Issue 2
October 2021
October 2021
Contents FEATURES
COLUMNS
07 The Past, the Present and the Future of Edwardes Lake
12 Kind Watch
‘Does anyone know why there’s a heli19 copter hovering around my neighbourhood’?
34 The Kids are Alright
Rewilding your garden - Why plant for 26 wildlife?
37 Mundane Delights 38 Faces of Reservoir: The Argentinian 40 Dear Ernie
LOCAL 21 Springtime in Reservoir 28
Gellibrand’s humble produce cart
42 Ever thought ‘ what's that smell?’
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PROFILES
FUN
COMMUNITY
09 Out of the box
15 Crossword
43 Community News
18 Horoscopes
44 What's On
16 My Asian Neighbour
30 Recipe
32 Over the Fence
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Contact us: rezzadentnews@gmail.com Receive the paper in your inbox https://bit.ly/3tv3Pkd With a huge thanks to our volunteer contributors: By Nicole Robertson
Acknowledgement is not enough but still important The Rezzadent was made on stolen land in Reservoir, Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation who are the traditional custodians of this beautiful land. For many of us, our local creeks, trees, and our lake have been such a comforting balm to the soul during these chaotic times. We would also like to pay respect to the Wurundjeri Elders, past and present, and extend this respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait people from other communities who may be reading this. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
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Editor-in-Chief: Shannon McKeogh Editors: Jenny Brown Hayley Culley Designer: Delyse Baldwin Crossword Creators: Megan and Michael Von Hemlock Photographers and Illustrators: Nicole Robertson Julie Atkinson Marketing guru: Vinisha Pulikkaparambil Writers: Andrea Wegner Bianca Walsh Viktoria Komornik Carmen Lahiff-Jenkins Di Lam Brendan Bennett Erin Hill Camille Short Robert Pingitore Kate Jost Hayley Culley
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Letters to the editor Hello there!
Thank you for all the wonderful emails of support for our very first edition. It has had to date over 2000 reads and we now have over 650 subscribers (and growing!). We do not have any social media pages, preferring to stick to your inboxes for now. Remember to subscribe here. Here are a few of your lovely emails. We love compliments and hearing your thoughts. You can say hello to us at rezzadentnews@gmail.com
To all at the team at Rezzadent Community Newspaper I so luv this magazine, thanks so much. I have lived in Reservoir most of my life and for the first time, I feel like I am now part of this community and I am interested in what's going on!! luv your work !! Keep it Up ! cheers Rosie This was a wonderful read. Great variety of articles and images, all well written, a real joy. Well done on your accomplishment here! Melanie You’ve all done an awesome job at creating something special. Great insight to Reservoir, its humans and of course fur babies :) Loved the Hungarian post and look forward to reading more of that section. So interesting. Thanks again, can’t wait for the next one! Stef
By Julie Atkinson
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The Past, the Present and the Future of Edwardes Lake by Viktoria Komornik
Edwardes Lake has filled me with curiosity since I moved into the area. I often wondered why there is a boat house and an obvious landing but no boats. Wishing on hot summer days we could jump in for a swim but why is that not allowed. Finally, I decided to search for some answers… If you have been asking yourself similar questions then you might find this interesting.
The lake was first formed in 1888, constructed of an embankment across Edgars Creek. It was privately owned with the opportunity for sporting events. Some time later floods washed away the embankment. In 1914 Thomas Dyer Edwardes, an Englishman, gave a gift of 34 acres to the people of Preston to be used as a park. This section of the land was
part of the Leamington Estate. Preston council then purchased another 12 acres to add to the park. Returned soldiers and sailors were employed to build the weir and a retaining wall that now forms the lake. The official opening of the park and the lake was in 1919/20. A bathing shelter and a pier was constructed in the designated swimming area. Preston rowing
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club was formed. Until the late 1960s yachting was also popular on the lake. However later the excessive growth of weeds and silting made it impossible to continue. One could even water ski on the lake for a short time. Unfortunately swimming was banned in 1939 due to heavy pollution. Can you believe that fishing was also popular at the lake? The Preston Fish Protection Society and Angling Club stocked the lake with fish from an adjoining fish hatchery. Unfortunately around 1980, similarly to many of our other waterways European Carp was illegally introduced and decimated the other species. The Friends of Edwardes Lake do a fantastic job in working closely with the council taking care of the lake. Most of you are aware that storm water ends up in our local waterways. Basically everything you throw away on the street, every time you don’t pick up after your pet, the chemicals you use to either wash your car or use on your garden has the potential to end up in our waterways after a rainy day. These are things we can control as individuals. We have less control over what happens in industrial
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areas which the creek is surrounded by. I was curious about the pollution aspect of the lake…what exactly is causing it? Has it changed, improved or deteriorated over time? The lake has been drained at least eight times in the past 70 years in an attempt to clean it. Then I came across a water condition report from 2019 - recent enough, right? The lake was monitored over a 12 month period. The general verdict was that the water quality of the lake is poor. There were regular polluted stormwater events detected at all monitoring sites. I’ll quote from the report: “The causes of the poor water quality were likely to be from typical urban sources (roads, roofs, gardens, leaf litter, pet faeces, construction sites etc.) as well as sewage, industrial waste and a range of other external influences.“ According to the report there is more work to be done in order to assess the effectiveness of stormwater treatment and to improve the sources of pollution. I agree, auditing is necessary but not enough, taking action is what will achieve results. Industry also needs to be responsible and accountable for its own waste management.
