Community Newspaper for Eastern Dandenong Ranges

The Local
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Community Newspaper for Eastern Dandenong Ranges
Sculpture Installation underway...
May - June 2014
Issue 011
Cardinia Shire Council is excited to announce the latest addition to the Shire’s
growing public art collection. Camaraderie is a collection of granite sculptural
figures by Cardinia-based artist, Viktor Kalinowski. The artwork welcomes visitors
and residents into the Gembrook township from its location on the corner of Main
Street and Gembrook Road.
Camaraderie is about people gathering together in friendship and trust. They
figures are individuals but stand strongly together forming a community. They are
connected to the land and resilient against the elements. Viktor chose granite for
the enduring qualities which represent Gembrook’s rich history of work on the
land, durability to go forward into the future and Gembrook’s own natural beauty.
The artwork was commissioned by Council in line with the Cardinia Shire Council
Public Art Policy (2012-2017) to develop a high quality, progressive and varied
public art collection which encourages community connection and belonging.
Camaraderie was developed following community consultation with the artist in
2013 and chosen by Council’s Public Art Selection Committee.
Camaraderie will be officially unveiled by Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Graeme Moore
at 5pm on Wednesday 28 May. To attend, please contact Council’s Cultural
Development Department on 1300 787 624. For more information on public art in
Cardinia, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/arts
The Ranges Hotel, Gembrook
There’s been a dry spell in Gembrook town centre, with The Ranges Hotel
closed for over three years now, and many discussions amongst residents,
on when it might reopen. An icon of the main street since 1896, when Mr
John McMahon left his job as Mayor of Fitzroy, for a treechange in the more
peaceful town of Gembrook.
He brought with him the fittings and timber of an old church which had
been demolished in Fitzroy, which he used to design and build the Ranges
Hotel. Over the past century it has passed through many owners and
improvements, but ceased operation in early 2011 on what was meant to be
a three month change over of management. Unfortunately months dragged
into years, and the permit to run the building as a pub lapsed, requiring the
owner to reapply in November 2013.
The Australian ‘local pub’ has been a large part of rural and semi rural village
life, often being considered the heart of a township and it now appears to
many that Gembrook has suffered by not having an obvious community
gathering place. Stories of how well the pub used to be run, and how many
visitors it used to attract into the township are passed down, all with the
hope that perhaps it will one day return to its former glory.
Painted words graffitied on the pubs exterior last year showed the frustration
(however misguided) of some, and although this was quickly cleaned up and
not condoned by locals, the sentiment did echo community frustration at the
continued closure.
By 2013 a series of renovations saw the building repaired and repainted,
with permit applications successful.
The Ranges Hotel is now up for sale by Conway Commercial, and is to be
auctioned on the Wednesday 7th of May 2014.
We are getting online media savvy ! Find us on:
Blog: http://thelocalcommunitynewspaper.blogspot.com.au
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLocalNewspaper
Next Issue - 2 year anniversary - July / August Issue
Article & Advertising Submission due by 15th June
Contents:
Whats on
Pg 2- 3
Town Talk
Pg 4 - 8
Arts & Culture
Pg 9
Education
pg 9
Cooking & Home Corner Pg 10
Gardening
Pg 11
Sports and Recreation Pg 12
Pg 12
Joiners
Contact:
[email protected]
Kym Griffiths
Cultural & Business Editor
Layout Editor
0413804083
Leah Andrews
Lifestyle Editor
Rebekka Wilde
News Editor
Phil Byers
Layour Editor, Designer
Lynne Trensky
Advertising and Team
Management
0419584498
With Thanks to:
Julia Graham
Gerard Savage
Kathy Brennan
Ellisa Bourne
Rose Ovendon
“The Local” is a volunteer run
Bimonthly community newspaper for
the Eastern Dandenong Ranges
Our Vision is to improve information
communication and overall
connectedness between townships.
The Local is supported by
Emerald Community House
The Local is Proudly sponsored by:
Cockatoo Gembrook
Community Bank
Gembrook IGA
Gembrook Bakery
Unique Gift Ideas For
Mum For When You Have
No Idea!
By Leah Andrews
Giving a personalised or custom gift is a
thoughtful way to show Mum how much she
means to you. So what kind of personalised
gift should you be looking for? Find your gift
preference and some suggestions here.
Simple & Affordable
Let’s face it, budgets are important! If you’re
in this category, consider an inexpensive item
that can be personalised. Don’t think you’re
limited to just putting a name on the item - be
creative and choose a meaningful quote, a
shared joke or something else that means
something to both you and your Mum. Shopping ideas: Identitydirect.com.au or Digigifts.
com.au
Quirky & Fun
Love to give the unexpected? Quirky and
fun may be the right option for you. You love
to elicit hearty laughter or genuine surprise
when giving gifts. Stand out from the crowd
by choosing a unique piece of artwork, a
super unique piece of jewellery or an experience that Mum will never forget. Shopping
ideas: Hardtofind.com.au or Noideergifts.
com.au
No Expense Spared
For you, gifting is an art. You always go the
extra mile to find gifts that connect deeply,
and you receive great joy from giving. You
get frustrated with traditional shopping anything that shows great care and time in its
production, especially hand-made or custom
gifts will work for you.
Shopping ideas: Etsy.com.au or Madeit.com.
au
Whichever you choose, make it an opportunity to enjoy the spirit of giving and to appreciate one of the most important people in your
life. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums out
there!
Leah Andrews is a Gembrook artist who
makes hand made and custom snow globes.
She has snow globe gifts to suit every budget and Mums everywhere – find out more at
www.QueenOfSnowGlobes.com
ENDA KENNY IN CONCERT – June 1
Straight from sell out performances in Canberra and New South
Wales, Singer/Songwriter Enda Kenny, supported by long time folk
music friends Lindsay Martin (Fiddle, Mandolin & Lap Steel) and
Sandy Brody with her Double Bass will fill St. Cuthbert’s Chapel with
lively and lovely music, songs and ballads to match the Menzies Creek
Chapel’s amazing acoustics and ambience. St. Cuthbert’s Chapel,
196 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Corner Railway Parade Menzies
Creek, Victoria, 3156. Bar opens 1.30pm, Doors open 2.00pm, Showtime 2.30pm. Cost Adults $25.00, Concession $23.00 Children (4 to
14) $18.00 Book On-line at http://www.trybooking.com/84453
Tel 0431 133 599 WOODHENGE EXHIBITION – Now until June 22
Local artist Ronnie Sexton is currently exhibiting 9 wooden sculptures at Burrinja Gallery
in Upwey. The sculptures, taken 6 years to
complete stand 3 to 4 metres tall each are
extremely intricate and carry detailed symbolism from many cultures. The sculptures are
adorned with hundreds of jewels, crystals,
stones, glass and other materials. They are
trly captivating and soul evoking. Ronnie will
be giving a talk and carving demonstration
at Burrinja Gallery on Sunday 11th May at
11.30am. Cost Free 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey
www.burrinja.org.au 9754 8723
GOOD BEER WEEK – May 17 to 25
Puffing Billy is one of 160 venues taking part in Good Beer Week
2014. The festival celebrates the best of local and international beer.
Diners on the Puffing Billy will be treated to 8 award winning beers
matched to four courses of food and have the opportunity to talk first
hand with the brewers from Deschutes and Hargreaves Hill. Sunday
18th May The Beer Train, Puffing Billy, 1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave
Time 12pm – 5pm Cost $140 per person
For more information and bookings go to www.goodbeerweek.
com.au
Whats On: May - June 2014
The Emerald Ukulele
Festival
31st May to 1st June 2014
The Hills are alive with the sound of Ukulele. Don’t
miss the Inaugural Emerald Ukulele Festival on Saturday 31st May & Sunday the 1st of June, 2014 in the
beautiful town Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges.
