TWR Volume 38 Issue 2 Wednesday 8th February 2023

WELCOME JAZZ JAM

The Goldfields Jazz Ensemble led by Matthew Bishop with Trevor Reading on guitar and Bruce Millar on double bass played a unique jazz gig at The Welcome Stranger Café and Co. on Sunday 29 January, with a twist.

The trio had put out an open invitation for jazz soloists to sit in – hence, the Jazz Jam. Soloists from Bendigo, Maryborough, Tarnagulla heeded the call and it was a great, swinging way to pass a balmy afternoon in Dunolly. The group looks to schedule a monthly Jazz Jam gig at the Café, with dates to be released in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Story cont’d on Page 2

Editorial Deadline

Editorial contributions are welcomed and accepted by 12 NOON EACH MONDAY.

All contributions may be edited for the purposes of clarity and/or available space. All letters, articles and classifieds may be submitted via email or in person and must contain the author’s full name, home address and daytime telephone number.

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of TheWelcomeRecord

Advertising Rates

⅙ Page $10

¼ Page $15

½ Page $30

Full Page $60

*Supply your own artwork or for a one off fee of $15 our team can design your advertisement.

Classifieds are FREE

NEW EMAIL CONTACTS:-

Editorial submissions: editorial@thewelcomerecord.com.au

Advertising/Production: production@thewelcomerecord.com.au

General enquiries: welcome@thewelcomerecord.com.au

Editor

AngelaAng

Production

SharronFitzgerald

CopyEditing:

JennyScott

Proofreader:

JanBrock

Distribution:

GayleBoardman

HelenJesser

Welcome Jazz Jam…

cont’d from Front Page

Organiser Matt Bishop who put together the set list which featured well-known jazz classics such as Caravan, Round Midnight and Bessie’s Blues, created a structure to guide soloists to select their songs and ‘how to’ join the ensemble on stage.

The base requirement is that they must be able to play the main melody and the chords. The musicians then ‘sight-read’ the chart (i.e. without any practice or rehearsal), playing it at the start and end of the tune, while in between, each musician takes turns improvising solos on the spot

Matt Bishop said, “The event is about high-quality improvisation among advanced musicians, learning and growing at whatever level you are at. If you are early in your jazz musical career, you can be assured with smiles and encouragement.”

You can see the full event here https://youtu.be/ _G2B_QE1dCY

Pictured: Matt Bishop, Trevor Reading, Bruce Millar with guest soloists Vanessa Parker, Allan Becker and Vinnie Bourke.

Published

83 Broadway Dunolly

Opening times

Tuesday 9.30am to 4pm

Wednesday 9.30am to 4pm

Phone: (03) 5468 1054

Email: welcome@thewelcomerecord.com.au Web: www.dunollynews.org

Living Well with Dementia

A communication space for those living day-to-day experiencing memory loss and other challenging brain changes.

Hooray for 2023! Still on this earth! Still able to remember the names of our children and partners, the grandchildren’s ages, my address and post code, even my phone number. Hooray!

Over four years ago, sitting opposite the psychiatrist as she judged the results of my MRI Scan, pronouncing my sentence of Alzheimer’s Disease, I never imagined I would be able to write, “Hooray for 2023!”

Now for a motto for all of us living with dementia. We want this year to bring joy and peace to us and all those we love.

Lots of different ideas are coming from my writings scribbled on bits of paper or those wonderful iridescent coloured Post It notes.

Notes which remind me of how disappointed and fearful for my brain, I felt when I wrote them. One example: ‘I sewed a press stud onto my new dress, it took three goes. Never realised you could sew them on upside down and on the wrong side.”

Another time I was looking for the second ball as I tidied up after our game. Hunting around under the seats, I saw it. I had been holding the ball in my left hand, yet I had no memory of picking up the ball. Upon reflection, these occurrences and so many other daily short term memory losses are triflingly unimportant. The dress fits beautifully and how joyfully I recall playing sports during the grandkid’s school holidays.

The distress caused by believing one has very little control over the simple activities, can be crippling. Fear of more memory lapses must not be permitted. Acceptance of erratic memory lapses, silly hallucinations, getting things out of order, is now our lot in life. Almost every day I will be lacing up my shoes only to see my jeans still hanging on the chair. Will I sit on our dressing room floor in a heap of self-pity?

