axe creek - eppalock newsletter, issue 40
DESCRIPTION
Spring 2013 issue of the Axe Creek - Eppalock Newsletter.TRANSCRIPT
[email protected] Issue 40 1
Axe Creek – Eppalock Newsletter
Incorporating news from the Eppalock Primary School, Axe Creek Fire Brigade & the Axe Creek Landcare Group.
Welcome to the Spring Edition!
Hello again.
The weather is warmer and spring is in the air!
When Spring arrives you can almost see a skip in everyone’s step. It’s the
time of year when the calendar starts to fill up with events. Fashion week,
Spring Racing, Open gardens, Art Exhibitions, Craft Markets, Graduations,
and so much more. Whatever you do, enjoy the warmer weather and spend
time with the people you love doing the things you love.
We hope you will continue to share your upcoming events, news, photos,
funny stories, feedback and more. We’d especially like to share local photos.
So please don’t forget to drop an email to [email protected].
Sam Spence
Edition 40. Spring 2013
Welcome
Community Notice
Board
CFA News
School Update
Axe Creek Playgroup
Landcare’s Latest
Community News
Kids Corner
Did you know you can now
receive your copy of the Axe
Creek - Eppalock Newsletter
directly to your inbox?
Send us a quick email to
and we will add you to our
distribution list.
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:
Summer 2013 Dec 2nd
Autumn 2014 Mar 3rd
Winter 2014 June 2nd
Spring 2014 Sept 1st
Contact us via [email protected]
Thank you to our Contributors
John Wells - Axe Creek Fire
Brigade
Marie Mannes - Eppalock PS
Cathy Watson - Axe Creek
Landcare
[email protected] Issue 40 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
2013
Term 1
30 Jan – 28 Mar
Term 2
15 Apr – 28 Jun
Term 3
15 Jul – 20 Sept
Term 4
7 Oct – 20 Dec
Local Churches
St Stephens Anglican Church
108 Hargreaves Rd, Emu Creek
2nd & 4th Sunday Mornings – 9am
Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church
920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye
1st & 3rd Sunday Mornings – 9am
☼ NEW Family Service - 1st & 3rd Saturdays - 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
Secretary Bob Russell
0448 000 845
[email protected] Issue 40 3
It was sobering to learn that a house was
burnt near Lake Eppalock during winter. This
should be a reminder to us all that we need
to take care with cooking, heating and all
the other things that have the potential to
cause house fires.
This is the time of year to start preparations
for making our properties safer for the sum-
mer months. It's all to obvious how quickly the
grass (and weeds!) grow in spring. Don't let
them get away from you: keep them under
control, so that when everything dries out in
late spring you are not left with long dry grass
and rank weeds around the house.
Manage your vegetation
It's not just grass that has to be looked after.
Trees with overhanging branches, and bushy
shrubs can catch fire from burning embers,
and then endanger the house.
In the fire brigade we call leaves and twigs –
up to about pencil thickness – “fine fuels”.
These are the things that catch fire quickly,
and control the spread of fire. History shows
that your house will be 30% safer (i.e. less like-
ly to catch fire) if there are no fine fuels within
5 m of the house. Those shrubs around the
house might look attractive, but they could
be adding to your fire risk.
Seasonal outlook
At the time of writing the experts have just
released the initial outlook for the coming fire
season. While things may change, depend-
ing on the spring rainfall, early indications are
that this part of Victoria will have greater
than usual grass growth in the paddocks, but
still somewhat dry subsoil in the forests. That
adds up to the possibility of fast-running grass
fires which, if they run into forest, could be-
come hotter than average forest fires.
Be prepared, and be alert!
CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade
NEW SOFTWARE TOOLS HELP CFA TO FIGHT FIRES
In recent years there's been a lot of research
into computer models of how fires spread. This
has led to the development of sophisticated
software for the rapid prediction of the likely
impact of fires.
On days of high fire danger skilled Fire Behav-
iour Analysts are on standby at the State Con-
trol Centre, and at regional Incident Control
Centres.
