Axe Creek Eppalock Newsletter

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

Welcome to the Spring Issue

Edition 48. Spring 2015

Here we are again, celebrating the warmer weather, blossom and

flowers that are associated with Spring.
On page 4 of this issue, you will find a great piece from the Axe
Creek Fire Brigade on ensuring a fire truck can actually fit on your
property. Something I would imagine many people may not have
considered. On the same page you will read the call out for more
members to support the community with turnouts during the day. If
you think you could volunteer contact details are available so you
can learn more.
Keep flicking through the pages, and you
will see some great news from the younger
members of our community, the students at
Eppalock Primary.

Welcome

Community Notice Board

CFA News

Eppalock PS Update

Axe Creek Playgroup

Landcares Latest

Church News

Community News

Kids Corner

This publication is a community initiative and

as always, we encourage you to send your
contributions to axecreeknews@gmail.com.
Until next time,
Sam Spence

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

Fees charged help cover printing costs.

Advertising deadline for future issues:

Summer 2015

Dec 1st

Autumn 2016

Mar 4th

Winter 2016

May 30th

Spring 2016

August 29th

axecreeknews@gmail.com

Thank you to this issues

Contributors
John Wells - Axe Creek Fire
Brigade
Marie Mannes - Eppalock PS
Cathy Watson - Axe Creek
Landcare
Steve Weickhardt - Anglican
Parish

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Issue 48

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 48

CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade

SMOKE ALARMS REALLY DO SAVE LIVES
Firefighters regularly experience situations in which working smoke alarms save lives. Here is a
recent example from Lara.
CFA crews were called to a single-storey brick and weatherboard home shortly after 6am. Firefighters arrived to find the connecting area between two main buildings well alight.
A couple in their forties and sixties was woken by the sound of their smoke alarm and were
able to get out of their home, a spokesman said.
This is a real-life example of just how important it is to have a working smoke alarm.
Firefighters performed an external attack of the flames before gaining access to the home."
Six crews attended and had the fire under control within 45 minutes. Two rooms, including a
bathroom, have been extensively damaged, while much of the home received smoke damage.
There were initial fears that the man was unaccounted for but he was quickly found. He was
treated by paramedics and taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.

BUSHFIRES ARE A DANGER FOR TOWNIES, TOO

Just because you live in a township doesn't mean you are safe from bushfires. Australia has a
history of fires that penetrate well into towns or suburbs. Some examples are major fires in Hobart
(1967: 62 deaths, 1200 houses burnt), Canberra (2003: 4 deaths, 500 houses burnt), Blue Mountains (2013: 100 houses burnt), and of course the Black Saturday fire in Bendigo (2009: 1 death,
60 houses burnt).
The biggest risk is of course to houses close to bushland, but many towns have tongues of vegetation that can act as wicks for bushfire reaching far into built-up areas.
It's not hard to see the weak spots in our defences against bushfire. Houses catch alight in three
ways:
Direct flame contact, from burning material (plants, garden
furniture, rubbish etc.) close by. Therefore you should keep
bushy plants well clear of the house--especially under windows--and clear other flammable matter away before summer.
Radiant heat from intense fire further away. This is most dangerous if the house is within about 100 m of forest, which
burns much more intensely than grass.
Ember attack by wind-borne embers. These can be carried
long distances in strong winds, and are the most common
reason that houses catch fire. Small embers can enter small cavities such as spaces around windows or doors, or between the corrugations of iron roofs. If internal timber catches alight the
whole house can burn.
So, whether you live in the bush or in the town, prepare your house well in advance of the hot,
dry winds of summer! Reduce flammable material close to the house, including long grass,
bushy plants and "stuff" that can catch alight from radiant heat or embers. Seal around windows and doors, and along the ridges of corrugated iron roofs.

axecreeknews@gmail.com

Issue 48

IF YOUR PLACE IS WELL PREPARED...THE FIRE BRIGADE IS MORE LIKELY TO SAVE IT

The arithmetic is easy. Axe Creek Fire Brigade has two fire trucks. There are hundreds of houses
in the brigade area. Even with support from neighbouring brigades, and possibly strike teams
from further afield, the CFA can't defend every house in a major fire.
Local brigades have recently been considering tactics they can use during bushfires that impact on residential areas. Crews are much more likely to put most of their efforts into saving
properties that have the best chance of survivali.e. those that are best prepared. There's not
much point in trying to save a house that's overgrown with bush and surrounded by junk while
others nearby that could readily be defended are left to burn.
So now you have two reasons to prepare your property against fire: first, it's less likely to catch
fire, and second, the CFA is more likely to defend it if it's threatened. Makes sense, doesn't it?

