Axe Creek Eppalock Newsletter

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

Welcome to the Summer Issue

Edition 45. Summer 2014

Welcome to Summer, and our latest issue.

Did you know the circulation of our little newsletter is approximately 400
printed copies, plus those who choose to read our publication via email.
Our printed issues are distributed to Axe Creek, Eppalock and
Strathfieldsaye. We remind you that this is your newsletter, and community
initiative that has been running for more than 10 years! Yes, that is not a typo
- 10 years!
Over the years, many contributors have helped with each issue, current
contributors for this issue are listed to the right.
As always, we love to receive your contributions for the newsletter, stories,
articles, photos or bits of news. Please send them via email to us at
axecreeknews@gmail.com.

Welcome

Community Notice Board

CFA News

Eppalock PS Update

Axe Creek Playgroup

Landcares Latest

Church News

Community News

Kids Corner

Best wishes an enjoyable and safe Festive Season.

Until next time,

Sam Spence

Thank you to this issues

Contributors
John Wells - Axe Creek Fire
Brigade

Advertise your Business AND help the Community

If you would like some great local exposure for a reasonable price, then advertise in the
next issue of the Axe Creek Eppalock Newsletter.
Full Page
$100
Half Page

$50

Quarter Page

$25

Mar 2nd

Winter 2015

May 29th

Spring 2015

Sept 1st

Summer 2015

Dec 1st

axecreeknews@gmail.com

Cathy Watson - Axe Creek

Landcare

Chris Kirwan - Axe Creek Landcare

Fees charged help cover printing costs.

Advertising deadline for future issues:

Autumn 2015

Marie Mannes - Eppalock PS

Steve Weickhardt - Anglican

Parish

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Issue 45

Community Notice Board

Emergency Contact Numbers
Fire, Police & Ambulance

000

(life threatening or time critical emergencies only)

SES Flood & Storm Emergency

13 25 00

Bushfire Information

1800 240 667

Information & advice about significant fires, total fire bans

Burn Off Notifications

1800 668 511

Poisons Information

13 11 26

Wildlife Rescue Service

0419 356 433

Useful Websites
CFA

www.cfa.vic.gov.au

DSE

www.dse.vic.gov.au

Vic Roads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Local Churches
St Stephens Anglican & Strathfieldsaye Uniting
Church
920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye

School Terms
2015

Combined Service - Sunday Mornings 9am

Family Service - Saturday - 5pm

St Josephs Catholic Church

Cnr Axe Creek & Strathfieldsaye/Eppalock Rds.

Term 1

Sunday Mornings 9am

29 Jan 27 Mar

All Welcome
Term 2
13 Apr 26 Jun
Term 3

Axe Creek CFA

13 Jul 18 Sept
Term 4

Captain

5 Oct 18 Dec

axecreeknews@gmail.com

Neil Irving-Dusting
5439 6388

Issue 45

CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade

UPDATED SEASONAL OUTLOOK WORSE CONDITIONS ARE NOW FORECAST!
Following the low spring rainfall over much of the state the Southern Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2014-15 has been revised. In September the forecast was for an 'above average'
fire season for central, northern and western Victoria. The revised forecast is for a 'potentially
major' fire season for most of the state. (See the revised map.)
In everyday-speak that means we're probably in for a bad fire season. The grass is drying faster than usual across much of the state, and many forest areas are under drought stress, so will
burn much more readily. These include areas that have not been burnt for decades, and
therefore have accumulated plenty of dry litter on the forest floor, which would help the
spread of fire.
The take-home message? Make sure you are prepared for fire, whether you are at home or
on holiday.

HOW FAST IS THE GRASS DRYING OUT IN THE PADDOCKS?

