S U M M E R N E W S L E T T E R

Reflection People . . There is nothing more important

It is an inspiring time when each team of leaders begin their journey at Mittagundi. It is clear to us all that at Mittagundi, people will always to our strong core and young people our purpose. It is a warm reminder in a world of the electronic age and material values that there exists a place where people continue to be the most important aspect of what we do and who we are.

This essence is often very strong at our open weekend Pioneer Skills where, this January, our fantastic past team said their goodbyes. How honoured have young people, their director and Mittagundi at large been to have them on board through the challenges and triumphs of the past year.

Heartfelt thanks and best wishes on their journeys ahead for Carol Mudford, Lizzy Harding, Daniel O’Brien, Thomas Grounds and Cindy Chan for such hard work and a shared life in the Glen Valley.

With each team change over, an amazing current of energy enters the

property. Exciting skills and experience join our team this year with our leaders Jane Orme, Jacinta Ivory, Bec Wade, Raku Pitt, Bec Bartlett and new roles Program Manager Toby Floyer and Business Manager Colleen Adams (past staff and skilled educator).

Already, everyone is in thick of Mittagundi with training and preperations for the beginning of courses. Bookings are open for 10 day courses this year with some sure to fill up fast !

There continue to be so many purposeful ways to be involved with Mittagundi. Mittagundi is also looking for a skilled outdoor leader for our Alpine programs from June to August. A great opportunity to see what Mittagundi is all about.

Jac Semmler, Director.

What is Mittagundi?An independent, non profit organisation with outdoor programs for young people. Established over thirty years ago with a commitment to provide opportunities for young people from all walks of life to live and enjoy the challenges of a remote and simple lifestyle.

On our classic outdoor program each group of boys or girls, aged between 14 and 17, will spend ten days in a beautiful part of Victoria’s high country; bushwalking, camping and abseiling from nearby cliffs, rafting the Mitta Mitta river and work alongside leaders to operate a pioneer style farm. During winter school groups cross country ski and explore the alpine environment of the Bogong High Plains.

The atmosphere at Mittagundi is simple, honest and happy. There are no watches, no timetables and no money. Instead there is an opportunity for young people to live and work together in an environment where people matter more than anything else. Mittagundi is run by a professional and passionate team of volunteers and a whole community of support. To be involved contact us!

Mittagundi

✴ Program dates • Boys 383 29th April• Girls 384 13th May• Boys 386 23rd September• Girls 387 14th October • Boys 388 28th October• Girls 389 11th November• Girls 390 30th December

Follow up program:

•Winter 5th-9th of July

CALENDAR 2011

CHECK PLACES

AND

BOOK ONLINE AT

WWW.MITTAGUNDI.ORG.AU

M I T T A G U N D I

2 Nullam arcu leo, facilisis ut

We wake up early as the sun is rising. I’m feeling tired and a little lack luster. We head over to the dairy and get ready to milk. Few words are spoken as our brains warm up, and then Bec asks “Why does a milking stool only have 3 legs?” I start to smile as I say “I don’t know” she replies “because the cow has the udder one!” We both crack up laughing and the day seems brighter already!

This is Ms Rebecca Bartlett (know to us as Bec), always cracking a good joke especially when you need it. Bec brings an enormous amount of fun and play to Mittagundi but also warmth and honesty. You can see from the thank yous that before 2011 Bec had already given much of her time and energy to Mittagundi. She has decided to put her zoology degree (majoring in bugs) on hold, and leave the Melbourne lifestyle behind to support Mittagundi for a whole year as a leader – and we are stoked that she has! She’s a cheeky one and so is her cute dog ‘Party’. She’s always looking out for others and is enthusiastic about her job areas like the cows and cars. She knows how to both work hard and play hard and we love her!

Jacinta is a lady of the world: before she came to Mittagundi, she worked in Britain caring for older people, and in South America as a tour guide – she been to Machu Picchu more times than she cares to remember, which makes us all a bit jealous. Before that she studied ceramics in Bendigo (where she grew up) and lived in Adelaide afterwards making pots. More recently, she has also been a teacher of applied learning, and worked at the Alpine School in Glenmoriston.

