July 4, 2022 Issue 257 Dear Fay
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
2 About Us
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Front cover: Fay Hungerford passed away in May this year after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease more than 15 years ago. Journalist Narelle Groenhout spent an afternoon chatting with Fay's husband John, and after tears and tea, came away a friend. She also heard about Fay's acting and singing abilities - with our front cover featuring Fay in the musicial Kismet. Read Narelle's story oppposite. Image: Contributed
The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
July 4, 2022 Issue 257 Dear Fay
The next edition is out on Monday, July 18, 2022. Or online on Sunday, July 17 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, July 13 Copy deadline: Thursday, July 14 Editorial deadline: Thursday, July 14 Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Sub-editors | Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.
Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout & Donna Kelly
The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a director.
Photographers | Kyle Barnes, David White & Louise Gay Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness
Want to support local, quality journalism? Donate by scanning the QR code.
Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (gigs), Matthew Richardson (money), Jennifer Hart (horoscopes) and Jen Clarke (recipes).
The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.tlnews.com.au We welcome all feedback.
Accounts | Julie Hanson
Delivery | Tony Sawrey
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Vale 3
A tribute to ‘Dear Fay’
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HEN well-known and much-loved local John Hungerford started sharing Facebook posts about his beautiful wife ‘Dear Fay’, he never expected the outpouring of emotions from friends and strangers alike.
John and Fay were well known in the Newlyn and wider district with Newlyn Antiques and Nursery and their shared love of people. When Fay was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than 15 years ago John knew she would fight with grace and gusto and she didn’t let him down. A move to Campbell’s Creek enabled them to embrace a new community but Fay’s eventual move into Ellery House in Castlemaine was a time of great sadness for John. But it didn’t stop him writing a journal every day about the time they spent together, the new memories being made and the hardship of life during Covid when visits were rare. His journal became his comfort and when he decided to share it with family, friends and strangers on social media, he inadvertently touched the lives of so many. Recounting an outing during a break in lockdown restrictions John remembered the joy Fay felt when visiting her favourite shop in the world and the café where in John’s words she was ‘once again the leading lady’. She relished the love. John relished the joy of her happiness. One post talks about a visit home to their cottage where Fay was quite concerned whether the bath mat had indeed been hung up. It had. Or the beautiful goodbyes that were part of their life together. John would say ‘toodaloo’ and Fay would reply with ‘yodelayheehoo’. “I knew when she might have been a bit upset with me because on those occasions there was no yodelling. When I would leave Ellery House we would always end with our song to each other,” he said. Fay sadly passed away in May this year, and through tears and tea, an afternoon spent with John was nothing short of a privilege. I was one of the strangers who took great comfort in reading John’s posts. In the beginning I thought I was intruding on his space thinking he meant the posts for family and friends. But he has embraced social media from its inception and was hoping his posts would be read by those near and far, highlighting his love and devotion to Fay and determined to shine a light on Fay, her gift of giving (literally…’she would give everything away if she could have’) her singing and acting talents and her life devoted to others. Her childhood friend Yvonne, who died a year before Fay, was the one who encouraged and inspired her to sing and act. Fay was shy. But somehow the stage became her refuge and John even recalls a time when Fay was asked to tour England following years of theatre productions. “She was exceptionally talented and was the most beautiful singer. But if she had toured, I would have never met her.” John and Fay had both been married previously and when they got together their lives began with four children between them. But while you’d expect this true love story to begin with love at first sight it didn’t happen that way. “I was at a conference staying with my sister. I’m not sure if she was bored with my company but she suggested she invite her friend over for dinner,” he said. “Fay and I got on well but the next day she told me off for not walking her the one block home. As friends we spoke every day and then a few months after during a phone conversation Fay inadvertently proposed to me. We married within a year and not one day has gone by where I haven’t been by her side or spoken to her on the phone. “Her calmness was inspirational. She would often say ‘keep calm, John’ and in our entire relationship I had only ever see her angry once. She had fallen in the kitchen. A dear friend and neighbour was there and I believe she saved Fay’s life before the ambulance arrived.
“Two lovely ambulance drivers arrived and Fay was not happy to be going to hospital. And she made it very clear how she felt. It was the only time I have ever seen her truly angry.” The couple were both social workers in Melbourne and when John resigned he took up furniture restoration. There was a little antique store they would visit and one day he saw an ad in the paper for an antique store for sale. It turned out to be the same store and they bought it. “Fay always wanted to move to the country so when the opportunity arose to move to Newlyn we jumped at it. We eventually established a nursery in Newlyn and the staff we employed part-time became lifelong friends.” Despite years devoted to each other and years of memories made, there is one that John remembers every day. “We were invited to my sister’s for Christmas lunch a few years back and I wasn’t sure how Fay would cope. Her body was tired. When the younger generation gathered around her, interested in her singing and acting, none of us were prepared for what happened next. Fay amazingly started singing Over the Rainbow. With her exhausted mind and body, she found the strength to sing Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again. It was moving. This was her last performance and to she chose those songs.” Fay would be delighted to know John is remembering to hang up the bath mat and not having too many ‘visitors’ which was Fay’s code for female callers! And while John has a lifetime of his own stories and adventures he is writing about and the life he shared with Fay, he will continue to share posts in honour of Fay and their love. For now, he is planning a solo trip to Queensland to visit family. He is happy to drive alone knowing his beloved ‘Dear Fay’ is by his side and the opportunity to be at one with his thoughts and memories that will inspire him to go on writing his Dear Fay posts and his own life stories. I arrived at John’s cottage as a stranger connected by heartfelt posts that inspired and moved me - I left his home a friend.
Words: Narelle Groenhout | Image: Contributed
4 Festivals
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The sound of winter finally arrives in 2022
F
INALLY, after two cancellations due to, ahem, unforeseen circumstances, Winter Sounds is set to nourish the souls of music lovers of the shire and beyond.
Winter Sounds takes place at various venues from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17 with the event a weekend of intimate performances taking place across Daylesford and the surrounding areas. The all-new winter music event takes over some of the region's heritage venues with shows featuring C.W. Stoneking, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Blake Scott, Freya Josephine Hollick and The Luke Sinclair Set. Produced by the team behind the Riverboats Music Festival in Echuca, Winter Sounds kicks off on Friday with soul band Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and support from Fenn Wilson at the Daylesford Uniting Church. Festival director David Frazer says that each of the five performance spaces – a charming mix of old churches and Gold Rush-era halls - will offer audiences a chance to be transported to a different time and place for a set of intimate and extraordinary musical experiences. "Visiting Daylesford during winter is one of the great Australian pilgrimages, and it really is the best time of the year to enjoy this magical part of regional Victoria. "Winter Sounds will bring some of Australia’s best-loved performers to Daylesford and surrounding hills while drawing attention to some of the region’s most beautiful and sometimes forgotten heritage buildings. With this unique combination of talent and atmosphere, we’re hoping to deliver a really special set of experiences for our audiences." On Saturday, rockers Cash Savage & The Last Drinks will play a matinee performance at the 100-year-old Bullarto Village Hall with support from The Peep Tempel’s Blake Scott while Saturday evening will see bluesman C.W. Stoneking take to the Daylesford Town Hall stage supported by Harmony Byrne. On Sunday, Melbourne alt-country band with ex-Raised By Eagles frontman in The Luke Sinclair Set will perform at the Glenlyon Town Hall with Freya Josephine Hollick. The series will culminate with an afternoon performance by high energy seven-piece soul-jazz ensemble Jazz Party at The Palais-Hepburn. Winter Sounds - a welcome addition to the music calendar.
