axe creek & eppalock news issue 50
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axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 1
Axe Creek – Eppalock Newsletter
Incorporating news from the Eppalock Primary School, Axe Creek Fire Brigade & the Axe Creek Landcare Group.
Welcome to the Autumn Issue
Welcome to the 50th issue of the Axe Creek & Eppalock News.
For a small community, a 50th issue is quite an achievement. Many
community groups don’t stand the test of time! Clearly the Axe
Creek - Eppalock community is a passionate district.
As we head into Easter and the school holidays, take the time to en-
joy your family before life passes you by in a flash.
Have you stopped to smell the roses lately? There’s a reason this old
cliché is such a favourite. Autumn is a great time to get outside and
enjoy crisper weather. And if you stop to take a closer look at the
world around you, you’ll find a veritable bounty of stuff that can be
used to create an afternoon of great Autumn craft projects. Leaves,
sticks, small seed pods and gumnuts are a fantastic starting point for
Autumn craft activities.
This newsletter is a community project, please forward any contribu-
tions to axecreeknews@gmail.com
Sam Spence
Edition 50. Autumn 2016
Welcome
Community Notice Board
CFA News
Eppalock PS Update
Axe Creek Playgroup
Landcare’s Latest
Church News
Community News
Kids Corner
Advertise your Business AND help the Community
If you would like some great local exposure for a reasonable price, then advertise in the
next issue of the Axe Creek – Eppalock Newsletter.
Full Page $100
Half Page $50
Quarter Page $25 Fees charged help cover printing costs.
Advertising deadline for future issues:
Winter 2016 May 30th
Spring 2016 August 29th
Summer 2016 Dec 2nd
Autumn 2017 Mar 3rd Contact us via axecreeknews@gmail.com
Thank you to this issues
Contributors
John Wells - Axe Creek Fire
Brigade
Marie Mannes - Eppalock PS
Cathy Watson - Axe Creek
Landcare
Steve Weickhardt - Anglican
Parish
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 2
Community Notice Board
Emergency Contact Numbers
Fire, Police & Ambulance 000 (life threatening or time critical emergencies only)
SES Flood & Storm Emergency 13 25 00
Bushfire Information 1800 240 667
Information & advice about significant fires, total fire bans
Burn Off Notifications 1800 668 511
Poisons Information 13 11 26
Wildlife Rescue Service 0419 356 433
Useful Websites
CFA www.cfa.vic.gov.au
DSE www.dse.vic.gov.au
Vic Roads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
School Terms
2016
Term 1
27 Jan – 24 Mar
Term 2
11 Apr – 24 Jun
Term 3
11 Jul – 16 Sept
Term 4
3 Oct – 20 Dec
Local Churches
St Stephens Anglican & Strathfieldsaye Uniting
Church
920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye
Combined Service - Sunday Mornings – 9am
Family Service - Saturday - 5pm
St Joseph’s Catholic Church
Cnr Axe Creek & Strathfieldsaye/Eppalock Rds.
Sunday Mornings – 9am
All Welcome
Axe Creek CFA
Captain Neil Irving-Dusting
5439 6388
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 3
CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade
IT'S BEEN ANOTHER LONG FIRE SEASON
This fire season started with a record heatwave in the first week of October. At the time of
writing (early March) we are still in summer weather, with another heatwave developing.
Southern Australia suffered numerous devastating fires—in WA, SA, Victoria and Tasmania. In
Victoria alone 145 houses have been lost, and hundreds more burnt in WA and SA.
Our district has been fortunate, with no major fires. Keep vigilant, and keep taking precautions:
it may not be over yet!
Up to the end of February Axe Creek brigade had turned out 19 times: to five local fires and
incidents, 12 times to support neighbouring brigades, and twice in strike teams to Lancefield
and Kyneton. Members also helped to crew trucks from other brigades at the Lancefield and
Kyneton fires. Because of the heightened fire danger in northern Victoria volunteers from our
district were not called on for interstate deployments. Crews for those jobs were from Western
Victoria (to SA), East Gippsland and outer metropolitan Melbourne.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Our first extract is the report of a fire near Axedale, which illustrates the community re-
sponse to a bushfire.