Now, Ms Ivory looks after our pigs, although that’s not a full time job as she is also on hand to make great food in the kitchen, look after our orchard, get fits of the giggles, and tell us funny stories about looking after people – which is what she’s extremely good at – although she does also really care about the pigs. The forge is also one of Jacinta’s provinces, and she’s firm friends with long-time-friend-of-Mittagundi Jack Gilbert, which is lucky because he knows all about forges.

We’re really lucky to have Jacinta on our team because, as the Scots say, she keeps us right.

Fire-lighting queen, Bec’s first on the scene. Gettin the brekky cookin ahead o the sun gettin a look-in.A country lass from the Apple Isle with freckly cheeks and a cheeky smileshe’s lived in big cities and, she’s toured the whole land. Moovin feet souls n hands with some crankin gypsy bands.Yep she’s an ace on the violin, can outpace the highest wind. Kid ya not, she’s been to the Con, gifted at music and at passin it on. Ridin so high on the Clydesdales, then tillin the soil as the light fails. Humble as, yet nobody’s fool, this here lady is Wade cool!

BEC B

BEC WJACINTA

Introducing the leaders of Mittagundi for 2011!

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“All you need is your toolbox, your swag and your ute, and you just go, and you know… work it out when you get there.” Says Jane around the campfire one evening, and really, I can’t think of a sentence that describes her better; Jane, aka “D-Jane” is down to earth, always ready for an adventure, always ready to jump in and get things done and whilst she’s doing it, she always has a great story to tell that’ll make you laugh. She loves tea, chips and gravy, dancing in the pantry, and her new best friends at Mittagundi are the adorable 6 chickens she lovingly looks after.

Before arriving at the Gundi doorstep, Jane worked at Caulfield Park Community School in Melbourne, and judging by the stories she has told us about her time there and her cool collection of hoodies, she’s the kind of teacher we all wish we had. Any young person lucky enough to hang out with Jane will become great mates, and is guaranteed a cracker of a time. She’s a lady of the world and has had many adventures including tree climbing, broken down vans, crazy sharehouses and much much more.

Introducing Toby Floyer! Toby has a unique role at Mittagundi this year as the program manager for 2011. He is an outdoor eder and much more. As an avid outdoors boy, reader, and guitarist Toby has settled into Mittagundi, making it a warm home for us all. Toby is new to Australia having just arrived from Edinburgh in September. He has worked as a high school English teacher and is chuffed to be spending a year introducing young people to the outdoors and to simple living. He is a thoughtful guy with high attention to detail, and he often cracks himself up with his cheeky jokes and educated wit. He lives by honest values and will have a go at teaching you about almost anything you might be wondering. Just a moment ago he was describing to me the science behind snowflake formation.We call Toby our “little brother” and “Toby” honest Toby is a bit of a dag which is perfect for Mittagundi, home of the dags!

Raku Rocks! He is a genuine and caring natured fella who has barrelsof knowledge, creativity and fun to share. With a touch of quirky artistic fashion shown on a cap, vest or pair of trousers, he brings city culture to the valley and you may find him zooming around the place on his bike crunching into a freshly picked apple from the orchard. Raku once ran away with the circus to show case his many musical talents and we love it when he suddenly  appears with his piano accordian to bash out a few folk melodies. He embraces the natural environment and connects with the land through his love and passion for gardening and hiking. If you can’t find him, check the vegie garden where he’ll be picking  some herbs to whip up one of his lip smacking dishes.

RAKU

TOBY

JANE

Alpine WalkEach year the Alpine walk takes place between Wollangarra and Mittagundi and it is truly and

inspiration to see. Louie Grech, Annika Miesien, Ben Kaye, Brooke Hudson and Luca Cherubin

Symbolic of what Mittagundi means to young people and how capable young people are Please get behind the efforts of these young people and donate to sponsor more young people

Online: www.mittagundi.org.au/supportOr send cheques to Mittagundi Outdoor Education Centre 4385 Omeo Hwy, Glen Valley VIC 3898

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Program Manager EditorialI first came to Mittagundi to help out on a program in the spring. Just like you young people past and present, I walked in over the mountains wondering what it would be like – and at the end of the ten days, I picked up my rucksack and walked back out again. In between, I went on a journey down the amazing Mitta Mitta river, made handles for tools in the joinery, plucked up the courage to walk backwards over a cliff (tied on, of course), and had a lot of fun in the kitchen making dinner for folk who had certainly earned it!