Clockwise from top, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Blake Scott and Freya Josephine Hollick
Words: Darren Lowe | Images: Contributed
15 - 17 JULY 2022
DAYLESFORD
C.W. STONEKING. EMMA DONOVAN & THE PUTBACKS. CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS. BLAKE SCOTT (THE PEEP TEMPEL). JAZZ PARTY. FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK. THE LUKE SINCLAIR SET. HARMONY BYRNE. FENN WILSON. PERFORMING IN THE CHURCHES, VILLAGE HALLS AND ART DECO THEATRES OF DAYLESFORD & THE SURROUNDING HILLS - FROM THE TEAM BEHIND THE RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL
WWW.WINTERSOUNDS.COM.AU
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News 5
Hepburn Matters
H
EPBURN Matters, a community advocacy group, was launched at the Daylesford Town Hall on June 22 in front of more than 100 people.
The evening started with a performance by Lyall Brooks of A Prudent Man, a production by local theatre production company, Lab Kelpie, under the leadership of Adam Fawcett. Community stalwart Warren Maloney, pictured, then told the crowd that on hearing the completion of The Rex, a Daylesford-based Hepburn Shire Council hub had been voted against by councillors, "we felt more than lost - we felt hopeless in the face of silent bureaucracy and distant politics". "A few of us started to meet and more joined and we began to identify the need to encourage the bureaucracy and the politicians to Rethink the Rex – to realise that closure was not the only outcome, and well may be the least desirable outcome for the future of our community. Mr Maloney said from those meetings, the need for a new community advocacy group was realised. "We identified five essential elements that must not be lost in either the re-design or the sale of The Rex Theatre: "Heritage. We cannot lose the external and internal heritage architectural elements of this 95-year-old iconic building in our main street; "Cinema. We cannot lose our community cinema – an outstandingly successful and rewarding community asset; "Community spaces. We cannot accept the loss of the planned and promised spaces that would have allowed showcasing of our art and products, and underpinned community meetings and performances;
"Public toilets. Our community, our visitors, our families, and particularly our aged depended heavily on The Rex public toilets. We were promised their priority in returning; and "Our library. Neglected for over 25 years, we need to have our library’s future as a prime target of our community assets and community vision and community priorities."
Words & main image: Donna Kelly
Little Gallery reaches double digits
T
HIS year marks the 10th anniversary of the Little Gallery, which was originally established as an artist collective in 2010.
Join us opening night for our 10th anniversary celebrations July 15 th 5.30 to 7.30 Celebrating renowned artists
One of the founding artists, Rose Wilson, who has been with the gallery for the duration says the gallery has grown from strength to strength and housed the works of well over 200 regional artists since it was established. "The Little Gallery is a privately run artist space but it also supports other local creatives, by hosting group exhibitions and showcasing numerous consignment artists and guest artists to exhibit throughout the year. "The Winter Group show and Christmas shows are all about bringing the art community together and sharing it with the region." Trentham’s Little Gallery 2022 Winter Show opens Friday, July 15 and has become a popular event, highly anticipated by locals, art lovers and collectors. "The majority of the guest artists in the Winter Show have not exhibited at Little Gallery before so patrons of the gallery will see something completely different from previous shows and will be very impressed with the diversity of art exhibiting. "The artists in this year's show have a plethora of awards and accolades due to their high standard of excellence in their chosen medium, so this is a perfect opportunity to buy an investment piece or just own a beautiful piece of original art." The show will feature prominent local names including Julie Chandler, Philip Edwards, Sylvia Hollis, George Lianos, Jo Linsdell, Gabrielle Martin, Akiko Nagino, Alison Parkinson, Marina Pribaz, Mike Rutherford, Taka Sugawara, Kirsty Williams and Peter Young. The show will also include works by the Little Gallery collective Helen Cottle, Larissa Gray, Kim Haughie, Ri Van Veen and Rose Wilson. On the back of every exhibition the Little Gallery has, over the years, always donated to various charities as its way of giving back to a community that has been a massive support over the past 10 years. Apart from The Little Gallery donating the commission on all sold works, the gallery collective artists will each donate a piece of artwork alongside donations from local businesses for an art raffle. This year proceeds will go to the Trentham Primary School with previous recipients including The Path of the Horse and the Quarry Street Reserve. The 2022 Winter Show officially opens on Friday, July 15 at 5.30pm to celebrate the 10th anniversary and everyone is welcome. The exhibition will run until August 8. Gallery hours are 10am to 4pm from Thursday to Monday.
Link: www.trenthamlittlegallery.com
6 Ageing well
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Time to talk about ageing with Attitude
C
LUNES is a place of firsts. First gold town. First Book Town and now the first country town to tackle the issue of ageing well in the community by bringing the conversation right to its own door.
On Friday, October 28, the Clunes community will host a one-day conference featuring some of the country’s leading experts in positive ageing. Globally the 60+ generation has been actively questioning what it means to age well, and what role community life can play to ensure that people live full and active lives. "This one-day conversation is designed to address those questions head on," Clunes Neighbourhood House manager Lana de Kort said. The neighbourhood house is helping the community run the conference. “The conference includes a powerful line-up of speakers, designed to make sure that Australia’s vital ageing well conversation gets louder and has attitude. The issues impacting on ageing well will be articulated, unpacked and reinvented so that together, we can work out what is possible to help people age well in their own community. “Clunes has a way of tackling issues head on. So it’s no surprise that our community has swiftly made this conversation a priority.” The conference is being run by a group, some pictured, of more than 60 locals who during the pandemic responded to the closure of the Clunes Senior Citizens Club by forming a new group focused on ageing well. Since 2019 Attitude has held more than 420 different activities, all led by the community and supported by Clunes Neighbourhood House. “Attitude have taken a blue sky approach to ageing well. They’ve developed an approach that doesn’t get bogged down with administration, but at the same time reflects the key attributes identified in the Commissioner of Seniors Gerard Mansour's report: Ageing Well in a Changing World.
“It’s a great model that could be replicated in many communities and is a perfect example of what the Commissioner Gerard Mansour will be speaking about when he talks at the conference. “The conference is ideal for those shaping policy and working in the ageing industry or for individuals keen to make sure they are on top of the issues that will make ageing well a reality for each of us in our own communities.” To book earlybird tickets for the Talking Ageing with Attitude Conference visit www.talkingageingwithattitude.org
Free Independent Pathways and Living Skills (I-Pals) Program commencing soon at Creswick Neighbourhood House
The Independent Pathways and Living Skills (I-PaLS) Program is designed to bring people with a disability together to build skills, confidence and independence. Run in a fun and supportive environment the program encourages participants to share, learn and grow whilst making new connections and friendships.
The program covers such areas as interpersonal and social skills, the role of emergency services to assist and protect you, understanding your human rights including legal rights, renters’ rights and your rights around health and mental wellbeing, connecting to your community through working and volunteering and support with finances and debt. All people with any type of disability who are 18 or older are welcome to join this free program. NDIS funding is not required. Our I-PaLS program is commencing Thursday, 21st July 2022 at Creswick Neighbourhood House. Participation is FREE and all resources are supplied at no cost to participants. For further information or to make a referral to participate in the program either contact FREECALL 1800 552 272 or email admin@grampiansadvocacy.org.au.
HANGING ROCK CRAFT AND FOOD MARKET
9am to 2pm More than a picnic at Hanging Rock
Saturday October 29th Melbourne Cup Weekend
Saturday December 10th visit www.craftmarkets.com.au for more info
Christmas shopping at Hanging Rock Enjoy a magical Christmas shopping experience on Melbourne Cup weekend, at our Hanging Rock Market, on Saturday, October 29.