As soon as a fire is reported they enter its posi-
tion, and run simulations of its development by
computer. The simulations make use of pre-
loaded data such as fuel loads, fuel moisture
content, predicted weather conditions
(temperature, humidity and wind) at closely
spaced points right across the state. The pro-
gram computes, minute by minute, how the fire
is likely to spread.
Because the data are averages for each loca-
tion, the program allows for chance variation in
conditions by running thousands of simulations
in a few seconds, and then averaging the re-
sults to give the best estimate of what is likely to
happen.
Testing the software
The simulation software was initially tested by
running predictions of past fires, such as those
on Black Saturday. While the outputs from the
program didn't match exactly the actual
spread of the fires, they gave a remarkably
close picture of how the fires had developed.
How it's used
Last summer the predictive software invaluable
for CFA and DSE operational personnel. Inci-
dent controllers could consider quickly the best
ways to deploy the available resources, and
even use the computer modelling to compare
the likely outcomes of different strategies.
The predictions were also used to formulate in-
formation and warnings to the public, by radio
and on the internet.
The predictive software is much more sophisti-
cated than the simple had calculations that
were used previously. In future they will contin-
ue to be improved and updated, and will be-
come standard tools for the fire services.
[email protected] Issue 40 4
CFA'S ROLE EXPANDS
Not just putting out fires
Most people picture the CFA as an organisation that fights fires – “putting the wet stuff
on the red stuff”. But there's much more to it than that.
Particularly since Black Saturday, the CFA's role is being seen more and more to include
helping communities to stop destructive fires breaking out, and informing them of what
is happening when (despite preparations to prevent them) fires do occur.
There's good sense in the change of emphasis. The CFA's mission is to protect lives and
property. The best way to do this is to stop fires happening as far as possible, and by
preparing properties in advance so if fires do start the damage is kept to a minimum.
CFA alerts residents when conditions are particularly dangerous, so they have the op-
portunity to move to a safer location in good time. It does its best to make available
news of any current fires, so community members can make informed decisions about
appropriate action.
Shared responsibility
A moment's reflection will show that CFA cannot keep Victoria safe from fire on its own.
There are about 1200 fire brigades in Victoria. On Black Saturday around 650 fire trucks
were close enough to be sent quickly to the major fires; 2000 houses were burnt down.
Axe Creek Brigade has two fire trucks, and at best perhaps 12 to 15 volunteers able to
turn out to emergencies at any particular time. Just think how many houses there are in
the district.
The arithmetic is pretty clear. Although the Brigade will do its best to fight any fire in the
district, or to assist neighbouring brigades if called on, if there is a major fire the chances
are you'll be on your own. You have to take responsibility for preparing your property,
your family and yourself before conditions become really bad. That means starting right
now!
More demands: we need more volunteers!
Not long ago local CFA volunteers expected to undertake training, and to turn out to
fires. Now volunteers are being asked to work with community members to prepare for
fire, and to assist with behind-the-scene work during emergencies – organising crews,
arranging supplies, operating radios, issuing advice and warnings to the community,
and 101 other jobs.
Brigade members, like the rest of us, have lots of other things to do in their lives. They
can't effectively add new responsibilities to their current commitments. We'd love to
have new members with whom to share the load. Are you interested in joining us? Per-
haps you don't fancy jumping on the back of a truck to head for a fire, but there are
lots of other ways you could help, either from home or in one of our Local Command
Facilities, helping to keep the front-line crews on the job.
Think about it, and if you
are interested contact the
brigade captain. The
phone number is listed else-
where in this newsletter.
[email protected] Issue 40 5
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Bushfires must have been particularly frightening to the early settlers in Central Victoria.
Here is an extract from the Bendigo Advertiser of Wednesday 1st March 1865:
The large fire which was observed to the south of Sandhurst at night has burned a tract of country from
eight to ten miles in extent. The greatest destruction appears to have been caused to the homesteads
on the Emu and Myrtle Creeks. On the former, the large farm of Mr Michael Brennan has been con-
sumed, with the exception of the house, which, by great exertion, was saved. All the crops, hay and
corn, which had only just been stacked, fell a prey to the flames, the loss being estimated at about
£500. Mr Brennan's next neighbour, Mr Osborn, also had his stacked crops totally destroyed...