Repeat the dressing process. Laugh it off. The sun is shining, and the dog needs his walk. Accept the erratic nature of dementia and just carry on. That is the motto for 2023!

Heather Cooper

Uplifting rural women through leadership

Rural women across the state can now apply for the 2023 Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring Programs. Both programs will encourage and empower participants to have an active voice and role in the agriculture sector by equipping rural women with the skills and confidence to participate in more leadership and decision-making positions.

The 2023 Leadership Program will provide women with support to participate in training and study that accelerates their development as leaders.

Participants will also work closely as a group to explore issues impacting rural women, learn from subject matter experts, and connect with other rural women from across Victoria. The 2023 Mentoring Program will pair rural women together for a peer-to-peer exchange of skills and experience. Working with skilled facilitators, participants will identify individual, career or business goals and work to implement change with the support and accountability of their mentoring partner.

Since 2017, the Victorian Rural

Women's Network has supported 44 women to access best practice leadership development training. The Network was established in 1986 as a forum for women to share skills, resources and information for collective benefit. In May this year, the Victorian Government committed a further $1.38 million so the Network can continue delivering programs. Applications for both programs close 5pm on 27 February 2023. For more information and to apply for either program, visit the https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/

Dunolly Community Garden News

By Liz Spiteri

This week at the Dunolly Community Garden, the actual gardening side was a bit ‘hit and miss’. When we arrived, it was very overcast and blustery but we all set to doing various tasks.

Anna started by attending to our tomato plants, most needed tying up and some had fruit to harvest.

Michael removed the netting from the trees that had finished fruiting as well as cleaning up some of the fallen fruit from around our trees.

Rick and Lisa started watering a few of our raised beds. I began to harvest one of our unprotected plum trees which had been under constant attack from the birds. As a group we decided harvesting slightly greener fruit was better than letting the birds get them all! Within about 20 minutes the rain decided to come.

Anna, Michael and I persevered in the rain, while Lisa and Rick made a much wiser choice to hang out in our undercover storage area. Within a few minutes, us stubborn gardeners had realised the rain

was not going to let up, so we too headed undercover. The five of us took this opportunity to clean out the cupboards. As it often happens, we get busy and things get ‘poked’ into any available space to be sorted out later. Finally, we had time to organise. Rubbish was thrown out, 'good boxes' were saved, seeds lovingly collected from our heirloom plants sorted through and those that were much too old have been thrown wildly into the garden to see what comes up! Although not a lot of actual gardening was achieved, other important jobs were done.

Above all though, it gave us a good excuse to stand around and have a chat about everything and nothing in particular.

We hope you'll visit us on a Thursday in the near future. No gardening experience needed! Thursdays 3.30pm, 94 Maude Street Dunolly.

Op Shop News

Two children’s folding camp chairs are waiting on the left passage of the Op Shop, for some kind grandparent to purchase. Both have fun motifs and will suit small children. If you are planning on camping, or fitting out your van, our kitchen section has almost everything you will need. Many kitchen utensils cost only 50c. The dining table in the left alcove would suit a small-roomed cottage.The chairs are good quality. More dining chairs with upholstery in very lovely condition are also for sale.

Although the hot/cold weather is offering challenges to Op Shop clothing supplies, we are meeting those challenges. Some poor cold Queensland campers came in needing woolly beanies. There must still be some summer days left, so we have put off the $5 bag sale until later in March. Plenty of lightweight clothing is available for all the family. Shoes, shoes and shoes, from the most glamorous heels, to comfy sandals and sports shoes.

The Op Shop Team

Letters and Notices

THANK YOU

FLETT, Keith and Family would like to thank everyone for their sympathy, cards, phone calls, food and visits on the passing of ESMÉ. Much appreciated.

WHISPERING WEEDERS FIRST OUTING

FOR SALE

Blue Barrel Drums (6) for Stock OR Garden Water. $10 each. Located in Dunolly. Helen 0400 059 782

Our group invites new members to come along on some very pleasant excursions- no digging required! Our first visit is to the ‘much admired’ Bridgewater Nursery Garden Centre, on Monday the 27th of February. These outings are a lovely way to make new friendships and explore our beautiful region. Coming up in March- the Ballarat Begonia Festival - this is not to be missed. This friendly group go on enjoyable outings - no gardening involved!

They meet at the Neighbourhood Centre (In the old Nurses’ Home beside the hospital on 18 Havelock Street - top of Bull Street) then carpool to a lovely location. They are always looking for new members, so give Kath a call at the Neighbourhood Centre on 5468 1511.