We’re not talking the full Miranda – just a beautiful day out in one of Central Victoria’s most iconic – and mysterious – locations or make a weekend of it staying at one of the many beautiful accommodation offerings this picturesque region has to offer. We promise you’ll have a fabulous time, admiring and buying from some of Victoria’s best makers, creators, growers and producers. This market is usually a little different, with stallholders you may not have met yet. Many come from Central Victoria to wow us with their creative and beautiful designs, drawing inspiration from the environment, using natural fibres and materials in their pieces. All are Australian-made or designed, handmade and home grown – and they can’t wait to see you! Stock up on unique Christmas gifts or spoil yourself with something new for the upcoming season. Once the market wraps up, retrace the steps of those famous schoolgirls with your own trek up Hanging Rock – the scenery is impressive, and at the peak, the view is well worth the walk. We’ll see you on Cup Weekend, Saturday, October 29 from 9am to 2pm at the famous Hanging Rock Reserve, South Rock Road, Woodend. Bring cash and please note, reception at Hanging Rock can be limited. Standard entry fees apply. We’ll be back - so here are some more dates to add to your diary - December 10 and March 18. New stallholders welcome to apply - https://www.craftmarkets.com.au/apply Advertorial
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News 9
Saving the planet one cup of coffee at a time
O
RGANIC waste generated from the cafe trade is very large. Although people may not realise it as they sip on their morning latte or fresh juice, the average cafe can easily generate over 80 kilos of organic waste a week.
So, in hospitality towns, like Daylesford with more than 30 cafes and restaurants operating, that can translate to over 125 tonnes off to local landfill every year. In the capital cities there are businesses that have emerged to collect and forward the material to community gardens and farmers. It was only a matter of time before such a service became available in our region. In order to "save the planet one cup of coffee at a time", Eliza Whitburn-Weber, director of fledgling business GroundUp Coffee Recyclers, offers the hospitality industry something simple and sustainable. A means to reuse their coffee grounds and kitchen scraps by collecting and forwarding them on to local small scale and regenerative producers to consolidate food miles and reduce the cycle from coffee cup to farm and back again. Eliza said the initiative came about when she owned a cafe in Melbourne and worked with a company that did the same thing. "They used to take all the coffee grounds to community gardens and we always thought it was a great business model. When we moved to Ballarat two years ago we saw there was a huge gap in the market doing the same thing here. "Since launching in July 2021 we have diverted over 40,000 kilos of used coffee grounds and kitchen scraps from landfill thanks to our wonderful resource partners. These resources have gone to our resource recipients to be composted and used on their farms." At the present time GroundUp has 13 partners and are about to team up with Stockland Shopping Centre in Wendouree. But GroundUp also wants to extend their service into the Daylesford area, visiting once a week to collect organic cafe waste, distributing it to nearby growers. The important thing at this time is to make potential partners and recipients aware that this service is going to be available. As part of GroundUp’s philosophy regarding the reduction of food miles, the goal is to distribute the material within the same area. "I have had a couple of people reach out from Daylesford and with Ballarat now up and running there is no reason why we couldn’t do our collections in Daylesford as well. There are also a few local producers who have indicated that they'd really like to be a part of this program, receiving what is collected." Coffee grounds are high in potassium and nitrogen and while fresh ground coffee is quite acidic, used grounds, especially if washed, will not adversely lower PH levels the lower the PH the more acidic your soil is. When mixed with other organic matter including sawdust, manure or garden waste it can also encourage beneficial micro-organisms and attract worms. In other words coffee waste can help create a fantastic compost mix for large and small growing operations: something which the Central Highlands has in abundance. “It is exciting to see how much we have diverted so far and it is just the tip of the iceberg,”says Eliza. “We are in this unique position in a regional area where the community can benefit from the program we offer. We are just closing the loop basically.”
"Since launching in July 2021 we have diverted over 40,000 kilos of used coffee grounds and kitchen scraps from landfill thanks to our wonderful resource partners." - Eliza Whitburn-Weber
Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: Melissa Brennan
THE HELLEBORE SPECIALISTS
p OS t office farm NURSERY
Open to the public every Sunday in July, August and September
June 6, 2022 Issue 255 Big Rainbow Race 10 News
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Your say...
Just briefly... Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas is Victoria’s new Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services.
She was formerly Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development. Ms Thomas takes over from Martin Foley, who recently resigned after leading the health sector through the pandemic.
Hepburn Shire residents and businesses can now have their say about community batteries.
The Community Sparks project is assessing potential models and sites for community batteries in the shire, with this survey seeking to capture local priorities and concerns regarding the technology. It is led by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, in partnership with Hepburn Energy and the Hepburn Shire Council.
Link: www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/community-sparks Hepburn Shire Council has launched its new website, offering users a more streamlined and intuitive online experience.
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Big Rainbow
An article in a recent issue of The Local (Edition 255) is about the vote regarding the Big Rainbow, and is really testing our tolerance.
The link they send to us for voting purposes is very discriminating. There is no section where we can vote against any or all of the nominated sites. So as to not have the rainbow in our particular town we have to penalise some other country town by voting for them. The long-term locals have no say in the matter. And if you think of it, as one person suggested to me, if we can’t vote to not have this rainbow, and we vote for another location listed, that town might just be doing the same to us because they don’t want to spoil the uniqueness of their town. I’m sure they wouldn’t appreciate us doing it to them, as we wouldn’t appreciate them doing it to us. Of course there has to be change but not a complete takeover of all that made this area somewhere special for everyone to visit, especially families. I have no hang-ups about people being accepted as being different. I’m a different kind of different myself being 80 per cent (plus) ancient celt with all the abilities that come with having that distinction. We are in a minority nowadays. I wasn’t asked if I wanted to have the symbol prominently placed that would discriminate against those who want to maintain the uniqueness of being country. Those growing up in the confusing time of change, when we immigrants from the 1980s came to the area, are caught between two worlds and their history will be obliterated if it isn’t recorded and made significant now. It’s all very well to be acknowledged as being tolerate of all types of people, and also progressing into a different type of town, but to lose our identity because of the majority is like comparing what our ancestors did to the First Nations people when we first colonised this country. They are fighting back and succeeding. We shouldn’t have to struggle to have our local history maintained as there is room enough for all. As for the rainbow there is already one in a town not that far away so we don’t have to be a copy-cat.
- Yvonne Fix, Musk
Ed's note: Voting for the Big Rainbow ended on June 30. At the time of going to print it was not known which town - Daylesford, Katherine, Hay or Broome - was the winner. Letters to the editor are always welcome. Please head to www.tlnews.com.au, register and upload your letter.
Council CEO Bradley Thomas said the new site was redeveloped in response to feedback received during the Hepburn Together project, with the aim of making it as userfriendly as possible. “We invite the community to take a look at the site and let us know what they think. The search function works really well, so I’d encourage everyone to jump on the site, search for something to do with council and see how you go.”
Link: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au
Nominations are open for Victorian Senior of the Year.
For more than 20 years, the awards have highlighted the role of seniors who inspire others as mentors, educators, role models, leaders – as well as their impact in supporting diverse causes and communities across the state. Nominations close on Friday, July 29.
Link: www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards
Trentham Rural Australians for Refugees, with sponsorship from the Community Bank Trentham & Districts, worked with Trentham District Primary School principal Arthur Lane, to bring Refugee Week celebrations into the school.
The school celebrated with the Rhythm of Life African Drumming group and a visit from Rebecca Wour from SisterWorks in Bendigo, pictured with Karen Williams from Trentham Rural Australians for Refugees, who came along to share stories about her life in Southern Sudan as a child. The school also received a donation of books about refugee stories. Link: Facebook @RARtrentham.
Hepburn Shire Council invites the community to get together this NAIDOC Week from Sunday, July 3 to Sunday, July 10. Council is hosting two free film screenings. Satellite Boy will be screened at the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre on July 6. Tickets: amillar@hepburn.vic.gov.au or 0477 970 828. A second screening will be held at the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre on July 7. Bookings: www.trenthamnc.org The theme for NAIDOC Week 2022 is Get up, Stand up, Show up.
Link: Details: www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/reconciliation Maldon’s Porcupine Village tourist attraction will create more than 100 jobs and attract more visitors to the Central Goldfields region.
The state government is investing $1.7 towards restoration works and new accommodation, bringing Maldon’s gold rush history to life for visitors. The restoration includes the school, blacksmith and lolly shop. The new accommodation includes glamping tents and safari-style cabins. The project will also feature a native wildlife sanctuary.
