Otway life autumn14

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connecting communities across the ranges autumn 2014 issue 2

INSIDE

Focus on Deans Marsh • ‘39 Fires • Arts & Books

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Editor’s Note

Welcome to our Autumn issue!

Only a few more weeks of summertime weather and we’ll be past the high fire danger period and can all breathe a little easier. As we watch the other parts of Victoria battle infernos, we can feel blessed but not blasé.

In this issue we recall the Black Friday of 1939 when three quarters of Victoria was affected and ponder the question: what lessons were learned way back then?

But Autumn is the time for festivals! Deans Marsh Festival (formerly Pioneer Festival) is in its 18th year and Apollo Bay Music Festival is 24. A new kid on the block is the Gellibrand Blues & Blueberries Festival, only in its third year. The Ranges will be rockin’.

With this issue we are increasing the size of Otway Life Magazine to be able to bring more history, news and celebration of living and visiting The Otways.

In this urbanized society (less than 11% of Australians now live outside of cities and we are one of the most urbanized countries in the world1) areas such as the Otway Ranges are becoming a sanctuary, not just for humans, but also for many species of flora and fauna.

The Conservation Ecology Centre at Cape Otway and Southern Otway Landcare Network are two of the local organisations dedicated to preserving and nurturing the land and its non-human habitants.

1 Ref: http://data.worldbank.org/country/australia

The Team Business Manager & Design Gillian Brew Editor Nettie Hulme Sales Joyce Howcroft Published March 2014

by Forrest & District Neighbourhood House 14 Grant Street Forrest Victoria 3236 P 03 5236 6591 E otwaylifemagazine@gmail.com F www.facebook.com/otwaylifemagazine B otwaylifemagazine.wordpress.com T twitter.com/otwaylifemag Aucpiced by Otway Health ABN 30 426 290 469 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this magazine and the advertisements supplied do not necessarily represent those of Otway Health.

Cover image by Renee Wigley Next issue (Winter) deadline 10 May 2014 Otway Life Magazine acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.

Printed by: !mpact Digital on 100% recycled stock

Whether your family has been here for generations, or you are a recent ‘tree changer’, a regular visitor or someone travelling through these hills for the first time – we all have our own unique relationship to this part of the world.

Tell us what you love about The Otways. Maybe you have a special place or memory. An interesting story to share.

A favourite photo. We would love to hear from you.

Loving the land comes with a responsibility to take care of it. To quote Aunty Edna: During your time in Gadubanud country, treat the land, the animals, and each other with respect.

We hope you enjoy this issue, with its focus on Deans Marsh, and remember we are a community enterprise initiative that means we rely on advertising support to remain viable - please spread the word.

Photo: Tim Lucas

Contents Focus on Deans Marsh ������������������������ 4-5 Beginnings ������������������������������� 5 Celebration of all things Marshan �������������� 8 Deans Marsh Art Studio �������������������� 10 Martian Cafe ����������������������������� 12 The Otways Matriach - Aunty Edna Arnold �������� 13 75 Years Since Black Friday ��������������������� 14 Oasis of Calm ������������������������������� 16 The Good Life ������������������������������ 18 Arts Profile - Tim Lucas - Otway Photographer ����� 20 Creative Otways ����������������������������� 22 Books and Writing ��������������������������� 23 Koala Habitat under Threat �������������������� 25 Fungi Workshop ����������������������������� 26 Around the Houses �������������������������� 27

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Deans Marsh

Hamlet of the Eastern Otways

Deans Marsh is located 23 kilometres inland from Lorne, Victoria. At the 2006 census, Deans Marsh and the surrounding area had a population of 631 and this increased by 2011 to 1,250, living in 640 dwellings, Today the Marsh (as it is known to locals) is a growing and vibrant community with houses being built on an old subdivision on the Birregurra/Deans Marsh Road and people moving for a ‘tree change’ from Melbourne or a weekend rural lifestyle. Being only 2 hours drive from the Big Smoke, after a hard week’s work they can be sitting on their deck enjoying a quiet one before the sun sets on a Friday evening.

The hamlet is serviced by a general store/post office/café, Primary School, Deans Marsh Cottage (neighbourhood house program), Martian Café (hosting monthly music evenings) and Deans Marsh Browsery, Deans Marsh Art Studio, local wineries and many tourist accommodation options.

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Beginnings The establishment of the Deans Marsh non- Aboriginal community dates back to the European settlement of Eastern Australia. In addition to the settlement of convicts, the free settlers, many of whom were graziers, poured into Victoria (then New South Wales) in the 1820’s. The original Aboriginal population, possibly related to the Wathaurong tribe, were rounded up with other non-related clans to live and work at the Buntingdale Mission Station near Birregurra.

One of the original settlers, or squatters, was William Roadknight, who came across the Deans Marsh area during the search for missing explorers Hesse and Gellibrand in 1837. He returned to establish a new pastoral run at Yan Yan Gurt (Aboriginal for everflowing water) in 1838. Traditional belief held by many, is that a shepherd named Charles Dean grazed sheep on the marshland beyond the boundaries of Yan Yan Gurt, even as far as Pennyroyal, and so the area became known as Deans Marsh.

Focus on Deans Marsh

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Photo: Renee Wigley

The New South Wales government was unable to address the illegal occupation of land by the squatters after the British Government ordered the squatters be given long leases and the opportunity to purchase their runs during the period of their leases.

In 1851, Victoria became an independent state and gold was discovered in Central Victoria. In the late 1850’s, the Victorian Government was faced with the problem of what to do with the many unsuccessful diggers returning from the gold fields. It was decided that they were to be settled on the land and many of the squatters’ pastoral runs were divided and sold. In 1861, Yan Yan Gurt was divided into lots ranging from 50 to 200 acres and the area given the name Bambra, Aboriginal for mushroom.

The land around the Deans Marsh Creek and Retreat Creek was sold, and a report dated 1865 states there were 40 houses within a radius of 2 miles of Mackey’s corner at that time. During the following years, allotments were sold in Bambra, Boonah and Pennyroyal, and even as far back as Benwerrin, thus increasing the population further and developing other small centres. Some were sold sight unseen through Geelong newspapers that greatly exaggerated the uncleared land value and prospects for farming.

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Photo: Renee Wigley

Birregurra - Forrest ‘Tiger’ Rail Trail A railway branch line from Birregurra to Deans Marsh was opened in December 1899, and extended to its ultimate terminus at Forrest in 1891. The line closed in 1957.

The grand vision for the Birregurra - Forrest ‘Tiger’ Rail Trail is to start in Birregurra, on the main Melbourne - Warrnambool rail line, meander along the old railway formation, through Deans Marsh, to the existing section near Barwon Downs and on to Forrest.

Total length - 30 kms.

The trail’s “Tiger” moniker comes from the days when trains stopped running between the towns. A converted Dodge sedan, painted black and yellow, ferried passengers instead.

Currently 7km of the trail is completed from the Forrest end.

