The Rezzadent - September 2021 by The Rezzadent

September 2021

Content FEEL GOOD

FEATURES

06 Life in Lockdown

14 Neighbours uniting for climate change

11 Daisy's Good Deed

23 Night Owl Pharmacy boosts vaccine rollout

14 Chalking Up the Gratitude

39 Saving Preston Market

16 Chicken Run

LOCAL

FUN

25 Street Libraries

9 Comic

26 Street Art

41 Crossword

32 Mystery Fluff of Lloyd Avenue

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COLUMNS

PROFILES

COMMUNITY

20 Dear Ernie

17 JJ's Community Support

42 What's On

35 The Kids are Alright

32 Lockdown Hobbies: Chilli Sauce

12 Faces of Reservoir: The Hungarian

36 Miss Maple Rose

44 Council Update

September 2021

Editor's letter Hello there!

Welcome to the first edition of The Rezzadent. A new monthly community newspaper born out of a million days of lockdown. It is driven by the thirst of connecting people, local news and stories about Reservoir, together. A big thank you to everyone who has helped bring this to life. And your enthusiasm. Gosh, enthusiasm is great isn’t it?! We are still very much trying to find our feet as we stumble into creating something for digital and for print. So we appreciate your support, ideas and any tip-offs for news. When we eventually emerge shaggyhaired and bleary-eyed from lockdown, we hope that our little paper is not just online but is also printed out and available in cafes, libraries and other public spaces.

If you have any ideas, or want to be involved, please email us at rezzadentnews@gmail.com. You can also join the Facebook group by searching The Rezzadent Community News. If you want to receive this paper fresh off the press and into your inbox please sign-up here: https://bit.ly/3tv3Pkd We promise to only contact you regarding the paper, and not for any weird pyramid schemes. Take care, look after yourself and we hope you enjoy September’s issue of The Rezzadent.

Shannon McKeogh

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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.

Contact us: rezzadentnews@gmail. com Receive the paper in your inbox https://bit.ly/3tv3Pkd Editor-in-Chief: Shannon McKeogh Editors: Jenny Brown Hayley Culley Emma Grey 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 Beth Barrett Viktoria Komornik Susanne Newton Carmen Lahiff-Jenkins Mitch Kuhn

September 2021

Life in lockdown A little street called Nocton By Andrea Wegner

There was an air of novelty in the suburban streets of Reservoir when lockdown first began. We all assumed a few weeks at home might be a nice change of pace. We can quite definitively say that the novelty has well and truly worn off. In the beginning, there

were bear hunts and rainbow walks. There were chalk drawings and obstacle courses. The creek was full of families on scavenger hunts, with forts and cubbies of various sizes popping up in the bush or parks, some more sturdy than others. Neighbours checked in on each other, some meeting

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for the very first time. Streets and communities came together. There is a little street called Nocton, as far west of Rezza as you can go before you leave, that really showcased how a neighbourhood could come together. It started with a note in our letterbox asking if we would like to join a street WhatsApp group, to support each other in lockdown. First off came the offers of toilet paper or masks, if anyone found themselves short. Then the general welfare checks and sharing of information. Then things got creative. We had the Bored Board with riddles, jokes, brain teasers and a valuable survey to gauge where one should keep their tomato sauce. It gave us all pause for thought as we passed on our daily walks. Kids would run down the next morning to see if their guesses were correct. There are 19 kids under 12 living here, so next came the Borrow Box. Full of books, puzzles, toys and games. It passed from house to house, (contactless and wiped over) with each family

adding to the box. It broke up the monotony and gave parents struggling to work from home and maintain their sanity, a short diversion. The culmination of our community spirit was seen in Noctural. What started with, “let’s chuck up the Chrissy lights’ turned into fire pits in the front yard, tea lights in the windows and a

small business; we’ve shared hand-me-down clothes, fed each other’s pets, lent boxes to help someone move and tools to help with a DIY. While our patience for lockdown wanes, our desire to live in a place where neighbours watch out for each other, and we share what we have, only grows.

projector, beaming images of our street and it’s families so we could walk past – at a respectable 1.5m distance and in before curfew- to share some joy. A festival of lights in late winter. The sense of community didn’t stop when we opened up. The whole street supported one of our families to start a

September 2021

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Illustrated by Nicole Roberston

September 2021

Daisy's good deed By Bianca Jane Walsh

Some would call Daisy’s antiques retro. She owns costume jewellery, vintage clothing and an aloof orange tabby named Pickles. She and Pickles live in a residential street near Edwardes Park Lake, in Reservoir. Maxwell and Daisy worked hard for their home. Daisy is proud of how it looks - It is as neat as a pin. The red brick and the 70’s trimmings please Daisy and the flowers in the garden will soon blossom in the spring sun. Daisy and Pickles snuggle together at night and burrow into the blankets - they miss Maxwell who departed three years ago. People come and go. Daisy and Maxwell’s six children ( and their children) are teaching Daisy how to ‘Zoom’ during Covid. She’s savvy and picks up on things easily. She is as kind as a

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saint.

life has momentum.

Daisy chats away on the world wide web. She’s concerned about the state of the world and wants a new world order. She is blue but not down. She’s languishing between the states of depression and flourishing; lingering in the middle. She feels unsettled as isolation pushes in.