Highlights of the festival are performances by International Ukulele Player Paul Jonson (NZ) sharing his
pizzazz on his unique Reasonator Ukes, Lucy Wise
who offers a unique blend of Celtic and Appalachian
folk music and masterful storytelling, Alex Burns in
performance & workshop shares plectrum playing and
finger picking, taking in calypso, blues and early jazz
styles. Mick and Tas Fleming sharing Hawaiian Songs
and Maton-endorsed Ukulele extraordinaire Matthew
Fagan, and host of the festival will be launching his CD
“Ukuleleland” recorded in America last September. Also
appearing are the Melbourne Ukulele Kollective (MUK)
who boldly go where no ukuleles have gone before!
Don’t miss the rare opportunity to see the Royal Dukuleles from NCAT (Northern College of Arts & Technology) with the Grand Duchess - a 2.4 metre Giant
Ukulele that was designed and constructed by Mark
Russell & Bon Nardella. Wangaratta Ukulele Band will
be sharing songs of the North East including “Wangaratta Wahine. Other performances include the Emerald
Primary School Ukelele Group, The Jam Tarts Trio,
KALULU (Kooky and Luscious Ukelele Lovers United),
Stuck in C, and Japarra Ukelele Group.
As well as various workshops and concerts, the festival
features a competition for ukulele enthusiasts, starting
5pm on Saturday. Competition categories include Best
Amateur Solo Player, Best Amateur Group and Best
Songwriter. Prizes include a Maton Concert Ukulele,
cash prizes, and vouchers from local businesses. BYO
food and refreshments to the Ukelele Jamboree and
Picnic on Sunday, and enjoy uke’ jams and singalongs
at Emerald Lake Park. Call Kellie on 0438 881 985 to
register your interest for a Ukulele Puffing Billy train
ride.
For More information go to
https://www.facebook.com/EmeraldUkeFest
Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/82687
Inquiries: 0438 881 985
This project has been assisted by the Australian
Government through the Australia Council, its arts
funding and advisory body. The Festival is also
proudly sponsored by- Gemco Players Community
Theatre, Signpost Magazine, Barry Plant , Mitre 10,
Bendigo Bank, Maton, Rock Garage Music & 3MDR
Close to Home
3rd & 4th May
Dandenong Ranges
Open Studios,
Time 10am onwards Cost Free
www.openstudios.org.au
Saturday 3rd May
Melbourne International Comedy
Festival
Roadshow, Cardinia Cultural
Centre, Pakenham
Time 8.30pm Cost $35, Concession $32
Sunday 11th May
Mothers Day High Tea with Nellie Melba, Museum Harvest,
35-37 Castella St, Lilydale
Cost $65 p.p, $45 under 12, two
sittings 11.15am & 1.30pm.
Bookings 9739 7234
Sunday 4th May
Puffing Billy’s Great Train Race,
1 Old Monbulk Rd, Belgrave
Time 9.30am www.greattrainrace.com.au
Tuesday 13th May
The Small Business Bus,
Free business mentoring day,
Worrell Reserve, Emerald,
369 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd,
Emerald.
Enquiries 13 22 15
Friday 16/17/18th May &
23/24/25th May
Under Milk Wood
The Gem Community Arts Centre
19 Kilvington Dve, Emerald 7pm
Cost Adults $22 Concession $20
Students $15 www.gemcoplayers.org
Daytrippers
Thursday 22nd May
The Biggest Morning Tea, Fundraiser for Cancer Research,
Emerald Community House Hall,
356 – 358 Belgrave-Gembrook
Rd, Emerald
Time 10am – 12pm Cost Donation
Friday 23rd – 25th May
Australian Chainsaw Carving
Championship,
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong,
26 Observatory Rd, Mt Dandenong
Time 9am – 3pm Cost $5 per
car www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au
Sunday 25th May & 22nd
June
Gembrook Market
Puffing Billy Station, Gembrook
Time 9am – 2pm Cost Free
Sunday 25th May Sacred
Stage Concert, Emerald Community House, 356-358 BelgraveGembrook Rd, Emerald 2pm
Cost $15 or donation www.
sacredstage.com.au
Friday 30th May Dig-In Café
Community Meal, 356-358
Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald
6pm – 8pm Cost Donation
Saturday 31st May Emerald
Ukulele Festival, workshop, concerts and competitions, The Gem
Community Theatre, 19 Kilvington Dve, Emerald Enquiries 0438
881 985 www.facebook/com/
EmeraldUkeFest
Sunday 18th May & 15th
June
Emerald Market
Cnr Main St & Kilvington Dve,
Emerald
Time 9am – 3pm Cost Free
Sunday 1st June Uke Jamboree Picnic at Emerald Lake. BYO
BBQ , Emerald Lake Park,
Emerald Lake Rd, Emerald. Enquiries 0438 881 985
Sunday 18th May
National Trust 2014 Heritage
Festival, Giant Trees & Little
Creatures, Healesville
Time 1pm – 4pm Bookings
9656 9804
Friday 27th June Dig-In
Café Community Meal, 356-358
Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald
6pm – 8pm Cost Donation
8th March – 15th June Art of
Response, Recording & Collecting Black Saturday, Yarra
Ranges Regional Museum, 3537 Castella St, Lilydale www.
yarraranges.vic.gov.au/museum
29th March – 29th June Red
Cross Centenary – The Power of
Humanity, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, 35-37 Castella
St, Lilydale www.yarraranges.
vic.gov.au/museum
Sunday 4th May National Trust
2014 Heritage Festival - Journeys Festival Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Rd, Berwick
Time 11am onwards Cost Free
www.casey.vic.gov.au
Friday 16th – 19th May Warburton Harmony Festival, Warburton Hwy, Warburton. Cost
Four day pass $150 per person,
Weekend pass $100 adult, $35
under 16, One day pass $75
adult, $25 child. A pass allows
you to attend any event on that
day/weekend/whole festival.
www.warburtonharmonyfestival.com
Friday 30th May – Sunday
1st June Yakkerboo Art Show,
Pakenham Hall, Cnr John &
Henry Streets, Pakenham 10am
– 5pm. www.yakkerboo.org.
au/artshow
Saturday 7th– 9th June Lake
Mountain Family Fun Weekend,
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort,
1071 Lake Mountain Rd, Marysville For more information contact
www.lakemountainresort.
com.au, 5957 7222
Saturday 21st June Jazz on
Puffing Billy, 1 Old Monbulk Rd,
Belgrave Time 7pm – 11pm Cost
$99 per person www.puffingbilly.com.au
Sunday 22nd – 23rd June
Shortest Lunch celebrating the
Winter Solstice. Various locations throughout the Yarra Valley.