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Health 11
The sick state of our health system Exclusive
A
CROSS the country, a medical crisis seems to have erupted. Some rural hospitals have become so short of staff the military has been called in. In the cities, reports abound of lines of ambulances and crowded waiting rooms.
Planning experts highlight the absence of health care when new suburbs are on the drawing board, but away from the cities the system seems little better. This comes when the state government talks of “ensuring people living in rural and regional areas have access to the world-class care they deserve close to home...” announcing $300 million over four years to upgrade vital health infrastructure. Described as the largest health grants program in Victoria’s history, this plan aims to provide resources needed for upgrading. But will it be enough and in time? Health workers, who tell of a crisis now, decided to talk anonymously to The Local. From their accounts these case histories have been compiled. They combine to throw a disturbing light on the system. The Local put these case histories to the new Victorian Health Department for comment and followed up with a further request but after a week there was no response. The information was then sent to new state Health and Ambulance Services Minister, and Macedon MP, Mary-Anne Thomas' parliamentary staff but no response was received by press time. Here are the accounts from the frontline of health care: A 34-year-old man had medical imaging and other investigations for chest problems. By coincidence, a couple of tumours were discovered in his left lung. He is a non-smoker. An urgent referral was sent to the regional cancer centre for further investigation, including a tissue biopsy (requiring general anaesthetic) to try to find the nature of the tumours and how aggressive they were. But a fortnight after the referral was sent, he had heard nothing from the hospital. When he called, the hospital was so inundated with a backlog of emergencies, it registered getting the referral but was still unable to provide an appointment for his urgent procedure. Anyone with experience of a possible cancer diagnosis will appreciate the insomnia and anxiety caused by such a wait. A patient needs a (public) hip replacement. The earliest that could be found was two years for an initial consultation followed by another 18 months to two years for surgery. Another major facility said it wouldn’t be inside five years. A GP must refer a patient for assessment of adult autism. After lengthy investigations across the state, the average waiting period for an appropriately trained psychiatrist is found to be two years. A woman with a complex medical history and symptoms is told she will need to pay about $235 for an echocardiogram because she had one within the last 24 months. Medicare now only rebates one echocardiogram per patient every 24 months, unless it is referred by a cardiologist. The patient cannot afford the test and the GP must review the line of investigations. The best solution is to send her to a cardiologist in order to avoid the fee. The patient is worried about the cost of the cardiologist and how long she must await an appointment. After waiting for three hours, a patient with top-level private health insurance goes by ambulance to a private hospital near the city’s public hospital. As her ambulance pulls up to admit her, she counts nine ambulances in a queue waiting to admit patients into the public hospital. In the early hours of the morning a dog walker meets another in a public park. He has just completed an exhausting overnight shift as an ambulance officer, but before he leaves to go home, he is asked if it’s possible for him to keep working (backto-back shifts) because of overwhelming demand. An elderly patient needs a VicRoads driving assessment because his licence is due to expire in four months. A referral is sent by post to the nearest occupational therapist registered as a VicRoads driving assessor. When there is no response, the patient’s carer calls and, despite leaving contact details on message bank, the calls are not returned. Another letter is sent, with a reminder of the expiry date of the licence. Another month passes. Eventually, the medical centre involved calls the occupational therapist and leaves several messages over a number of days asking for a return call. There is no response. The medical centre calls reception and is asked to be put through directly.
Finally, after three letters and many phone calls by the patient, the patient’s carer and the medical centre, the advice is to apply for an extension to the license expiry because the assessment will not be completed within the four month deadline. Patients wanting to see their regular GP are now having to wait an average three to four weeks, often longer. There are very few GP clinics within the regions of Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine and surrounds able to take new patients. And yet the population is expanding at a rate of knots. It is hard to keep up with the increased density of traffic and the availability of other service industries now needed in the community. On many days pathology services have been unavailable in some medical centres because of staff shortages due to Covid. Almost all medical services have a recorded message when telephoned, saying: “We are experiencing a high number of calls at this time, your call is important to us, please hold the line” because staff are on sick leave with Covid. Waiting times are extended. This clogs the system down the line. Staff shortages mean that some pathology laboratories are taking three times longer than usual to diagnose skin biopsy samples, some of which may be cancerous. From these front-line anecdotes and other reports it is hard to think anything other than that our health system is sick and needs urgent attention
Words: Kevin Childs The Local will always be a free read but if you want to support local, quality journalism you can donate by scanning the QR code.
12 Horoscopes
Horoscopes
www.tlnews.com.au
with Jennifer Hart July 4-July 18
Aries: It’s time to kick off some financial plans, you have the drive and energy to get something going this month. Traditionally Mars wants to go full speed ahead and can be a flash in the pan situation but in the sign of Taurus might offer longer-term prospects. Taurus: Mars is giving you a nudge, and we know that you don’t like to be rushed! A nice energy boost that can give you some extra motivation, help you kick some goals or at least set some. This revving of the engines can be helpful if you are looking to do some exercise and blow off steam. Gemini: July can be illuminating for you, a revealing and helpful time if you’re ready to face your fears, scrutinise what’s holding you back and decide what you want from life. Your financial picture is looking rosier with business opportunities or new ventures in your purview. Cancer: Opportunities to take on leadership roles within groups you are associated with may present themselves to you. An excellent time to initiate a longterm project that you might previously have viewed as being too much, but you're full of courage and motivation now. Leo: Mars is coming in to help you with your career path, to give some motivation. You might be more passionate about what you do or more inclined to act on ideas. On the personal side, your mind is being turned inward to reflect before the Leo birthday season rolls around. Virgo: You’re keen to start sharing ideas with friends or groups within your community. Being out in the public eye isn’t your happy place, but you have so much to offer others with your knack for discernment and zeroing in on what is of quality. Now is the time to share your insights with the world. Libra: You’re able to collaborate with others to create more stable resources for yourself. Perhaps some grant money or even inheritance turns up to help you out. Be mindful of the horse that you hitch your wagon to, you don’t want to wind up giving your power away to someone else.
Scorpio: This month sees you more passionate within relationships. The caution is that you might be so passionate that you’re argumentative, like it’s my way or the highway kind of attitude. If you aren’t attached, you might feel more motivated on your quest for love. Sagittarius: Motivations around health routines, and your wellness gets a boost this month. Look to what you might need to cut out or shift, or even a practitioner that you are ready to let go of who is no longer giving you the value that you are looking for long-term. Capricorn: There’s a focus on relationships and the conversations you have with your better half. Emotions could be running high, you might feel that you aren’t being heard, or it could be that you’re the one not listening. Keeping an open mind can be key to smoothing any relationship wrinkles. Aquarius: Energetic Mars is indicating a change around your home, maybe you’re moving house, or thinking about renovations where you’re currently living. A hive of activity in some capacity around home and family life is bound to take place this month. Pisces: You might be more upfront and assertive with your communication style this month, not the best for diplomacy but great for expressing what you want. Deals and negotiations are on the table, especially if you’re buying or selling vehicles or property. A great time when you’re more direct, less likely to be a pushover.
Until next time, Jennifer Hart For your full horoscope reading head to www.jhartastro.com or www.tlnews.com.au
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SUE’S PLACE
Dr. Susanne M. Heringslake Chiropractor Moments To Ponder a little gift from me to you
Venie Poetry Prize The 2022 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize, in partnership with Rabbit, a journal for nonfiction poetry, has been launched.