Lakeside Pizza, Il Pasticcino, and the florist; they are closed. Although not fussed about the tattoo parlour; the locked doors, the oddity of it, perturbs Daisy.

Clicking the laptop shut Daisy gathers her handbag and shopping trolley. As she leaves her home Daisy is saddened that she can’t wear lipstick anymore due to the mask wearing. She picks a colourful scarf for ‘pop’. It goes well with her black coat. She has sensible shoes on. Walking through Edwardes Park Lake, Daisy reflects. She’s seen much in her life and experienced things that have brought about many laughs. She has her share of horror stories too. The playground and the steam train are sectioned off. The sense of unwanted change is a niggling feeling. Daisy feels unsafe for a moment, only to notice a family training a Golden Retriever puppy. It sits and rolls over for a pat, holding up the walk. Laughter travels on the breeze and

‘It’s so peculiar’, she thinks. Daisy peers through the shop fronts, masked up. The op shop is dim and the mannequins are lifeless. The clothing hangs sadly with no occasion pending. All is still. Entering IGA she purchases ingredients for sticky date pudding with a rosewater custard. She leaves through the back way and is struck by the vacant car spaces. Daisy is elderly, but this gentleman shuffling ahead is older than her. She’s casually concerned, and as he nears the road, her intuition is validated. Abandoning her shopping trolley, Daisy rushes onto the road with her hands up, motioning traffic to stop. He is okay, but the man, reaching into his pockets, realises his money is strewn all over the road. The notes are caught in the wind. They are fluttering and blowing. Moving with unusual ease, Daisy sets about

helping. Her ballet slippers stomp on the notes that are underfoot. They both catch and pick up the scattered notes. Drivers on the road, watch the spectacle, and wait. Once they have collected the man's money, Daisy says with a smile, “You could get a wallet?”, as she hands over her stash. The man leaves - muddled by the experience, and Daisy wanders back home. Pickles meows, lacing and weaving around her feet in greeting. She makes a cup of tea, a strong brew. Daisy settles to watch her favourite show, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’. The light from the cracked window shines in, a little askew. As she watches, Daisy drifts off, not realising what a good deed doer she is. The elderly man just a street away, feels grateful. He smiles to himself as he tends to his roses. Pickles snuggles into Daisy’s lap, and they nap. A snore escapes at least one of them in the sunlight.

September 2021

The Hungarian The many faces of Reservoir By Viktoria Komornik

Reservoir is one of the most populous suburbs in Victoria, with approximately 56,000 people calling it home. Hence I found it difficult to pick just one from the numerous cultures walking our streets. For our first story, I picked the culture I am most familiar with. Hungarians. It’s not easy to find statistics on exactly how many Hungarians live in Reservoir. The main reasons for people with Hungarian background settling in Reservoir are very similar to most other nationalities. Affordability, proximity to infrastructure, to work, schools and friends. The ones I personally know have left Hungary for a vast number of reasons; either as an international student,

on a working holiday or on a professional work visa, dissatisfied with the political system or following their family. I have found that we share many of the same values with other Reservoir residents. We are very close to our family, we take care of our parents and grandparents. Most of us once lived in apartments in Hungary and are very used to living in closer proximity with our loved ones - it makes lockdowns a bit more bearable I guess. In the current climate, what we miss the most is our families who we are currently not allowed to visit, or even have them visit us. Budapest (not to be confused with Bucharest, the capital of Romania) is called the Paris of the

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East; it’s an architecturally stunning city divided by the Danube River. It’s a common theme in Hungarians to feel nostalgic about European architecture. Everyone would have seen the Budapest Parliament on a brochure for European river cruises at some stage in their life.

Hungarians come from various religious backgrounds but mostly celebrate the main Christian holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. We also celebrate name days but it’s less of a big deal than birthdays. We love a large gathering around an open fire with Goulash, simmering for hours.

Hungarian cuisine is mostly known for slow cooking, Goulash and Hungarian salami; but there is so much more we do well on the cuisine front. The Croatian Slavonija Deli at Preston market sells plentiful Hungarian goods and there is also the Hungarian Girodi Cakes on High St, known for its sweets. The pastry at Girodi is simply unbeatable, however I am biased.

I thought I should also mention some of the lesser known facts about Hungary and Hungarians. It’s a language like no other, the alphabet contains 44 letters, it’s nestled in the centre of Europe so we are particular about saying ‘Hungary is in CentralEastern and not Eastern Europe’.

than that! The ballpoint pen (Biro), the safety match (Irinyi), the idea of washing hands for surgeries to save lives (Semmelweis), were all invented by Hungarians and Vitamin C was also discovered by a Hungarian (Szent-Gyorgyi). As you might have guessed, we are very proud of our culture, language and traditions. So now, If you bump into someone with a Hungarian background in Reservoir, hopefully this article will have armed you with a few conversation starting points!

Yes, the Rubik’s cube was invented by Hungarian Erno Rubik but we can be proud of so much more

September 2021

Chalking up the gratitude By Shannon McKeogh

If you have driven or walked past Pallant Avenue over the last 18 months you may have seen an array of rainbows and positive messages written in bright chalk on a brick wall. The chalk art is the work of Lulu Leanne who was feeling the stress of lockdown and wanted to make a difference to others. The simple act has

become a staple in the avenue, which has had no shortage of love. Lulu said that the feedback has been amazing. From car toots and cheers, to little gifts or cards and messages from people saying how they were having a bad day and the message on display helped them smile.

corner store on Mendip Road. She returned to the area three years ago and loves the good vibes and smiles from the neighbours. She said the chalk messages were powerful for her also, especially while coping with a full house during the first lockdown and feeling overwhelmed.