Enquiries 9730 2800 info@
shortestlunch.com.au
Town Talk
Grace Center Mozambique
Grace Center is run near Beria, in Mozambique on the south-east coast of Africa,
by a dedicated couple, Sylvia and Chico, who Cockatoo resident Carol Emanuel
met in 2006. As well as their own family of four children, they are committed to caring for around 20 orphaned children who live in extreme poverty, often with elderly
relatives after their parents have died because of HIV/AIDS.
Carol said ‘In late 2006, Sylvia my interpreter, took my arm and walked me into
the female Tuberculosis and AIDS ward in the Beira Hospital, Mozambique. The
conditions were abominable. There were six bed-ridden women and Francesca
had her four-year-old son with her. He was a cheeky little fellow and climbed over
me like I was a ladder. They had no family so he stayed with his mum, sharing her
bed, wandering from ward to ward, drinking the patients’ water and eating from
their fingers.
What was he doing in
these highly infectious
conditions? Although dying, Francesca could not
get welfare support for her
son so Sylvia and Chico
took him into their home
near Beira. This was the
beginning of informal
work helping orphans
and families affected by
HIV/AIDS. Grace Center
was founded in January
2007 to help children like
these. Chico and Sylvia
work and live alongside
local chiefs, villagers and
orphans. They know their
community.’
This work will be greatly extended through building an OPEN orphanage, a ‘drop
in’ centre for children where some of their needs
can be met that relatives cannot provide, such as
a daily nutritious meal, support for education at a
local school, books, uniforms and somewhere to
study; medical and hygiene care; and a place for
recreation and rest.
A simple concrete block building of 200 sq. m. will
cost $30,000—almost $5,000 has been raised so
far by a small local committee so please come
along to our fundraising dinner to learn more and
support these children!
Fundraising dinner for Grace Center Mozambique
Sat 17 May at 6.30pm, St Luke’s, Cockatoo
$40.00 per ticket for a three-course meal, entertainment and silent auction,
RSVP to Carol 0400 837 066 or Sue 0407 365
711 by 7 May please
Community Bank warms
Emerald RSL’s winter
Pictured at the Emerald RSL Club Rooms from left to right: Margaret
Megarry (Secretary of Emerald RSL), Shane Miller (a Director of Dandenong Ranges Community Bank® Group), Elise Turnedge (Cockatoo/
Gembrook Community Bank® Branch Manager), Peter Maloney (President of Emerald RSL).
The Cockatoo/Gembrook Community Bank® Branch has assisted the
Emerald RSL in the purchase of a gas log fireplace which will be installed
shortly.
The RSL approached the Bank to fund the $2,300 unit which will be a
welcome addition to the newly renovated building and will be appreciated
by other regular users of the building including Senior Citizens, Probus,
Veterans and other community members.
RSL President, Peter Maloney thanked Community Bank® for funding this
project and said “the fireplace will enhance the ambiance of the room as
well as reduce the cost of heating and we look forward to many years of
service from this unit.”
The Bank also presented a date/time clock to the RSL which is another
welcome addition to the rooms.
PAVE 2014 – It’s a Wrap!
The PAVE Festival kicked off with the Emerald FunFest on Sunday 6 April 2014, an enormous
street festival that featured rides, street performances, a number of music stages (including Battle
of the Bands/open mic), a dance stage, art and photographic exhibitions and over 100 quality
food and market stalls.
The international food court had something for every taste! - people relaxed with a glass of wine,
watching the free entertainment, marvelling at the colourfully costumed steampunks, whilst the
kids tried out some of the other free events amongst the artisan stalls and festivity.
A world music concert capped off the first day featuring the brilliant soulful reggae rhythms of the
African dance band, Blak Roots, along with Ukelele and a Japanese drumming group.
Every day was jam packed with a variety of events that provided great activities throughout the
school holidays. Workshops held during the week helped people fine tune their skills or try something new, whilst kids had fun with school holiday activities including shaving cream art, dream
puppets and an interactive kid’s rock concert, to name a few. Others chose to see a top quality
exhibition held in our supporting cafés and businesses throughout the town. Visiting interstate
biologist Dr. Martin Cohen, treated like minded wildlife enthusiasts to an exhibition in the Custom
Framing shop as well as a wildlife photography walking workshop. Martin was also judge at the
U3A/ Emerald Arts Society Photography Exhibition and Competition which attracted an impressive standard.
There were many highlights but one stand out event was the amazing Mexican Fiesta on Saturday 12 April featuring Abbie Cardwell & The Chicano Rockers – a 10 piece Mexican “Rocanrol”
band inspired by vintage Mexican music of the 50′s and 60′s sung in Spanglish and performed
by a bunch of gringos and one Latino. The Family Fiesta night also featured a variety of circus
& dance and comedy acts with a selection of Mexican food and lots of fun activities for the kids,
including the Mount Burnett Observatory providing star gazing activities before the show.
This year’s festival saw many fantastic live musicians including guitar virtuoso Matthew Fagan
who held a number of amazing workshops and performances throughout the entire week. Guitar genius Ken Nicol (ex Steeleye Span) delighted us on Friday 11th April with his light sense
of humour and amazing skill. Earlier we had the pleasure of experiencing the raw talent of four
exceptional female musicians: Abbie Cardwell, Tracey Roberts, Ange Boxall and Marisa Yeaman;
all featuring in this year’s 3MDR sponsored Women in Song night.
The Burlesque Spectacular, always a favourite, did not disappoint with great comedy, strength
and skill. If it was comedy that interested you, there was no shortage, with The Big Time Comedy
show at the RSL entertaining a sell out audience and Live on Church St at St Marks being a great
kick off to a more regular event being planned.
As well as the ticketed events, there was plenty of opportunity to see top quality musicians
performing in local cafés including Zest and The General Food Store and at Emerald Lake or on
the various stages at FunFest. This free music program was kindly supported by Cardinia Shire
Council.
Despite a few showers earlier in the day during the last weekend of the festival, we had Viv Rogis
take us on a guided tour through a ten acre garden, blending movement and the natural environment with “Circling the Brink“. This coincided with Telopea Garden’s open garden, a chance to
see the amazing private garden and appreciate the work of Dave and Annie.
The festival wound down on Sunday 13th April with literary events for readers and writers, Jazz at
local winery Emmersleigh Estate and the famous Golden Cow Literary Awards.
Dates are currently being set for next year, which will see the FunFest being held on the last
Sunday of the School Holidays – Sunday 12th April. The PAVE Festival will surround this day with
great activities and events during and after the school holidays! Stay tuned for more details about
the 2015 Festival which will celebrate PAVE’s 10th Anniversary!
Town Talk
Town Talk
Say No to Ivy.
by Merle Mathieson
From time to time when my son was a teenager we would take
the long way home and drive through the Dandenongs. On one of
these trips, noting the Ivy on roadside trees, my son asked what
had sparked my interest in Ivy.(Hedera helix, a native to Europe.)
An interesting question from a teenager who, I don’t think, had any
other friends with mothers who clamber around in the bush cutting
Ivy off trees!
