News
Page 10 The Moorabool News – 14 June, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Seek out free music festival By Lachlan Ellis More than 60 artists across 20 venues in Moorabool will perform over four upcoming Saturdays in a new winter music festival – and attendance is completely free. The Hide + Seek Music Festival, presented by Live and Local and Moorabool Shire Council, will see performances held at venues in Blackwood, Gordon, Bacchus Marsh, and Ballan, on 25 June, 2 July, 9 July, and 16 July respectively. From Blackwood’s ‘old time mountain’ artists Cat and Clint, to folk rock artist Lachie Murphy and jazz trio Continental Drift, the Festival will offer something for everyone, no matter what your taste in music. And if you want to join in on the musical fun and not just watch performances, you can sing along to Crowded House classics at the Blackwood Hotel from 7 – 9 pm on 25 June with ‘Sing Pub Sing’, or perhaps join the ‘Shape Note’ Singing Workshop at St Martin’s Chapel from 1 – 1.30 pm. Moorabool Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan said the event would provide a rare opportunity for people to discover new music. “This festival will create a fantastic opportunity to locals and tourists to see and hear the uniqueness the region has to offer – and all for free,” Cr Sullivan said. “Wander through old gold mining towns and listen to some bluegrass, indie folk, rockabilly, blues and pop music inside venues ranging from an antique store to a bowling club to a caravan to a church to a hat shop.” While all events are free, keep in mind that some are ticketed – visit www. moorabool.vic.gov.au/hide-and-seek for more information and to register.
Smoke alarm - new bedroom essential By Carol Saffer A young Melbourne couple escaped with their lives thanks to a fire alarm on their upper floor when their inner-city house was destroyed by fire. The male resident woke to the faint sound of an upstairs smoke alarm and rushed to wake his wife before quickly evacuating and calling triple zero (000). The fire completely gutted their home, but the couple and their pets safely evacuated thanks to their working smoke alarms. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) recently launched the 2022 Smoke Alarm Campaign that encourages Victorians to install additional smoke alarms in their bedrooms. Data reveals that more than 70 per cent of fatal house fires start in bedrooms and sleeping areas. Bacchus Marsh CFA Brigade Captain Nick De Leur said it is very important that local residents should take the time to install extra alarms in bedrooms and check that all the smoke alarms in their house are working. “Often we go into someone’s house and see a smoke alarm hanging down without a battery because it goes off every time they use the toaster,” Mr De Leur said. “It is also important that everyone in the household
especially children know what to do when the alarm goes off,” he said. “There is plenty of information for residents on the CFA website on how to have a fire plan in place.” The fire agencies are encouraging Victorians to consider additional smoke alarms in bedrooms, living areas and hallways rather than usually in the kitchen. “People lose their sense of smell when they are sleeping, and the carbon monoxide in smoke will put you into a deeper sleep,” said Garry Cook, CFA Acting Chief Officer.
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“Without a working smoke alarm in bedrooms and living areas, you may not wake up,” he said. “Regardless of what type of smoke alarm is installed, all units should be tested every month and replaced every ten years.” Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Michelle Young said people are far more likely to die or be seriously injured if a fire starts in the bedroom or living area when they are asleep. “Within just 60 seconds, a fire can quickly take hold, giving off toxic smoke and spreading rapidly,” Deputy Commissioner Young said. Sixty-seven per cent of all fatal house fires occur at night between 9.00pm and 6.00am. Research and testing by Fire and Rescue NSW demonstrate that when a fire starts in a bedroom with the door closed, the hallway smoke alarms do not activate. To ensure alarms are working correctly, the fire agencies recommend using smoke alarms powered by a 10-year lithium battery eliminating the need to change batteries every year. They should also be cleaned at least once a year with a duster or vacuum cleaner to remove particles that will affect the alarm’s performance. For the latest information on smoke alarms visit frv.vic.gov. au or cfa.vic.gov.au.