Each spring and summer over 200 volunteers across Victoria step out into the paddocks to
make weekly observations of the extent to which the grass is 'curing' (drying out). These
trained observers estimate the percentage of dead material in the grass, which is a key factor
in fire behaviour.
Curing is also estimated from infra-red satellite imagesthis give a much wider coverage, the
information being cross-checked against the ground observations.
Once a week all the data is combined to generate a map showing the degree of curing in all
the grasslands across the state. Week by week the dryness progresses from the far north-west,
eventually reaching Gippsland.

The degree of curing is one of the factors used in the determination of fire danger ratings
obviously there is a much greater risk from fire once the grass has dried out.
This year the curing in our area is a couple of weeks ahead of last year's observations. In parts
of the western district, and in the north-western outskirts of Melbourne, curing is around four
weeks ahead of last year. If we have hot or windy weather, major grass fires might start earlier
in the season. Be prepared!

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Issue 45

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ON HIGH RISK DAYS?

Is your plan to leave early when the forecast indicates a high risk of fire?
What is your trigger point? Severe Fire Danger? Total Fire Ban? Code Red?
When are you going to leave? Night before? Early in the morning? If you wait until a fire starts it
might be too late!
Where will you go to, and by what route?
What are you going to take with you? Protective clothing & hats? Plenty of water? Medications
and prescriptions? Family photographs? Favorite toys? Passports, insurance policies, bank account details and so on?

Who are you going to notify? It's a good idea at least to let the neighbour's know you are leaving, so they don't waste time checking on you if a fire does break out.
What precautions will you take before going? Check that all outside doors and windows are
firmly closed? Remove furniture etc from the deck or veranda? Check that flammable material is well clear of the house?
What about your pets?
Will you take them with you? Or leave them with somebody else to mind? Have you organized
food, water and shelter for them?
What if it's too late to leave?
Staying home has its dangers, but driving away after a fire has started can be much worse. On
Black Saturday many of those who died were trying to escape from the fires.
Even a small grass fire can generate lots of dense smoke, to the extent that you can't see where
you are driving. If you collide with a tree or another vehicle and then are trapped by the fire it
could well be fatal.
Your bushfire protection plan needs to include Plan B: what to do if it's too late to leave.
Look for many more detailed hints on the CFA web site
Under www.cfa.vic.gov.au search the Plan and Prepare section. There are lots of helpful ideas
and advice.
Above allkeep monitoring the conditions!
Listen to local radio (ABC or KLFM). TV stations do not generally broadcast bushfire information.
Set up the FireReady app on your phone, and listen for alerts.
Check the Vic Emergency website regularly (www.emergency.vic.gov.au).
Ring the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (1800 240 667) if you want to check if there is a fire in
the area.
AND stick your nose out the door from time to time to sniff the windthat's probably the most
important thing of all!

WE INTERVIEW THE BRIGADE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

During summer the TV news frequently shows footage of CFA firefighters in yellow overalls. But to
do their job these front-line troops need support from many others who don't feature on the
news bulletins. One such support person is Jan Mannes, Axe Creek Fire Brigade's Communications Officer.
I began by asking Jan just what does the Comms Officer do?
"Well, as the title indicates, it's all about communication within the brigade.