I think I first noticed the Ivy problem while walking in the Puffing
Billy Station precinct in Gembrook. There were some beautiful
mature Tulip and Oak trees growing near the ‘Heritage Station’ in
an area now called the Stationmaster’s walk. Ivy was growing on
many of the trees. One of the Ivy stems would have been about
11cm in diameter. I had not realised that Ivy could grow to this
size. I had previously only seen Ivy clipped and growing in a pot or
grown as a ground cover. Higher up the trees the branches were
‘festooned’ and ‘weighed down’ with Ivy.
We can all help to stop Some trees have been known to fall because of the weight of Ivy
growing on them. Some trees need to ‘shed’ bark, but this natural
the spread of Ivy.
process is prevented by the ivy growing on them which can cause
Remove it NOW, when disease in the tree. Ivy growing on trees will often flower and
you first see Ivy start- produce seeds. There begins the ‘nightmare’ for conservationists
ing to grow up a tree.
as birds transport the seeds to anywhere in the bush and soon,
hidden away, another Ivy takes root.
Ivy is a highly invasive species. In bushland it will eventually suppress all other vegetation
resulting in an Ivy-mono culture. In this way the diversity of native plants which provides suitable
habitat and food for native wildlife is destroyed.
What can we do?
Firstly, Ivy that is climbing trees must be removed using the ‘cut and paint’ method.
Cut the ivy at the base of the tree, and dab poison on the cut sections.(we use undiluted
glyphosate in a ‘dabber’ bottle) If the ivy stem is large, you will need to scrape a section of stem
and apply poison to that also.
Ivy at ground level can be dug out or removed using the cut and paint method and any long
‘runners’ can be pulled out, especially if the soil is moist. It is advisable to wear long sleeves and
gloves as ivy is capable of inducing an allergic reaction in some people. For spraying large areas
of Ivy you may need the help of a Weed Contractor. If you would like more advice or help ‘to
get started’. Phone: Merle 0407 011 344 59681011 or visit Gembrook Market 4th Sunday of the
month and pick up your weed advice and ‘dabber bottle’ there.
The Rewarewa Maori Honeysuckle (Knightia
by Carey Williams excelsa) - Plants For Sale A small band of volunteers, members of the Nobelius Heritage Park Friend’s Group, gathered
in threatening bad weather on Saturday 26 April for a working bee at the appointed time of
10am. Five only were present, a not surprisingly low number given the forecast of rain. The
five, plus four grandchildren of one of the attending, did not waste time and were immediately
into clearing a drain clogged by autumn leaf fall, which if not done would create pipe blockage
and potential storm water overflow and roadway erosion damage. Pruning some low branches
encroaching on the driveway followed, before focus shifted to cut out unwanted bamboo on the
bank in front of the museum. This was painted at the base of the cuts with herbicide. Follow up
treatment will be necessary.
As this was completed with teamwork the rain tumbled down and the adults and grandchildren
sought shelter and morning tea in the museum. Remarkably in an hour and a half the finished
result of this coordinated effort was satisfying to all present and significantly obvious to any
observer. A little attention to tidiness and detail makes a big difference.
We did not get to pot up seedlings of the Maori honeysuckle as was planned, but this can be
done another day shortly with winter ahead. The Friend’s Group collects seedlings of this rare
tree and grows them on. The parent tree in Nobelius Heritage Park is classified by the National
Trust, and is cited as an ‘outstanding example’ of this species and the largest specimen of this
tree in Victoria. It is well worth a visit to the park to see this tree,
and enjoy the four and a half hectares of parkland, once part of
the world famous Gembrook Nurseries developed by Carl Axel
Nobelius, now maintained by Cardinia Shire Council with the
assistance of a Committee of Management.
The Committee has a limited number of the rare Rewarea Maori
Honeysuckle plants for sale, grown on from previous working
bees. It is native to New Zealand where it grows prolifically in the
north and is the largest of the grevillea family, ultimately reaching
over 20 metres in height in favourable conditions. The specimen
in Nobelius Heritage Park was measured at 19.5 metres in 1984.
It is an excellent fire resistant tree, a good honey producer, and
reasonably drought hardy.
If you are interested in purchasing one please phone the museum
on 59682152 and leave call back details on the answer phone.
Similarly anyone interested in joining the Friend’s Group is invited
to contact and participate in the rewarding experience of helping
maintain the wonderful community asset that is Nobelius Heritage
Park. Letter to the editor Victims of BMO
In October 2010., myself and my partner purchased a 1 acre
block of land in Cockatoo. Zoned low density residential and
told by council that there was no reason we could not get approval. Sold to us as ‘build your dream home’
In 2013, we found discovered that the Bushfire Management
Overlay, setup by
the State Government in response
to the Bushfire
Royal Commission
had now made it
impossible to meet
requirements and
therefore we are
unable to build.
You may assume
that we are in the
middle of nowhere
with land as far as
the eye can see.
However we have neighbours not 100 metres away, a function centre directly across the road and are on a developed
road with the Place of last resort within a minutes drive.
Our block is valued at 145,000 by Council and we are paying rates and fire levy but a recent valuation has us valued at
$10000 and only if someone was to want to purchase.
The reason we are telling our story is because this is not an
isolated issue. Most of Cockatoo is rated Extreme Bushfire
Threat, which means that most properties will have a BMO
applied. In the event of a bushfire (touch wood) or in the event
that you would like to renovate, would you be able too?
The stories we are hearing from residents around Victoria is
that most blocks of land in these areas (developed or not)
are the same as ours. Some like us have land worth next
to nothing and still have mortgages. Some have purchased
with plans approved and are still unable to build! And some
are unable to renovate or change any aspect of their current
building.
If a bushfire does eventually come through, will anyone in the
hills be able to rebuild?
We believe that our rights and possibly yours have been taken away, our rights to our land, our rights to a home and our
right to live in a beautiful part of the world. Apparently safety is
the ultimate reason, however we
should have a right
to choose where
we live and accept
the risk of living in
these areas.
We want to build
the safest house
we can, we are not
against building to
code, and we just
want the opportunity to build on our
own land.
BMO Victims has
been set up to change these regulations which are literally
destroying lives and sending families bankrupt.
We are trying to inform localities and Shires about the BMO
rules that might one day render their assets worthless.
We have a Facebook page with information BMOVICTIMS
and our Founder Kate has a blog with information. http://www.
bmovictims.blogspot.com.au/
I can be contacted at [email protected].
Please check with your councils now on how this affects you
and your neighbours. Spread the word and help us to change
these rules. We have been given advice that some sort of
change is coming in May, however we have no idea what
these changes will entail. We need to let Government and
Council know that everyone is entitled to basic rights and we
will not stop fighting for change until all 5000 (and counting)
members of BMO Victims are able to build on their land.
2014 Kurth Kiln Heritage Festival
The 2014 Kurth Kiln
Heritage festival went very
well. Luckily the forecast
inclement weather did not
eventuate and many of
our usual participants took
part.
Cr Graeme Moore, Mayor
of Cardinia opened the festival, Brad Battin MP launched
the “E.E. Kurth, Reflections of a Creative Life” booklet
and cut the ribbon for Gas Producer Display
panels. The booklet is now available in Gembrook for
a suggested donation of $15.00 at Charlottes and the
Gembrook Craft Group.
