Axe Creek Eppalock Newsletter

Incorporating news from the Eppalock Primary School, Axe Creek Fire Brigade & the Axe Creek Landcare Group.

Welcome to the Summer Edition!

This issue marks 10 years since the very first Axe Creek - Eppalock Newsletter was produced. Quite a milestone for all involved! The newsletter continues to receive regular contributions. Issue 40 was shared online, and has chalked up over 190 views online! (You can view it with this link http://bit.ly/1g0HC3V) Plus we now offer to have the newsletter delivered directly to readers email inboxes. Our very first news story of this issue is local success in the Bendigo Inventors Awards. Congratulations to Max Kettle for turning his bright idea into an award winning product. Please remember this newsletter is produced to share local news, so dont forget to drop an email to axecreeknews@gmail.com if you have something to share with the community. Enjoy the festive season with your family and friends. Sam Spence

Edition 41. Summer 2013/4

Welcome Community Notice Board Local Success CFA News Eppalock PS Update Axe Creek Playgroup Landcares Latest Church News Community News Kids Corner

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 Quarter Page $50 $25

Thank you to this issues Contributors John Wells - Axe Creek Fire Brigade Marie Mannes - Eppalock PS Donna Bridgeman - Eppalock PS Gillian Wells - Axe Creek Landcare Steve Weickhardt - Anglican Parish

Did you know you can now receive your copy of the Axe Creek - Eppalock Newsletter directly to your inbox?

Fees charged help cover printing costs. Advertising deadline for future issues:

Send us a quick email to axecreeknews@gmail.com and we will add you to our distribution list.

Autumn 2014 Winter 2014 Spring 2014 Summer 2014

Mar 3

rd

June 2nd Sept 1st Dec 1st

Contact us via axecreeknews@gmail.com

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Issue 41

Community Notice Board

Emergency Contact Numbers
Fire, Police & Ambulance
(life threatening or time critical emergencies only)

000
13 25 00 1800 240 667 1800 668 511 13 11 26 0419 356 433

SES Flood & Storm Emergency Bushfire Information

Information & advice about significant fires, total fire bans

Burn Off Notifications Poisons Information Wildlife Rescue Service

Useful Websites
CFA
DSE

Local Churches
St Stephens Anglican Church
108 Hargreaves Rd, Emu Creek 2nd & 4th Sunday Mornings 9am

www.cfa.vic.gov.au
www.dse.vic.gov.au

Vic Roads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

School Terms 2014

Term 1 29 Jan 4 Apr Term 2 22 Apr 27 Jun Term 3 14 Jul 19 Sept

Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church

920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye 1st & 3rd Sunday Mornings 9am NEW Family Service - 1st & 3rd Saturdays - 5pm

St Josephs 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
2

Term 4 6 Oct 19 Dec

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Issue 41

Axe Creek man wins Bendigo Inventor of the Year prize

Local Axe Creek resident Max Kettle has taken out the prestigious $8,000 Bendigo Inventor of the Year prize for 2013 with a Bicycle Laser Alignment Tool invention at Fridays Gala Ceremony at the Capital. Max Kettle also took out the $3,000 Manufacturing category for his invention which placed him in the running for the major prize. City of Greater Bendigo Business Innovation Officer Dawn Holland said the Bicycle Laser Alignment Tool is a fantastic invention. This tool accurately aligns a bicycles steering, seat and frame using laser technology fitted with a portable device that is suitable for use on any style of bicycle. With the growing popularity of cycling this tool is definitely a winner, said Ms Holland. She said over 300 people attended the 2013 Bendigo Inventor Awards Gala Ceremony which have once again proven to be an outstanding success. People attending the awards also had the opportunity to vote on a $2,000 Peoples Choice Award on the night. Ms Holland said approximately100 entries were received for the awards. From this 25 were shortlisted as finalists. Bendigo is growing its reputation as an innovative regional City where ideas are born, supported, nurtured and realised. The Bendigo Inventor Awards are a fantastic local initiative open to people of all ages that provide a competitive platform that fosters imagination through a competitive process that identifies supports and promotes original ideas. They are important because these ideas can result in economic benefits for the local community, said Ms Holland.