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Famous Marshans Deans Marsh is the birthplace of the renowned Wagnerian soprano Marjorie Lawrence (1907–1979) Marjorie Lawrence was an Australian opera star whose career was cruelly interrupted by polio in the 1930s.

Her autobiography was turned into a film, Interrupted Melody, and it follows Lawrence from her winning a singing contest in Winchelsea, through her career with the Metropolitan Opera and her struggle with regaining her health. Lawrence was supported every step of the way by husband Dr. Thomas King.

Focus on Deans Marsh

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The Deans Marsh Curtains During World War II, the women of the Deans Marsh community constructed the Deans Marsh Curtains.

Sugar bags were sewn and embroidered over a period of nine years and used as curtain panels in the community hall.

In 1991, due to the inevitable deterioration of the work, the community approached The National Wool Museum for assistance in preserving it. The Wool Museum stored the curtain and it was exhibited in 1994. It has since been relinquished to the Museum of Victoria and is displayed in the new facility.

Local resident, Margaret Stewart, was keen for the new and original residents of Deans Marsh to be united and learn of the history of the area. Through her tenacity, a project to create new curtains for the hall was initiated in 2000 with the help of a grant from Arts Victoria and textile artist Jan Preston.

References: The Deans Marsh Story, Ron Millard, Geelong, VIC,1985, List Print Otway and its Coast in Retrospect, Jack Loney, Portarlington, VIC, Marine History 1989 Lawrence, Marjorie. Interrupted Melody: An Autobiography, Sydney, NSW, 1949, Invincible Press Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 & 2011 http://deansmarsh.org.au/

The brief for the new curtain was: it should reflect the history of the area, focus on the present and look forward to the new millennium. It should immortalise the potato and pea growing along with agriforestry; the indigenous floral and fauna; the eagle and the snake to represent the first people, the Wathaurong; the panther that roams the local forest; the original town buildings; a reference to Marjorie Lawrence, an internationally famous opera singer who grew up in the area; Ron Millard, puppet maker and puppeteer; and the Ash Wednesday fires.

On 25th November 2000, the new Deans Marsh Curtains were hung. In all, 7200 hours of voluntary community input had been recorded.

Humorous Tales Owner of first car in district, Laurie Mountjoy, drove to Birregurra to get a licence. Constable Dungey refused to ride in the newfangled contraption.

Local farmer borrowed an implement from his neighbour. When returning it said. “Thanks mate. I’d buy one myself but if I did every b….. in Deans Marsh would want to borrow it!”

Pet Friendly, Self Contained Cottage Accommodation Pennyroyal Farm, located near Deans Marsh, is a short scenic drive from Lorne.

It is a great base from which to explore the beautiful Otway Ranges. We offer a variety of private, self-contained cottages to suit a range of needs and budgets.

Comfortable and spacious, you and your pet will never want to leave!

e: bookings@pennyroyalfarminfo.com t: (03) 5236 3249 w: pennyroyalfarminfo.com

where tranquility finds you...

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Celebrating all things Marshan Deans Marsh Festival Sunday, 23 March 2014 Location: Deans Marsh Recreational Reserve & Hall Pennyroyal Valley Road, Deans Marsh Come and celebrate the rich and diverse hinterland community of artists, crafts people, local producers and musicians at the annual Deans Marsh Festival.

In its 18th year the festival welcomes thousands of visitors to the quirky town of Deans Marsh to enjoy great live music, street performers, Otway food and wine and a unique artisans craft market.

Kids can enjoy activities all day including woolly creatures workshops, bag decorating, badge making, treasure hunt, giant maze, lawn games, dress ups, face painting, jumping castle and boxology……

Foodies will love the new local harvest tent showcasing cheese making, tempting chocolates, bush food cooking and goat milking! With the opportunity to taste the regions beer, wine and amazing local produce.

For those with a competitive nature, come and try your luck in the Deans Marsh Gift, gumboot toss or sheaf toss.

Or feeling nostalgic, how about vintage modes of transport, fashion and farm machinery.

The annual dog jump and Jack Russell races are also back for another year, as are the working dog demos.

This years new addition is the Top Dog Competition, including prizes for ‘most like owner’, ‘best trick’, ‘best golden oldie’ and top prize ‘2014 Marsh Top Dog’.

Bring your family & friends, enjoy the sunshine and colourful atmosphere, there is something for everyone.

Otway Escapes

Luxury Cottage Accommodation - Great Ocean Road Otway Escapes Luxury Cottage Accommodation Victoria offers you a choice of 2 private and exclusive holiday cottages, custom designed as romantic retreats for couples. Delightful country holiday rental accommodation, perfect as a base for touring the Otway Ranges, The Great Ocean Road or a romantic short break getaway from Melbourne city life, in South West Victoria Australia. Your Hosts: Christine and Brett Smith

Mobile: 0411 721 163

Email: info@otwayescapes.com.au

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Web: www.otwayescapes.com.au

www.facebook.com.otwayescapes

Focus on Deans Marsh

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Black & White Photos: Max Broadley

2014 Otways Giant Punkin Competition Sunday, 20 April 2014 Location: Deans Marsh Oval Pennyroyal Valley Rd, Deans Marsh Deans Marsh Otways Giant Punkin Organic Organisation (DOGPOO) is pleased to announce the 2014 Otways Giant Punkin Competition.

Are you an avid or budding green thumb? Join in the fun and thrills of giant Punkin growing.

Judging of categories such as largest, weirdest, best effort, looks most like Gary Ablett Jr, largest zucchini, etc will take place at the big weigh in day at the Deans Marsh oval on 20th April. The world record is 911kg and last years winner Mike Robinson-Koss weighed in at a commendable 26kg so there is plenty of room for

improvement. There will be lots of prizes, food, Punkin Chunkin and festivities.

For the non-believers there will be an edible Punkin category, though winners may have to eat their whole Punkin to prove it’s edible.

Entry is open to all and is $2 per entry with funds raised going towards prizes and festivities.

Seeds are available for $2 from Mike RK (otwaygreening@ westnet.com.au), Andrew B (elvisblanky@gmail.com), or the Deans Marsh General Store.

So why wait, grab some seeds and Grow for Glory!!

Blakes Estate is located in Deans Marsh, nestled in the foothills of the Otway Ranges near Deans Marsh.

A small vineyard of only four acres, our vines are hand pruned, the grapes hand picked, and the wine is hand made.

We are a boutique winery and make “Burgundy style” Pinot Noir, “Champagne style” sparkling wine from our Pinot grapes and a small volume of Rosé and Pinot Grigio to compliment the other wines.

Our cellar door is open weekends November to June.

Please come and taste a drop!

Roger & Rosie Blake 80 Bambra Cemetery Road Deans Marsh www.blakesestate.com.au 03 52363246

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Images by Renee Wigley

Deans Marsh Art Studio Deans Marsh Art Studio opened in January 2010.

