COME TO BE INJECTED!! SEPTEMBER 2022 FREE ROLLERSKATING …...... WATCH THIS SPACE ….......
FORREST POSTTHE
Zoe and Ellen. Lachie, missing from the trio, was off making fi nal arrangements with Federico!
Aimee and Tegan are also in the midst of planning a sustainable veggie garden and building an outdoor fire bath. Amiee is an avid reader and loves to kick a footy and play other sports, while Tegan is a roller skater and artist who loves drawing and painting ‘wonky’ art.
Aimee, Tegan and Billie September
very cute, comfy, renovated cottage, over 100 years old, in Station Street. You’ll recognise it by the high fence they have built in the front. Over this is a view of the old mill buildings, trees and llamas.
After looking at the area they decided to settle in Forrest because of their love of the bush, the sea and nature. They also love camping and hiking and plan to buy mountain bikes in the future.
Tegan works as a youth worker-director of well being at a flexi learning centre in Geelong. They both enjoy their jobs working closely with the community.
Federico’s Fantastic Travelling Circus displaying life defying acts that are thrilling, riveting and jaw dropping hair-raising!
Aimee, Tegan and their 17 week old daughter Billie, a rainbow family, are an inspiration and our new residents in town, together with their two Theyweimaranas.liveina
STEP RIGHT UP STEP RIGHT UP to the greatest show to reach Forrest on
Aimee is a full time mother for a year until April 2023 when she will return to work as a senior constable of police, based at Winchelsea.
14th
Never seen and never to be seen in Forrest again. A not to be missed gripping time of circus antics and intrigue.
We all wish Aimee, Tegan and Billie peace and joy in their new home and life in Forrest. Pauline Rostos
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and waters around us, and pay our respects to Elders past, present andfuture. We respect their cultural heritage, knowledge here in Forrest where the waters flow over Gadubanud and Gulidjan Country
Written by the clever trio of the spectacular grade sixers of 2022: Lachie, Ellen and Zoe. Their witty pens have conjured magic interspersed with contemporary comic lines reflecting the craziness of a Covid world.
Federico has probably studied under the grand circus master P.T. Barnum who said: “The noblest of art is that of making others happy” as when interviewing Federico he said: “My travelling fantastics are here to inject happiness into Forrest!”
Design: Nasser Kotb Print: Forrest Primary School. All contributions to be received the 22nd of the month.
The Good Sort App is available for Android and iPhone devices, visit Council’s website for more information and links to download the App – www.colacotway.vic.gov.au.
If you would like assistance accessing the App, please contact Council on 5232 9400.
Expressions of Interest close at 2pm, Friday 23 September 2022. Submissions may be lodged in the Electronic Tender Box only. Late, posted or emailed tenders will not be considered.
For positions currently open and to apply, visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au or contact Human Resources on (03) 5232 9529. Rates Notices and Council Assistance Rates Notices will soon be landing in letterboxes and inboxes.
Contributors Kingsly Davidson, Mary Dracup, Liza Fredi, Marita Kennedy, Susan Langridge, Anne Murnane, Pauline Rostos, Hailey Ryan
•about:Notice
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
Editors: Susan Langridge, Marita Kennedy, Noor Petersen
If you are passionate about delivering great customer service, working for a progressive and innovative council, and making a difference to your local community, we would love to hear from you!
A copy of the Expression of Interest documents can be downloaded from Council’s website at www.eprocure.com.au/colacotway.
Switching to e-Notices is a convenient way to receive your Rates Notices, it provides you with a digital record to keep on file, and it saves trees and CO2 emissions. To make the switch sign up to e-Notices (colacotway.enotices.com.au) or BPay View (bpay.com.au/ bpayview), make sure you have your Rates Assessment number handy.
2 THE FORREST POST - SEPTEMBER 2022
If you are experiencing financial difficulties or would like more information about payment options, please visit Council’s website or call us on 5232 9400.
News Update Expressions
Council is seeking expressions of interest from prospective tenants for the Lake Colac Caravan Park, one of the main visitor accommodation sites in the township of Colac. The caravan park has been operating under a 21-year lease due to expire on 26 January 2023, creating a new opportunity at this site.