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CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade

NEW BRIGADE OFFICERS
In the last Newsletter we reported that 1st Lt Matt DeVincentis had left the brigade, having moved overseas. Our new 1st Lieutenant is Heath Martin, and Greg Henderson has stepped into Heath's former role as 3rd Lieutenant. Congratulations to Heath, and welcome to Greg! This year Axe Creek Fire Brigade received over $2000 towards the cost of an Automated External Defibrillator. This machine, to be kept on the fire truck, will enable crew members to assist anyone who might suffer cardiac arrest, and thereby greatly increase the chances of recovery. Defibrillators are being installed in many public facilities such as shopping centres and sports venues. The brigade's machine will be on hand at fires or other incidents, where it could save the lives of firefighters or members of the public. A neighbouring brigade, Mosquito Creek, was funded to help replace its ageing second tanker with a brand new light tanker, to back up the CFA-supplied heavy tanker. All our neighbouring brigades (Axedale, Mosquito Creek, Sedgwick, Mandurang, Strathfieldsaye and Junortoun) now have up-todate second appliances. Together with our own light tanker, and the Myrtle Creek light tanker (jointly crewed by Axe Creek and Sutton Grange brigades), these brigade-owned appliances enhance our capacity to attack local fires, and represent a valuable 'insurance policy' should any of the heavy tankers be called away for duty elsewhere in Victoria or interstate.

WE'D LIKE YOUR HELP

Over the summer period brigade members will be conducting a survey of local residents. What we're after is an up-to-date picture of the local population: i.e. how many people live in each part of the brigade area. The brigade will use this information in planning fire prevention and suppression operations, and also as essential background data for funding submissions for equipment and facilities. We are also looking into the feasibility of delivering future editions of this newsletter directly to local households: to letterboxes, by email or other ways. Please make our members welcome when they call on you! They can also help you with information about our local fire brigade, direct you to the CFA's free Home Bushfire Advice Service, or point out other useful ways to keep up to date with fire dangers and how to prepare for them.

AN UPDATED FIREREADY APP

KEEPING OUR FIREFIGHTERS - AND THE PUBLIC - SAFER

Each year the state government provides funds to help fire brigades and other voluntary emergency organisations (such as SES, and Coastguard) purchase equipment and facilities to enhance their capacity to deliver services.

The CFA's FireReady app for smartphones is being updated by the Fire Services Commissioner. The new version, to be launched soon, should be easier and faster to use, and robust enough to cope with the level of demand likely to be seen during summer.

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VICEMERGENCY: A NEW WEBSITE FOR ALL EMERGENCY INFORMATION

This summer will see the launch of VicEmergency: a new website designed to give members of the public with a single place to source information and warnings about all emergencies fire, flood, and disasters of all kinds. www.emergency.vic.gov.au Currently this address will transfer you to the CFA website, but when the new site has been launched it will provide integrated information from all fire agencies and SES about fires and floods.

MAKING OR UPDATING YOUR BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL PLAN? INVOLVE THE KIDS!

Your family's bushfire survival plan is important to ALL the family. Although fire and other threats can be frightening to children, familiarity with preparing the family's response can help to reduce the children's anxiety. At first sight it may not be obvious how the children can contribute to the plan, but they are much more likely to feel ownership, and help to implement it, if they have been involved in making it.

Their different points of view may well reveal aspects of preparation that parents would othIn the longer term, the information provided on erwise overlook, but which are important to VicEmergency will be expanded to cover other the children. emergencies. The Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre has Watch for further announcements. In the released an eBook for parents on how to talk meantime you could save the VicEmergency to children about bushfire preparation and address in your browser in place of the CFA safety. web address, so that as soon as the new site is operational you will get the most effective service.

The eBook, Making a bushfire plan? Involve your kids! is based on research by Briony Towers of RMIT University. It is an interactive book that can be read on a computer or any tablet device, as well as printed. The eBook leads us through Why to involve the kids, What they can do, and How to engage them.