Really, it’s all a no-brainer but timely and costly. Then I wondered, even if the water quality would allow us to swim in it, would it be the right thing to do by nature? Is there a form of recreation that is less invasive than people trodding through fragile habitat along the lakeside. There is no clear cut answer to this. Some people think we need to minimise human activity around the lake in order to protect its biodiversity and give it the opportunity to flourish. Others suggest that a kayaking community could be formed that allows members to use the lake, enter and exit from a single point and act as caretakers at the same time. There are projects being undertaken to provide further entertainment and recreation around the lake. Darebin Council is currently designing an off leash dog park at Edwardes Lake. There is also an amazing play space planned for kids close to the lake although it’s build is currently on hold. If you’d like to know more about Edwardes Lake reach out to The Friends of Edwardes Lake at friendsofedwardeslake@ gmail.com.
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Out of the box Feature artist: Katie Geppert By Camille Short
Meet Katie Geppert. Watercolour artist and Reservoir local since 2019. I met Katie over zoom this morning to discuss her work. I left the conversation feeling very excited. Excited to have Katie as the debut feature artist for this column and for this idea to have paid off. I met a local artist and they are as I hoped. Amazing! And completely out of the box. Katie’s story is a testament to following your interests, finding ways to hone your skills and building connections. Her watercolour career for instance was kickstarted in 2016 when she caught the attention of ‘Off-White’ high-end fashion label founder, Virgil Abloh. Interested in fashion and wanting to spend more time developing her skills she committed to painting a fashion illustration a day for 100 days and
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You can see more of Katie’s work here https://www.katiegeppert.com/artwork https://www.instagram.com/katiegeppert/tagged/ *Images copyright Katie Geppert
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sharing it on instagram. Abloh approached her to collaborate and since then she has completed several projects for the label and is internationally known for this work. After some quick googling I discovered that as well as founding the OffWhite label, Abloh was rated as one of the most influential people in the world according to Time Magazine in 2018. Talk about following your interests, commiting to practice and making connections! 📷 It would be remiss of me not to also mention raw talent as a part of Katie’s success. I’ve looked at quite a few of her pieces now and I’m captured - whether it is a portrait, an abstraction or a shoe (albeit a highly fashionable one). Katie’s paintings have an attitude I can’t quite put my finger on. I think it is the combination of grittiness and warmth that I connect to. Like many of us during the past 18 months Katie’s life has been disrupted by the pandemic. Something good that has come out of this for Katie is an opportunity to take up a long desired hobby. She has been teaching herself to skateboard in her driveway. She is
attracted to the aesthetics of skateboarding, and how each skateboarder has a unique style. It is motivating her to think more about her own aesthetic and what her message is with her artworks. The pandemic has also given her the opportunity to focus on portraits. She started doing commissions of A5 size portrait paintings that people could give to loved ones they missed - a love letter of sorts. As a pet lover, she soon started doing pet portraits too. People connect to her portrait work and it is a medium she is interested in when thinking about taking her art further. I look forward to seeing what Katie does next. Keep an eye out. As well as making waves with watercolours you might see her around Reservoir walking her dog, learning how to ollie, or playing synth in not just one but two bands.
This column features local rezzadents who do something outside of the box. You can email suggestions to camille.short@gmail.com
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Kind Watch Kind Watch is Reservoir’s most trusted information receiving service. It’s for people wanting to share when they see, or suspect an activity or action of kindness. Tips can be anonymous. Share at rezzadentnews@gmail.com
Anonymous Bec is a champion Hey! Yesterday afternoon around 2:30pm my car broke down, right down the side of Northlandand as someone who's been lucky enough to never have had car issues, I PANICKED HARD. A lovely gentleman in a blue work ute helped tow my car down to the carpark so I was no longer blocking the road. Then the most beautiful, kindest lady, Bec stayed with me and kept me calm and then proceeded to drive me the five minutes home. I was hoping to try and get in contact with both of these people to say thank you! So if anyone knows a Bec
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who helped a crying girl and a gentleman who was so calm and helpful, please let me know!!
A couple of garbos just out on a walk Shout out to the couple walking their dog with a big garage bag picking up the rubbish around Edwards Lake. Thanks!
Skippy's Rescued I just want to acknowledge that there are still good people out there. Bravo to the beautiful couple who rescued two kangaroos today! These two young kangaroos were spotted on Cheddar Road, early afternoon. A couple saw
them and followed them with their car to make sure they were OK. They ended up on Atkinson Reserve. Exhausted, they were lucky to have found a bit of shade to rest under. Wildlife Rescue was called and arrived a few hours later. The rescue service did an amazing job and will be taking care of them. One of the Roo’s was a female with a baby Joey. Three lives were saved today kudos to that gorgeous family and the rescue team.