Judges are Georgina Wood, a poet and environmentalist living on Worimi and Awabakal land, in Muloobinba/ Newcastle, and Joel Davison, a Gadigal and Dunghutti poet, technologist and sustainable fashion entrepreneur. Venie Holmgren started to write poetry in her late 50s and published her first anthology, The Sun Collection for the Planet in 1989, becoming a poetry best seller. At the same time, she applied her environmental activist skills and commitment to the campaign to save native forests near her home on the far south coast of NSW, where she was arrested twice for obstructing log trucks. After 16 years of solo self-reliant living she moved to the local town of Pambula where she penned her travel memoir, several more books of poetry and travelled widely as a performance poet. In 2010 Venie moved to Hepburn where she wrote her last poetry collection, The Tea House Poems. In January 2016, Venie "caught the bus" at the age of 93. The main prize is $1000 and entries close on Wednesday, August 10. The winner will be announced at the Words in Winter festival in Daylesford on Sunday, August 28.
Sometimes, the only place of peace, is deep within. Can be a bit tricky at times getting there, but when I do,
PEACE
Link: www.holmgren.com.au
For all enquiries and to book appointments, please contact: Dr Susanne M Heringslake Chiropractor Mobile: 0407 301 352
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Winter Warmer Buy one 700ml bottle of Sweet Jennifer Gin & receive another 700ml Sweet Jennifer Gin HALF PRICE!
Offer ends 31st July or until sold out. (RRP $85 each)
Join us for tastings and sales. Cellar door open every day 10am-5pm.
www.herballoreliqueurs.com 2 Railway Crescent, Daylesford (03) 5348 1920
14 Out & About
France's national day FRANCE'S national day celebrations will be presented by the Daylesford Community Brass Band and U3A Hepburn Shire’s Le Cercle Français.
On Thursday, July 14, the band and solo performers will entertain with French music and songs in the Daylesford Town Hall. Come at 6.30 for a 7pm start. BYO food, drink, crockery, cutlery and glasses. Make up a table of 10 or join one and make new friends. Wear something French. There are plenty of raffle prizes along with prizes for best table and best costumes. Tickets are $25 and bookings are essential with Janet Quilty on 0419 134 136 or quilrobe@bigpond.com Proceeds go to the band for new instruments. The band’s major sponsor is the Bendigo Bank – Daylesford District.
Pizzeria
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Restaurants, Bakers, Butchers, Cafe’s, Local vineyards, Distillers, Brewers and of course each other.
Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply. Delivery times are Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm. We accept credit cards over the phone or we have an on-board eftpos machine. You will need to be at home for the delivery with proof of age if asked by the driver. Give the Foxxy team a call on 5348 3577. Keep safe, everyone.
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Sport 15
Upgrades for Hepburn Springs Golf Club
H
EPBURN Springs Golf Club is among eight regional clubs across Victoria to receive major upgrades from state government funding.
Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence, visited the club last Tuesday, June 28 and announced the state government was investing over $400,000 in the eight clubs through the Golf Infrastructure Fund. Ms Spence said the program was about supporting the growth of golf and encouraging more people regardless of their age or skill level to play and enjoy the sport. “It’s all about giving our community clubs even stronger foundations so more people can have a swing and the future of the game is even brighter at a local level.” At Hepburn Springs Golf Club the project consisted of new double-glazed windows and blinds, an all-abilities toilet and male and female change and toilet facilities. Access ramps to the front and rear were also constructed. The funding for the project provided by the state government was $157,000 with the club contributing $19,000 which covered additional items such as vinyl flooring, extra insulation and sundry project costs. Along with club members, other guests at the opening included the Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie, and Birch Ward councillors Cr Lesley Hewitt and Cr Jen Bray. Club president Barry Files thanked all those who had played a part in achieving the result of modernising the clubhouse and making it more attractive to members and visitors. Ms Spence added that the state government was very pleased to be in partnership with the golf club especially as it had made not only a financial commitment but also provided many hours of volunteer work in demolition, painting and concreting to extend the reach of the funding. The golf club is keen to attract new members or anyone wanting to take up golf. The clubhouse has a well-stocked bar and is available for functions.
To contact the club call 0401 128 964. Link: www.hepburngolf.com.au
Pictured at the launch of the project, from left, Cr Jen Bray, Hepburn Springs Golf Club president Barry Files, Cr Lesley Hewitt, Mayor Cr Tim Drylie and Sports Minister Ros Spence
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY SPORT
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Looking back Plan adopted Artist funding
B
ACK in September 2013, Glenlyon Anglican Church held a wonderful Blessing of the Pets service, above.
Father Andrew Eaton met with a 20-strong crowd with their beloved pets - all canines on the day. He sat, in his robes, face-to-face with each dog and offered them the Blessing of the Lord and a dab of sanctified water. Father Andrew said the Blessing of the Pets was a way the community could give back to their best friends. "Pets instill in us wonder and awe of the creation around us," he said. Father Eaton, who also blessed his own dogs, ended the service with handshakes all round for the two-legged partipants, and a sprinkling of Holy Water. The Local is looking back at a few of its early photos and stories. This first ran in The Local on October 14, 2013. For all the back issues head to www.tlnews.com.au Father Andrew is now the parish priest at St Luke's at Wallsend. He is also the Anglican Chaplain at the University of Newcastle, the chair of the Anglican EcoCare Newcastle, and a member of the Diocesan Domestic Violence Taskforce, the Hunter Interfaith Network and the Sodality of Mary, Mother of Priests. He moved to Wallsend with his wife Monica and two girls in February 2017 from Diocese of Bendigo. Father Andrew celebrated five years at St Luke's in February this year.
H
EPBURN Shire Council has formally adopted its 2022/23 Annual Plan.
C
ENTRAL Highlands' artists and creative organisations are invited to hit the road Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said that the Annual and take their performances, exhibitions Plan was based on key projects identified in the Budget and events across regional and outer-metropolitan 2022-2023 and included priorities in the adopted Victoria. Community Vision 2021-2031 Council Plan 20212025, which includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. The Annual Plan priority projects are all linked to one of the five council plan focus areas which are: • A resilient, sustainable and protected environment; • A healthy, supported and empowered community; • Embracing our past and planning for our future; • Diverse economy and opportunities; and • A dynamic and responsive council. “The Annual Plan highlights priority projects that are either large, new, significant or strategically important to our community and truly reflects the priorities that our community told us they want council to deliver,” Cr Drylie said. Progress on the Annual Plan will be regularly reported throughout the year and published on council’s website.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas has called for applications for the Touring Victoria program which provides grants of between $10,000 and $250,000 to support tours by Victorian arts and cultural organisations and creatives. The most recent round of grants supported regional tours from acts including singer Kutcha Edwards, all-female circus-comedy show Trash Test Dummies, The Australian Ballet, Finucane and Smith and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The 2022 round of the program will support touring activity that hits the road from November 1 this year. Ms Thomas said Touring Victoria was supporting the creative community "to hit the road and re-connect with audiences across the state, delivering the cultural experiences that make Victoria our nations cultural heartland". "Touring Victoria not only brings amazing gigs and Link: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/Plans-and- experiences to Macedon, it supports our local creatives publications/Performance to present their work, build their audiences and bring visitors from across the state." Applications close on July 14.
Link: creative.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support.