The following communication, which we received last night from a resident at the Emu Creek, gives a
painful history of the disasters there:
"I hasten to inform you of a few particulars of the losses occasioned by one of the most extensive bush
fires that has ever happened in the district of Bendigo. As you are aware, we have been for some time
surrounded with the fiery element, which has raged with fury, defying the joint exertions of the settlers
to subdue it. It broke out yesterday with all the intensity and appearance of a burning fiery furnace,
carrying consternation and ruin in its progress, and at night the sight was one terrible to behold, the
trees, in burning masses casting their lurid glare around, and then the loud thundering clash of their
falling was enough to make one tremble for their safety. The sight of the burning stacks of wheat, oats,
hay, and dwellings of one's neighbours brought the tears from many an eye, knowing the sorrow and
distress which invariably follows such unforeseen calamities; and, Sir, you may judge of my feelings,
whilst I have been so signally preserved, to find my rich neighbours caring for the loss and ruin of those
rendered houseless and helpless, by coming forward to suggest a meeting at the Emu Creek school
house tomorrow evening (Wednesday) to alleviate the distress of the unfortunate, and whilst my friend,
Mr Brennan. though a sufferer to the extent of some ₤500, when asked, generously exclaimed, "I am
not stuck for a pound, but do all you can for Mr 0sborne. and others that need it," shows at once the
manliness of character under such painful circumstances, and recommends self abnegation to oth-
ers."
REGISTER YOUR BURN-OFFS!
Before the declared Fire Danger Period starts it is permissible for rural landholders
to burn off vegetation to reduce the fire hazard for the ensuing fire season.
But remember that IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that you have sufficient
resources to control the fire, and to monitor the fire to ensure that it does not es-
cape.
The brigade asks all landholders to REGISTER THEIR BURNS before lighting up.
Then if somebody reports the fire to 000 the brigade need not be activated for
an emergency call-out. Everybody is happy: brigade members are not called
out to a false alarm, and the property owner is not embarrassed at having fire
trucks turn up unexpectedly.
It's simple. Just call the Burn-off Notification line on 1800 668 511. The operator
will want to know:
1. the location of the burn-off;
2. the date of the burn-off;
3. the expected start and finish times;
4. what you intend to burn; and
5. an estimated size of the burn-off.
[email protected] Issue 40 6
Eppalock Primary School
Once again a very busy term for students, families and staff.
Our School Values are: Care and Compassion
Honesty and Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
This term we have focused on the value of RESPONSIBILITY – be accountable for one’s
own actions, resolve differences in constructive, non-violent and peaceful ways; con-
tribute to society and civic life, take care of the environment.
At assembly on a Monday morning students who display this value are presented with
an award. We have also continued with our ‘Random Acts of Kindness’. This has been
a very positive initiative and the students have really embraced the idea of doing
nice things for others. To further enhance it, we introduced ‘Ripple Kindness Card’
which requires students to do something positive for someone else and then pass the
card on – hence the ripple effect of positive, kind and caring acts.
SCHOOL NAME CHANGE
The idea of changing the school name
from Eppalock Primary School to Axe
Creek Primary School has been discussed
on many occasions in the past.
One of the main reasons for the proposed
name change is to help people find us
more easily and so that the name of the
school fits in with its geographical loca-
tion.
Do you have any thoughts or feedback
on this topic?
Please let us know – we are seeking feed-
back from all members of the local com-
munity.
Did you know that Eppalock PS used to be
Upper Axe Creek North State School no.1788
and the name was changed to Eppalock PS
no. 1788 in 1920. People often confuse our lo-
cation as being at ‘Lake Eppalock’ and many
people get lost trying to come out to the
school or think that we are a lot further out
from Bendigo than we actually are and don’t
consider the school as an option to send their
children. Lake Eppalock itself was not built un-
til 1962.