Council of Interest
As per the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020, Council is also seeking feedback from the community about its intention to lease the land for the continued use as a caravan park. Community members can lodge submissions with Council up until 9 September 2022, visit the Have Your Say page on Council’s website.
of intention to lease the Lake Colac Caravan Park (closes 5pm Friday 9 September)
Have Your Say Colac Otway Shire Council has a dedicated webpage for all projects and initiatives currently available for community input. Head to the Have Your Say webpage on Council’s website – https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-Consultations to find out more
GoodSort App reaches 2500 downloads
• Colac City Reserves Planning Project (closes 5pm Sunday 11 September) We’re recruiting Colac Otway Shire Council is an exciting place to work.
Colac Otway Shire Council’s easy-to-use waste App – GoodSort – reached a milestone recently, achieving 2500 downloads. Since launching the App in November last year, this milestone has exceeded expectations.
Contact: theforrestpost@gmail.com
• Governance Rules (closes 4pm Friday 9 September)
The App will help you to never miss bin night again, as well as helping you know if there are service changes or delays. There’s also an easy recycling guide to help you Be a Good Sort.
There is an external door in the loungeroom which accesses the woodbox outside so wood isn’t carted through the house. The wood fire is the primary source of heating.
Started by the Women’s Anglican Guild, with proceeds going to the Anglican Parish of Otway, Bev Frizon, Nancy Kurzman and Pat Peskett (dec) spent many years keeping the op shop ticking over. In 2020, COVID closed the shop and Bev and Nancy decided to call it a day, handing the reins over to the next generation, though still involved in the background along with Noel and Robin. Gillian and Helen who look after the shop now, have some exciting plans, including weekly specials, an online Facebook shop, yard sales and even a carboot sale on the grounds of St James Anglican Church once weather allows, date to be confirmed – start organising those surplus items! If you’ve always wanted to volunteer in an Op Shop, you’d be more than welcome. You can volunteer in any capacity. Maybe you like making jam, or you’d like to help out but you’re not available on Saturdays, contact them as they are open to all suggestions, including extra opening hours.
had done the drawings for the rebuild, Sharon worked with local carpenters Leon, Rad and Ryan to finish the owner-builder house and she gives all credit to them.
Sharon’s Home
The day the Forrest Post visited the Op Shop there was a happy, excited vibe in the air as people found that long-looked for item such as thigh high black boots, a book on self-sufficiency and a brass door handle. There were also rubber crutch tips, to help you safely get around on crutches, the treasures are many and varied. Pre-loved furniture rescued and repaired by Robin Peskett is also available and can be found on the Facebook page, as the Op Shop is too small for the furniture to be displayed.
Sharon has salvaged pieces of the old house. eg lining boards and repurposed them.
As a single woman, Sharon is very proud of her achievement. She has re-created herself in every aspect of her home. “To build and look into the future in such a beautiful house is life-changing” she says. Her joy is Shepalpable.bought the house in 2011; the plans were done in 2015 and the build began in lockdown in 2020 and was only finished recently. It has charm, sophistication, and subtlety especially in the interior colouring.
Forrest Op Shop News
Current opening hours are 11-3 on Saturdays. Donations gratefully accepted during open hours only, please don’t leave outside as items get weather damage. For more information about the car boot sale, furniture and unusual items look at the Forrest Op Shop Facebook page. For more information about volunteering or donations out of hours, ring Gillian on 0422 585 227 Susan Langridge
There is a fourth detached bedroom plus ensuite being built next to the house for family and short-term staff at the Brewery.
Special features include a north facing view (the original house faced south) of old age gums which at times of the day, according to Sharon, seem like Arthur Streeton panels of bush.The bathroom is particularly unique with eucalypt colour tiles and a bath at the end giving views of the trees and stars
At a utility level the house has a 7.2 energy rating, a heat transfer system, meaning central heating at low cost and with a BAL of 29. There are double glazed windows, floor, walls and ceiling insulation as well as sound insulation between the bedrooms as well as sealing off of old fireplaces. The windows are a composite with aluminium on the outside and wood on the inside giving thermal efficiency.
