australia’s first EV fast charging station with a tap and go payment system is now up and running in Bicheno, Tasmania. Things are moving...

This post went on Facebook and has attracted 8,799 views to date! Things are moving...

The last few weeks have seen many more walkers and visitors exploring and appreciating the tracks and surrounds of the Garfield waterwheel - and the spreading wattle is coming to the party to welcome them...

What a farewell! Liam’s last day at the Servo and Chewton turned out to say au revoir - and thanks! The crowd said it all really - and these photos were taken early. The numbers kept growing as the light faded!

Those red spider mites are hanging in there! This web full of the little munchers is at the base of Argus Hill, and it appears the gorse is growing and spreading faster than the little fellers can chomp.

And speaking of weeds, hasn’t the recent growth of gorse and blackberry been prolific! What a fire season we might face next summer unless land managers and government agencies start to make inroads into the “spread” well before that fire season draws near...

That bridge again... adorned with a political message that incensed so many! It was painted over very, very quickly!

A Brigadoonish image of the Res taken by Kez...

Why do I see and smell smoke??

With fire restrictions easing in some parts of the State, and calm autumn conditions, hundreds of private resident burn-offs, agricultural burns and planned burns are expected to take place over the coming weeks. While current conditions are ideal for burning, weather patterns may cause smoke to linger over parts of the state overnight and through to early morning.

FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said our climate is changing and that means finding the right days for safe and effective planned burning is also changing. Planned burns are a critical part of a statewide bushfire risk management program.

“FFMVic’s number one priority is to protect life, property and the environment from the risk of bushfires, and that is what we will continue to do,” he said. “Reducing fine fuels such as grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and fallen branches means fires are less intense and slower to spread, making it more likely that firefighters can keep bushfires small and contained before they pose a risk to communities. We must go ahead with the planned burning program while conditions are suitable, and it is safe to do so to avoid an increased fire risk in the future. Smoke could be a result of private resident burn-offs, planned burns and agricultural burns. We work closely with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Bureau of Meteorology to keep the smoke impact from planned burns as low as practically possible and inform the community while delivering the program. Victorians can also sign up for planned burn notifications to prepare for any impact on their health or activities.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan urged Victorians to conduct private burn-offs safely. “While the Fire Danger Period has ended in some areas, it is still important that residents check the local conditions are safe and appropriate for burning off – both on the day and the days following,” he said. “When conducting private resident burn-offs, remain alert and always have resources on hand to extinguish the fire. We ask the community to register their burn-off as this ensures if someone reports smoke, the incident can be monitored and acknowledged early. If possible, landowners should also notify their neighbours and others nearby who may be sensitive to smoke so they can take necessary precautions.”

Victoria’s Chief Environmental Scientist Professor Mark Patrick Taylor said EPA understands that smoke from planned burns and private burn-offs can cause health concerns and is monitoring air quality across the state. “You can check air quality for your area through our air

monitoring system, EPA AirWatch,” said Professor Taylor. “Your nose is also an excellent smoke detector. If you can

smell smoke, take the necessary precautions to protect your health.”

For the latest information about when and where planned burns are happening near you, visit www. plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au.

Detailed information about current air quality throughout Victoria can be found on EPA’s website.

If you see or smell smoke outside, you should reduce your exposure to smoke by staying indoors and closing your windows and doors – but only if it's safe to do so.

Tips for looking after your health when there is smoke can be found on EPA’s ‘Smoke and your health’ webpage - http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/.../air.../smoke/ smoke-your-health

Keep your burn off safe and legal:

• Check fire restrictions in your area and always register your burn at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 668 511

• Check and monitor weather conditions – particularly wind

• To avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services, notify your neighbours beforehand

• Leave a three-metre fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn

• Have sufficient equipment and water to stop the fire spreading

• Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay for its entire duration

• If your burn-off gets out of control, call ‘000’ immediately.

Taken from a Press Release.

Hand made timber nesting boxes - includes mounting fittings. These are being sold at the cost of materials price point only. It is a not for profit exercise with the aim to distribute lots of new wildlife homes throughout the Goldfields!