As always, the Coach Robbery was a highlight of the
day and many visitors loved listening to the ‘Weathered
Heads Blue Grass Band’. Sheep shearing and the
Huskies were again a magnet for old and young. Eight
environmental groups came and answered environmental
questions. Numerous people bought loads of goodies at
the stalls and enjoyed delicious refreshments from the
Red Cross tent and Ice Cream van.
The Friends of Kurth Kiln are already planning the 2015
Kurth Kiln Heritage Festival. We welcome new members
to join our group and look forward include their ideas for
next years festival.
Upcoming events are:
• Heart Foundation walk, Friday 9 May
starting at 9.30am- registration 9.15am.
There will be a short and a longer walk on
offer, followed by a cup of coffee.
• On Tuesday 27 May is the Biggest Morning
Tea at Kurth Kiln. Please bring a small
plate, all donations will go to the Cancer
Council.
For more information contact Alfred Klink, alfred.ursula@
bigpond.com Tel 5967 4201
Town Talk
Gembrook’s Green Wedge Tour
Gembrook Township committee has advocated for a Green Wedge Management Plan (now a periurban Plan) for the farmland parts of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges since the completion of the
Gembrook Rural Review in 2004. The Rural Review confirmed pressures on traditional broadacre
cropping were becoming unsustainable for local potato farmers, including Dieldrin soil contamination
and imposition of Potato Cyst nematode exclusion zones affecting access to interstate markets.
Market forces pushing land prices higher, higher rates being used to fund growth corridor development
and increasing demand for lifestyle properties have increased this pressure, combining to create a
lower demand for large parcels of land in the area.
The district has had standard Green Wedge provisions imposed, which restrict subdivision and other
landuse options that may help fund farmer retire off the land or invest into new farming ventures. The
Gembrook Township Committee has long argued that this ‘one-size-fits all’ approach is destroying our
district as a food producing area, with many farming families walking away from traditional cropping
and increasing amounts of land now under-utilised.
David Nickell, president of the Gembrook Township Comittee stated “Successive State governments
and Cardinia Councils have paid lip service to the Gembrook Township Committee’s concerns and
acknowledged the need for a district transition plan, but nothing concrete has been done to date &
the ‘one-size-fits-all’ strangulation of farming and farming families in the Eastern Dandenong Ranges
continues.”
In the latest push to get some action on the ground for the district, the Gembrook Township Committee
and local Councillors Tania Baxter, Leticia Wilmot and Brett Owen, combined to take senior Council
Managers and VFF representatives on a bus tour of the district, to point out current issues first hand.
A number of farmers opened their properties and talked to the group about existing pressures and
opportunities for change that could be tackled in a plan for the district. Interesting perspectives and
personal stories on the challenges of farming in the region produced lively discussion amongst the
representives, and the tour was very successful in highlighting the restrictions on landowners under the
current management plans for the area.
The local vision emerging is that the Eastern Dandenong Ranges, including the area around
Gembrook and Cockatoo, can remain a viable district for farming, if allowed to intensify and where
suitable, move away from the old broad-acre land-use pattern. “We need to attract new businesses
into the district & enable existing farmers to re-invest into new intensive ventures, similar to the more
successful farming occurring in nearby Monbulk/Silvan/Wandin. Into this mix of more intensive farming,
some lifestyle properties may also be added, but without overwhelming the main use of the high value
soils in the district, which should be agricultural production.” To do this, the State and Local planning
regimes imposed on the district must urgently be changed, in consultation with the community.
Official Opening Ceremony
“The breakthrough will be when Cardinia Shire Council and the State Government recognises that
the current planning regime & supports for farming in the district is broken and needs to be fixed
urgently. It has directly led to the decline in agricultural production in the Eastern Dandenong Ranges.
We require a new multi-agency plan, built in partnership with the community & business sectors and
tailored for the district. We need to be able to adopt the Monbulk/Silvan land-use pattern & work
with them & the Shire of Yarra Ranges, to become a combined ‘Dandenong Ranges’ agricultural &
horticultural district of State significance. This could re-invigorate our agricultural/horticultural heritage,
create more local jobs and investment and reverse the decline we didn’t have to have.” David Nickell.
Town Talk
COMMUNITY HOUSES ARE FOR EVERYONE
Celebrate and find out more by visiting your Neighbourhood House during Neighbourhood
House Week from the 12th May – 16th May.
Neigbourhood & Community Houses play a pivotal community development role providing
services at a local level that meet community needs. They encourage, welcome and connect
people from all walks of life and abilities. This inclusive approach provides opportunities for
individuals and groups to enrich their lives through connections they might not otherwise
make. The long-term benefits are evident and Community Houses contribute to making their
communities more resilient.
There are over 400 Houses Victoria wide. The range of services available may include:
• Occasional and long day child care
• Playgroups
• Before & After School Care
• School Holiday Programmes
• Short Courses
• Life Skills Education
• English as a Second Language
• Pre-accredited courses recognised as prior learning
• Accredited Courses
• Health & Wellbeing Courses
• Free internet Services
• Community Cafes
• Community Gardens
• Community Events
• Self Help & Support Groups
• Men’s Shed
• Venue Hire
Neighbourhood & Community Houses began to evolve in Victoria the early 1970s as nurturing
and welcoming places to engage with others. The initial focus was to provide a meeting place
for women isolated in the community with a vision to bring people together and enhance the
opportunities of people and communities. Of the 8 Houses that reside within Cardinia Shire,
Cockatoo Neighbourhood House & Emerald Community House service the Hills ranges corridor. Emerald Community House opened its door in 1977 and Cockatoo Neighbourhood House
in 1983 after the Ash Wednesday fires. Emerald and Cockatoo centres are staffed by employees and volunteers and governed by voluntary Committees of Management. Community
Houses receive funding from a range of sources dependant on the services offered from the
Department of Human Services, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and local government.
Neighbourhood House Week Activities
Monday May 12 – Afternoon Tea 2.30pm - 4pm
Celebrate the talents of our special needs community. Meet our
“Everyday Numeracy & Literacy through Cooking” program students and enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea prepared by them.
Proceeds going to the Hills Autism Group.
Emerald Community House, 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd,
Emerald 5968 3881
Tuesday May 13 – Community Art & Storytelling
10.30 - 11.30am
Mental health is one of the fastest growing illnesses in our society.
Our Wellbeing Program is creative, sociable, informative and lots
of fun. Join us to create a fabulous piece of community art that will
then be interpreted into a storytelling tale. Proceeds going to the
Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Emerald Community House, 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd,
Emerald 5968 3881
Angel Babies Foundation Sewing Workshop 12.30pm 3.30pm
Angel Babies Foundation advocates for individuals and families across Australia experiencing anxiety, grief or loss related to
infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, perinatal death, stillbirth,
premature birth, neonatal and maternal death. If you like to sew
and have your own sewing machine, our hall will be converted into
a workshop to make as many nappies as we can. All materials will
be supplied including a lovely afternoon tea to share.
Emerald Community House, 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd,
Emerald 5968 3881
Thursday May15 – The Biggest Morning Tea 10am 12pm.
For the 3rd year in a row we welcome everyone to come along for
morning high-tea and support cancer research. Raffles and prizes
to give away.