BEALIBA BULLETIN

BEALIBA Community Hall - LINE DANCING - Wednesday 8th February, Wednesday 15th February 1pm. Beginners most welcome.

Contact : Chris – 0423 600 728

STAY-CATION

It wasn’t planned. I didn’t have to book but over the holiday period, I just drifted into it.

After the rush and bubbles of Christmas and the hub-bub of New Year (yawn), I realised I was enjoying myself.

There was no packing, queues or arduous mileage involved. There weren’t any rules, timetables or deadlines to meet. One could say the choice was perfect!

At this venue, 10 o’clock checkout didn’t exist. No wrestling with a new bed or pillows, the shower was perfect and breakfast was on tap all day.

I will admit the catering could have had another ‘star’ but I wasn’t being picky.

Entertainment was to my tastePottering in the garden, feeding the chickens, short walks around the block (with a dog that was strangely familiar), and of course afternoon naps a must!

It wasn’t until I was listening to the ABC that I realised with a jolt where I was – I was on a Staycation! The place where we are at our most comfortable - at home! No recovery from jet lag or climate change. No pressure to tick the bucket list. So here I am refreshed and no credit card bill and looking forward to my next Stay-cation.

Each year, a new terminology is added to our vocabulary.

Where will it take us next holiday?

Helen Jessser

Happy 90th Birthday Ian Flett— Feb. 9, 1933

Congratulations on your 90th birthday. You are truly an inspiration to us all, and we feel blessed to have you in our lives, thank you for always being there for us and your love and support.

Love from Jill and Peter

Happy 90th Birthday Pop, Hope you have a great day, thanks for all the great memories we had as kids going to Dunolly to see you and Nan.

I will be there to help you celebrate your 90th.

Love Darcy

Happy 90th Birthday Pop, I wish I could be there to help celebrate with you, hope to see you soon. I have lots of great memories of being in Dunolly with you and Nan. Thanks for being Pop. Love Blake

Happy 90th Birthday "Old Pop"

Mya, Evie and Cleo are so blessed to have you as their "Old Pop", just as I am.

Thank you for always having time for us, and being happy to take us out the bush, teaching us new things and just be with us. Nan and Pops house was always the best place in the world. We know how loved we are when we are with you, and we all love you so much.

Molly, Brodie, Mya, Evie and Cleo.

Happy birthday young pop, I always remember the caring attention you have given us grand kids over the years and I'm grateful your great gran kids get to experience the same. We all love you, enjoy your day.

Lewis

Happy birthday Dad! Born 9th Feb 1933 and 90 years later you are a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and much more. We are grateful that you are still here with us, great job old fella.

Lots of love Michael and Sandra

Monday

• Mosaics at the Arts Hub from 10am.

• Ballroom Dancing at St. John’s hall from 6pm (times may vary) Intermediate skills required, call for further details.

• Card making with Rhonda: third Monday of the month from 1.30pm at the Centre.

• Whispering Weeders: last Monday of the month.

Tuesday:

• Woodwork - 9am. please call for further details, as the month of February may be on hold.

Wednesday:

• Table tennis at the Golf Club on Separation Road from 9am-12pm (evening session available if enough people are interested).

• Craft at the Centre from 10am- bring your own activity.

Thursday:

• Croquet at the Golf Club on Separation Road from 10am- plenty of mallets available, so come and have a crack!

• Family History: from 1pm at the Centre. Discover your roots - our members are very skilled and happy to help.

Saturday - starting soon

• “Got A Song To Sing!” See under ‘coming soon’.

Sunday

• Golden Triangle Archers meet on the fourth Sunday at 10am, Deledio Reserve on Elgin Street (behind the RL Williams oval). Covered shoes compulsory, and parents must stay with children. We try to keep costs low, so please call me for further details.

The Hospital Auxiliary meet at the Centre on the first Monday of the month, and the CWA meet at the Centre on the first Wednesday of the month. Both organisations are looking for new members, so please call me for further details!

Power Saving Bonus and help with online forms. The Power Saving Bonus is still current, so make sure you give it a go or call me at the Centre for an appointment, and I’ll do the work for you! I often help people take care of those online forms and applications that seem to be so commonplace now. Don’t get frustrated, give me a call and I’ll see if I can help.