0412 339 617

Photo: abc.net.au

We’ve seen bird obsevational work from Tavish Bloom in the Chat before, and he has led bird observation walks on Post Office Hill Reserve for POHAGGERS that have been featured in the Chat... now check out his Youtube channel

Council’s 2023/24 proposed budget:

Initiatives that increase flood protection, replacement of existing bridges, a celebration for local businesses, and significant investment in improving facilities at recreation reserves across the shire are some of the highlights of Mount Alexander Shire Council’s proposed budget for 2023/2024. Other features include an increase in Christmas decorations and celebrations for the shire, a new climate initiative to off-set emissions, upgrades to the Frederick Street precinct in Castlemaine, and resources to continue to make local roads safer.

The proposed budget was presented to Council for review at its meeting on Tuesday 18 April, prior to being placed on public exhibition.

Of a planned total spend of $48.45 million for the financial year, $14.50 million is allocated to improve infrastructure, as well as investment to improve our community facilities.

Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Councillor Rosie Annear, said the proposed budget was developed following extensive community input. “As part of the budget process, community members have opportunities to provide submissions about what their priorities are. Our decisions around where to allocate funding have been informed by what we’ve heard from our community, and I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to put funding towards some of the suggested ideas and priority areas. The Newstead community told us we need to do more to keep their properties safe from flooding, and that’s what we’re doing. We’ve allocated funding to improve the flood levee in the township, as well as replace the flood levee gate, along with progressing levee construction works in Castlemaine and Campbells Creek. We’ve heard that residents want to see more Christmas decorations and celebrations during the festive season, and this financial year we’ve committed to doing more to spread

Christmas cheer within our shire.”

“Our community has told us how much they value our sporting facilities, so we’ve prioritised spending to upgrade and maintain them, as well as making sure that facilities suit everyone’s needs. On this, we’ll be constructing temporary all-gender change rooms at both Camp Reserve and Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve. These new facilities will help create a safe, respectful and equitable environment for all users, improving access for more people to get involved in local sport. We’ll also be constructing a much-needed new netball court at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve. This is something that our sporting community has been strongly advocating for, for some time, and I’m incredibly pleased that we’re able to fund this project in this year’s budget.

One of our projects from last year’s budget that we’ll be continuing to help develop is the construction of a new youth space in Taradale. This was an idea brought to us by young people from the town, and this financial year we’re aiming to start construction, which is really exciting, too!

We’re also continuing to progress Council’s work on affordable housing solutions – a priority for all Councillors,” said Mayor Annear.

The proposed budget includes an increase to average rates income of 3.5%, in line with the rate cap set by the Victorian Government.

Waste charges have been increased by 1.0%, to reflect the rising costs of waste management.

“Making decisions on rates and service charges is never easy, and Councillors have spent much time discussing, and thinking on, what is appropriate for our community and what is financially sustainable for the organisation”, said Mayor Annear. “For most local governments, the reality of operating under ratecapping, with the cost of materials and services skyrocketing, and with increasing responsibilities and expectations from various levels of government, and the community, means that we do not have enough funds to do the work that everyone would like us to do. It also means that we’re having to make increasingly hard decisions when developing the budget – something we have wrestled with and take seriously. That said, we’ve developed a balanced budget, one that I’m proud to work with my fellow Councillors and staff to deliver. I encourage residents to read through our draft budget to see the areas where we’ll be focusing our investment over the next twelve months. I hope you’re able to appreciate all the good things we’re funding in the year ahead – big and small. You can also have a say on the budget priorities, either in support or, to suggest further ideas for consideration.”

Some highlights of the capital works program include:

• A number of recreation projects including construction of additional changerooms and installation of sports lighting at the Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve, creating a youth space at Taradale including a playground renewal, and a lighting upgrade at the Harcourt Recreation Reserve.

• Installation of temporary change facilities at Camp Reserve and the Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve, while we work to upgrade facilities at these sites over the next few years.

• Installation of new netball court at the Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve*

• Progressing multi-year projects including the Castlemaine and Campbells Creek levees, restoring the former Wesleyan Church in Chewton, and the Frederick Street upgrade.

Other new and continuing initiatives to help fulfil Council’s vision of ‘working together for a healthy, connected shire’ include:

• Increasing to the budget allocation to a number of tree management programs, to ensure best practice tree management is occurring and to mitigate potential risks associated with trees in public places.