CAN A FIRE TRUCK GET INTO YOUR PLACE (AND OUT AGAIN)?
If you need the fire brigade in a hurry you'll
want the fire truck to be able to get into
your property. But will it fit?
Some fire trucks are smaller, but some are
bignot only wide, but also high. The picture (acknowledgements to Doreen brigade) shows a typical example.
Your driveway should be at least 3.5 m
WIDE. That's where the wheels gothere
should be 4.5 m completely clear of fences, branches and buildings. We also want
space 4 m HIGH along the driveway so
the taller trucks can get in.
Before the truck turns into your gate the
driver will want to know if it can get out
again! Make sure there's plenty of clear
space for the truck to turn around near
your house. At least 16 m is needed for a
three-point turn.

WE NEED MORE DAY-TIME CREW MEMBERS!

Would you like to support the community by helping to protect it from fire? The brigade is always on the lookout for new membersold or new residents are all welcome.
Just now we need more people who can turn out to fires during the dayweekdays and Saturday afternoons (sport!) are critical times. Even if you cannot turn out at those times we'd like to
hear from you.
Although fire brigades used to be mostly men, more and more women are finding satisfying
community involvement as CFA volunteers. CFA provides initial training for new members, and
they work with expert firefighters while they learn their new skills. Later there are many opportunities for acquiring further skills. Operational members are issued with overalls, helmet, boots
etc.
Please think seriously about accepting the challenge. Contact Captain Neil Dusting (0438 147
687) or Secretary Nigel Wheadon (0428 110 158) for further information.

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Issue 48

WE INTERVIEW A NEWER BRIGADE MEMBER

In recent issues we've met some people who have had many years with CFA. This time we talk
to Brad Knight, one of the brigade's newer members.
How long have you lived in the district, and when did you join the fire brigade?
My family moved here about 5 years ago, having moved from Horsham and Melbourne prior to
that. I joined Axe Creek brigade 3 years ago, and have been an active firefighter since completing my 6 months' probationary period.
What attracted you to becoming a brigade member?
I grew up on a farm in southern NSW, in a farming community where everybody was in the fire
brigade. It was just one of those things that was expected and I had never considered not joining the local brigade once we got settled.
How did you find your training as a new brigade member?
Both the brigade training, which introduced the equipment, and the CFA recruit course, which
was more about fire behaviour and how to fight fires, were thorough, informative and engaging. However, nothing can prepare you fully for the real thing. It's working alongside experienced firefighters that brings it all together. It's not difficult once you know what to do and how
to do it.
Do you remember your first fire?
Funnily enough, it was just down the road: a fairly small grass fire near a neighbour's house. I was
one of the first people there, and attacked the flames with a leafy branch as trucks hadnt yet
arrived. With more experience now, if it happened again I'd know to stand back, size up the
situation, and be in a position to describe the situation to the truck crew when they arrived.
What are some of the other fires you have been to?
Along with a number of local fires I have travelled out of the area on a number of deployments
including strike teams to Mallee (3 days), Kilmore in early 2014, Pastoria in late 2014 and Kyneton
in 2015. In terms of local fires, being part of the crew on Axe Creek tanker in the initial attack on
the Sedgwick fire at Christmas time in 2013 is a memorable one, that fire was really going and
all involved did a great job to bring in under control so quickly.
In early 2014, I was part of a composite crew from Eppalock Group in a strike team deployed to
the Mallee. On the last night of our 3 night shifts, the strike team was preparing for a long night
ahead monitoring the fire. Accessibility was difficult in the terrain due to the sands so the two
previous nights had proved to be quite slow operationally. A few hours into the shift the strike
team leader called for volunteers to form a smaller team to move into an active part of the fire
on foot and use hand tools to work the flank of the fire to reduce its spread. We spent hours
working this fire edge on foot assisted by one DSE slip-on unit. It was the first time I had used
hand tools for an extended period and also I hadnt spent much time in forest/scrub fire situations. It was very tiring but rewarding; a surreal experience and very different to what I had imagined would be involved in being an operational volunteer.
How does your volunteer brigade work impinge on work and family life?
I run my own business and work from home, so taking time off can be a problem, but I chose to
make time to respond to emergencies. My family is very supportive. You have to remember that
in many ways the ones in yellow overalls on the back of the truck have the easy job. It's those
who provide the back-up at home and at work that deserve real thanks from the community.
Some of the more advanced training I've done in the past couple of years has had real spinoffs for my work. Skills and practices needed to manage incidents and people in emergency
services can be applied in business contexts, too.
Finally, what would you say to people who might be thinking about joining the brigade?
Don't think too hard about itjust do it! There are lots of different ways in which you might contribute to the brigade, not just as an operational firefighter. Don't make assumptions about what
brigade members have to doask people in the brigade to tell you about it.