We would like to acknowledge and thank
the following local businesses for their sup-
port of our school
Hume and Iser, Bendigo
Bendigrow Garden & Living Centre,
Strathfieldsaye
McDonald's Plant Plus Nursery, Retreat
Road, Bendigo
Supa IGA, Strathfieldsaye
BUFS
Strath Hardware
[email protected] Issue 40 7
Whodunit? Murder Mystery at Menagerie
Park at the Bendigo Discovery Centre
was an exciting hands-on, minds-on ex-
hibition that appealed to the detective
in everyone. Whodunit? Provided stu-
dents with an insight into the puzzle-like
process that forensic scientists work
through, sifting and piecing evidence
together to build a case. The exhibits
linked to our curriculum outcomes in Sci-
ence, Technology, Mathematics as well
as Society and Environment learning ar-
eas. A great experience for the whole
school.
Our Grade 5/6 students joined with
Axedale students to form a team
“Eppadale” and participated in an in-
terschool Football Carnival early in the
term.
As part of National Tree Planting Day the
school planted trees in and around our
school and carried out some general
gardening and cleaning up. This was a
great opportunity to interact with nature
as well as ‘greening’ and beautifying
our school grounds.
We formally acknowledged 100 days of
school for this year and especially con-
centrated on our prep students who
were celebrating their first 100 days of
formal education. The 100th day of
school is more than just a milestone
worth noting – it’s the perfect time to
have fun with the number 100. The activ-
ities and lessons on this day provided
opportunities for our student to practice
maths and sharpen their observational
skills. Students also baked a cake in the
shape of the ‘number 100’ which was
enjoyed by all.
The children had a wonderful day at the
Bendigo Writer’s Festival. They listened to
two great writers who shared their experi-
ence in writing children’s books and provid-
ed tips on how to build on an idea and turn
it into a great story.
The afternoon at Victoria Heights Residential
Care was a wonderful experience for all.
The children sang beautifully and were
great representatives of our school. The look
of delight on the faces of the residents was
wonderful to see and our students had the
opportunity to mingle and chat to many of
them. It was a fantastic experience and one
that we will be repeating later in the year.
Other activities for the term include Jump
Rope for Heart, attending the CFA S.A.F.E.
(Safety Awareness Field Education) Day, a
visit to the Arts Centre, Melbourne to see the
Patch Theatre Company’s performance of
“Theo and the Lion” – a whimsical, dream-
world adventure inspired by Pamela Allen’s
picture book, “A Lion in the Night”. This day
also included a visit to the National Gallery
of Victoria, Melbourne, to view the Monet
exhibition.
[email protected] Issue 40 8
National Literacy/Numeracy Week – To
celebrate students took part in a range
of multi-age group activities. They used
mathematics to analyse waste as part of
the ‘This is Rubbish’ activity. As a whole
school we collected, classified and
counted the rubbish in our classroom and
schoolyard bins that had accumulated
over a week period.
The data collected from this activity was
used to find the main sources of waste
and how much of it there is. The students
took this information one step further and
have begun planning on how they, as a
group, can minimise the rubbish in our
school.
Our grade 5/6 students also planned and
implemented other activities during this
week including book reports, book mark
making and m&m maths to provide
hands-on learning opportunities for the
whole school. It proved a great collabo-
rative learning experience for all.
We have introduced a new specialist ar-
ea this term titled LIVING GREEN. The pro-
gram provides ‘hands-on’ Living Green
clubs session every Friday afternoon. LIV-
ING GREEN focuses on teaching students
about how natural environments function
and how human beings can manage
their behaviour in order to live sustaina-
bly.
Poo Pile!
If you need manure for your garden, please contact Jan Mellor on
5439 3144 or email [email protected].
[email protected] Issue 40 9
Axe Creek Community Playgroup
When Wednesday Mornings 9am -11am
Where Eppalock PS – Old School Building.149 Patons Road Axe Creek
(just a few minutes from Strathfieldsaye)
Morning Tea & activities provided
Gold Coin Donation
For further information please phone (03) 5439 6366
email: [email protected]
http://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au
All Welcome
Made in Australia.