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Issue 45

"The job has changed a lot in the twenty years since my husband Tony took over the position
from his father Bill. Because Tony usually headed off to fires on the truck I did most of the comms
work, and in due course I became the official Comms Officer. In those days the fire call came
over the phone: I took the call and then began to ring brigade members until we had a crew. At
least I knew the truck was full, but looking back it was very time-consuming.
"Now the call comes to all our firefighters by pager, and automatically sets off the siren, which
we hear clearly from home. Whether I'm at home or at work I send an SMS message to the operational members, in case they've missed the pager call, and listen to the radio traffic to check
that the truck has turned out. If I'm not sure how many are on board I might head down to the
station, or ring the mobile phone in the truck.
"It's important to keep an eye on the clock, especially for fires that start late afternoon. Some of
the crew members might have been up since 4 in the morning, and we have to watch fatigue. If
it sounds as if the job might be a long one I'll start ringing around to line up a potential relief
crew.
"If we do send a changeover crew I like to go to the station to make sure that they know exactly
where they have to go, to check that they have plenty of water, and to make sure they travel
together rather than taking several cars to the fire ground.
"And if it looks as if the crew will be tied up for quite a while I'll generally ring the families to let
them know what's happeningthough this is less important now that nearly everybody carries a
phone."
Does your role tie you down in busy periods?
"It used to. In the past the family knew that we had to stay home for Total Fire Ban days. Sometimes we've had to celebrate Christmas early or late because of fire weather on Christmas Day.
(Over the years the brigade has had several call-outs on Christmas Day or at New Year. One
New Year's Eve the truck went to a fire at Barfold, and then ended up near Kyneton. We had to
organise a relief crew in the middle of the night.)
"These days new technology has made it a lot easier. I was sitting on the beach when the Sedgwick fire started last summer, but still arranged crews for the truckstablet computer on the sand
to keep up with what's happening (even following the radio traffic as the trucks were turned
out), and mobile phone in my hand.
"I used to write a detailed log of all turn-outs (crew names, times when the truck turned out, arrived on scene, and returned), but now all the times are recorded by the dispatch service in
Ballarat, so that part of my job is no longer necessary.
What are some of the good things about the Comms Officer's role?
"It's a good way to contribute to the brigade, and the community, without being on the truck.
Work or family commitments preclude active firefighting for some people; others prefer to take
on support roles that are vital for the functioning of the brigade.
"Welfare of firefighters and community members is at the forefront. Last summer when there was
an emergency alert message for a fire near Abbotts Road, I went to the station in case people
had nowhere else to go. Three families turned up at the shed; we arranged for the school to be
opened so they had somewhere to shelter and have a cup of tea until it was all clear. That was
a new job for the brigade, brought about by the greater emphasis on community warnings since
Black Saturday.
"I did wonder about getting involved in Incident Management more centrally, but I really prefer
to contribute locally. Indeed the local knowledge and experience of those who've been around
for a while are vital to the effectiveness of the brigade. Several of our members drive school buses; if there is a local fire I can contact the school to let the teachers know which bus routes may
be affected by the fire."
Thank you, Jan. I now have a better understanding of what goes on in the background when
the pager beeps and the siren wails. It's as well for all of us to realize there's a lot more to fighting
fires than squirting water on the flames.

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Issue 45

FROM THE ARCHIVES

1969 was another bad year for fires. On 8th January, with temperatures around 40 C and
strong winds, over 70 fires broke out in Victoria, 12 of which were of major proportions, burning
some 250,000 ha. Twenty-three people died, and hundreds of homes were destroyed. Close to
Bendigo there were fires at Maiden Gully, Kangaroo Flat, and Maldon-Harcourt.
Barely a month later there was a large fire even closer to our patch:
Bendigo Advertiser, 7th February 1969
1000 ACRES GO IN EPPALOCK FIRE
Three hundred men from 20 district brigades were last night still working on a fire which burnt through
1000 acres of the Kimbolton Forest yesterday.
"It was a nasty, dirty little fire," a CFA spokesman said. "Hard to get at in that basalt country. If a wind
had sprung up, it would have been burning all over central Victoria."
"It was spotting about 400 yards ahead from trees."
Group officers John Colvin (Bendigo), Bob Mann (Metcalfe), their men and the Forest Commission did a
mighty job, the spokesman said. He said the fire started in the forest near Twin Rivers, shortly before
1.30 pm.
It burned to within a quarter of a mile of Mr Mangan's farm, near Redesdale, before being contained at 6
pm. Many men and machines kept an all-night vigil, and all district brigades were on alert throughout last
night. A Bendigo milk company and the CRB [County Roads Board], as well as many private owners,
provided tankers. It was the worst fire in the Bendigo area since January 8.