• Introducing new budget allocations to:

• Implement Council’s Disability Action Plan (2022-2026), to improve accessibility and inclusion for people living with a disability.

• Implement strategies contained within Council’s Early Years Plan 2022-2026, which focuses on children aged 0-8 and their families.

New Advisory Group

Mount Alexander Shire Council has recently appointed a Project Advisory Group to oversee the Castlemaine Heritage Study. The study aims to identify, assess and protect places and objects that are significant to the history and development of the shire and Victoria.

Creek*

• Continuation of annual renewal and replacement programs across a range of assets including community buildings, plant and machinery, swimming pools, road re-sheeting and resealing.

• Several minor projects, including the bell mouth sealing program, and for Newstead, construction of a storage shed at the recreation reserve.

• Investigation of installation of outdoor exercise equipment in Newstead and one other site across the shire.

• Start investigation and design for a section of the flood levee*, and replacing a flood gate, both at Newstead.

N.B. Asterisked projects are subject to external funding. Government funding: Council has been proactive and successful in sourcing grant income to help fund our capital works program. Council expects to receive $6.97 million from both the State and Federal governments for a number of projects, including round 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

• Delivering the bi-annual Mount Alexander Business Awards to encourage, promote, and celebrate business excellence within the shire.

Copies of the proposed budget 2023/2024 can be viewed at Castlemaine’s Civic Centre, or online at www.shape.mountalexander.vic. gov.au

Feedback on the proposed budget can be made using the online survey at the link above or by email to info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or by post to:

2023/2024 Budget, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Alexander Shire Council, PO Box 185, Castlemaine VIC 3450.

Submissions must be in writing and lodged by 5.00pm on Wednesday 10 May 2023.

Submitters will have the opportunity to address their submissions at a Special Meeting of Council on Tuesday 23 May. Council will seek to adopt the budget at the June Council Meeting.

The Project Advisory Group is made up of six community members with a diverse set of skills and experience, including architecture, history, heritage and archaeology. The group will represent the wider community and work with Council over the various stages of this longterm study.

The appointments are:

• Donne Fearne

• Kelly Ann Blake

• Luke Stokes

• David Bannear

• Robyn Ballinger

• Giselle Harris

Their overall objective is to:

• Assist with research and give advice on relevant heritage matters

• Help identify emerging heritagerelated issues that may impact the project

• Participate in workshops, meetings and other activities as required. The group is chaired by Mayor, Cr Rosie Annear, who said “Castlemaine’s heritage is a big part of the town’s identity,” said Mayor Annear. “We’re lucky to have engaged and expert community members who are dedicated to protecting its heritage. As the shire grows and develops, we want to ensure that we can both meet housing needs as well as protect heritage places that are important to the community.”

For more about the Castlemaine Heritage Study visit http://www. shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/ castlemaine

Taken from a Press Release.

• Replacement of two bridges –James Bridge on Myrtle Creek and Burgoyne Street Bridge at Vaughan over Fryers

Lifecycle Gym & Massage

732 Pyrenees Hwy, Chewton

Join Carl & Maree Harris in improving your health & wellbeing and strive to be the best you can be. At Lifecycle Gym we welcome everybody, allowing all clients to feel welcome & comfortable regardless of shape size age or fitness level.

We Offer

• Membership plans from $13.50 per week (Pensioners $12.00 per week)

• Personal training & fitness programs developed specifically for your goals.

• Up to date maintained equipment

• Lifecycle Gym is fully air conditioned & open every day of the year

• Massage on site or we can come to you, Certificate 4 & Diploma qualified.

Gym & Massage - 0438 246 164

Email chewtongym@outlook.com Web www.lifecyclegym.net

Lifecycle Gym is a pin code entry system and staffed part time so calling first is recommended.

Dhelkaya Health’s April Jardine finalist for Midwife of the Year

April Jardine, Dhelkaya Health Midwifery Clinical Coordinator and Educator, has been shortlisted as a finalist ahead of the 2023 HESTA Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards. Ms Jardine has been nominated for her outstanding contribution to improving health outcomes for local women and is one of nine finalists in the national awards.

