Gisborne Gazette May 2020 by Gisborne Gazette

G R E A T

Gisborne Gazette serving the southern macedon ranges MAY 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FREE

'Iso' offers some perks The pandemic has led to some unique experiences in the region of late. Usually subject to a major influx of autumn visitors admiring the seasonal splendour, this year due to COVID-19 our towns are putting on a private show for locals. The increase in residents staying and working from home, in 'iso', has also seen more people enjoying the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural beauty on foot, often as a household or with pets. On top of the usual health benefits, this essential exercise is providing welcome opportunities to connect with friends and neighbours from afar at this uncertain time, in cases even strengthening these relationships. Picture: CHRIS FLEMING

Sam, Charlotte, Olive and Nick Peavey enjoy a walk with Eddie and Ida on an empty Honour Avenue, Macedon, on April 10.

Gisborne Gazette May 2020

HOME PAGE

Issue No 151

From the Editor's desk I know someone who’s loving stage 3 restrictions: my puppy. With the whole family home all day every day, he’s getting heaps of attention, cuddles and quite a workout with a few walks a day. Like the family on this month’s cover, my household is making the most of our ‘essential exercise’, admiring our gorgeous area and enjoying connecting briefly with others doing the same. With stage 3 restrictions still in force, in this edition we continue to report on how the pandemic is impacting local lives. Many groups report on finding new, mainly digital, ways to connect this month (including fly fishers and scouts who are now meeting via Zoom which I find quite extraordinary, and the Men’s Shed which has started its own Gazette) and on page 12 Paul Crothers shares how virtual connections are actually making members of the Gisborne Church of Christ feel more connected than ever to their community. Photographer Rebecca Rowlands' Faces of the Ranges documentary on stay at home life during the pandemic on pages 10 and 11 presents yet another way people are connecting at this uncertain time and I thank her for sharing so many happy photos with the Gazette. It has been truly heart-warming to receive so many submissions from regular contributors and new ones, all keen to keep the Gazette strong in these trying times, many despite their group being in recess. These include the interesting history of the Mountview Theatre on page 25, an educational article on steam engines on page 34 and the many stories from Holy Cross Primary School and image of the school’s ‘Kindness Quilt’ that is on this month’s back cover. It was similarly touching to hear from our distribution manager, Maxine Barker, that 70 of our 72 volunteer distributors answered ‘Yes, please!’ when she asked them if they would be able to resume letterbox delivery in their neighbourhood this month. Thank you! The committee hopes the wider distribution of the Gazette brings company, connection and pride in our wonderful community to more of our regular readers this month. I find connection and a sense of purpose help ground me at uncharted times like this, but it’s hard not to worry nevertheless so I found clinical psychologist Dr Biliana Ivanova’s essay on anxiety in times of uncertainty on page 5 reassuring. It’s good to know that not to feel a little anxious in the current climate would be unnatural! Finally, to give you the ultimate break from COVID-19, page 27 features spectacular photos by Deborah Mullins, a past president of the Macedon Ranges Photographic Society, of one of the only places on earth untouched by the coronavirus – Antarctica. Stay safe, and happy reading, Corinne

Gisborne Gazette May 2020

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GREAT Gisborne Gazette

23 Hamilton Street, Gisborne PO Box 9, Gisborne 3437 Tel. 0401 810 581 ABN 14301 970 177

The Gazette Team

MAY 2020

Circulation 8500

(Reduced to 6500 during COVID-19 period)

Editor: Corinne Shaddock

gisbornegazetteeditor@gmail.com 0409 422 492 Production Pip Butler 0439 816 278 pbutlerhistory@gmail.com Graeme Millar, Elaine Millar Photographer Chris Fleming 0417 322 944 Distribution Manager Maxine Barker 0438 711 138 maxineandpeter@bigpond.com Advertising gisbornegazetteadvertising@gmail.com Distributors: Proudly distributed to letterboxes in Gisborne, New Gisborne, Macedon and Mt Macedon by more than 70 volunteers. While COVID-19 restrictions are in place we are unable to carry out usual deliveries to South Gisborne and Bullengarook. The Gazette will still be supplied to supermarkets and post offices, Puma service station and Priceline chemist, so residents can pick up their copy when shopping . The GREAT Gisborne Gazette is supported by Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

DEADLINES FOR COPY AND ADVERTISING Issue 152 153 154

Month June July August

Deadline May 13 June 17 July 15

Distribution May 27 July 1 July 29

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in the Gazette are not necessarily those of The GREAT Association Inc unless acknowledged as such. No endorsement of products or services is implied by the listing of advertisers or sponsors. While every effort is taken in printing contributions accurately, GREAT Gisborne Gazette takes no responsibility for errors.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Copies of the Gazette are posted to subscribers each month. For an annual subscription to cover postage, send your cheque or money order for $27.50 to the Gisborne Gazette, PO Box 9, Gisborne 3437.

OBITUARIES To submit an obituary for publication, please email elgrae@bigpond.com or phone 5428 2522. Please also provide a photograph for publication and restrict the article to about 250 words.

AM INUTE W ITH M AXINE Staying at home, isolated, there is only one distributor I can write about this month: my husband Peter. He was born in Nottingham, England, emigrated in 1986 and became an Australian citizen in January 1989. Peter arrived in Perth, WA, and started a career in the Australian hospitality industry that lasted 50 years. After Perth, he moved on to Guildford, Kalgoorlie, Sydney, Gold Coast, Broome, and Townsville. He then became the general manager of the Ibis Styles Victoria Hotel in Little Collins Street in Melbourne for 13 years. He retired in January 2018. Peter plays a major part every month when the Gazettes arrive, unloading the truck with others, distributing bundles of Gazettes to homes and then delivering to 120 letterboxes in our estate. He also helps with any extra deliveries that may pop up on the day. Peter is a member of Gisborne Golf Club and plays up to three times a week. Being a member of Melbourne District Veteran Golfers Association, he gets to play on some of the

Peter and Maxine Barker happily help with distribution of the Gazette.

exclusive golf courses like Royal Melbourne. Peter says Gisborne is a friendly country town despite getting bigger. The winter weather reminds him of England, but he can live with it!

Maxine Barker

Two local wineries win gongs for excellence

MEMBER'S MESSAGE With Mary-Anne Thomas

Two local wineries have been named in the April/ May Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine for being best in class in the Macedon Ranges/Sunbury area. We congratulate Mount Towrong Vineyard for winning ‘Best Tasting Experience’ and Gisborne Peak Winery for taking out the ‘Best Winery Accommodation’ category. Both wineries usually offer wine tasting, sales and tasty meals and snacks in very picturesque settings, but in these times are limited to takeaway sales and in cases delivery. They have been touched by the support they have received from local residents in this difficult time. Other winners of the Macedon Ranges/ Sunbury area were Lyons Will (Best Small Cellar Door), Hanging Rock Winery (Best Additional Experience). Cobaw Ridge (Star Cellar Door), Granite Hills (Best Large Cellar Door) and Passing Clouds (Cellar Door with Best Food).

Barb Nixon holds her award at an ecocottage at Gisborne Peak Winery.

Mt Towrong won a Gourmet Traveller award for Best Tasting Experience.

Joan has special reason to remember Queen's birthday

Joan can never forget the Queen's real birthday.

Joan Little can never forget the Queen's birthday, nor how old the monarch is: both she and Queen Elizabeth were born on the same date: April 21, 1926. Unlike the Queen, whose birthday is officially commemorated in June, Joan celebrated her 94th birthday at her home at BUPA Woodend on April 21. Joan was one of four sisters born in Fitzroy. Her eldest sister Marie will be 96 next month. Joan has two children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Apart from sharing the same birth date as the Queen, Joan also had a love of horses and enjoyed horse riding in her younger days. Joan played ladies competition tennis for many years with Parkdale Tennis Club and was a long-time playing member of Woodlands Golf Club. Nine years ago Joan moved to Gisborne to be close to her daughter and son-in-law, joining Probus, Legacy and playing cards at weekly card nights at the Community Centre in Lyell Street.

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The past month has seen incredible changes in our community and across the world as we work collectively to slow the spread of COVID-19. On the whole people in the Macedon Ranges have risen to the challenge, but while staying at home and limiting physical interaction is vital to slowing the spread of the coronavirus, it can be very hard – particularly for those already experiencing mental health conditions. The state government announced over the Easter period a funding boost to help meet demand as people across Victoria reach out for help with stress, isolation and uncertainty. The package includes a raft of initiatives to help Victorians such as extra acute mental health beds, a boost for online and telephone support services and online therapy for kids and their parents. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, speak up and reach out. For more information about support options available to you, call the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Services on 1800 512 348 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au. Now that we’re settling in to Term 2, our Gisborne kids will be getting used to learning from home. I know this is a big challenge for parents and children alike – it’s something we’ve never experienced before. I want to assure you that every student will get the support they need from their school. Our schools have done a terrific job during this difficult transition and I want to acknowledge the work done by our principals, teachers and school staff in these unprecedented times. Thank you for the changes you have already made and continue to make to your everyday lives – we’ll get through this together. Take care, Mary-Anne

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AWESOME AUTUMN

Iso creates time for renovations

Trees lit up the streets in April with blazing colours more vivid than in recent years due to the perfect weather conditions for them in spring and summer.

The forced closure of the Telegraph pub and the Macedon Community Centre due to COVID-19 have created the opportunity for planned but not urgent renovations to be undertaken. The Telegraph bar is getting a fresh, modern look and cladding on the community centre is being replaced.

Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive, Mt Macedon, April 15

Behind Gardiner Reserve, Gisborne, April 20

Renovation works at The Telegraph on April 21...

Victoria Street, Macedon, April 15

...and at Macedon Community Centre on April 22.

Maples come alight in a driveway in South Gisborne.

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COPING WITH CORONA

On anxiety during times of uncertainty Although we are living in a unique time, many of us are experiencing a very common emotional state – ANXIETY. Anxiety is “the common cold” of mental health – ubiquitous and short-lasting. However, if it does take hold, it can become a bit of a problem and interfere with our wellbeing and daily functioning. Anxiety is related to fear and is a natural response to actual and perceived danger. This could include physical danger (illness, injury), interpersonal danger (rejection, humiliation), psychological danger (loss of control, “failure”), and even financial danger (loss of income as a threat to our sense of security). The original purpose of anxiety is to protect us from danger and help us survive by activating the fight-flightfreeze response. However, when there is no actual and imminent threat it can become an over-reaction. Anxiety thrives on situations that are ambiguous (open to different interpretations), new (we don’t have previous experience to fall back on) and unpredictable (unclear how things will turn out). Our current situation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic meets all these criteria and naturally invites anxiety. In fact, it would be unnatural not to feel some anxiety given the personal, health and socioeconomic implications of this uncharted territory. In an attempt to “prepare” us for survival, our anxious mind fills in the blanks of the unknowns with worstcase scenarios, catastrophic outcomes, “what ifs” and imagined disasters of gigantic proportions. Unhelpful anxiety has complete disregard for actual reality as it dismisses positive information, overestimates the likelihood of negative outcomes and underestimates the availability of internal and external coping resources. “What if I lose my job and end up

Clinical psychologist Dr Biliana Ivanova provides welcome insight into what many people are feeling completely broke”, “what if I end up on a ventilator?” “what if the virus gets into my Gran’s nursing home and she dies from it?”. This is supposed to help with planning for action but it backfires. It is futile and exhausting to engage in shadow boxing – the score can never be settled. There will always be another “what-if” lurking around the corner, and we can never be “really really sure” that we’ve covered all bases and ensured an optimal outcome.

It would be unnatural not to feel some anxiety given the personal, health and socioeconomic implications of this uncharted territory

Helpful anxiety is focused on what is real now. It leads to identifying a current problem and addressing it. What can I do now that is based on solid facts and is within my control? I can wash my hands, keep physical distance from others, get the flu shot, reduce my spending, upskill for work, ask for help, help others in need. Unhelpful anxiety causes unproductive worry, distress, helplessness, demoralisation, exhaustion and burnout. What can I do about it? First, notice it, name it, challenge the thoughts, look for evidence to the contrary and kindly decline to engage in its antics.

What kind of anxiety do I have? If your anxiety helps you solve problems, be productive and generally feel in control, it is the helpful variety. Unhelpful anxiety can be detected if several of the following experiences are present for a significant part of your day, on most days: ● Physical symptoms include restlessness, feeling on edge, muscle tension, knot in the stomach, lump in the throat, loss of appetite and sleep and difficulty relaxing overall. ● Cognitive symptoms – your thoughts – are usually centred on the presence of danger; looking for danger, preparing for danger, planning for all possible solutions to the danger, thinking “what if” thoughts, catastrophising, magnifying the negative, minimising the positive, giving up. ● Emotions usually include fear, panic, distress, worry, helplessness, a sense of futility and numerous combinations thereof. Anxiety can manifest in our behaviour as acting in a tense, helpless or demanding manner, acting vigilantly and frequently checking for signs of danger (the media, statistics, bodily symptoms), repetitive reassurance seeking from others “tell me again that it’s going to be all right”. It can also manifest as denial, avoidance behaviours and any old form of numbing (food, alcohol, drugs, compulsive shopping, compulsive working). So, folks, we’re all in this together! Anxiety is universal. The waves are usually small and manageable and can make for a good surfing experience and mastery. However, in conditions of uncertainty, a storm can gather, and the waves can feel overwhelming, hiding our view of the shore. That is when we can reach out for a helping hand and put things back into perspective.

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Remote learning: Practical tips

for parents and students From Sacred Heart College This is a difficult time for all and it is normal that your children may be feeling anxious or worried.

As students, the following tips will assist in your learning development: ● Establish a routine for your learning ● Check your school’s website/portal and emails regularly for tasks to complete ●If you are having technical issues contact your school IT department as soon as possible

Pandemic sparks local podcast The Covid Crossing The Covid Crossing is a podcast from and for the Macedon Ranges. It aims to comfort, entertain, inform, support and challenge listeners, as we live through these extraordinary times. It is a variety podcast, meaning there is a range of segments. The format is still settling but there will always be an interview with a Macedon Ranges local, a segment called ‘Inside Life’, on how we can take care of ourselves, there is a chapter reading of the classic book Seven Little Australians, and there is a segment on how we can move to a more equal and earth-allied society on the other side of the Covid Crossing.This podcast is made for story-loving, progressive thinking, community minded folk. The first episode was published on April 6 and episodes are published weekly on a Thursday. It is made by me, Kate Lawrence, a Macedon resident who has been wanting to make a podcast for ages, and decided now was the time! If you like the show, please send me your recorded thoughts, or contact me to be interviewed. My email is kate@storywise.com.au The show has received 5-star ratings in iTunes and this review: "Quirky, original and a joy to listen to. A heartfelt antidote to the space we are in right now."

● Most importantly, look out for each other. Message or video contact each other. Ask friends how they are coping with studies or isolation. Remind them that you care, you’re listening and that you’re available if they’re feeling worried. Although isolation is a unique challenge there are opportunities for all students to succeed. Continue your studies under instruction from your teacher and contact them asap if you have any concerns or questions. Regular contact with teachers and school is fundamental to your mental wellbeing and educational success. Dealing with stress and worry as parents: To help your children, consider ● Talking to your whole family about the infection – understanding the situation will reduce anxiety ● Helping your children to think about how they have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassuring them that they will cope with this situation too ● Reminding them that the isolation won’t last for long ● Exercising regularly – exercise is a proven treatment for stress and depression. ● Encouraging your children to keep in touch with family members and friends. Submitted by Rachel Tanner & Melissa Sabo Sacred Heart College Learning Resources Leaders

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Gisborne Gazette May 2020

Gisborne resident and Year 11 Sacred Heart student Gabe prepares for remote learning.