Community News MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Recently I was fortunate to attend the 28th National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra with CEO Bradley Thomas. Over a thousand councillors from around Australia participated in the event committing to partner with the Australian Government to progress critical reforms, including national productivity, climate change transition, Closing the Gap and supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart, housing affordability, including increased social housing, appropriate road safety reforms, restoring integrity of federal funding to local government, and improved local delivery of community services. The Assembly heard from leading economists that local government is the most productive level of government, yet collects just 4% of national taxation revenue. Governor-General David Hurley commented on the vital role councils are playing supporting disaster impacted communities and will need to play in the future. On my return I attended another storm recovery event in Creswick where renowned psychologist and trauma specialist Dr Rob Gordon again spoke to local people affected by the January 5 storm. Unfortunately, about 40 households are still unable to return to their homes after the event and we heard from some residents finding it difficult to secure insurance payouts and in sourcing trades to complete work. Given there is still a considerable amount of angst in the community, I recommend viewing Dr Gordon’s talk on our website as he outlines a series of positive steps people can take to aid in the healing process. Council is still offering a variety of supports to local people via the Storm Recovery team located a 68 Albert Street, Creswick. We are also lobbying the state government for $240,000 to complete a Flood Mitigation Study. We know people are keen to see work begin on Creswick Creek and our drainage network. However, we need to be sure the correct and appropriate steps are being taken to make this happen. I recently attended and was invited to open Safe Place Homes community forum on affordable housing in the shire. As longer-term rentals disappear and living costs continue to climb, we are seeing a rise of homelessness and people being displaced from being able to live near where they work. There were two guest speakers at the forum who were able to suggest and promote different ways that we can collectively address the problem. Permaculture co-originator and local Hepburn Springs resident, David Holmgren, brought a unique downshifter perspective by promoting more collaborative ways to live together and becoming more self and collectively reliant. I’m also very pleased that we have been able to fund a Circular Economy Officer position and projects that may come out of our forthcoming Sustainable Hepburn strategy in our Budget for 2022/23 just released, while having a record $18.8 million investment in roads, drainage, building and community infrastructure. Cr Tim Drylie MAYOR
COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS
BUDGET ADOPTED
At the meeting last week, Council adopted a $49.59 million budget for 2022/2023. The budget contains a total revenue increase of $8.71M or 21 percent on the previous budget due to a considerable injection of State and Federal capital grants and stimulus project funding, along with reimbursement of the high costs related to storm recovery. Read about the projects, services and initiatives to be delivered in 2022/23. Visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/News/Latest-news/ Council-Budget-adopted Over the coming months we’ll be highlighting some of the projects contained in the budget.
NAIDOC WEEK
Come along and watch a special screening of Australian family drama “Satellite Boy” as part of NAIDOC Week. Wednesday 6 July 2022 at 6pm Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre, 13 Camp Street It’s a free event and there will be complimentary popcorn, tea and coffee. Places are limited so please RSVP to Annette at amillar@hepburn.vic.gov. au or 0477 970 828. For details of other events visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Council/News/ Latest-news/NAIDOC-Week
SUSTAINABLE HEPBURN
Caring for our natural environment by reconnecting with nature, reducing impacts associated with our lifestyles and regenerating disturbed landscapes is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of our community, the natural systems that sustain us, a thriving local economy and resilience in the face of future challenges. Sustainable Hepburn is Council’s updated commitment for environmental sustainability. Have your say on the draft by 8 July 2022. Visit https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/sustainable-hepburn
COMMUNITY SPARKS
Hepburn Shire locals are invited to fill in our community battery survey and go in the draw for a $250 dining voucher. The ‘Community Sparks’ project is looking for Hepburn Shire residents’ and business owners’ thoughts and ideas on community batteries via a new survey. This survey will inform the development of community battery models, seeking to tailor approaches to local interests and needs. If you would like to fill in the survey, go to the Participate Hepburn page here - https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/community-sparks
NEW WEBSITE
Council’s new website is now live. Some of the features of our new website are our enhanced search function, easy navigation and updated forms which can be completed online. Visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au to check out the new site. We also want to hear your feedback. Let us know what you think at shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au. The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.
5348 2306 shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au www.hepburn.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/hepburncouncil
Workforce Coordinator, CHSP Program Coordinator, Support Services Officer and Personal Care Worker. Benetas is the new provider for CHSP home care services within the Hepburn Shire and we have opened a new office in Daylesford.
We are looking for people with excellent client service and communication skills to work within this office. The current positions available are: Workforce Coordinator is a full-time role that will manage the direct care workforce and scheduling. This person is consistent, efficient, accurate and timely. CHSP Program Coordinator is a full-time role and is responsible for oversight of the CHSP Home Care program for Hepburn and may also undertake assessments for the CHSP clients in the Macedon Ranges Shire. Support Services Officer is a part-time administrative role that assists coordinators with the running of the Rural North West Home Care teams. Personal Care Worker is a permanent part-time role that works one-on-one with clients to assist with home duties and personal care. When you first start you’ll need: • To commit to a minimum of 10-15 hours per fortnight; • Certification in Individual Support (Cert III) or related studies including nursing students; • Student studying a Certificate in Individual Support or related who can work part-time hours; • A valid licence and reliable vehicle (that is insured). For more information please contact Yvonne Campbell on 5428 0300 or Ebon Young on 5410 5450 or email hepburn@benetas.com.au
We’re here for you Welcome to the team Dr Mohammed Al Naima • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Aged Care Asthma and Allergy Child and Adolescent Health Chronic Disease Management Diabetes Emergency and Acute Care Family Medicine General Medicine Heart Disease LGBTQI Men’s Health Mental Health Paediatrics Pain Management Medicine Palliative Care Respiratory Disease Sexual Health Skin Appointments
Dr Al Naima has joined the team at Springs Medical Daylesford.
Please visit our website for a full list of our GPs.
available from July 18 BOOK NOW!
www.springsmedical.com.au Daylesford Kyneton Trentham 10 Hospital St 89 Piper Street 22 Victoria St tel: (03) 5348 2227 tel: (03) 5422 1298 tel: (03) 5424 1602 Follow us
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URGENT CARE WALK-IN CLINIC OPEN EVERY DAY
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
BEST CARE:
for every person, every time In a life-threatening emergency, please call 000
Your local Urgent Care Centre in Daylesford is a first stop for unplanned medical attention for adults or children. Here, you will access local care that is the most appropriate for your circumstances. We triage (assess), treat or transfer patients depending on the nature of the visit and assessment of the illness or injury. Professional care is provided by our highly skilled nurses, many of whom are Rural and Isolated Practice Endorsed Registered Nurses (known as RIPERNs). Local GPs also collaborate with our nurses, and are available on-call for telephone consultation or visit. After hours, our nursing staff can also access specialist services via Telehealth, including My Emergency Doctor, a service that connects us to specialist emergency doctors via phone or iPad.
