Australia’s colonial history was brought to life by a cast of young players in September as the children of Forrest Primary School trod the boards of the hall stage.

The ‘Wild Colonial Boy’ was written by school dad Jason Freddi, who made sure there was a role for each child from prep through to grade 6. While the older children had speaking roles, younger children sang and danced, and pulled carriages and carts dressed as oxen and horses. Even the teachers had a role to play.

The children were dressed

in period costume and supported by some wonderful props and stage dressings, including campfire scenes, ballrooms and outback settlements.

The script was

written in the language of the time, but handled the vocabulary nearly as well as any professional actor. Liza Freddi

only had to perform her prompting duties on a couple of occasions.

Senior teacher Craig Donahoo explained on the evening that the children’s understanding of language and history had grown as a result of the experience. The play focused on the hardships and harsh treatment faced by convicts and early settlers over 200 years ago.

He said it was terrific to hear them spontaneously break into song in the playground, with children of all ages joining in. Toddler brothers and sisters were singing along in the audience, demonstrating the amount of practice the little actors had put into the roles.

The children played to a packed hall for their evening performance, which followed a successful matinee the day before.

1

Bravo little actors!OCTOBER 2014

October 2014

Still number 1!

It’s almost a day at the office for Jess Douglas. It was a full 24-hour day, and the seat was attached to a bike racing the trails for the Scott Australian 24-Hour Mountain Bike Challenge in Canberra.

While many were watching the grand final, Forrest’s three-times world 24-hour champion was racing fellow riders and the clock.

‘I raced 97% vegan,’ she proudly announced. ‘The most amazing addition to my race food repertoire was coconut water mixed in with water and my electrolyte powder,’ said Jess.

Join Jess in the 85km Chase the Dog ride on Sunday October 11. Entries online.

Forrest author and ecologist Nick Romanowski has been awarded a prestigious Whitley Award for his latest book, Living waters: ecology of animals in swamps, rivers, lakes and dams.

The Whitley Awards are the most highly prized biological and natural history awards in Australia, and Nick said he was ‘pretty pleased’ with the acknowledgement of his work.

The awards are presented by the Royal Zoological Society of NSW for ‘outstanding publications that contain a significant amount of information relating to the fauna of the Australasian region’. Living waters is published by CSIRO Publishing.

…and a request for photogenic greenhood orchids

Have you seen any particularly photogenic greenhood orchids recently? Nick is searching for large-bloomed specimens or clustered colonies to photograph for his next book. He can be contacted at: dragonflyaquatics@hotmail.com.

Whitley Award for local writer

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October 20142

Enjoy a full cooked country-style breakfast

Relax in our large hydro-therapy spa pool

Soak up the Otway Valley views from your private suite

Your Hosts - Bob & Carol

www.forrestrivervalley.com.au

Couples ACCoMModAtionGeotechnical RepoRtsRisk assessmentscomputeR DesiGnslope stabilityWateR supplyFaRm Damsbush FiRe assessmentsite classiFications

Consulting EnginEEr

MICHAEL DELAHUNTY beng mieaust

ph 0428 141 441Fax 03 5233 4608

mddelahunty@bigpond.com

www.2020es.com

The Forrest Horse Riding Club has a fresh space to unwind after a day in the saddle.

The club was formed in 2006 by a group of like-minded horse riders, and ‘millions’ of working bees and small grants over the years have led to constant improvements to the club grounds on Yaugher Road.

The newly updated club rooms, horse yards, fenced-in arena and round yards have made the FHRC

the envy of the surrounding clubs.

Next on the wish list for 2015 is a toilet and shower. The trip to the footy club facilities is quite an expedition in the dark!

Although we are a small club, we are often joined by other clubs in the region. Everyone is raving about how much Forrest has grown and the fact that now we don’t have to cater ourselves, as we are spoilt for choice with the variety of

dining options in town.

We ride at 1 0 . 3 0 a m on the third Sunday of every month. All are welcome from the young to not so young, the only pre-requisites are

your horse and helmet, and the occasional cake for afternoon tea, which happens after every ride. A de-brief and a laugh are a great way to end the day.

Rides are listed on the ATHRA website, www.athra.com.au. Contact Jo on 0417 527 789 or Jen on 0477 206 749 for more information. Like us on Facebook!

Jen Vasilj, Club Secretary

TRAIL TIPS….