[email protected] Issue 40 10
Latest from Axe Creek Landcare
The Committee meets from February until November on the first Monday of each
month at Eppalock Primary School, in the old staffroom
8pm - Daylight Saving Hours
7.30 pm - Winter Hours
We also have a Special Meeting in June and September when we discuss relevant
topics and have a guest speaker. Topics have included identifying and control of
weeds, sustainable soils, vegetable
gardening and grasses.
Members of the community are always welcome to attend any meeting!
Our AGM this year is on Monday October 7th.
Any member interested in being on the Committee is welcome to
nominate.
We will also have a guest speaker on the evening.
The Southern Ark Project: fox control in East Gippsland
In July we heard an interesting presentation from Andrew Murray, one of the authors of the Southern Ark
Project in East Gippsland. He confirmed our opinions that the Red Fox is a serious pest.
The Project 'aims to facilitate the recovery of native animal species and improve the stewardship of
public land in East Gippsland through an integrated large scale fox control program that is maintained
year round.' It represents the first large scale attempt to control foxes in natural ecosystems in Eastern
Australia. The program relies on the establishment and maintenance of approximately 5000 permanent
bait stations across one million hectares of public land. This area of Gippsland represents 5% of the
State of Victoria.
Foxes cause nothing but calamity to the environment. At least 27 species of mammals have been lost
since the introduction of foxes in 1870 to the mainland of Australia.
They were introduced to continue the English tradition of fox hunting. Foxes spread across the southern
two thirds of Australia and have been implicated in the decline and extinction of ground dwelling
mammals and birds.
The baiting in this project has been carried out using buried Foxoff baits each of which contains 3mg of
1080 (pronounced ten eighty).
As well as the many hectares of public land the East Gippsland project area is served by a huge net-
work of all-weather tracks that greatly assist in the establishment and maintenance of the program.
Our Landcare group Members who attended the presentation are keen to have a fox control program
in this area. However, due to more closely settled landholdings we will have issues re the Foxoff baiting
locations that need to be sorted. It was suggested that roadside baiting may be viable.
As a keen poultry owner I know that foxes are not far away and woe betide the hens if we aren't vigi-
lant in locking them up at sundown!
[email protected] Issue 40 11
[email protected] Issue 40 12
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 Sunday 2:00 pm at 101 Carneys Rd, Eppalock.
Contact Nita or Aaron on: 54392678 email: [email protected]
email us at [email protected]
Mark your Diaries
Strathfieldsaye Community
Carols 2013
Wednesday 11th
December (evening),
JG Edwards Oval (behind
Strathfieldsaye Primary School)
Bendigo Youth Brass Band, Schools choir, BBQ
and (battery) candles for sale.
A combined activity of the local Anglican,
Catholic and Uniting Churches together.
Holiday Program
“Running the Race of Life” for Primary school age
children, Including a ‘Strathfieldsaye Mini-Games’,
making craft, morning tea and stories on the big
screen.
Tues 1st to Friday 4th October, 9.30am-12.30pm.
Saturday 5th October (5pm) – ‘Closing Ceremony’ at
Family Church.
Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church
(920 Wellington St), free! Phone 5439 4817
[email protected] Issue 40 13
[email protected] Issue 40 14
Kids Corner
Australian slang word-find
Word find activities for kids are
one thing they love to get their
hands on. Search for fun using
the Aussie slang we all know and
love.
www.kidspot.com.au
Aussie Jokes.
Q. What's a crocodile's favourite game?
A. Snap!
Q. What's small, furry and bright purple?
A. A koala holding its breath!
Q. What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come
back?
A. A stick!
Q. Why did the emu cross the road?
A. To prove he wasn't a chicken!
Q. Why did the dingo cross the road twice?
A. Because he was a double-crosser!
Q. What's a koala's favourite drink?
A. Coca Koala!
Q. What do crocodiles call children?
A. Appetisers!
Q. What do you get when you cross a kangaroo with
sheep?
A. A woolly jumper!
Q. What animal can jump higher than the Sydney Harbour
Bridge?
A. All animals, because bridges can't jump!
Q. Why do kangaroo mums hate bad weather?
A. Their joeys have to play inside!