THE
FORREST POST
DECEMBER 2020
FREE
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and waters around us, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. We respect their cultural heritage, knowledge, beliefs, and relationship to this land that was never ceded.
School play an outdoor adventure The Forrest Primary School end of year play is a much anticipated social event and the unpredictability of COVID restrictions threatened to play havoc with arrangements this year. There is nothing quite like a challenge to get everyone thinking creatively and the students, teachers, parents and community enthusiastically pulled together a fantastic outdoor performance. The Forrest Primary Schoolyard Theatre proudly presented 'Sports Day' to an encouraging crowd, with COVID restrictions in place. 'The play was entirely devised by the senior room students, teachers and parents in a very short time frame. Students began with a character, then possible settings and scenarios. We then improvised our scenes from there. We appreciate all the work the students, teachers, parents and volunteers have poured into the show.' Kaz Standish & Leanne Corkran - Teachers.
Senior room students in character
The junior room 'bugs' in action
COVID UPDATE: Victoria moved to the LAST STEP of the COVID roadmap to recovery on 22nd November. www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au for more info There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home. Restrictions on gatherings remain in place (50 outdoor - 15 in home). Face masks must be carried • NO RESTRICTIONS on reasons to leave home and worn indoors (for example, in the supermarket • SPORTS & REC RESUME - number limits apply or on public transport). A mask is not required • VENUES, SHOPS AND FACILITIES restrictions outdoors if you can keep 1.5 metres distance from in place eg. number limits and record keeping others. There will be a phased return to workplaces. • WEAR A MASK - indoors or when not able to If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) get keep at least 1.5m distance tested and stay home if you feel unwell.
FORREST END OF YEAR GET TOGETHER - 4PM @ THE FORREST COMMON
2 THE FORREST POST - DECEMBER 2020
Bushfire Ready Forrest You may have heard the CFA truck doing the rounds of Forrest streets on Sunday 30th November. Even though Santa wasn't on board, dedicated volunteers were handing out treats and important information about how to keep ourselves and our community safe this summer. Quote from Forrest FaceBook page: Hey this was super! Peter Ashton (Forrest CFA) did a great walk through our property to give some really useful advice! Totally convinced to change a few little things but have huge impact, and to not change some things we were planning to! Great work CFA. If you would like specific fire preparation information for your property, Peter Ashton from the Forrest CFA is happy to help. There’s 5 simple steps to prepare for a Bushfire.
1. Know your risk What would a bushfire look like if it came your way this summer? The Forrest and Otway Region is one of the highest bushfire-prone regions in Australia. How will you get out if all the roads are blocked by trees down from strong winds? A bushfire many kilometres away can send burning embers into town. If you need a hand understanding your risk, contact the local CFA or listen to Episode 6 of Forrest’s own Fire and Rain Conversation Series on Spotify. www.fireandrainconversations.org
2. Plan now for what you will do Start by thinking about your family, your pets, and your special things, and what you can do to safeguard against a disaster. • Is your insurance up to date? (do you have full replacement cover?) • Have you got your personal items in a go-bag (passports, bank details, insurance details, photographs, jewellery, special things etc)? • Sit down and talk with your family and plan what you will do • Check in with your neighbours and more vulnerable community members, what is their plan? There are many resources available to help make a plan. The ABC Plan for Emergency is great. www.abc.net.au/ emergency/plan-for-emergency-bushfire/12412042
3. Get your home ready Tidy up before the bushfire season. Do what you can to reduce your bushfire risk. Over 90 percent of houses that burn down are as a result of ember attack. The majority of those are by embers lighting up vegetation around
your home that then ignites the house. Many of these garden fires are small, but they still burn houses down. The good news is that with not too much effort there are things you can do to lower your risk. One simple thing you can do is break the continuous line of fuel to your house. Put a flammable free area around your house. How you store household items around your house is also important. A bit of planning and thought just may save your house in a bushfire. The CFA has many resources to help, checkout their website. www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare
4. Be aware You can’t act if you don’t know what’s happening or when it’s likely to happen. At a minimum you need to know when it is a potential bushfire day. The Fire Danger rating will tell you this. Get to know what they mean. If a fire starts how will you find out? Download the Emergency Vic app. and have other options like ABC radio. Checking outside from time to time is also important.