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Issue 48

FROM THE ARCHIVES

1969 was another hot, dry summer for Victoria, and Wednesday 8 January was a particularly bad
day. Here are just a few excepts from extensive reports in the next day's newspaper.
Bendigo Advertiser, Thursday 9 January 1969
FIRES SWEEP STATE
15 PEOPLE DIE
STOCK LOST
40 HOUSES BURN
HUGE ARC OF FIRES RINGED BENDIGO
One man dead, thousands of acres of bush destroyed, houses incinerated, personal tragedy
and high costthat's the Bendigo area toll for January 8, one of the worst fire disaster days in
Victoria's history.
Throughout the Country Fire Authority's Northern Zone more than 500 fire trucks, manned by more
than 2000 men helped by scores of volunteers, combined to fight major fires at Borung, Maldon,
Derwent Gully and Kangaroo Flat, not to mention numerous other outbreaks.
Wednesday was a wicked day in Bendigo. Strong northerly winds, sand and dust squalls and
temperatures over the century made it one of the most unpleasant days in the city's history.
Easing winds had last night allowed exhausted firefighters to slow most of the fires burning in a
huge arc from 50 miles northwest to 25 miles south of Bendigo.
But the BORUNG fire which has already burnt almost 35 miles, from four miles north of Korong Vale to Borung and east towards Dingee, jumping the Loddon River and Loddon Valledy Highway,
was spreading almost at will.
At MALDON, 32 miles south of Bendigo, the fire was still burning and had spread to two fronts and
firemen were having difficulty trying to contain it.
Latest reports last night were that seven houses had been burnt and an unknown number of
sheds.
The fire had burnt from Wattle Gully south of Maldon to the railway station on the north side of
the town.
The fire which threatened HARCOURT on the Calder Highway had been contained to a degree
last night.
But police closed the highway completely for fear of falling trees and warned sightseers to keep
away.
Yesterday was a total fire ban day and if there was to be any hint of just how bad a disaster day
it would turn out to be, then a fire at Taradale at 3 a.m., which burnt out eight acres of scrub,
was the warning.
A 32-years-old man, Mr Lyle Jackson, of Crusoe Road, Kangaroo Flat, collapsed and died while
helping to fight a fire which damaged a house in in Crusoe Road owned by Mr Alf Mansfield.
It is thought that Mr Jackson, a Marong Council employee, died of a heart attack.
Mr Mansfield's house was in the path of a fire that eventually burnt more than 800 acres of bush
country. Firemen managed to keep the flames from destroying the house completely but the
roof and front room were damaged.
About 100 yards away a property owned by Mr Cliff Featherstone escaped the path of the fire
while the Bendigo Motel and other homes along the Calder Highway were also in extreme danger for a short period.

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Issue 48

Eppalock Primary School

NATIONAL TREE DAY was a wonderful success at Longlea Reserve with the Longlea Landcare Group. We had nearly as many parent and community volunteers as we did children.
We were successful in planting 240 shrubs to help increase habitat. Thanks to the many hands
who made it light work.