When life gives you lemons Cheers to the locals who left some fresh eggs from their backyard chooks in my letter-box as a thank you for the surplus of
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lemons we gave away (hanging off our street fence). Turns out when life gives you lemons it also gives you eggs!Feeling very grateful.
Jump around Thank you to the guy in the white 4WD who helped me jump start my car at Summerhill Friday night. Much appreciated!
We love Edwardes Lake Shout out to Kate, from Friends of Edwardes Lake who created these awareness raising stencils. Keep an eye out for them and pick up your dog poop!
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Voir words By Megan and Michael Von Hemlock
Across
Down
6. Squealing tyres (7) 7. Station named after a Scottish clan (7) 10. Officer rank above corporal (8) 11. Type of tree that whistles in the wind (6) 13. Beer brewed in Rezza (7) 15. Seasonal winter fruit (5) 17.Reservoir Station has been recognised for its _____ (14)
1. What kind of fluff was found on Lloyd Ave? (7) 2. Victorian Aboriginal leader in the late 19th Century (5) 3.Vegetable used to create print art (6) 4.Notation for musical notes above middle C (6, 4) 5.Game, _____ and Crosses (7) 8. American writer ____Allan Poe (5) 9.Station that rhymes with neon (4) 12.Chicken species name, ____ domesticus (6) 14.Artwork made from tiles (6) 16.King known as Longshank (6)
Answers pg 47
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My Asian Neighbour Authentic Indonesian cuisine is a joy for people’s hearts Di Lam and Brendan Bennett share why My Asian Neighbour is a new hotspot for food-lovers The home of rich duck curry, exquisite pork ribs and home-made noodles in Mi Goreng and Laksa dishes, with plenty of Bintangs thrown in for good measure. These are a few of many reasons this recently opened Indonesian restaurant has
become a new favourite for many locals. More than just amazing food, the founders’ story and venue transformation left us wanting more! Chef, Lily, not only has Preston’s warmest smile but was also a professional cook for over a decade in Warung, Bali, Indonesia. She created and ran a successful restaurant back home
before migrating to Melbourne to bring Indonesian cuisine that focuses on using sauces created in-house from authentic recipes to hungry Australians. Her passion for bringing joy to people’s hearts through her cooking can be seen wafting through the restaurant’s front window as passers by are able to observe and bask in the joyous aromas of Lily’s masterpieces being handcrafted. Wayne is a long-term Preston resident. Lily’s home made meals inspired Wayne so much so that he converted his amazingly located house, on the most upand-coming nook of Plenty Road into what we now know as My Asian Neighbour. This tasty strip is well-known by locals for its plentiful, much-loved favourites like Stray Neighbour, Sister Moon Brother Wolf, Future Mountain Brewing And Blending and many more. Wayne’s eye for bringing together the right setting and Lily’s mesmerising
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home cooking inspired food has quickly become a hit - and we’re all for it! The many waves of lockdowns have at times felt like setbacks, but the love for this glowing Preston/Reservoir gem has inspired this lovely entrepreneurial couple to continue to transform this space to give people more reasons to keep it local. Wayne has been (almost) as busy as Lily has in the kitchen with his expert use of power tools. He has created an amazing sunsoaked beer garden on the quieter side street, which is begging for the clocks to change, for lockdown to be a thing of the past and for people to lounge in the long afternoon sun. We can’t wait to get back in for a beer or two with good food and great hosts. myasianneighbour.com.au
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By Nicole Robertson
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‘Does anyone know why there’s a helicopter hovering around my neighbourhood?’ By Carmen Lahiff-Jenkins
Questions about helicopter activity have become so triggering to communities that some Good Karma Facebook pages have even banned members from posting them! The Rezzadent spoke to Victoria Police, CASA and Airservices Australia to find out who is hovering over your street at night and why? The main helicopter activity within the City of Melbourne relate to: Tourist joy flights (operating from several origins, not just the central city helipads. This includes Essendon airport and to a lesser extent Moorabbin airport)
Image Credit : Jai Balmer
Television reporting including sport and news events
Police helicopter operations over the city and suburbs
Power company AeroPowers who conduct inspection and maintenance services for the utilities sector across Australia.
Traffic reporting where the helicopter departing from Essendon Airport operates mostly in the early morning and the evenings
Reservoir locals have a Melbourne Control Zone and the sky above our heads is Class G airspace. Class G has
few restrictions, although helicopters must be at least 1000 feet over populated areas, and are normally allowed to fly between 7am-8pm and 9am - 8pm on public holidays. They are only EVER allowed to fly under 1000 feet if exempt by CASA (has to be a VERY good reason); landing or taking off; or responding to an emergency or law enforcement.