Download the eBook from http://www.bushfirecrc.com/news/news-item/ ebook-first-fire-safety or just visit http://www.bushfirecrc.com and follow the links.

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A FEW REMINDERS FOR SUMMER!

Victoria is one of the most fire-prone regions in the world. Conditions indicate that this summer is going to be another busy fire seasonit was wet in winter and it will be a warm summer, meaning lots of vegetation growth and lots of fuel for fire. Last year was similar and we saw more than 4,000 fires burn 190,000 hectares in Victoria. Were expecting a higher than average risk of grassfires this season. Grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires. They can spread very quickly, so you may not get any warning of a fire that starts close by. Check the Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Ban information every day (CFA website, radio, FireReady app, Bushfire Information Line). The best way to stay safe is to leave the night before or on the morning of a Code Red day, or early in the morning on an Extreme or Severe day. Talk to everyone you live with and your neighbours about your plans so you all know what youll do on a hot, dry, windy day. Pack an emergency kit with important documents, photos, medications, money and clothes so youre ready to leave early. Dont rely on getting a warningits your responsibility to know when to leave so stay aware of your surroundings over summer. For example, check for smoke in the air and listen for sirens. Leaving early means leaving your area before there are any signs of firenot when you can see smoke or flames, or smell smoke. By then the roads may be blocked, people are likely to be panicking, and you are more likely to make wrong choices and risk your life and the lives of others. Decide in advance what youll do with your pets and livestockpeople have died during fires trying to save their animals. Defending your home requires at least two fit and determined adults, at least 10,000 litres of water, protective clothing, and appropriate firefighting hoses and pumps. Most homes in high risk bushfire areas are not defendable on Code Red days. Your power may be the first thing that goes. Make sure you have on hand alternative lightingsuch as torchesas well as a battery powered or wind up radio so you can stay informed.

Follow CFA on Social Media

facebook.com/CFAVIC

Twitter @CFA_Updates

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

Forty years ago the area served by Axe Creek brigade extended into what is now part of Bendigo, as far as Edwards Road in Flora Hill. Here is a report of a fire at which Axe Creek brigade was helped by many others Bendigo Advertiser, 8th February 1961 Hundreds Fight Big Outbreak Near Bendigo Hundreds of volunteer firefighters, dozens of rural and city brigade tankers, and more than 100 tankers owned by farmers yesterday succeeded in stopping one of the biggest grass and scrub fires near Bendigo for years. Hot northerly winds fanned the fire, which broke out behind the Flora Hill State School, raced towards the Oral School, jumped Edwards Road, and swept uncontrolled through thick scrub towards One Tree Hill. Police and firemen concentrated their efforts on saving several houses in the path of the flames, and evacuated occupants. Tanker units, men with knapsacks, beaters and tree branches could not be seen at times because of the dense smoke. Several were overcome with smoke and had to withdraw. One tanker was surrounded by flames and the men abandoned it. However the wind switched and it was quickly driven away. Mr Paddy Kairns, who is the spotter on the One Tree Hill Lookout tower, sounded the alarm about 1pm then watched helplessly as the fire surrounded his home. However firemen promptly quelled the blaze and averted the danger.

Teachers at the Oral School had telephoned for a taxi to help evacuate the children, but before the taxi arrived Mr Leigh Williamson, a builder, helped teachers usher the children away.
While firefighters were attempting to stop the blaze reaching Tannery Lane at Mandurang, the wind changed and swept the flames eastwards toward Strathfieldsaye. Tankers and volunteers raced along Strathfieldsaye Road to Piepers Hill, and then fanned out for miles along German Gully, watching for any danger of the fire jumping the road. Tanker units penetrated deep into the country along tracks as they endeavoured to get to the seat of the blaze. Later in the afternoon a huge tanker from the State Rivers Commission at Eppalock arrived and by itself was able to fill the tanks of dozens of the units.