3
Afteroverhead!thearchitect
Sharon’s home sits tastefully amongst the dwellings in Hennigan Crescent in Forrest. What was first a timber worker’s cottage in the 19th century and then a 1990s renovation has been transformed into a magical, beautiful, fire-safe, architect designed, owner-builder house, still not huge but with all spaces designed for maximum light, energy efficiency, views, aesthetic appeal and creative satisfaction.
Forrest Op Shop Volunteers from left, Penny Jochetz, Helen Kurzman, Pauline Rostos, Gil lian Brew and Russel Finn
Outside timber matches timber in the house, which ties in with the original timber.
As seen in the photo the house has stunning black exterior walls and the original high-gabled red tin roof which will have solar panels installed, giving 14 kW of power easily covering one person’s needs! Pauline Rostos
COMMUNITY LUNCH: Take away. Order the day before, pick up at 12.30 on Thursday. $5.
FORREST COMMUNITY GYM: Contact coordinator for membership information and to sign up.
The F&DNH will be open to the general public Opening hours may vary at this time so please phone or email first if you need to book a time for printing etc. Density requirements, vax status and mask wearing must all be adhered to when visiting the F&DNH.. F&DNH is open during normal operating hours and running programs at usual capacity. or Monday mornings and Thursday 0438298669 or forrestosteo@gmail.com for more information or
6pm. Mind Your Groove freestyle dance at the hall (MYG). Top up’ boxes (fruit, veg and bread) will be available for collection each Tuesday with arrangement through the coordinator. Please get in touch to receive a box. WEEDING GROUP: Second Tuesday of the month 10-12pm. FOOD SHARE PANTRY: Pantry is topped up each Wednesday and Friday evenings from ALDI collection. Available to all SINGING FOR FUN: Wednesdays 12-1pm STUDIO FORREST ART GROUP: Wednesdays 10-4pm. Contact for more info. BOOK CLUB: 1st Wednsday of the month @ 7.30pm
ROLLERSKATING…WATCH THIS SPACE… COMING SOON The
New Community Lunch Wiz $250 power saving bonus application support- call
text 0493105502 to book a time. Forrest Osteopathy is onsite and operating on
afternoons. Please contact Jessie on
to book. 4 THE FORREST POST - SEPTEMBER 2022
and
Neighbourhood House - September 2022 Don’t
Hailey Ryan
Order your Thursday community lunch on the Forrest Facebook page before 9am on the Thursday OR text the Neighbourhood House mobile on 0493105502. The menu is posted on Wednesdays on the Forrest Facebook page or if you are not a FBer you can call during office hours on the above number.
Tues,
to
CRAFT Monday at
facebook.com/forrest.neighbourhoodhouse
Forrest 3236 LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER, SHARE THE CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND STAY SAFE. WE HAVE: Free WiFi • Printing services • Room hire • Community spaces • Reading room • Food share • Forrest & District Historical Society display and library • Recycle drop point (during open hours only) for soft plastics, bread tags, Clothes swap and small household batteries.
Please contact the coordinator Renee if you have any queries, program requests or would like to run a program T: 5236 6597 0493105502 E: forrest.nh@gmail.com A:
Most weeks we cook for 30-40 people and while we are often nervous the bottom of the pot will be reached before the last plate is filled we haven’t come up short yet so there’s still room for more if anyone called to book in a place.
OPERATING: Wed, Thurs 8.30am-3.30pm, Thurs AT THE HALL 8.30am-12pm. Community Hub - 47 Grant Street,
I was a vegetarian for many years and loved to cook up big feasts for friends so when I saw the opportunity come up I felt it’d be something I’d enjoy tackling. I refer to a Hare Krishna cookbook at times as they cook large portions of yummy veg dishes but for the most part we create a dish with what compliments the season, what culture might be inspiring us and making use of what’s in stock. We are lucky to have kids from the school come over for a cooking lesson and a helping hand in getting the desserts made. That’s always rewarding to see growing ones gain confidence in life skills and achieving a task.
PLAYGROUP: Friday mornings 9.30am-11. Gold coin
our
Forrest & District forget ‘like’ Facebook page for up to date info events!
CIRCLE: Mondays 2-4pm. BYO craft projects and a snack. Gold coin. DANCING:
for lunch, FRI
I have attended the community lunch over the years and love to feel the community gather and enjoy a nourishing meal together. Hearing old friends catching up and new ones being formed. It’s a beautiful opportunity for everyone to contribute a little piece of who they are to the setting.