5. Look out for each other Stay connected and talk to each other. If you hear bad weather is coming, talk to your family, ask your neighbours and friends if they are aware, and plan your days so you can react if need be. Keeping the conversations going can help you, your mental health, and your preparedness. Most of all, be kind to one another.
The Forrest Post is auspiced by the Forrest Men’s Shed. Every effort is made to remain current, accurate and non-partisan. Feedback, submissions and advertising are encouraged. Submissions may be edited. You can request an electronic version by email, find us on Facebook or online at issuu.com/theforrestpost for back issues Contact: theforrestpost@gmail.com Contributors Emma Ashton, Marita Kennedy, Pauline Rostos, David Widdowson, Kinglsey Davidson, Noor Petersen, Nick Romanowski. Design: Gillian Brew Print: Forrest Primary School. All contributions to be received the 22nd of the month.
3
Speaking Up Recently, local lady Susan Langridge ran for council as an independent member for the Colac Otway Shire. Although she wasn't nominated this time around, she came close. It was a big step for a first time independent candidate. She talks to us about her motivation and experiences. What motivated you to want to join the Colac Otway Shire Council? I am part of the Climate Action Team, a local nonpolitical group of citizens concerned about the health of our environment. We spent 5 months collecting 3,249 signatures for a petition to council to acknowledge a state of climate emergency. Our report and petition were taken to the council in February 2020 and should have been discussed at the council meeting in March but was postponed to April, by which time we were in Lockdown, causing the petition to be delayed until the July meeting. We want a commitment to zero carbon emissions by 2030 and 100 % renewable energy by 2025 and included ideas to assist this process. When the time finally came for our petition to be discussed our motions were rewritten incorrectly, resulting in the petition being sidelined. To date, our ideas and petition have not been given their proper airing. I believe that if you're not happy with what your council is doing then get involved. How did you feel going into such a situation? I didn't feel I was very well known so my main focus was to get my face out there. I'm not a very public person so it was difficult to have my face on people's fences! I had to start a website and Facebook page which were new to me. Luckily, I was well supported by good people which gave me confidence to have a go. What do you see as the challenges our shire face? We are dealing with the emissions we created 30 years ago. What will happen in 30 years time when our resources become scarce? How do we respond when bushfires come through? It is not simply a question of driving down carbon emissions. We also need to build our communities, to welcome and keep looking out for disadvantaged people like what we did during Covid. Innovation and creativity are key. How can we generate resources from our waste? Recently, there was a trial for 20 % of the repair of roads to have plastic bags in their mix. It worked well in the trial.. are they still doing it? And now? There are still plenty of things to do. I won't give up or stay quiet. I want everyone to go to www.colacotway. vic.gov.au and complete the survey called Community Consultation Council Budget 2021- 2022. If you want the council to do more eg renewable energy projects, bushfire refuge planning for days of high risk, tree planting, make your submission here. You have until 4th December to have your say. Be Quick! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FXYWRPP
Forrest Primary School student's Christmas Banner
Christmas in Colac Otway Christmas Banners – Murray Street, Colac
Artwork contributed by students in Years 3 to 6 representing ten schools from across Colac Otway has been incorporated into this year’s Christmas Banner collection. The banners are a credit to our talented young artists and from December 1, we encourage everyone living in or visiting Colac for their Christmas shopping to take a stroll and see the colourful Christmas collection.
Decorated Trees – Colac Memorial Square Locally handcrafted and decorated Christmas trees will create a festive feel in Colac’s Memorial Square.
Red Rock's Decorated Hay Bale Trail 2020 Visit https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/UpcomingEvents/Red-Rocks-Decorated-Hay-Bale-Trail-2020 for details.
Colac City Band - Carols By Candlelight 2020 Colac City Band is planning a COVID-safe Carols By Candlelight, with details to come at https://www. colacotway.vic.gov.au/Upcoming-Events/Colac-City-BandCarols-by-Candlelight-2020
Christmas lights Residents across Colac Otway put on a light show like no other community when it comes to Christmas – and we expect this year will be equally as spectacular as previous Decembers! Look out for addresses and information about local Christmas light displays on community Facebook pages.