Black smoke rose hundreds of feet into the air and attracted hundreds of onlookers. When they were stopped by police from entering the danger areas, cars banked up on both sides of Strathfieldsaye Road for nearly a mile, hampering the movement of tankers and adding to the confusion.
Dozens of firemen kept up a ceaseless patrol of the German Gully area and along Tannery Lane last night in case the fire broke across the roads.

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Eppalock Primary School

Here we are again on the down-hill run to the end of another term and school year. And what a term it has been at Eppalock Primary School. Through our community links with North Central Catchment Management Authority, Friends of the Bendigo Botanic Gardens, Coliban Water and the City of Greater Bendigo, our school had the opportunity to participate in National Water Week activities. National Water Week is an annual awareness week that aims to improve community understanding of water issues in Australia. The theme for this years National Water Week was Living Communities and students were involved in the following activities Macroinvertebrates (Water Bugs) Catchment in the Sandpit (Interactive story of a creek) Water wise Gardens (what plants are water wise) Storm water (what we can do to keep our waterways clean) Students were also involved in the River Detectives program which looked at the small invertebrates that live in our local waterways and the important role these creatures play in the environment.

Our annual School Sports Carnival was held at the Bendigo Athletic Centre earlier in the term. Not only was Eppalock Primary School the overall winner on the day but, more importantly, all students showed great respect, sportsmanship, care and compassion for their fellow competitors and were great ambassadors for our school. Special congratulations to Abby and Brionee who received Championship Medals.

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Other highlights of the term include

Swimming Program held at the Eaglehawk YMCA Indoor Pool over a four-week period Cricket Clinic conducted by Cricket Victoria provided students with access to an engaging coaching session delivered by qualified cricket coaches Hockey Victoria Road Show visited and proved a clinic for all students. Visit to our school from a Commonwealth Games Athlete and Triathlete who spoke to students about the great health benefits of being involved in sport and the fun you can have taking part in a triathlon. Interschool Sports Grade 5 and 6 students joined with Quarry Hill PS to participate in interschool sports against Kennington PS and Spring Gully PS. This was a great opportunity for our students to start to build a network for secondary school. Active After School Program this term a Tennis program ran on a Tuesday afternoon and a Dance program on a Thursday afternoon. For the Dance program student made passports and visited different countries each week learning about their culture through dance. Our students will visit Victoria Heights Residential Care during the last week of term to sing Christmas Carols and present the residents with small gifts that they have made. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to remember to give back to our community and fits in with our School Values and KidsMatter Framework. 2014 incoming prep students and their families joined staff for a Picnic in the School Serenity Garden. This provided a wonderful opportunity for an informal getto-know- you with everyone thoroughly enjoying the evening. Our Graduating Class of 2013 will celebrate with their parents, school staff and School Council members at a dinner on December 10th. We congratulations these students and wish them well for their future.