A heartfelt message in the time of social distancing

COUNCILLOR'S COLUMN With Cr Mandi Mees

This plea with a purpose was spotted on Skyline Drive, Gisborne, on April 10. 'PLEASE STAY HOME, WE NEED TO SEE HARRY STYLES IN NOVEMBER!' (For those readers not fully across the music scene, Harry Styles was a member of One Direction.)

A Year 12’s take on the current times

Support after suicide continues virtually

What’s it like being a Year 12 during a pandemic? This is a question I never thought I would know the answer to. But here we are, 2020, our year 12 quarantined. The question on all of our minds is what’s going to happen? With our teachers and school staff working tirelessly to organise course outlines, lesson plans and SACs (school assessed coursework), it all seems a bit too much. Are we going to be finished before Christmas? What are written and oral exams in December going to look like? I think every one of us is feeling a flurry of emotions right now. Overwhelmed, frustrated and alone to name a few. Most of us are also finding it hard to find motivation. Personally, I find it important to focus on the tasks given to us and take everything one step at a time. However, with the final year of high school, not only are there academics to focus on, but many highly anticipated events. The Formal, 18th birthdays, house sporting events and leadership opportunities. Of course, it’s discouraging to think of what we are missing out on. So it is important to think of the bigger picture. We are part of a historic event; one we will be able to tell our children about. So, if we all keep our chins up and keep motoring ahead, this year will become one that can teach us important life lessons and will never be forgotten. Maddison Galea

The second Monday of each month people would normally gather at the Newham Mechanics Hall to find a space that is specific to the complex grief of suicide. The night is conducted by trained peer support members of our community who have also been bereaved by suicide. The group provides an empathetic, safe and confidential environment that acknowledges the experience of each individual and their grief journey. In light of COVID-19 and the measures that we all need to take to keep safe, the group will continue to meet... however it will be in a virtual space so that we can continue to provide much-needed support to our community. This can be done using a computer, tablet or a smart phone via a Zoom link. Supporters are also available for a phone chat if this is more suitable. The next group meeting will be held on Monday May 11 and will start at 7pm, concluding by 8.30pm. For further information or to request the link for the meeting please email peersupport@mrspag. com.au.

Not for more than two generations has the community faced the challenge we face today. My grandmother reminded me of the last significant time during 1930 polio epidemic. Restrictions on our movement, our access to goods and services, home schooling children, distancing from neighbours and devastating losses to our local workforce will impact our social and economic health for some time. While the immediate response to ensure our safety is well advanced, the next stage of the pandemic is the most critical. The return to normal life will come, but slowly, and may take many steps, but we will get there through the very strength of our community resilience. Every corner of the community will need the support of family, friends and local networks to return to our new normal. For our local businesses, many have through sheer necessity morphed into online or takeaway marketplaces overnight – a new and costly shift; many may need to rebuild their market and some may need to start again and innovate. The pace of local recovery to our workplaces, our local goods and services providers, our environmental pursuits, tourism, arts and cultural activities and our local community connections will start slowly, but it will surely build and become once again strong. In fact, once we get through this, our community connectedness may have become the strongest we have ever had. Stay safe. Stay well. I look forward to that day when we can be again as one. Until then, we’re all in this together. The Council is already providing a number of support measures to assist residents, businesses and sporting clubs. If you need help or assistance, or simply have a new idea that could help the community’s recovery, please email mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au. We would love to hear from you about how, through the activities of the council, we can begin to brighten the lives of many across our shire, together.

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CORONA CREATIONS Three signs we never thought we’d see These messages were flashing on Mount Macedon Road in April.

The spectacular dawn would have made for a perfect service at the Memorial Cross this year

ANZAC DAY MARKED IN NEW WAYS Due to restrictions on public gatherings, this year’s Anzac Day celebrations were unlike any this community has seen before. In ‘normal’ times, the dawn service at the Memorial Cross on Mount Macedon attracts thousands of people and hundreds of locals gather mid-morning at the Gisborne

Cenotaph for a commemorative service by the RSL. The dawn service could not be held this year and Gisborne and Macedon Ranges RSL President Robin Funston lowered the flag and laid a wreath in Gisborne in the company of three fellow members. Anzac Day was instead marked at the household level with many in the district standing at the end of their driveways at 6am and tuning into a commemorative service on the radio. Rows of candles lining local streets showed the importance the community places on commemorating those who have served Australia.

One of many families who stood on their driveway at dawn on Anzac Day.

Six-year-old Payton waits patiently in Gisborne to stand at 6am in her driveway.

Robin Funston lowers the flag in the empty park as Oowan Davies, Jace O’Connell and Ian Arnel stand beside the memorial. The four held a stand to on behalf of Gisborne RSL and the public.

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Gisborne Foodbank grateful for continuing community support We’ve been under COVID-19 restrictions for more than a month now and despite job losses and local businesses closing or restricting their services, community support for the Gisborne Foodbank has gone from strength to strength. The Foodbank manager, Anita Worrell, says that every week people have been dropping in donations either to the Foodbank or via the drop points that remain open at Williamson’s Foodworks, Coles, and Liberty Health & Happiness in Gisborne, and the Macedon Newsagency and Post Office. A number of people have also made cash donations. “We are so fortunate to live in a community where people are so generous and willing to help others in need, despite their own challenging individual circumstances,” says Anita. Anita and her team of volunteers, being kept to a minimum now to ensure their safety during these unprecedented times, are providing food and basic household items to more than a hundred families and individuals within the Macedon Ranges and will continue to do so for as long as needed. While many people have still been coming to the Gisborne Foodbank in person (strictly adhering to physical distancing guidelines of course), Foodbank volunteers have also been delivering boxes of food to regular and new customers who are elderly or confined to their home due to health issues. Anita says that people should not hesitate to seek assistance if they need it. “We all face challenges at different times in our lives and the Gisborne Foodbank is here to help,” she says.

Anita Worrall is operating the Gisborne Foodbank under COVID-19 restrictions.

The Foodbank is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 3pm. If you need assistance putting food on the table, please contact the Foodbank on mobile 0492 850 520, drop in on Wednesday or Friday or message them via their Facebook page (@ GisborneFoodbank). Macedon donates vegetables for Foodbank page 18

Raising the bar

Corona teddies are still turning up in odd places to cheer passers-by. This one was spotted high up a telegraph pole in Daly Street, Gisborne.

Nothing will stop Addison Goodall from dancing. Due to COVID-19, she is now taking dance classes over the computer.

Gisborne Helping Hands – a community initiative We are a new volunteer group that has come together to help elderly residents who continue to go out to do grocery shopping, pick up prescriptions, get a coffee and the paper. While we understand they may enjoy the outing, we feel strongly that these residents are putting themselves at risk. Many do not have access to the internet, online shopping, or even credit cards and some still going to the bank with passbooks. We have left brochures around local outlets that list businesses offering home delivery services, as well as a number to contact if we can help someone shop for their groceries. They may just feel disconnected, and would welcome a call and friendly chat with one of our volunteers. All volunteers have current Working with Children Checks or Police checks and are fully aware of the protocols around social distancing and hygiene. If you know someone who could use our help, please ring Gisborne Helping Hands on 0418 468 327. Contact Annie Irwin on 0422 547 312 or Jill Doyle on 0417 562 471 for further information. Annie is a teacher at St Brigid’s Primary School and Jill is part of the Emergency Management Team at Macedon Ranges Shire Council. Annie and Jill Page 14  Local pandemic advice service operating

Business adapts to keep helping customers Homeopath Cath O’Connor feels the changes wrought by COVID-19 will keep coming, but the essence of her business, Intrinsic Health & Healing, a small natural health clinic in Gisborne, will remain. “People who use natural medicine see it as an absolute necessity and we really want to be there for them. Our challenge is to adapt our delivery to suit the new environment – mostly phone and post – and change focus from our in-person services to things we can achieve remotely.” Phone and virtual consults are standard now, rather than the exception. Plus, the type of consult people want is different, with most now being for First Aid. Will the lockdown change the business in the long term? “Probably yes, but we’re not sure how," says Cath. "There are so many things that could influence our direction, like…if people work from home instead of commuting, maybe we’ll see them in clinic more often. Or if we go into recession, maybe people won’t come at all. Right now, we are trying to listen and learn, to understand where we fit and how we can help.”

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A pandemic photo documentary In April Gisborne photographer Rebecca Rowlands visited nearly 50 houses in the Macedon Ranges including 27 in Gisborne and Macedon to document local life during COVID-19. Rebecca hopes Faces of the Ranges brings the community closer together at a time when we’ve had to distance ourselves to protect our most vulnerable. As a photographer, I like to tell stories with my photos. I try to give the person viewing the photos an honest look into that particular moment in time. When the COVID-19 wave crashed upon us, I knew this was going to be one of those historical chapters in all of our lives that we would look back on, and decided to capture life in the Macedon Ranges for people staying at home. I also wanted to give something special to people in our gorgeous community – a free photo that they could look at in years to come and think ‘Wow, that was stay at home life for us during the COVID-19 pandemic'. Rebecca Rowlands

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How the pandemic has increased connections at Gisborne Church of Christ

o say we’re living in unprecedented times is perhaps the understatement of the 21st century so far. As if the bushfires at the start of the year weren’t enough, over the past eight weeks or so it’s felt like we’ve bounced from one shock to the next as the coronavirus pandemic has unfolded. It has been unlike anything else in living memory and every single aspect of life has been impacted. We’re experiencing this in our work, sport, hobbies, shopping, life at home, connection with friends, and in our kids’ education. The coronavirus has touched every single aspect of how we function and gather as a community and for us at Gisborne Church of Christ this has been no different. Gisborne Church of Christ is perhaps not what many would imagine a church to look like. We are a diverse group of a couple of hundred people, made up of all age groups and demographics, who meet regularly across three congregations. Our church facility was being used every day (up until the restriction of gatherings) by many local community groups including the 1st New Gisborne Scout Group, Gisborne Dance Academy, Apaches Patchwork Quilting Group, New Gisborne Community Garden and many other users. On average more than 1200 people passed through our doors weekly. Then quite suddenly the ability for us to meet, and for our building to be used in the way it was, was no longer possible. The question arose, ‘What do we do?’ With little know-how or knowledge we decided to become an ‘online church’. We set ourselves the challenge to nurture and create spaces where people could connect and care for each other in the online world. Many in our church have taken up this challenge. Our congregation has formed itself into smaller groups of about 10 to 15 people. Using applications such as Zoom and other online platforms, these groups are connecting and caring for each other on a weekly basis. In addition, many from our church have established neighbourhood WhatsApp groups enabling neighbours to connect and care for each other. One longstanding congregation member recently commented, “I’m feeling more connected to my church community then I ever have.” Another significant challenge has been how we can continue to gather together for our Sunday church service given the current restrictions.

12 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS

The Gisborne Church of Christ service

about to start ‘live’ on Easter Sunday. Photo: Ben Langenberg

audience and we now have people tuning in from places as far away as New Zealand, UK and USA.

Pastor Paul Crothers records a service at home.

We’ve created a Sunday morning online service that comes ‘from our home to your home’ using whatever technology we have in our hands, such as smartphones. Our early efforts were rather scratchy to say the least, but we’ve learnt quickly. We’ve discovered that the experience of a church service via a screen is very different to our normal gatherings. Congregational singing, for example, can be an incredibly uplifting experience when people with faith and passion sing together, but it just can’t be replicated in the same way through a screen. We’ve had to create a completely new type of service that better suits the digital medium. At each service we develop a theme to explore and we do this in a number of ways. This includes asking various

members of our congregation to film themselves. This could be a short response to a question posed, or one of our talented musicians performing a song; it could be some other creative media piece, or it might be an interview with an individual from our church who has expertise in a particular area. The value that sits behind it all is how we can best facilitate community experience and connectedness. The more faces familiar to our church congregation that we can put on the screen the better. All the segments are pre-recorded by the Thursday of each week, and then edited and packaged together ready to be streamed each Sunday morning at 10am. It’s been amazing to see our online stream generating a fivefold increase on our normal

Fiona, Rodney, Xavier and Levi watch the Gisborne Church of Christ Easter service from home.

No matter how great the restrictions on gathering may be, we have found a way to be more connected then ever. The opportunities presented will result in lasting change for us as a church. We are learning that while connection and community can be and should be experienced in physical proximity with others, the connection and community that can be experienced online when physical proximity is not possible is just as important. For as long as the restrictions on gatherings remain and beyond, a goal for us as a church will continue to be to provide that point of connection, welcome and community to those who need it and desire it, whether they live in Gisborne, the Macedon Ranges or beyond. Wherever people are, the need for community and connectedness remains. Parker Palmer, an American author and educator, wrote, “Whether we know it or not, like it or not, honour it or not, we are embedded in community. Whether we think of ourselves as biological creatures or spiritual beings or both, the truth remains: we were created in and for a complex ecology of relatedness, and without it we wither and die.” One aspect that I love about our local community of Gisborne is the many opportunities that exist to connect with and share in community with others. These include our sporting clubs, other community groups such as the Lions Club, Men’s Shed or playgroups, and our churches. During this season of isolation and social distancing my hope for every Gisborne resident is that each of us would also have that feeling of being more connected than ever before. To view one of Gisborne Church of Christ’s online services go to www. facebook.com/gisbornechurchofchrist/ or www.gcofc.org.au

Businesses adapt to the 'Iso' reality Local businesses are proving their mettle in these times, finding new ways to deliver their goods and services to the population. Cafes and restaurants have turned to takeaway-only and home delivery, professional firms have set up online service delivery, you can pick up milk and bread at McDonald's drive-thru... Gisborne, New Gisborne, Macedon and Mt Macedon remain open for business as far as possible. Here are just two stories of local businesses finding new ways to do their thing.

Iso spurs winery to launch takeaway When Bob and Barbara Nixon were told on March 29 that their beloved Gisborne Peak Winery cellar door business and cottages would need to be closed, they, like many other small business operators in the region, were heartbroken. They had to think fast and act quickly to come up with an idea that would at least keep the doors open, pay a few recurring bills and keep their brand alive. They hatched a plan and many years of accumulating email addresses through their Birthday Club paid off as they were able to quickly get the word out. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7:30pm you will now find Bob and Barb at the winery cellar door. Barb answers the phone for orders, Bob cooks the pizzas – just like 20 years ago! Customers pick up their orders from an undercover table. Barb said the couple were truly heartened and thankful for the wonderful support locals and regular customers had given them and was glad to still hear their stories, albeit at a distance. "This was never in our business plan, but it is now," said Bob Nixon. “Businesses have to adapt to changing circumstances and this surely did rock the business plan off the shelf." The service will continue for the foreseeable future and who knows, maybe for much longer.

Andrew and Ruth Keall collect their pizza from Gisborne Peak Winery on April 19

Cara and Dean Cummings Gisborne make a 'date night' of virtual Wednesday Jazz on April 22, with their children waiting on them while their parents enjoyed jazz and wine by the open fire.

Wednesday Jazz in iso Wine O'Clock Wine Bar Gisborne in Aitken Street is one of many local businesses forced to close its doors due to COVID-19. Known for its Live Jazz every Wednesday night hosted by Juliarna Clark & her Trio, Wine O'Clock's avid jazz followers have been missing their beloved live music. Not wanting to let the music die during this unprecedented time, Juliarna and James Clark have joined forces with other musicians to present a 'virtual' live jazz night every second Wednesday during the lockdown. The first episode aired on Juliarna.com on Wednesday April 8 at 7pm. It was full of fun, amazing music and lots of photos and footage of the shenanigans that go on at a regular Wednesday

session. Each episode is available to watch until the next fortnightly one is aired. Viewers can make a no-obligation donation through the virtual 'tip jar' which puts them in the running to win a Wine O'Clock bottle of wine. The donations help Juliarna and her musos continue the wonderful work they are doing. To complete the experience, Carolynn Morris, the owner of Wine O'Clock, has started making home deliveries of wine to customers so they can enjoy a glass of wine as they watch their beloved Juliarna Jazz Trio. To join the fun, log onto Juliarna.com and click the link to the Wednesday Jazz Session and call Carolynn on 0419 346 039.