5
Play Connect Inspire
Forrest Playgroup offers this and more every Friday morning at the Neighbour House 9.30-11.
Forrest Flicks are on the way back! Thanks to a grant from Colac Otway Shire, equipment will soon be installed at the Forrest hall to show regular films throughout winter and summer. If you are interested in films, you can be involved in Thethis.
Get involved with Forrest Flicks
Landcarers’ work over autumn and winter on the Hennigan Crescent bushland site at the edge of Forrest is now clearly evident, with more than 1000 endemic native plants filling the space that was once taken by holly, blackberry, ivy and other weeds.
Some FPAC and Neighbourhood House representatives will be on the Forum to help manage logistics such as hiring films and paying usage rights. Forum members will set up the hall, manage projection, sell popcorn/coffee/ice creams and so Ifon.this idea appeals to you or you’d like more information, please do contact Renee Taylor at the Neighbourhood House: 0493 105 502 /email forrest.nh@gmail.com, or Mary Dracup: 0488 522 448 /email fpac3236@gmail.com.
Sharing tips and anecdotes on parenting means no one is alone on this special path. A safe space where the joys as well as the spills and angst can be voiced in confidence provides a base for emotional and practical support if and when needed. A happy place for the precious littlies of our community and whomever may accompany them: mums/grands/aunts/friends.
Enchantment is created for the littlies with all the colourful and creative toys and activities set out in various areas to entice play and exploration for their tactile inquisitive minds. This encourages and assists building emotional confidence and enhances social skills from the tiniest to the toddler. An awareness of another is so important from birth upwards. Mums can connect and learn from the other mums and/or carers.
Gerangamete Forrest Landcare has combined with the Forrest Neighbourhood House Weeding/Gardening Group in at least monthly activities on the site. As well as planting, the groups have cleared blackberries, cut down remnant weedy vegetation and had some satisfying bonfires, though some parts of the site still need attention and ongoing maintenance is needed to keep on top of blackberries in Theparticular.groups include many people who are relatively new to Forrest, who have found the pleasant work alongside others with a cup of tea and cake at the end a good way to meet their neighbours and tap into local lore. Long-time locals are also coming along, enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with other old-timers as well as the newer residents. They all affirm our efforts to set up this project to do what we can to restore this prominent but neglected site. The next planting/weeding/burning session on the site will be on Tuesday 13 September at 10am. All welcome – wear sturdy boots, gloves and a raincoat.
The project to restore the Hennigan Crescent site was initially funded by a grant from the Federal Wild Otways Initiative administered by the Corangamite Catchment Authority. We are also grateful to Barwon Water for their contribution of additional funds and plants. Mary Dracup
The transformation continues on Forrest site
FPRC and Forrest Neighbourhood House are calling for people to nominate for the Forrest Film Forum, who will choose films and manage showings. We really need a diverse group of people to ensure the films cater for a wide range of Thetastes.aimis to show about 10 films a year, including children’s, young adult and mixed-genre adult films: we’re hoping for a mix of recent releases, mountain-biking movies, environment-related movies, old silent movies, movies with dress-up themes, etc.—it will be up to the Forum to decide.
Revegetation along the walking track that winds through the track
6 THE FORREST POST - SEPTEMBER 2022
ended day.Springperfectonbarbecuewithmeetingtheirathis
Ever since I've known Liza Freddi she has been offering opportunities to dance in a group once a week. She has consistently opened the hall simply to offer the space to dance in. During COVID lockdowns she offered zoom meetings so people could continue to dance together in a group albeit from their own lounge room. Her dedication is admirable. Why does she do “Dancingit? is my most favourite thing. I started dancing around 5 with ballet, then did rhythmic gymnastics and went back to Jazz and Tap in grade 11/12. I’ve tried lots of styles in Melbourne but my fav was dancing all day at festivals. Getting exposed to different dance styles and different music showed me how differently my body can move. This has become a space of play which is very therapeutic. Even though I’ll always love a dance class to grow my dance vocab, my favourite is freestyle dance. Since my parents passed, a friend showed me the power of dancing as therapy and it has been my go to ever since to keep my joy and love up and shift pain through and out. I believe our bodies have an innate ability to shift tension, given permission. Connection and feeling through music is a fun way to do this. This is what MYG is about to me.”Iarrive at the hall and add my shoes to the growing pile at the door, and when I open it, a world of dim lights, gentle rhythms and a profound sense of peace greets me.