As I’ve been learning these last weeks, Mittagundi is many things: an outdoor education centre, a home for its staff, a farm, the centre of a fantastic community – but its heart has been and always will be the young people who put their time and energy into building and running the place, and who in return have so many opportunities to get to know the mountains and have an amazing experience.

My role here as Program Manager is a new one, and its focus is on the young people and the program we run. Mittagundi is a special place, and to prove it I ask you this: how many other places in the world could you hike in for two days over the

high plains with a clydesdale horse for company, live simply and mostly outdoors, go abseiling and rafting – as well as do some good honest work to maintain the farm, spend time meeting new people, and help cook for the whole group?

The answer is, of course, not many, and I feel very lucky because it’s a big part of my job to make sure all these wonderful things happen in the best way possible. We’re all about giving opportunities for young people to do things they might never have done before, to live a simple life in the mountains, and to take on responsibility and challenge. We also like to give all our young people a few opportunities to think about what they make of their experiences. But we’re also all about safety and support, and I use my background in teaching, mountaineering and outdoor education to work with our fantastic team to make sure that safety underpins everything we do. Together we make sure that every young person who comes can make the most of this incredible place.

With that in mind, I’d like to thank all the people who have welcomed me these last weeks, helping me out at the beginning of what promises to be a great year in Mittagundi’s long and fascinating story – and especially to the young people out there, I look forward to seeing you here soon.TF

It is hard to aptly capture the experience of a Mittagundi leader but

this is how this years team describe it:‘Genuine and so fulfilling’ - Thomas

‘An experience of extremes in every direction’ - Caz‘Rich, real and a laugh a minute’ - Lizzy

‘An amazing experience shared with a team and young people’ - Daniel

‘You wont regret it’ - Cindy‘Sharing a life of real purpose and growth’ Jac

Take care of M i t t a g u n d i

Each year Mittagundi needs care takers to look after Mittagundi while the team undertakes training, community events away from the Valley and well earned rest. Caretakers look after the animals, answer the phone and enjoy a break away to Mittagundi. No skills or experience required. Friends and family welcome.

Caretakers needed this year for The month of June (All or some)

Tuesday 9th to Thursday 11th of AugustMonday 5th to Saturday 11th SeptemberSaturday 8th to Monday 10th of October Friday 2nd to Monday the 5th of Decmber

Wednesday 21st to Tuesday 27th of December (have a special family Christmas at Mittagundi!)

Please call us at Mittagundi on (03) 5159 7238 for more info or to reserve your spot

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Pioneer Skills A gentle hum in the Glen Valley in the first week of Januaray evolved into a medly of

sounds, as Mittugundi prepared for yet another memorable Pioneer Skills

weekend.

Whilst soaking in the gorgeous Friday

evening light, revealers were treated to a

delicious barbeque provided by our dear Friends of Mittagundi supporters, and

drawn into the hall by sparkling music to

stomp their feet, clap their hands and

dance the night away with the sensational

newly formed band.

The following day as more people arrived

and the camp ground was filling, the

kitchen was buzzing and demonstrators

were beginning to showcase their talents

in blacksmithing, joinery, wool spinning, splitting timber, whip cracking and

double hand sawing.

The stage 3 Wollongarra crew and other young people did a fantastic job

preparing the extremely popular finger licking pizza lunch, and throughout the

day meats were sizzling on the spit and

were presented for dinner as a good old

fashioned roast for everyone to enjoy. It was also a real treat for Mittagundi’s

Founder, Ian Stapleton to join us that evening.

As the day drew to a close the Mittagundi community gathered in the diningroom,

where our mighty directer Jac Semmler, extended great thanks to eveyone for their continous support, to fairwell a

beautiful group of individuals and 2010

Team, and to introduce her new team for the coming year.