Emerald Community House, 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd,
Emerald 5968 3881
Free Lunch & Entertainment – 12.30pm
Join us for a free lunch and be entertained by local singer
Carol McCoy. Please book before Tuesday 13th May.
Cockatoo Neighbourhood House, 23 Bailey Rd, Cockatoo 5968
9031
Cardinia Tourism Advisory Committee & The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Tourism Group
A Tourism Advisory Committee has been established to implement the Cardinia Shire Tourism Strategy Action Plan outcome from the Cardinia Shire Tourism
Strategy.
The Committee comprises 10 members in total. Nadine Hutchins from Puffing Billy & Lynne Trensky has been selected from the Hills region. One of the primary
objectives for the TAC is to contribute to the development of a strong, recognisable and valued profile for tourism in the Casey Cardinia Shire.
The development of a local Hills Tourism Group is soon to be finalised that will liaise closely with the TAC and other tourism associations and funding bodies to
promote tourism in the Eastern Dandenong Ranges corridor. The Group will be known as the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Tourism Group with a steering committee made up of representatives from Gembrook, Cockatoo and Emerald. The EDRTG mission is to build, showcase and promote the unique tourism the Hills
region has to offer.
OLD EMERALD POLICE STATION
The question on everybodies lips at the moment is what is happening with the recently vacated
police station in Kilvington Drive in Emerald.
The building has now been identified as surplus to the state government’s needs and will be
offered to Cardinia Shire Council for an option to purchase.
The Emerald Village Committee (EVC) has reccommended that the building be purchased by
Council to establish a much needed communication’s hub in Emerald.
A communication’s hub would allow local community radio station 3MDR-97.1fm to move
into far more suitable premises as well as enabling the Emerald Comunity House to expand
its public access programs. It would allow Council a local point of distribution for council
information, it would allow for a point for the distribution of tourist information and thus play a
role in supporting local businesses. It would provide space for the Emerald Business Group and
the Local Newspaper to connect with other groups.
3MDR vice-president Dale Blair and long time advocate of new premises for the radio station
says “We are really excited by the prospect especially having gone through the disappointment
of not acquiring the old CFA building in 2011. Purchase of the police station is a no brainer and
given the EVC’s reccommendation we expect that the local councillors and council will follow
through on the proposal. The current premise is a fire trap and it has no disability access which
unfortunately excludes a number of disabled people from participating at the radio station.”
It is also the future potential that excites Dale Blair. “There is plenty of scope to build on to the
police station and to provide some much needed facilities for youth. A band rehearsal is one
thing that 3MDR would look to develop.”
Local councillors can be contacted to check on the progress of the proposal.
Arts & Culture
Experience Dance in the hills!
Education
Do you like to Dance? Have you ever wondered
what it is like to dance in a garden, on a stage,
in a studio? Fast and furious, slow and relaxed,
structured and free form, there is a dance for
everyone and you can find it here in the hills!
In the wake of the PAVE Festival 2014 the hills
are alive with dance, music, story, literature &
art! As a locally based dance artist I am excited
about the dance community we have right here
and the opportunities for dance doers and dance
makers of all styles and genres throughout the
year. The PAVE Festival may be finished for
2014 but your chance to dance is not!
Out of the many wonderful dance experiences
we have available in the hills, I want to draw
attention to two dance artists who call the
Eastern Dandenong Ranges home. Gulsen Ozer
and Gareth Hart are accomplished performing
artists, creating challenging and invigorating
performance experiences in local and national
contexts as well as offering inclusive and exciting
new workshops & performance programs for
their local communities. Both were involved
in the PAVE Festival this year, you may have
seen them perform at Circling the Brink or at
Funfest with The Amber of the Moment, intimate
performances of short morality tales.
Gulsen Ozer is an independent performance
maker, curator, workshop facilitator and community development worker. The motivation behind
her artistic practice is to create art that is inclusive, rigorous and interdisciplinary. Her work has
historically focused on projects working with small numbers of collaborators, crafting intimate
performances but recently she has decided to work towards directing a large scale dance theatre
work. Gulsen is offering performance making classes for all abilities at Emerald Community House on
Mondays and Thursdays. For more information on these classes see www.emeraldcommunityhouse.
org.au
Gareth Hart is an independent artist and producer with strong interests in Choreography, Theatre
and Photography. Gareth’s performance work seeks to create rich and engrossing experiences for an
audience, navigating away from any desire to ‘entertain’ or ‘wow’, continually striving to reach people
on a deeply conceptual level. He grew up around the base of the mount, and after many years living
in the city, Gareth has returned to the hills area. He is currently working at Burrinja developing a new
performance event called hillsceneLIVE that includes an intensive performance making workshop for
under 30y.o. to be performed at hillsceneLIVE. For more info go to www.hillscene.com.au and click
on the hillsceneLIVE tab.
My name is Vivienne Rogis and I am also a local dance artist living and working in the hills and
through my involvement with the PAVE Festival I have had the good fortune to connect with new and
established hills artists and to feel part of the energy and inspiration for a cultural landscape of dance
that is available year round. If you would like to know more about me you can visit my website.
www.spaceinmotion.com
Some other places you might like to look for dance activities in your local area are your local
Community House programs, private dance schools and your local community arts centre.
Professional dance artists & teachers should search for DANCE HUB KNOX on facebook for
an excellent
professional
development
program of free
workshops!
A Wonderful Circus
Performance at
Gembrook
The parents and friends of Gembrook Primary
School were treated to a wonderful performance
of circus tricks. The students had spent first term
learning the tricks of juggling and balancing.
On the night the students amazed the crowd with
their skills of hoop spinning, ribbon twirling and ball
juggling. The students had thoroughly enjoyed the
weekly training sessions and were confident and
skilled performers on the night.
‘Performances such as these provide all students
at the school with an opportunity to perform to an
audience and learn new skills. I am truly proud of
the students commitment and persistence’, remarked the principal, Kym Peterson recently.
Cooking and Home Corner
Mandarin Cake ( Gluten Free)
You can also use Tangelos or a combination of 2 mandarins and a Lisbon
lemon
3 large or 4 medium size mandarins
2 cups of almond meal (230g)
1 cup caster sugar (250g)
6 eggs
Serving Syrup
Bring to the boil ¼ cup of caster sugar, zest
of 2 oranges or mandarins and ¼ cup of
water. Cook until it just starts to caramelise.
Cool and pour over the cake when serving.
Step 1 Place mandarins in a saucepan
and cover with water. Bring to the boil,
then simmer on low for 2 hours or until
skins are extremely soft and fruit still intact.
Add more water during cooking to keep
mandarins covered at all times. Drain the
mandarins and completely cool.
Step 2 Open the mandarins separating the
skins from the mandarin segments. Carefully remove pips from the segments and
place the flesh and skins in a food processor and puree.
Step 3 Whisk eggs and sugar until combined, add puree and almond meal and stir until well combined.
Step 4 Place the mixture in a greased 24cm springform cake tin and bake
at 160 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes, covering the tin with baking paper
if the cake starts to brown to quickly. Cake is cooked when it is set in the
middle and springs back when touched and coming away from the sides of
the tin. Cool cake in the tin.