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Legislation called the Neighbourly agreement, means unless it’s one of these circumstances listed above you are probably hearing an emergency response hospital helicopter (rare in Reservoir), or the police. You would be surprised at how many noise complaints the police receive about their helicopter activities and police are a bit sensitive about it. I actually never asked them about noise, but they were intent on addressing this issue. A spokesperson for the Victoria Police told The Rezzadent ‘Victoria Police helicopters are deployed operationally to support police activity across the state. We understand people may experience noise from a helicopter in use. Victoria Police regularly consults with relevant authorities which regulate air traffic and noise to ensure we are compliant with all regulations. We thank the community for their understanding and patience as the Air Wing passes by.’ The Air Wing of the Police covers a ‘range of missions’ throughout Victoria and their 14 pilots and 38 Tactical Flight Officers are in the sky above our heads for approximately 6000 hours
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each year. The Air Wing has 7 roles and responsibilities: Tactical, Aerial observations (often done with a drone, Vic police started using them in 2019), Search, Rescue, Rapid Deployment, Training and public reassurance. Air Wing searches for anyone involved in a crime, missing persons, and vehicles. The police helicopters known as Leonardo AW139 are fitted with high-definition cameras and infrared technology able to detect number plates and follow fleeing criminals from a long distance. If you’re hearing them in the sky above Reservoir chances are one of your neighbours cars has been stolen. Reservoir has consistently remained Victoria's unluckiest suburb for car theft, with 671 incidents recorded in 2020, followed by the suburbs of Dandenong, Frankston and Preston. So, when you hear a helicopter hovering overhead after 8pm, you know it’s the police, looking for someone, or a vehicle. Maybe, just to be on the safe side, lock your door. But be heartened, other
types of crime have been going down in Darebin, and in 2021 overall crime dropped by 2.8%. If you are interested in finding out more, police update their statistics every three months, you can view the latest data at Crimestatistics.vic.gov.au.
Springtime THE REZZADENT
in Reservoir Photography by Julie Atkinson
"Spring is sprung the grass is riz I wonder where the birdie is The bird is on the wing? How absurd! I always thought the wing was on the bird."
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Rewilding your garden Why plant for wildlife? By Kate Jost
When I purchased my house in 2013 I was delighted to discover that a large tree which overhung my courtyard, owned by my neighbour, was home to three native fauna species, a common ringtail possum, a red wattlebird and a magpie. I quickly formed a relationship with each of these creatures. The common ringtail possum would greet me in the evenings to share the strawberries I grew in my garden. The red wattlebird would fiercely defend its territory against any trespassers, with the harsh “yac a yac’ and loud ‘chok’ of it’s call. And I would wake to the sound of the magpie caroling it’s morning song. Life with these three was joyful. In 2019 the tree which homed these three individuals would need to be cut down. The tree’s roots were causing damage to my neighbour’s plumbing pipes. I arrived home one day after work and to my shock the tree was gone. The ringtail possum and red wattlebird departed but the magpie
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remained. I was saddened by the loss but took comfort in the magpie’s song which continued to wake me at sunrise each morning. In 2020 one evening while cooking my dinner I heard an awful cry from outside, it was my magpie, it had been attacked by a neighbourhood cat. I inspected it’s injuries in the dim light of my garage and knew that it wasn’t going to make it. I bundled the magpie up in a blanket and drove it to the nearest vet where it was euthanised. The next morning I woke to silence for the first time in seven years, the magpie’s morning song was gone. It was at that moment that I made a decision to dedicate my small urban courtyard to wildlife. I cat-proofed my courtyard, pulled out the fruit trees and veggies along the retaining wall, read every book and article on creating habitat I could find, planted native plants in hues of pinks, greens and greys, purchased a possum box, created habitat logs
and rocks for lizards and installed a bird bath. They say build it and they will come, and they have. I have been rewarded with my efforts by many native visitors to my garden, new holland honeyeaters, red wattlebirds, blue banded bees, garden sinks, a marbled gecko and Australian painted lady butterflies. When I'm asked why plant for wildlife? My reply is simple, for joy. My garden is once again joyful.