COMING SOON:

Got a song to sing? We have a new singing group led by the wonderful Carol Dodson! This fledgling group will meet on Saturdays at 2pm, we hope to get this group up and running by the end of February, meeting at the Centre or the Arts Hub that will be

Located in the old Nurses’ Home beside the hospital on 18 Havelock Street (top of Bull Street). Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 3pm; and Dunolly Arts Hub, on the corner of Thompson and Alice Streets.

confirmed closer to the date. Please call me at the Centre to express interest. Gold coin donation. Introduction to computers, start time will be confirmed once we have a tutor organised. The idea behind this course is to build people’s confidence in using computers and navigating the online world in a very informal setting. Feel free to contact me at the Centre to express interest, and once we’re up and running I will get in touch with the details.

Dunolly Neighbourhood Pantry

Monday to Thursday, 1.30 to 3pm at the Centre. Some members of our community need some extra support, so that’s what our Pantry is hoping to do.

Dunolly Neighbourhood Pantry ‘After Hours’ available all the time chest of drawers on the veranda. We invite any community member needing a little bit of help to make use of this service.

Kath Ryan, Co-ordinator

5468 1511 admin@dunnhc.com.au

LOWER PBS MEDICINES

For the first time in the history of PBS medicines, as at January 1, 2023, the general co-payment for PBS medicines has come down and not gone up.

The new, lower cost of PBS medicines means that most patients will pay for a PBS listed medication is $30, down from $42.50.

This follows Parliament passing legislation late last year to lower the maximum co-payment cost of PBS medicines.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s National President, Professor Trent Twomey, says this will be a big help to some 19 million patients, especially those who have been struggling to afford their medicines.

“In 2019-20 we learnt that 900,000 Australian patients did not get a script filled because they could not afford it.”

As health professionals, this disturbed us immensely and led to our “Affordable Medicines Now” campaign which pressured both parties to commit to lowering the cost of PBS medicines in the lead up to the last election.

“It’s a credit to our politicians that they listened to those concerns and gave a bi-partisan commitment to lower the maximum co-payment for PBS listed medicines after the election” he added. A national survey commissioned by the Pharmacy Guild in 2022 revealed the affordability of healthcare was the biggest hip pocket concern among polled voters.

Step 1: Check if it is a scam

SCAMWATCH IN TWO STEPS

• Go direct to a source you can trust. Visit the official website, log in to your account, or call their phone number. Don't use the links or contact details in the message or given to you on the phone.

• Check what the official source says about what details they might request from you. Often companies or government agencies will say what they will and will not ask you online or over the phone. For example, the bank may tell you that they will never ask for your password. If someone claiming to be from the bank then asks you for your password, you know it is likely a scam.

Step 2: If you still think it’s a scam

• Don’t click on links, open any attachments or reply to requests. Scam messages may try and trick you into giving out your personal information. A scammer might ask for your bank account details, passwords or credit card numbers. They may also ask you to download files, software, or allow remote access to your computer.

• Contact your bank or your financial institution if you think your credit cards or bank account may be at risk. They may be able to close your account or stop a transaction.

• Refer to Scamwatch. If you get a scam message or phone call, you should ignore it and report it to ACCC’s Scamwatch.

• Report a cybercrime or security incident on ReportCyber. Your help keeps Australia secure.

• For more Information on identifying a scammer, click on: Recognise and report scams | Cyber.gov.au

Microblast Computers

AGED CARE IS CHANGING

The Commonwealth Government's current reform of aged care is introducing significant changes to the funding and delivery of aged care services, including those services currently delivered by Council. We want to be best prepared for these reforms by understanding resident and service recipient views on in-home and other aged care services.

Community feedback is invited until Friday 17 February via the following ways: Survey: Clients of Council’s aged care service will receive a hard copy of the survey from their care worker. The survey can also be completed by the wider community by visiting: The Engaging Central Goldfields website https:// engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/agedcarereview Or by collecting a hard copy at the Maryborough Regional Library or from Council’s Customer Service Centre, 22 Nolan Street, Maryborough Surveys can be returned at Council’s Customer Service Centre (address above) or by mail to Manager Community Services, PO BOX 194, Maryborough, 3465.

In-person: Residents and or a member of their support network can attend an in-person session on Friday 17 February – anytime between 11am to 2pm at the Mill House, 88-90 Burke Street, Maryborough. You can book a free lunch as part of the session on 5461 3185.

