School Holiday Program FAMILY FUN DAY Mooroolbark Community Centre

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in this issuein this issuein this issuein this issuein this issueC O N T E N T S1 Cover Pictures

Family Fun Day2 From the Editor

Building a Stronger Community3 Future Developments in Mooroolbark

Randall Bourchier4 Neighbours

Healing HandsMooroolbark PioneersPolice Award

5 University of the Third AgeGymbaroo in MooroolbarkCelebrate Mooroolbark 2004Family Fun Day

6 Mooroolbark Church SceneCaring for our NeighboursFree Family Film Night

7 In Tune with the Outer EastFundraiser AuctionDisabled? Looking for Company?

8 Tournament of the MindsYoung Archery ChampCarols by Candlelight – Hookey Park

LIVING TODAY in MooroolbarkProduction‘Living Today in Mooroolbark’ is produced by agroup of volunteers.PublicationIt is published as a community service by MooroolbarkChristian Fellowship.

ContactOffice Tel: 9726 8898PO Box 228 Mooroolbark 3138

DistributionDistributed throughout Mooroolbark and surroundingdistrict

Like to Contribute?If you have a good news story or other contribution tooffer, please forward these to the contact points listedabove, or you may contact the editor directly by email:dlewis@cyberspace.net.auContributing Writers – this issue:Randall Bourchier / Barry AustinPhotos: Barry AustinGraphic Design: Lyn EgglestonPrinting: Publication Perspectives

MISSION STMISSION STMISSION STMISSION STMISSION STAAAAATEMENTTEMENTTEMENTTEMENTTEMENTTo contribute to, and help foster, a “growing community spirit”within our neighbourhood.

WE SEEK TO ACHIEVE THIS BY ...� Highlighting the many positives within our community;

� Encouraging partnership in community initiatives;

� Contributing to the process of identifying and addressing communityneeds and concerns.

BUILDING A STRONGERCOMMUNITYIn this issue of Living Today in Mooroolbark the focus of our lead article is oncommunity participation. It points to the opportunity being presented to all of us toparticipate in developing a clear vision and specific action plans for the futuredevelopment of our local community.

It recognizes the significant benefit to be had in partnering together, drawing onvarious strengths and connecting more efficiently to ensure the future well-being of allwho make up our neighbourhood.

These concepts may be new andchallenging to some but they have longbeen a “way of life” for some others.

For those of us participating in the productionof this magazine, one of the great pleasuresassociated with this task has been theopportunity to meet with and come to betterknow so many local contributors to communitylife. So many who demonstrate a heartfeltcommitment to helping make our community abetter place for all.

Whether it be as individuals or as members ofservice organizations, various clubs, businesses or in the course of their employment,so many contribute to the community life that we all enjoy.

In speaking with many of them, a common theme is expressed –the enjoyment andsense of achievement and fulfillment gained from participating in activities which are“bigger than themselves” and which benefit others around them.

We, once again, salute the hard work and significant contribution of all who help andserve our community in so many ways.

If you have a story you would like to share about others who are helping to build and sustain astronger, more united community in Mooroolbark, please contact us with the details.

Our production team extends to all our readers, very best wishes for the comingfestive season.

Doug LewisEditor

FROM : THE EDITOR02>LIVING TODAY

Some of the most successful community initiatives in recent yearshave been achieved when people in townships have togetherdeveloped their common vision for future community development.

With community consultation, the Shire of Yarra Ranges hasproduced a dynamic document called Vision 2020.

This document provides broad guiding principles for long-termplanning in our communities.

Mooroolbark has the opportunity to carefully plan for our future byusing the themes described in Vision 2020:

� Social fabric and quality of life

� Environmental stewardship

� The built environment

� The local economy

� Tourism and culture

� A living and learning community

� A safe and accessible community

Recently, our community has been both interested and involved inthe development of the draft Mooroolbark Urban DevelopmentFramework, which focuses on improvements to the physicalenvironment of our township.

As useful as these improvements will be, it is vital that we now giveserious thought to how our community will develop over the next 5,10, 20 years.

For instance, within the theme: Social fabric and quality of life, oneaspect we could discuss would be “community well-being”.