What is an urgent medical condition? Allergic reactions Asthma Breathing difficulties Burns (minor) Chest infections Concussion/loss of consciousness Constipation Dehydration
Dental or mouth pain/infection Diarrhoea Dressings Eye conditions (eg foreign body) Falls General injuries Laceration
Mental health/anxiety Nose bleed (epistaxis) Pain and pain management Sore throat or cough Sprains and strains Traumatic injuries (minor) Urinary problems
Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham
Daylesford Urgent Care Centre - 17 Hospital Street
5321 6500
Phone: (03) 5321 6500
www.chrh.org.au In person: go to the door to the left of the main hospital entrance and press the buzzer for attention. www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
NAIDOC WEEK 3rd -10th July
Kyneton Vaccination Clinic closed it's doors on 24th June Our COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Kyneton Health opened on 14 September 2021, to help provide a COVID vaccination service for our local community, close to home. Since that time, our vaccination team has administered 6,833 adult doses, and 1,024 child doses of a COVID-19 vaccine – a total of 7,857 COVID-19 vaccinations! It has been a privilege to be in a position to provide this service to our local community. Our Nurse Immunisers have loved dressing up NAIDOC Week is acknowledged and celebrated on the first week of for the kids (and we’re pretty sure it provided light relief for the July each year. This year, NAIDOC week runs from Sunday 3 July adults as well)! It’s been an amazing journey and one our staff will until Sunday 10 July. NAIDOC stands for ‘National Aborigines and never forget. Islanders Day Observance Committee’, and has been running since Thank you to our COVID-19 vaccination team – they are very proud 1975. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First to have been involved in the vaccination roll out, and they’re ready Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the to jump back into it again, if needed in the future! oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. The COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Kyneton Health is closing as part of the Victorian Government’s scaling back of COVID-19 This year’s theme is ‘Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up’. The 2022 vaccination sites. With GPs and pharmacies now delivering more NAIDOC poster was created by Ryhia Dank, a young than 70 per cent of COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid antigen tests Gudanji/Wakaja artist from the Northern Territory and is the winner widely available, testing and vaccination is changing to better of the prestigious National NAIDOC poster competition for 2022 match community need. with her entry, Stronger. This theme is important and necessary to To read more, please visit: educate ourselves on First Nations cultures, and how we can show www.premier.vic.gov.au/mass-covid-19-vaccination... up for those within our community and for what is right. It is COVID-19 and the Influenza Vaccine important to be continually furthering our knowledge and during Victorians are encouraged to get an influenza vaccine this year to such important weeks, it can be a great place to start. Learning protect themselves against seasonal influenza. This will help about your local First Nations heritage, and the history and stories protect our health system and our most vulnerable people. that are within that heritage is great way to honour NAIDOC Week. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) For further information about NAIDOC Week and the events that are advises that COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as held please visit www.naidoc.org.au/ an influenza vaccine. We would like to hear from members of our communities on how we Please contact your local GP or Pharmacist for information about can best support Aboriginal Victorians to access health care. receiving either the COVID-19 vaccination or influenza vaccination. You don’t have to tell us who you are but we would like to know Source: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-vaccinated - 29 June 2022 what you think! www.chrh.org.au/aboriginal-health-wellbeing/
Pop-Up Vaccination Clinic - Trentham
Provider: Ballarat Health Services/ Grampians PHU Venue: Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Address: 56 High St, Trentham 3458 Time: Wednesday 13th July from 11:00am – 2:00pm Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/vaccination-popup-trentham-neighbourhood-centre-tickets370971093527 Bookings preferred but walk-ins also accepted Vaccine type: COVID (Pfizer) all doses aged 5+; flu vaccinations to people aged 5+ who are eligible for a free vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham 5321 6500 www.chrh.org.au www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU
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Gardens 21
Operation green thumb The prices keep rising and there’s no end in sight. If there was ever a time to head to the gardening section - it’s right now. With all of the main northern states' fruit and veg providers devastated and unlikely to even return to their properties for quite some time, let alone produce crops, it’s painfully obvious that we will have make do for ourselves - and that simply means growing our own. Easy. The establishment of even the simplest vegetable garden can mean that you could enjoy at least one or two favourite vegetables, fresh-picked, at any time of the year. You don’t need a market garden with massive crops all maturing at once to provide a year-round supply of greens and vegetables for your family. Simply a continuous supply of all that you can eat at one time and that can be achieved by planting or sowing a handful of seeds or seedlings at regular intervals throughout their specific planting season. Even the smallest garden can turn out useful crops because you can integrate most vegetables with your existing plant life. Any free sunny spot in the garden will do, as long as they won’t be getting too much competition from tree or shrub roots. The climbers, peas and beans, will thrive on a tripod or wire trellis-covered fence in the sun. Although every plant species has its own particular needs when it comes to soil, a general rule of thumb is to plant them all out into a bed or container of a generous mix of crumbly loam, well-rotted compost or leaf mould (saved from autumn) and enough sand to guarantee good drainage, all at a depth of at least 30cm. This is especially important for root crops. Naturally, coming into the coldest winter months of the year, your choices of crop other than leaf or roots are limited, simply because long sunny days are a pre-requisite for the development and ripening of fruits and berries. Luckily everything else will be fine to plant now. We just need to get things growing as soon as possible to avoid these horrendous prices. And who knows how long they will last or whether there’s more rises ahead. Fortunately, most varieties of vegetable are available both in seed and seedling form. Obviously the seedlings are more expensive than seeds but they have a three- or four-week headstart and at least you know they are growing. The trick would be to plant out seedlings of whatever variety you need, be it lettuce or Brussels sprouts, and then sow a similar number of seeds in weekly batches to extend your cropping in manageable quantities. Your first batch should be well and truly ready by the time the original seedling crop are exhausted. Perennial leafy greens, such as silverbeet or Swiss chard and especially rhubarb, unlike the cropping plants, can be regularly harvested for several years before needing replacement. Being highly ornamental they won’t seem out of place if planted in small clumps throughout the shrubbery, under fruit trees, or as garden border plants. Harvesting of the outer leaves can begin as soon as there are sufficient growths remaining to support healthy regrowth. There are many suitable and easily grown varieties of vegetable to choose from including: potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, onions, shallots, parsnips, turnips, beetroot, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and a whole range of Asian cousins. And don’t forget the culprit that started all of this - lettuces - all can be planted (or sown) right now. Who knows, you may be so successful that you decide to build yourself an amazing self-watering ‘wick garden’. For a full explanation and details of this, read my column in Issue 190, July 27, 2020 or email glenzgarden@gmail.com for a copy.
Got a gardening question: Email glenzgarden@gmail.com
22 Opinion
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Kyle’s Rant
I
WATCHED with interest our first intergalactic space launch from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Just a couple of days prior we had been reminiscing about our trip to Cooktown.
We had been discussing what had happened to the York Peninsula spaceport rumoured in the 80s. And out of the blue, with little to no hype, I watched as the first Australian rocket crackled through the night sky. I must admit it was a long wait and I did hear the clink of ice cubes in the glass of one of the commentators as he said, “God I need a drink”. And when the final countdown began and the explosions of the jets ripped through the night sky, he seemed a little too excited. The sort of excitement that burbles up from inside you after a couple of sneaky snorts. We certainly do it a bit differently in this country if you compare our spaceport to the pristine environments of the likes of Cape Canaveral. Except for a small launch pad most of our site is red dirt and scrub and God only knows how many bullants and other critters make their way into the innards of the rockets during the wait for launch. It makes me wonder what happens when the aliens take a tin opener to one of our intergalactic rockets to reveal its pilots, in anticipation of taking over the precious resources of our planet and dissecting the occupants to prepare for war. They will get the makeup of their enemy wrong and come down to earth with a few cans of Pea Beu prepared for an all-out assault on a bunch of bullants rather than humans. Speaking of precious resources, I am betwixt in my feelings about the latest breed of climate warriors. Blockade Australia has been hitting the headlines lately but to be honest I have not been affected by these guys, so only know what I see on TV. Still, what about freedom of speech and democracy? Throughout the ages disruptors have made change for good. Homosexuality was decriminalised in the Victoria in 1980 thanks to protestors and then there are women’s liberation, the rights of first nation's people and even the Franklin Dam. Oh, and look at the protests over the anti-abortion ruling in the US. It seems that history simply repeats itself with protestors referred back in the day to as long-haired layabouts, hippies and good-for-nothing and just a few days ago, the New South Wales deputy premier told climate change protesters to “go and get a real job”. But that’s exactly what they are doing, someone’s real job. No change would happen if we left it up to the government unless it is to do with upping the taxes or tightening the squeeze on our freedoms. My conspiracy opinion is that it is in the interests of governments to lock the youth into the labour yoke of a mortgage to keep them subdued, quiet and happy with their lot in life. The dream of home ownership has now gotten away from the young, so these guys have more energy to disrupt and create change. Climate change acknowledgement followed by change has to happen, not for me and my cohorts of non-breeders, but for the children and unborn children that will inherit this dry, shrivelled up and spent planet. It’s going to get hot, rant over…
Catherine
KING MP
Federal Member for Ballarat
Local Lines
Winter
Nose thumbing winter catches late May unawares beating down the last straggling seed heads navigating kamikaze plastic bags to barbed wire. Life shrinks back over grey boulders tight as skull skin. A green desert sparse and shivering coats waterlogged clay. Patient in paddock corners rain driven ewes stand muddy tails to the wind waiting for bitter August when they will drop their lambs for spring slaughter. - Margret Lockwood Margret has a background in teaching in Riyadh, (Saudi Arabia) Nhulunbuy, (NT) country Victoria and finally at Daylesford, and has lived in and around Glenlyon for 26 years. Her companions of choice are Jack and Cobber, two Hungarian Viszlas. Local Lines comes mainly from a group of local poets but other submissions are always welcome. To have a poem considered for publication contact Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
Poetry Prize The 2022 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize, in partnership with Rabbit, a journal for non-fiction poetry, has been launched. See page 13 for details.