Kobi, Riley, Jordan, Harmony, Nikiah

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WIND OF CHANGE ELECTION DAY FROM A COUNTRY SCHOOLS PERSPECTIVE By Donna Bridgeman
Eppalock Primary School celebrated its 137th anniversary this year and has been the focal point of our community for a large portion of this time. The old school building has been used, by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), as a polling booth for many years. The Parents Club, of Eppalock Primary School, have traditionally conducted the obligatory sausage sizzle and cake stall at many State and Federal elections. Our school was fortunate to receive a grant from the Rudd governments economic stimulus package, to construct a new school, which was completed in 2011. A sign at the front gate of our school heralded the proud achievement: funding from the Building the Education Revolution (BER), provided us with our brand new school. Planning for the Election Day stall commenced in earnest when former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced her election date, but stalled (pardon the pun) when Kevin Rudd was reelected and was intent on changing the date. We swung into action once the Election date was confirmed and organised families to bake cakes and rostered parents to staff the stalls. Friday morning, election eve, everything was ready: the cakes baked and priced; sausages and bacon chilling in the fridge; local hens had laid enough free range eggs in time; the soft drinks were on ice and the shade structure had been dusted off. The OfficerinCharge from the AEC arrived at school, You cant have a stall without a permit and you cant be within five metres of the entrance. What? How can this be? Why werent we told? Its an Eppalock Primary School tradition you are messing with here! cried distraught Parents Club members. Panicked phone calls were made and a permit obtained online before the Parents Club breathed a collective sigh of relief. Now back to worrying about the important stuff: the weather and if people would actually buy what we were offering! Anxious eyes watched the heavens for any sign of rain as the stalls were set up, bright and early next morning. A noticeable omission: our sign. The sign which told everyone the Labor government had funded our new school building, was gone. Ironic really. The AEC had specifically requested the use our new building, instead of the crowded old school building, it had used many times before. But Kevin Rudds sign had been taken down; a political statement in itself? Or an omen for what was about to happen? We spent the morning serving our customers with bacon and egg sandwiches for breakfast and threw some snags on the barbie, as the morning wore on and the sun rose higher in the sky. No need to worry about rain; forgot the bloody sunscreen! For such a beautiful day, the mood amongst the parents was sombre. The Bendigo electorate had been represented by the Labor Partys, Steve Gibbons, since 1998 and upon his retirement; the seat of Bendigo was being hotly contested. Lisa Chesters, the Labor candidate, claimed she would continue on with Mr Gibbons mission and Greg Bickley, the Liberal Partys contestant, proclaimed it was time for change. Eppalock Primary School has long been considered the school of choice for parents of the alternative persuasion. Many of our parents may have been referred to as hippies, back in the sixties. Concerns about raising children in a natural environment, healthy food and healthy life style, are at the top of many of our parents lists. A connection with nature drives most of us and the fear was evident; if the Labor party loses the election, The Greens party would not be

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as influential under a Coalition regime. It certainly was no co-incidence which saw the local Landcare group and the Axe Creek Volunteer Fire Fighters set up stalls beside us on Election Day. As the crowds began to dwindle and the last sausage sold, the remaining Parents Club members packed up the shade shelter and counted the takings for the day. A successful fundraising day for Eppalock Primary School, but had Kevin Rudd spent his last night as Prime Minister? This member of the Parents Club went home to watch the footy on the telly and nurse my sunburnt skin. As I watched Collingwood and Freo battle it out, I occasionally flicked over to the Election result coverage. The worst was confirmed for the tree huggers of Eppalock, when Tony Abbott delivered his victory speech. As we were left to ponder what the future holds under Mr Abbotts leadership, Parents Club members thoughts had already turned towards a sausage sizzle for the next State election. Thank you to our generous community members for your support of our Election Day stalls. We really appreciate your help with our fundraising efforts. Donna Bridgeman

ENROLMENTS FOR 2014

Enrolments are still being taken for 2014 in all grade levels. You are welcome to contact us on 5439 6366 for an information pack or a tour of our school. website: www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au
I am a registered generalist psychologist with a Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology. I work with individuals and families and have experience working with children as young as 3 yrs. old and adults to 55 yrs. of age. Best practice strategies in supporting children to fulfill their full potential means that I work closely with parents, family members and significant others in the childs life. I use a strengths based approach and engage with social support networks because they are crucial for long term positive changes to peoples lives If you have a Mental Health plan from your doctor, I am able to bulk bill my services through Medicare and you can receive up to 10 free one hour counselling sessions in a calendar year. My specific areas of expertise include: Support & Guidance for Parents Childrens behavioral issues including Autism & ADHD Social skills training Anger Management Depression or Anxiety (including fears or phobias) Grief or Trauma Cognitive & Diagnostic Assessments

Mella Psychology
Strengths based family practice

Alice Saver
Child Psychologist

Specialist grief & trauma 0413477020 mella.psychology@gmail.com

ABN 48219610664 APHRA Reg. PSY0001127614

Ph:

Alice has an office in Bendigo as well as a room at Eppalock Primary School To make an appointment, call Alice on 0413477020.