Afterwards, the spirit of the young people

along with others, engulfed the space

with musical prowess and many a song

into the night.

Farm News

I’m sitting in my cabin watching the sun slowly spread through the mist, over The Knocker and through the Glen Valley, filling it with warmth and light, and I’ll tell you what, Mittagundi is looking stunning right now. Everything is unbelievably green, and even the spring up the back is flowing. There has been plenty of weeding going on in the garden, and lots of winter veggie seedlings are starting to poke their heads through the soil. Over in the cowshed Bec and Raku are resting their heads on Sambo’s belly right now as they milk her, and Luca, standing off to one side is looking veeeeery pregnant (come up sometime after June and there should be beautiful new calf!). Over the other side of the farm, ‘the boys’ (Sampson and Phil the horses) are looking mighty fine and very well fed, and I can tell they are excited about walking up into the High Plains to meet groups of Young People and maybe shedding an unneeded kilo or two along the way. Just up the hill, the chooks are enjoying our left over porridge and will miraculously turn it into yummy eggs for us to eat! Speaking of eggs, Jane came to breaky one morning after weeks of updates about broody hens, excitedly announcing the arrival of the first chicken. The next day the chicken was nowhere to be seen, instead, a cheeky mouse popped its head out from under the mother hen! The following morning, when she went to check again, the chicken was back and the mouse was gone! Hilarious.

Down the hill the pigs are busy jostling for position during feeding time with plenty of grunting and sloshing about. Rolling in the mud continues to be their favourite free time activity, though sadly they’ve got a date with John the butcher pretty soon…Our other exciting farm news is that Mittagundi has not one, not two but THREE beautiful dogs living here this year! Peggy, Jac’s stag hound is a big bundle of legs, grey fur and friendly licks, and is about the size of a small pony. Scrappy the dear old wise dog arrived several months ago, is much smaller than Peg, and has already had a song composed for him to the tune of frosty the snowman (Scrappy the post-dog was a very very good post dog!…) and Bec’s little dog Party is exactly that – a party. Sometimes she wiggles her tail so hard she almost flies!So as you can tell, things are very lively here at Mittagundi with all our farm animal friends, and we just can’t wait to share it all with all the Young People we will meet this year!

P

Do you have a magic Mittagundi photo from 2010?

Send them in to the team with a

name, a date and a story, for the

2010 photo album!

TrainingOur training started as we hit the ground in early January with a handover of knowledge from the 2010 crew. A week later we started our certificate 3 in outdoor recreation learning to navigate around the high country with compass and map with Terri. Another week later we headed off to Wollangarra to spend a week learning wilderness first aid.

Two days after getting back from wilderness first aid we hit the road again for more training and a bit of a road trip. The first stop was Albury where we got to know the sights and did a touch of clothes washing. It was stinking hot by the time we left Albury so we had a quick dip in the Murray and then headed off to our next destination, Cobram. Heather and Giff’s place was our destination. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed

but we were bad company as we were mesmerized by the television (due to not seeing one in weeks). After we readjusted we all got to know each other and Heather prepared a delicious meal. We chatted with Heather and Giff about Mittagundi and their son Bruce who was a past leader and is now on the council. In the morning we had to get up early and head to Shepparton for defensive driving. Heather had packed us lunch and Giff had offered to help us with our rubbish – Thank you! So we said goodbye as we set out for the day. At DECA in Shepparton we learnt how to be safe drivers and then got to have a bit of fun on the skid pad (a highlight for sure). Once finished we headed to our next destination, Alexandra to stay with Wytce. We arrived as the sun was setting and were instantly welcomed. Wytce gave us such a beautiful home for the weekend and lovely company. We had a peaceful night and were off to bed early. In the morning we headed to Eildon to meet the Wollangarra crew for swift water rescue training with Murray Tucker.