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NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL Local pandemic advice service operating A ‘one-stop shop’ where the community can obtain advice and support during the pandemic is now open for business. The shire-wide Recovery Operations Centre (ROC) opened on April 22 and is a centralised service where residents can request information or advice, offer assistance or put forward recovery ideas and suggestions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The

service can be contacted by calling 5422 0237 or emailing recovery@mrsc.vic.gov.au Council officers will link with local agencies to respond to requests for assistance or information or to coordinate and where possible activate offers of assistance from the community. The Mayor, Cr Janet Pearce, said the Recovery Operations Centre embodied the widespread

#InThisTogether campaign. “We’re encouraging the community to work with Council, other organisations and each other to ask for, and offer, help during these challenging times,” Cr Pearce said. “We update mrsc. vic.gov.au/coronavirus daily, but encourage you to contact the ROC if you are in need of any type of support, or if any resources or support services need to be added to the list.”

Kindergartens open, with changes

We are here for you Have you seen our new #InThisTogether campaign online? It’s our way of supporting the wellbeing of the community at this challenging time. Please join the conversation by using #InThisTogether on social media and helping us to spread positive stories of residents, groups and businesses doing great things.

How we can support you Our new support package will assist residents, businesses and community groups feeling the impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The new financial support measures include:  Debt collection activities on 2019/20 unpaid rates and outstanding amounts ceased on 17 March and will remain halted until 30 September 2020  Through to 30 September 2020, interest will not be charged for overdue rates or other payments  Penalties for late payment of 2020/21 animal registrations that are due by 10 April will not be applied until 30 September 2020. For more information, call 5422 0333 or email mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au

mrsc.vic.gov.au/coronavirus 14 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

Council’s kindergartens are open for Term 2 with some modifications due to the pandemic. Four-year-old kindergarten sessions are free for the term following the announcement of a State Government support package for the sector. The funding will support kindergarten programs and jobs and will ensure that children can continue to access education opportunities, especially the children of essential workers and those who are vulnerable. Council Chief Executive Officer, Margot Stork, said some parents might choose to keep children at home and assured parents that places for registered children would be kept if they did not attend this term. Due to a drop in attendance last term and the likelihood that attendance numbers would be low this term, Council is not running three-year-old kindergarten programs in Term 2. “Families of registered three-year-old children who would like their children to attend kindergarten should contact the Early Years unit to discuss their needs,” Ms Stork said. “We may be able to accommodate some of these children within our four-year-old kindergarten programs in Term 2.” There will be no students on placements, parent helpers, excursions, incursions, face-toface meetings with parents or parent committee meetings until further notice. Parents should contact staff members via phone during Term 2 should they wish to discuss their child’s progress. For more information, call 5422 0333 or email eyprogramsupport@mrsc.vic.gov.au

Weighing up a coronavirus change

Estelle Green, one of Ms Walsh’s students, ready to learn at home on the first day of Term 2.

Remote teaching starts well at Holy Cross Saying a morning prayer with my students from the comfort of my own home was something I didn’t imagine I would be doing this year, but here we are! Remote learning started this term, and what a start it has been! My students have become accustomed to saying good morning to their classmates on Google Hangout, completing their work on Seesaw and filming themselves more than they would probably like to. There have been some fantastic examples of learning, as well as many “WHY WON’T YOU UPLOAD?!” moments. So far, the students are enjoying every moment of remote learning. They are enjoying watching me teach a lesson in video form, seeing the faces of their friends pop up on the screen and completing their work on a Chromebook. And although it is safe to say that remote teaching has not been a walk in the park, I can see that behind my hours of planning is a big smile waiting to learn at 9am. Caitlyn Walsh

Returning promptly to Australia from an overseas cycling holiday in March, Loris Cassar spent two weeks in self-isolation at her home in Mt Macedon, wondering what her future holds. Loris retired from practising midwifery in a metropolitan hospital three years ago and has maintained a daily yoga practice for many years. She believes yoga maintains her health and general wellbeing. In her retirement, Loris has combined her midwifery skills and yoga practice to create Macedon Ranges Pre/Post Natal Yoga, teaching online yoga sessions, supporting and preparing mothers for childbirth and motherhood, bringing the community together. The COVID-19 emergency has brought a potential change to her life. Loris’s governing registration body, AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) has urged recently retired health professionals to return to the workplace for 12 months, to ease the impact of COVID-19 on health workers. Even though the “curve” of new cases is flattening, the health system will have to face the coming winter months and the probability of a high incidence of flu and coronavirus admissions to hospital. At the point of writing, Loris was undecided about returning to midwifery. While motivated by a moral duty to the country, she was uncertain about the practicalities as it would be only for 12 months or less and she is in a high-risk age group for contracting the virus. Regardless of what her future holds, Loris reminds readers that it is important that we all continue to practise social distancing, frequent handwashing and staying at home to decrease the spread of COVID-19, and recommends finding ways to stimulate your creativity at this time.

Re-registering made easy Following the request from Australia’s health ministers to enable more health practitioners to

Loris Cassar has been urged to return to midwifery during the pandemic.

quickly return to practise, in early April AHPRA, the Medical Board of Australia, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the Pharmacy Board of Australia established a short-term pandemic response sub-register for the next 12 months. This sub-register enables doctors, nurses, midwives and pharmacists who previously held general or specialist registration and left the register of practitioners or moved to non-practising registration in the past three years to return to practise. Only those who are properly qualified, competent and suitable are returned to the register. AHPRA is contacting over 40,000 practitioners who meet these criteria to alert them that they will be added to this new sub-register unless they choose to opt out. Practitioners added to the register do not need to fill in forms or pay fees, nor meet the usual return to practice requirements and they can opt out at any time, for any reason.

It's not all about COVID-19 At Ranges Medical we know that there are many reasons people need to see a doctor. And some things can't wait. Which is why we're still OPEN for all your medical and health needs. We've put in place heightened health and safety procedures to ensure your wellbeing during this difficult time.Telehealth consultations are also available if you are at risk or uncomfortable attending the Practice. Telephone 8373 5420 to speak with our friendly reception team or online at rangesmedical.com.au 182 STATION RD, NEW GISBORNE

Gisborne Gazette May 2020 15

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Mt Macedon CFA holds open day

Proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gisborne

Good Friday Appeal raises almost $5500 The CFA raised more than Good Friday Appeal raised more than $5000 in April without the usual street collections. Normally the station on Good Friday morning would be filled with scouts, cubs, firefighters, junior members, radio operators and map coordinators ready to hit the streets of Gisborne to rattle their tins to raise money for the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. This year, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we had to collect in different ways. Collection tins were placed at various The CFA Teddy helps supervise the virtual tin raffle in this year’s Good businesses around town leading to the Friday Appeal. appeal raising $1,100. A whopping $4,369 was raised via our virtual tin rattle resulting in a total of $5,469 for our Good Friday Appeal this Mark Carter said that although times were tough, year. We would like to thank the businesses who community generosity came shining through. "This year has been challenging for everybody participated in the collection and who have also been longtime supporters: Gisborne Village Homewares, and yet people are still willing to donate to this great Gisborne Village Fresh, Doonies Diner, IGA, Vic hospital," he said. "We will be back again next year under better circumstances to support and collect for Tavern and Cellarbrations. Bevan Moody Gisborne Good Friday Appeal Ambassador this fantastic appeal."

CFA

Community House thrilled with local public support The Macedon and Mount Macedon Community House working group wish to thank all our wonderful donors and supporters during our fundraising campaign. We are especially grateful given the upheaval of COVID-19. We expected fundraising to come to a grinding halt, however the community recognised that now, more than ever, we need to come together to create a local hub for the Macedon and Mount Macedon Community. Our goal was to raise $30,000 to contribute to the necessary renovations of 47 Victoria St Macedon via a Start Some Good online fundraising platform. Once all funds have cleared we will have raised $30,120 from 66 donors through Start Some Good, six direct donations and a grant received from the GREAT Association. We also had a presence at Macedon Farmers market and collected $100 through numerous cash donations. Macedon Ranges Shire Council is finalising the tender with a building contractor and funds raised by this campaign will go towards improving wheelchair access, restumping and ensuring the building is fit for purpose. We expect that building works can still go ahead this financial year and will keep you posted when we know more. We would especially like to thank our major sponsors for their generosity: Mount Macedon Realty, Mount Macedon Shared Table and Vicki and Les Hawken, The GREAT Association, Keatings Real Estate Woodend, C. Walker, W. Rule, The Gallery Mt Macedon, Willowglade Mt Macedon and Millet Road Maker. Samara Hodson President, Macedon Community House Inc

Please don't flush rags down the loo Western Water is reminding customers to only flush the three Ps - pee, poo and (toilet) paper, after experiencing major network issues across the region caused by some residents flushing rags. At one site, the network was so badly damaged that two pumps needed replacing. Over the last few weeks, Western Water has increased advertising to remind customers of what not to flush but Acting Chief Operating Officer, Paul Clark, said some people are still flushing unsuitable items down the loo. “We’re grateful for the many people doing the right thing, but unfortunately there’s still a few who are flushing the wrong items”, said Mr Clark.

“If you need to use something other than toilet paper, then throw it in the bin instead,” Mr Clark said. Western Water is also appealing to members of the community to share the message amongst their networks where possible, including their parents and friends. “What we flush down the toilet impacts everyone and flushing the wrong items can cause sewer spills in our homes, neighbourhood or public spaces, like parks”. “Please think before you flush. It’s vital for the liveability of our region.” For more information, visit westernwater.com.au

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16 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

Well-deserved OAM for local volunteer Gisborne resident Jim Lindsay was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day this year ‘For Service to the community of the Macedon Ranges’. Bryan Power tells his story

im Lindsay's contributions to the communities in which he has lived have been deep and wide, ranging from 64 years as a church organist to serving terms as a Gisborne Shire Councillor and Group Leader of 1st Gisborne Scouts. While doing all this he was a busy and highly regarded professional pilot in Australia, New Guinea and the Middle East. A tribute to his flying skill was that he had an accident-free career even in New Guinea where, in 1966, he flew Cessna 180s and 185s for Interchurch Missionary Aviation Fellowship, negotiating airstrips 400-500 feet long (120-150 metres) and carrying all sorts of cargo including on one occasion a horse-drawn mower and on another the parts of a disassembled Land Rover. During one takeoff he had to restrain a frightened lady passenger who tried to open the door to jump from the plane. im was born in Caulfield in 1939, the eldest of three sons of an ANZ bank manager, hence the family moved about as his father was posted to branches at Dandenong, Ballarat and Shepparton. Jim and his brothers attended Dandenong State School, Trinity Grammar and Ballarat and Shepparton High Schools. After finishing school, Jim worked for the Bank of NSW in Shepparton for a year before being accepted by the RAAF for pilot training in 1957 at Uranquinty NSW, flying Winjeels and Vampires. After graduating Jim was posted to No 11 Coastal Surveillance Squadron in Richmond NSW. In 1963 Jim met Wendy Roediger and they married at the Wesley Church in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, in 1966. After leaving the air force Jim began flying with TAA. He and Wendy bought a 10-acre block in Couangalt Road, South Gisborne, in 1968 and four

years later they built a home where their three children Scott, Andrew and Samantha grew up. After the closing of the airlines following the pilots’ dispute in 1989, Jim and Wendy left their home empty and went to Dubai to join a young Emirates Airline that was taking delivery of only its fifth aircraft. Jim flew Boeing 727s to Cairo, Sri Lanka and Istanbul. Later he became a check captain training aircrew. His specialty became teaching a three-day ‘Cockpit Resource Management Communication’ course to pilots of 39 nationalities who spoke a raft of different languages, so Jim’s English had to be very clear – completely free of idioms or slang.

friend, Doug Trottman, was instrumental in setting up the Gisborne Carols by Candlelight program in 1974. Doug was a member of the Footscray-Yarraville City Band and he organised for them to provide the music for the evening. (In the following year the band was named champion in all musical awards and trophies in its class at the Canadian National Exhibition Band Contest.)

n Dubai, Sheik Rashid gave land to the Anglican and Catholic Churches. The Anglicans built a large church that was also used by 64 other denominations so the pews were always referred to as “hot seats”. Up to 500 people attended the Anglican services and Jim was the organist. Meanwhile Wendy was kept busy as President of the Aircrew Wives Association. In the years prior to his time in Dubai, Jim served on the boards of Braemar College and Macedon Grammar and, with a

Wendy and Jim on the wedding day of their son Andrew in 2017.

ince his retirement and return to Gisborne Jim has been an active member of the Anglican Parish of Gisborne with responsibility for the parish bus and acting as its representative with the Gisborne Community Food Bank. He has been a volunteer bus and car driver since 2007 with Macedon Ranges Health’s Life Enhancement Program, providing weekly bus outings for dementia patients and driving patients to medical appointments all over Melbourne. Jim played with the Kyneton Municipal Brass Band for many years and was responsible for the production of its Christmas concerts. He was also involved in assisting disadvantaged young people gain their hours of driving experience towards passing their driving licence through the L2P program run by Cobaw Health.

n commenting on his award, Jim says, “Through the years I have had the total and generous support of my wife Wendy and our children who have encouraged me in all my various community activities and endeavours. I feel extremely humble and pay tribute to the tireless support of many dedicated work colleagues and the committed volunteers in church and community organisations with whom it has been my privilege to be associated.” Because of the COVID-19 pandemic the presentation of awards at Government House has been put on hold but we hope to bring you a photo when Jim’s presentation finally goes ahead.

Open on Wednesday and Friday 10am to 3pm We are here to provide temporary food assistance for those in need Enter via Heritage Way at the back of the Gisborne Uniting Church Enquiries: 0492 850 520 Email: gisborneccf@gmail.com

Gisborne Gazette May 2020 17

CWA Macedon

Macedon vegetable collection for Gisborne Foodbank Recently a few Macedon locals banded together to create a way for the community to support the Foodbank in Gisborne. Every Wednesday between 9.30am and 10.30am a table is set up outside the Macedon Post Office and people are invited to bring their home grown produce – vegies, fruit, herbs, flowers – to donate to the Foodbank. Then a small, but hopefully growing, group of cyclists (everyone is welcome) fill their bags with donations and ride down to Gisborne to deliver the food to the Foodbank. It is a great workout and gives the ride a destination and a purpose. Despite it being the end of harvest time in most gardens, there has been an amazing array of produce donated and great generosity and community spirit. Catch us at the Macedon Post Office on a Wednesday morning!

Kate Lawrence

Some of the fresh donations for the Foodbank from Macedon gardens on April 15.

Gisborne Foodbank Manager Anita Worrell happily receives ‘boomerang’ bags made by Gisborne CWA members.