The Studio offers a variety of classes and workshops, available for adults and kids. Deans Marsh Art Studio keenly promotes all artists and creative thinkers through exhibitions, community and social networking. ​Escape to the tranquility of Deans Marsh and channel your inner artist.​ Deans Marsh Art Studio (DMAS ) provides space, time and all the resources you will need to create your own artwork.​ Do you already have the skills, but lack time, creative space and motivation? DMAS is the perfect place to focus on your talent.​ Or... would you like to learn how to paint and draw? Tutorial, guidance and assistance is available for adults, kids and groups during private lessons, classes and workshops.​ All materials are provided and a working space is available for ongoing projects.

Classes for individuals and groups available, including Photography for Beginners – Learn the basics and optimize your creative ability.

Deans Marsh Art Studio offers a variety of mediums: Acrylics. Oils. Watercolor. Charcoal and Chalk Pastel.

Inks and Ink Pencil. Mixed Media. Sessions include all materials, paper stock and standard size canvas (31cm x

41cm) larger sizes available. Concessions available for: Students, Pension Card Holders and Group Bookings.

Call or email DMAS to book a convenient time for yourself or your group.

About Renee Wigley Deans Marsh Art Studio owne r and resident artist, Renee Wigley was born in Colac in 1971 and had a happy, creative childhood. She attended Colac High School (HSC 1989) and went on to study Art and Drama at Deakin University.

After the sad loss of her husband in 2006, Renee and her daughter Rhea opted for a tree change, moving to Deans Marsh in pursuit of a more creative lifestyle.

Renee and her mother, Keren Wigley, purchased and co-managed Sacred Moon Gallery, Deans Marsh in 2007.

Construction on Deans Marsh Art Studio began the following year, and opened for business in January 2010.

Renee is currently working on an Art and Photography Exhibition that will showcase images of the Otway District, and introduce her new approach to painting in mixed media.

Deans Marsh Art Studio: 16 Lorne Road, Deans Marsh

Details at a Glance Open: Weekends, Public Holidays and School Holidays and by request (call or email) on weekdays.

Phone(03) 52 363 330 Mob: 0438 605 051 Email deansmarshartstudio@bigpond.com Website www.deansmarshartstudio.com.au/ Facebook deansmarshartstudio Twitter DMArtStudio Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Owned and Operated by Shane Miller DHS Lic# L003706

Management of Termites, Ants, Spiders and other Common Insect Pests

0447 212 064

15 Years experience

Art Spaces

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Music

Martians Café 12 Lorne Road Deans Marsh

Upcoming in March & April 7:30pm Saturday 22nd March Monique Brumby www.moniquebrumby.com 3:30pm Sunday 30th March Little Wise www.littlewise.com.au 7:30pm Saturday 12th April Daniel Champagne www.danielchampagnemusic.com 7:30pm Saturday 19th April Dog Gone South www.reverbnation.com/doggonesouth

Martians Cafe and Bar is the hub of Deans Marsh.

Loved by locals, martians and tourists alike. It hosts live music, showcasing Australian talent. Archie Roach, Chris Wilson, Jeff Lang, Dan Sultan and Rebecca Barnard have all played here.

100% of the door money taken goes to the musicians.

Cover charge of $10 usually applies.

For more info email music@martianscafe.com.au or phone 5236 3350

Relax & Explore At King Parrot you can stay in a luxury cottage or camp beside our pristine creek. Explore the rainforest walks, swim in the pool or just totally relax and enjoy the birds and animals.

Our cottages, lodge and hall are nestled on a valley hillside north facing overlooking the spectacular Pennyroyal Valley.

Ideal for romantic getaways, family gatherings, conferences, retreats and weddings.

Yours hosts are Robyn & Tony Hampton Phone (03) 5236 3372 195 Dunse Track, Pennyroyal, 3235 Email contact@kingparrot.com.au |

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

www.kingparrot.com.au

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The Otway Aboriginal Matriarch

Aunty Edna Arnold March is Women’s History Month and in acknowledgement of this and International Women’s Day, we would like to introduce you to Violet Edna Arnold, nee Baulch, known locally as Aunty Edna.

Now in her eighties and facing the daily challenges of an ageing body, “you just have to learn to live with it”, Aunty Edna’s mind and spirit are still sharp. Her earliest memories are of growing up at Busty, or Krambruk North, on top of the Wild Dog Road ridge near Apollo Bay. Krambruk (Aboriginal for ‘sandy place’) was the original name for Apollo Bay.

“Let us walk softly across this land together as brothers and sisters.

Remembering that whatever we do to the land we give to our children.”

The property was settled by Aunty Edna’s step grandfather, an Afghan hawker and settler, Ghool Khan, who died in 1953 aged 96 years.

Aunty Edna has vague memories of the creek running at the back of the farm where they used to catch fish as children. Sliding on and off a horse and riding horseback down the steep, windy hill to school at Tigers Lane, Skenes Creek. The pine needles were so thick, the students would spend their break time sliding down on old sacks. She also recalls getting lost going home in the fog and being left behind….

When Aunty Edna was growing up, nobody talked about the Aboriginal side of the family. But when she had her own son, Ronnie, her curiosity was stirred by his persistent questioning of the past. Investigations into the family tree revealed a link to the Gadabanud (Cape Otway) and Gulidjan (Colac) clans through their ancestors Richard Sharpe, Queen Kitty and John Co Co Coine.

The reclaiming of her Aboriginal heritage has opened and enriched Aunty Edna’s world. But being introduced as the ‘Otway Aboriginal Matriarch’ is a bittersweet experience as Aunty Edna says, “ It hurts to get up there and speak as I feel the weight of all the past atrocities that were committed on our people.”

So it was with some ambivalence that Aunty Edna gave the welcome to country address at the Colac Otway Shire’s 2014 Australia Day celebrations in Forrest. But the hundreds of people present, and listening over the air on OCRFM, warmly received her brief and elegant speech.

Here is an excerpt: On Australia Day we remember the arrival of the First Fleet to Sydney in 1788. This day also marks the dispossession of the Aboriginal people from their country. I would like to acknowledge that for many Aboriginal people, this is an emotional day, as we reflect upon the changes this brought to our people. The first peoples of this land. Let us walk softly across this land together as brothers and sisters. Remembering that whatever we do to the land we give to our children.

During your time in Gadubanud country, treat the land, the animals, and each other with respect.

Aunty Edna is proud, both of her Aboriginal heritage and of the way her people are standing up for their rights and having their voices heard. We have a lot to learn from the original caretakers of the land.

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75 Years Since Black Friday What Have We Learned?

Photos courtesy of Apollo Bay Museum

Until the fires of Black Saturday 2009, the Black Friday fires of 13 January 1939, in Victoria, were considered one of the worst natural bushfires (wildfires) in the world.

Almost 20,000 km² (4,942,000 acres, 2,000,000 ha) of land was burnt, 71 people died, several towns were entirely destroyed and the Royal Commission that resulted from it led to major changes in forest management. Over 1,300 homes and 69 sawmills were burnt and a total of 3,700 buildings were destroyed.