Murray taught us how to recognize features in swift water and how to deal with them. Later we got to try out some techniques like throw bags, river crossing and safely getting through swift water. That night the Wollangarra crew came and stayed at Wytce’s which was lots of fun with a late night of dancing in the lounge room (thanks Wytce!). In the morning we piled back into the troopy and headed home to Mittagundi via Cath Bucolo’s house for dinner. The next day it was straight into 4WD training with ‘Whitey’ (aka Russel White). 4WD training was all about ‘getting ya hand off the gear stick/foot off the clutch’, stall recoveries and trying to find a shallow enough river to try out river crossings. It’s been a great few weeks and we are feeling skilled up and confident for the first course. Thanks to the amazing Mittagundi community for their hospitality and instant friendship!

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Thankyou team 2010

The team of 2010. What. A. Team. I have been wondering what on earth I can say that will sum up this incredible group of people and in the end I’ve decided it’s impossible! As new leaders arriving at Mittagundi it was so valuable to have a few days to hang out with the ‘Old Crew’ before they set off on the next stage of their adventures. Us newbies all ran about with notebooks, scrawling down all the pearls of wisdom and advice they had to pass on, wide-eyed and in awe of them and all the ‘stuff’ they seemed to have stored in their brains about so many things here at Mittagundi. We all felt so welcomed and knew that we were being handed over the reins from a wonderful group of leaders. We’d like to send out a million thanks to each one of those beautiful souls; Lizzy, Daniel, Thomas, Carol and Cindy, for all the work and love they put into Mittagundi during their year. What. A. Team!!!

Here are some photos of the 2010 Mittagundi highlights…

HI Save a tree?Get this newsletter via email

and save a tree or two. Simply email

tom@mittagundi.org.au and let him know.

You can see the full newsletter online and in colour

visit www.mittagundi.org.au

Winter HelperWinter at Mittagundi is a fantastic time. Our courses are usually seven days long though they vary: into them we pack cross country skiing, snow camping, and some work on the farm and around the property. Winter’s a busy time, and we’re looking for helpers to come and join our brilliant staff team: for a bit of hard work, responsibility, early mornings, and some seriously amazing adventures with young people in the mountains.

Some of our helpers will be going up into the mountains skiing with our young people, while others will be based at Mittagundi itself – for example cooking in the kitchen, helping out with farm work, and making sure all the things that need to get done in this busy time, get done.

If you have experience of the mountains in winter – cross country skiing and cold weather camping – love working purposefully alongside young people, have a working with children card, and get fired up about cold dark mornings and wintry mountains, get in touch with us!

Dates11th – 17th July20th – 29th July

30th July – 7th August13th – 19th August21st – 26th August

27th August – 2nd September

PracticalitiesIf you’ve got any questions just give us a ring. We need a balance of helpers with more and less experience of the winter mountains. We’ll need to see your working with children card – if you haven’t got one yet don’t worry, you don’t have to pay for one in order to volunteer – ask us about it. We’ll also need to see a CV or resume with some references we can call. After you contact us we’ll send out all the appropriate paperwork- the earlier you get in touch the better.

C O N T A C T U S :

www.mittagundi.org.au (03) 5159 7238

snail mail : Mittagundi, Omeo Highway, C/- Omeo Post Office, Omeo 3898

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D O N A T E T O M I T T A G U N D I

Mittagundi will always work very hard to maintain our simple operations and running in a world of increasing costs. If you can offer any financial assistance for Mittagundi’s operations or to sponsor a young person it would be greatly appreciated ($375 for a full sponsorship or partial). All donations contribute greatly to the experiences of young people who come to Mittagundi. If you require a tax receipt please let us know.

Name: ______________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________Postcode: ____________State: _______________

I would like to donate money for a sponsorship for a young person

I would like to contribute to the important operations and ongoing projects for young people at Mittagundi

Thank you GirtonA week or two ago I had a phone call from Marijke Horvath, who has worked at Girton College since the early days of Mittagundi. Marijke told me that she had some outdoor gear that the school was getting rid of, and that we might like. We arranged that she would drop it off, so just the other day, Marijke and some colleagues from Girton arrived in a whirlwind, and left a small mountain of the useful things that Mittagundi always seems to need: rucksacks, water bottles, some pretty luxurious thermarest sleeping mats, a couple of tents. Girton was the first school to send young people to Mittagundi – and Marijke was one of the teachers that accompanied them.