CWA Gisborne We are living in a very strange and difficult time but as I write the sun is out, it’s a beautiful autumn day and I am healthy, so I can’t complain. There has been networking between our members, emails or phone calls, and it’s nice to know there is always a friend in CWA we can call on if necessary. Gardening, baking, knitting, sewing, quilting and reading have all been favourite pastimes over the last few weeks but we also have a couple of beekeepers who have been busy collecting their season’s honey. There have been quite a few cloth bags sewn and donated to the local foodbank for which they have been very grateful. We usually sing Happy Birthday to our birthday girls of the month so instead I will say Christine best wishes to Judy B. and Melva for April and Edwards Chris C, Margaret and Maria for May. We are looking forward to getting back to normal meetings but I’m not sure when that will be. In the meantime, we have to keep ourselves busy and think of how wonderful the next creative arts exhibition will be with everyone having more time at home to spend on their crafts. Christine Edwards, 0437 953 253

As expected, all CWA activities remain suspended. Many of our members are using their time to connect with their families and friends using the internet and phones, and managing to catch up with many tasks in the “I don’t have time” basket. Given the plentiful rain in recent months, I have managed to get out for some lovely walks and enjoy the breathtaking autumn colours surrounding us. In recent years leaves have withered and fallen before they reached their full splendor. Children enjoy discovering the diversity of fungi which appear in moist conditions, and some are so tiny that we need the ‘eagle eyes’ of children to see them. In my garden, I have had a bumper crop of purple beans, potatoes, dahlias and roses due to the plentiful rain. Here is a recipe using some of these ingredients that I hope you enjoy. Jenny Strang Warm Bean Salad Ingredients: potatoes cubed, beans topped and tailed, diced tomato, olive oil, pepper, salt and crushed garlic to taste. Method: steam potatoes and beans until tender. Mix with diced tomato and other ingredients while still warm. Serve warm, but can be eaten cool also. We wish all the readers courage and strength, and thank the people at the Gisborne Gazette for continuing to produce a community paper that helps to keep us connected. Jenny Strang

Dahlias from Jenny's garden to gladden our hearts.

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For details contact Phone 5428 9282 Email stukric@hotmail.com 18 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

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Gisborne Library News

No knees up here, Mother Brown “This facility is closed until further notice.” I allowed myself a small smile. This facility didn’t need a sign for that to be known, I thought. Said facility was a patch of earth off the path that runs alongside Gardiner Reserve, beside the creek, midway to Sankey Reserve. The patch of earth was bordered off from the grass. It was a staging post for the exercisers among us — a designated spot to do knee-lifts. The sign said so. But now another sign countermanded that: “This facility is closed until further notice.” I’ve been walking this path with my dog Dennis for several years now, and I’ve never seen anyone availing themselves of the designated area to do knees-up. Perhaps the knees-up brigade take a

The sign in question…. One of many at facilities around the shire that have had to notify temporary closure.

REFLECTIONS

with Warwick McFadyen

different time to raise their knees to their chest. Perhaps early morning is not the best time for a knee workout. Then again, perhaps no one simply bothers to do it in a designated area. Perhaps knees-up people are really the rebels among us, perhaps they do it somewhere else. The poor knees-up patch of earth really is collateral damage to the ban on using playground equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. Its exercise companions along the path, such as the push-up bars and the lift-your-chin-up-over-the-bar, all carry such signs, but with good reason, given that academics believe that the virus can survive on hard surfaces for up to 72 hours. University of Queensland academics Ian Mackay and Katherine Arden wrote in The Conversation recently: “The virus does degrade over time, but you should avoid touching these surfaces in shared spaces.” No chance of that with poor knees-up. Perhaps Macedon Ranges Council is just covering all the bases. Perhaps it believes hordes might descend on the knees-up patch of earth; in these times more than two knees-up practitioners is a horde, so best to close it altogether – as much as you can close a patch of earth. As to its policing, this is probably a moot point. Poor knees-up is a lonely, lonely patch of earth at the best of times, never mind the worst of times.

BOOK REVIEW

by Sara Bryant Gisborne Library

I recently listened to the audio book Stella and Margie by Glenna Thomson on the RB digital App (free to library members). I really liked this story. It was great to hear different points of view from all of the characters and it highlighted to me that no-one really knows what is going on in other people’s lives and how if we could all communicate better and be kinder to one another, relationships can heal. This is the blurb from the book: "Stella and her mother-in-law Margie are two very different women. Stella is

Anzac display Grade Prep, One and Two children at Holy Cross Primary on April 23 made poppies from tissue paper to decorate an Australian flag in the window. The flag print was published in the Herald Sun which asked readers to put it in their front windows for Anzac Day.

Gisborne library staff are all doing OK with their families in lockdown. We are still working so check out the Gisborne Library Facebook page and the other Goldfields Library branches’ pages as well. Goldfields Library now has a Youtube channel with lots to view! We hope our local community members who are active on social media and using technology can help their neighbours (over the fence) who may not be as skilled. If anyone has an email address you can email gisborne@ncgrl.vic.gov.au and we can help you over the phone to access the library’s online resources. We are joining non-members up over the phone too or you can register online and we can email you your details. For all the families now needing to educate their children at home, we have a range of e-resources available on www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au and www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/ekids, and Sunshine Online (sunshineonline.com.au) has school type readers.

kind, compassionate and a little chaotic. Margie is prickly, demanding, with bitter memories of her past. "When Margie needs help recovering from a major operation, she reluctantly returns to the farm where for decades, until Stella’s arrival, she was the one in charge. "But two women gradually form an unlikely bond, as the ambitions, secrets, and tragedies that have shaped their lives are slowly uncovered." Happy reading, Sara

● We’re hosting a live chat online with award-winning author Arnold Zable on Wednesday May 20 at 7pm. His newest book, The Watermill, is a quartet of true stories of displacement, survival and resistance and reflects the universal spirit of humanity. Master storyteller Arnold Zable takes us to distant lands, and those closer to home, to weave tales within tales of people compelled to live extraordinary lives. Access the live-stream at https://youtu.be/ QdsmyVqXUbM Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more virtual author talks! Be kind to yourself – We miss you all. Georgina

BRAINBUSTERS 1. Who is the Secretary-General of the United Nations?

Isabella Howley by the school’s Anzac Day display.

6. A vexillologist is a person who collects or studies what?

2. Which Australian city has the suburbs of Iron- 7. In which war was the Battle of the Somme? bark, Spring Gully, Quarry Hill and White Hills? 8. What year did television transmission start in Australia? 3. What is your scapula? 9. How many British kings have been called 4. Which African city is overlooked by Table George? Mountain? 10. What was the claim to fame of Captain J. Edward Smith who died on April 15, 1912? 5. From which fim is the saying “I’ll be back”? Gisborne Gazette May 2020 19

LOCAL HISTORY

Gisborne & Mount Macedon Districts Historical Society Gisborne Court House  4 Hamilton Street Open Wednesdays 10am to 4pm  Phone 5428 1450 e: history@gisbornemountmacedon.org.au www.gisbornemountmacedon.org.au

Macedon Public Cemetery funeral was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd at Mount Macedon and she was interred in Macedon Cemetery, next to her mother and father, Charles and Marian Ryan.

From the Archives of the Historical Society

s the township of Middle Gully, later named Macedon, was surveyed, a large area of land was reserved for the purpose of a Public Cemetery on November 30 1860. Cemeteries were usually developed in association with specific churches or following meetings of local residents. An “Act for the Establishment and Management of Cemeteries in the Colony of Victoria” had been passed in 1854 by the Victorian Government, forming the basis of cemetery management. The trustees were charged with the responsibility of developing the grounds, imposing rules and regulations, allowing Christian ministers of religion free access to their own consecrated section, removal of inappropriate vaults and monuments and keeping accurate records. The Government Gazette of 1861 listed as Trustees of the Macedon Cemetery the following local gentlemen: William English, James Clark, Thomas Moore, Arthur Cowperthwaite, Thomas Pybus Smith and Henry Parsons. These trustees were given a grant to clear the land and to implement the layout of the grounds. The first chairman of Trustees was Thomas Pybus Smith after whom Smith Street is named. The first official burial in 1851 was for Kate Parsons, the young daughter of trustee Henry Parsons. Parsons was the only person in attendance and the location was not recorded. The first records of interments were made from 1873, by which time there were seven unmarked graves, most of them for children. Picturesque Macedon public cemetery holds a great deal of local heritage. The monuments and flora contained within these grounds, create a distinctive character. Several specimens of Pinus Ponderosa (Western yellow pine) that were propagated from seeds provided by Joseph Firth, the first Superintendent of the Macedon State Nursery, are located on either side of the central path. Other plantings include a mixture of conifers, eucalypts and oak trees. Situated at the foot of Mount Macedon, this cemetery is not only a resting place, it is a site that provides significant links to the area’s rich cultural and social history. People from all walks of life have been interred here including Lord Richard Casey, a Governor-General of Australia, famous artist Ellis Rowan and early settlers such as Thomas Christian, James Nicholls, Dr Duncan Turner, Samuel Saddington,

20 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

Thomas Christian

The Ryan family monument and headstone of Thomas Christian and family

Henry Campey, William Watson, Alfred Turner and Charles Cogger among many others.

Ellis Rowan

arian Ellis Rowan nee Ryan was born on July 30, 1848, the eldest child of Charles and Marian nee Cotton. Although Ellis had no formal painting lessons, her maternal grandfather, John Cotton, was a bird painter of distinction and many of the Cotton family were art connoisseurs. Ellis began painting at the family home of ‘Derriweit Heights’ at Upper Macedon, beginning with flowers that were abundant throughout the extensive family garden. In 1872, her skill as a watercolour flower artist won her first prize at Melbourne’s second Intercolonial Exhibition. Ellis became a regular exhibitor and prize winner at trade fairs that were an important symbol of civic and national pride for the world’s largest cities in the 19th century. Ellis married Frederic Charles Rowan, an amateur botanist, on October 23, 1873, in Richmond. They returned briefly to ‘Derriweit Heights’ for the birth of their only child, Eric in 1875. The family lived for a time in New Zealand where as a young mother, Frederic encouraged Ellis to continue her artistic pursuits. Following the death of Frederic in 1892, Ellis returned to Mount Macedon and for the next three years, continued to paint and expose the variety and richness of Australian flora to the world. Eric had moved to England and died there in 1897. Ellis managed her grief by keeping busy, travelling alone throughout Australia, collecting species and painting them.

Ellis Rowan She exhibited successfully in London, New York, Sydney and Melbourne and her fame rose so rapidly, that Queen Victoria added three of her paintings to her personal collection. In 1905, Ellis mounted a private exhibition in London of 100 of her Australian wildflower canvases and in 1916 and 1918 she travelled to Papua and New Guinea, finding and illustrating many unclassified flowers and the endangered birds of paradise. In 1920, an exhibition was held in Sydney of 1000 of her paintings which at that time, was the largest collection ever to be exhibited in Australia. When Ellis Rowan died at the ‘Cottage’, Mount Macedon, on October 4, 1922, she left a legacy of an estimated 3000 works of the flora of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the United States and the West Indies. Her

hen Thomas Christian died on December 11, 1894, at the age of 62 in a private hospital in Kyneton, the funeral cortege comprised 30 vehicles and 32 horsemen. He was widely known and highly respected, being for many years a member of the Board of Advice of the State School system and a Justice of the Peace. He was also a Councillor for the Macedon Riding of the Gisborne Shire for seven years. His services in the community were many and varied and among his kindly acts was the gift of land next to his store on which the Church of the Good Shepherd was erected. Christian, who was a native of the Isle of Man, had arrived in Australia in 1857 with his two brothers where they were engaged in the sawmilling industry until 1873, using the dammed water from the Turitable Creek to enable them to operate their steam-driven mill. When most of the mountain had been denuded of trees, Christian turned his attention to fruit growing and jam making. He cleared his land and established an extensive orchard in the vicinity of the present Christian Street at Mount Macedon. He began concentrating on growing apples, pears and plums, later adding gooseberries, currants, several varieties of nuts and raspberries. Many local children were employed during their holidays to pick the fruit in large wooden buckets. Christian operated the jam factory in conjunction with the orchard, producing approximately five tons of jam yearly that was sealed in tins or earthenware jars supplied by the Epsom pottery company near Bendigo. Thomas Christian was married twice, first to Maria Lawrence with whom he had two sons and one daughter. Maria died in 1877 and was interred in Macedon Cemetery. He then married Maria’s sister Jane Ann and they had a son and a daughter. Two weeks after the death of Thomas, Jane Ann died on Christmas Day in 1894 and son Thomas Jnr died in 1895.

The big O’ D

BULLENGAROOK'S FAMOUS DETECTIVE

Dave O’Donnell (1860-1946) was a legendary and incorruptible police detective, born at Bullengarook. He featured in Frank Hardy’s bestselling book ‘Power Without Glory’* as detective sergeant Dave O’Flaherty.

bility, physical prowess and courage all combined to make Dave O’Donnell’s a household name in Melbourne. But his crusade against illegal gambling and his relentless, incorruptible efforts to close the Collingwood totalizator and other gambling houses made him almost legendary, says the Australian Dictionary of Biography. Using informers, surveillance, subterfuge, battering-rams and large teams of policemen, O’Donnell prosecuted illegal gambling operators in a manner unprecedented in Australia. And he paid for it. Forced to carry a revolver, he was constantly followed by criminals and at times attacked. David George O’Donnell, often referred to as “the big O’D”, was born at Bullengarook in 1860, the son of Irish immigrants Michael O’Donnell and Johanna (nee Barry). O’Donnell’s father was a farmer and former prison warder. His brother was Dr Nicholas O’Donnell, a leading figure in Irish Catholic Melbourne. According to an article in Punch magazine in 1889, while still a youngster Dave O'Donnell had just one aim in life: to be a

The O'Donnell home at Bullengarook (couple by front door unidentified)

policeman. "Undeterred by the fact that a policeman’s life is not a happy one," said the article, "he made a firm resolve to join the force. It is as well that he did so, for had he not there’s no knowing what would have become of him. Why, he might even have become a member of Parliament." After completing his education at St Brigid’s in Gisborne, he joined the artillery in 1876 and the police in 1878. O’Donnell was an excellent rifle shot, and this may in part account for his being one of the first men sent in pursuit of the Kelly gang around 1880. While posted at Wagunyah early in his career, to keep himself fit O'Donnell regularly ran 1000 metres and swam 1000 metres in the Murray against the current. "Later," wrote

Michael and Johanna O'Donnell with Dave, left, and baby Nicholas, 1862.

Punch, "while stationed at Port Melbourne, he particularly distinguished himself and was eventually moved to plainclothes duty. On one occasion, a terrible night, a woman with baby in arms rushed along the pier and threw herself and child headlong into the rolling sea. "O’Donnell in his helmet, big coat, handcuffs etc, without a moment’s hesitation, dashed off the pier and, after plunging about for some time, the night being dark and bitterly cold, managed to reach the pair and land them on the beach. This was in 1881, and his courage was rewarded with a medal conferred on him by the Royal Humane Society. "O’Donnell, a healthy gent of 6’2” and weighing 22 stone [188cm and 140kg], was what may be termed a pretty tough customer, and during a period in Bendigo he had many a scrap with the roughest of the rough. With a knowledge of how to ‘put up his dooks’, and being no mean

hand at wrestling, he was never knocked off his feet. "Good policemen are not popular with a certain cohort, and there was a lady resident of a disreputable right-ofway off Little Bourke Street who was desirous of sending David George up to join the angels — she tried to stab him in a street row, thankfully without too much effect." At the height of O’Donnell’s antigambling activities in Collingwood, a bomb was thrown through the window of his house in Fitzroy, fortunately without causing injury. After his retirement in 1915, O'Donnell bought the property 'Erinvale' on Kilmore Road in Gisborne and served as a local councillor for 16 years. Predeceased by his wife Ellie (nee Hickey) and two of their children, O’Donnell died at Elwood in 1946. *Power Without Glory was built around the corrupt activities of businessman John Wren, fictionalised as 'John West'.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Proudly sponsored by Macedon Ranges Health

supported by benetas

A virtual Shed: We’re still here! Like a lot of places around Gisborne, we’ve had to close our physical doors to look after the health of ourselves and the rest of the community. But we are not closed for business. We’ve still got a (sort of) shed. We call it the Virtual Shed. We are still ensuring that our fellow Shedmen are connected with a range of online activities. One such activity is a weekly newsletter. We call it the Men’s Shed Gazette in honour of the support we get from this great newspaper. We also have regular phone contact with all current members. Our committee meets once or twice a week by conference phone call or video link to coordinate these activities and support each other. So we’re still operating, it just means our current tool box is limited to phones and computers. We’re also working on designs for future projects so we’ll be ready to hit the ground running as soon as our government leaders say it’s safe to open up. So, for the time being we can’t invite you to visit for a chat and a cuppa … but watch this space.