It’s great to meet so many people on the trails. We see everything from mountain bikes, trail bikes, walkers and joggers. It’s all great experience for the horses and they get used to seeing something different.

If you see a horse ahead, please yell out and let us know you’re there. Most horse riders will turn their horse around so they can see you. This is safer for everyone.

Horse rider hang-out

Caspers Accommodationa true Ride-in Ride-out experience

Located in the heart of the Yaugher Trail Network

Fully self-contained apartmentSleeping up to four

Contact Rob or Deb0408 982 880

pindanredangus@gmail.comwww.rideforrest.com.au

October 2014 3

28-8-1930 – 21-9-2014Cliff Frizon was one the last long-term Forrest district residents whose history in the town dates back to before World War II. Cliff was the third child of Alf and Queenie Frizon. He was educated at Geelong College and had been looking forward to pursuing his interest in engineering, but was called back to Forrest in 1946 to work in the family sawmill with his father and brother, Frank. He worked for many years with the logging crew in the bush, and was known for his skill with heavy machinery and his accuracy as a bulldozer operator. In those years he spent many hours listening to the stories of the older bushmen and as a result few people knew more of the

history of this area. He was among the first to see Lake Elizabeth—finding an enormous landslide one day when he was working a winch near the Kaanglang Road, and picking his way to the bottom to see what was going on there. In 1956 he married Bev, and after a short while built the house where she still lives in Frizon Street. This became the family home, where their sons John and David grew up. Cliff and Bev parted on good terms 24 years ago.Cliff’s other main passion was his 200-acre farm at Gerangamete, bought in 1967. For decades he spent most of his spare time clearing and developing the property. He joined Fay Grant on her farm in Gerangamete some time ago and recently Fay built a splendid, contemporary home there.

This was the home in which they had hoped to spend their retirement.Cliff had two grandsons, Luke and Ben, in whom he took a great deal of pride.Cliff passed away in the Colac Hospital after a brief period of illness.

Vale Cliff Frizon

The Cob Clinic in ForrestAcupuncture &

Massage TherapiesAndrew & Shizu

(03) 52366 493colacotwaychinesemedicine.com

The Wonky Donkey is a newly renovated family friendly pub in Forrest Victoria

wonkeydonkey.com.au

• Good honest hearty pub food• Weekly changing specials• Beer garden

• Woodcutters Bar with pool and sports TV• Children’s playground• Take away menu• “Kick Ass” coffee

The Forrest Post is an initiative of the Forrest and District Community Group. Every effort is made to remain current, accurate and non-partisan. Feedback, submissions and advertising input are encouraged. Submissions may be edited. You may request an electronic version by email delivery.

Contact theforrestpost@gmail.com Editors Mandy Bishop, Mary Dracup Layout/design Laura McKinnon Printed by Geelong Printworks Pty Ltd, Grovedale© Forrest and District Community Group

4 October 2014

How long have you been in Forrest and why did you come here?

I came here in the 1950s with my father and we bashed our way into Lake Elizabeth, which had only formed the year before. Then in the 1970s I came and did some mammal trapping with the Geelong Field Naturalists club. My wife Priscilla and I bought our block in the late 80s and built a cottage to have the easy access to the bushland here—I’ve lived mainly in Geelong but I’ve had a fascination with the

Otways for as long as I can remember.

(Trevor wrote two ground-breaking books on the natural history and wildlife of the Otway ranges, and has been involved in many conservation projects here. He was awarded the Australian Natural History Medallion.)

What has kept you here?

There is a wide range of interesting birds and mammals in the bush here as the territory spans tea tree heathlands and high rainfall forests. Since I retired I’ve been doing fauna surveys to understand better what’s living in this area, basically for conservation purposes. Surveys help us predict the likelihood of certain species surviving and how best to manage them. We’ve simply lost too many species of birds and animals in Australia and

any little thing we can do towards conservation is worthwhile, as far as the future of many species is concerned. I also like the feel of Forrest, it has a great community spirit and is a wonderfully historic town.

What is a remarkable change you have noticed here?

Forrest is growing so nicely, it’s coming alive! The mountain bike paths they’ve put through the bush near my home are quite good for walking, so long you’re aware of the cyclists. I’m generally here during the week when it’s not so busy and I’ve never had any conflict with the people for whom the paths were originally intended.

Plans for the future?

This afternoon I’m going to set up a camera on Bald Hill and put out some food, to see if I can spot some bandicoots. Then as the weather warms up I’ll search for bats and lizards. Our home is an ideal base.