Dhelkaya Health CEO Sue Race said: “April is a highly skilled and passionate midwife and nurse whose exceptional leadership has united the midwifery team. She works tirelessly and is devoted to her patients. I am thrilled to see her recognised as a finalist for Midwife of the Year and hope to see her take home the award.”

Ms Jardine has been recognised as the driving force behind the implementation of Dhelkaya Health’s innovative Midwifery Group Practice model. She played a pivotal part in encouraging women to take part in studies evaluating women’s views and experiences of maternity care in Castlemaine. The model was recently evaluated by La Trobe University and has proved to be highly valued by women in the area and improved care outcomes.

Ms Jardine said: “I feel extremely humbled to be recognised in the 2023 HESTA Australia Nursing and Midwifery Awards. To be a part of reshaping a suspended rural service with community input, and successfully relaunching a local maternity service where so many have been closed, has been a very rewarding experience. It has been fulfilling to support the community’s priority to safely birth locally, and feedback surveys are overwhelmingly positive. I am proud that Dhelkaya Health’s Maternity Service offers women in the region the gold standard of midwifery-led continuity of care, and enables midwives to work to their full scope and achieve career satisfaction.”

Winners of the 2023 HESTA Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards will be revealed on 16 May 2023 at an Awards ceremony in Sydney.

For more information about Dhelkaya Health’s Maternity Service visit dhelkayahealth.org.au/ maternity. To read about the 2023 HESTA Australian Midwifery Awards finalists visit hestaawards.com.au

Taken from a Press Release.

Artistic Interest sought:

Mount Alexander Shire Council is calling for local artists and organisations to express their interest in exhibiting their work as part of the 2023-2024 Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer Exhibition Program. The Phee Broadway Theatre, which is located on Mechanics Lane in Castlemaine, is a community gathering place, where creativity is fostered, people connect, and shared narratives are explored.

Council’s Manager of Economy and Culture, Merryn Tinkler, said that this program is a great way for Council to support local artists.

“The foyer of the Phee Broadway Theatre is a highly-used community area, which makes it perfect as an exhibition space,” said Ms Tinkler. “We’re lucky here in Mount Alexander Shire to have a talented and engaged community of artists, and we’re proud to be able to support them with a free space to showcase their work in a professional setting. We had an amazing selection of work exhibited through the program last year. We showcased drawings, printmaking, woven tapestry and videography – to name a few! We’re currently seeking expressions of interest from all sectors of our artistic community, and we’re looking forward to seeing what our local artists have in store.”

Expressions of interest at now open and close on Friday 12 May at 5.00pm, with the first exhibition in the program set to open to the public in June.

To find out more and apply, visit the Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer page of our website or email us at arts@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Taken from a Press Release.

CASTLEMAINE FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB

May Meeting and Presentation on Friday May 12th at 7.30 pm and will be at the Uniting Church hall.

Speaker will be Lisa Cox

“Coliban Water’s biodiversity program”

EXCURSION: Saturday May 13th leaving 1.30pm to McCay Reservoir

Leader: Kylie McLennan (Coliban Water)

PO BOX 324, CASTLEMAINE 3450

http://castlemainefnc.wordpress.com/

...Max and Gaylene Lesser!

Occasions like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day don’t just happen in Chewton - there’s planning, preparation and organizing involved. Fortunately, Chewton has two who continually step up to the plate!

Two of Julie Millowick’s earlier Chewton Anzac Day photos

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A CDS subcommittee of John Ellis (Ed.), Gloria Meltzer, Debbie Hall, Phil Hall, Glen Harrison, Jackie McMaster and Beverley Bloxham is responsible for the publication. Many volunteers help with production and circulation. It is circulated on the first of each month, necessitating a deadline of about the 22nd of the month before. Material can be left at the Chewton Service Station, with any of the sub-committee members, sent by e-mail chewtonchateditor@gmail.com or by contacting 5472 2892.

Contributions of ideas, news items, articles, and letters are always welcome; as are advertisements that help meet monthly production costs. Circulation is via Chewton Post Office, Cuppa Chewton, Chewton Service Station, Red Hill Hotel and Grist in Wesley Hill as well as the Castlemaine Library, Market Building and Castlemaine Office Supplies. Mt. Alexander Hospital Residential receives monthly copies too. Whilst copies are free, there are donation tins at many collection points and donations can be mailed to the CDS address below. Subscriptions for mailed copies can be arranged. Circulation is now 600. A full colour Chewton Chat can also be read each month on www.issuu.com - as can some earlier issues. The State Library of Victoria has all issues digitally available at https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ and search “Chewton Chat”.

