LAKE BARTLETT OVER THE YEARS TATURA RSL

By the time of publication of the April edition of the Bulletin, Anzac Day will have come and gone. It is hopeful that all will have gone well.

In March, Tatura RSL, got the green light to relocate to the building within the Private Robert Mactier VC Memorial Gardens. This building is well known as the Senior Citizens and is part of the assets belonging to the Shepparton Council. This is a shared facility with the Senior Citz, that Council not only endorsed but is also in keeping with their philosophy of sharing buildings. Other committees and clubs also use this facility for meetings. The Tatura RSL membership look forward to this new venture, having what is considered to be many advantages. The Tatura RSL once again is being progressive in its outlook to better enhance its profile in a unsurpassed location and within the precinct of the statue of Private Robert Mactier VC. The shared Senior Citizens and RSL building is located at the physical and postal address of number 2 Memorial Place where there is a mailbox located adjacent the footpath. Please feel free to place correspondence therein for both tenants to receive.

The Tatura RSL membership is very mindful of the Mechanics building being its club rooms for many years. This building was erected in 1881 and since then has had many and varied occupants. An RSL honour board indicates in 1920 the president was A. Rettick, with the secretary being D. Mactier. In the past there has been a change of locations for the Tatura RSL within the Mechanics building, however I am not aware of any other locations where the Tatura RSL clubrooms were located. It appears the Tatura RSL has had its club rooms at the Mechanics’ building for over 100 years. I feel a little nostalgic, however the RSL Club itself is still here in Tatura and must take every advantage to encourage new membership and keep positive and continue. The Tatura RSL has always had a good respectful relationship with the Civic Halls committee which is a caretaker of that facility for and on behalf of the Tatura citizens. This committee (all volunteers) is worthy of the Tatura community’s support. The Tatura RSL gives thanks and appreciation for that respectful relationship.

I trust everyone had a happy and safe Easter. Lest we forget.

Depending on who you speak to, Lake Bartlett in its current form receives a variety of comments. Speaking to locals, Lake Bartlett has had a multitude of activities performed in, on and surrounding its position in the Tatura township. When completely dry in earlier days, it was the venue for kids on motor scooters to be riding through the dried up lakebed. When full, it has been the venue for regular water activities, including remote control boats and canoeing, particularly by the scouting group. The small island was the venue for wedding photos, parties and who knows how many after dark activities.

Presently, the lake’s boundary is a highly popular walking track (about 1.7km around both lakes) for people and particularly the dog walking fraternity. Now, with a newly established toilet and a free BBQ, it is a popular spot for locals and visitors. Fishing enthusiasts have some success because the lakes are regularly stocked with fingerlings and there have been some good size catches, often caught and released. The Columns Park Walk beside the lake has 26 concrete colonnades depicting town organisations and the 100-year history and lifestyles of Tatura and District, with some having inserted time capsules to be opened on Australia Day, 2050.

One of the biggest issues with the lake is the proliferation of the sedges and grasses taking control over large areas of the lake and particularly the Azolla Red Water Fern. The full coverage of this water fern can stop oxygen diffusion, thus shading out aquatic plants and causing fish and other aquatic death, therefore this issue needs to be addressed to ensure the long-term health of the lake.

The Lake Bartlett 1990's photo was submitted by Ian Deaville - John Crilly