A private room will be available for people who would prefer to chat one on one.

If you require a hard copy of the survey, or would like to know more, please contact Council’s Manager Community Services Veronica Hutcheson on 5461 0601 or veronicaH@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

WATERWAYS FLOOD DAMAGE

The flood event of 2022 has been devastating in many ways and to many people. As the recovery process commences, a dedicated Flood Recovery Program and team have been assembled by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to start the process of addressing those impacts to the region’s waterways and associated infrastructure.

CMA is currently asking landholders within the flood zone to provide input into the assessment process. If you have noticed any major flood damage to waterways or associated infrastructure, you can report this to the CMA. This might include such things as serious erosion, major blockages, damage to riverside fencing, or extensive loss of vegetation. To register damage please go to www.bit.ly/ cmarepair or call the CMA on 5448 7124 by Wednesday 15 February.

ROAD CLOSURE

A section of Cotswold Road, Moolort – between Rodborough Road and the Shire Boundary - is currently closed whilst the road is reconstructed. The $500,000 project is funded by the Australian Government's Roads to Recovery Program. This section of road will be open to local traffic only, with the works expected to be completed by Friday 31 March – weather depending.

CORELLA DAMAGE

We are aware of the damage Corellas are causing to our local parks and sporting grounds.

As Corellas are native, protected birds there are limited actions we can take to reduce their impact. Our Operations team are currently exploring options to deter the birds including a spray that leaves a bitter after taste as well as placing fake predatory bird life on local ovals.

Council is also in contact with the Australian Feral Animal Management Control Board to determine other options.

WHAT’S ON: Link to image: https://drive.google.com/ file/d/1peYBv4jp9ecf99yqH-2kMFbPdxZHpdEv/view? usp=share_link

JOIN OUR TEAM

For career opportunities please see our advertisement in today’s paper or visit www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/currentvacancies

Church Notices

Catholic Church, Dunolly

There will be Mass at St. Mary's Church, Dunolly on Sunday February 12th at 8.30am. St. Vinnies has opened an Assistance Centre in the old Vinnies shop at Maryborough. This was officially opened and blessed on Wednesday this week at 10.30am. In the past year $40 -50,000 has been given in food vouchers , petrol etc locally by Vinnies. World Day of Prayer service will be on Friday March 3rd..

R. Mecredy

“Today in some manner, no matter how seemingly small, make the way smoother for at least one person”.

Uniting Church, Dunolly

Pastor Miriam Darlow will lead worship and Holy Communion on Sunday, February 12th at 9.30am. KYB will meet at 10.30am on Wednesday, in the church. Op Shop is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am. Uniting emergency relief will be in Dunolly on Thursday February 16th.

Linda Pickering

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path”.

Psalm 119 : Verse 105

DUNOLLY AND

St John's Anglican Church, Dunolly

Rev Canon Heather Blackman

Parish Office, Nightingale Street, Maryborough. Phone 5460 5964

Please contact for service dates and times.

St David’s Anglican Church, Bealiba

Davies Street Bealiba

Sunday Eucharist: 8am second and fourth Sundays of every month.

Priest-in-Charge Reverend Judi Bird. Heather Cooper

RTC Shopping Bag

The Rural Transaction Centre, Dunolly is selling these handy bright, blue foldable shopping bags which promote Dunolly for $5.

We conduct a mobile veterinary service throughout the Maryborough area

DUNOLLY AREA

EVERY SECOND TUESDAY

We are available for -

• House calls for small animal consultations, vaccinations etc.

• Routine farm consultations.

• Routine horse and farm visits including pregnancy testing

All appointments for call-outs must be made before midday on a Tuesday.

Office hours - 5461 4466

Over the summer there has been an early morning visitor to my garden. At least I hope it is only a visitor.

The rabbit sat in the driveway and nibbled on the weeds there. It seemed very partial to capeweed. At first it used to immediately run away, but as the summer progressed it got bolder. Sometimes it sat quietly in the grass and pretended it couldn't be seen.

When I growled and told it to go home, it begrudgingly hopped slowly into the shrubbery.

Though sometimes it played deaf and kept nibbling until I headed in it’s direction.

The dog made it move a lot faster when she could be bothered barking and scuffling in the mulch. But as the weather got hotter the dog got less and less interested. It became difficult for her to raise a desultory amble towards the rabbit.