What is “community well-being”?

How do we rate “community well-being” in Mooroolbark now?

What qualities of “community well-being” would we like to retainor develop within 5, 10, 20 years?

What steps do we need to make our plans for “community well-being in 2020” become reality?

In a recent press release, Mayor Alan Fincher was quote as saying, “In Vision 2020we have a wonderful document that identifies the needs and aspirations of our

community – a blueprint for the future”. He noted that if we, as a community, decideon where we wish to go, there is a good chance that we will get there.

OUR : COMMUNITY

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN MOOROOLBARKLiving Today inMooroolbark will helpfacilitate discussions soonabout these questions. Youropinions are important. We’dappreciate your views – eitherin writing – or as a participantin future discussions.

Randall Bourchier

VVVVVision 2020ision 2020ision 2020ision 2020ision 2020

YYYYYarra Rangesarra Rangesarra Rangesarra Rangesarra Ranges

03>LIVING TODAY

Please send your views to randall@smart.net.au and if you’d beavailable to join with others from Mooroolbark to work through thesequestions together, contact us via email, or telephone our office on9726 8898.

“You can change the future…or you can…allow whateverhappens to happen. You can create your destiny. Howeverthe cost is high…people…(must) give up their time andenergy to make things happen…It means putting asideindividual differences to work together for the good of thecommunity. It means working together…for the future…tomake it happen. YOU CAN DO IT. PEOPLE ARE DOING IT.”(McCall: Small Town Survival Manual)

Let’s have your thoughts, and your involvement so that together wewill build Mooroolbark’s future the way we want it to be!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Randall Bourchier

‘Together We Do It Better’

Please forward your views torandall@smart.net.au or

telephone our office 9726 8898

NEIGHBOURS : NEIGHBOURS

Dr. Pauline Walsh first trained as a nurse andafter 15 years decided there “had to be a betterway” to help people obtain and maintain betterhealth. This was the driving idea behind Dr.Pauline Walsh becoming a chiropractor. Paulinecame to Mooroolbark one year ago and set upher clinic in Manchester Road after practisingin the country for a number of years.

Chiropractors look at the relationship betweenthe spine and the nervous system. Nervescontrol all body functions and most nerves comeoff the spinal cord between the bones of yourspine. If the spine does not sit or move correctly,it can affect your nerves, and that can affectparts of your body. Chiropractic is a method oftreatment that adjusts the body structure(especially the spine) so that nerves functionproperly and therefore the body can functionproperly. For over 100 years Chiropractic hasbeen used it has been shown to relieve back

Dr Pauline Walsh

pain, headaches, restricted body movement(neck, arms, legs), as well as ear infections,bed-wetting and many other conditions.

Dr Pauline Walsh practices a particularly gentlestyle of treatment utilising an activator alongwith Applied Kinesiology and other adjustmenttechniques.

She is keen to educate the community on themany benefits of regular chiropractic care and tohave people understand the fundamentalparadigm of chiropractic health care – that is torespect, care about and commit to eachindividuals holistic well being and emphasise theinherent recuperative power of the body to healitself without the use of drugs or surgery.Chiropractic care is suitable for spines of all ages.

One of her ideas was to offer a complimentary“Better Health Workshop” to members of thecommunity. The workshops main aim is to helpeach individual get the best results fromchiropractic care, as well as how to have ahealthier lifestyle.

Congratulations to Mooroolbarkpolice officer, Sergeant Fay Daniel,who recently received theprestigious Australian Council ofWomen and Policing’s Bev LawsonMemorial Award. The awardrecognizes Sergeant Daniel’soutstanding work as family liaisonofficer in our area.

In nominating Fay for this award,Senior Sergeant Tom Steele, ofMooroolbark police referred to hersignificant contribution to the needsof women both in our community andwithin the police force. He explainedthat Sergeant Daniel’s role involvesresponding to violence againstwomen, liaising with variouscommunity and family groups, andtraining others police officers indealing with family matters.

She is also involved with a groupwhich works alongside theRingwood Magistrate’s Court to

Another is to offer free Spinal & PostureScreenings throughout the year to checkpeople’s spinal health.