Gisborne Oaks has been in lockdown for many weeks and I am sorry to say we will be for many more. To help residents cope, the Lifestyle Enhancement Program team have been wonderful. They have had fingernail-painting days, line dancing, chair aerobics and the large LEP room is open with the tables covered with all sorts of art. Two ladies are making pot-pourri and there are games, jigsaws, quizzes, all sorts of puzzles and some are even playing table tennis. Margaret, our hairdresser is unable to come so Janet is now doing hair. There is a large sign on the door that reads “Hairdresser in training” and at the bottom in small print it says “Enter at own risk”. Residents have had a cheese and wine afternoon, hot cross bun cooking and Easter egg making, coffee mornings and, of course, karaoke and bingo. The wonderful children of Macedon have sent residents dozens of cards, letters and lovely paintings that Sharon has put on all the walls around the Oaks. It looks terrific and I wish the residents could thank each and every one of you. A granddaughter of one of our residents arranged for a florist to send flowers so each resident had a bunch of flowers in their room. In Queensland, my granddaughter Jessica paid for an elderly couple’s groceries because they didn’t have a card. A lady in Melbourne put a toilet

Another Gazette in town...

Don't ignore your general health

BETTY'S BOOP

With Betty Doolan

Eric Wilkin holds a special letter he received.

roll in her neighbour’s letterbox, meals have been taken to people’s homes, all sorts of kindness shown to each other. My granddaughter Fiona came to visit me at the hostel – we sat with a glass wall between us. Fiona gave me an iPad the family had bought for me “just to let you know you are not forgotten”. I wish you all to be safe and may God bless you all. Stay safe, Betty

One of the concerns behind the scenes starting to play out overseas is that patients who have chronic health issues are getting sicker and ending up in hospital. Their chronic health issues are being ignored due to social distancing measures. Data from New York show the number of emergency calls for cardiac arrests and the number of cardiac arrest deaths rose exponentially in March-April 2020 compared with the same time in 2019. Most of this would be related to a lack of regular follow-up. There is not much local data yet regarding chronic health issues and their complications, but there is an ad on television from the Heart Foundation talking about monitoring cardiac conditions during this time. There are many ways to get in touch with your doctor now and the government has made provisions for this. You can have a phone or video consult and also still have face to face visits with many doctors. The doctor will be able to help you manage risk and tell you what can be done later and what needs attention now. The news regarding phone and video consults has not filtered through to everyone so please share this with your family and friends. Most clinics are offering this service. You can follow a daily COVID-19 post by Dr Umair Masood at www.facebook. com/NealStreetMedicalClinic

To contact Neal Street Medical Clinic phone 5483 3333.

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22 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

International NO DIET Day – yes there is such a thing A column on general health by local resident Julie Ireland Believe it or not, May 6 is International No Diet Day. Yes, there is one! And while the origins of this day are well intentioned, it begs the question, does this mean that the other 364 days of the year are therefore days on which we must diet? International No Diet Day (#NoDietDay) is a day dedicated to highlighting body acceptance regardless of size, shape and weight. It is a day to focus on long term

health and not shortterm fad dieting which, research has shown, sets us up for failure. As someone who has tried practically every fad diet ever invented, I am By Julie pretty sure that this has always been the case Ireland for me! The diet industry relies on return business, not long-term success. This of course, does not include diets under medical supervision that are not fads at all.

The original definition of diet was the kinds of food that a person habitually eats. When did the word diet change to mean the restriction of certain foods in order to lose weight and make yourself miserable in the process? Losing weight and remaining at a healthy weight is the only thing that I have had difficulty conquering in my life and it is still a daily challenge. However, I have now found a way to slowly get back to a healthy weight that works for me. A quote from Michael Pollan, a food author, that I try to always come back to when things get out of control

COVID-19 – Simple tips for strange times COVID-19 has changed the way

Maintain physical activity

many of us live day-to-day. But there are many simple things we can do to help keep ourselves well during these strange times. In the wake of COVID-19, it may feel like the world's been turned on its head. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and worried about your health and wellbeing, and that of your family and friends. That’s why it’s good to know that there are some easy measures you can take to help look after yourself and keep you better able to look after the people you care about.

Try ‘green’ exercise, by taking a walk in non-crowded parklands. Drink in that fresh air. At home, take the opportunity to have some fun. Put the music on and dance.

Minimise stress Stress can negatively impact the immune system. Take some time out. Stop. Meditate. Have calming herbal teas. If you can’t take time out, don’t try to do it all; prioritise what’s important to reduce your todo list.

Get enough sleep A good night’s sleep really is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health.

Eat wholefoods Make wholefoods number-one in your diet; fresh colourful fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, seeds and nuts. Specifically, focus on Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits. In times like this, it’s good to remember some common-sense strategies and foods that can help to keep us well-nourished all year round – not just during times of stress. So, look after yourselves, and each other.

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is “Eat food (real, not processed), not too much, mostly plants”. We have been in COVID-19 lockdown for over a month now and it is timely to remember that we’re not in isolation in order to come out thinner than before, we’re in lockdown to come out safe and healthy, and keep others safe and healthy. It’s a time to be kind to ourselves by eating well, getting a little exercise, and keeping in touch with friends and family for our (and their!) wellbeing. Take care of yourselves everyone.

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Gisborne Gazette May 2020 23

ARTS

Proudly sponsored by Macedon Ranges Art Group, Phoenix Macedon Ranges Art & Craft, The Gallery Mt Macedon, The Gisborne Singers, Duneira, Licorice Allsorts, Macedon Music, The Mount Players, Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society Central Victoria and Woodend Art Group

A special moment in hard times

Josie, Harriet and Jude Barnes are zooming into rehearsals from home.

Young Voices rehearse online Like so many organisations, Young Voices of Macedon are currently unable to rehearse in the usual way. So we have taken the choir online. Weekly rehearsals are taking place on Thursdays via Zoom, with separate sessions for the Vivos (5 to 8 yrs) and Cantabiles (9+ yrs). This allows not only continued learning, but provides a valuable opportunity for children to socialise with their chorister friends. We are also providing resources: scores, backing tracks and video tutorials. We have the facility to allow children to send in audio recordings of songs and parts they have learned, and to receive individual feedback. In this way, we are continuing to prepare for our performance of the substantial jazz cantata Captain Noah and his floating zoo, although the likelihood of performing the work as planned in October is by no means certain. Even though our choir is not functioning as normal we are happy to receive new members. Singing is a great way to beat coronavirus blues and boredom! See our website yvmacedon.org.au

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The pandemic has been heartbreaking for Theresa Thomson of Gisborne because it has kept her from being able to visit her husband Ray who is in care. Ray Thomson has the rare brain disorder progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and after many years is now in a care home in Windsor. Theresa usually visits Ray a few times a week, but lockdown restrictions have meant she has only been able to communicate with him via telephone. On Saturday April 18, Theresa was granted special permission to visit Ray for 15 minutes. During her visit, Theresa and Ray Thomson on April 18 she was able to show him a book she has just published in the UK in memory of his old boy who has been recently orphaned and is son Michael who had a tragic death in 2017 at living with his aunt and uncle. age 39. An extraordinary friendship begins between Theresa said Michael was always so kind to the boy and the uncontrollable shapeher and she promised Ray she would shifting spirit – the boggart. write a children’s book with Michael When a gang of crooks target as the main character. She thought it the boy’s village, he enlists the would give her husband some comfort boggart’s help to bring the criminals and happiness, and that it has. to justice, leading to curious and The book, titled A Sting in the Tale, hilarious events." is an adventure story for children that A Sting in the Tale is available in Theresa describes as “full of nice paperback and e-book formats from people”. major online bookselling sites. The back reads: Theresa published it under the "In a cavern beneath the Yorkshire pseudonym Henrietta Hammond, her Moors a boggart has been sleeping grandmother’s name, and hopes it is enjoyed by for 300 years, trapped behind a fall of rocks. He many after Ray. is released from his long slumber by an 11-year-

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Original Mountview Theatre (the Old Macedon Presbyterian Church)

Mountview Theatre today.

Raising the curtain at Mountview As the stage is currently empty and waiting with great anticipation for the next show to start rehearsing, I thought readers would like to know more about the history of The Mountview Theatre in Macedon. In 1972, local resident Neville Thurgood gathered together a group of locals to form The Mount Players with the intention of entering a one-act play in the Kyneton Daffodil Festival. This began what is now a vibrant, active community drawing talent from far and wide. The newly formed theatre company continued to perform one-act plays but had no permanent home. In 1975 they obtained a lease of the old Macedon Presbyterian Church located where the current theatre is today. Between 1975 and 1977, with a government grant of $8,000, members of the company together with local business groups donated their time and goods to convert the church into a tiny, cosy theatre with a seating capacity of 50. The theatre

officially opened in 1977 with The now transferred to the ownership of Golden Legion of Cleaning Women. the Shire of Gisborne and The Mount Players entered into a 21-year lease as Between 1978 and 1982 the tenants of the land and any buildings. company produced a wider range of performances including murder In 1986, following an intensive period of fundraising, building of the new mysteries, comedies, theatre began. A local musicals and pantomimes. professional builder took In February 1983 on the building part-time on Ash Wednes-day, with members helping tragedy struck when with the more mundane the theatre, along with jobs to help complete the many members’ homes, project. was destroyed. Original In 1987 the company memoirs, photographs and programs were was greatly saddened by the sudden loss of their also lost. So began another period of being then-President, Margaret Woods, and former homeless which saw Front cover of the first full secretary and Life Member, the company perform production staged in the Fred Blake. in venues such as original theatre in 1977. As work continued it the Mechanics Hall in Gisborne, Wooling Hill in New became clear that there weren’t going to be enough funds to complete the Gisborne, the Arts Centre in Kyneton, Gisborne Secondary College and the theatre so in 1989 an agreement was entered into with the Shire of Macedon Family Hotel. Gisborne under which the shire owned In 1985, the now vacant land was

the building and The Mount Players were given exclusive occupancy of the theatre and were to manage and maintain the building. In November 1990 the new Mountview Theatre officially opened with the performance of Scrooge. The rest, as they say, is history. The Mount Players have continued to produce four quality productions a year, an annual one-act play festival and, with the introduction of a Youth Theatre in 2007, its future is rosy. How lucky are we to have this incredible theatre on our door step? All we need now is to clear this virus so we can return to doing what we love the most – bringing live theatre to our audiences. If you would like to read about the history in more detail and see photographs of past productions we invite you to our website www. themountplayers.com See you at the theatre – soon, I hope! Karen Hunt

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Bushwalkers champing at the bit

Sue Dilley, Nadine Hartnett, Di Egan, Kathy Medbury and,Phoenix President Kaye Taylor-Law.

Phoenix show success The Phoenix Macedon Ranges Art and Craft Group had another very successful exhibition in early March, just before restrictions were placed on large gatherings, at the Old Gisborne Court House with many visitors purchasing a wide variety of beautiful artwork. The Marion Gebbie Memorial Award for Creativity was announced at the Opening on Saturday afternoon with Sue Dilley named the winner for a woven wall hanging made from a variety of plant fibres, titled “Autumn Platter”. Honourable Mention went to Di Egan for a free machine embroidered landscape. This year’s judges were Nadine Hartnett and Kathy Medbury. The Special Effort Basket, filled with work by all the members, was won by Rebecca from Sunbury. The winning piece, If you are interested in ex“Autumn Platter” by hibiting your work as part of a Sue Dilley, made from larger organised group, you grape vine, flax, bark, will find contact details on draceana leaves, and palm inforescence. www.phoenixmrac.com

You can’t keep a good bushwalker down for too long, especially in the great autumn weather we had in April, so our members have been keeping busy! We are at home, taking on long-planned garden projects, or setting off in singles or pairs to enjoys the outdoors in our beautiful part of the world, walking eerily quiet streets or in tranquil bushland with only the sound of birds for company. We keep in touch on Facebook and through our own club newsletter, by email and phone chats, and share ideas for keeping healthy, fit and sane! Some are meditating, some are knitting, some are working on huge jigsaw puzzles...all of us are looking forward to enjoying great walks together again! We are still taking on new members, in the hope that these days will come soon. If you are interested in joining, call Pierre on 0417 515 468, Janeen on 0416 052 366, Nigel on 0437 715 972, or Ashley on 0490 133 656. Or check out our website: www.gisbornebwc.org.au. Margaret Muehlheim Bushwalkers enjoyed especially peaceful walks in April due to COVID-19 restrictions

Fermata for Gisborne Singers The Gisborne Singers, like everyone else, are having an enforced pause from activities due to social distancing requirements. The May concerts and mid-year Cabaret have been cancelled but the choir hopes to be able to resume in time for its slated November performances of the Messiah. Pending lifting of restrictions, the Singers will present three concerts of the choral masterpiece in late 2020 – November 22 in Kyneton, November 29 in New Gisborne and December 6 in Ballan. In the meantime, choir members are missing choir practice and missing each other’s

Jude, Harriet and Josie Barnes

Gisborne Gazette May 2020

Singers

company, although digital platforms provide some form of communication. Members are using the time to pursue their own singing and learning of instruments. We all wish our patrons well during the pandemic and look forward to getting back to practice and performances. Once resumed we will be, as always, looking for new choir members (especially tenors and basses). Enquiries: www.gisbornesingers.org.au the

Gisborne

(Fermata – a pause of unspecified length (mus)

Antarctic continent and the Ross Sea: A route less travelled A fascination with the Antarctic goes back to the days of the early explorers, Shackleton, Scott, Borchgrevink and the other many intrepid adventurers who forged a presence in this remote location of the world. While travelling to Antarctica is now not such a life-threatening experience there are still regions that see few visitors each year. The Antarctic Peninsula, accessed from South America, received 50,648 visits in the 2017-18 season. By comparison the Ross Sea Region had 189 in the same time period. My husband Tom and I spent 28 days travelling to the Ross Sea region in January and were immersed in the spectacular history, landscapes and wildlife, the beauty and fragility, that few get to experience. Our journey began and finished in Bluff, New Zealand, visiting many of the sub-Antarctic islands on the way – Enderby, Auckland, Macquarie, and Campbell Islands and The Snares – all showcasing their abundant wildlife and spectacular vistas.

Emperor Penguin

The distance from Bluff to the first contact with the Antarctic Peninsula is 3098km involving many days of sea travel, predominantly rough with some smooth. The Ross Sea region is rich with historical sites from the early days of exploration. All the huts are beautifully restored and kept in immaculate condition. They provide an amazing insight into the difficulties encountered and the tenacity of the early explorers who opened up this region. The wildlife is abundant with regular sightings of whales and seals and the everpresent penguins. The Adelie Penguin is the most prolific with some sites home to 300,000 penguins and more. The regal Emperor penguin and the Chinstrap, while less prolific, are charming! With travel restrictions upon us for some time to come it is lovely to reflect on these wonderous places and perhaps to dream of what might be possible in the future. Deborah Mullins

Mt Erebus. Inset, photographer Deborah Mullins

Shackleton’s Hut on Cape Royds

Life at the Ross Ice Shelf

Now is the perfect time to dig into your family history During this time of lockdown many repositories have put records online. The State Library of Victoria is making ancestry.com freely available. If you are not a member of SLV you can join online.