Run Rabbit Run ...

If it had been eating dog biscuits I am sure it would have been a different story. And if it was eating my vegetables, I might have got more serious about hunting it away too. But all of us were struggling with the heat and the rabbit continued to crop the grass.

That all came to an abrupt halt one day. The rabbit began eating the grass near the car and had evidently crossed the dog's line in the sand.

She is very fond of the car and is protective of it. No cheeky rabbit was getting near her car. She flew out the doorall barks and teeth, her hackles up. The rabbit, confronted by such a vicious dog took off in surprise through the bushes. The dog sniffed and grumbled for quite a while, searching the overgrown edges of the lawn and the dying thistles.

As I walked down to the letterbox, I caught a very clear glimpse of the

rabbit. It was hiding in the shadows at the base of a small gum tree, very well camouflaged.

I have noticed rabbits outwit dogs before, but never by staying still. It worked well.

The dog didn't find it, and I had to call her for quite a while before she was distracted enough to give up her search in an unrelated part of the garden.

I got a good laugh and have rarely seen the rabbit since.

Vicky Frizzell

Dig a little deeper with GardenSafe

Gardensafe, a new EPA program is uncovering the gritty mysteries in your garden by analysing your dirt and tells you what might be in amongst your vegetation. By sending EPA a soil sample from your home garden you can have the data you need at the tip of your green thumb.

It’s part of a global initiative that helps you investigate soil health and potential contaminants in your garden so you can work out the best use for your patch of paradise.

EPA’s Chief Environmental Scientist, Professor Mark Patrick Taylor, said “If you are growing fruit and vegetables at home, you should use GardenSafe to check what is under the surface of your seedlings. The only cost to you is the postage,” Professor Taylor said. EPA scientists assess each sample

they get for trace elements and general soil quality indicators, including soil texture, composition, nutrients and organic carbon.

Findings from GardenSafe help us to build an understanding of potential contamination levels in residential gardens across Victoria. This information will help gardeners better understand what’s in their soil.

It will also help to reduce potential risk and exposure if soil contamination is present. GardenSafe data will not be used for EPA compliance or enforcement activities.

Victorians can send the GardenSafe team three soil samples from their gardens. They must be from a residential property.

EPA scientists will analyse the samples and provide a short report detailing the results and how to

information on growing fruit and vegetables safely in their gardens.

Find out more about GardenSafe on the EPA website (External link) epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/getinvolved/citizen-science-program/ gardensafe

FREE PRE - PREP

Rolling out in 2025

Regional Victorian children and kids experiencing disadvantage will be the first to benefit from 30 hours of free Pre-Prep each week, as the Victorian State Government takes the next step in the ‘Best Start, Best Life’ early childhood education reform. Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett welcomed the announcement of the roll-out schedule for Pre-Prep a program of 30 hours each week of teacher-led play based learning, which will begin in selected areas from 2025, before expanding across the state.

Ms Haylett said, “Free Pre-Prep is a huge win for Ararat and St Arnaud families and will support local kids to get the best start to life. It is so important that these once-in-a-generation reforms are coming to our rural communities first.”

Pre-Prep will start in 2025 in Ararat Rural City and Northern Grampians Shire before other LGAs from across the state, progressively join the roll-out in following years.

Early learning is important to a child’s development, so vulnerable children and Aboriginal children living outside the early roll-out areas will also be eligible from 2026, while children experiencing disadvantage will be eligible from 2028.

Those able to access Pre-Prep from 2026 include children from a refugee background, children known to child protection and Aboriginal children. Children whose families hold Commonwealth concession cards will be eligible for Pre-Prep from 2028.

Pre-Prep programs will be delivered through sessional kindergartens and long day-care centres, creating a high quality, universal program that gives 4-year-old children greater opportunities to socialise, learn through play and best prepare them for their formal educational journey.

The staged roll-out of Pre-Prep follows the successful launch of Free Kinder.

SAFER SPORT FOR WOMEN

Have your say on making our sporting club environments safer for women.

Sports Focus is working on a project to help support our local sport and recreation clubs to create environments that are safer and more welcoming for women and girls.

Through getting a better understanding of the challenges to preventing and responding to violence and disrespect we hope to develop resources and initiatives that local clubs can implement.

This is an opportunity to have a your say and provide input. We encourage you to forward this on to your members and share to your social media pages. We are looking for people who want to take part in a survey, who are current members of a sporting club and are over the age of 16 years.