On Wednesday 22nd July, the Prep/Grade 1 class celebrated 100 days of School with lots
of fun activities using visual representation of 100 things.

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Issue 48

Sovereign Hill Camp

On Thursday the 16th of July Friday the 17th Grade 3, 4, 5, 6 went to camp at Sovereign Hill.
We got there by bus. We went to the Ragged School.
First of all we met Maam in the car park. We dressed up as
1850s children. The girls wore a dress, pantalettes, a pinafore, long socks, shoes, ribbons and a cloak. The teachers
dressed up too.
Day 1 We got to write on slates at the Ragged School, we
played with 1850s toys and
games and we walked around
the streets to see how people
lived. The girls got to do sewing.
When we got back into our normal clothes we went on the Red
Hill Mine Tour. We went underground and saw the Welcome Nugget. After the Red Hill Mine
Tour we went to Blood On The Southern Cross. We saw real fire
and we went on a weird train. In the show a flag pole with a flag on it fell down, the Eureka
Hotel burnt down, a cart burnt down and the police came. For dinner we had spaghetti bolognaise and bread and for dessert we had chocolate mousse.
Day 2 The next morning we got up and had breakfast. For breakfast I had Nutrigrain. We
got to write with ink and an ink pen, we went gold panning but I didnt find any gold. We got
to see gold being poured and purified. We
got to spend $10.00 and I bought a toffee apple, a little pack of lollies and 2 candles. The
girls got to be housemaids. We made butter and it tasted really good. At 3 oclock we left to
go home.
The whole thing was my favourite. It was the best.
by Bridie
On July 16th till July 17th, Grades 3-6 from Eppalock Primary School went to Sovereign Hill on
a camp. We left very early on Thursday morning and
arrived at camp about 9.00. We travelled by bus and
my dad was the driver.
When we got to camp we met Maam and she took us
into a room where we got dressed up as kids in the
1850s. I had to wear a leather apron, a shirt, knickerbockers, a woollen jumper, a neckerchief and a hat.
On the first day we wrote on slates and we
played with 1850s toys and games. We walked around
the streets seeing how people lived and worked. Some
people lived in tents and some in villages. I did flag
making with Kaden and Josh and that was fun. After school we
went down a mine. It was very dark and we saw men digging.
Then we went back to our rooms and got ready to go to tea.
We had spaghetti bolognaise and chocolate mousse for tea.
After tea we went to Blood on the Southern Cross. I liked the
fires.
The next day we got dressed up again. We wrote with pen and
ink and that was hard. We went gold panning and I found some
fake gold. I knew it was fake because it floated in the water. We
had $10 to spend after lunch and I bought a
jar with some tiny bits of gold in it. I also got a yoyo. After that
we went back to our rooms to get ready to go home. I thought
the camp was good because it was my first time on school
camp and I loved it.
by Will

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Issue 48

Mulligrubs Excursion
As part of Dental Health Week the whole school joined in educational activity sessions conducted by Latrobe University Dentistry and Oral Health students at Mulligrubs Play Centre.
The whole school went to Mulligrubs for an excursion. When we went inside and we got measured before we went into the play area. After we had a little play, then we got sorted in to
five different groups. I was in the last group that got to play first and we were lucky because
we got an extra
twenty minutes. Then we went into a room and learnt about how much sugar is in some stuff.
In the third group we went upstairs and dressed up as a dentist, a tooth fairy and patients. In
the fourth group we learnt what food you should put in your lunch box. In the last group you
got to do some colouring sheets. At the end when we left Mulligrubs, we got a show bag. I
learnt that you should brush your teeth for two minutes.
. By Reuben

On August the 5th Eppalock Primary School went to Mulligrubs, we all travelled there by bus.
We learnt about how much sugar is in the food we eat, like there are four teaspoons of sugar
in Smarties, we also played dress ups in dentist outfits and fairies and patients. We also played
on the playground
and did colour-in sheets. I was in the last group. Every person was in a group. I learnt what
plaque is.