Lulu grew up in Reservoir and her family owned a

“It got me outside to express my sadness,

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stress or feeling of anxiety and helplessness - as I was supporting some through some tough mental health, job losses or fears.” “It was a great healing process for me,” she said. Lulu has now opened her brick wall up to local young people who want to try their hand at the famous chalk messages. If interested contact rezzadentnews@gmail. com with the subject line, “Chalk.” If interested contact rezzadentnews@gmail. com with the subject line, “Chalk.”

September 2021

Chicken Run By Shannon McKeogh

Why did the chicken cross Cheddar Road? So she could pick up bugs, grubs and peck on tiny stones of fresh grass on the other side of course! 18 month-old chook Diggy loves nothing more than enjoying Reservoir’s parks with her owners Mary and 11 year-old son Matthew, who have lived in the area since 2002 with their family. Whilst they have five backyard chooks, Diggy is Matthew’s favourite and

as such, Diggy was treated to a stroll on Matthews birthday at JC Donath Reserve. Mary said they had fancied the idea of walking chickens in the park for some time before finally the idea came home to roost and they haven’t looked back. Diggy herself is never short of attention, with locals wanting to take photos with, or of the plucky pet. Mary also said she has had many chats about chooks with other keen owners.

“We think of chickens as just another type of pet, like dogs and cats, and imagined they would enjoy being able to go out with us, to peck on things along the way, especially the park where there is lots of green grass that they love. “Besides, no one can argue that chickens with harnesses and leashes on are super cute to watch,” she said.

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In Conversation

JJ from JJ’s Community Support By Viktoria Komornik

Jesse had four goals when he moved to Melbourne from sunny Cairns; to live in a big city, find a stable job, find a partner and start a community organisation, and he has achieved them all. Big city Melbourne, a job at Melbourne University, his lovely partner Manoj and created JJ’s Community Support. I caught up with JJ to talk about JJ’s Community

Support that he initiated in early 2020 from a brown brick house in Reservoir. For JJ the idea of a community table began in Cairns where fruit and vegetable barter tables are common. As soon as he moved into Reservoir he set up the table. Soon after a fridge was donated, then a freezer, and slowly as word got out the donations started to arrive.

September 2021

From his home shared with his partner, younger sister, a flatmate and Mufasa, a super confident dachshund, Jesse offers food, including fresh fruit and veg, and health and hygiene products to those in need. You can also pick herbs from the front garden, which is now an expanding veggie patch, and have a chat if Jesse is free. He is a self-confessed gardener in training, whose relationship with the plants is based on trial and error. From what I have seen most plants thrive so JJ seems to be doing something right. The support for JJ’s cause has been widespread. Tonda restaurant donates food and gifts, the Reservoir Neighbourhood House has also been a huge supporter and Seed Mania donates seeds for JJ’s community garden. Even the Preston Police station donated much needed items, although gave JJ a fright on the phone when they first called him. Whilst registered charities, like Pekelach and Smith St Pantry are helping, without the donations from individuals, JJ’s Community Support would not be able to help as many people as it currently does.

JJ has also set a composting program with three composting bins in his garden. Locals can drop in their food scraps, while participating businesses, such as Chan VS Chan and Broadway Kebabs have theirs collected once a week. What had started as a sharing table for some produce, has grown into a lifeline for many in our community. When asked what keeps him going, the answer was simple “Knowing that I help someone, even if I can do one thing that helps, we should all do it.” And as for the next set of goals when I asked, Jesse has an ambitious, but not impossible, dream. His vision is to grow JJ’s Community Support into a larger not-forprofit organisation that could help even more people and organise free community events. Having met JJ in person and seeing him in action I have no doubt that his spirit, energy and kindness will give him wings!

This is where you can pick up much needed goods or drop off 15 O’Dowd St, Reservoir 9am-7pm

If you can or need help contact JJ through any of the following Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/ JJsCommunitySupport Email: jesse.argent@outlook.com Website: https:// jjscommunitysupport. com/ Mobile: 0447 563 578 This is where you can pick up much needed goods or drop off: 15 O’Dowd St, Reservoir (9am-7pm)

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September 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, Lockdown life is so BORING! What can I do? I just want my old life back! From, A person who’s watched everything that there is to possibly watch on Netflix 20

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Dear human, I’m not sure what the Netflix is but it mustn’t be as interesting as the window. The window is a portal into a world outside my house where sometimes people (and other, less superior dogs) walk past and I bark at them. My bark is loud and I scare them away. Have you also tried chasing your tail? Or sleeping? These are

my favourite boredom busters. I sleep about 20 hours a day; on my bed, on my owner’s lap, or in the sun. This means I am quite the busy sausage. The rest of my day is scheduled to include walkies, eating in two seconds flat, window time, outside barking time, and a lot of time licking the floor for stray crumbs and scraps.