Step 5 Make an orange syrup zest or alternatively heat a small amount of
orange marmalade to pour over the cake when serving.
By Lynne Trensky
Orange Cleaner
Use up your orange and other citrus peels to make your own multi-purpose
cleaner.
Place orange peels in a large glass canister. Cover peels with white vinegar.
Add your favourite spices and 6 drops of orange essential oil. I add whole
cloves and cinnamon sticks. You could also use star anise and lavender
sprigs. Seal and leave mixture for 2 weeks and up to a month until it goes
yellowish in colour and stirring occasionally. Strain, add extra essential oil if
desired and put it into a spray bottle ready to use.
Lemon essential oil, rosemary sprigs and vanilla extract goes well with lemon
peels.
Like to be more sustainable?
Learn how to make green cleaning and baby care products at
home
Learn how to make home cleaning
and baby care products using natural
ingredients such as essential oils
and cooking ingredients. A one day
course offering two workshops is
being run at Cockatoo Neighbourhood House. You will make and take
home your own homemade surface
cleaner, an all-purpose cleaning
spray and recipes for room spray,
toilet bowl cleaner, black tea window
cleaner and wooden cutting board
cleaners and baby massage oil and
powder. Both workshops are $35
each and run from 11am – 1pm.
Cockatoo Neighbourhood House,
23 Bailey Rd, Cockatoo on Wednesday 11th June from 11am – 1pm. For
more information and bookings 5968
9031
By Lynne Trensky
The peels and liquid make for an
attractive display while
brewing.)
Emerald Star Bush Cards
The Emerald Star Bush is indigenous to the
Emerald area and an endangered species. A
Partnership Project was set up in 2012 made
up of an enthusiastic group of people from
different areas of the community, including
local residents, representatives from the
Emerald Village Committee, Cardinia Shire
Environment Team and Johns Hill Land Care
Group. Its primary aim is to help raise awareness in the area about the endangered nature of the Emerald Star Bush and to encourage everyone
to play a part
in helping to
protect it. The
group is also
playing a big
role in the
propagation
of the bush
as well as
identification
for locals who
suspect they
have one on
their property.
A beautiful
gift card has
just been
released, with
all proceeds going towards preserving this
endangered plant. Gift cards are $5 each
and currently available from the Emerald
Community House and monthly Emerald
Market. For more information visit
www.emeraldstarbush.com
Gardening
Starting a Home Vegie Garden
Over winter is a good time to plan and prepare a home vegie bed garden that will be ready
to plant seedlings into in Spring. The first aspect to consider is where to locate your vegetable garden including access, aspect, soil, slope, water and surrounding trees. Take into
consideration:
Access- Is the location close enough to the house, as you will need to go there often.
Is there potential room to extend the garden in this area if needed later?
Aspect- Do you have enough sunlight (preferably in the morning and midday)? Are
there any buildings or trees that may cast a shadow (especially important for winter
crops)? Will you require a greenhouse to grow the crops you want? North or northeast aspect is preferable.
Soil- What is the soil like in this area? What do you need to do to improve it? Do you
need to put in raised beds for increased drainage or do you want a no-dig garden?
Slope- If your garden is on a slope can you terrace the vegetable garden or create
swales to prevent water and nutrient run-off?
Water- Do you have a convenient water source nearby? Can you use this source if
there were water restrictions imposed? Are you going to hand water, use drippers or
sprinklers?
Trees- Are there any large trees whose roots can invade you vegetable garden? Can
you put in root barriers?
Convenience- Are the tools you will need for your vegetable garden close by or can
you put up a small shed? Have you got a place in this area where you can place a
bench (for resting with a cup of tea or cold drink and enjoying the results of all your
efforts)?
The No Dig Garden Bed
The simplest and easy garden bed to build is the “No-dig” method as it can be created
on virtually any surface and eliminates the need for any backbreaking work. The no-dig
garden is built above ground, made up of layers of organic matter that rot down into a
nutrient-rich living soil. It is much like making lasagne adding one layer upon another until
the desired thickness.
It is the perfect solution to tough or poor soils, be it rocky soil or heavy clay, even over lawn
and concrete, and eliminates the need for any backbreaking work.
No-dig gardening is like composting. You need a good mixture of carbon materials in the
form of straw, and nitrogen in the form of manures. Water each layer lightly, because the
garden needs to be moist to function properly.
Step 1
Mark out the area and edge it with timber, bricks or any material that will contain the soil
when it is built. Four square metres is a good size to start, but this can be expanded later.
Step 2
Cover the entire area with wads of newspaper at least 8 pages thick to smother any grass
or weeds. Overlap the pages so there are no gaps for weeds to grow through, and avoid
using as much coloured print as possible. Water the newspaper well so that it starts breaking down immediately.
Step 3
Cover the area with pads of lucerne hay (which will break down easily). This could be
substituted by pea-straw or crop-straw like rye or canola, whatever is cheap and available.
Crop-straw is usually less expensive than lucerne or pea-straw, but is lower in nitrogen.
Water the straw lightly.
Step 4
Next apply a layer of organic fertiliser. Chicken manure is excellent because it has high
amounts of nitrogen, which helps to breakdown high carbon materials, but any farm manure will perform this function.
Step 5
Add a 20-centimetre layer of loose straw.
Step 6
Finally, you will need some good compost to plant the seeds and seedlings into. If there
is enough available, the whole surface area of the garden could be covered with compost
to about 10 cm. Alternatively pockets of compost can be created for planting so that it can
support a new plant while the new garden is breaking down.
Gardening Q & A
We are thrilled to have Pete the Permie from Telopea Mountain Permaculture
answer your fruit and vegetable garden questions. Email your questions to
[email protected] and we’ll answer them in the next issue.
The Slow Gardener May to June
What a strange growing season it has been. A late, slow spring; a
short sharp summer which caused a few losses and oddities like
fruit scorched on the trees; and a fairly early autumn break with
quite a few showers, though the soil is still fairly dry under the first
few inches. Many heat records broken across Australia (again) and
many parts still in drought, though not here in the hills thankfully.
Maybe we could start to trial some warmer-climate plants – this
may help us adapt to on-going milder conditions. For instance, we
may have fewer frosts in winter – so we might plant low-chill apple
varieties which need less chilling-hours to fruit. Some of these are
available in Victoria – ‘Anna’ and ‘Topical Beauty’ are two examples.
Seeds to plant:
Broad beans, peas if you have a frost-free spot, coriander, Asian
greens, radishes, early onions, spring onions, leeks, lettuce,
spinach, broccoli, kale, radishes; and winter green manure crops
such as fava beans, dun peas, rye, oats (to increase soil organic
matter) and mustards to help with nematode control.
Seedlings to plant: cabbage, cauli, broccoli, onions and any of
the above.
Plant as bulbs, small plants or crowns: garlic, potato onions, tree
onions, shallots, rhubarb, and strawberry runners; also rooted
cuttings or offsets of raspberries, boysenberries and other cane
fruits, if you have beds ready for them.
Prepare a bed for asparagus which you might plant in winter. And
of course, prepare sites for any fruit trees you’ll be planting in bareroot season.