Who’s

Who

Trev

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TRIPP BUILDING

Peter Tripp 5237 7348 / 0429 799 829

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Reg. Builder: DBU-12327

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40 Main Street, Birregurra VIC 3242Ph: (03) 5236 2288 Fax: (03) 5236 2280

5October 2014

I understand you’ve always wanted to own a food store.

When I was at school I worked in Brumby’s and two little cafes, and loved it. I went to uni and studied design, but after 18 years I realised my passion really was food and

talking to people.

I looked at a couple of options in Melbourne which just didn’t feel right. My sister moved to Wurdiboluc and I called in to Moriac on the way to visit her one day and thought, ‘I could do this!’

I Googled general stores in south-west Victoria and Forrest was the first one to come up. I came down here and knew in my gut, ‘This could be really good.’ I liked the town and it’s surroundings.

So I put my house in Melbourne on the market and thought ‘Let’s go!’ I spent the next few months visiting nearly

every general store in Victoria to see what they did and what I liked.

What did you do in the years between school and the Forrest General Store?

I worked in advertising, communications and marketing. I have done advertising for magazines and worked at Racing Victoria as Design Manager. I also spent some time working in London.

What are your first impressions?

Everyone’s been so friendly and welcoming. Rose and Jim were helpful in doing the hand-over. I love the community – everyone seems to genuinely care for one another.

It feels like home already – it feels like the place I’m meant to be.

What’s your vision for the future?

I want to be a very general store. I don’t want to be a cafe – I always want to be that nice place to stop, grab what you need and then be on your way again.

I want to showcase regional produce and foods and start making some breads and pastries here too in the near future.

Who’s New

Sally Rich

ardson

Two unique, fully self-contained, 3 bedroom cottages

Centrally located in the township of Forrest

For bookings:www.ozbook.com.auPhone 5243 3579

5 Grant Street FORREST

YOURRIDESTARTSHERE

CNR STATION ST & BLUNDY STBIKES - COFFEE - CULTURE

APPLIANCE

REPAIRSWAShINg MAChINESDRyERSDIShWAShERS

Darryl DiffeyPh 0424 054 914ddiffey75@gmail.com

6 October 2014

Richard and Sarah Schuhmann have brought a touch of Europe to the Otways in their magnificent straw bale house on Pipeline Road.

They bought their bare paddock 12 years ago and started by building a shed, then small trial house where they lived as their family grew. The main house took about 2 years to build.

Richard’s engineering background enabled him to design the house himself. Starting with no building experience, he did a weekend course and learnt as he practised on his smaller constructions. Richard and Sarah had professional help with the carpentry, and friends came for working bees.

The frame is a post and beam construction, with a ‘Dutch barn’ style

roof to add a little interest to the basic rectangular shape. The 300 straw bales sit on long nails in timber slats, secured along the top with trench

mesh and compressed with tensioned fencing wire. The bales’ surface was smoothed with a whipper-snipper, then Richard used an air compressor to apply about 45mm of sand, lime and cement render. With the deep-set windows and brilliant white lime-washed walls, the house evokes memories of the traditional houses of Greece or Devon.

Richard describes the building process as ‘pretty easy’, though it helped that

he used prefabricated roof trusses and was able to engage local builder Doug Gray to construct the main frame.

Richard and Sarah’s main priority was energy efficiency, so chose double-glazed windows as well as the highly rated straw bales. The house faces north and is entirely self-sufficient in power, with a 2.8-kilowatt system. They run all the normal electrical appliances, but are careful not to run too many high-load appliances at once.

The house is also designed to meet bushfire requirements—rendered straw bales are regarded as relatively incombustible.

‘It’s not a hard thing to do, you have to invest quite a lot of money at first but it’s very satisfying,’ Sarah said. ‘It all

works well, but I wish it didn’t take so long to build,’ was Richard’s comment.

European style

All your hairdressing and beauty requirements for ladies, men and children.

Services include cuts, colours, perms, hair ups for weddings and special occasions. Also body and facial waxing, tinting and spray tanning.

Trading hours: Tuesday - Thursday until late, Friday , Saturday.

GRANDDESIGNSFORREST

7October 2014

The Rich Family Band and local resident Rusty honky-tonked the Barwon Downs Hall to life, one Saturday night late last month.