Mittagundi flourishes through its supporters, who give materials, resources, some hard labour, and their enthusiasm for the place and its people. A big thank you to Girton, therefore, for past and present help – and thank you to the rest of you: do take a quick glance at our wish list!

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Generous Donations and Sponsorships for Young PeopleNorth East Trail RidersEirene Lucas FoundationJ & R CowanArthur CharlesGraham SloamanHappy Larry’sSimon PatonFolk, Rhythm and Life Festival

DONATIONSCoffee Basics - amazing ongoing donation of fabulous coffee beans.

THANK YOU!Sarah Douglas – BeaniesLaurie Haslem – 2 WetsuitsMike & Leslie Caulston – Woolen jumpersNina Walton – 8 Bantam hensEve Archibold – SeedlingsAlly from Baccus Marsh –GlovesSil Philpott – SeedsAmy Follet – Chocolate, tea, photosArnold’s Fruit & Veg – Food storageTom and Pip Hay – HoneyThe Woods Family – Coffee PlungerJohn Sibly – Drill bits Joy Potter - Christmas parcelCoral Arnold – Gift of tea towels, oven mits and apronsNeil Brown – cable ties and latchesGary – paint, gloves , trailer timeGraham Bloggs and family – bunks, ski’s and hospitalityBatty’s – WoodGraham Fall – Donation of handmade drawhorse

COURSE HELPERSToby Floyer – boys 375 courseAlice Carrow – boys 375 courseClaire Austen – boys 375 courseLucy Fallon and Mez – boys 375Lachlan Barlow – Course helpFliss Burgess – Walk out helpBrooke Warren – HQ helpColleen Adams – HQ help Bec Bartlett – Course HelpNeil Brown – Course HelpBec Wade – Course helpJames Burke – Course help, wine, fruit and coffeeMarcel – Helping out Shannon Smith – Head Quarter

back up helpJacinta Ivory – Course helpDec, Lucy, Bob and Vicky – Babysitting over Christmas

GARDEN PARTY HELPERSAll the young people who came and helped at the garden partyClaire Bishop, Prue, Sarah Yeats , Kate Walsh , Kate Hill, Bec Bartlett, Mez Shaw, Stacey Gillv, Amy Navasha

Wollangarra & Stage IIIDenno Bainger – Leading Stage 3 track party Wollangarra – Amazing open day and for hosting usStage 3 young people – Fabulous Track 107 work

Visitors, Trainers and Raft Guides Latrobe Uni river students – Hosting Mittagundi raftingPaul and Kylie – For leading trips‘The mob’ at LaTrobe – For the visitWally, Jeff and Arbie from Holmesglen TAFE – For the visitCath Bucolo – Visit, Support and group facilitationJane – Help Raft Guiding Freddy – Help Raft GuidingArbie – Rafting and gear, dropping in with group and having us stay, Chainsaw, being an extra leader and so much more. Gene – Farrier trainingJohn Lawson and oil mob – Visit and donationMike and Karen Grimmer – Help Rafting, chainsawing and moreScarlett Spain – Course helpThe Gilson Family – VisitGordy and Greg – Fridge and pantry workENTERPRISE THANKSJack Gilbert – Enterprise demonstratorGraham Fall – Enterprise demonstratorBrian Beasley – Enterprise demonstratorKevin – Enterprise demonstratorLance – Enterprise demonstrator and also head torch and batteriesClare Easton – Helping out at enterpriseWollangarra crew (Mel, Brooke, Sarah, Smitho and Mo) – Helping out at enterprise

FRL Thank you FRL for an incredible and generous donation, an

amazing event and your ongoing support of Mittagundi. Skermer Family – Folk, Rhythm and Life (FRL) FestivalCindy – FRL visit and stall helpArby– FRL visit and stall helpLucy– FRL visit and stall helpDeclan – FRL visit and stall helpClare Bishop– FRL visit and stall help, Sarah Douglas– FRL visit and stall help,Shannon Smith– FRL visit and stall help