4 THE FORREST POST - DECEMBER 2020
Forrest & District Neighbourhood House - DEC 2020 COMING UP
REGULAR ACTIVITIES AT THE F&DNH COMMUNITY LUNCH 12.30pm Thursdays: Pick up at the hall or order home delivery. $5 per meal if you can spare it or donation. Please adhere to health and safety measures and physical distancing FOOD SHARE PANTRY: Aldi is closed for renovations until mid December. Foodshare from Colac will continue on a Tuesday. Please adhere to health and safety measures and physical distancing at all times YOUTH GROUP Contact coordinator for more info
BOOKCLUB Xmas gathering 9/12 at 7.30pm at the F&DNH. STUDIO FORREST - now connected online, please enquire if you would like to be a part of this group DANCING: check the Mind Your Groove (MYG) Facebook Group for info of weekly dances and music sharing YOGA: Weekly Zoom Yoga with Amanda. Please see Otway Forrest Yoga Facebook page for more info.
• The F&DNH is now back to usual operating hours and welcoming visitors, participants and volunteers. • Covid safe plan, social distancing, masks and number limits are all in place. • The F&DNH will close for a few weeks over the summer holiday period -------------------------ALDI ‘top up’ boxes are on hold until Aldi reopens after their renovations. •Santa’s Slog Christmas bike ride: Saturday 19th December, 5pm. Leaving from the Forrest Common and concluding with BYO picnic (and Forrest Christmas get together) at the Common Please see our facebook page or email:forrest.nh@gmail.com for info
The F&DNH hopes everyone continues to stay safe during the pandemic. Ways we can reduce our risk include: • maintaining physical distance of 1.5m • wearing a mask inside the F&DNH and other • Washing your hands regularly and for at least businesses, shops etc. 20 seconds • getting tested and isolating if you show symptoms • Regularly sanitizing your hands of Covid-19. LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER, SHARE THE CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND STAY SAFE. Don’t forget to ‘like’ our Facebook page for up to date info and events! facebook.com/forrest.neighbourhoodhouse
Santa's Slog
OPERATING: Tues & Wed 8.30am-3.30pm, Thurs AT THE HALL for lunch, FRI 8.30am-12.30pm. Please contact the coordinator Renee if you have any queries, program requests or would like to run a program T: 5236 6597 E: forrest.nh@gmail.com A: Community Hub - 47 Grant Street, Forrest 3236
We are happy to be back!
Santa's Slog
SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2020: 5PM (RIDE) 6P STARTS AND FINISHES AT THE FORREST COMMON (ST
The F&DNH welcomes everyone DRESS FESTIVE. back after COVID restrictions F A M I SATURDAY L Y F R I E 19TH N D L Y F O R R E2020: ST LOOP ( A P P R O(PICNIC) X 10KM) BIKE have eased. We are so pleased S A T U R D A Y 1 9 T H D EDECEMBER C E M B E R 2 0 2 05 :PM 5 P(RIDE) M ( R I6DPM E) 6PM (PICNIC) B BSTARTS Q PIC NIC A N D AT P LTHE A YFORREST T I M E COMMON T O C E L E(STATION B R A T ESTREET) THE JOLLY to be back in 'house' andS seeing AND FINISHES TARTS A ND F I N I S H E S A T T H E F O R R E S T C O M M O N ( S T A RCEEE A L L C O V I D R E S I R T I C T I O N S A N D G U I D E L I N E S W I L L TBIEO IN N S PT LA regular visitors again.
DRESS FESTIVE D R E S S F E S T I V E .
Thank you to everyone for all of FAMILY FR I E Nfriendly D L Y FForrest O R R loop EST LOOP (APPROX 10KM) BIKE RIDE THEN Family the support this year including B B Q P I C N I C A N D P L A Y IME TO CELEBRATE THE JOLLY TIME OF YE (approx 10 km) bike rideT then volunteers who committed to ALL COVID RESIRTICTIONS AND GUIDELINES WILL BE IN PLACE AT THE TIME. the continuation of programs BYO BBQ picnic and play time to and activities during such a celebrate the jolly time of year! challenging time. All COVID restrictions and guide The F&DNH is open for normal lines will be in place at the time operating hours in December, safely with covid plan in Contact Renee at Forrest place. We will close Neighbourhood House for a few weeks over forrest.nh@gmail.com the summer holidays for more info or phone so keep an eye out for when we are 5236 6597 recommencing for 2021. Contact forrest.nh@gmail.com for more info
5
Music in Forrest glass of sherry when they arrived and were able to look around the exhibition. A highlight of the evening was a flautist playing a solo from the balcony above the hall out of sight of the audience. It was a spellbinding piece from Debussy.