The Age, Monday 10 January 1927
Beehives Have Narrow Escape
200 ACRES OF GRASS BURNT
Over 200 acres of land at Axedale were swept by a fire on Saturday. In addition to the
grass, half a chain of fencing and 500 fencing posts were burned. The fires started on
the property of Mr. V. A. Deane, on the banks of the Campaspe River, about 10 a.m.,
and spreading down the river bank into grass paddocks, swept through Mr. Dean's
land, and into the holding of Mr Bennett.
Firefighters attacked the outbreak stubbornly, and it was stopped in Axe Creek within
a few feet of 80 hives of bees on Mr. Bennett's property. The local firefighters were aug-
mented by cricketers from Knowsley and Wild Duck.
It is suspected that a party of campers was responsible for the origin of the fire.
The second extract is from closer to home. Mr H. Dunn was Secretary of Axe Creek Bri-
gade from its formation in 1916 until 1946.
The Age, Tuesday 14 January 1941
The timely warning of a woman and the smart response by members of Axe Creek fire
brigade resulted in a bush fire at Axe Creek being checked before any serious dam-
age resulted. Mrs H. Dunn after giving the alarm attempted to extinguish the fire with
buckets of water from a dam and was on the point of collapse when several members
of the brigade arrived and prevented the flames reaching the homestead.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 4
ARE WE HAVING MORE TOTAL FIRE BANS?
Sometimes it seems that Total Fire Bans are being declared more often than they used to be. I
decided to have a look at the statistical record.
Since 1945, when the CFA was formed, declaration of Total Fire Bans has been the responsibility
of the CFA Chief Officer, who takes advice from the Bureau of Meteorology (weather fore-
casts), personnel from CFA, DELWP and other agencies (fuel loads and dryness), fire behaviour
specialists and others.
Almost 700 Total Fire Bans have been declared in the 70 or so years since 1945. For the first 40-
odd years Total Fire Bans covered whole of Victoria, but from 1986 regional fire bans have
been in place. Here are a couple of charts summarising Total Fire Bans that have affected our
district (Northern Country; formerly North West) over the past 30 years. In this period we had all
together 252 days of Total fire Ban. (There were also 77 bans that did not cover our district.)
On average we've had about eight Total Fire Bans each summer, but in some of the wetter
summers there have been only one (or none at all), while during the millennium drought there
were three summers with more than 15. At the time of writing we'd had 11 this summer.
Now let's look at the numbers of Total Fire Bans in
each of the summer months. Clearly December,
January and February are the peak months, but
dangerous fire conditions often persist into March
and even April.
Our earliest fire bans were on 4th October in 2006,
and 6th October in 2015. The latest was on 28 April,
in 2005.
Almost all the early-season fire bans (October &
November) and most of the late-season bans
(March and April) have been in the last 15 years.
Fire seasons do seem to be getting longer, just as
climate scientists predicted.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 5
AXE CREEK NOW HAS A JUNIOR FIRE BRIGADE
Axe Creek has recently established a Junior brigade for 11-15 year olds. This junior brigade is run
by local volunteers with the support of the CFA and will provide a range of safe and enjoyable
activities for members. The primary focus of the junior brigade will be training for and compet-
ing in junior firefighting championships.
To find out more, contact Brad Knight on 5439 6034 or Captain Neil Irving-Dusting on 5439 6388.
A CHAT WITH FIRST LIEUTENANT BILL ASHBY
Forty-two years ago Bill Ashby's Melbourne job brought him to Bendigo for three months. "I never
went back to live in Melbourne!" he told me.
Thirty years ago he moved with his family from Bendigo to Axe Creek. I asked what prompted
him to join the fire brigade. "I've always had an interest in volunteering. Joining the fire brigade
was part of living in a rural area."
"I still remember my first fire—a small burn-off in Patons Road, that happened soon after I fin-
ished my basic training."
Bill was a member of the competition running team for a number of years, and has been an ac-
tive firefighter for many years. He was 4th Lieutenant for two years, and has been 1st Lieutenant
for the past four years.
What is the role of the 1st Lieutenant? "I take on administrative duties as a back up to the Cap-
tain, who has to make sure the brigade is running smoothly. On the fireground an important role
is to delegate responsibilities to those who have the most experience, not necessarily taking
charge myself."
And what might he do in the future? "I've always been interested in radio. In WW2 my father
was a radio operator on small ships based in Darwin. As younger and stronger members take
over the more active firefighting I might step back a little and work more in incident manage-
ment roles."