If these don’t sound appealing, then the only thing left is to roll on your back until your owner notices how cute you are and you get the belly rub. Give it a try! You won’t regret it. Love, Ernie

September 2021

Neighbours uniting for climate action By Shannon McKeogh

Before the pandemic, there was a groundswell of climate action. Passionate young people were taking to the street, and adults and businesses alike were joining them in droves. And then, the “once in a century” event took place. And activists had to put the placards down. The emergency seemed to have been replaced (for now) by another emergency. But over the last 18 months, RezNUCA (Reservoir Neighbours United for Climate Action) has been working quietly behind the scenes to determine how best to help locals connect with one another and lead a community dialogue about climate action. The group received a grant to run five community workshops from Darebin Council. From July to October, these workshops include sessions on recycling; reducing food waste; shopping smart, clean, and green; a movie

night; and how to save energy and water. Despite the workshops being online, participants still received free materials. As part of the reducing food waste workshop, boshaki materials were delivered to participants, or could be picked-up from the Reservoir Neighbourhood House. One of the organisers of RezNUCA, Katia Rotar, said they were inspired by the work and advocacy of Darebin Council (one of the first councils in the world to declare a climate emergency), but that they wanted to know what the Council could do to bring it to the neighbourhood level. “People get it; they know we’re in a climate emergency and they want to do something about it. It’s about addressing the needs that people have at the moment to be able to take some sort of meaningful action. “It’s more meaningful

if you can do it with neighbours and local people. You can have a chance to build relationships and work together with each other because it is an overwhelming issue of emergency,” Katia said. All of these events lead into the main workshop on October 16, for which locals are encouraged to become part of the Reservoir Community Climate Action Plan and to break down actions into small projects. Katia said that these can be anything that locals decide on; whether that’s recycling, regenerative projects, electric vehicles, or anything else. Katia hopes this will be able to take place in person, and that this event and any events to come are welcoming to everyone, including those with children. She also recognises how the pandemic has had an impact on locals and hopes that keeping climate action simple makes it more manageable. “The appeal of connecting with others locally is a really important ingredient in the mix. We just happen to be taking climate action, whatever that looks like.” Get involved in upcoming events by joining the RezNuca Facebook group

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Night Owl Pharmacy boosts Reservoir vaccination rollout By Beth Barrett

The Night Owl Pharmacy on Gilbert Road is rolling up sleeves to get more Reservoir residents vaccinated against COVID-19. On a typical day, the pharmacy will vaccinate 20 people, though it has seen up to 40 local patients in a single day at the peak of demand. The Night Owl is one of around 2000 pharmacies across the country providing COVID-19 vaccinations, offering a convenient local alternative to the large state-run vaccination centres or GPs. Providing vaccines is not new to the local community pharmacy. The team has been offering immunisations against the flu and whooping cough long before “lockdown” was part of our everyday vernacular. For pharmacist George Katsanevakis, playing

a part in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout was a nobrainer. “When we were told we could be involved, we knew we wanted to provide that service and hopefully encourage people who were a bit hesitant,” he said. This hesitancy or anxiety can be eased by the familiarity many in the community feel with the Night Owl team. Regular visits to fill prescriptions and seek advice have a unique way of building trust, particularly for older residents and those with complex medical needs. “There are a lot of patients who don't want to go to a big vaccination hub where it's too hard for them to wait in a queue for that amount of time.” Katsanevakis cited issues experienced by some patients when attempting to book vaccinations through their local GP clinics as another factor which has driven patients to the pharmacy for their

vaccination. When discussing the role of pharmacies in the vaccine rollout Katsanevakis said, “[pharmacies] can reduce pressure on other areas in the healthcare system. I think we've all got to just work together. “We haven't faced something like this for a century. Pharmacies have shown that we're very competent, very capable, and that we can help.” Reflecting on the past few months of the pandemic, he conceded that the wait to get started had been a point of some frustration. “We could have been doing this from early on, to get those numbers up.” The team had applied to be part of the vaccine rollout as early as March, but it took months to complete the necessary steps, training, and approvals to begin administering

September 2021

Katsanevakis and the Night Owl team feel proud of the part they’re playing to achieve higher vaccination rates higher in Reservoir. “We have people walking out smiling and their fears allayed. It's wonderful – it's a nice feeling,” he said. “We're just trying to get those numbers up so we can all get back to some sort of normality."

the vaccines. Pleasingly though, since getting approved, progress has been steady. At the time of speaking to Katsanevakis, case numbers were slowly but steadily increasing, and the eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine had been extended to those under 40 for over a week (with supply and bookings for Pfizer still limited). "We have been getting calls every day asking 'what do you have available?', and a lot of people are still holding out for Pfizer, or Moderna which we are getting later this month. But there are a lot of younger people who are happy to get AstraZeneca. I think it’s a good product. We talk about all the risks and benefits, especially with cases rising now in Melbourne.”

When discussing those risks and benefits, Katsanevakis advised anyone who is currently eligible for a vaccination to receive one with some urgency: “If we didn't have a situation with any cases rising in Melbourne, I would probably say, wait, for the vaccine originally recommended by ATAGI before the change in advice. But now that cases are going up, I think it's pretty risky. You could be waiting up to a month or two for Pfizer or Moderna. I think just get whatever you can as quickly as you can.” The Night Owl provides a translation service for patients if English is not their preferred language, and many patients have also attended with a family member or carer who can interpret and provide support.

The Night Owl is located at 743A Gilbert Rd, Reservoir Vaccination appointments at the pharmacy can be booked online at https://nightowl-pharmacy. pharmacybookings.com. au/search?service=PS.