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Top tips to create refuge for wildlife 1. Provide water • Choose non-metal (metal can get too hot during the summer months) dishes, one for ground dwelling wildlife like lizards and one up higher for wildlife that don’t want to come down to the ground like possums • Provide an escape route in the dish like a rock or stick in case any wildlife falls into the dish • Keep the water clean by changing it daily 2. Get to know your local indigenous plant nurseries • Tube stock is very affordable costing a few dollars per plant and grows quickly. The majority of plants I planted were tube stock and have tripled in size during the 12 months I have had them. • Nangak Tamborre La Trobe Indigenous Plant Nursery • Victorian Indigenous Nurseries • CERES Nursery 3. Create home aka habitat • Hollows take between 100 – 200 years to form, don’t wait. • Consider purchasing a nesting box • Make a bee hotel 4. Join your local ‘Friends’ Group to learn more about native flora and fauna Friends Friends Friends Friends
of of of of
Edwardes Lake Merri Creek Edgars Creek Darebin Creek
5. Enjoy our unique and wonderful wildlife Resources City of Darebin – Gardens for wildlife Birdscaping Australian Gardens Habitat – A practical guide to creating a wildlife – friendly Australia garden Gardening Australia – Gardens for wildlife
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Gellibrand’s humble produce cart By Shannon McKeogh
When Penny and her family moved to Reservoir and set up the Grow Free Cart two years ago on Gellibrand Crescent she had no idea that it would become the community icon that it is today. On a single day the cart can be heaving from the weight of lemons, succulent plants, olive plants, handfuls of herbs, bunches of pansies, and ripe apricots freshly picked from the backyards of locals. But this is no ordinary food cart or stall, because everything on it is free, with no obligation to swap, or leave anything behind. Penny admits this idea was at first confusing for some. “There were so many who would come along and would ask, “oh, what are you selling? Or what do I have to give? What’s the catch?” It’s hard for people to actually accept that it’s okay to take without giving,” Penny said. The Grow Free cart is
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part of a movement that started in Penny’s hometown in Adelaide Hills. It has the simple ethos that everyone should have access to free locally grown food. Written on Penny’s cart is the movement’s motto, “Take what you need, give what you can!” While Penny describes herself as just another, “busy, tired mum just like everyone else,” who is “doing everything in an average way,” for others the humble cart has reflected the value of community and connection. Penny’s new neighbours next door even admitted that the cart was one of the reasons that they wanted to live in the area. For Penny it has been the unexpected conversations and new friendships that has made the cart worthwhile. “When we moved here I didn’t really know anybody apart from my husband’s family. I now know the names of the 10 or 12 houses near us, and I can
call half of them if I need to. “We’ve made some of our really good friends just by reaching out to neighbours,” she said. The inspiration to give back locally and connect with neighbours is growing in popularity with new produce carts pop up in the area. And what is Penny’s advice for those wishing to start their own? “Don’t be discouraged, some weeks will be a hub of activity, and the next nothing will be dropped off.” But most importantly Penny wants people to not underestimate how much people appreciate these simple gestures. “What you might have to give that you might not think means very much, can mean a huge amount to somebody else.”
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Gellibrand Crescent
Power St
Pine St
Nocton St
You can find the Gellibrand Grow Free Cart on the corner of Gellibrand Crescent and Glasgow Avenue Other produce carts in Reservoir Powell Street Nocton Street Pine Street (near Crispe Oval) Did we miss one? Let us know at rezzadentnews@gmail.com
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Pasta Sauce using a Sofrito Reservoir Recipes By Robert Pingitore The following recipe is a simple and basic pasta sauce but one that does take a bit of time to prepare. It is a red tomato sauce that can be used as a base to create other pasta sauces. For example, simply add mince to the sauce to create a delicious bolognese.
INGREDIENTS 1 700g Passata Bottle 140g Tomato Paste 1/2 Large Carrot 1/2 Stalk of Celery 1/2 Onion 1 Garlic Clove 2 tbsp Olive Oil 1/4 Cup Red Wine 1 tbsp Italian Herb Mix
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METHOD 1. Clean the carrot, celery, onion and garlic and place all in a food processor. Blend to a chopped consistency.
5. Add the passata bottle contents to the pot along with salt and pepper to taste. 6. Fill the empty Passata bottle with 150ml water and add to the pot.
2. In a large pot, add olive oil, Italian herbs and vegetable paste. Lightly fry for about 3 minutes.
7. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat to its lowest setting. Cover and cook for about an hour, stirring often.
3. Add tomato paste and simmer the paste until the bitterness has subsided.
8. Once the sauce is cooked through it should be a thick but slightly runny consistency.
4. Add red wine and deglaze the pot.
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Over the Fence Reservoir Locals By Erin Hill
Nikki Lowes loves cats. At the moment she’s mum to Ferris, the Persian Ragdoll cross, who at the ripe old age of twelve is absolutely and understandably partial to a day off. Ferris is the much loved last surviving member of the three cats Nikki has re-homed over the years, one gifted and two rescued. Nikki knows the value of a safe and comfortable place to dwell, the kind that welcomes you inside with loving arms. As somebody who left home relatively young and hasn’t been fortunate to experience a close and supportive relationship with her own mother, this home is a thing she has learned to cultivate on her own terms throughout her 45 years. While she’s certainly no stray, at this particular juncture in her
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life we could metaphorise that Nikki is the cat, and Reservoir is the warm adoptive environment that has gently welcomed her home. In late 2020 when Nikki was looking for a new place to live, Reservoir seemed to be a no-brainer. As well as having several friends already living in the suburb, she loved its down to earth atmosphere, affordability for renters, selection of great local bars and eateries, and its proximity to the Preston Market. Additionally, Reservoir’s easy access to the surrounding creeks and parklands was a huge drawcard for Nikki, a staunch vegan and environmentalist who works full time as a Subject Matter Expert for the Environment Protection Authority.