Approximately 65 adults and 15 children from Barwon Downs, Birregurra, Forrest, Murroon and Melbourne enjoyed the old-fashioned country dance, with Margaret’s free dancing lessons adding some order and class to the moves on the dance floor.

Bradley Callahan was our MC for the night and did a fabulous job for someone so young. The supper was a beautiful spread, all made by the hands of good country folk.

A fabulous night for a little town without a shop! Thankyou to everyone who supported the night.

Sandy Batten

MATHEW SILVEY PLUMBING

Mobile: 0417 342 531

• Newhomes&renovations• Hot&coldwaterservices• Spouting&downpipes• Stormwater

• Motoriseddraincleaning• 1.5texcavatorhire• Solarhotwaterinstallation• Roofing

LicenceNo.47995

phone 5236 6170forrestbrewing.com.au | Apollo Bay Road, Forrest

phone 5236 6170forrestbrewing.com.au | Apollo Bay Road, Forrest

Spring is here! Come out and enjoy the sun and our new Spring menu!

Open all day Thursday - SundayServing dinner on Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Seasonal Menu - Craft BeerCasual Atmosphere

Bike Friendly - Kid Friendly - Dog Friendly

Thursday night is neighbourhood night, Serving rockin’ PIZZAs from 6.00pm onwards

Or join the Brew Crew, on a socially orientated mountain bike ride from 6.15pm, followed by PIZZA

Takeaway pizzas also available

Old-fashioned country fun

Come play Carpet Bowls

at the Yeodene Hall on Thursday evenings.Practice starts before Christmas ahead of competition in April.

Interested? Call Nellie on 5233 4503

8

The king parrot (Alisterus scapularis) is one of Forrest’s more spectacular and cheeky residents. The male (pictured) is a handsome bird, with a scarlet head and underparts, dark green wings (with a light green ‘flash’ on the shoulders) and a blue back. The light

green flash on the male’s shoulders is used in his courtship display.

The female is green on the head, breast and back, and scarlet on the abdomen. Immature birds resemble the female in colouring.

King parrots mate for life, but if one dies their mate will

find another partner. They nest in hollow trees, selecting one with an entrance 10 metres or more above the ground, but with the hollow inside extending down to near ground level. Here the female lays her four, white eggs, which she incubates for three

weeks. The nestlings remain in the hollow for another five weeks.

King parrots eat a wide range of foods, including berries, fruit, nuts, blossom and nectar, and leaf buds—and they readily accept a handout of bird seed. Some gardeners complain that king parrots strip the succulent new growth on their roses and geraniums each spring, but others don’t seem to have the same trouble. This is probably because like all birds, king parrots have good memories, and learn reliable sources of food from their parents.

King parrots inhabit coastal forests from central Queensland to the western Otway Ranges.

Trevor Pescott

Australian king parrot

October 2014

Being an integral part of the Forrest and District Football Netball Club was almost a birthright for Vicki Hardie (daughter of Betty and ‘Tassie’ Whelan). Vicki has a long family connection to the club, going back to her grandfather who was involved in the construction of the Forrest oval.

A lifetime member of the club, Vicki has made an enormous contribution over many years. Her commitment was recognised with the rarely awarded ‘Legend’ status at the club’s presentation day on Saturday September 20.

‘I was absolutely overwhelmed,’ said Vicki. ‘My feet nearly came out from under me when they announced it.’

In the early years Vicki was a netball player and umpire. Despite moving to Geelong, she has been an active fundraiser, collator of FFNC history and memorabilia, and helper in the canteen for many years.

The Bill Laurie Award, made to a member for their assistance around the club, was presented to Clayton Bennett.

Clayton’s game day roles include goal umpire, runner and barman. He also makes a significant contribution maintaining the ground throughout the season, including cleaning up after home games and general ground maintenance.

Sporting clubs at all levels depend on the voluntary commitments of people like Vicki and Clayton. The Forrest Football and Netball Club is lucky to have their involvement, along with that of so many other supporters and helpers. Without contributions of this kind our town would not have the opportunities and facilities it has.

Vicki Hardie: local ‘legend’

2014 Best and fairest resultsNetball

U/13 Yvonne Harrington

U/15 Mellie Kaartinen

U/17 Stephanie Miller

C grade Chanelle Williamson

B grade Melinda Ballagh

A grade Paula Gardiner

Football

Seniors Shaun Wells Runner-up Joel Daffy

Reserves Greg Giblin Runner-up Justin Bliss

The Club congratulates all award winners on a job well done.

GO LIONS!!