Better Health Workshops are held on alternateWednesdays between 6.45 and 7.15 pm.Bookings are essential and can be made bycontacting the clinic at: 56 Manchester Road,Mooroolbark on 9726 7400.

Sgt Fay Daniel ReceivesPolice Award

Sergeant Fay Daniel (above),who was nominated by SeniorSergeant Tom Steele (below)

In 1948, local residents George andMary Shaw, with their three youngchildren moved into Mooroolbark asshare farmers. At that time, HullRoad was a winding dirt tracktraversing farmland stocked withsheep, cattle and horses.

On arrival, theremoval van bringingtheir possessionsfrom Geelong,became bogged onthe land they were tofarm, and had to betowed out of ploughfurrows by aneighbouring farmer.

After their three-yeardairying contract had expired, thefamily moved to a double block onHull Road next to where the Churchof England now stands. George andMary housed their family on theproperty in a Myers shed and a 16foot tent whilst they built their ownhome. Mary cooked outdoors in allweathers, on a wood-burning stove

seek ever-better ways to deal withfamily issues. Last year sherepresented Victoria Police at aHuman Rights and EqualOpportunity CommissionConference in China.

We thank Fay, and all of our localpolice officers, for their dedicatedservice to our community.

that George had enclosed inbrickwork.

Meanwhile, George worked acombination of part-time jobs -relieving dairyman, chainman for alocal surveyor and renewing car

upholstery. In hisspare time, he builtthe house. After ayear the family wasable to move in totheir new home,although much ofthe finishing workwas yet to becompleted.

Happily married forover 63 years, and

now living in Walmsley FriendshipVillage, George and Mary fondlyrecall their hard work and thehelpfulness of friends and membersof their church as they establishedthemselves in the area. Musingback over their lives, Georgesummed up, gratefully: “We’ve hada wonderful life together!”

Mooroolbark Pioneers

Healing Hands

04>LIVING TODAY

Several years ago Angus McIntoshwas made redundant and wasfaced with a problem that many ofus have in similar circumstancesincluding early retirement. Theproblem of what was he going to dowith his time? He and his wifeEvelyn travelled around Australia,got involved with local community,became members of many andvarious societies and enjoyed theirhobbies. But still something wasmissing… Enter U3A!

OUR : COMMUNITY

University of the Third Age (U3A)What is the “UNIVERSITY of theTHIRD AGE” or U3A as it iscommonly known as. In a nutshellit ’s, “A time of creativity andlearning for older people.” U3A isa self-help educational and hobbiesactivity format.

They joined the Lilydale U3A, oneof many U3A’s in our suburbs andstarted a “build your owncomputer” course and furtheredone of their hobbies, Genealogy.

Mooroolbark U3A has 250 membersand covers activities and interestsfrom Art to Fitness, History toMusic, House and Garden toPhilosophy. In fact U3A caters forall interests and activities that youmight like to be involved in, yourlimit is your imagination.

U3A is designed to allow seniorcitizens to have an outlet for theircreative abilities and/or learningneeds. It is a good way to remainactive with like-minded friends

Angus & Evelyn McIntosh

Despite a cold and wet start to the day,the sky cleared and a large number ofparents and young children were ableto enjoy this special day in theSeptember holidays. The day of freeactivities for young children was offeredby the community centre in partnershipwith Mooroolbark Christian Fellowship.Activities for the day included: a farmanimal enclosure, jumping castle, facepainting, hair decorating, balloonsculpture, card making classes, andGymbaroo. A special feature of the daywas a ‘Walk for Kids’ – a walkathon toraise funds for the local chaplaincy inprimary schools program. A bigthankyou to our local sponsors for theirmuch appreciated contributions to thesuccess of the day.

Family Fun Day

when you become redundant orretire. As Angus said: “There is noreason for anyone to be bored inretirement.”

To join U3A will cost you approx. $25.00 per year. Your area contact is Joan McDonell, Telephone (03) 9730 1619. Email: coljoan@celestial.com.au

Gymbaroo is a fun way for youngchildren to learn, through play,physical activities, music, singingand dancing. It seeks to assist thetotal development of all childrenparticipating in the program –contributing to the areas of motor,spatial and relational developmentwhilst fostering social andcommunication skills.