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COMMUNITY NIGHT Eppalock Primary School

Thursday 19th December 6.00 pm
Picnic Tea (shared) Drama Performance by students Presentation to Graduating students Visit by a special person Disco

All families are asked to bring a meat dish to share (enough for your own family) eg casserole, cold meat platter, quiche, sausage rolls etc. as well as: Salad (families with surname A-M) Slice/Cake (families with surname N-Z) BYO plates, cutlery, drinks and chair

ALL WELCOME COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN

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Axe Creek Community Playgroup

When Where

Wednesday Mornings 9am -11am 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: eppalock.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au http://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au

All Welcome

Made in Australia.

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Latest from Axe Creek Landcare

The Axe Creek Landcare Group goes into recess over Christmas and January. Committee meetings resume in February 2014 and continue until November at Eppalock Primary School, in the old staffroom on the first Monday of each month at 8.00 pm during daylight saving period or at 7.30 pm for the rest of the year.

We have two or three public meetings during the year, generally with a guest speaker. Topics in the past have included weeds, pest animals, sustainable soils, gardening, animal husbandry, grasses. We also hold field days, working bees and excursions.
Members of the community are always welcome to attend any meeting! HOLLOW PROMISES OR...?
If you were a bird or small mammal whose dream home was a tree hollow, you might find a shortage of options in our district because our local eucalypt forests were cut down during the 19th and 20th centuries to supply timber for mines and industrial boilers. The trees have re-grown, but the re-growth is still too young to have developed suitable hollows. (It can take many decades for good hollows to develop.) To ease the housing shortage, the Axe Creek Landcare Group has installed wildlife nestboxes at Stony Crossing Reserve (off Axe Creek Road, opposite Steens Road) and a number of Landcare members have put wildlife boxes up on their properties. Arboreal mammals (sugar gliders, possums, microbats and tuans) are dependent on hollows for protection from predators and for breeding. These animals may use a number of different places over time and include nestboxes among their choices. Hollow dependent birds (e.g. parrots, kookaburras, ducks and owls) use natural and constructed hollows for raising young and for roosting on occasion. Axe Creek Landcare Groups aim is to provide nestboxes for protection from predators, shelter, roosting and nesting sites for sugar gliders, tuans, possums, goannas, microbats, grey shrike thrushes, owlet nightjars, owls, kookaburras, ducks, parrots, lorikeets, tree creepers, pardalotes and more. Of course, there is more to making a wooden box attractive to birds and animals than merely nailing it to a tree. We must place it in an appropriate habitat (food, water, shelter and mates) before the potential inhabitants will use it to raise young or consider it a place to hang out from time to time. In some cases we have had to discourage feral honey bees which pushed in where they were not wanted. There are other pests as well introduced birds such as mynas and starlings that we do not want to encourage. Careful nesting box design and treatment is important. Bees seem to be discouraged when the inside of the lid is scorched or woollen carpet is secured to the lid, for example, and mynas tend not to use boxes when the entrance hole is hooded.

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Landcare member, Calum Walker has made lots of different sized boxes and erected them against his house and in surrounding trees. He said that nearly all of them were occupied within a year. Axe Creek Landcare Group President, Steve Williams, may have set a record recently when a couple of eastern rosellas laid eggs in a box within 3 weeks of its installation at his place. You can see from the picture (looking down into the brand new box) that the parent birds did not go to a great deal of trouble to make the box cosy for the eggs.

From his experience Calum made some useful comments. Boxes of some particular sizes will suit a number of different species of birds and small mammals, he said, but other creatures have more specialised needs. Some birds such as ducks and kookaburras need a landing platform, for example. He went on, Ducks and owls need larger boxes with larger entrance holes. The size of the entrance hole is key to who might use the box. A large-holed box is likely to be occupied by a brushtail possum, so it is good to have some boxes with entrances too small for the possums so that tuans, sugar gliders or parrots can get a look in.
Several locals have found the height above ground level for the boxes is not critical. Anything from one metre to four or five metres has been OK. Erecting wildlife boxes is a feel-good activity. It is exciting to observe a birds going in and out of a box and see signs of young ones growing up, maybe to look in and see a baby sugar glider (even though the nest may be very smelly). However, all the stories are not happy ones. Calum tells of baby pardalotes that were taken from a box on his verandah by a goanna. Jennifer and Peter Goddard, also Landcare members, were rejoicing over sugar gliders in a box at their place when a grey goshawk appeared and the sugar gliders disappeared. Nature taking its course Here is a picture of one of their sugar gliders in happier times.