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Issue 45

Eppalock Primary School

At Eppalock Primary School we provide a nurturing and

challenging environment which caters for the needs of all students
to reach their individual academic and personal potential.
All students are involved in the sustainability
program weekly, In 2014, students planned &

Eppalock Primary is set in attractive, well-

Eppalock Primary School offers;

maintained, spacious grounds in the rural

developed multiple vegie gardens, participated in

community of Axe Creek, 7km east of

regular cooking and redefined sustainability

Strathfieldsaye.

practices at the school with implementation of

chooks and a worm farm.

Daily comprehensive
Literacy & Numeracy

Supported Learning

The school is highly regarded because of its

Program (for intervention &

child-centred approach to learning, its focus

extension)

on students accepting responsibility for their

progress, the development of self-discipline

Daily Physical Education

Explicit Social & Emotional

All students participate in the Chinese language

and the pursuit of excellence.

program for one hour a week to learn the Chinese

Students are in three multi-age groups

Learning and Values

supported by dedicated teachers and a

Education

language, Mandarin.
Students have the opportunity to take part in the

strong family involvement.

Overseas Learning Experience to Shanghai and

Suzhou , China for a 9 day cultural experience.

support. The community joins together on

Music activities once a week. Major whole school
performance to celebrate the school year.

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many occasions both within and outside the

Out of School Hours Care

Program

Eppalock Primary School is very fortunate

in that we have very strong community

All students participate in specialised Drama &

MARC Mobile Library

Art sessions

school.

Issue 45

LIVING GREEN PROGRAM

Eppalock Primary Schools Living Green program has been a wonderful success during 2014. An
innovative program, unique in the region, the children of Eppalock PS are very lucky to have the
opportunity to participate.
The children, with the support of teachers, parents and community volunteers have achieved significant change to the
landscape of the school and the attitude of the children.
Some of the projects completed this year have included establishment of a school veggie garden, a natural play space
and the future development of a school kitchen.
The program is aimed at children learning how to make sustainable choices in their lives and participate in hands-on
science. From gardening and cooking our produce, to finding out how to save energy at school
and home, to having conversations about smart
choices at the supermarket around packaging.
The children enjoy the hands- on aspect of the
program and the diversity of learning opportunities provided.
The school and broader community have been
generous in their support of the program. Help
from families and the community is gratefully accepted by the school. Some examples of assistance have included crocheting squares to yarn
bomb our bell tree (donations gratefully accepted), bringing seedlings to plant in our garden,
help installing our irrigation system, a donation of
chooks and soil for
our garden beds.

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Issue 45

CHINESE PROGRAM
New to the curriculum at Eppalock Primary School this year has been the introduction of the
Chinese language, Mandarin. Students from Prep to Grade 6 have participated in the language program for one hour each week which has been delivered by language teachers
from China.
The Program has been developed in conjunction with Bendigo Senior Secondary College to
provide an extended learning challenge for all students.
Following on from this has been the Overseas Learning Experience Chinese Immersion Program
which has seen Eppalock Primary School play host to two young students from China during
this term.
The boys, FENG YIFAN - Andrew and HAN YIHENG Bob, stayed with two school
families and became very much a part of our school community.
Every Tuesday they, along with Chinese students
from Kennington PS, Spring Gully PS and Quarry Hill
PS, attended Kennington Primary School to enhance their English speaking skills. Within the session the students have had the opportunity to embrace every aspect of our Australian culture. Students speak English at home and at school (unless
attending specific Chinese school lessons).
Our visiting students have also participated in
normal everyday family activities with their host
families eg school, shopping, sporting events etc.
They have also had the opportunity to visit many
areas around Victoria as a group during the
weekends.
Eppalock Primary School has three Grade 6 students who have registered for this program for
2015. Our students will join students from other primary schools in Bendigo for a 9 day tour visiting Shanghai and Suzhou in June 2015.
The program is designed to:
Strengthen the students Chinese language learning by providing opportunities for purposeful, genuine and authentic communication.
To increase global awareness and intercultural understanding.
To broaden the knowledge and understanding of students by enabling them to gain an
appreciation and respect for the Chinese culture.
Following is some thoughts on the exchange experience from one of our host families
Ni Hao!