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Issue 48

ACO (AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA) MUSIC AND ART PROGRAM

During Semester 1, Eppalock Primary School children in grades 4/5 & 6 participated in a collaborative music and art program with the ACO. They video conferenced fortnightly with Sharon Roffman in New York (an international concert violinist connected with the ACO). The children learnt various elements of orchestral music and used this information to translate the music into shapes, lines, colour and tone for their art works.
The children created art works to three classical pieces of music. They were Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven,
Six Bagatelles by Webern and The Four Seasons by Vivaldi.
This program has given the children a greater appreciation of classical music and a renewed
confidence in their own creative talents in the
visual arts. The children also chose to frame their
art works in a style they believed represented the
music they listened to. The Artwork was displayed
at an exhibition at Dudley House at the end of
August.
This project was to coincide with ACO2 performing at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo. The day of
the performance we were lucky enough to have
four members of the Orchestra come and perform for us here at Eppalock Primary. They played
a range of pieces including a piece composed
by our Grade 4/5/6 students.

ENROLMENTS 2016
Enrolments are now being taken for the 2016 school year for all grade levels.
Please contact the school if you would like an information pack
We welcome enquiries and personal school visits can be arranged.
Contact us on 5439 6366 or check out our website: eppalockps.vic.edu.au

Art Exhibition at Dudley House

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Issue 48

10

Axe Creek Community Playgroup

When
Where

Friday Mornings
9am - 10.30am
Eppalock PS Old School Building.149 Patons Road Axe Creek
(just a few minutes from Strathfieldsaye)

Playgroup is a place for you and your child to interact with other mums, dads, grandparents and caregivers and their children. Playgroup provides opportunities for play and learning. Your child will develop
new skills and gain confidence by interacting with other children. No child is too young for playgroup. All
children from 0-5 years, including babies, love new experiences and benefit from developing sensory,
social and communication skills through activities at playgroup.

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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Issue 48

11

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!

Spring at Pilchers Bridge!

Open Day will be held Saturday 26th September, at 178 Huddle Rd, Myrtle Creek (20 km South
East of Bendigo on Sutton Grange Rd).
Chris has planned a wide range of activities on the property to celebrate Spring the Bendigo
Bush!

Information from the CFA regarding Fire Preparedness

Bird Spotting and identification

Sausage sizzle lunch or BYO picnic

Guided walks around the property including the bird boxes

Plant regeneration and identification.

And MUCH MORE!

The program of activities will run from 10am until 4pm.

Fire in Our Landscape

The guest speaker at the Axe Creek Landcare Group AGM in August was Justine Leahy, who is
the CFA Biodiversity Advisor. Justine lives locally and her interesting presentation was Fire in Our
Landscape. The main topics Justine dealt with were:
Protecting your home and your family. The survivability of building and those who
occupy and shelter in them, can be significantly enhanced or endangered by the type
of plants around the building. The CFA has an excellent publication available
Landscaping for Bushfiresgarden design and plant selection. Now is the time to
contact the CFA Property Advice Service if you have concerns about your property in
relation to bushfire.

CFA Firescape ProgramThe ecological approach to bushfire prevention. When is a

controlled burn for fuel reduction warranted?

Broadside planned burning. This is when the CFA, which has jurisdiction to protect private
land, works in cooperation with DEL WP (Department of Environment, Land Water and
Planning) who have the responsibility for public land.

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Issue 48

12

Maintaining Remnant Habitats

Our project which involved Axe Creek Landcare Member being
given shrubs, small trees and grasses to plant on their properties
has progressed well. Plants were chosen by the Group that would
encourage the development of an understory, which is of major
importance in the food web.
The purchase of the plants, guards etc was funded by a much
appreciated grant from Communities for Nature. We look forward to seeing the re-establishment of the understory habitats of
a range of invertebrates, especially beetles, moths and butterflies.

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.
All proceeds to Riding for the Disabled Association.

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Issue 48

13

Church News
From the Revs Desk
Its almost cricket season can you believe it! Even though we have been cheating and
watching the Ashes in the comfort and warmth of our lounge rooms over the winter, summer is
coming and so is the local competition.
I love watching cricket even though I was less-than-average as a player. I love the smell of the
grass (early in the season) and the sound of the crack of leather on willow. I love the sight of
good, honest bowling, and the waiting of patient batting. And I love praying for the players
out on the field, in the rooms, and the administrators who make it all work.
So to all of our local cricketers, in whatever Grade, whatever club, whatever competition,
good luck in the pre-season training and stay safe through the summer. Hopefully Ill get out to
watch a few local games at Longlea, or Club Court, or Tannery Lane and offer a bit of encouragement from the sidelines well into March.