The survey link is below :

https://latrobe.questionpro.com/RRPVstudy

Monday 9.15 - late

Tuesday 9.15 - 2.30

Wednesday Closed

Thursday 9.15 - 12pm

Friday 9.15 - 12pm

Saturday and Sunday Closed

Lovel’s Septic Tank Cleaning Service

For all your septic cleaning needs trust the family with over 30 years experience.

Servicing Dunolly and surrounding areas.

For prompt service at extremely reasonable rates call: Mark 0428 179 870 or leave a message on 5468 1212

780 638

Stories from Cynthia

By Cynthia Lindsay

In recent weeks the Age newspaper has been publishing letters from readers who have been complaining about the pronunciation and use of the English language. The most common complaints were ‘Austraylia, ceremoany. Liberry, mischieveeous’, to name a few. Years ago a book called Less Stalk Strine by Afferbeck Lauder , the pseudonym for Alphabetical Order, came up with hilarious examples of the Aussie vernacular. One of my favourites was ‘Emma Chisset : How much is it’. Then there was ‘Orpheus Rocker : Off his rocker and beeg yaws, I din eerya’ : beg yours, I didn’t hear you.

Another complainant wrote in to object about him and his wife being greeted by a waiter at a restaurant with ‘Good evening guys’, as quite inappropriate because his wife was certainly not a guy. Others objected to being addressed as ‘mate’, considering it to be over familiar when used by staff members. I remember stopping at a halfway house on a bus trip in England and being addressed by the waitress as ‘ducks’. I rather liked it as I always believed that title was reserved for comedy films and not in real life. If we go back to early Australian literature, we will discover many Aussie terms now almost forgotten.

C J Dennis was a great proponent of Aussie slang and copious use of ‘sheilas’ and ‘diggers’ with his own version of shorthand grammar, yet always entertaining. In his words he ‘married a dinkum woman’, his feelings about his Doreen. That era produced many of those little used terms like ‘cobber, cooee, hooroo, g’day, How ya goin’ etc. More recently Paul Hogan invited us to put a “prawn on the barbie”. but not coming “the raw prawn” with him; instead why not open a ‘cold tinnie’. There were lots of blokes who were ‘gunna’ fix things and ‘wanna’ see a good footy game while

now, some very odd ones come to mind, like Grandma’s answer to a question when asked to describe something which maybe she preferred not to do. Her answer invariably was: ‘a wigwam for a goose’s bridle’, and this being so outlandish would set us pondering on what it could be for a long time. My father always referred to our overcoats as ‘ulsters’, but since he was a Scot that was probably the regular name when he was a child. Another of Dad’s expressions described when you were messing around and wasting time; that was ‘footling’. My children’s nana once told them when it started to rain while the sun was out that it signified a ‘monkey’s wedding ‘and when the children helped clear the table after a meal, any unused piece of cutlery Nana told them was a ‘sunbeam.’ When clouds filled the sky after rain Grandma said if you could find ‘enough blue sky to make a sailor’s breeches,’ then the weather would fine up. One of the best was my Irish mother in law’s request when we were going shopping. “Could you please bring me back some crew beans.” I had never heard of them but Mike filled me in, they were actually called Crubeens and to my rather shocked surprise were pigs’trotters! You learn something every day, Fair dinkum.

DUNOLLY CWA

Our annual first meeting for the year was a happy if busy one. It was good to see everyone again. Faye brought us up to date with group business.

The Group AGM is in Maldon on Saturday, 28th of February. Those going are meeting at Corey's place at about 9 am.

The State Exhibition is at St. Arnaud on 28th and 29th of July , nice and close this year .

The branch, after a suggestion by a member, has decided not to have our usual competitions at meetings, but bring something for the pantry at the Neighbour Centre. This facility is well used.

It was voted on by members that we follow the example of some other branches and have a formal meeting every two months. The alternate months will be used for the social side of CWA. R.Mecredy

Upholstery, motor trims, plastic and rubber closures

Central Goldfields Residents and Ratepayers Assoc. Inc.

Extremely pleasing to see discussion already regarding next year's Gold Festival, and well done to Dunolly for obtaining Australia Day acknowledgment for last year's effort. Also good to see the Dunolly Country Market under new management, and already pounding the pavement. Three weeks free stall costs to stall holders. So much on the move in Dunolly, and great to see it happening.