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Street Libraries By Viktoria Komornik

Street library on Sharpe St, Reservoir This little green and blue house has been around for a number of years, with beautiful roses growing over it. It has kept up to date with the times and since the COVID-19 outbreak, the owners have included a hand sanitizer and gloves to ensure safe browsing. There is a mixture of books for all ages.

Street library on Elizabeth St (Northern end), Reservoir This little yellow library is for kids only. Its door handle is a cute silver deer head. There is a small box hanging on the side, with chalks for kids to leave wonderful messages or drawings on the sidewalk. A lovely stop on your way to Edgar’s Creek.

Reserv September 2021

Photography by Julie Atkinson

voir

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Images from Left to right; Regent St, corner Gilbert Roadt by @lucylucyone Reservoir Leisure Centre by @hayden_dewar_artist Red Spoon Cafe

street art. 27

September 2021

At Reservoir Leisure Centre by @hayden_dewar_artist

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Location behind Broadway. Artist Unknown

September 2021

At Edwards Park Lake by @befreeart

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At Reservoir Leisure Centre by @hayden_dewar_artist

September 2021

Lockdown Hobbies Dan’s lockdown hobby is making chilli sauce As told to Shannon McKeogh

I got into chilli-making because some friends were doing it and they inspired me. I tried some of theirs and thought that it was alright and they made it seem like it was a pretty easy process. I have been making chilli sauce since the first lockdown, so it’s been one year. During this time I have probably made about 10 litres. I usually eat it myself, give it to friends, workmates and family. To make chilli sauce

I needed to do some research based on how spicy I wanted it to be and found some recipes on google. I originally found a base recipe which included the amount of salt water to brine ratio and then I included the ingredients that suited my personal tastes and preferences. So if I want it hotter, I add more hot chilli’s and if I want it sweeter, I add more sweet fruits like tomatoes, mangoes, pineapple or kiwi fruit.

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No matter how sweet or hot, I always add the base vegetables like garlic, carrot and sweet capscium, onion, ginger. I buy, cut, brine and then ferment it, in an airtight mason jar for two to three weeks. Most people who have tried my sauces have said it’s good, but I don’t know if they are just saying it to be friendly, but I’ve definitely had some good feedback. Personally I like it, and at the end of the day, it’s all natural and has no preservatives. When I told my mum, who lives in Wangaratta, that I was making chilli sauce, she was nice enough to grow some chilli plants for me, which have a variety of heat. I have used some of them in the batches I’ve made, as well as one as my partner’s bird’s eye’s chillies. Using your own home-grown, adds a personal touch. You can definitely eat too much chilli! You’ve got to be careful, everyone’s tummies are different so you’ve got to ease into it, otherwise you’ll end up on the toilet, but it’s a

personal thing. I think you need to be careful with the fermentation process too, as there’s good bacteria and bad bacteria, so you need to follow the recipe method precisely.

Fancy making yourself some hot sauce? Dan recommends the recipe below: feastingathome.com/ fermented-hot-saucesimple-and-delicious/

I’m going to keep experimenting with different flavours by trying different recipes. I like to keep it in small batches as I don’t want it to go to waste. If you are thinking of trying to make chilli sauce, I wouldn’t say that you’ll save money, and if you want to buy a proper fermenting kit that will cost you. But the main positive is you know what you’re putting into it. Chilli is high in vitamin C and the other fruits are healthy also. It’s a good hobby though and although I do feel the store bought stuff takes better than mine, I’m also not trying to match it. I’m still trying to find the holy grail recipe so that I can stick to it. I’m not a great cook but I can make sauces.

September 2021

Mystery fluff of Lloyd Avenue By Shannon McKeogh

On Saturday 14th August, residents of Lloyd Avenue and surrounding streets awoke to a strange sight outside their windows as a mysterious white fluff lined street gutters and some front yards. Cyclists commented while passing, “It’s everywhere. What is it?” A good question, without glasses on it looked like blurred snow. Another suggested guess was that a local dog groomer had shorn the wool of a hundred poodles and let the removed fur dance in the wind. And while the fluff did have the consistency of dog fur, it seemed artificial, like fake poodle. Like a kind of fluff used to make toys, or stuff teddy bears. A woman who lives on Lloyd Avenue was shocked by the fluff. “Oh my,” she said, “I better get my blower out, once I change out of my dressing gown.”

However the blower, and dressing gown change was not required as some do-gooders swept the streets clean of the mystery fluff. One local generously put aside her busy morning of life admin to pick up the substance. Thanks to their tireless efforts, an entire wheelie bin was filled and the streets were transformed back to its former fluffless glory. However, to this day, the mystery of the fluff, what it was, and how it got there remains unsolved.

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The Kids Are Alright As told to Andrea Wegner

What is it like being a Rezzakid? It’s fun to be a kid in Reservoir. Sure, lockdown isn’t great for us, but when we’re out of this horror scene there are plenty of fun things to do! One of my personal favourites is the Kite Festival which is held in March at Edwards Lake Park. There are bands, stalls, delicious food, a park and a chance to make and fly your very own kite. Other events in the year are the music festival, Reservoir Stomp in November, and the Carols at Coburg Lake in December. If you are bored, I would recommend finding some climbing trees along Edgar’s creek or the skatepark at the top of Edwards Lake Park. It has a soccer net, basketball and netball hoops and places to skate and ride. When they open up parks

again, try the ones on Wood St, Hillcroft St or the corner of Mason and Arlington Streets. However, the thing I love most about living in Rezza is my own school fete. Every second year in November, Reservoir West Primary School puts on a fun filled family festival. It is epic! There are rides on the oval, stalls on the basketball courts and so much sugar! You can dunk your teacher in a cold barrel of water and watch the teachers perform a hilarious dance. It’s very funny.

