What ’s on at the Hub of the Hills in May

Book Cafe & High Tea | Tuesday 9 May | 9am to 11am

Cancer Council Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

The program has been adopted by over 600 Rotary Clubs in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Malaysia, Canada, and the United States.

Guidelines:

1. The emphasis is on the theme: “Do it once; Do it well; Build a better Australia”

2. The Pride of Workmanship Award is designed to acknowledge an employee, irrespective of age or vocation, who, in the eyes of their employer, displays out- standing qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to their job.

3. The Award is intended to cover all aspects of work performance and ethics, inclusive of quality and quantity of output, safety, initiative, sense of responsibility, etc.

4. Pride of Workmanship is not a competition. It is a recognition of individual achievement and commitment. Local businesses are invited to submit nominations to secretary@swanrotary.org.au by 31 May 2023. Nominations forms and further guidelines are available from David Uhe (duhe@bigpond.net.au ) or 0419 904 010.

Swan Rotary - come and make a difference with us!

We meet at 7th Avenue Tavern, Midland, Mondays 6.30pm. Contact: Betty Pitcher: Mobile 0408 912 101.

High Tea, raffles and a huge selection of good quality pre-loved books for sale. All money raised will be donated to Cancer Council of WA. Come along and support this major fundraising event.

Gadgets & Gizmos | Tuesdays | 9.30am to 11.30am | Free Get help using electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

Weekly Coffee Morning | Tuesdays | 9.30am

Come and enjoy catching up with friends or meeting new friends. Free tea and coffee, home made morning tea for only $2. All welcome.

The Active Ageing Network is looking for volunteers for the weekly Coffee Morning roster. Please call Rachael on 9290 6683 if interested.

The Hub of the Hills, 8 Craig Street, Mundaring 9290 6683 cso4@mundaring.wa.gov.au | Officer present on: Tuesday 8.30am to 11.30am | Wednesday 9am to 12pm | Thursday 10am to 2pm

Darlington Dipsticks

Doris Across the Nullarbor by Darlington residents John Revill and Marie Fennell

We spent the first two weeks of our trip with Doris traveling from home across the Nullarbor Plain and through parts of South Australia and Victoria to Hawkesbury in NSW. Doris proved herself to be very economical on fuel consumption at an average 110km/hr. She was also able to tackle the shocking road conditions resulting from all the flooding in the Eastern States. The surfaces of both the major highways and minor backroads are severely damaged and hazardous to all vehicles, due to numerous large potholes and the subsequent rippling of the bitumen that results in a very bumpy ride.

Everything went according to our well planned itinerary as we took time out to visit several interesting attractions in small towns and villages along the way that proved to be a relaxing rest stop for Doris and her driver plus the navigator. The final rest stop, before reaching our ultimate destination at Kurrajong Village, was at the Hawkesbury Lookout in Yellomundee Regional Park. Here we enjoyed panoramic views across the Hawkesbury River and the Eastern Plains to the Sydney skyline on the horizon ... Doris has safely completed over 4,000km since leaving home on 25th March without a problem.

On Thursday 6th April our first job was to thoroughly wash and polish Doris before descending the steep hill from our Airbnb in Kurrajong to the Clarendon Race Course and registering her as an entrant in the Australian Street Rod Federation 25th National Show over the Easter weekend.

Doris participated in the Observation Run on the Friday (the prize for the winner was a fully built 350 Chev engine!). Joining the cavalcade of Street Rods and Custom Cars she cruised through the streets of Richmond and Windsor and we explored the surrounding countryside looking for the answers to the clues on the run sheet. The next day, Saturday, was an early start to her trip to the showground as she needed to be displayed and ready for the arrival of ‘Joe Public’ at 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Mundaring and Hills Historical Society

Hovea Falls Bridge – John Forrest National Park

John Forrest National Park is WA’s first national park and is a popular location for the local community and tourists. However, it has been a long time since any significant improvements were made to the park’s facilities. Consultation between Department of Biodiversity Culture and Attractions (DBCA), key stakeholder groups and the Whadjuk Noongar traditional owners resulted in workshops, meetings and a public survey.

Amongst the issues raised in these meetings, was the removal of the bridge over Hovea Falls in 2019. The bridge was built in 1941 to provide access over the Hovea Falls and had significant historic value to the park. When it was first removed, we were told that it would be replaced. However, MHHS has been keeping a close eye on developments, and a meeting took place on site between DBCA, MHHS and HRRA where future plans for the area were discussed. There were no plans for a bridge.

The outcome of this meeting prompted MHHS to contact the Minister for the Environment, Reece Whitby MLA (Minister for Environment and Climate Action). We received a response which included a link to a project outline which is available to view on: https://www.dbca.wa.gov. au/parks-and-wildlife-service/john-forrestnational-park-improvement-project

Fortunately, this project outline does include a bridge over the Hovea Falls.

The following issues were flagged when we were researching the reasons for the replacement of the bridge.

SAFETY ISSUES - Visitors to the park are attempting to cross at the base of the falls where the water is rushing, and the rocks are jagged and slippery. We have seen some adults carrying children on their shoulders. This is an accident waiting to happen and could be avoided if a bridge was provided.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - Damage is evident upstream from the bridge site where visitors have tramped through the riparian vegetation at a shallow section of Jane Brook.

SOCIAL VALUES - A bridge has been at this crossing for eighty years and has featured in most promotions of JFNPk. Crossing this bridge had become an integral part of the John Forrest National Park experience.

General Meeting Saturday 17th June

2pm Boya Community Hall

Cnr Scott and Clayton Rds Boya

Followed by Guest Speaker – Rob Borsje

‘Birth of a Town’

Afternoon Tea for a gold coin donation

Ph: 9295 0540 | E: mhhs@mundaringhistory.org