Upon settling in at her spacious and light-filled new HQ in January this year, Nikki wasted no time before forging valuable connections within the community. She reached out to her Rezza mates for skates and walking catch ups to help better acquaint herself with the area, joined pals for sunset cocktails after work when Covid restrictions allowed, and got in touch with local environmental preservation legends Friends of Edwardes Lake, where she now serves on the committee and volunteers her time weeding, planting local vegetation and picking up litter around the lake each weekend. These connections proved crucial in March when Nikki underwent a hysterectomy after
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years of suffering from debilitating endometriosis. After a short and much appreciated stint convalescing and being taken good care of by friends at their house in Torquay, Nikki returned home for the remainder of her recovery. Here, she was met with the overwhelming kindness and support of her more local network of friends. Wonderfully, even as a single person navigating the ramifications of an invasive surgery - and a pandemic - solo and with no family nearby, she felt far from alone. Nikki largely attributes her ability to heal so well and surprisingly quickly to the
outpouring of love and solidarity she received at this time, and recognises that her Reservoir community had a big part to play in that, rendering her immensely grateful for having lived here during that time. Now that she is back in full health, Nikki is excited to keep enjoying all that our large and loving suburb has to offer, especially with daylight savings coming into effect. That means plenty more post-work hours of light to take walks in, and many cosy sunny window naps at home with Ferris. Purrfect.
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The Kids Are Alright What I love about Reservoir Written by Nada aged 12 and Mariam aged 10.
Can you hear the wind whoosh or the birds’ tweet? Can you hear those ducks quacking on the lake or the water rushing along the creek? Can you hear the school bells ringing in the distance or children laughing during the lunch break? This is what we hear in Reservoir. Dad, can we go to the creek? There are many things we like about Reservoir. Including the amazing parks, creeks and shops. Reservoir is a family friendly place that everyone enjoys! Some of our favourite places in Reservoir are the skate parks, the footy ground, the creek, Edwards Lake and the Preston Market. Most of all we love the people. Every single person here is Reservoir is so diverse and brings so much culture to our beautiful community. Our whole family lives in Reservoir. Our Tayta and Jedo (Grand and Pa), our
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uncles, aunts and all our cousins too. We would not want to live in any other suburb, especially during these difficult times. We cannot visit our family but when we play in our yard our neighbour on one side pops up and says hello. A Nona lives on the other side. She gives us fruit from the trees in her garden. This is what family is about when your neighbours care for you as much as your family does. Now this is what we love about Reservoir. The places, the people and just everything about it. Thanks for reading!
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Image Credits to Julie Atkinson
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If you are a Rezza kid or know a Rezza kid who would like to write for The Kids Are Alright, please email rezzadentnews@ gmail.com It would be great to have a different kid write in each edition. They can write a good news story about living in Rezza or on a topic they are passionate about.
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Mundane Delights
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A column about enjoying the simple things in life by Shannon McKeogh
When I lived in a tiny apartment in Richmond, I dreamt of the day that I would have a garden. I imagined chucking a fistful of seeds into the dirt, watering it with a dainty can and voila!, things would grow the size of my head. When I moved to Reservoir and tried to start with the basics, I was shocked to discover that slugs were munching on my basil, parsley and mint leaves. It didn’t take long before the munchers ate through everything I had planted in the ground. I held back my feelings of frustration as I replanted a new batch of herbs, and on cold winter nights I would go on ‘slug watch,’ where I would grab a torch and catch the fat bastards in the act. But I couldn’t be on slug watch all night long, so I set up beer traps, but no matter how many fell into the trap of yeasty goodness, there seemed to be dozens more who could slide into the glorious herbs. I tried egg shells, coffee
beans (thanks All Heart Cafe!) and copper tape. The latter seemed to do the trick for a while but after six months I realised that planting in the ground wasn't going to work. I fought the slugs and the slugs won. Although I am happy to report that my herbs, planted in pots and off the ground, are thriving and generally, slug-free. I am slowly but surely learning more about gardening. Someone wise said to me that gardening was learning that you couldn’t control nature and you simply had to learn how to work with it. A great philosophy to work by. This year I’ve branched out from herbs into some basic flowers and have just learnt the difference between perennial and annuals. I have also planted some sunflowers, which I’m hoping, will actually grow as big as my head. Gardening makes you appreciate that beautiful things require work. On my lunchtime walks,
while working from home, I admire the flowers blooming around Reservoir. I write these letters in my head: Dear neighbour, I just walked past your house and stopped and noticed your flowers. By stopped, I mean I was forced to be momentarily stationary while my small dog weed on your nature’s strip. Nevertheless, during this brief moment I had the luxury of breathing in the beauty of your magnolia tree and other flowers. I wish I knew the name of your other flowers and was one of those people who could rattle them off like lyrics in a song. Instead the colours and textures are below: Yellow native dunny brush Like a Christmas tree but soft limbed Red rash exploding delight Greedy pink softness Carnivorous looking succulent Thanks for the flowers. From an admirer, Your fellow Reservoir neighbour (and newbie gardener).
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October 2021
Argentinians The many faces of Reservoir By by Viktoria Komornik
My Argentinian friends in Reservoir have come to Australia for love. Leaving their families behind halfway across the globe. Affordability was the main factor for them choosing to settle in Reservoir and they have become active, contributing members to the local community. In the 1970’s Argentinians
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left their home to escape a dictatorship; however lately they are leaving their homeland due to political unrest, high corruption, high inflation and low levels of security.
in South America after Brazil. Most people would have heard of its capital, Buenos Aires, probably thinking of Tango, salsa music and beautiful beaches.