If you are interested in having wildlife boxes at your place, here are a couple of suggestions. You might like to join the Axe Creek Landcare Group and participate in our planned project to erect more nesting boxes. Currently we have an application for funding to help with this. Alternately, you may do some research about box design on the web. Thanks to Calum, the Landcare Group has design details and box sizes for many different species. We are happy to share these with anyone who is interested.

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ST JOHNS WORT A NASTY WEED

As we drive around the local roads we can notice that some stretches have interesting patches of native vegetation. At this time of year I enjoy the bright patches of yellow sticky everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum). However not all pretty yellow flowers are desirable. St Johns Wort, for one. This is an introduced perennial weed that is very invasive. It provides strong competition for native plants and for pasture species. Given half a chance St Johns Wort can take over an area completely. If that propensity were not enough to ensure its condemnation, there is more! St Johns Wort can also be toxic to stock that eat it. It causes photosensitisation of exposed skin, especially of light-skinned and soft-skinned animals horses more than sheep and cattle. It affects the animals nervous systems, circulatory systems and intestinal systems. Eaten at the wrong time of the year, it really sets the animals back, if it doesnt kill them. So, it is not a good plant to have around! In our district, St Johns Wort has not yet become disastrously established and that is a reason to pay it particular attention. As with Bridal Creeper and Patersons Curse, we still have the opportunity to manage it so that it never gets more than a toe-hold. A publication of the Dept. of Primary Industry (DPI, now mutated to DEPI Dept. of Environment and Primary Industry) when dealing with the management of St Johns Wort, points out that the particular measures you would have to take to deal with this weed would depend on the particular situation. Lightly infested areas should be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent spread. Extensive infestations are best quarantined and tackled progressively over several years. You wouldnt want to be in the position to have to face that! Isolated plants are easy to see when they are in flower. So get em when they first appear!

This picture may help you identify the plant.

Hand pull seedlings when you see them and use hand tools to dig out larger plants before they seed! It is important to get most of the roots out and to check regularly for re-growth. If there is a large-scale infestation, then a combination of control measures is needed, probably involving cultivation, spraying, pasture management or encouraging competing and shading plants (because it cannot survive in dense shade) and even careful grazing.

St Johns Wort is spread by seed eaten or carried by livestock, by seed or plant pieces carried on machinery or other vehicles coming from affected areas and also by seed or plant pieces
carried in running water. Further information is available from DEPI. Their website is a mine of information.

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Bendigo Aged Care Connection Services Offer:

Home Care Personal Care Pet Care Mowing Gardening Shopping and meal preparation Assistance Outings & Appointment Assistance Aged Care Advice Financial Advice with professional Financial Planners Discreet and Personal Incontinence products and delivery Service

Contact Corina on 0412 693 415

www.baccs.org

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Church News
Did you know that in the mid-nineteenth century, there was originally just one Protestant Church in the district? This faithful congregation gathered at the Emu Creek State School (which was on the corner of Emu Creek Rd and Hargreaves Rd). As the township of Strathfieldsaye developed into a community in its own right, a group of families who travelled to Emu Creek from Sheepwash Creek made a decision to begin their own congregation closer to home in Strathfieldsaye. The Church of England was granted an acre next to the State School on the site where St Stephens Anglican Church now stands, while the Strathfieldsaye Church searched for a Minister to come and take their services. Legend has it that the decision was between a Methodist and a Church of England Minister, however the Church of England Minister asked for a bag of chaff for his horse upon each visit. So the Strathfieldsaye Church became a Methodist Church while St Stephens remained as a Church of England (now Anglican) Church. Now these two congregations have come together once again for a combined Sunday morning service at 9am each Sunday, taking it in turns to host the weekly service. We have also initiated a Saturday 5pm congregation especially for young families, with childrens participation and activities as well as relevant and faithful teaching for adults too. Our doors are open to anyone who would like to come and join us. For more information contact Rev Steve Weickhardt (Anglican, but doesnt need a bag of chaff) on 5439 4817, or steve@southeastbendigo.com.