It is worth checking to see what other records are currently available both in Australia and overseas. The National Archives in England have released many of their records for the first time. It’s a good time to buy Victorian BDM certificates – the cost has been reduced until the end of May. You can download them online. The Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV) is also a wonderful site for im-

migration records, school records, wills and probate etc. Wills are a mine of information – you can often find additional family members mentioned, land and property details and they are one of the few records that your ancestor actually signed which makes them very personal. And they’re free! So during this time of closures let’s make the most of what is available. On April 16 the Gisborne Genealogical Group conducted its Annual General Meeting via email – a new way to hold the meeting in these unusual times. Life Member Heather Tumber

acted as scrutineer. Thankfully we had already had a general meeting and a committee meeting in February so we had received nominations for the executive, and votes for the Member of the Year award. The office bearers for the coming year are: President – Lorraine Greer; Vice-President – Doreen Green; Secretary – Tricia McLay; Minute Secretary – Julie Dworak; Treasurer – Lorna Jackson. Committee members are Mary Ritchie and Pat Gordon. Lynley Hall will remain as Librarian, Kerry Trawn as Newsletter Editor and

Leanne Goss as Website Manager. We thank Michele Pinti and Ian Beever who have retired from Committee. Michele also received the Member of the Year award for 2020. A member of GGG since 1992, Michele has done a very capable job as President over the past three years despite working full time and moving to Melbourne during this time. We thank her for her commitment over many years and congratulate her on the award. We welcome the new committee and wish them well as they navigate the months ahead. Happy researching! Lyn Hall Gisborne Gazette May 2020 27

FOR THE GREEN THUMBS Garden Club offers some tips for 'iso' gardening Resulting from the regulations imposed on us as a result of COVID-19, our monthly club meetings have been suspended until further notice. How long this may stay this way remains to be seen. Nevertheless, we have an interest in our gardens to keep us occupied and interested, even if we are often on our own. I guess I’m in the same situation as most, sitting in my kitchen, watching the New Holland honeyeaters gambolling among the banksia with the bees, with an occasional splash in the birdbath. So, I have some suggestions for you that you may consider ‘while you have time on your hands’, knowing that there is always something to do in any garden; things to plant, things to harvest, plants to cut back, plants to propagate and tools to maintain. For me this means oiling tool handles (mineral turpentine mixed with equal parts of raw linseed oil), sharpening my various loppers and secateurs and oiling the blade of my hedge trimmer

Various succulents – these plants are easy to propagate.

that is getting a real beating at this time. For those of you who have not yet prepared your vegetable patch for a winter crop, it’s not too late to plant. If you had a summer crop where you are now intending to plant, be sure to improve the soil with organic fertiliser like blood-and-bone or compost to give your new crop the best of starts. Of course all TV gardeners will

Roos make the most of a serene Daly Reserve.

know it's the time for brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, onions and leek – if you can still get seedlings! Be sure to protect them from the dreaded white cabbage moth with some sort of fine netting. If you can’t get seedlings, maybe seeds are the go; the likes of beans, broad beans, carrots, lettuce, silverbeet and spinach. Here you need to watch out for slugs and snails, particularly after rain (and we are getting rain!). You may like to recycle plastic bottles with their bottoms cut out as protection, at the same time providing a mini hothouse to give them a good start. After you have thrashed around the garden, cutting

back the unseasonal growth in your hedges, you may consider propagating plants from cuttings, the frugal gardener's way. In the past I have had good success propagating Salvia sp., Hebe and yellow-flowering Euryops Pectinatus, a tough daisy bush that I cut into a hedge. Tough as boots! In fact, most daisies are easy to propagate. With a view to becoming more frugal with our water, succulents are increasingly popular. These plants are also easy to propagate; just break off a leaf or stem, let it dry out for a few days and then plant into an open or propagating soil mix. Try it in a bowl filled with a mix of commercial potting mix and an equal amount of gravel. I wish to encourage all members to keep in touch with other club members as well as your other family and friends, even while staying physically distant. If you know the contact details of other members, please take some time to give them a call or send some mail to support them. Stay healthy and cheers, Bernhard Sucher President, 0424 038 474 or sucher01@tpg.com.au

One of Christel’s wonderful succulents, ‘crassulaperfoliata’. We had been planning to visit this garden in April.

Daly Reserve tranquil spot for a walk Our ‘Friends of…’ group is like many others in having to postpone all working bees and committee meetings until safe to resume, although our committee is keeping in touch via email. As long as everyone observes the social-distancing rule, the Reserve is still a tranquil place for a quiet walk, perhaps providing a few minutes of relaxation away from the worldwide virus concerns. Keep an eye open, you may spot a visiting kangaroo as happened to one of our volunteers recently. They didn’t stir and posed for the photo. If you have Facebook you may like 28

Gisborne Gazette May 2020

to take a look at Birdlife Australia’s page which is running a series of chats on identifying backyard birds and how to attract birds to your garden. Sounds like a new hobby during our ‘isolation’. Our committee is made up of an enthusiastic team, each with their own special skills which add up to efficiency and friendship. Our working bee attendees gather together on a monthly basis in Daly Nature Reserve. Working in teams makes it a social occasion. Perhaps you would like to join us, once we get back to normal. So “til we meet again”, stay safe Irene Perkin Enquiries to dalynaturereserve@gmail.com

Improving nature along Bunjil and Howey Creeks Gisborne Landcare is working in partnership with Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Melbourne Water to create an Environmental Management Plan for Bunjil and Howey Creeks in Gisborne. We welcome your input into this exciting project. There are some areas along the creeks that have good quality native vegetation and some areas which are completely covered in weeds. Our vision for the project is to help us plan and prioritise where to remove invasive weeds and restore native vegetation. These actions will improve the natural values of the creeks and therefore create better quality water and better habitat for wildlife. If you wish to contribute or have any ideas for this project, please email Gisborne Landcare at gisbornelandcare@gmail.com . Note that the plan will focus on enhancing the natural environment of the creek – not improvements to infrastructure such as paths or picnic areas. A draft of the Environmental Management Plan will be made available for community comment later this year when it is complete.

Landcare members gather creekside (before COVID!) The group seeks input on environmental management plans.

It’s been a bit wet In case you hadn’t noticed (with everything else that has been going on), the first three months of 2020 were a bit wetter than normal around here, and all that rain has left our Botanic Gardens looking distinctly lush. But what exactly is normal? Lately I have been putting a little bit of time into collating and analysing the climate data that will be relevant to the new ‘Collections Management Plan’ that has been commissioned for the Gardens, and I thought I would share some of it with you. The accompanying graph shows the monthly rainfall totals for January to March 2020, alongside the long-term monthly means, for Gisborne. The data come from two different observing sites (and two different sources) but they are geographically close enough for legitimate comparison. From this graph you can see that our gardens received about 250mm of rainfall from January 1 to March 31 this year, compared to a long-term average of about 150mm. That’s quite a bit more than normal. However, it is nothing compared to the highest January to March

Verdant Gisborne Botanic Gardens

total of 430mm recorded in 1970. How do we know what happened in 1970 and what the long-term averages are? Well, luckily for us, some very diligent volunteers have been measuring daily rainfall totals at the same site in Gisborne for more than 150 years and selflessly contributing those measurements to the national climate record. That’s a terrific legacy. No doubt the site has changed hands a few times during that period, but the commitment to measuring daily rainfall has been handed on and accepted along with it. From one volunteer to another, I thank you for this. While all planned events and activities of the Friends of Gisborne Botanic Gardens have either been cancelled or suspended until further notice, the Gardens remain open for the essential exercise of the body and soul of local residents. Enjoy responsibly! Louise Minty, Friends of Gisborne Botanic Gardens

infogisbotgard@gmail.com

Heavy rains made Stanley Park waterfall heavier than usual on April 5 Gisborne Gazette May 2020 29

Motorcycling in virtual mode …

Ben, Simon, Travis, Chris B, Kieran, Chris S, Louis and Craig talk fly fishing online.

Crocodile Fly Fishing at a social distance The Calder Fly Fishing Association has also had to do its bit to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. To limit community contact we, along with other individual fly fishers and fly fishing clubs, have had to stop fly fishing. We have also had to stop our recreational boating. Though it has even stopped fly fishing from a SUP (stand up paddle board), it hasn’t stopped members from practising fly casting in backyards. Member Simon shared a video online of his developing skills at fly fishing for crocodiles by casting to one in his backyard swimming pool. Although placing the fly correctly on the nose of the beast he failed at the catch by trout striking (raising the rod)

Greetings from Isolation. Well, haven’t things changed in just a few weeks. The Macedon Ranges, like the rest of the world, are in lockdown. The changes around us have been quite evident. With the closure of the Autumn Leaves trail, the usual throng of tourists flooding Honour Avenue has not happened. Weekend tourists are no longer allowed to visit and most importantly...kids are all locked away! Oh dear. But it’s not all gloom. On the whole the streets are quiet, but you may have noticed the high number of dog walkers in the area. Yes, those lucky canines have never had it so good. Dog owners, like many others, are taking advantage of being allowed to exercise. It also makes for a very friendly experience, 30

Gisborne Gazette May 2020

instead of using the correct crocodile line-strip strike method. (Fortunately for his children, the plastic crocodile was not

punctured). Our meetings and fly tying nights have been modified to be done online. For fly tying nights members are informed of the proposed fly, and materials required prior to the online presentation by our instructor on the night. The online format for all meetings has enabled the usual sharing of knowledge, camaraderie and good-natured banter that we expect from our gatherings. If you’d like to know more about the Calder Fly Fishing Association please visit www.calderflyfishing. com.au Louis Bokor

MACEDON MUSINGS With Belinda Carlton-Doney

saying “Hi” to neighbours we don’t normally get to see. We’ve read about the Teddy Bear Hunt and the Rainbow Trail. Well, it’s happening here too. I’ve seen teddy bears in Bruce Street and rainbows in Bent Street (excellent pictures kids, I must say). If you haven’t already done so, pop a teddy or a rainbow drawing, in your window. The kids out walking will be hunting for them. Feel like spreading even more joy? Hang up a strand of

Christmas/fairy lights. I’ve seen them in Margaret Street and Bruce Street. You’ll be joining a trend happening around the world...and who doesn’t like fairy lights! The Gisborne Foodbank has been at the Macedon Post Office. They collected home-grown produce for distribution to those in need. Well done Macedon for your contributions, our community spirit is strong! While we are waiting for the lockdown to finish, it is heartening to hear of the care people are showing each other. Letters are being left in mailboxes with the much asked questions, “Are you OK? Do you need anything?” Keep up the good work Macedon. Stay Home – Save Lives. Belinda

For Macedon Ranges Ulysses Branch (MRUB) members, it’s become a time for essential purpose motorcycling only. During this isolation phase, the Committee has been busy planning future activities and actively communicating with members through social media and our branch newsletter. New editor Nick has done a sterling job with the current digital edition. So take the opportunity to clean out your garage and make some dollars through the new Swap, Buy and Sell section or perhaps write up your favourite bike project, take some pictures and share in the next edition. With many members being active bike restorers, current restrictions provide an opportunity to progress those “back of the garage” projects we all have tucked away. Expect a flurry of completed restorations when next we meet as a group! Top Tip: If your bike isn’t being run regularly, consider disconnecting the battery and planning key maintenance. We look forward to once again getting together for coffee and a chat. Until then, check us out on social media and stay safe and well. Our previous regular get togethers, club activities, future plans and newsletters can be seen at www.mrub.org.au or our Facebook page. Make plans to come riding with us sometime! Cherry Cole

The bike restoration workshop of one of our members

Probus wings clipped While the Gisborne Probus Club is unable to meet at the moment, our members are aware that the coronavirus emergency has impacted everyone in our community to some degree. Our thoughts are with the many small business operators and staff who depend so much on local traffic that passes their doors. We fervently hope they survive the crisis and, when restrictions are lifted, can return to being key elements of the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed. The club’s wings have been clipped in many ways, in particular our ability to mix with each other and make the connections that enhance our days. Despite the necessary restrictions on contact, there is always the telephone. Members are encouraged to call fellow members, friends and family perhaps even more often. Don’t worry about being a nuisance or taking up someone’s time. Many of us have time to spare now and might quite like the distraction.

SCOUTING

Proudly sponsored by Bruce Ellis, Chiropractor

New Gisborne Scouts keep learning – remotely  Cub Scout

Jack makes Thai pumpkin soup

 Cub Scout Victoria

prepares a baked dessert for her family

 Cub Scout Ritchie cooks chickpea choc chip cookies

 Cub Scout Marcus makes spicy dumplings

Throughout its history Scouting has been at the forefront when society faced serious challenges. Scouting is part of the solution to pressing issues, not just for the good times. We remind our children that their Law and Promise matter even more today with COVID-19. And importantly we offer the children an array of interesting, learning and challenging activities so this time of isolation is productive. Our thoughts are especially with those on the front line – doctors, nurses and other health professionals. We pray for their safety. Scouting truly appreciates what these people do for us, and the wider community. We think also of other essential workers, for example, those keeping supermarkets open and providing other vital community services. Our youth members have been very busy at home, focusing for now on cooking, but with much more to come. Cub Scout Noah has built a tent under the kitchen table and has moved in! Joeys, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers meet online for Term 2. Venturers Friday evenings, other sections Wednesdays. Contact Group Leader Skipper (0450 922 787 or johnfrearson@mac.com) if your children would like to join in. And we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in helping fund our new Scout Hut.

Guides activities don't need to stop because of pandemic The members of Gisborne Lightning Guides are very disappointed that they are unable to meet this term to undertake their group activities. However, in the interim Girl Guides Victoria has set up video links with weekly topics so that the girls can still enjoy Guiding and be given suggestions for activities. Tayla is one member of our unit who tuned into some of the programs and reported her activities back to me. She camped out overnight in a tent in her backyard, went spotlighting and found three different owls, and cooked on Deb Fleming a fire. To complete her Nature badge from last term, she has prepared a report on ermines, also known as stoats. She has also started activities related to a special GGTV badge. Well done Tayla for putting your Guide Laws to great use. Deb Fleming, Unit Leader

Macedon Scouts still on and now free 1st Macedon Scout Group has moved to virtual weekly meetings for the time being, focusing on things Cubs and Scouts can do at home. At the first Scout meeting of Term 2 on April 21, the group discussed Anzac Day and its significance with Group Leader Ken Bryce, a Vietnam veteran, and then had everyone go outside to try to spot the International Space Station flying over Australia. Everyone saw it! To support families and communities affected by the pandemic and keep st adventuring happening, Scouts Victoria 1 Macedon Scouts hold first virtual Parade, on April 21. meetings are now free until March 2021. Until restrictions change, 1st Macedon New members are always welcome. Email Scouts will meet virtually at 6:30pm on Tuesdays and 1stMacedon@gmail.com for more information or to Cubs at 6:30pm on Wednesdays. have your child try a session.

Tayla (pictured prior to the suspension of group activities) has made use of the Guides' video material during recent weeks.

Gisborne Gazette May 2020 31

KIDS' CORNER quiz 1.

spot the difference

jokes & riddles

Granny Smith and Golden Delicious are both varieties of which fruit?

What day of the week do fish hate most? A. Fry day.

How long should a doctor practise medicine? A. Until he gets it right.

By what name is rock star and actor Gordon Sumner CBE better known?

Where does a frog leave his coat? A. In the croak room.

If someone is descending, are they going up or down?

What do solicitors wear to court? A. A law suit.

What is one-third of one-half?

How do you paint a rabbit? A. With hare spray.

What is the name given to the left side of a ship?

Can you find 5 differences between the pictures?

What does a farrier put shoes on?

My mother went window shopping. She bought four windows.

What sport was invented in 1858 to keep cricketers fit during winter?

I always take my girlfriend to the best restaurants. One of these days I’m going to take her inside.

I can shoe a horse. When I see one I go, “Shoo, shoo!”