Two Eppalock Primary school families were lucky to become hosts this year for the annual
Team China school exchange with Suzhou. Eppalock Primary welcomed two students into
the school and we were thrilled to be able to welcome Andrew into our home, one of the
two 10year old Chinese boys. They were here in Australia for an 8 week stay.

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Issue 45

Their English skills were very good, excellent even for children of that age learning a second language. They
could speak and write English almost fluently. Their comprehension however was not quite at this level and
there have been many fun discussions about what
things mean, repeat requests to get something out of
their room and learning about consequence.
We had Andrew join in everything we did as one of our
family we just had 4 kids now. He did jobs with our other kids, lived with our house/family rules, rode the bus to
school, did homework and sat down at mealtimes with
us as his family. Not getting up and leaving the table as
soon as he finished and playing best worst thankful
each evening at dinner was something new but
seemed to be enjoyable for him. Our children have
loved playing and chatting to Andrew daily - and their own Mandarin language knowledge
has improved.
We made sure he had a bike so he could ride like a maniac with our other children, had rowdy,
crowded family birthday parties, decorated our Christmas tree together and went to the
pool in town to cool off. We had campfires, cooked marshmallows and went on torchlight
night hikes. We took him to see the fairy penguins and racing track at Phillip Island, taught
him how to body surf at the beach at Torquay and visited Sovereign Hill in Ballarat.

On Saturday 6th December we said goodbye (for now) to our new little friend but feel very
blessed to have been part of the experience.
Sally-Anne and Hayden Symes, Sedgwick

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Issue 45

10

Axe Creek Community Playgroup

When
Where

Monday Mornings 9.30am -11am

Friday Mornings
9am - 10.30am
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

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Latest from Axe Creek Landcare

The Axe Creek Landcare Committee meet 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!

Goodbye 2014! As the year winds down Axe Creek Landcare Group is planning for 2015. The
Group wishes to involve community members in discussions on issues which affect impact on
our lives in the Axe Creek area.
Topics which will be on our agenda include soil improvement, combatting soil erosion, weed
identification and management and the establishment of native gardens in the Axe Creek
catchment area. Other issues involve bugs and plant diseases, salty bore water. Growing fruit
trees, here and the most effective mulches and manures.
If any of these matters interest you or you might like to share another local issue, please feel
free to come along to any of our meetings. Everybody is welcome and, who knows, you may
even get to know your neighbour!! Landcare meeting are a great way to meet others in our
Axe Creek neighbourhood!

Financing Projects: Over the years many projects have been completed due to diligent efforts by some members in writing submissions to obtain available funding from various authorities.
Recently the Group was delighted to hear that it had received a $6000 grant from the Farm
Tree Landcare Association Communities for Nature. The project was titled Maintaining Remnant Habitats and was mainly prepared by Barry Ward. The grant has enabled the purchase
of 5000 local indigenous plants and guards. It also provides for training and promotion.

Poo Pile!
Need manure for your garden! Bags available from out the front of
125 Axe Creek Rd at $2.00 each or phone
54393144 for a trailer load at $10-$15.00 per load.