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.

It’s pretty good being a kid in Rezza. Sienna Aged 10

September 2021

Miss Maple Rose by Rachel Mia

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Miss Maple Rose Rezza’s Burlesque Diva By Mitch Kuhn

The progeny of latestage neo-liberal straight shooters, Marissa DaleJohnson, known here on out as the inimitable Miss Maple Rose, has often been at odds with her upbringing. From sugarplum fairy as queen of her ballet school, to whipping her plums out as a burlesque diva to the delight of audiences literally the world over, Maple's life is a series of edifying moments underpinned by a penchant for peace and quiet. Maple hails from Toronto, Canada. The poutine runs thick as...well, poutine, in her blood. Having one parent from Canada, one from Australia, the family moved over after her schooling was completed. An undergraduate degree in architecture, a postgrad in performance art, hard work is clearly in this busy beaver’s DNA. But something was missing, that special feeling she had nurtured and fallen in

love with whilst dancing with her local ballet outfit from the age of three. A chance encounter during her time in theatre production led to an opportunity to dance again, yet this would be no La Bayadere. Marissa Dale-Johnson was cast aside for an evening, and the world was introduced to Miss Maple Rose, burlesque rookie. A passion was awoken, the costumes, the confidence, the sheer adrenaline, an addictive cocktail to be sure. She had found her purpose. The public has since borne witness to a shimmering vision of sequins, feathers and immaculate costume design, from a rare and gifted artist. They see a dancer of grace and confidence, but not without a literal wink to the comedienne within. What they cannot obtain from this brief eclipse is the incalculable time that is given willingly to

the craft. A passionate dedication that has never waned, never been surmounted by the near constant battle that transpires whilst bringing one's inner creative desires to fruition. This is what the viewer could never see, unless they were married to it, much like this writer happens to be. Maple has performed for crowds big and small, old and not too young, both in the flesh and, as a result of our beloved pandemic, digitally. She has achieved at the highest level, performed all across the world in places such as Stockholm, London and the Edinburgh Fringe festival, as well as in many locations across Australia. This has led to the pinnacle of her career, her upcoming headline tour of the Australian Burlesque Festival 2020 (now back even better in April 2022). Her love of the spotlight drives Maple. The true irony is, however,

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that once the lights go down, after she has left the audience spellbound, is that she cannot wait to return to street clothes, wish her fellow burly cast members a good night and return to the unparalleled comfort of her couch, accompanied by her best friend, our dog Carlos. It is not just the creature comforts of the home, but the community of Reservoir that also brings solace when civilian life beckons. The morning dog walk around the many green spaces minutes from the front door, the friends met via the dog community that has provided a network of support during these difficult times and the cup of coffee that goes with it, from All Hearts Cafe, run by Sam and Dave, a pair of true local legends. This little slice of suburbia provides a normalcy that has been necessary and fortuitous, a special tangible heaven amidst the collapse of all of her usual pursuits, you couldn't ask for a more welcoming community than the one we've found right here in Rezza. As studio manager of Maison Burlesque at the formerly quiet end of Bridge Road in Richmond, she leaves her sparkly mark on the next generation of students wishing to express themselves in a sexual, comical and theatrical manner. For that is the

essence of the artform, to harness and bring to the light all that you are, jam that into a rhinestone costume and then remove it, slowly, for the thrill of it. I have heard first-hand many anecdotes of an increase in self-worth, feelings of validation and acceptance from this community of misfits and miscreants that only want to include and celebrate. It is with a heavy heart that I must admit, our heroine of this tale has fallen on dark times. The soggy cloud of COVID has brought the unstoppable force to a shuddering halt. During the initial lockdowns here in Melbourne, Maple and all burlesque alumni were driven to renew the mode of delivery for both student classes and gigs. This lead to some bright and unforeseen moments, but mostly, a malaise and disenfranchisement. Moving into 2021, there has been a steep decline in morale, felt universally and left no one spared this brutal fate. The days meld into weeks, with no clear end in sight. The need to create and perform and ultimately connect is suppressed almost out of necessity to survive. To protect that sacred source, it has taken a toll mentally and spiritually, with the arts seemingly left to fend for itself, a tertiary concern for our powers that be. It will end, but the energy required to just get through will leave

its mark. But there is something you can do! If this tale has touched you, if you too wish to feel the warm embrace of a loving group of fearsome friends, you can sign up to one of Maison Burlesque's many online classes. Also, once this pervasive pandemic has simmered down, pop into Bar Pigalle, the affiliate venue directly beneath Maison Burlesque. You will be served hot delights, baker fresh buns, steamed clams, as well as a fine assortment of delicious meals and curated beverages. Maple insists! Come and say hi to the queen of not only Rezza's booming burlesque scene (insert booming burlesque scene here) but the world! You can follow Miss Maple on Instagram @ missmaplerose and signup to one of her classes at @maisonburlesque