There are two very important community consultations on at the moment.

AGED CARE SERVICES and ELECTION BOUNDARY

RESHUFFLE - Both these are extremely important issues for the community to participate in.

AGED CARE SEVICES - very recently we have had questions pertaining to aged care services. Looking at the concerns, we totally understand. Here is a link for those who have internet.

https://engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/agedcarereview

For those who do not, you can contact the shire on 5461 0601 and ask for a hard copy, or attend a face to face meeting with council at the Mill House, 88-90 Burke Street between 11am and 2 pm on Feb 14.

“The survey closes on Feb 17”. This was advertised on Feb 1 and closes on Feb 17, not a lot of time to act. We encourage the council to extend the dates, and possibly arrange meeting places in all our shire towns

so all of the community can attend. CGR&RAI feel this short time and Maryborough centric meeting places could pose issues to many.

With council's communication approval at almost 50%, we would think with advertising online and in local newspapers that an effort to reach more would be worth investigation.

VEC ELECTORAL STRUCTURE REVIEW

This also is very important. Having your say about the electoral structure. Single councillor wards, one ward shires, multi councillor wards, or other. This is organized by VEC so all communications will go to the VEC and not the council. Link is https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/ council-reviews/electoral-structure-reviews/centralgoldfields

Regardless of the structure, the most important thing is having the right representatives to support our community. Clearly with the satisfaction survey having us constantly on 53% for the past three years, could we do better with a different focused direction? Do you feel the CEO and senior executives should be on a performance based salary?

Please look after each other and stay safe.

Wayne McKail President

Dunolly Bowls Club

Saturday 11th February

Dunolly Blue Dunolly v Golf Blue at Dunolly

Skipper P. Waters A. Weir T. Galafaro

Third C. Williams G. Dobbin A. Parkes

Second T. Long F. Mifsud E. Weir

Leader S. Wintle J. Smith B. Cann

Manager Peter Waters

Dunolly Gold Dunolly v MHS Tartan at Highland

Skipper J. Fox B. Mortlock P. Freemantle

Third A. Britten G. Davies J. Haigh

Second C. Spiteri R. Mebbrey R. Pickering

Leader D. Mortlock B. Lanfranchi K. McKenzie

Manager Peter Freemantle

Dunolly Green Dunolly v Talbot Brown at Dunolly

Skipper P. Chase D. Coe S. Chaplin

Third D. Wardell W. Stephens K. Stephens

Second R. Cain F. Delconte D. Price

Leader H. Weir G. Cain A. Miles

Manager S. Chaplin

For emergencies please ring Robyn F 0419 595 521

Tuesday 14th February

Dunolly Blue Dunolly v Golf at Dunolly

Skipper H. Freemantle M. Davies T. Galafaro

Third A. Weir G.Dobbin C. Williams

Second R. Pickering F. Mifsud S. Chaplin

Leader B. Cann A. Raven K. Stephens

Manager Sandra Chaplin

Dunolly Gold Dunolly v Talbot at Dunolly

Skipper J. Haigh B. Mortlock J. Morse

Third K.Waters C. Spiteri D. Wardell

Second H.Delconte C. Gordon F. Delconte

Leader H. Weir M. Mortlock S. Caldecoat

Manager Marilyn Mortlock

Bealiba Bowls

Happy New Year everyone. Season 2023 kicked off last Thursday on a much cooler evening. We had a good roll up for our first night.

Our experimental rule change of leaving the kitty where it stopped & bowling to ‘there’, proved to provide quite a few laughs and some difficult ends.

Congratulations go to the team of Malcolm Campbell & Ian Lovel. They were unstoppable and finished the night with the perfect score of three wins.

Shirley Coburn, Jenny Lovel & Pam Brightwell decided to have a taste of everything with a draw, loss & a win.

Bowlers are reminded that Thursday Feb 16th is supper night. New players are always welcome & no experience is necessary. We play each Thursday evening in the Town Hall with play commencing at 7pm. Happy Bowling!

Chris Evans

Calling all businesses!

Book in 1:1 session with a business expert when the Victorian Government's Small Business Bus is at DUNOLLY - outside Rural Transaction Centre, 109 Broadway Thursday 9th February, 10am to 4pm. To find out more and to register visit: https://bit.ly/3vPjRHq

All information supplied by Dunolly Bowls Club