Anaconda and cobra are both species of what?

Answers to QUIZ 8. Snake 9. Prince Charles 10. Atmospheric pressure

Scripting During this pandemic, I have taken up a hobby. I am learning how to script in Lua which is a scripting language that can run games and commands. I decided to learn this because of Roblox. Roblox is a multiplayer online platform that allows players to create and play each other’s games, and the scripting language it uses is Lua. I’ll show you an example. But before we do anything, you would need to download Roblox Studio which is the software Roblox created to help you make games. To make a block invisible in Roblox Studio, write into the script “game.workspace.brick.Transparency = 1”. In this instance, a block is called a “brick”. What you’re asking the computer to do is look inside the folder “game”. The prefix “game” is the baseplate. Everything is inside “game”. You then told the computer to look inside the folder named “workspace”. Workspace is where you put parts and scripts. For example, all the building blocks and “bricks” will be inside the workspace folder. Then inside workspace, you told the computer to look for a part called “brick”. Once it has found the brick, it will continue with the instructions you gave it. The last part told the computer to look at 32 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

YOUNG BEAT

with Asher Kroon the properties of the block. Its properties will have loads of things such as colour, transparency, size, reflection, behaviour, etc. Once the computer has found the transparency property, it will change it to “1” meaning it is invisible. Lua is reasonably simple and it’s quite understandable. I encourage anyone looking for a hobby to invest their

A Roblox screen

time in Roblox and learning how to make games, as it’s a great experience. It teaches you how to be dedicated and stick to something. You’re not just wasting your time either as if you make a popular game, people buy your gamepasses. You can even convert the ingame money to real-life cash! Learning scripting can also be useful in real-life situations if you wanted to program a website or a robot. Lua is one of the easiest languages, and it’s quite simple and basic but it can do a lot if you know how to use it correctly. For example, a popular Roblox developer made a game called “Adopt

5. Port 6. Horses 7. Australian Rules Football

measure?

Apple Sting Down One-sixth

10. What does a barometer

Me” for younger kids to play. This game ended up making two billion ingame dollars and has stayed #1 on the front page for ages. The two billion in-game money has converted to $28 million real-life Australian dollars. Roblox History Roblox is a multiplayer platform that allows kids to begin a coding and game developing career. When you first start Roblox, it is advised that you just play games and know your way around. Then, you can start making a game. Roblox teaches you many life skills, such as managing a team, budgeting, safety online and more. It’s a really well-made platform which has endless possibilities. Roblox was made in 2006 and was called DynaBlocks. Sadly, the co-founder of Roblox died of cancer in 2013. Up until his final days, he continued to work on Roblox 24/7. He wanted it to get popular, and it has. He never got to see the final result, which is quite sad. Before 2006, Roblox was a physics engine. It was made for other games to use, but then they published it as a real game in 2006. Roblox now has and 178 million users worldwide.

Surprisingly, this pandemic does have some good to it, and now you have something to do. Stay safe!

1. 2. 3. 4.

Who is the father of Britain’s Princes William and Harry?

SCHOOL'S IN

Proudly sponsored by Tracee Perry

Alan Perry

Holy Cross visits students to prepare for Term 2 How blessed are we to live in this wonderful country and even more so in the beautiful Macedon Ranges! Especially during what could be ST. BRIGID'S PARISH very difficult times in some people’s lives, we still see people smiling, being kind and thinking of others. This has been evident in so many ways, many of which I’m sure our editor will have focused on in this issue. School is looking very different for everyone this term, and there are many positives. Everyone is learning, students are seeing their teachers learn along with them. Some of our most experienced teachers have never before found the need to video conference anyone. Now even our parents and grandparents are giving it a go and learning more each time. We are all learning to be more patient; if something isn’t working, we have time to go outside, take a break and start a fresh. Hopefully that is happening with remote learning too; take a breath, we have time. We had the pleasure of visiting all of our students’

HOLY CROSS PRIMARY SCHOOL

 Axl and Skye play on a billy cart made by their dad at recess

on the first day of Term 2!

 Phoebe and Isabelle wait patiently by the door for their book packs to be delivered by Mrs Cardillo.

homes to deliver book packs and devices. We were met, at an appropriate distance, with smiles and overwhelming gratitude. At some homes, we were even greeted by loved pets, many dogs, a beautiful horse and even a

Playgroup offers pavers to help fund renovations New Gisborne Playgroup is continuing its fundraising to cover the cost of our recent hall renovations. Despite the temporary closure of the hall during the pandemic, members of the Playgroup committee continue to work hard behind the scenes ensuring the hall and grounds are ready for use when they reopen. We thank the following local businesses for their support towards the hall upgrade: Gisborne Garden Supplies, Country Gourmet Meats, Foodworks and Gisborne Locksmiths. Our engraved brick fundraiser is open until May 31. Local businesses and individuals are invited to purchase a brick paver engraved with your name which will be laid at the entrance to the hall, a permanent reminder of your support for this wonderful local cause. For more information about the brick fundraiser please contact newgisborneplaygroup@gmail.com Kate Lamla Media officer

baby goat! During this term, take time to appreciate the beauty of where we live. The colours of autumn are all around us, enjoy them the next time you go for a walk. And of course, stay safe!

‘Remote learning has been great!’ S Brigid's Catholic Learning Community In faith, we grow and learn.

Term 2 started a little bit differently for all schools as we started remote learning. Remote learning at St Brigid’s has been great! Each week we get school from our teachers online and we are expected to work through it to complete it. Once we have completed our work we share it on Seesaw with our teachers and they can give us feedback, such as asking us more questions about our work. We watch a daily morning video from our teachers which includes meditation, prayer, announcements and jokes. To stay in contact with our classmates we have started Google Meets with our classes where we talk as a whole class and small groups about activities. We are also still able to do our specialist activities. On specialist days, we get a morning video from the teachers and we do the work that relates to either Art, Drama, Sport or Japanese. Even though we miss our friends, it is wonderful that we can still learn and stay connected with each other online. Eden Fennessy, Grade 6 student reporter

Gisborne Gazette May 2020 33

Diagram of a Newcomen steam engine. Blue = Water, Pink = Steam

The tram is lifted into place with cranes at the Steam Park

Gisborne gets its own tram At the Gisborne Miniature and Model Railways, as well as the miniature train rides, we have quite a range of activities for tiny tots to juniors, what with the model train set-up, the mini push-pull that the older kids can ride and several boards at toddler level featuring railways around mini villages. And now we have a tram! A full-size, real, great big, blue tram. You can watch the video of the men and their crane swinging the tram into place onto its tracks the day they brought it to the Steam Park on the Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society Facebook page. We also have a barbecue set up with tables and seats under shade for the parents and grandparents. And Black Cat Coffee bring their coffee van with hot and cold food and drinks. So once restrictions are lifted, come and enjoy our bigger and better facilities at one of our Sunday run days. Anthony 0400 087 896

TRAINSPOTTING

A steam engine of the Gisborne Miniature Railway with Len Redway aboard

How do steam engines work?

One day at the Miniature Railway Run Day a little boy asked where the diesel engine was on the steam engine so I thought I’d talk a bit about steam power. There were instances of people harnessing the force of steam way back in the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans but it was in the 1700s that they really began to design machines that ran on steam. Thomas Newcomen was an ironmonger and Baptist lay preacher. His ironmonger’s business specialised in designing, manufacturing and selling tools for the mining industry. In those days flooding in coal and tin mines was a major problem, and Newcomen was soon engaged in trying to improve ways to pump out the water from such mines.

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7 Hamilton Street, Gisborne 3437 OPEN MON-FRI 8am-5pm SATURDAY 8am-12 noon Ph: 03 5420 7654 34 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

About 1712 he created a steam engine for the purpose of lifting water out of a tin mine. Steam was admitted to a container fitted with a piston, then condensed. The vacuum thus created drew down the piston. This was used to pull down one side of a beam engine, in which a large wooden beam rocked upon a central fulcrum. On the other side of the beam was a chain attached to a pump at the base of the mine. It was the first practical device to harness steam to produce mechanical work. You can see a beam engine working at Sovereign Hill Ballarat. We’ll talk about James Watt next month. Stay safe! Arthur Boyd, President

Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society, 0419 897 721

THE CHURCHES

Sponsored by Anglican Parish of Gisborne ■ Uniting Church in Australia ■ St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Gisborne ■ House of the Rock Church, Gisborne ■ Gisborne Church of Christ ■ Faithworks-Manaaki ■ St Brigid’s Parish

OBITUARY Bruce Noel Overall 1930- 2020

Faithworks Christian Church

News from St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

“The ugly part of your story you’re living through right now is going to be one of the most powerful parts of your testimony.” PART 1 One word that I love in the above quote is the word THROUGH. Have you ever thought back to something really difficult in your life and thought, “Wow, that was full on, no idea how I got through that.” These are tough times, far worse for some than others. But this is something we will get through. Things will change, things will improve and fear will begin to dissipate. In the meantime, breathe. Do what you can within restrictions to take care of your mental, physical or spiritual health. Those things differ from person to person. For me it’s getting out for a bike ride, reading my bible and having a cup of tea. Getting into God’s creation gets me the fresh air I need and reminds me the world is still turning, and reading my bible calms me and shows me the bigger picture. And the cuppa, well that goes without saying! Look up the definition of the word THROUGH. We’ll get there!

Our church remains active during the COVID-19 social restrictions. This is because a church is people, not empty buildings with shut doors. In April our 10.30am weekly Sunday worship services and our Good Friday service were livestreamed. Passages from the Holy Bible were read out online. The Scripture readings have included Mark 15: 33-47, Mark 16:1-8, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 19:28-40. There have been prayers each week and hymns too. Some favourite hymns have been Be Thou My Vision, Rejoice the Lord is King, Jesus Christ is Risen Today and Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow. A message has been videoed each week. One message was “His Resurrection, and His Power in Our Lives”. Another message was “Jesus is King”, and what that means for living our lives. Church people are still in touch with other people by email and phone, while the quilters continue in their own homes, amassing quilts that will be charitably donated. Bible reading groups meet via Zoom. In April, St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church upheld its important place in our community.

Shelley Farrugia http://faithworkscc.com.au or find us on Facebook

Contact: George McConaghie on 0434 734 488

Making the best of Easter in the time of corona

Darby Byrne watches Easter Mass on TV.

One child in Mt Macedon put this painting up to wish his neighbours Happy Easter.

Bruce was born in Essendon to Noel and Joy at the beginning of the Great Depression. He attended various primary schools but best remembered his time at Marist Brothers in Bendigo where he became the captain of the debating team. At age 15 he started an apprenticeship in Melbourne as a butcher. He took up cycling in his mid-teens and after fin- Pam and Bruce Overall ishing his apprenticeship he had his first cycling win. In 1948, he commenced at Mayfair in Bendigo. There he met his wife to be, Pamela Booth. In 1949 Bruce turned professional in cycling and won his first pro race. From 1947 to 1956, Bruce won over ninety amateur and professional cycling races in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. In 1951 Bruce married Pamela in Bendigo. They set up home at the caretaker’s house at Gilbertsons workplace in Altona North. By 1952 Bruce was in charge of the boning room at the Government Cool Stores in West Melbourne. The following year Neil was born and Gary was born the year after. At age 26, Bruce retired from cycling. Their first daughter, Susan was born in 1959 and in the same year, Bruce made his first overseas trip to the USA and Canada. In 1960, Robyn was born and the family moved to Maidstone the following year. Five years later they built a holiday house in Anglesea. Later the family moved to East Keilor and soon after Bruce was appointed general manager of the Newport Meat Works. Bruce was a member of Williamstown Rotary between 1973 and 1982. He was also captain of C Division Golf Pennant at Anglesea. Later he was appointed Life Governor of the Freemasons Homes and Freemasons Hospital. In 1974 he was appointed to the Board of Gilbertsons and later became involved with harness racing. During this time, Bruce and Pam had their first overseas trip together. During the late 1970s he was made a Life Governor of Altona Hospital and his horse Timely Boy won the Golden Nursery Stakes in Adelaide. In 1980 his first grandchild David was born. They moved to Gisborne in 1981 and lived in Couangalt Road and he soon became involved with golf and joined the Gisborne Golf Club. He became a member of the National Export Meatworks Council and the Meat and Allied Trade Federation of Australia. He enjoyed fishing, shooting and tenpin bowling and followed his beloved AFL Bombers. Between 1981 and 2001 there were more overseas trips and during that time Bruce and Pam moved to Swinburne Avenue. Sadly Pam passed away in 2015. Bruce had a large extended family including seven half-brothers, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Following his passing on March 27, a private funeral was held. Gisborne Gazette May 2020 35

AROUND THE GROUNDS Frank who? Way back in March when we were social, I attended a function with Frank Sedgman where he was honoured. I mentioned him to my children who had not heard of him. I thought that given there is no current Macedon Tennis Club news as we are locked down, it would be a good opportunity to focus on some famous Australian tennis players who deserve our acknowledgement. So let’s talk about Frank. Frank Sedgman was born in Victoria in 1927. He won 22 Grand Slam titles between 1948 and 1952 including all three Wimbledon titles in 1952: the singles, the doubles and the mixed doubles. In 1951 Frank and his doubles partner won all four majors: the Australian, French, Wimbledon and US Opens. The two nearly repeated that in 1952 winning three, but were runners up in the United States. In addition, Sedgman won three Grand Slam titles as a professional after 1953 and was in the winning team of three consecutive Davis Cups. He was renowned for impeccable net play and dominated the serve and volley game. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1996. He currently lives in Melbourne very happily with his wife Jean. Lisa Fowler

Proudly sponsored by Rob Mitchell Federal Member for McEwen 1300 701 966

Gardiner ready when play reopens

Tennis legend Frank Sedgman

New netball court at Gardiner Reserve

New court completed at Gardiner Reserve While there has been no on court or on field action due to the suspension of the 2020 football and netball season, there has been plenty of great work going on behind the scenes at Gardiner Reserve, with the completion of a second netball court. An initiative of the Gisborne Football Netball Club, this competition-grade court has been constructed thanks to countless hours of work by a small army of club volunteers. The new court will allow all the club’s netball teams to train together, something which has not previously been possible. It will also enable games of netball to be played concurrently during the playing season. All at the Gisborne Football Netball Club are looking forward to the club’s netballers being able to play on and enjoy the new facilities.

Smokey and the Bandits win Wednesday community bowls The Wednesday night community barefoot bowls competition drew to a close on March 11 after 12 weeks of fun, laughter, and fiercely fought games of lawn bowls among the 12 teams of players drawn from the local Gisborne community. On the final night, the top four teams played off in a finals format vying for the prized Bendigo Bank Wednesday Community Bowls Shield. In the first round of five ends, Smokey and the Bandits defeated the OCs (Old Chaps), and Mothers of Invention defeated the Smokey and the Bandits with Dominic Andreacchio, 3 Little Pigs. The play-off for the a volunteer director of the Gisborne Bendigo minor placings over a further five Community Bank who presented the shield. ends saw the OCs victorious for third place over 3 Little Pigs who were The club is currently closed due to fourth. In the grand final Smokey and the the health crisis, however if you would Bandits emerged as the winners of the like to join the fun when life gets back shield after comfortably defeating the to normal, get a few mates together and Mothers of Invention (runners-up). register a team by calling David Wesney The members of Smokey and the on 0413 8838 548, or email him at Bandits were Smokey Treloar, Ian Car- wesneydandr2@gmail.com . michael, Peter Taylor, Wayne Pegg, JaIn the meantime, we hope that you son Treloar and Graham Carmichael. are all staying home and staying safe. 36 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

Also at Gardiner Reserve, work has started on new change rooms, one half being lowered into position on April 20.