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Saving Preston Market By Carmen Lahiff-Jenkins

I have lived down the road from the Preston Market, in some capacity for the past 22 years. After 22 years you make a lot of connections, you build a history, and that’s how you build community; and our market is a special place that's captured the hearts of the community. History In 1970 with a $2mil investment, the market opened and by 1976 had grown to include greengrocers, delicatessens, fish shops, poultry shops, butchers and smallgoods shops. In 2004 the property was sold to Salta Properties for $36.75 million. The new company has planned to renovate the site ever since. For the past 17 years the Preston Market has been under the majority ownership of Preston Market Developments Pty Ltd (PMD), a joint venture between Australia's Salta Properties and Medich Corporation. What is the developer planning? The draft plan for the Preston Market claims to

retain part of the market building, proposing to balance the market along the eastern side of the precinct, allowing space in the centre for 6 new buildings providing housing. The highest

Many locals, and the council consider this plan as overdevelopment building is 20 storeys, the smallest 10 storeys; the 6 towers are all likely to be one and two bedroom apartments. Locals fear that the new developments will not utilise the space, address community or family needs, and that there are not enough green spaces planned. Many locals, and the council consider this plan as overdevelopment that does not meet the needs of families seeking larger affordable housing. Save the Market campaign

The Rezzadent spoke to George Kanjere, who is one of the organizers of the current Save Preston Market advocacy group. Since 2004 there have been multiple iterations of the Save Preston Market campaign, and constant pressure from the Darebin Appropriate Development Association (DADA) and Darebin Council to maintain beloved aspects of the Preston Market. The Preston Market Precinct project has been identified as a project on the Victorian Planning Authority’s Fast Track Program. This means that the government has prioritised its development as part of an economic stimulus to packaged response to the COVID-19 crisis. Who makes the decisions? The local council doesn’t decide the future of the Preston Market property. It’s privately owned and under state jurisdiction. However, the current council has voted against the latest plan put forward by the developer for the Preston Market property,

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and made calls on the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne and the VPA to protect the future of Preston Market. Unless Minister Wynne agrees it’s going to be a hell of a fight for the community. Wynne is a formidable powerhouse in the Labor Party, who seems to have a reputation for rarely listening to or working with communities who are fighting developers. No-one knows this like the Dja Dja Wurrung people who have spent years trying to protect their birthing trees! Wynne has a litany of VCAT cases, where he has overturned decisions made by local councils in favour of developers.

so before under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986. However, the process for land acquisition includes compensation for future earnings. For the Preston market this could be massive, costing the state and the public extraordinary amounts of money. DADA and Save Preston Market are asking the state government to

especially after the recently released IPCC climate report. This is even more important when taking into consideration a recent scientific paper, which outlines Preston as one of the hottest suburbs in Melbourne. High Density housing does not help negate heat spots. Any development or redevelopment in Preston should be taking this into account.

If we want to save our market, then we’ll need to stand and fight as a community.

If we want to save our market, then we’ll need to stand and fight as a community. DADA and Save Preston Market, along with the council and local State MPs are the only way forward. However, the state seems very locked into the current design which includes the housing towers. Salta and Medich are well known developers of this high-density housing style. At this stage the community needs the Victorian Government to forcibly acquire the land. They have done

recognise that, there is not enough protection of the heritage features of the market and to acknowledge that parts of the development do not satisfy the Environmentally Sustainable Design standard. Good planning of the precinct is vital. Preston is facing transformational growth, with the population forecast to double in size to 68,000 people by 2041. And that’s not the only forecast to worry about. The Climate Emergency is no doubt on many locals’ minds,

The days of the market you knew could be coming to an end, either way. Senior and disability groups have spoken out in the past, about the unlevel paths and the dangerous dash from the station across the market’s infamous carpark, which is also perilous for families with small children and prams. It would be fantastic to see the market retain its character, but to also reach its potential as a jewel of the north, with the appropriate and sustainable redevelopment that the community deserves. Get involved by following the ‘Save the Preston Market’ page on Facebook.

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Voir words By Megan and Michael Von Hemlock

Across

Down

4.The large body of water (8, 4) 6.Photogenic lake bird 8.Where is Preston Reservoir? 10.Festival that requires wind

1. English dairy product 2. French goodbye (2, 6) 3. Character from Police Academy film 5. Place to see a musical 6.Big fish on Broadway 7.Royalty too good for Rezza 9.Annual music festival

Answers pg 45

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What's On Wins for Keon Park and Ruthven Station Keon Park level crossing on the Mernda Line will be removed and replaced by a rail bridge and also a new station. Early works on Keon Park’s level crossing removals will begin by 2022. Find out more at https://levelcrossings.vic. gov.au This announcement follows the train news in May that Ruthven Station will be getting a $1.06 million upgrade to improve lighting, shelter and seating.

Time to boycott ubereats? Reservoir and Preston eateries are asking locals to opt to pick-up their own delicious takeaway meals after a spate of Ubereats issues in August and September. Locals and businesses alike have been let down by the 4.8 billion-dollar company after cancelling orders during Friday and Saturday night rush periods. Multiple businesses have expressed disappointment by the Ubereats service

going offline with no explanation, resulting in delayed orders and lost income.