The music builds gently, then slows and Liza calls, "Only two songs left!" We are all disappointed. We warm down together, sitting, stretching, feeling into our bodies to find the places that need our care.
Marvin. Born 10/8/22.
Last Sunday the history group held its AGM in their shed. Norm Houghton gave a very informative talk and PowerPoint presentation outlining transport, railways, sawmilling and their associated industries. The ambiance in the shed was relaxed and welcoming with display tables and comfy Memberscouches.
Mind Your Groove
At the end of the hour we separate and say goodbye and all feel wonderful; connected, happy, tired and looking forward to the next time. Liza asks " Who wants to make next week's playlist?” We are all inspired by the music we have heard and we make a plan for the next couple of weeks. Liza likes creative collaboration: teamwork.
Forrest Historical Society AGM and BBQ
You may have seen Marvin playing in the early years centre at Forrest Primary school, at community lunch, chilling at playgroup or walking to the General Store. Marvin is in the loving care of Renee and Rich as he was not thriving in the paddock with his twin sister. Marvin will get the royal treatment at the King Creek Country Club until he is old enough to re-join his family of house sheep. If you see Marvin in Forrest, come and give him a pat and say hello!
I sign in, add my gold coin donation to the glomesh bag on the table and am greeted warmly by Liza. The kids who are here have already begun to play their secret games, running in and around us, their quick footsteps echoing as the beat of the music takes over and I start to move. Liza says “I started MYG to dance regularly with my kids in tow. It has grown with the dancers to be a collaborative experience. The shared playlists expose us to the diversity of music, allow people to engage with music they love and maybe even keep their groove going beyond our sessions in the hall. My hope is that MYG continues to be a safe space for everyone to be themselves- to move, groove, dance connect and stretch their bodies however they feel in their diversity and uniqueness and keep their love and joy up too.”
Thankyou Liza for your wonderful gift of dance! MaritaKennedy and Liza Freddi.
• New homes & •renovationsHot&cold water services • Spouting & downpipes • Stormwater • Motorised drain cleaning • 1.5t excavator hire • Solar hot •installationwaterRoofing MATHEW SILVEY PLUMBING Mobile: 0417 342 531 Licence No. 47995 AT: Forrest Men’s Shed – 6 Blundy St, Forrest FREE WIFI AT THE SHED email fdms3236@gmail.com to request a username & password BUILDING PURPOSE BUILDING INTEGRITY BUILDING COMMU NITY =The finest soap, hand crafted in the Otways= Otwaysoap.com S oci al : @ ot ways oap Ph: 0408 365 948 E: contact@otwaysoap.com ADVERTISE WITH US Reach local customers and visitors and support your local volunteer run news sheet. Proceeds go to the Forrest Primary School or Neighbourhood House for printing costs. CONTACT fortheforrestpost@gmail.comUS:ratesormoreinformation P:0352362288Monday-Friday:9.00am-5.30pm Saturday:9.00am-12.00pm birrepharmacy@hotmail.com F:0352362280 40MainStreet,Birregurra,VIC3242 -PBSPrescriptions -Freemedicationadvice -Websterpacking -MedicalCertificates -RepeatScriptsonfile -Vitaminsadvice -Cosmetics&Fragrances -NDSS(DiabetesAustralia)Subagent -Workcover&TAC -Instoremedicationreviews -eScripts&MySL OPEN6DAYS PharmacyBirregurra COURSELEADERSHIPLOCAL Looking for a new challenge? Learn how to enhance your leadership skills and develop relationships in emergency situations as part of this exciting interactive program FORREST COURSE : Forrest Public Hall WEEK 1: 28, 29 & 30 October 2022 WEEK 2: 12 & 13 November 2022 Register your interest to Mandy.Baker@colacotway.vic.gov.au Facilitator Jamie Mackenzie from Red Flag Leadership offers participants practical tools and techniques to enhance their ability to understand and interact effectively with people. 7
Looking forward to some entertaining Summer Saturday arvo’s in Forrest! • President, Billy Buckingham 0488 685 982 Kingsley Davidson 0433 881 573 Facebook @ForrestCricketClub Cricket season is nearly upon us 8 THE FORREST POST - SEPTEMBER 2022
Anyone for Tennis? Our River Survey. It’s Time to have Your Say! Wet and cold
The survey is now open, closing on 12 September. Use the link below.