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The Chewton Chat wishes to advise that the views or remarks expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the editor, the management team or the Chewton Domain Society and no endorsement of service is implied by the listing of advertisers, sponsors or contributors.

A warmer April Autmn

It feels like it has been a fine dry autumn, maybe because we didn’t have a hot dry summer against which to be contrasted. Autumn has sort of crept up on us. The local vineyards are losing their summer greens to turn various shades of yellow and brown, some making out as darker shades of red. There are even grapes to be harvested, still garnered under nets to deter the birds from their share. Elsewhere the natural landscape turns from greeny-grey to yellow, and the gardens of exotic trees are going from green to yellow and crimson.

Perhaps this month’s not-yet-quite-chilly days are also a product of a less than usual summer rainfall and temperature range. Our average annual rainfall of around five hundred millimetres (half a metre) is often supplied to us in monthly dumps of 40 to 80 millimetres. This month I was surprised to read that I have recorded 89 millimetres in my rain-gauge. Most of it arrived between the 7th and 14th days of the month, during which days temperatures were in the mid-teen range, interspersed with the odd twenty-plus degree day to keep everything confused. Since then the temperatures in the upper teens and lower twenties have made for some weeks of really pleasant weather, often aided by little or no wind that has resulted in the raising of a sweat when getting the garden patch prepared with winter vegies.

So, eighty-nine millimetres of precipitation over ten days of the month, with a highest fall of 24 millimetres in one day. No halfway measures of ‘not-

sufficient-to-record’.

The days have been, on many occasions, quite delightful. The daytime temperature has ranged from a low of 13.8 degrees Celsius (in the middle of the wet spell), to a daytime high of 25.3 degrees C. This occured very early in the month when we were still getting used to the idea that we had had our summer. The average daytime temperature was 19 degrees Celsius, with a mode of 14.4 degrees C. In total we had eleven days when the temperature rose above 20 degrees Celsius. Perhaps the last few days that were part of the latest ‘warm’ group of days is top of memory.

The night-time temperatures have been rather more ‘mixed’. For the first few nights of the month we were still in double-digit territory, but that soon disappeared as the month advanced. The highest overnight temperature that I have recorded is 12.7 degrees Celsius. The lowest overnight temperature for the month was just 1.5 degrees Celsius, occurring about 6.30 one morning. The coldest part of the day is usually between 0600 and 0700 hours in the morning, however it can chill off in the evening and occur around midnight.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) outlook for the next few months is for a neutral ENSO (neither El Niño nor La Niña), and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole. The Bureau predicts drier and warmer months ahead.

John Leavesley.

Calendar of Events

May 4th Chewton Film Society screening of Ida (see page 24).

May 5th Grand Opening of the Chewton School renovations at 9.30 a.m. (see page 15).

May 6th Eucharist Service 5 p.m., St John’s Anglican Church, Chewton.

May 6th Chewton Community BBQ 6 p.m., Ellery Park.

May 10th MASC Budget submissions close 5 p.m. (see page 35).

May 13th Post Office Hill working bee (see page 13).

May 13th Eucharist Service 5 p.m., St John’s Anglican Church, Chewton.

May 14th POHAG Meeting 10 a.m., Chewton Town Hall (see page 13).

May 15th Chewton Domain Society Management Committee meeting 5 p.m., Chewton Town Hall.

May 16th MAS Council Meeting 6.30 p.m., Civic Centre, Castlemaine.

May 17th Chewton School Education Week Open Day 9 – 11 a.m. (see page 15).

May 20th Eucharist Service 5 p.m., St John’s Anglican Church, Chewton.

May 24th Deadline for the June Chewton Chat.

May 25th Closing date for Jirrahlinga Caption Competition (see page 11).

May 26th Sorry Day (see page 29).

May 27th Start of Reconciliation Week (see page 29).

May 27th Eucharist Service 5 p.m., St John’s Anglican Church, Chewton.

May 31st Distribution of the June Chewton Chat.