Local Anglican/Uniting Christmas Services

4pm Christmas Eve (Family Church) at Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church. 7.30pm Christmas Eve (Traditional Holy Communion) at St Stephens Anglican Church. 9am Christmas Day at Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church.

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Community News

email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com 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.

Poo Pile!
If you need manure for your garden, please contact Jan Mellor on 5439 3144 or email jan_mellor@iinet.net.au.

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 fundraisers around the district. No experience required and its free. New members Welcome Practice every Sunday 2:00 pm at 101 Carneys Rd, Eppalock. Contact Nita or Aaron on: 54392678 email: bagus_kan@yahoo.com

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Kids Corner
Potato-stamped wrapping paper
This is one for the big and little kids. You do the clean cutting; they do the messy stamping (although you'll have to do the cleaning up of the mess) Wrapping paper with the mark of the kids is a cute personal touch to familymember gifts and looks cute and cheerful mixed with an assortment of different wrapping papers under the tree.

You'll need:
Paints A sponge, cut in half A potato A knife A texta Paper

Step one. Cut the potato in half.

Step two. Draw your desired shape on a piece of paper (it helps to trace around the potato face-down on the paper first so you can fit the shape exactly into the potato's circumference.

Step three. Cut around the shape from the top and a few millimetres down the potato too so the shape rises from the rest of the potato.

Step four. Place the sponges on a small plate and squirt paint onto each sponge. Let the kids loose with the stamps on a large sheet of butcher's paper or craft paper (we used the Ikea paper rolls). Leave to dry then wrap!

What do you get if you cross Santa Claus with a Duck? Which of Santas Reindeers has bad manners? What do cows say at Christmas time?

A Christmas Quacker Rude-olph! Mooey Christmas

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Time Capsule
Have you ever made a time capsule to record a special event? A Birthday, a holiday or maybe even the year. Grab a jar, and start adding things that mean something - movie ticket stubs, a lucky rock, stamps from a card, photos, lolly wrapper. You get the idea. Make sure you have a photo a the front of the jar, then add it to your display shelf or bookcase.

Here is an idea for the Mums put a jar by the washing machine and add "Stuff my family left in their pockets and then went through the wash."

Cheerio's Christmas trees recipe

These cute little Cheerio's Christmas trees are great to make with the kids and they will love decorating them.

Ingredients: 3 cups marshmallows 3 tbsp. butter Green food colouring 3 cups Cheerio's Mini M&M's ( just the red and green ones) Jaffa's Canola spray Prep Time: 1 hour Cook Time: 40 seconds Method:
In a bowl, place the marshmallows and butter together and melt in the microwave on high for 40 seconds. Mix well with a spoon. Add green food colouring until you have the colour you like. Pour Cheerio's into the marshmallow mix and stir well to coat. Leave to cool until the mixture becomes tacky. You may need to put it in the fridge if it is a warm day. Cover a tray with baking paper. Spray your hands with canola spray and shape the Cheerios mixture into cones and place on the tray. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes to firm up. Remove and decorate with red and green M&M's and place a Jaffa on top. The trees will still be sticky enough for the decorations to adhere but you may need to use a little icing to stick the Jaffa on. I used a tube of ready-made writing icing. Notes Little ones will need help with the microwave step of this recipe. These little trees are pale green in the picture as I used pink and white marshmallows to begin with and then I coloured them with blue food colouring to get the pale green colour. If this mixture seems a little too wet, cooling it in the freezer is a great way to firm it up. A light dusting of icing sugar will make it look like you have snow on your trees. Courtesy of Kidspot.com.au

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