Visit Forrest online at www.forrestvictoria.com
The masterplan will enhance the protection, use and enjoyment of the extensive corridor of yaluk/riverine tract on Wadawurrung Country, including the beautiful Moorabool River from near Meredith to Geelong, the well utilised Barwon River through Geelong, the internationally recognised Lake Connewarre (Kunuwarre) wetlands and the Barwon River estuary where the river meets the sea.
The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is leading the development of a masterplan for the lower Moorabool River and lower Barwon River corridors stretching from near Meredith in the north to the Barwon Heads Estuary in the south. This project is known as Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut which in Wadawurrung Traditional Owner language translates to “places of many stories”.
masterplanhttps://engage.vic.gov.au/kitjarra-dja-bul-bullarto-langi-utWant to get back into sport? Want to meet some members of the community? Then grab the racket and join the Forrest Tennis club for a season of tennis! The Forrest Tennis Club is seeking expressions of interest for junior & senior players for the upcoming 2022/23 season starting in October. The Forrest tennis club would love to field a junior team as it has been over 20 years since Forrest has been represented in junior competition. The club forms part of the Polwarth and District Tennis Association. Junior matches are played on Saturday mornings (Div 1,2,3 & 4). Senior matches are played (A & B grade) on Saturday afternoons around Colac & district.
The project is an initiative to connect people to the lower Moorabool and Barwon River corridor by balancing public access, recreation, economy and education while enhancing the area’s unique cultural and environmental values.
A brief community survey is now live on Engage Victoria, seeking community views on the importance of the river corridor and ideas on how it could be improved.
The season runs from early October until March 2023, with a 6 week break over the summer holidays. The senior competition is open to male or female players (3 men & 3 women per team). The PDTA offers two levels of competition (A & B grade). If you have just moved to Forrest, are a weekender or just want to get back into tennis, please let us know as we would love to meet you! Tennis at Forrest is a great way of keeping fit, having fun and being part of the Forrest sporting community! Please contact club secretary, Anne Murnane on 0413 270 352 or annemurnane@bigpond.com to express your interest. Anne Murnane as it is, cricket season is around the corner! Pre-season training will kick off at the Forrest Rec Reserve on Saturdays in September. The season proper is set to begin on Saturday 15th October, and at that point training will revert to a weeknight. will continue to battle the fierce competition in Division 3. As always, new players, old players, good players, good sledgers… are invited to join!
Forrest
BUT - We were successful in the additional funding applications. We received a total of $100,000 to support community engagement in bushfire resilience from the following sources:
• Preparing Australian Communities (Federal Govt)
•
• Colac Otway Shire community grants
• The Lord Mayors Charitable foundation
The first part of the Gateway Project was a feasibility study (2018-2020) into the re-development of the DELWP buildings at 47-49 Grant Street into a state of the art bushfire resilient community hub. In 2021 the state government asked the Gateway Project to apply for another grant of $500,000 for the next step in re-development of the community hub. Our application included a deep level of community engagement to inform development of detailed facility plans and all the permits needed to get a state of the art bushfire resilient community hub to the shovel ready stage. One of the state government funding requirements was that we secure an additional $100,000 from other sources for community-led bushfire preparation and resilience projects in Forrest and district. Many hours of volunteer work went into grant writing and liaising with funding
PROJECT UPDATE: Forrest Gateway to the Otways
•
•
Unfortunately,bodies.despite moving through the early rounds of assessment and being recommended in the top tier of projects, state government priorities were affected by the Pandemic and we were unsuccessful in securing the $500,000 funding.