A Special Strathfieldsaye Church Celebration

On Sunday 13th September at 3pm, the Strathfieldsaye Community Church will celebrate the
new name, partnership and beginning that we embarked on at the start of 2015. Why now?
Well, we had to wait for some administrative matters to be finalised, and now we are all clear
to build on what we have been working on for the last six years.
So we encourage any and all locals to come and join us on the 13th September at the Church
(920 Wellington Street, Strathfieldsaye) at 3pm, and acknowledge the new life of the local
Church here along with key Church leaders from the Anglican Diocese and Uniting Presbytery.

Holiday Program: Super Science!

Our regular holiday program will be running on Monday 28th September to Wednesday 30th
September in the mornings. This is the second week of the school holidays, and the theme will
be Super Science! Our last program in April was cooking based and the kids had a ball, and
met the Disaster Chef. This time around we have Doctor Disaster coming along protection gear may be required!

Website
Our Church website is now live, and we hope that you will find it useful. The address is
www.strathfieldsayechurch.com.au and through it you can look up information about
activities including Holiday Program, Playgroup, Mens Breakfast, our regular Church services
and weekly goings on. You can also make contact, connect to our Facebook page
(Strathfieldsaye Community Church) and see what we have been working through in our
teaching programs.
Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you around the traps soon!
Rev. Steve Weickhardt
Minister, Strathfieldsaye Community Church

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Issue 48

14

Kids Corner
New Flag
Have you heard, New Zealand is getting a new flag? If you were to design your own flag, what
would it look like? Why not use the template below and design your own flag for Australia, Axe
Creek, Eppalock or maybe your own cubby house!
Have Mum or Dad take a photo and send it to us at axecreeknews@gmail.com

Alphabet memory
Test their memories and recall with the fun and educational learning game alphabet
memory. This is a great brain-teasing kids activity for children of all ages who love to test the
ability to remember words. Play with the whole family and see who does best!
Number of players: 2+
The first person starts with the letter A and says "A is for ---" filling in the blank with any word beginning with the letter A such as APPLE, ALPHABET, ANIMAL, etc. Let's use APPLE.
The second person then does the letter B, but must also remember what A was! So, they say
"A is for APPLE and B is for BOY".
Then, the third person starts with A and B and then adds in their suggestion for C like this "A is
for APPLE, B is for BOY and C is for CATERPILLAR" and so on.
See how far along the alphabet you can get!

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Issue 48

15

Homemade fruit leathers

Homemade fruit leathers are a great alternative to store-bought snacks that have a lot of
chemicals added. You can choose whatever fruits are in season. These are just like roll-ups.
prep: 0:20 | cook 10:00
Ingredients
5 large apples
1 punnet strawberries
1 cup water
Method

1. Peel and core the apples, slicing thinly.

2. Hull and halve the strawberries.
3. Place all fruit in a pot with the water.
Place a lid on.
4. Cook until soft and then puree with a stick blender.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Via Kidspot.com.au

Line a tray with baking paper and pour the fruit mix onto the baking tray.
Spread evenly and thinly.
Place in the oven and turn on, setting the temperature to 120C.
Prop the oven door open with a wooden spoon.

This dehydrating process can take anywhere from 2 hours to 10 hours depending on the
type of fruit and the level of moisture left in the mixture.
10. Slice and roll up in cling film to keep.

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Issue 48

16

Community News
The Strathfieldsaye Community Church has a hall available for hire for small to
medium size groups with heating, kitchen facilities and toilets all under the same roof,
and plenty of parking.
Contact details are on the sign on the front of our Church at 920 Wellington Street,
Strathfieldsaye. Please note that no alcohol is permitted.

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 Saturday 2:00 pm at 101 Carneys Rd, Eppalock.
Contact Nita or Aaron

phone: 54392678
email: aaronita94@gmail.com

email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com

axecreeknews@gmail.com

Issue 48

17

axecreeknews@gmail.com

Issue 48

18