At the same time it offers a valuablesocial network for parents ofchildren involved.

Gymbaroo The fun way to learning

The comprehensive Gymbarooprogram is offered at theMooroolbark Community Centre onTuesdays and Wednesdays from9.30 am to 4.00 pm.

Approximately 250 children, agedfrom 6 months to 6 years, take parteach term. The cost is $140.00 perterm.

Gymbaroo is a franchised programoperating in over 70 centres aroundAustralia and in Asia. It was startedin Mooroolbark in 1984 and is runby Marion and Karen Stott.

For further information about thiscomprehensive program, pleasecall and speak to Marion or Karenat the Community Centre.

This will be our third yearof celebrating all that isgood in Mooroolbark anddistrict. Plans arecurrently beingformulated to ensure thatthis event is ‘better thanever’ in 2004.

Individuals, groups or clubs in the local area are invited to become involvedin this special time of community celebration. There are many ways toparticipate and to contribute. Contact your Community Centre for furtherinformation: Sharon Turner or Marita Hearne Tel. 9726 5488 or emailmooroolbarkcc@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Marita Hearn Sharon Turner

Celebrate Mooroolbark 2004

School Holidays Program

� Briteway Window Services

� Rocky the Cobbler

� Red Earth Garden Supplies

� Goldup Nurseries

� Coles Mooroolbark

� Sweet Welcome Tea & Coffee Shop

� Brycees Tavern – Mooroolbark

� Video Ezy - Mooroolbark

� Ed Fleming Lanes

� Frazer & Ryan Pharmacy

�McDonalds Mooroolbark

� LJ Hooker Real Estate

�Mooroolbark Cards & Gifts

� Flora Sculpt

Marion & Karen Stott

05>LIVING TODAY

MOOROOLBARK : CHURCH SCENE

In the lead article on page 3, we invited community members to respondto several questions about our future vision for ‘community well-being’ inMooroolbark.

Part of the Biblical vision for Christians isto care for those who struggle to care forthemselves. Widows, orphans andstrangers were some groups mentioned inBiblical times.

Jesus Christ was emphatic about ourobligation to care for our neighbour in the samemanner that we’d want to be cared for.

Sometimes, we find it much more convenient to give money to worthycauses, instead of giving our time. We can give a donation without gettinginvolved, whereas actively helping others lets us build positive, usefulfriendships with them.

CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS

Jesus calls on Christians to belights in their communities

through caring service of others.

Genuine care for our community should translate into action. Jamesexplained that we should demonstrate faith by what we do!

In Mooroolbark, some community groupsare desperate for volunteers. Schools needhelpers. Some churches tidy parts of ourenvironment. Others visit ‘shut-ins’ orprovide respite for supportive families thatneed a break. Some are able to foster ormentor children at risk.

It’s not hard to find ways to lend a hand inour community. Those who help others

often discover enormous joy and satisfaction!

And one more thing! Please ‘lend a hand’ as we work through the processof developing our vision for Mooroolbark for the next 5, 10, 20 years. Let’sknow your responses to those questions on page 3!

Our next free Family Film Night will be held on Wednesday 21 January 2004.This will be an outdoor twilight show (weather permitting). The usual free ice-creams will be available plus the sweet canteen. In addition, a Sausage Sizzlewill be offered. For further details and bookings, contact the Community Centreon 9726 5488.

Free Family Film Night

Starting in 2004,each Wednesday

in Term time9.30am to 11.00am

St Margaret’sUniting Church219 Hull RoadMooroolbark

MUSIC TOGETHERA Music & Movement Program

for Young Children & their FamiliesInfants ����� Toddlers ����� Pre-schoolers ����� Parents ����� Care-givers

Songs ����� Movement ����� Instrument Play Dancing ����� RelaxingFacilitated by a Creative Arts Therapist

This community based program is very popular in many churches.Registration Forms are available from the church.