Argentina is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world and the second-largest country
Argentinians are very social people and food and wine is the centre of all their gatherings. A
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weekend family meal may start at noon and last well into the night, way past most people’s bedtime around here Australians and Argentinians share the love of the traditional barbeque. After a barbeque, a communal tea drink called “maté" gets passed around and the tea is imbibed through a metal straw with a filter at the bottom. This is one of the traditional rituals greatly missed by Argentinians living in Australia. There are many other Argentinian dishes that you may have tried already, like “empanadas”. These are similar to a meat pastie or an Indian samosa, deep fried or cooked in the oven and filled with different fillings. For something sweet, try ‘facturas’ which are similar to danishes from Don Juan Bakery in Reservoir. Argentina is one of the highest meat consuming and exporting countries in the world. There are more cows living there than humans - although they are not the only country in the world to claim this. They also have the love of sport in common with Australians. Football (soccer) is not just a game - it’s like a religion. Watching football matches is a family activity and kids will play wherever there is an open
space. My Argentinian friends’ kids all play soccer at local clubs in the Reservoir area. Dance is a passion of mine, and I couldn’t speak of Argentina without mentioning the Tango. Tango was born in Buenos Aires in the 1880s, partially thanks to the Italian immigrants. Tango is a multicultural fusion of sounds from the local criollos, Afro-Argentine rooted cultures and the local Italian society. Apart from soccer players Maradona and Messi, another famous person you might have heard of was Eva Peron. Does the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Evita” sound familiar? Eva Peron was the First Lady of Argentina (1946-52) and her contributions to social justice made her a heroine for many in the country. She was the main driving force in the achievement of female suffrage and improvement of labour rights in Argentina. Here are some of the innovations from Argentina. An interesting one is the Dactyloscopy System, the method of classification and the technology of identification of people by their fingerprints, invented by the Argentine policeman, Juan Vucetich (1891).
traffic light (M Dávila, 1983) which helps the visually impaired to move independently. The first animated film in history, The Apostle (by Quirino Cristiani, 1917). The inseparable syringe (Arcusin) and the first siphon to make soda water (Drago 1965). There is plenty more to be proud of, for Argentinians. Argentina has also produced five Nobel Laureates in the fields of Peace, Chemistry and Medicine, along with various creators of the arts. This exciting, vast and beautiful country is definitely on my travel wish list. I’m hoping to perfect my Tango skills (currently non-existent) and to hike around Patagonia and Iguazu Falls. When you meet someone from Argentina, make sure to ask about their family, invite them to your next party and get ready for the hugs and kisses. They are very affectionate people.
Some of their other innovations: The sound
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October 2021
Dear Ernie Your local miniature sausage dog is here to solve all your life’s problems; one tail wag and wet kiss at a time. Treats welcome. Send your qualms to the doggo with the subject line “Dear Ernie” to rezzadentnews@gmail.com
Dear Ernie, I’m worried because I’ve put on a bit of weight during lockdown from a lot of emotional eating. Extra ‘covid kilos’ they call them. I’m feeling a bit self conscious as we start to see people again and I can’t fit into my usual clothes. What should I do? From a muffin-loving human
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Dear human, You are lucky. You know why? Because you are human and get to eat food whenever you want to. I only eat two times a day, when bowl hits floor when sun rises and again when sun goes over hill. Sometimes I am lucky and find morsels of scraps when out for walk or tasty crumbs when owners eating. I am not picky, I will eat lettuce and lick the bowl. People comment on my weight all the time because I am sausage dog and we get fat easily. Someone asked if I was pregnant the other day and I was going to say, how rude, but then I saw some tasty bird poop and gobbled that up instead.
itchy rash. Is your belly rashy? You haven’t said, so I guess not. Humans are too self-conscious about everything. I say be more like a chonky dog and seize the day. And you don’t really need clothes do you? Just sit on the ducted heating like I do or whine until your owners put you in their bed. So cosy! I hope this helps. Please send muffins as payment. Love Ernie
My belly hangs so low to the ground that it often hits the grass and causes
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October 2021
Ever thought ‘ what's that smell?’ By Hayley Culley
Well, the answer is, it's the VISY factory on Edwardes Street. The smell itself comes from the mulching of the paper and is supposedly not harmful, but still... It's gross, right? Thankfully though, there are plans in action to stop this pungent smell, and things we as a community can also do to speed it up. Join the Facebook Group: Clean air Reservoir 3073. This group is known by the EPA and the bigger the group, the more power the EPA has when proving to VISY that this is affecting the community. Call the EPA to report the smell - every day if need be. The more reports, the more they can do. Their number is: 1300 372 842
What's currently happening VISY has a due date of November for them to undertake a detailed and comprehensive investigation to propose further odour controls as they did not meet the requirements of the last check in September. The EPA then escalates non-compliances with notices as per their compliance and enforcement [olicy for further investigation. In the case of the notice currently on VISY, the outcome of this process is most likely to be one of an official warning, an infringement notice or court action. The final decision is made by a specialist team of investigators. Let’s get together and say ‘see ya later’, to the stink!