Sustainable Darebin Map

For those looking for takeaway options, the creators of Facebook group Reservoir/Preston takeaway have created a database of ‘yums’ with the aim to keep supporting local. https:// bit.ly/3zLaMQk

It’s easy being Kermit the frog green with Darebin’s map of all things sustainable. Find out where to reduce waste, explore bike tracks, how to grow and source food, connect with nature and culture, support local businesses and more in this interactive map.

Volunteers wanted to help rescue food from landfill

https://discover.darebin. vic.gov.au/locale/ sustainable-darebin-map/ default

Reservoir Neighbourhood House is seeking volunteers to help rescue food from landfill which will be redirected to emergency food relief. Drivers are required for a food rescue pick-up at Coles Summerhill on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings. Volunteers must have their own car and license. To volunteer please contact Lia at projects@ reservoirnh.org.au.

CALL FOR ENTRIES now open n-SCRIBE 15 n-SCRIBE is Darebin Arts’ annual literary magazine that features writers with a connection to the City of Darebin. They publish fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, journalism, creative non-fiction, memoirs and images. Submissions are open to writers who live, work or study in Darebin. n-SCRIBE 15 will be co-edited by Maddee Clark & Jinghua Qian.

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Entry is free and closes Wednesday 6 October 2021. https://www.darebinarts. com.au/current-programs/ n-scribe/

Darebin's Emergency Relief Agencies If you need assistance to access food relief and essential items, Darebin Interculture Centre have put together an Emergency Food Relief & Support Services during COVIC-19 guide The guide is designed to help you find a local service that can assist you to access grocery vouchers, food parcels and pre-made meals.

https://www.darebin. vic.gov.au/services-andbusiness/communityhealth-and-wellbeing/ wellbeing-and-supportservices/emergency-relief

Splurge local Those who are big fans of free money will be delighted to hear that, eligible community members of Rezza (and Darebin), will receive $30 and $50 cards to help support local businesses. Hurrah! Now watch your mailbox like a hawk.

Chit chat and kids storytime

Darebin Libraries’ kids storytime and Conversation Cafe (for those wishing to practice their English) have gone online. Free and open to all. https://www.eventbrite. com.au/o/darebinlibraries-2046839277

https://www.darebin.vic. gov.au/about-council/ advocacy-and-initiatives/ love-local

Access it here

September 2021

Darebin Council Update September By Reservoir Councillor Susanne Newton (West Ward)

Hi everyone! Firstly a big shout out to Shannon for putting together this newspaper – it’s been harder to get the word out since the Preston Leader ceased publication so this new outlet is much needed. I’m Susanne, one of your local Councillors on Darebin Council. I’ve been so, so proud to represent Reservoir on Darebin Council for almost five years now and it’s been so good getting to know so many of you in that time. I work with our Mayor, Lina Messina, and the other Councillors to set the strategic direction and budget for Council, and work with Darebin residents on any issues that may come up for you. I’ve seen a lot of changes

happen too – when I first ran for Council in 2016, so many people thought the Reservoir level crossing removal would ‘never happen’, as people had been waiting for it for so long, and now not only do we have a new station at Reservoir, even Keon Park level crossing will be removed in the next round.

residents I’ve met, who have lived in Reservoir or made their home here decades ago, and remember things like when Broadway was made into a road! A big welcome to anyone who has moved to Reservoir recently too – it’s in my view one of the very best places in Melbourne to live.

My favourite Reservoir things include the Reservoir Stomp, Edwardes Lake, all the awesome 1960s and 70s houses I see around the area, and how there are so many different people living here from so many backgrounds, that know each other and look out for each other.

I know how hard it’s been for everyone these last 18 months, but I know that the Reservoir community checks on each other, and makes sure everyone is ok, and that there are places where you can get help where you need it. At the Reservoir Neighbourhood House, for example, you can get help with food if you need it, or donate food if you have some to spare. Contact Angie and the team on 9462 4611 or

I’ve lived in Darebin for eight years, which makes me a real newbie compared to some of the

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email admin@reservoirnh. org.au . Some things that might be useful to know at the moment: If your income has been affected by the pandemic and you need to defer your Darebin Council rates, you can defer your payments with no interest charged until 30 June 2022. You don’t need to do anything to defer. More info can be found at Darebin.vic.gov. au/rates .

In upcoming editions you’ll hear from the other Councillors representing our area – Julie Williams, Tim Laurence, and Gaetano Greco. Kind regards, Councillor Susanne Newton

VOIR WORDS ANSWERS edwardeslake The large body of water reservoir Where is Preston Reservoir? swan Photogenic lake bird mahoney Character from Police Academy film cheddar English dairy product broadway Place to see a musical aurevoir French goodbye shark Big fish on Broadway kite Festival that requires wind regent Royalty too good for Rezza stomp Annual music festival

Find out what programs and services are open at the moment, and about Covid-related grants for businesses, artists and groups at: Darebin.vic.gov. au/About-Council/Newsand-Media/News/COVID19-pandemic Darebin will be getting a new vaccination hub at La Trobe University. More information at: https:// www.premier.vic.gov.au/ capacity-boost-vaccinecentres-prepare-moresupply Please feel welcome to contact me anytime on 0419 764 245 or at Susanne.Newton@ darebin.vic.gov.au if I can help with anything councilrelated.

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Next edition due out in late October. Receive the next edition in your inbox by signing up at https://bit.ly/3tv3Pkd We welcome contributors! Contact us at rezzadentnews@gmail.com

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