MACEDON RANGES CROQUET CLUB As with many other sporting associations, the coronavirus situation has put a hold on our club activities. The courts and club are in care-

taker mode until further notice. We are looking forward to getting back into play whenever we get the ‘all clear’. Faye Armstrong

Golfers thank essential workers In these uncertain times when no one is sure when our lives will return to something remotely resembling normality, we reflect and are thankful to all of the community that are abiding by government directives to ‘Stay Safe – Stay Home’. But of course there are those who continue to put themselves at some degree of risk and those who provide essential services to us all. On behalf of the Mt Macedon Golf Club members, friends and sponsors, thank you to the medical staff, teachers, delivery drivers, supermarket staff, aged care workers, Foodbank volunteers, council workers, take away food and beverage providers, post office staff, police, ambulance workers, CFA and SES volunteers, et al. We value your massive contribution to our immediate and the wider community. We are particularly fortunate to have sponsors

working in partnership with us and encourage the Macedon Ranges community to support these businesses which support us: Matt Willis Electrical, Freestone Heating and Cooling, Paul Burrows Plumbing, Bendigo Bank, SGA Solutions, New Gisborne Electrical, Calderlink Industries, Kudu Constructions, Steelcon Construction, Michelle Edwards-MTA Travel, Jumbuck Sheepskin and Leather, Woodend Sign Obsession, Ohana Healing and Wellness, Gisborne Peak Winery and Cottages, Nuleaf Tree Services, Town Coast and Country Realty, Macedon Ranges Family Law, Gisborne Power Products, Intrinsic Health, Macedon Nursery and Garden Supplies, Allied Mechanical Services, UFS Pharmacies Gisborne, Woodend Mitre 10, Ranges Medical and Inform Osteopathy. Stay Safe – Stay Home.

Gisborne Golf is a club of members above all With a heavy heart, the Gisborne Golf Club closed its gates on March 28 due to the pandemic that is infiltrating so many aspects of our lives and so many of the things we love. We were left clubless, golfless and found ourselves instantly missing our tight-knit golfing community. During this time, our incredible members, sponsors and staff banded together in the ultimate act of camaraderie. From that, the ‘Gisborne Golf Club Comradery Movement 2020’, was launched and gained immense momentum, with people sending in videos to the club pledging their support by re-signing for the next calendar year despite the fact that the club would not be operating fully. One, then two, then 12 and so on it progressed, going viral on our social media pages. The result of this movement has been that we are able, despite the closure, to shift our focus to some great opportunities at the club. These include multiple course projects/ improvements, our ability to stay connected with our members and take stock to ensure that the club course and club community return to greener pastures (pun intended). For us, this is a humble reminder that it is our members that make our golf club, not our clubhouse! Jacqui Flinn

At least some of the locals can enjoy the course. Humans are only allowed on the course for maintenance work and mowing.

Managing netball without netball The golf club gates have been shut since March 28.

Our 2020 netball season is certainly going to be one for the history books. After much preparation for our 2020 Tournament and winter netball season including a working bee that had great attendance and spruced up our courts, we sadly had to cancel the tournament due to COVID-19. Then shortly after this we had to suspend the Ladies Midweek and Junior Winter competition. At this point Netball Victoria has said that May 31 is the earliest that netball will be back. So, what do we do in a world with no training, matches or tournaments? The good news is that bodies and injuries have time to mend. But what about mental health? For a lot of us it is more than just keeping fit or socialising with friends. To keep our netball family strong, connected, and fit, the Macedon Ranges Netball Association Facebook page has begun a series of challenges to keep our netballers fit and keen at www.facebook.com/ mrnanetball

Where is it ?

The netball complex is eerily empty during the pandemic.

Netball Victoria has also made available Netfit sessions that participants can do from home that include skills and training sessions, cooking, and also interviews with Suncorp Super Netball Stars, at www.netfitnetball.com.au/netfit-clinic Finally, we would love to recognise the support we have received from Bendigo Bank for the past five years. Their support helped us to settle into the Macedon Ranges Netball Complex. We would also like to thank our other sponsor, Josh’s Eggs, for their generous egg donations.

You'll see this spot in Gisborne, specially if you are of a sporting bent. Location revealed page 39. Gisborne Gazette May 2020 37

Kids iso ideas Here are some ideas to keep your kids busy in isolation that also support Macedon Ranges businesses. Get them moving and grooving: You can find some great videos and lessons online. Search for: Active Buddies, Gisborne Dance Academy, Signature Cheer, Opti-fitness Kids and Kids Yoga with Kerri Aitken and Mini Maestros Gisborne. Get them creating: Gisborne Newsagency has a variety of colouring and activity books. Check out Little Think Big‘s crafting boxes. Snapshot Photos, Gisborne has a range of crafting goodies to choose from and Close to My Heart with Charlotte Burns has scrapbooking sorted for your little creators. Get them reading: Order a book from Squishy Minnie or tune into their storytime on a Thursday morning. Goldfields

MACEDON RANGES MUMMA with Kat Buttigieg libraries also have a YouTube channel with storytime and craft videos. Get them playing: Get your fill of toys, board games and puzzles from Karismatic Kids toy store in Woodend, The Tree House store in Lancefield, Myths and Legends in Gisborne and Peg Play Designs in Romsey. To read the full blog and for more iso ideas, head to our website: www. macedonranges mumma.com or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Introducing a new name in Macedon Ranges Real Estate backed by the experience, tradition and local knowledge of Lindsay Hill Real Estate. Mount Macedon Realty continues business as usual in the most unusual and challenging times. The real estate market will see continued activity during and post COVID 19. Lindsay and I are here to offer our community compassionate support and experienced advice in this unprecedented time. Contact Mount Macedon Realty for guidance with preparing your property for sale, property appraisals and of course listing and selling.

Lisa Fowler

lisa@mtmr.com.au 0418 557 222 12447406-FA18-20

38 Gisborne Gazette May 2020

Author offers novel idea to encourage children’s writing Hi, I’m a children’s author, and many of you may have kids who met me when I visited several primary schools in the Macedon Ranges with my incursion, “Write Something Amazing!” I was thinking about the huge impact the “lockdown” is having on children and how writing is a great way for people of any age to express their feelings and thoughts. So, I would like to run a little project for anyone who has children Karlana Santamaria who are interested. I invite school kids of any age ed to a charity that helps disadto write a short story, fiction or vantaged children, still to be chonon-fiction, with some reference sen. First names and the child’s to the current situation we all are age will be the only identifiers in. Link to story guidelines used in the publication. At the end of Term Two, I will Stories can be emailed to Karrandomly draw out four names of lana at info@bluekoalapublishing. those who send a story, and each com by the end of the mid-year child will receive a complete set holidays, Sunday July 12. If you of my Stone Keepers trilogy. With have any questions, please email parental permission, I would also me. like to publish a book of as many I am so excited about this proof the stories as I can later in the ject and I can’t wait to read the year, which will be available for stories. Karlana Santamaria purchase with all proceeds donatADVERTISEMENT

Mother’s Day All Boxed Up! What will you do for lunch or dinner for Mother’s Day this year? Good question, and Gisborne Peak Winery has the answer. We have ‘boxed up’ a delicious Mother’s Day package for you to collect and deliver to mum or take home for the wife and family. It is beautifully presented and even wrapped up with a pink ribbon. All you have to do is warm the bread and pizzas, which have been precooked, in the oven and arrange the Taster’s Platter components on a plate. You have a choice of wines to accompany the Mother’s Day Lunch Box and a choice of wood-fired pizzas. A delightful dessert is included as well. The boxes will serve one, two or four people and the serves will be adjusted accordingly. All orders need to be phoned in or completed online before 5 pm Thursday 7 May. T 5428 2228, Details at www.gisbornepeakwines. com.au. Can’t have lunch with mum on Mother’s Day? Drop a Gisborne Peak Winery Mother’s Day Lunch Box on her doorstep. Mother’s Day all boxed and sorted!

100

WHAT'S ON

YEARS AGO

Spanish fl flFLu pandemic 1918 SPANISH INFLUENZA BOARD OF HEALTH ACTION An ‘Infectious Disease’ Influenza was declared by the Board of Public Health yesterday an infectious disease. When precautionary measures against the outbreak of the epidemic in Victoria were being discussed by members, the chairman (Dr Robertson) announced that because many deaths had occurred from the disease in New Zealand, all vessels arriving at Melbourne from there would be quarantined for a week. He recommended the adoption of "Inhalatoriums," which had been first used by the Germans for the treatment of meningitis carriers, and which were being experimented with in Victoria for diphtheria. If they proved successful it would be the business of Councils to have "inhalatoriums" erected. It had also been suggested they should be attached to all large schools. —The Argus (Melb) November 7, 1918

Influenza Scourge—It has been estimated that the pneumonic influenza epidemic has caused 6,000,000 deaths in three months. Ten thousand deaths occurred in London and 3,000,000 in India. It is considered to be the worst worldwide plague since the "black death". —Gisborne Gazette December 27 1918 Following a special meeting of the Victorian Cabinet on the 28th February the influenza regulations would be relaxed so that hotels and billiard rooms – (five to each table) may reopen on the 4th of this month, race meetings on the 8th, and theatres and picture shows may reopen on the following Monday. But the dates are subject to the present improvement in the epidemic being maintained. The Medical Advisory Committee also recommended that special trains to and from the country be forbidden till further notice, so as to limit the risk of carrying disease into clean areas. —Referee (Sydney) 5 March 1919

THEATRICAL. We never knew what a boon picture shows were until they were closed. Thrown upon their own resources for entertainment, the residents of most suburban streets have made night hideous by “domestic singing”. Pianos, badly out of tune, have added to the din. Obviously, there are worse terrors than influenza. —Smith’s Weekly March 1919

REGULAR MEETINGS

New members always welcome

where is it ? The bird hide pictured on page 37 is in the wetland reserve at Dixon Field, Robertson Street, next to Gisborne Tennis Club.

PLEASE NOTE: meetings are in abeyance until public health restrictions are lifted ADULT RIDING CLUB (Gis) 2nd Saturday Robertson Res

ANSWERS to brainbusters QUIZ

ADULT RIDING CLUB (Bullengarook) 2nd Saturday Rec Reserve ANGLING CLUB 2nd Wed 8pm Railway Hotel Macedon

BOTANIC GARDENS working bee

every Thurs 9.30am-10.30am BRIDGE CLUB Mon 12.30, Tues 7.15, Thurs 12.30 St Mary’s Church Hall, Woodend 5420 7595 BUSHWALKING CLUB Various locations Tel 5428 3490 or 5427 0888

CANASTA

CLUB 1.30pm every Mon except first Mon of month Parish centre (behind St Pauls Church, Gisborne) CANCER SUPPORT GROUP last Wed of month MRH CAR CLUB 1st Wednesday 8pm Steam Park, New Gisb CARERS GROUP (Mac Ranges) 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1pm Woodend RSL 5420 7132 (Note: 4th Thurs carers only) COMMUNITY GARDEN Wed 9am Church of Christ CROQUET CLUB Wed & Sat 10am Dixon Field CWA GISBORNE 2nd Monday 10am Gis Secondary College CWA MACEDON 3rd Tues 1pm & 7pm 662 Mt Macedon Rd

DALY RESERVE WORKING BEE 2nd Tues 9.30am Scout Hall, Daly Res FILM SOCIETY 2nd Wed Woodend Neigh’hood House 5427 2323

FLY FISHING CLUB 4th Wed 7.30pm MRFEC Gisborne FOCUS CLUB 2nd Fri 12 noon Gisborne Golf Club FRIENDS of JACKSONS CREEK Working bees 3rd Sun 10-noon GARDEN CLUB 2nd Wed various venues 0409 691 525 GENEALOGY GROUP 4th Thurs 7.30 Family Hist Rm, Library GIRL GUIDES Thursdays 5pm Gis Comm Hall GISBORNE SINGERS Tues 7.30pm Holy Cross PS

(page 19)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Antonio Guterres Bendigo Shoulder blade Cape Town The Terminator

6. Flags 7. World War 1 8. 1956 9. Six 10. Captain of the Titanic

With thanks to Graeme Millar who provided the questions for the Brainbusters Quiz and ‘Did You Know’ facts.

Remember to pick up after your pooch It’s great to see so many people out walking their dogs. Please remember to collect their deposits which are easy to step on amid the autumn leaves.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY open Wed 10am-4pm Court House JPs SIGNING STATION Thursdays 1-3pm GREAT office Hamilton St LIBRARY: TODDLERS’ STORY TIME Mon 10.30am, Wed 10.30am LIONS CLUB

First Thursday of month 7.30pm

247 Station Rd

MARTIAL

ARTS Thurs from 5.15pm St Brigid’s Hall MASONIC LODGE 2nd Thurs 7pm Masonic Hall Aitken St MASTERS AFL Wed 6.30pm Sankey Reserve MEN’S SHED BARBECUE Last Mon 12.30pm Lyell Street MT MAC & DIST HORT SOC 1st Tues 8pm Horticultural Hall MUFFINS ’N MORE 2nd Tues 10am-noon Uniting Church MUMS’ GROUP 2nd Mon, 9.30-11.30am 49 Fisher St

OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB PARKINSON'S SUPPORT

Sun 9am

Riddells Rec Res

2nd Wed, 1pm Lancefield Bowling Club PETANQUE 2nd & 4th Sat, 10am behind Caltex service station, Station Rd, Gisborne PHOENIX ART & CRAFTS 1st Thursday phoenixmrac.com PHOTOGRAPHIC SOC 1st Tues & 2nd Mon 7pm Riddell’s Creek Neighbourhood House PONY CLUB Bullengarook 1st Sunday Rec Reserve PONY CLUB Gisborne 1st Sunday Robertson Reserve PROBUS 1st Thurs 10am Masonic Hall

QUILTERS (Gisb) RAMBLERS

Wed 7pm

Room attached to Gisb Library

Fridays 9.15am Tennis Club Dixon Field ROTARY (Gisborne) Tues fortnightly,6.45for7pm WineO'Clock,50AitkenSt (book 5428 4483 by 1pm Mon) (Macedon Ranges) 1st & 3rd Monday Baringo Food & Wine RUNNING GROUP Tues & Thurs 6pm, Sun 8am Gis Aquatic Centre RSL 1st Mon 2pm Hall at 247 Station Rd 5428 2233

SENIOR CITS (Macedon)

SPINNERS & FIBRE GROUP

If you weighed all the ants in the world and weighed all the humans in the world, the ants would weigh more.

Tues 11am Tony Clarke Res Wed 12 noon Rec Reserve Bullengarook

TABLE TENNIS

Wed 7.30pm Tony Clarke Res, Macedon THUNDER SWIMMING CLUB 2nd Sat 5pm Gisborne Aquatic Centre TOY LIBRARY Every Sat 10-11am; first & third Wed, 8.45-9.30am, second & fourth Fri 9-10am 71 Robertson St U3A Mondays 10.30am MRFEC ULYSSES GROUP 3rd Tues 6pm Sunbury FC

VINTAGE MACHINERY

Working bees 1st Sun of month, 8.30am at Steam Park; Meetings last Friday 7pm at Steam Park WRITERS GROUP Last Sat of month 2-5pm Woodend N’hood House WRITERS (Scribes & Scribblers) 2nd Tues 10am-12 Riddell N’hood House

YOUNG VOICES

Thursdays 4.15-5.45pm Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland St, Woodend, 5426 4801 or sdggome@patash.com.au

Dates

Film

Film screenings are suspended until further notice For membership details contact baringofilmclub@gmail.com Gisborne Gazette May 2020 39

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Community Bank â&#x20AC;˘ Gisborne Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178, AFSL 237879 A1389134, OUT_1175897, 22/04/2020

One panel of a 'Kindness quilt' created by students of Holy Cross Primary School, New Gisborne, in April. 40 Gisborne Gazette May 2020