Bushfire Resilience & Climate Adaptation
Despite our disappointment that the re-development of 47-49 Grant Street wasn’t funded, the $100k that we did secure, along with the networks we’ve developed and lessons learnt means we can continue with the broad objectives of the Gateway Project. These are: Bushfire risk reduction Climate adaption Resilience and recovery
On Tuesday 26 July, over 30 local and district residents gathered at the Hall and online to hear the findings of the assessment, presented by Kylie and Mark Steel from South Coast Bushfire Consultants. They assessed the Forrest Hall, the Community Hub site, the Forrest Common, and the Terminus Hotel. We included the Terminus Hotel because it has been discussed by many locals over the years as somewhere they might go in a fire. In follow-up to an audience question, the Recreation Reserve was also assessed following the Southmeeting.CoastBushfire Consultants identified the Forrest Hall (14 Grant St) as the best of the five sites and outlined recommendations for upgrades to increase the safety and resilience of this important community asset. Their reports detail the work and investment required to strengthen the Hall’s resilience to bushfire. If a number of the upgrades outlined in the report are undertaken, then the Hall would be considered to be ‘reasonably resilient to bushfire’. Key areas of weakness to ember and fire penetration include the decking and verandah area, the front entrance doors and windows, subfloor and roof.
Without significant additional funding, it’s unclear how we could proceed with the full plans for a new state of the art bushfire resilient facility and community hub, as explored by the Gateway Project. The Forrest Public Reserves Committee (FPRC), who now host the Gateway Project, will continue to consider alternatives.
• Developing individual and community-wide bushfire plans
• Establishing a new bushfire resilience committee that can work alongside the CFA to coordinate local community preparation and recovery efforts into the future.
Where to from here?
• Planning how we would recover and preparing our infrastructure and community assets.
Some of the funding will be used to hire a part-time contractor to do this community engagement work in our region. We are proud to invest in local skills and bring new employment to our region. This new position (working alongside existing volunteers) means many more ideas and questions raised from the community will be able to be embraced and addressed. We encourage everyone to look at the role and share with your networks. The full position description is available at https://www.forrestvictoria.com/news.
It’s clear that when it comes to bushfire danger, the safest place to be is far away. Our top priority will always be supporting and encouraging locals and tourists to leave early on high risk
These are:
How will we do this work?
• More education and engagement about leaving early on high risk days
We’re hiring!
Applications are due on 5th September 2022 by email to forrestgatewayproject@gmail.com
Identifying a safer place in our community
In the meantime, the project team and our partners have identified a list of ideas that could help our community adapt to climate change, prepare for a bushfire emergency and help us recover afterwards. This has been informed by community consultation throughout the project.
However,days.it’simportant that we have somewhere for support and long-term recovery efforts after a fire. This could also potentially be a place to shelter as a last resort if anyone’s personal fire plans fail and they get trapped in town during a bushfire.
• Identifying the safest place to go in our community - if people become trapped in town during a bushfire.
For a further discussion about the role, please contact Beth Sprunt or Kylie Pollock from FPRC by emailing beth.sprunt@unimelb.edu.au or kpconsultations@bigpond.com.
FPRC commissioned South Coast Bushfire Consultants to undertake an assessment of current community places in relation to bushfire safety. We wanted to know which site could be the most resilient to bushfire; to understand what upgrades would be possible at the sites to best prepare them and minimise risk; and if any sites had potential to be a Neighbourhood Safer Place/Bushfire Place of Last Resort (NSP/BPLR).
• Learning how to minimise fire risks at your own home and as a community
The localised radiant heat exposures were identified to be not exceeding 10KW/m2. This means it could be considered as a potential NSP, subject to assessment by the CFA. However the report underlines the risk in Forrest due to the broader landscape, which is considered to be extreme as there are large areas of forest and unmanaged vegetation within the surrounding area with high fuel loads. We all need to be realistic about how serious a bushfire event may be for Forrest. The safest place is to have already left well in advance.
FPRC is now considering the findings of the reports, the questions raised at the community meeting and what activities and investments we can undertake as a next step. You can access the full reports at the Forrest Public Reserves Committee page of www.forrestvictoria.com/community.