Here is one of our favourite photos from the archives, 'Fiddler Fletcher'. The Fletchers had a property on the Apollo Bay road - the other side of Barramunga - and are mentioned in many community documents in the early 1900s. Whenever fundraising was needed by such groups as the Anglican Church Auxiliary or the Lions club, the suggestion was to hold a dance, but where was the orchestra going to come from? There always seemed to be musicians that could be called on. For example, the late Jim Spiers playing saxophone and June Matheson on the piano. Who remembers the Palma Waltz?
The Men’s Shed is maintaining our music tradition with their Bluegrass Jam sessions. A successful performing band has sprung out of the group, the King Parrot Pickers. Ken Widdowson, President. Forrest and District Historical Society LEFT: Fiddler Fletcher BELOW: The late Jim Spiers playing saxophone and June Matheson on piano
Another popular music event was to go around to Niecy Rourke’s place in Turner Drive for a sing-along around the piano. One night she took down a mirror from the wall and asked everybody to sign the back. Unfortunately Niecy has since died but her husband Blair Currie still has the mirror. It is a remarkable collection of autographs from the early days. We ran a chamber music concert in the former Catholic church when it was an art gallery. Everyone got a free
www.ForrestHistory.org
Become a member, email ForrestHistory@gmail.com
Slow and steady wins the race
Some victories are well worth celebrating Loss, Loss, Loss* WIN! Look out, CDCA! The tide has turned. Three woeful team efforts at our home ground left us 2nd last and with a reputation as the “feel good” team, with other clubs lining up to play Forrest just to feel good about themselves. Then Kingsley was dropped** and Forrest registered a solid victory over 4th placed Stoneyford at Pirron Yallock Reserve on a glorious Spring afternoon. To say we were undermanned is an understatement – we had two ringins who’d be more at home at Bingo night at the Colac Bowls Club. In typical Forrest fashion, Club President Bill Saunders dropped two absolute sodas then took a
screamer to dismiss Stoneyford’s top-scorer, helping ‘Buckets’ to retain his mantle as the Lions’ leading wicket-taker, 5 clear of his rivals. Rumours continue regarding Nathan Lyon’s impending retirement, citing “mental health” reasons. Jo Angel wannabe, Kris, took 3/16 off 8 overs in a fine display of pace bowling, Riley impressed with 2 early catches, and in a selfless gesture, our batsman Travis Weber got himself out for 99, not wanting to overshadow the entire team who couldn’t reach triple figures in our first 3 matches. It’s good to have Trav back The season started slow, but with steady improvement, who knows where our season will end? New players welcome*** especially if you know what the role of a “slips cordon” is. If you would like to be part of this great**** club, you can contact us through our: Facebook page @ForrestCricketClub Bill Saunders on 0408 052 943 or bill@saundersag.com.au Kingsley Davidson on 0433 881 573 * Flogged, Belted, Shellacked ** unavailable *** desperately needed **** friendly
6 THE FORREST POST - DECEMBER 2020
EVERYTHING WE’RE DOING IS KEEPING US ON TOP OF THIS VIRUS
Keep our fitted face masks on when indoors, on public transport and when we can’t keep our distance.
Keep catching up outdoors.
Keep washing our hands.
Keep getting tested if we have any symptoms.
Go to CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne
7
FREE WIFI AT THE SHED
email fdms3236@gmail.com to request a username & password
AT: Forrest & District Men’s Shed – 6 Blundy St, Forrest BUILDING PURPOSE
BUILDING INTEGRITY
FDMS
BUILDING COMMUNITY
BREW CREW
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR FOR DECEMBER
The Irish Hour Pub Group
Social Rides
Rumour has it: The sensor gets the last word... The End
Thursdays
(Try again next month)
TRIPP BUILDING
PTY LTD
MERRYL HILTON
New Homes... Extensions... Renovations...