Over three decades Bill has seen big changes in CFA and Axe Creek brigade. "CFA is much
more professional. There is more training for members, and it is more accessible. In years gone
by we had to go to Fiskville for advanced training, but now there's a well-equipped training
ground at Huntly. The equipment we use is much better, and all firefighters are issued with their
own protective equipment: overalls, helmet, boots etc.
"Of course there is more regulation—as in the rest of society—but this includes a strong emphasis
on safe practices. In 30 years I have never felt in real danger while fighting fires.
"All rural brigades are struggling to get new members, though there are plenty of people in our
area who could make a valuable contribution to the fire brigade, which of course relies com-
pletely on volunteers."
We're still not finished with what has been a long fire season. How does he see the future of fire-
fighting? "I think we'll see much more sharing of resources—people—between districts and
states. Each year the fire season starts first in southern Queensland, and progresses steadily
through NSW, then Victoria, SA and WA, and finally reaches Tasmania. Interstate assistance
such as we've seen this year is likely to become more common.
"Modernisation of equipment, and the use of large aircraft, both helicopters and fixed wing
bombers, are already making a difference in the way we fight fires, and developments like
these will continue to change how we work."
Finally I asked Bill if he had any advice for local residents. "Yes," he said "Get involved! Whether
in the fire brigade or other groups, you get to meet different people, make new contacts, and
contribute to the community."
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 6
VISIT THE BRIGADE'S FACEBOOK PAGE
Have you looked at (and Liked) Axe Creek Fire Brigade's Facebook page? It regularly has news
about Brigade activities, as well as links to all sorts of interesting reports and eye-catching pho-
tos and video clips from all over the place. Check it out!
www.facebook.com/axecreekfirebrigade
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 7
Eppalock Primary School
This year we have welcomed 18 new students and their families to the Eppalock School
community—Taryn, Miller, Eddie, Evah, Katie, Will, Connor, Jessica, Annemieka, Evie, Patrick,
Rowan and Chloe (all into Prep class), Bailey C (Grade 5), Paige (Grade 4), Brydie (Grade 3),
Billy (Grade 2) and Charlie (Grade 1).
We have also welcomed some new staff members ..
HOLLY WESTAWAY is our Grade 4/5/6 classroom teacher. Holly studied at Latrobe University
here in Bendigo and majored in Health and English. Holly grew up in country Victoria on a
horse farm and attended a small rural primary school and has always been involved in her
local community. Holly is passionate about education and teaching and is thrilled to be a part
of the Eppalock Primary School community.
SAM MILNER is our PE specialist. Sam comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience
having taught PE and Sport in Melbourne at Hawthorn West PS and recently at Strathfieldsaye
PS. Sam says ‘the best thing about teaching PE and Sport is helping my students improve,
experience and learn new skills, build teamwork and most importantly – have fun!’
KRISTIE WOODWARD – Kristie is co-ordinating and delivering our Music/Drama program in 2016.
Here is a short note from Kristie …
As a singer, actor, director and teacher, I am passionate about Performing Arts education. I
taught classroom Drama and directed the school's Musical Productions at Girton Grammar
School for the past two years. I enjoy performing in community theatre companies and choirs; I
recently performed in "Mary Poppins" with Bendigo Theatre Company and I am a chorister in
the Gisborne Singers. I also teach private singing lessons. I am really excited about meeting all
of the students, staff and families in the Eppalock Primary School community and sharing a
wonderful year of Drama and Music experiences together.
Kristie will continue with the Australian Chamber Orchestra Music and Art Program for the
Grade 4-6 students and co-ordinate our involvement in the Victorian State School Spectacular
as well as organise our end-of-year drama performance
FRESH FRUIT FRIDAY
We are thrilled that we have been accepted into the FRESH FRUIT
FRIDAY program funded and supported by McKern Foundation, JL
King & Co Food Processors Fruit & Vegetable Merchants, Porter Davis,
Adroit Insurance Group and BlueScope Distribution starting this week.
This is a wonderful opportunity and we thank the sponsors very much
for their generosity.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 8
SCHOOL CURRICULUM
The whole school begins each day with a half hour block of reading from 9.00am—9.30 am.
Parents, who are able, are encouraged to come along and listen to children read during this
time. Mindfulness meditation takes place straight after reading for 10 minutes each morning.