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Issue 45

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Nesting Box Report

Members of the Axe Creek Landcare Group recently completed a
project, funded through the Communities for Nature Initiative, to
put up almost 100 nesting boxes on their properties for birds and
animals, including bats and then conducted an occupancy survey of nesting boxes previously put up at Stony Crossing.
The survey was conducted using a new extension camera purchased for the purpose. Members of the group can be seen eagerly gathered around the monitor to see what the camera revealed.
It was discovered that many of the boxes had
been used and a brush-tailed possum (pictured)
was found in one of the boxes and can be seen
investigating the camera that had been inserted
into its home. The only eggs observed were located not in a nesting box but in a tree hollow.
Generally it was found that the cameras lights were not powerful enough to
adequately illuminate the interiors of the boxes and some additional lights are
being added for future use.
Birds or animals had enlarged the entrances of a couple of the boxes and, unfortunately, it was found that several had been taken over by bees and steps
are now being taken to remove them.
Overall, the Stony Crossing reserve was looking good but the discovery that
some weeds, particularly gorse, that had previously been removed were staging a comeback led to a subsequent successful working
bee by group members to remove them and other weeds
before they could spread further.
Group activities planned for
2014 include an understorey
revegetation project being
financed by another grant
from the Communities for Nature Initiative. The group meets in the evening
at the Eppalock Primary School hall on the first
Monday of each month and new members are
always welcome.

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Church News
From the Bible:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was
with God in the beginning The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace
and truth. (John 1:1-2, 14).

For Christians, Christmas remembering the time God broke into the worlds history, in Jesus
Christ. As we celebrate Christmas, we happily invite anyone to join us.
Christmas Eve (Thursday):
4pm
7.30pm

Family Church with focus on fun and kids participation.

Traditional Holy Communion Christmas Service featuring Carols and readings.

Christmas Day (Friday):

9am

Christmas Celebration (a quieter time of reflection and thankfulness).

Strathfieldsaye Community Carols: Wednesday December 10th

We are returning to the JG Edwards Oval behind Strathfieldsaye Primary School again this
year. The program will begin at 6.30pm with the BBQ running and kids activities happening
while parents get settled in and enjoy a chat. The carols will begin at 7pm, and be finished before 8pm.

126th Anniversary Celebration and De-consecration of St Stephens Emu Creek:

October 19th
The St Stephens congregation would like to thank all of the locals who came along and supported us at the final service at St Stephens. As the St Stephens site is now deconsecrated
and due to be auctioned in December, a new Anglican Mission District of Strathfieldsaye will
be created in 2015 to work in partnership with the Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church.

This ongoing partnership will be called the Strathfieldsaye Community Church, and while still
part of both the wider Anglican and Uniting Church bodies, will be more independent again,
seeking to serve the local area and grow in its own right. For more information, check out our
Facebook page The Strathfieldsaye Church or call Steve on 5439 4817.
www.facebook.com/strathfieldsayechurch

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15

Community News

email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com

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

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phone: 54392678
email: bagus_kan@yahoo.com

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Kids Corner
Christmas lanterns
Centrepieces don't have to take up the entire table or even be on the table! Why not try a
hanging centrepiece this Christmas to free up space for all that important food and conversation flow? This one is made with toilet paper rolls! Dressed up with paint and glitter, you
have to look hard to realise what they really are. Makes a
good conversation starter! Grab the kids, some painting
smocks and enjoy this Chrissy craft.

You'll need:

Paint

Toilet paper rolls

Paintbrushes

A scalpel

Glitter
Also required: pegs, fishing wire and masking tape

Step one
Clip a peg to the toilet roll for ease of painting and paint the toilet roll inside and out like we
did, contrasting solid colours on the inside and outside. You'll need to move the peg slightly
to paint the part it covers.
Step two
Still holding the peg and with the paint still wet, roll in glitter. Move the peg again to cover
the entire roll. Leave to dry.
Step three
Use your scalpel to cut the toilet roll along the natural spiral seam. Start about a centimetre
from the top and finish a centimetre from the bottom. Repeat the entire way around the roll
with the cuts one to two centimetres apart. Use both hands to manoeuvre the roll slightly so
the cut pieces bend a little, forming a lantern.
Step four
Cut or punch a hole in the top of the roll on opposite sides and thread a piece of fishing wire
through and tie.
Step five
Hang from the ceiling with white-coloured masking tape (to blend in with the paint) or tie to
a light fitting.

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