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Community News If you have a tip-off or know of an event coming up that you’d like featured please contact us at rezzadentnews@gmail.com
New off lead area for your doggo at Edwardes Lake Park Darebin council wants your feedback on the design for a new off-lead dog area at Edwardes Lake Park. Located at Seaver Grove in Reservoir West, this will be a dedicated green space for the community to socialise and exercise their dogs. Share your feedback here. Submissions close Sunday 17 October.
Chance to get involved in the climate emergency locally RezNUCA ( Reservoir Neighbours United for Climate Action) are currently planning to scale up their community activities for 2022 and are keen to hear from Reservoir folk wanting to get involved! To connect with fellow Reservoir neighbours taking action to address the climate emergency together, get in touch with RezNUCA on Facebook.
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October 2021
What's On Marketing your product Author Talk with Tania Farrelly for small-scale growers Thursday 21 October, 7pm Saturday 9 October 11am - 1pm. Online workshop by Farmer Incubator, $40 Green thumbs who fancy starting their own food businesses but not sure where to start may be interested in this online workshop. You can hear from organic food retailers as well as wholesalers, producers and chefs. Register here.
Book Chat Online Tuesday 19 October 7pm - 8pm Online event by Darebin Libraries, free A Book Chat to connect with other people through friendly conversation and a mutual love of words. They’d love to hear what you've been reading – whether it's a book, a poem, a journal article, even an audiobook or podcast. Maybe you’ll discover your next mustread book! Book Here
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- 8pm
Online event by Darebin Libraries, free Tania Farrelly explores the brilliance and brutality of one of the world’s most progressive eras and celebrates the visionaries who dare to rebel in this enlightening and accessible historical escape, artfully gift wrapped in a heart-rending love story between a man, a woman and the circus elephant that brings them together. Sign up here.
Author Talk with Andy Kranz - Children's Week Event Thu, 28 October, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Online Event by Darebin Libraries, free This true story, presented as a fable, tells of the author’s father when he was a boy, and there was a war. Living in an underground dwelling for three years, he and his parents survive with
the help of kind and courageous strangers. Come along to hear Andy talk about her book! Recommended for children aged 8 to 12 years. Book here.
Sustainable gardening with Kaye RobertsPalmer Monday 18 October 2pm 3pm Online event by Darebin Libraries, free This event will showcase gardening presenter, Kaye Roberts-Palmer who will share organic gardening techniques for creating a low maintenance, healthy garden without the need for chemical pesticides or excess watering. Book here.
Spooky Storytime Saturday, 30 October, 10.30am - 11.30am Online Event by Darebin Libraries, free We’re celebrating Halloween with a special weekend storytime… and things are going to get a
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little spooky! Get into the spirit and wear a scary costume to give us a fright - BOO!! Suitable for children aged 2 to 7 years. Book here.
Japanese Paper Folding – National Recycling Week
Secrets of Women’s Healthy Ageing Cassandra Szoeke Author Talk
Online event run by Darebin Council, free
Thursday 4 November, 7pm - 8pm Online event by Darebin Libraries, free Secrets of Women’s Healthy Ageing draws on the findings of a unique study that has focused on the health of more than 400 women in their mid-to-late lives. Over the past 30 years a team of international investigators has compiled a remarkable amount of data, aiming to raise awareness of modifiable risk factors in women’s health. Professor Cassandra Szoeke shares the wisdom revealed by this comprehensive study, showing how to promote overall wellness and providing the key ingredients for living a long and healthy life. Book here.
Monday 8 November, 4pm - 5pm
To celebrate National Recycling Week join us for a craft activity where you’ll learn the Japanese art of kusudama, or Japanese paper folding. In this session you’ll be using all recycled materials to create beautiful paper flowers! This event is suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years. Register here.
Author Talk with Anita Heiss Wednesday 10 November, 7pm - 8pm Online event run by Darebin Council, free Join Claire Halliday in conversation with author Anita Heiss on her latest book Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams. Set on timeless Wiradyuri country, where the life-giving waters of the rivers can make or break dreams, and based on devastating true events, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams is an epic story of love, loss and belonging. Sign up here.
Macramé Workshop - Sunday Crafternoon at Future Mountain Brewery! Sunday and Sunday 14 and 14 November, 5pm 5pm In person event at Future Mountain Brewing, $48.56 Learn how to macramé while enjoying a drink at the Future Mountain Brewery. Get social and have fun at this beginner friendly macramé class! Find out more and register here
Solar Panels and Solar Battery information workshop Tuesday 9 November 6pm - 7.30pm Free Online event run by Circles Events This workshop will arm you with all the information you need if you have been thinking about installing solar panels or a solar battery on your property. Help you decide how to apply for subsidies, select the right panels and energy provider; how to avoid the pitfalls on this journey and understand your energy use and make the most of these assets. Find out and register here for the free event
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October 2021
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Illustration By Nicole Roberston
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VOIR WORDS ANSWERS Across 6. BURNOUT 7. RUTHVEN 10. SERGEANT 11. SHEOAK 13. HAWKERS 15. LEMON 17. SUSTAINABILITY Down: 1. MYSTERY 2. BARAK 3. POTATO 4. TREBLE CLEF 5. NOUGHTS 8. EDGAR 9. KEON 12. GALLUS 14. MOSAIC 16. EDWARD
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