Mary-Anne Thomas MP
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Opinion 23
Just sayin’... By Donna Kelly
I
F YOU flip back to page 11 you will find Kevin Childs' story on the sad or sick state of our health system.
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Kevin talked to health workers, on the condition of anonymity, and wrote about how many things are going wrong - some life and death situations. I must admit I ummed and ahhed a bit about running it. Don't get me wrong, it's a must read, it's just that old fashioned editors don't often do anonymous. In the old days, when I worked at The Cairns Post, we had a dedicated person whose only job was to contact everyone who had written a letter to the editor and make sure they were who they said they were. All letters were published with a full name and suburb, or not at all. These days, papers run letters sent via email with sign-offs like "Mary, from Victoria". Which Mary. Or really Mary? It might be a Jan who is not happy with a competing cafe and just wants to get a barb in. Just look at dine review sites like TripAdvisor or Google. So easy to lose a good rating with just one, one-star review. And no need for it to be genuine, or even if it is, to make sense. I know one cafe which got a four-star review because "I loved everything about your place, the service staff and food, but I didn't eat dessert so I don't know if you do that well". Really? Anyway, the more I read Kevin's piece, the more I realised we really are going through a crisis of care. I have also been watching the news about an Ambulance Victoria Code Red with no ambulances available in Melbourne last Tuesday night, and Grampians Health just recently declaring a Code Yellow because they were overrun trying to manage and isolate patients with, or suspected of having, Covid. I reckon everyone has a harrowing health story to tell but it's hard to put your name to something in the public domain. Especially if you work in the health field. Sometimes, to get the news out, it just has to be anonymous. Our local MP Mary-Anne Thomas has just taken over the portfolios of health and ambulance services after the resignation of Martin Foley. As someone from the regions she would know first-hand the issues we are facing in the country. And I know Covid has thrown a massive spanner in the works but surely after two and a half years, we are starting to catch up and get ahead of the game, rather than lag behind like we did with vaccines and RAT tests. (Yes, I know that was the Feds.) Everyone knew winter and the flu were coming, we know that Covid likes the cold best, and with masks mostly off, it was another perfect storm brewing. Then there is just the backlog of "normal" health issues that need to be attended to. Hip replacements, mental health services, mammograms, appointments with specialists. Why are we still waiting? In September last year, I found myself struggling to breathe. Being asthmatic, I upped my medication and eventually was told to have a lung function test. I called the numbers offered, in Ballarat and Bendigo, and was told I was on their waiting lists. For February or March. It's July and still no call. Luckily I had a think, Googled private places and got it sorted. (All good now.) But this is Australia, not America, and I think we all believe we have a right to medical attention when it is needed. Instead it has become a class distinction. Relying on Medicare? Be ready for a long wait. Got expensive private health insurance? In you go. When Kyle had his back operation he was asked not only what day suited but morning or afternoon? The system is sick and needs urgent attention. Hopefully Ms Thomas is up to the task because sometimes we are literally talking life and death. Just sayin'...
Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome. For information email ageingdis3461@gmail. com or head to the Ageing DisGracefully facebook page. Ageing DisGracefully is an initiative of Hepburn House.
24 Crossword
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The last word - Memories are made of this How do we tell them we’re leaving again? I phoned my sister and told her we were moving back to Melbourne, and that I was concerned about how they’d take it. “Nostalgia: A device that removes the ruts and potholes from memory “Mom and Dad say they don’t know why you’re here in the first place,” she lane.” told me. “They know you’re not happy here.” It came to me today that back then, when I was concerned for my ageing In a way, the internet was made for people like Doug Larson, a journalist in father, that in 1993 he was younger than I am now. The thing he needed from me the United States, writing for much of the 20th century for relatively obscure the most was to make up a foursome for golf. newspapers in Wisconsin, in the northern midwest. Happy birthday, Dad - I’ll load your clubs into the car. As a columnist, he had a fine talent for coming up with snappy one-liners such as the ones above, which earned him a strong regional following. Today, of course, Images: Bill making a shot with Mount Shasta in the background, wearing much of Larson’s handiwork is revealed to the world with just a few screen taps. GWS Giants clobber because his baseball team is the San Francisco Giants, In a few weeks my father, Bill, will be having his 94th birthday, and I think that’s making me feel nostalgic. who play in similar colours; hoeing into a burger, his favourite food: in his We’re not planning to do anything special (I’m blaming Covid), it’ll just be the chair with his cat Betty from a few years ago - Betty is all grown up now immediate family, we’ll pop the corks on a few bottles of sparkling wine, probably have a barbeque. But it does seem that once you’ve managed that many years, After many happy years living in Victoria and working at The Age, every day should be cause for celebration. former Wheatsheaf resident Jeff Glorfeld, and his wife Carol, went back There is just something about those big full-decade events - when my dad to California, the land of his birth, where in the past four years he has turned 90 we booked a hall to hold the party. Relatives I hadn’t met in 50 years survived bushfires, snowstorms and drought. And Trump. And Covid. The travelled more than 3000 kilometres to join in the celebration. Old friends and cicadas and locusts didn’t arrive. Well, not yet. former workmates were there. One of the most moving moments was when Paul, my dad’s best mate, arrived; he had advanced dementia and scarcely knew his own children by then, but when his wife opened the car door for him, Paul stepped out, went to my dad, grabbed him by the hand and said with a huge grin, “Hello, Billy!” Speaking of nostalgia, I miss the good old days when the Coodabeens were on the ABC. It’s still the same blokes doing the same bits, but somehow it doesn’t feel right having them on a radio station that features soulless old pop music. But I do like the way they still call the Herald-Sun “the little paper”, which, as dedicated Victorians know, refers to a time when The Age was a massive broadsheet newspaper and 'the Hun' was the little tabloid. In 1990, young Warwick Fairfax’s ill-advised, junk-bond funded takeover of the family business led to the collapse of one of Australia’s most venerable media companies, of which The Age and Sydney Morning Herald were the prize assets. I was working for an offshoot of The Age called Australian Financial Press, which was sold off and moved to Sydney, leaving me unemployed. This came at the same time as Paul Keating’s “recession we had to have”, and my wife Carol, a highly skilled bookkeeper, also found herself out of a job. We had been living abroad since 1983 so thought maybe it was time to polish up the American accents and head back to the US of A. It was a fine homecoming. We quickly found a house to live in, Carol landed a good job paying a mediocre wage - but fair for this perpetually depressed area and I returned to school, aiming to become a school teacher. So now we jump ahead almost three years, to mid-1993. It’s been good being able to hang out with our families and a few of our old friends but the years in Australia have changed us. Returning to California turns out not to be a homecoming at all. Meanwhile, my decision to become a teacher is nearing completion; I’ve finished my training and started looking for a job. This next bit might sound like a made-up story but I promise it’s all true. Carol and I had been to my graduation ceremony, in which I’d been handed my credential, my licence to teach school in California. We’d come through the front door, I was loosening my necktie, Carol was in the bedroom changing out of her formal dress, when the telephone rang. Our house had a funny little nook where the telephone sat. I answered the phone. It was Rob, one of my good mates in Melbourne and one of the best journalists I’d ever worked with. He explained the reason for the call. Print media was making a comeback, he’d been working for a publishing startup that was doing very well, and there was a good job in it for me, if I wanted it. “Who is it?” Carol said from the bedroom. “It’s Rob, in Melbourne,” I answered, “wants to know if we want to come back, he has a job for me.” I was about to tell Rob that I’d need to think about it, that I’d call him back, when Carol said, “I’ll start packing.” We’d settled back in this dreary, conservative little town because it was where my parents lived - in the house in which we now reside - because we figured Mom and Dad needed us in their old age.
“Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.”