WOODCHOP HELPERS 2010Lucy Vardy – Course helpLucy Fallon – Course helpDec Fuber Gillick – Course helpJo Brockwell and Ruby – Course helpJack Gilbert – Course help and slashingKev McGennan – Course helpCath Bucolo – Facilitating meeting

PIONEER SKILLS 2011Sal Kimba – Organising the bush band for the bush danceTHE GRAND BUSH BANDMezza – Pioneer skills weekend helpShannon – Pioneer skills weekend helpJack Gilbert – Pioneer skills demonstrator and staff trainingGraham Fall – Pioneer skills demonstrator and Robert – Whip cracking demonstrationLance Tucker – Pioneer skills demonstratorMeg Stewart – Pioneer skills demonstratorKevin – Pioneer skills demonstratorBrian Beasley – Pioneer skills demonstratorBob Vincent – Pioneer skills weekend helpJimmy Finlay – Roofing iron David Macilwain – Cheese demonstrationJohn the Butcher – Spit expertiseArbie – Pioneer skills weekend helpDenno & Lizzy – Organising stage 3 helpers for pioneer skills weekend

Mel – Pioneer skills weekend helpSarah – Pioneer skills weekend helpLisa & Chad and the new Wollangarra team – coming and helping out at pioneer skills

Jason – Young person helperHazel – Young Person HelperGabriel – Young person HelperEmily – Young person HalperFOM – bush dance food and bar all weekend

2011 TRAINING SESSION Russell Whyte – 4WD training Murray Tucker – Water RescueTerry McNeil – outdoor ed trainingNeil and Jason – Wilder First AidDeca – Defensive Driving trainingWollangarra crew – Looking after us for a weekSarah and Mel – delicious foodSuz & Kate – Communication skillsKate Gilson – Looking after MGWytche Kylstra – Home for the weekend Heather & Giff Crosthwaite– hospitality and dinnerTess & Graham Payne– welcoming us to the valley with a beautiful dinnerHamish & Frances (Natural Events) – Toilet knowledge, wheelies bins Jack & Faith – Fantastic knowledge and kitchen workGordy Pirie – Garden help, fixing the shower boiler, dinner, constant support and being awesomeJack & Aileen Gilbert – having us for lunch and showing us around their homeDan Abikhair – 107 track work, baby sitting Mittagundi and farm helpCath Buccolo – Dinner with a view and training

Ian Arbuckle - Fabulous Kitchen and Pantry Floor you can see your reflection in!

Also Special Thank You to Gary

and Jackie Holland who are handing on their business Tawonga Motors. Thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do in your expertise, time, keeping our vehicles safe and well maintained and your ongoing friendship.

Thank you !Mittagundi would not exist without all the support. We have a huge list of people to thank, some from 2010. It shows how fortunate Mittagundi is to receive so many kinds of support from so many incredible people. We may have left people off, spelt your name wrong or thanked you for the wrong thing so please let us know so we can correct it in the next newsletter. Thanks!

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MITTAGUNDI WINTER 2010

{THE HOP!} Saturday 2ND OF July

JOIN THE INNER CITY MITTAGUNDI COMMUNITY AT THE COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM FOR A NIGHT OF GOOD TIMES BANDS, AND DANCING IN THE BARN. WHAT ELSE COULD YOU ASK FOR IN A SATURDAY

NIGHT EH? ……. GIDDYUP!!

Mittagundi4385 Omeo HwyGlen Valley, Vic 3898

Wish ListSteel cap boots

(especially small sizes)Good quality hiking bootsCopper for the comet (boiler)RopeGaitorsThermals (wool or polypropolene)Compression sacks for sleeping bagsGortex pants

100% wool gloves and mittensGortex over glovesWollen trousersCalf (milker)Paint in various coloursJumper leadsCar jackSnatch straps (rated)Watering cansSprinkler headsPasture hay (suitable for horses and cows)

Mulch for the garden (possibly hay or straw no longer suitable for stock)Long sleeve wetsuits (especially small sizes)Stone mortar and pestleSmall paint brushes