The fees are $50 for a 10 week term. Enquiries ring 9726 9347 or 9723 9225

QUALITY AFFORDABLE TOURS

For destinations,contact 9831 7000 or

christianfellowshiptours.com

Provided by Mooroolbark Christian Fellowship in partnership with Mooroolbark Community Centre.

06>LIVING TODAY

OUR : COMMUNITY

Enjoying a meal with some friends

The Disabled People’s Company meets weekly, on Wednesdays from 10.00amto 12 noon at the Mooroolbark Community Centre. If you are disabled and lookingfor company and support, why not join us? Carers are welcome also.

Take the opportunity to get away from the four walls, meet new friends and enjoy adelicious morning tea and a chat with people who understand your circumstances.

As well as the opportunity to share life’s experiences, the Disabled People’sCompany can also assist you to solve difficulties and problems related to yourdisability and to help you identify and find the best resources to serve your needs.The cost, including morning tea, is $2 per session. For further information Tel.Elsie Bolwell 9726 4004.

DISABLED? Looking for Company?

Did you hear the story of Peter McArthur, GeraldSmart and Herb Lilburn who founded theEASTERN FM 98.1 Community Broadcaster?Well, in an interview with Peter McArthur, Idiscovered that our terrific community radiostation went ‘on line’ 13 years ago, on Sunday24 February 1991 and has not been off the airsince. It had taken 16 years before that Sunday,of lobbying the then government, 17 testtransmission broadcasts over the 16 years andwriting press statements to the media saying“don’t give up on us we’re still here” to finallyget the broadcasting license.

The government had insisted on a concept thathad to be totally different from the usual allmusic commercial formats. So, with free localcommunity information, then music and paidsponsor advertising, the new concept was born.

FFFFFrrrrree Bree Bree Bree Bree Broadcast oadcast oadcast oadcast oadcast AnnouncementsAnnouncementsAnnouncementsAnnouncementsAnnouncementsEASTERN FM 98.1 Have a Community ServiceAnnouncements Register. This is a free serviceto advertise upcoming community events,several times a day for up to 3 weeks or more.Anyone involved with the event can write upthe 30-second (max) promotional text and dropit into the station’s office. And this will bebroadcast free over the huge EASTERN FM 98.1broadcasting area.

Disaster StrikDisaster StrikDisaster StrikDisaster StrikDisaster Strikes!es!es!es!es!Just after midnight on 8 July this year disasterstruck. At 1.00am the all night tape stopped…

because fire had broken out and destroyed thestudio. By 9.00am that morning the fire wasout. Then a ‘loop’ tape was made apologisingfor the fire and non-broadcasting of EASTERNFM 98.1. This was to be broadcast directly fromthe main antenna on the hills behind MaroondahHospital.

By 4.30 pm that afternoon the original old‘broom cupboard’ studio next door was up andrunning and if you missed the tape loop youwould not have known anything had happened.And this very cramped area is where ourcommunity radio station has been broadcastingfrom since the fire. The new refurbished studiowill be completed soon and all the unpaidpresenters will enjoy broadcasting again fromthese up to date new surroundings.

Presenter Brian Amosbroadcasting live from the‘broom cupboard’

Peter McArthuroriginal founder andex-Mayor of Croydon

EASTERN FM 98.1 In Tune With The Outer East

Mooroolbark Traders & Community GroupMooroolbark Traders & Community Groupwish to thank all of those who attended ourFund Raising Evening, on Saturday 25October. Unfortunately the attendance onthe evening was quite disappointing -especially in light of the significant amountof advertising that was done. We hope thatfuture fund-raisers will attract greatersupport so that the proceeds, which godirectly into improvements in our township,can be raised as needed. Any support youcan give in this matter will be greatlyappreciated.

Everyone whodid attendc e r t a i n l ye n j o y e dthemselvesand wereable tosnatch up some great bargains throughoutthe auction. To all who assisted in thepreparations, the traders and general publicwho attended and those who so generouslydonated items for our Auction, we say avery big ‘Thank You’.