It was calculated that three quarters of the State of Victoria was directly or indirectly affected by the disaster. The Royal Commission into the fires was to note, “it appeared the whole State was alight on Friday, 13 January 1939”.

The Otway Ranges Several fires were deliberately lit in the ranges south of Colac in early January 1939. By 9 January, the Blue Gum forest behind Apollo Bay was aflame. The Forests Commission crews and local brigades fought as hard as they could with limited resources and men, but were unable to check the fires. Many settlers on isolated Otway farms shrouded in smoke had no means of knowing that they stood in harm’s way. The fires continued south towards Lorne, leaping from hilltop to hilltop. Locals and tourists alike were forced into the sea as a score of houses burned. Here at least the fire was forced to stop, Bass Strait forming the only effective firebreak on that whole terrible day.

The Otway Ranges was affected in many ways. The fires came at a time of great drought and economic Depression and the ramifications were felt for many years afterwards. But perhaps the story that illustrates best the sheer horror and tragedy of Black Friday was that of the four Robinson children of Barongarook.

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

“Four of the children became separated from the family and tried to escape to a nearby road. All four died.”

On Black Friday, the Robinsons’ home was directly threatened. Robinson was a returned soldier from Ireland who had taken up his selection at Barongarook ten years previously. His house was situated on a rise with densescrub-filled gullies below. He was out cutting firewood when he realised his home and family were in danger. Robinson described the fire as “ .. a hell let loose, too terrible to imagine” (Taken from ABC Online Documentary with permission to use obtained from Gloria Wood) Jack Robinson, was a woodcutter working with his father in Barongarook when a fire swept over their house and took the lives of Jack’s four siblings. He was interviewed

by ABC Oral History several years ago when he was 85 years old. Here is his story….

There was a fire burning well back for about a week, you could see the smoke going up. We never took no notice of it. About a week burning before it started. Around us the whole bush was alight. When the fire started to get really fast, you couldn’t breathe. You had to lay down to get breath. We never even thought the fire would come through like it did because the smoke and fires had been around for so long.

Then the house caught fire and he told us to get outside and lie down on this patch of grass and we covered ourselves with old potato bags. As you lay still, to breathe, the fire went over you and after about 10 minutes the whole blast was over. The house and all went; we just had a patch of ground like that carpet there to lay on. We had no chance of getting out.

The ones that were lost, that died were Theresa (14), Mary (12), Vera (10) and Paul (8).. Gloria was a baby of seven months at the

15 time and Tom and Jimmy and Mother and Father and me, that’s all that survived.

But the other kids that got lost, that died, they ran. My mother said to the kids, “Run for your lives” and ‘til her dying day she worried about saying that. She always felt bad about that, that she said, “Run for your lives”. If they’d all stayed together, they might have survived, she always felt. My mother put her body over Gloria, who was a baby at the time, and the baby went unconscious from the heat.

We had to leave the young ones there because we couldn’t carry them out. Our feet were all burned from the fire and we could barely walk. They just lay there until early in the morning, then we went up there on a truck and picked them up to take them in to the morgue.

We got some money off the government to build the new house.

Father just got ahead and started to build that house, a brick house – made all the bricks himself. We only had a corrugatediron house before, but the new house was a cement and brick house. And mother got him to put four windows in the front of the house for the kids - one for each of them.

Tom, Jim and Gloria are the only surviving siblings today. “We had absolutely wonderful parents”, says Gloria, “ the story of the fires and the family’s loss has been with us all our lives, but you know, our parents were very strong and somehow carried on and gave us a great life.” Their mother had written a heartfelt letter to her children expressing her thoughts and grief. This letter is too private to be shared publically but Gloria said it has given her great comfort over the years. Her mother also wrote poetry and her strength and resilience in the face of unbearable loss is a model for us all. “Perhaps we have become too soft nowadays….” Says Gloria.

The Black Friday Legacy: Birth of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) Judge Leonard Stretton’s 1939 Royal Commission was convened three weeks after the 1939 bushfires and his

FOUR

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BUSHFIRE DEATHS HAPPEN CLOSE TO HOME.

findings still inform our fire management practices. Graziers, sawmillers, government officials and local people gave details of their experience with the 1939 fires to the Royal Commission.

The 1939 Royal Commission delivered visionary recommendations directly resulting in the formation of the Country Fire Authority and the fire legislation we have today.

The following extract from the Royal Commission report written by Judge Leonard Stretton, who was selected to lead the inquiry into the 1939 Victoria bushfires, begs the question: what have we learnt?

“To enable a report of full effect to be made, it would be necessary to … expose and scotch the foolish enmities which mar the management of the forests by public departments who, being our servants, have become so much our masters that in some respects they lose sight of our interests in the promotion of their mutual animosities.

The field staff of the Commission is ludicrously inadequate.

It must be stated as an objective fact that the Forests Commission has failed in its policy of fire prevention and suppression.

The Commission’s officers regard the forest as a producer of revenue and for this reason and because their education appears to lead them to demand that no tree or seedling be destroyed except in the course of silviculture, they are averse to burning of any sort.

It has been found that the Commission has been too closely pre-occupied with questions of revenue production to the comparative exclusion of considerations of reclamation and rehabilitation.”

References: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(1939) www.abc.net.au/blackfriday/home/default.htm

Don’t wait. Leave early. Pack your Emergency Kit so you’re ready to go. Listen to local radio and check the Fire Danger Rating so you know when to leave. Stop making excuses.

leave and live. visit emergency.vic.gov.au call 1800 240 667 download the FireReady app

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Oasis of Calm Drol Kar Buddhist Centre is a centre of calm in a lush area of Paraparap, close to Angelsea. Drol Kar means White Tara, the goddess of motherly compassion.

Whether you are a believer or not in this particular spiritual tradition, places of retreat and devotion often gather an energy that can be felt and enjoyed by visitors. People from various backgrounds have been coming to this location for nearly a decade.

Dhondup’s welcome: Anyone who visits Drol Kar will probably be greeted

by Dhondup, the resident terrier whose genuine excitement, minus any bark, is most inviting. Once a rescue dog, Dhondup (‘good fortune’) now displays a great sense of inner security and joy, and this is perhaps symbolic of much of the great work this centre initiates.

Background: Drol Kar Buddhist Centre was established in Geelong in 1999 and moved to Paraparap in 2005. Venerable Geshe Sonam Thargye is the centre’s spiritual director and founder. Geshe Sonam Thargye is from the Mahayana line of Tibetan Buddhism and he first came under the direct guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama when seeking refuge in Dharamsala in India. This connection to the Dalai Lama has continued throughout Geshe’s life and work in Australia. Geshe Sonam invited the Dalai Lama to Geelong on two occasions (2002 & 2007).

His Holiness visited the Drol Kar Buddhist Centre on Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

both these visits – firstly in 2002 when the centre was in Geelong and the second time in 2007at Paraparap.