Autumn Leaves are a great resource – use them as mulch, heap
or bag them to make leaf-mould; or add them to your compost heap
as that all-important carbon ‘brown’ component. Many compost
heaps go slimy because they don’t have enough of this – the ratio
of ‘brown’ to ‘green’ should be at least 12:1. (‘Green’ is all the highnitrogen stuff – kitchen waste, chicken manure, grass clippings etc.)
Local and Seasonal to Eat:
Late tomatoes (red and green), late chestnuts if you’re lucky; root
crops; pumpkins and their seed, broccoli, silver beet, leeks, caulis
and cabbages. Late figs; mid to late-season apples, pears, quinces,
and persimmons, and later, tamarillos, feijoas, pomegranates,
olives and olive oil, kiwifruit and strawberry guavas; and nuts - if
you’ve kept the birds off them!
Happy Gardening
Rose Ovenden - Gembrook, April 2014
If you want to start your own organic vegie patch and would like
to see and learn first hand how to go about it, a one day practical
workshop is being run on Sunday 8th June 10am – 3pm in
Avonsleigh over two properties. Participants will prepare a no dig
garden, cover bed layout and design, soil textures and testing,
how to manage pests & weeds, fertilising, composting, bed
rotation and companion planting. Cost $80 per person. For more
information and bookings 0419 584 498.
Peter Allen from Telopea Mountain Permaculture is running a one
day workshop on Saturday 17th May from 10am – 4pm for anyone
wanting to design their own Edible Food Forest Garden. Whether
you’re on acreage or a backyard you’ll learn about the principles
of the forest and how it can help us design a low work and
balanced forest of fruit and food. Cost $85 per person. For more
information and bookings 5968 3881.
Telopea Mountain Permaculture is also running a pre-accredited
Permaculture Design Course ideal for those wishing to design
their own property or seeking employment in the horticulture
industry. The 16 week course runs from Jul 15 – Dec 2 on
Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm – 10pm and costs $495. For
more information and bookings 0419 584 498.
Sports & Recreation
Human Powered Vehicles
The 2014 RACV HPV (Human Powered Vehicles) series continued on
Sunday 27th April with the Bridge Builders Knox Grand Prix on a new course
where 50 competitors were racing on a short and twisting 700m track at
the State Basketball Stadium in Wantirna South. The six hour race started
at 10am, and included 5 vehicles from Mark Fidone Racing’s EDEC teams
battling throughout the day with fierce competition and enduring the windy
and cool conditions.
Congratulations to the winners from EDEC for the Middle Secondary class
- Gremlins on 191 laps, Senior Secondary class - Fire Breathing Rubber
Duckies on 221 laps & Veteran class - Pacemakers on 206 laps.
Also, in the Community class 2nd place went to EDEC’s Favorites on an
impressive 231 laps, with Beauty & the Beasts completing 182 for 18th
position overall.
It was certainly a great day, with wonderful support from organisers and
spectators alike to boost the fun atmosphere. Now recovering from the
exertion, all teams are looking forward to the next race in the series.
KMOTION @ St lukes
After school club for prep - 6
1 Mc Bride St Cockatoo
Phone: 5968 8459
Hills Mens Shed
Meets every Wednesday 1pm-4pm
at Cardinia Casey Community Health
Service, Cockatoo.
Coffee Conversations
11am every Friday Morning @
Charlottes on Main in Gembrook.
All welcome!
JITTERBUGS @ St lukes
Preschoolers Group
1 Mc Bride St Cockatoo
Phone: 5968 8459
Hills Community Garden
A social community group with a passion for growing their own food. For
more information call 5968 9830
Gembrook PlayGroup
“Little Gems” Gembrook Playgroup
Gembrook Community Centre each
Tuesday, 9:15-11:15am, during school
term. 0-5 years.
Hills Community Kitchen
Contact Hanny on 5968 9031 or Lynne
on 59683881
PH Poker League
Come play a friendly Texas Hold ‘Em
Poker Tournament
Friday evenings 6:30pm- 11:30pm
Cockatoo & District Bowls Club. 18+
welcome. Ph: Steve 0405 459 731 or
Matt: 0405549731
Cockatoo Play Group
Every Thursday During School term
2pm - 4pm
23 Bailey Rd, Cockatoo
180 Church -for youth and young
adults, 8pm - 9pm every Friday night.
FREE. 1-3 Church St Emerald @ St
Marks Church 5968446
Friends of Gembrook Park
Meet Thursdays 10am to 12noon
Caring for the natural environment
weeding, planting etc. Share a Cuppa
too.
03 59681011
Emerald Community House
For short courses, childcare and other
great programs www.emeraldcommunityhouse.org.au
1st Cockatoo Scout Group
Cubs (Ages 7.5-10) Mon 7pm-8.30pm
Scouts (Ages 10-14) Thurs 7pm-9pm
Ring Matt for details: 0407904093
Cockatoo Neighbourhood House
For short courses, kids courses and
play sessions.
23 Bailey Rd Cockatoo
PH: 5968 9031 Fax: 5968 0261
Gembrook Indoor Bowls
Wednesday 7.45pm -10.30pm
Try out first two games for free.
John Cascone 59427217
Gembrook Community Centre
Sherbrooke Amateur Basketball
Association
Rookie, Junior and Senior Teams looking for new members.
Contact: Pam Ph: 97543961
[email protected]
Gembrook Singers
Les Whitehead 59677059
Gembrook/Cockatoo Football &
Netball Club
Belgrave Gembrook Rd,
Gembrook
http://www.gcfc.vcfl.com.au
Cockatoo & District Bowls
Club Inc.
New bowlers and Social members
welcome;Accredited coach available,
Clubrooms available for hire
McBride Street, Cockatoo
PH: 5968 8802
Cockatoo Tennis Club
Coaching Wednesday evenings, for
juniors and seniors. Club offers competition tennis for mens, ladies and
juniors. Contact Russell for details:
0430202308
Tinies Time
A special Rhyme Time suitable for
babies and toddlers up to age three.
Fridays 11:15am - Emerald Library
Story time
Storytime is a mixture of stories,
rhymes and activities based on a
theme. It is free and most suitable for
3-5 year olds.
Where: Emerald Library
When: Thursdays 11:15am – 12pm
The Gembrook Craft Group
Crafty get-togethers on Mondays
10.30 - 3pm, and 7pm-10.30pm at the
Cottage in Redwood Road Gembrook
The Cottage Shop, Redwood Road
is open Thursdays - Mondays, 10.303pm and everyday during the School
Holidays.
Emerald Arts Society
Emerald Arts Society offers classes
and workshops in painting, drawing, printing, portrait sittings and
‘paintouts’. New members welcome
For details call 5968 5862 or visit
www.emeraldartssociety.wordpress.
com
Hills Pipers
A group of enthusiastic recorder players. Descant to Bass. Music - Baroque to modern.
65 Evans Rd., Cockatoo.
RSVP 5968 1781 Time 2.00 - 4.00 pm
1st and 3rd Thursdays Feb. to Dec.
Cost: Enthusiasm.
Junior Soccer
Monday nights 5.30 - 6.45pm
$2 clinic + $2 game per child
Mountain Rd Reserve
Senior Soccer
Monday Nights @ 7.30pm
Contact: Pam Ph: 97543961
[email protected]