Fundraiser Auction

07>LIVING TODAY

Phone: 9722 9981 and 9724 9888Fax: 9723 7305Mail: Locked Bag 981, Croydon 3136Address: Wyreena Community Arts Centre,

23 Hull Road, Croydon 3136

Tournament of the Minds is a problem-solving educational program for teams ofstudents designed to challenge creative anddivergent thinkers. It is sponsored bySwinburne and La Trobe University

Billanook College’s Secondary Teamcomprising students from Years 7 and 8 wonthe Regional Competition in Mathematics andEngineering. The team was set a long-termchallenge (five weeks) and a short-termspontaneous challenge.

For the long-term challenge the team had fiveweeks to design the tools necessary toconstruct a rope from six cotton balls whichwould then be able to lift a mass of up to five

Tournament of the MindsCompetition Billanook College Advances toState Final after Win in Regional

Congratulations to Robert Carter, nine year oldstudent at Rolling Hills Primary School, whowon gold at this year’s state indoor competitionand is the current U/10 state champion in hissport of archery. Recently Robert shot a staterecord for his age group with a score of 263out of a possible 360, an amazingimprovement on the previous record of 166.He shoots leagueevery Friday nightand practices mostSaturday afternoonsusing his mini-bow,especially suited tohis age-group.

Archery is a realfamily affair for the Carters. Robert shootstogether with his mother his father and hisgrandfather and older brother Richard who isthe current U/12 state champion. Robert alsohas a keen interest in soccer and plays forMooroolbark soccer Club’s U/9’s team. Welldone Robert!

The family is involved with the establishmentof Yering District Archers, a new club beingformed in the area. The club meets inMacintyre Lane near the Lilydale airport.Anyone interested in finding out more aboutthe club is invited to contact club president,Jarrod Alston on 0414 66 3125.

YoungArcheryChampkilograms. The Team was judged on creativity,

ability to work as a team and the solution theyfound to the challenge.

The spontaneous or short-term challenge wasgiven to the team on the day of the competitionby the panel of judges. The team then hadfour minutes to discuss and solve thechallenge and one minute to present thesolution.

Following their win in the Regional Competitionthe team went on to compete in the StateChampionships to be held at La TrobeUniversity where they performed very well.Congratulations to all involved.

Challenging young minds at Billanook College

Presented by the LIONS CLUB OFPresented by the LIONS CLUB OFPresented by the LIONS CLUB OFPresented by the LIONS CLUB OFPresented by the LIONS CLUB OFMOOROOLBARKMOOROOLBARKMOOROOLBARKMOOROOLBARKMOOROOLBARK

7.30pm Friday 12 December 20037.30pm Friday 12 December 20037.30pm Friday 12 December 20037.30pm Friday 12 December 20037.30pm Friday 12 December 2003HOOKEY PARK ROTUNDAHOOKEY PARK ROTUNDAHOOKEY PARK ROTUNDAHOOKEY PARK ROTUNDAHOOKEY PARK ROTUNDA

Compere: Mr. Andrew ConwayCompere: Mr. Andrew ConwayCompere: Mr. Andrew ConwayCompere: Mr. Andrew ConwayCompere: Mr. Andrew Conway

Supported by the CombinedSupported by the CombinedSupported by the CombinedSupported by the CombinedSupported by the CombinedChurches of MooroolbarkChurches of MooroolbarkChurches of MooroolbarkChurches of MooroolbarkChurches of Mooroolbark

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

Featuring :Featuring :Featuring :Featuring :Featuring :

The Croydon Citizens Brass BandThe Croydon Citizens Brass BandThe Croydon Citizens Brass BandThe Croydon Citizens Brass BandThe Croydon Citizens Brass Band

Rolling Hills Primary Schools ChoirRolling Hills Primary Schools ChoirRolling Hills Primary Schools ChoirRolling Hills Primary Schools ChoirRolling Hills Primary Schools Choir

Bimbadeen Heights Primary Band & ChoirBimbadeen Heights Primary Band & ChoirBimbadeen Heights Primary Band & ChoirBimbadeen Heights Primary Band & ChoirBimbadeen Heights Primary Band & Choir

Mooroolbark Baptist Youth SingersMooroolbark Baptist Youth SingersMooroolbark Baptist Youth SingersMooroolbark Baptist Youth SingersMooroolbark Baptist Youth Singers

08>LIVING TODAY OUR : KIDS