The centre is managed by a dedicated committee and its resident teacher is Venerable Jampa Drolma.

The calendar hosts a range of programs and there is also a shop full of excellent resources. Geshe Sonam’s Nying-Jey Projects (http://www.njp.org.au/) is an international sponsorship organisation that has provided health and educational opportunities to communities in India and Tibet. The local and global vision of this spiritual leader becomes clearer the more you spend time at Drol Kar.

The Grounds and Temple: This is an oasis for quiet reflection. Sometimes these places can actually be hard to be in, as we must be still in ourselves. The gardens have enough pockets to safely fold one’s self into in order to experience the moment, sit, walk quietly and/or engage with the environment. There are local people who come here regularly to reflect, study, volunteer and be part of a community of shared intentions. The gompa (temple) has been the vessel for many people’s prayers and inner thoughts. Spending time in this space, as any spiritual place, perhaps allows the recipient to enter the prayers and hopes of others who leave their footprints here.

When in the temple, nature’s sounds are all around and the border of inner and outer seems to drop away.

Health and Wellbeing

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Meditation:

The Dalai Lama’s Visit:

There’s a saying that the less time you think you have for meditation, the longer you should do it for. ‘Mindfulness’ is a buzz word at the moment and can mean different practices to different people.

Helen McKenzie is a committee member who has been connected to Drol Kar Buddhist Centre since 2001 and has been living at the centre in Paraparap since its establishment. On inquiry, Helen provided an excellent definition of ‘mindfulness’ that goes beyond any differences in techniques. Helen explains mindfulness as ‘being in control of your mind, rather than your mind in control of you’ and the road to getting there as ‘understanding the mind.’ Some mindfulness techniques include visual imagery, following the breath, and other mind and body awareness practices. Ideally we can do these things in a range of situations, but being in this place perhaps gives us more permission, reminders and guidance of how to do so meaningfully.

In 2007 the Dalai Lama visited and unveiled the plaque in the stupa (pagoda) and blessed the gompa (temple). As the great leader’s schedule was tight, he was actually helicoptered in from Melbourne. Landing on the neighbour’s adjoining property, he was greeted through a gate by overjoyed community members and walked along a prepared path into the temple where he shared some teachings. An hour or so later he was then helicoptered off to Geelong for a much larger appearance that many locals still remember.

Further information: Phone: 03 52661788 www.drolkarbuddhistcentre.org.au

Your visit: Drol Kar Buddhist Centre is available for all members of the public so it is certainly worth taking a look at their yearly program or calling the centre for further information about types of visits. While perhaps the whole of the Otways is a temple where each of us can find awe, this is a place on the way there that captures and symbolises some of the things us humans might be doing when we identify with things bigger than ourselves.

Article by Suzanne Frydman - Relax Communications

Otways Accommodation

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Section

The Good Life A regular column by Ami Hillege

Otway Fields is our little piece of paradise!

Two years ago, we were a pair of city slickers who found a beautiful spot in the Otways where we could carve out a more meaningful life of being as self sufficient as possible. We said goodbye to lattes, traffic and smog.

Instead, we grow much of the food we eat organically and raise our own beef, keep chooks and a few ducks.

The transition to living on a small farm has been exciting and at the same time we’ve experienced a steep learning curve. Town for us is around 25 kms away, so popping in for a single item is not an option.

Instead we make lists of supplies we need and add any other ‘town chores’ and make the trip once a week. Instead of visiting large shopping centres with gleaming tiled floors and loud hollow sounding music, our favourite store in town has become the local co-op. What an interesting shop! Horses bridles, sheep drench, fencing kits, lime for the chook shed, gum boots, bread flour… yes… bread flour!

I buy large bags of organic flour and have been making our daily bread ever since we came to the country. I make our own bread because it’s always fresh on the day, it’s a lot cheaper than buying bread, there are no plastic bags to get rid of and most importantly, there are no preservatives in it. Oh, and it is delicious! There’s nothing like a loaf of soft, warm bread, served with a handful of garden herbs and a hunk of goats’ feta. And if we’re lucky, there will be a little pot of honey from our hives to accompany this treat!

We had so many items on our list of things to do when we first arrived. There were vegetable garden beds to construct, bird netting to be built over the kitchen garden, a greenhouse to organise and animals to be purchased. As we slowly worked our way through our list, we armed ourselves with as much knowledge as we could. We attended courses on composting, organic farming and took part in educational farm visits organised by the Landcare Group. We met locals who were happy to share their Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

tips on raising animals, fixing farm equipment and even helping us to buy our first cows.

I had a dream list of all the vegetables and flowers I wanted to grow. The list was long, and probably a tad unrealistic. So I set about planting seeds and seedlings that would give us food first. Flowers took a back seat.

The vegetable garden beds took priority. Frans did have one request. He wanted sunflowers. We created a long garden bed along the north facing wall of the old barn. We used the easy ‘cheat’ or ‘no dig’ method. We first laid down a row of flattened cardboard boxes and gave them a good soaking. On top of that we shovelled a good layer of three way mix, gave the soil another water and planted the seeds. Then we sat back and waited. I planted the sunflower seeds in early December when the ground was warm. A few weeks later, we had a dancing row of beautiful sunflowers lining the old barn wall.

Sunflowers have now made it onto the list of ‘must haves’.

They look pretty, the bees love them and the chooks get to feast on the seeds when they have come to their end. I make sure I save a few handfuls of seed for the next sowing.

We decided early on that we would keep chooks for eggs and meat. However, the meat part was probably more of an idealistic dream. The egg part was easy. We started with a small flock of pullets and waited for them to start producing eggs. We inherited a few more old hens and have never been without our own eggs. We have some weeks where the production is a little low.

To be honest, about half the hens in our current flock are living out a luxurious life of free range retirement! A friend who runs a kinder in Melbourne hatched 9 baby chicks. Once the chicks were hatched, they needed a home for them. So we were the lucky ones to bring them home. It took a few weeks for us to identify the hens from the roosters. We knew we were approaching our goal of eating our own chicken meat. The roosters had to go.

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Our first foray into slaughtering our own fowls was a couple of drakes. We’d been given three ducklings and they all turned out to be boys. We swapped one Pekin drake with our neighbour for two of his female Moscovy ducks. We put the new girls with the two remaining drakes and left them to it. Soon we noticed the ducks spent most of their time on top of their cage where the drakes couldn’t reach them. (the ducks could fly and the drakes couldn’t as we’d clipped their wings). Every time they needed to get down for water or food the drakes would attack them with gusto. It was horrible. The poor ducks were getting battered from all sides.

We separated the ducks from the drakes and put them with the chickens in the chicken pen. There, a new pecking order had to be established too, but the ducks could at least fend for themselves a little better.

This left us with a dilemma. What do we do with the

drakes? We decided that we would have to do away with one. Frans had the unpleasant task of despatching the remaining drake. A big pot of water was put on to boil while the bird was sent to duck heaven. It was then dunked in hot water and plucked. The feathers flew everywhere. Finally the bird was cleaned and gutted.