As well as our core curriculum areas of Literacy and Numeracy, we are continuing with
specialist programs including –
LOTE Chinese presented by our Chinese Hanban teacher.
Living Green Environmental Program which involves all students in the sustainability,
gardening and cooking activities.
The Mobile Area Resource Centre (MARC Van) is a small mobile library that visits our
school every second week. The MARC van is filled with
picture story books, fictional novels, non-fiction books as well
as teacher resources for students and teachers to borrow.
The borrowing of books is also complimented by a lesson
undertaken by the MARC Van teacher.
PE – students are encouraged to develop their physical
skills and fitness through our Physical Education and Sports
program.
MUSIC/DRAMA – this program is provided once a week
for students in all year levels. Children are introduced to
various styles of music from different cultures as well as given
the opportunities to create their own music. Singing and
drama activities are also included in this program.
Dasha and Archer looking very relaxed reading
SPORTING SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Eppalock Primary School is very excited to be involved with this program in 2016.
Sporting Schools is Australia’s largest school-based sports participation program to help
children foster a lifelong interest in sport.
After kicking off in July 2015, Sporting Schools brings together schools and sports to help get
Aussie children active in their local communities. Sporting Schools is open to all Australian
primary schools, and with quality programs developed by over 30 national sporting
organisations. It offers a fun and supportive environment for children and coaches.
Our Term 1activity was based around the national MILOin2CRICKET program and ran on a
Thursday after school from 3.30 pm until 4.30 pm.
The program encompassed all the skills required to score runs and take
wickets. 30 students participated in the program and each received a gift
pack comprising of cricket bat and ball in a draw-string bag.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 9
Axe Creek Community Playgroup
When Friday Mornings 9am - 11.00am
Where Eppalock PS – Old School Building.149 Patons Road Axe Creek
(just a few minutes from Strathfieldsaye)
Come along and join other families for a cuppa and chat whilst your pre-school children enjoy lots of fun
activities. Fresh fruit is provided.
Morning Tea & activities provided.
Gold Coin Donation
For further information please
phone (03) 5439 6366
email: eppalock.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
http://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au
All Welcome
COMMUNITY NIGHT
We had some ‘crazy’ fun at the ‘crazy bingo’ community night recently. It was fantastic to see
so many parents and students enjoying a picnic tea, the ‘crazy bingo’ games and each oth-
er’s company. The weather was hot but that did not stop everyone joining in and having a
great night.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 10
Latest from Axe Creek Landcare
The Axe Creek Landcare Committee meet at Eppalock Primary School,
in the old staffroom on the first Monday of each month
at 8.00 pm during daylight saving period
or at 7.30 pm for the rest of the year.
We have two or three public meetings during the year, generally with a guest speaker.
Topics in the past have included weeds, pest animals, sustainable soils, gardening, ani-
mal husbandry, grasses. We also hold field days, working bees and excursions.
Members of the community are always welcome to attend any meeting!
One of the absolute best patches of remnant vegetation in the district is on Plaistow at Joyce's Creek.
What makes it so special?
Firstly, there is a super-structure of veteran trees - largely Yellow Gum and Grey Box, some of which must
be 300 years old or more. Secondly there is a diverse shrub layer, added through some successful direct
seeding work over a decade ago. Thirdly, and most importantly perhaps, is that the remnant has been
carefully managed. For example, fallen branches and leaf litter has been allowed to accumulate,
providing a rich assortment of microhabitats for invertebrates. This in turn now supports a rich array of
reptiles and birds, such as the Brown Treecreeper pictured below.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 11
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 12
Church News
Hear, here!
Have you ever paused to think about how many voices you hear each day? At home, family
voices. Chatter with friends and sports teams. Work voices. The media – radio, television, even
music on the radio – what are they singing about? Magazines and newspapers. Social media
and the internet, blogs and forums, clips and memes. Even conversations in the shops, the ones
you are a part of, and those you are eavesdropping on (c’mon, you know you do!).
It might just seem like a lot of noise, different ideas, things to agree with, other ones you don’t.
And all the stuff you ignore or reject as irrelevant anyway. We willingly, and unwillingly, hear so
much. How many opinions are you exposed to every day? Are you picking up healthy mind hab-
its or unhealthy perceptions on people you disagree with or how you feel about them?
Who do you listen to? Why?
One of the reasons people say they don’t believe in God is because they say God doesn’t talk
to them, or they can’t see Him, and “if God turned up and blew my mind, then I would believe”.