Bushfire Resilience & Climate Adaptation
Consultants reports are available on the Forrest Public Reserves Committee page of the Forrest Website www.forrestvictoria.com/community
The reports also provide recommendations for strengthening aspects of the Community Hub buildings (47-49 Grant St), noting that resilience of community assets is important for longterm post-fire recovery even if those buildings are not recommended as a place for shelter during a bushfire. Improvements should also be considered at other community assets such as the Recreation Reserve. People at the session broke into four groups to talk about the report, and what action they would support. Three of the four groups indicated clear support for further investment in the Hall, with the final group raising questions about the potential costs. Participants also raised a range of excellent questions which need further research and consideration. These included questions about likely water access at the site and in town during and following a fire; how to manage vehicle traffic and parking around the site; and especially, how to make sure the clear message remains that people should leave early on high risk days, and not rely on a community shelter.
A huge thank you to Colac Otway Shire for the funding that enabled this assessment; to South Coast Bushfire Consultants; and to the Forrest General Store for their excellent catering on the night. We also thank the many community members, groups and partner organisations who’ve supported the Forrest Gateway to the Otways project over the past several years, and we look forward to continuing to work with the whole community.
Forrest Gateway to the Otways Project - a brief history
• We helped develop the Forrest 2030 Plan which brought together local groups and identified the priorities for our town over the next 10 years. This plan is still informing local and regional investment in Forrest
• The Fire and Rain Podcast series brought experts and leaders to our community (available on Spotify and Youtube)
A local group of volunteers formed to explore the possibility of a new facility on the site. The Forrest Gateway to the Otways Centre was an idea identified by our community that could increase bushfire, climate and economic adaptation, resilience and recovery. It would be a state of the art community hub and a home for the Neighbourhood House, CFA, Historical Society and local artists. It could also be a micro-business incubator and provide space for the community, students and visitors to connect, collaborate and learn in the heart of the Otways. This would help the Centre to generate income to maintain the site and create more local employment. As a state-of-the-art bushfire resilient building co-locating these community services, it would also model resilience-inplace, and provide a more secure community asset in the face of a bushfire
The volunteer group successfully secured a Victorian Government grant (auspiced by the Forrest & District Community Group) to undertake a technical and feasibility study, develop concept architectural drawings, investigate a business model and establish key partnerships. We were then able to employ a number of short-term contract positions to help deliver the project.
• We established a network of bushfire experts and leaders across the region and state to support Forrest and District to become a bushfire adapted community. This includes G21, the CSIRO, Emergency Management Victoria, CFA, DELWP, Barwon Water, Regional Development Victoria, and Colac Otway Shire
In 2015
All this helped to shape the project and over two years numerous activities were achieved:
The volunteers and contractors planned and undertook many:
• Research projects with Deakin University and Landcare investigated local implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and regenerative agriculture
DELWP announced they were moving from Forrest to Barwon Downs. The community successfully lobbied for the site at 47-49 Grant St not to be sold, and to be used for community priorities. During 2017, extensive consultation by DELWP (called the Forrest Futures process) documented community priorities for the site as: Neighbourhood Safer Place, CFA facilities, Neighbourhood House, arts space, public toilets, historical and cultural tourist centre.
• articles in the Forrest Post • meetings with locals, partners and funding bodies
• formal and informal community meetings
Between 2018-2020, the DELWP site was handed to the community for management through the FPRC which is responsible for managing the Community Hub and carpark and the Forrest Hall.
What is an NSP-BPLR? (Colac Otway Shire Neighbourhood Safer Places Plan (2021): a ‘place to provide persons in bushfire affected areas with a place of last resort during a bushfire’. Some important limitations: ‘NSPs are not community fire refuges or emergency relief centres. NSPs are Places of Last Resort during the passage of a bushfire, and are intended to be used by persons whose primary bushfire plans have failed. NSPs are places of relative safety only. They do not guarantee the survival of those who assemble there. Furthermore, there may be serious risks to safety encountered in travelling and seeking access to NSPs during bushfire events. Depending on the direction of a particular fire, it may not be ‘a safer place’ to assemble than other places within the municipal district. At that point in time it almost certainly will be a matter for individual judgement and decision, as to which if any NSP a person or persons should travel in the presence of fire.’
All the community engagement, partnerships developed and lessons we have learned along the way is what continues to drive, inform and focus the volunteers. We look forward to continuing the important work of bushfire and climate adaptation and resilience with our community.
• Initial architectural designs for the facility were developed, informed by engagement with local community groups, businesses and residents, and by a technical working group of bushfire experts from across the country.