The liver was the only offal we saved. I created a divine duck liver and mushroom pate’ with brandy and sage.

The drake was too old to roast and I had no idea how tough it would be, so I chose a Chinese recipe where the bird was poached for a few hours in a delicious broth, then served with a chilli and coriander salsa and rice. The result was sensational. Note: Stray duck feathers are sharp and can cut your finger! There is something decidedly special about caring for your food and then eating it. . Would I do it again? Well yes. And so the next time we had to repeat this task, we were a little more experienced and a little less horrified.

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Arts Profile

Tim Lucas

Otway Photographer Tim Lucas is part of the successful collaboration between four artists who established the Gellibrand River Gallery.

What inspires you as an artist?

My work is very influenced by the local environment wherever I happened to be, and it is this landscape that usually dictates what I capture on the day. However it is not unusual to direct my attention to very small parts within the environment, whether this be the structure of the timber on a typically Otway’s back track bridge to the unusual fungi found on a rotting log. When working with canvas prints one of the best compliments that a photographer can get is the uncertain looks a person gives whilst trying to figure out if an image is a photograph or a painting. It’s at this stage you know you have ‘got it right’.

Who inspires you as an artist?

Of the very early photographers Ansel Adams is certainly a name that springs to mind. His work from the 1920’s onwards showed just how much could be achieved with what (is now) very primitive equipment. Spending a lot of time in New Zealand two names come to mind Andris Apse and Simon East, but there are many others that I check up on from time to time.

How do you like to work?

Whilst I am comfortable working with others, I find that my usual mode of working is on my own. When working locally, I will generally make a ‘loose’ plan of what I am to capture and then take myself for a drive to capture the images. The first thing I will do upon my return is to take the images off the cards, into the computer and begin the sorting process.

This takes several passes, after which I will then look at processing the images to achieve my desired goal.

Where photography involves travel the same process is undertaken, however I generally don’t do any serious Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

processing of the images until I return home and have access to my calibrated monitor and controlled light conditions.

I do all my own printing on my 24 inch printer. Additionally framing and canvas stretching is also completed in my Barongarook based studio.

My normal processing workflow is: • Import images into Adobe Photoshop Lightroom • Cull images as required • Process images using Lightroom • If need be work with other tools (Perfect Photo Suite, Nik software, Adobe Photoshop) to achieve the artist goals desired • Print and Frame/Stretch What’s next for you?

There are several projects on the go at the moment, including: • Completing a series of photo books from trips to Scotland, New Zealand, Antarctica, Patagonia and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Rapa Nui is ready for printing, with Patagonia to be commenced next • A short exhibition in the Ciderhouse, Tarndwarncourt as part of the Open Studio weekend (April 19-20).

‘Relics’ is a selection of images that will form part of a larger exhibition at a venue yet to be determined. The works represent items ranging from ‘retired’ farming equipment, trucks & cars – essentially anything that can be deemed as a ‘relic’ • I am planning an invitation exhibition in July 2014, details of this event will become available early March.

• Moving into 2015 I have an exhibition booked into COPACC that feature the Colac Botanic Gardens, this event is running in conjunction with other events in 2015 celebrating 150 years of the Colac Botanic Gardens

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Travel wise the next trip was planned along with a local aid group ACKAPA – it was to be into Longechuk in South Sudan, however the recent civil war in this young country has made this seem unlikely, but it may well be refocussed to look at the life of refugees now living just outside the South Sudan border.

What gear do you take with you?

On a normal day my camera bag includes a small compact ‘point and shoot’, 2 DLSR’s, 4-5 lenses, a flash unit, various filters and other accessories. Of course I will have lots of cards with me Typically this bag comes in at a bit under 10Kg Depending on the time of day I will also have a tripod and monopod as well Where do you display your work?

A large selection of my work is on display at the Gellibrand River Gallery. Other locations include Future Café in Colac & Oakmoss florists. Works can be viewed on my web website digital nature.com.au and on Facebook, search for digitalnatureAU.

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Creative Otways We have some exciting news. Creative Otways, a new community group on a mission to support and promote artists and the arts, is up and running and we have our first project ready to go.

They are at:

The Wish You Were Here postcard art prize, is to our knowledge, the first art event to happen simultaneously across the Shire. Creative Otways has partnered with Red Rock Regional Theatre & Gallery, Apollo Bay Arts and COPACC in its first venture which is sponsored by Star Printing, Cape Otway Lightstation and Colac Otway Shire.

Cape Otway Lightstation Sunday March 9, from 10am -2pm (free entry plus a barbeque lunch courtesy of the Lightstation)

There are three categories to this landscape art prize with Coasting entries going on show at the Apollo Bay Arts Inc. Gallery, Hinterland works will be P O S TC A R D exhibited at COPACC, and Lakes, Craters and Rural Life entries being exhibited at RRRTAG. This series of exhibitions will be open for the month of May in all three gallery spaces and the winners of each category will receive printed postcards of their work which they can choose to sell or use as a tool to market and promote their work. A weekend artist’s retreat for two at the Lightstation is the ultimate prize.

To encourage as many entries as possible Creative Otways has invited art teacher Salvina Conti to lead three en plein air workshops in connection with Wish You Were Here.

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Stevensons Falls Sunday, March 2 from 10am-2pm

Red Rock, Sunday March 16, 2pm-6pm Cost for participating in the workshops will be $10 for Students, $20 Adults and $25 Family with an extra $5 for each additional entry. A parent or carer must accompany IZE children under 13 years of age.

A RT P R

Wish You Were Hxexrxe

2014

Please RSVP for the workshops by calling Karen Patterson Secretary, Creative Otways Ph: 5232 9418 We have created an Creative Otways page on the COPACC website with more information. www.colacotway.vic.gov.au

& our region Showcasing our art ons in May 3 simultaneous exhibiti Arts Inc Gallery Coasting @ Apollo Bay al Life @ RRRTAG Rur & ters Cra es, Lak Hinterland @ COPACC www.copacc.com.au

The workshops are suitable for beginners and experienced artists.

Arts

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Books and writing Warm Winter Words Book 2: Otway Writers – Apollo Bay Arts Community Project Funded by the Shire and the Regional Arts Fund Otway Writers includes contributions from 42 writers of all ages.

Produced by the Apollo Bay Arts Council, this book follows the successful publication of Warm Winter Words in 2000.

“We trust the prose and poetry chosen for ‘Otway Writers’ will transport you from the sometimes harsh reality to the world of the Human Heart, Natural World and Journeys.”

Sunday Lyndi Whalen Bird call Silent tread Children’s laughter overhead Running feet and water too Down the track ahead of you Squelching feet in leaves of mush Mother Earth her skin so lush Climb her steady track is worn Blackberry threatens sharpened thorn Bull ant rears an angry claw Then scurries for a bracken door Track it changes open room Nature’s wonders in full bloom Birds in the air Stones on the sand Fish in the water We’re one with the land.