I don’t believe that is true.
We choose the voices we listen to, and if we are honest, most people in Australia don’t want to
hear what God has to say. I understand this, because I understand that the Church hasn’t been
a good voice for God, and had hidden some dark secrets. Also, I don’t think many Australians
want to hear what God has to say because it would be hard words. We mostly live in the wealth-
iest 10% of the world’s population, but we are busy looking at what we don’t have, or what we
want. So we miss the massive gap between our wealth, health and opportunities and those of
the majority of the world’s mums, dads, children who just want clean water, sanitation and hope.
And if God did turn up to “blow our minds”, history tells us that those who see it would marvel,
and believe, for a bit. All the other voices would soften and we would listen to God’s Word for
the time. But the other voices would get louder again, and the moment would be dimished. I
don’t believe the wonder and belief would last. The busyness would take over again.
God has spoken to the world, through the Hebrews before Jesus (the Christian Bible’s ‘Old Testa-
ment’), and through God Himself in Jesus, and His followers after Jesus’ resurrection on Easter
Day (the New Testament). It is no secret – all laid out in the Bible, freely available (check out
www.bible.com). But to most Australians – even to you? – it is just another voice. Most ignore it.
Some listen. Few act on what they hear. God loves everyone, and especially the faith of those
who listen, and hear, and act. He pours out His Holy Spirit on those who come to Him in faith, ac-
cepting Jesus’ offer of hope.
Try and read a bit of God’s Word, start with a couple of pages of one of the ‘Gospels’, the writ-
ten story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. I suggest beginning with the ‘Gospel of John’. Lis-
ten to the words. Think about them.
And give me a call if you hear something interesting in them, and we’ll talk!
Your local Rev,
Steve Weickhardt (5439 4817)
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 13
Community News
Community Gamelan group Mugi Rahayu is your local gamelan (Javanese music and dance) group. We are from Eppalock and we practice weekly and perform at various cultural events and fund-raisers around the district. No experience required and it’s free.
New members Welcome
Practice every Saturday 2:00 pm at 101 Carneys Rd, Eppalock.
Contact Nita or Aaron phone: 54392678 email: aaronita94@gmail.com
Poo Pile!
Need manure for your garden? Bags available from out the front of
125 Axe Creek Rd at $2.00 each or phone
54393144 for a trailer load at $10-$15.00 per load.
All proceeds to Riding for the Disabled Association.
email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com
The Strathfieldsaye Community Church has a hall available for hire for small to
medium size groups with heating, kitchen facilities and toilets all under the same roof,
and plenty of parking.
Contact details are on the sign on the front of our Church at 920 Wellington Street,
Strathfieldsaye. Please note that no alcohol is permitted.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 50 14
Kids Corner
Bird feeder
Connect your kids with nature with this easy bird feeder art and craft kids activity. It's simple to con-
struct and you and your kids can watch the birds eat from it once you are done.
What You Need:
natural found items (leaves, bark, gum nuts)
a 1L milk carton (washed)
stapler
hole punch
a loop of string (any size)
scissors
PVA glue
a dish for glue
a brush for glue
bird food from a pet store
Activity:
Have your child collect leaves, bark, gum nuts or other natural findings from your backyard or even the
park, and explain what you intend to make with them – you may even spot birds whilst you are both
outside.
Staple the top of the carton together.
Punch a hole in the top of the carton and thread the string through, tying a knot to create a loop to
hang the bird feeder.
Cut out an insert/hole towards the base of the carton.
Using PVA glue, get your child to stick the natural found items to the bird feeder, to create a feeder
that can blend in with the natural environment by mimicking the birds’ natural habitat.
Let it dry.
Fill the base with bird food and hang on a tree in your garden, or from a high spot on your verandah or
balcony.
Notes:
You may want to make this outside where you can spot birds and so that the mess is easier to clean
up.
Buying waterproof PVA glue will mean your bird feeder will last longer. However PVA can take a
while to dry, so it is important to allow drying time.
Alternatively you can use a stapler or tape, and if real leaves are proving challenging to work with
then cut out some leaves from green paper.
This activity can be educational if you find out some facts to share whilst making the bird feeder,
about your local bird population.
It also provides the opportunity for you and your child to work together and an experience that
can last several days as you check if the bird food has been eaten.
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