26 Murray St, COLAC, VIC 3250 t: (03) 5231 6661
Small jobs and all other building work
MBA Member: 099036
Reg. Builder: DBU-12327
Peter Tripp
e: merrylhilton@oneagency.com.au www.oneagencymerrylhilton.com.au
5237 7348 / 0429 799 829
Peter Tripp 5237 7348 / 0429 799 829
MATHEW SILVEY PLUMBING • New homes & renovations • Hot & cold water services • Spouting & downpipes • Stormwater
• Motorised drain cleaning • 1.5t excavator hire • Solar hot water installation • Roofing
Colac’s new specialist yarn shop
Everything you need for your next creative project
Knitting and crochet wool and yarn:
• Patons • Cleckheaton • Rowan • Irish Tweed • Sock Wool • Needles ... and more ORDER WITH US ONLINE OR GIVE US A CALL 139 Murray Street Colac www.marchyarns.com.au
Mobile: 0417 342 531 Licence No. 47995
Phone: 03 5231 3652
PLEASE GIVE US A RING BEFORE COMING TO GET PERSCRIPTIONS
Monday - Friday 40 Main Street 9:00am - 5:30pm Birregurra, VIC 3242 Saturday Ph: (03) 5236 2288 9:00am - 12:00pm Fax: (03) 5236 2280 Email: birrepharmacy@hotmail.com
P:
5267 2266 E: accounts@allaboutmowers.com.au www.allaboutmowers.com.au
8 THE FORREST POST - DECEMBER 2020
Ruby’s Dream Job Growing up in Forrest, Ruby Jackson was always aware of the DEWLP crew. For years the depot was on Grant Street now the Forrest Neighbourhood House. She‘d see them in their khaki uniform, driving in ute convoys out to the bush. She had no idea what they did or that one day she might grow up and join them. Ruby at 25 years, is now a Project Firefighter in the Otways District, working during the fire season, from the Barwon Downs depot. Before Covid 19 stopped tourism, Ruby guided platypus tours at Lake Elizabeth. And spent last winter planting trees on farms. It was this experience, driving over uneven terrain, learning to use a chain saw, brush-cutter and re-vegetation work that helped her get the job. There was also a fitness test. Ruby thought she had to run 5kms carrying 20 kg under 45 minutes, which was a worry because “I always sucked at long distance running.” She trained daily, carrying weights in a backpack. The test was at the same oval as school sports day, but this experience was better as thinking she had to jog, she was well-prepared when told she had to walk the 5km, instead. She smashed it. Ruby has learnt about fire behaviour, weather patterns and getting to know the terrain in the State Forest. She is working as part of a team doing general maintenance, but will also be called upon to attend fires, if needed. Ruby feels she’ll be well-prepared. Susan Langridge
Red-handed shrimp With the easing of travel restrictions and summer approaching, this is a perfect time to enjoy our beautiful coasts ahead of the summer crowds. For beachcombers, winter shells and other seadrift have barely been picked over in the past few months, while rockpools are still rich with diverse sea life as the heat of summer is yet to come. Seaweeds in the pools are still lush and healthy-looking, and even starfishes may remain out in the open on cloudy days. Not all intertidal life is slow-moving or attached to the rocks below, and blennies (see Forrest Post, October 2019) are more likely to be seen darting around, feeling secure with an abundance of living shelter around them. Even Red-handed shrimps (Palaemon serenus) come out more often, once they are confident they aren’t sharing a rockpool with a predator, but you need to wait patiently before they accept you as just a part of the scenery. Found everywhere along the Otways coast, from rockpools to deeper waters, young shrimps and adult females are mostly transparent, so only their faint, ghostly shadows
Left: Femail Blue bottle are visible as they skim over the sandy bottom of a rockpool. A strange combination of gawkiness and grace, they forage over seaweeds and rocks, picking constantly at tiny attached animals. The larger males are more strikingly patterned with red-and-white claws and usually stay out of sight, though a tiny piece of fishing bait will lure them out to squabble with the blennies.
Visit Forrest online at www.forrestvictoria.com
Nick Romanowski