Flora of the Otway Plain and Ranges 2 Daisies, Heaths, Peas, Saltbushes, Sundews, Wattles and Other Shrubby and Herbaceous Dicotyledons Enid Mayfield Colour illustrations 436 pages, 230 x 170 mm Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING Paperback - April 2013 ISBN: 9780643098060 - AU $ 59.95

Otway Writers books are available from Galapagos Bookshop, the Newsagency and Visitor Information Centre, Apollo Bay.

This visually superb and informative field guide is the second volume of Flora of the Otway Plain and Ranges, and covers more than 480 species of Daisies, Heaths, Peas, Saltbushes, Sundews, Wattles and other shrubby and herbaceous Dicotyledons. The illustrated family key is unique and covers 75 families and over 200 genera.

Each species is illustrated and labels provide a clear key to identification for botanists and amateurs alike.

The Otway region of Victoria, with its temperate rainforests, mountain ash forests, heathlands, plains and coastal dunes, has an extraordinarily rich and diverse flora.

Flora of the Otway Plain and Ranges 1 was published in 2010 and is now out of print. Available as an ebook on internet retailer sites.

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Arts

Book Review Passengers on the Journey

Life experiences become part of who we are, but it is how we choose to deal with them that renders us either wise or disenchanted.

and is a balm to the soul. In this present day full of busyness and high tech intrusions into every day life and concerns, it is refreshing and uplifting to journey through these memories full of a child’s naïve wonder at the world. The issues of fear and loss are not avoided but are recalled with a deft lightness of hand and from the child’s point of view rather than hindsight. This almost pocket sized book is written in a poetic style with sensual references to the myriad of smells, sounds and colour that enriched and expanded Lynette’s world in the rural east of Melbourne. People of a similar age will relate to the now termed ‘vintage’ world of choo choo bars and smocked frocks. Lynnette states that she wrote the book with a purpose. She hopes it will open the hearts of readers and trigger childhood memories that have hitherto lain forgotten. The book is beautifully produced with charming illustrations and would make a lovely gift.

Lynette Provan Parrott is one of those fortunate writers who can tap into the very early memories of childhood.

This sweet little book of nostalgic vignettes spans the author’s life from toddler to early primary school years

Lynette Provan Parrott is a local writer and artist and some of her artwork is for sale at Gellibrand River Gallery. Cards and books are also for sale at Blaines in Colac and Galapados Bookstore in Apollo Bay .

1950’s tales for baby boomers & others Written & illustrated by L. Provan Parrott Published by Colac Herald 2013 RRP $20 A boutique gift book, fresh as the morning & sent to awaken the heart.

Did You Know

Rudyard Kipling visited the Otways in 1891?

Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936) is best known for his works of fiction, including The Jungle Book (1894), Just So Stories (1902), Kim (1901).

In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and to date he remains its youngest recipient.

He travelled to The Otway Ranges in 1891, describing Apollo Bay as “paradise by the sea” and was inspired to write this verse for his long poem Flowers.

Buy my hot-wood clematis, Buy a frond o’ fern Gathered where the Erskine leaps Down the road to Lorne -Buy my Christmas creeper And I’ll say where you were born!

West away from Melbourne dust holidays begin -They that mock at Paradise woo at Cora Lynn -Through the great South Otway gums sings the great South Main -Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again!

Full version can be found here: www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/flowers Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Photo: Tim Lucs

Koala Habitat Under Threat Important koala habitat in the Great Ocean Road region is in catastrophic decline - there is a great imbalance in the ecosystem and the woodlands are dying. The Conservation Ecology Centre is working to restore the balance, create a healthy ecosystem and ensure a future for koalas. With the assistance of our amazing team of volunteers, we have planted thousands of trees and are continuing to develop some innovative new techniques for growing young trees and protecting established trees for even better chances of success, but we need your help to continue this work.

This June we will be planting a forest - 80,000 little trees – and we welcome you to join us. Together we can help turn the tide - change the future for koalas from swathes of old dying trees to healthy, diverse woodland ecosystems.

30 Murray St, Colac Ph 03 5231 3288 info@colactocoast.com.au www.colactocoast.com.au

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26 Landcare

Autumn Fungi Workshop Southern Otways Landcare Network - SOLN - are once again hosting Alison Pouliot to deliver yet more fungi training. This year Alison will be building on the skills and knowledge already in the community and hosting a site survey and field identification day. Cost will be $75 a head and we will be asking people to bring their own lunch and car pool it for the field trip to keep costs down. Details below:

the distribution of Australian fungi. The majority of fungal species are still unknown and undescribed. The Southern Otways provides an incredible diversity of habitats where new fungi are likely to be recorded.

Why are the Southern Otways such a fungal hotspot?

What fungal species grow in these biodiverse environments? How do fungi contribute to the health and resilience of local forests?

This largely field-based workshop builds on participants’ knowledge from previous workshops in discovering, surveying and recording fungi of the Southern Otways.

Participants will learn techniques for identifying, surveying and documenting fungi during an exiting foray in local forests. Following the field foray we will spend time classifying, discussing and preparing specimens. Data collected during the workshop will make a vital contribution to national databases including Fungimap and the Living Atlas of Australia.

Fungi perform vital functions in all terrestrial ecosystems yet comparatively little is known about

Please book ASAP to libby.landcare@soln.org or 5237 6904

Discovering the Fungi of the Southern Otways May 3, 10.30 - 4.30.

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Around the Houses Term 2

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Colac Neighbourhood House 23 Miller Street, Colac Vic 3250 Phone: 5232 5368 Email: brimmer@cah.vic.gov.au Opening Hours 9am-4pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am-1pm Tuesday

Colac Neighbourhood House Groups and Activities New Bubs Club Support for young mums and their babies Women on the Move Social group for women Skills Connection Supporting clients with lifestyle skills Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group Run by CAH Nurse Michelle Hamblin Healthy Lifestyle Pathways supported cooking and exercise classes Diabetes Australia Meets at the House monthly Colac/Otway Sustainability Group Meets monthly Tuesday Art Group Tutor Salvina Conti Colac Cancer Support Group Meets weekly Blood Cancer Program Run by Leukaemia Foundation Childbirth and Parenting Facilitated by CAH midwife Leisa Gittings Wednesday Painters Weekly social art group Breathe Easy Lung Foundation facilitated support group meets monthly

Australian Plants Society Meets monthly Colac Otway Ratepayers Association Meets monthly Social Walking Group Every Thursday morning Friday Social Cooking Group Antz Pantz Weekly drama and art program Small Talk Glastonbury play group meets weekly Raphael Centre Post Natal Depression counselling Cake Decorators Craft Group School Holiday program Computer and internet access Assistance with form filling Referrals through DHS Housing Volunteer Hub for Colac Area Health Tax Help service Open Mon-Friday 9-4pm. After Hours bookings available. Coordinator 5232 5368 Reception 5232 5210

Thursday 27 March 10am-2pm Make an investment in your health, come along to the Colac Neighbourhood House, 23 Miller Street, Colac.

Free Health checks and information from: • Colac Area Health – Blood Pressure, Men’s Health • Podiatry Clinic • Sunsmart • Diabetes Australia • Bluewater Fitness – strength and BMI checks • Vision Australia • Men’s Shed

• • • • • • • • • •

Smoking Cessation Clinic Hearing Australia Colac Rowing Club Country Fire Authority L2P Driver Mentor Program Drug and Alcohol Counsellor Gamblers Help Palliative Care Corio Bay Sports Physio Home Hardware

Woodleigh Boarding Kennels 85 Old Lorne Road, Deans Marsh 3235

Phone: 5236 3341 or 0488 578 712

Community Lunches

Friday 11 April 11am - 1pm.

A Taste of Italy $6 per person. Bookings through the Neighbourhood House

Meditation Group

Show bags for the first 50 blokes!

Meditation can help to: • Quieten the mind • Improve sleep • Improve focus and awareness • Improve overall health • Manage physical & mental pain & grief • Improve concentration 7.30- 8.30pm Thursdays $12/$10 conc

Ph 5232 5368 for more info

Ph Suzanne 0431 121 514 prior to coming

Guest Speaker

from Beyond Blue

Free Healthy Lunch sponsor Colac Otway Shire

Door prize from Fonterra.

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Around the Houses Term 2 Laver’s Hill & District Community House

Gellibrand Community House

Laver’s Hill Hall Great Ocean Road Phone Julia on: 0417 948 522 Email: jmalcolm@swarh.vic.gov.au Open Tuesday 12-4 & Thursday 10-4

Rex Norman Reserve Colac Lavers Hill Road Phone Julia on: 5235 8348 Email: jmalcolm@swarh.vic.gov.au Open Tuesdays 9:30am - 4pm

The Edible Garden

Beginners Tai Chi

From Average to Awesome

A gentle beginners class. Tai Chi offers so many wonderful benefits particularly for anyone suffering from stress or decreased mobility.

Wednesdays 2-3pm $8/session

A series of workshops for anyone wanting to take their backyard veggie patch to the next level - from the typical series of hits and misses with excess in Autumn and very little in Spring and Winter to a flourishing year round supply of fresh and preserved home-grown produce with enough for friends and family or even a small market or farm gate stall. Tutor Andrew Lucas is a Kitchen Garden Design business owner, former Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Teacher and garden presenter and writer on BayFM, Bay Lifestyle Magazine, PulseFM. $45/session or $175 for the full course (5 sessions) March

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1. The year round self-sufficient garden and kitchen

It’s Autumn, you have likely had a glut of some veggies, others that never made it and the rest has gone to seed. The veggie garden that was a hit in summer is facing a winter of discontent. How do you deal with oversupply? How can you plan for a garden that will continue to feed you in the cooler months? The first workshop in this course will show you all this and more.

Get to know your garden in a whole new way.

March

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2. Seed Saving Field Trip

Seed saving is not only a way to keep down the cost of your veggie garden, it also helps to preserve heirloom and local fruit and vegetable varieties.

2014-15 Certificate III in Visual Arts (Textiles) Lavers Hill Community House’s very first accredited training course. After the successful short courses in 2013, Sue Ferrari is back in 2014 with her amazing talent and professional teaching skills. This part-time course will be delivered in Lavers Hill by South West TAFE, one day a week over two years. Contact the Community House for a course outline.

Approximate Annual Fees: Government subsidised concession students $400 non-concession $1200 Non-eligible students $2800 March

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Botanical Illustration

21 JUN 3. The cool climate food forest

We are delighted to offer a very special three day long weekend workshop with Enid Mayfield, illustrative researcher at the Geelong Botanic Gardens and author of two books dedicated to the Flora of the Otway Plain and Ranges. Learn to observe, identify and illustrate plants native to our region and leave with an artwork of your own creation.

6 Sept 4. The secrets of sensational soil

$299 + materials TBC

Learn about keeping seed pure and how to avoid crosspollination, collecting and storing seed, when & how to collect your seed and how to dry, process and store it.

Visit a local veggie garden that feeds a family of four year round.

More Edible Garden sessions to follow...

29 NOV 5. D esign techniques for a fully integrated kitchen garden Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Around the HousesSection Term 2

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Marrar Woorn Neighbourhood Centre 6 Pengilley Ave, Apollo Bay. Phone Rhiannon 5237 8590 Email: rcox@swarh.vic.gov.au Open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm May

4

Introduction to Camera

Join Ros Jamieson and learn what all those buttons and dials mean on your camera, have a chance to use the different settings and see the results- please bring own camera and laptop. Marrar Woorn Sunday May 4 - 9.30am-4.30pm $30 May

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Macro Photography

Macro Photography is the art of taking extreme close up pictures that reveal details that can’t be seen with the naked eye- Please bring own camera and laptop. Marrar Woorn Sunday 25 May 9.30am-4.30pm $30 June

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Portraiture

Learn the art of photographing people, filters, lighting, framing- take better photos of your family and friends- please bring own camera and laptop. Marrar Woorn.

Sunday 22 June 9.30am-4.30pm $30 July

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Landscape Photography

We live in such beautiful surrounds, let Ros Jamieson teach you how to better capture these breath taking views so you can take these skills on your next trip- please bring own camera and laptop.

Marrar Woorn Sunday 06 July 9.30am-4.30pm $30 June

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Adult Film Making Have I caught your attention?? Join this course to learn how to script, film and edit your own movie. Marrar Woorn Sundays in June 10am-3.00pm $75

Diploma of Children’s Services Expression of interest request- This course will go ahead with the right numbers - You do not need to have a Certificate 3 - this course will cover all course work required from beginning to Diploma.

Also coming this term

Food Handlers Certificate & First Aid Certificate

Ballet Style Fitness Class Alexandra will lead this class through stretches and strengthening exercises using both barre and floor work, this class is not for the faint hearted and does require reasonable flexibility and fitness Senior Citizen’s Hall from 28 April Monday 5.30pm-7.00pm [8 weeks] $90 excluding Monday 09 June- Queen’s Birthday Friday 5.30pm-7.00pm [9 weeks] $100

Ballet Join Alexandra for some disciplined classical ballet classes; she will introduce your child to barre work, floor work, mime work and other associated ballet disciplines. Senior Citizen’s Hall from 28 April Monday 3.45pm-4.45pm [8 weeks] excluding Monday 09 June- Queen’s Birthday 5-8 years $55 Tuesday 3.45pm-4.45pm [9 weeks] 9-13 years $65

Oki Do Yoga Oki-Do Yoga. Like all things Japanese, a bit of a contradiction: gentle/dynamic, playful/earnest.

Senior Citizen’s Hall from 30 April Wednesday 6.00pm-7.15pm $110 per term

Ongoing Pilates Pilates is a great way to improve body awareness, posture, strength and flexibility. Techniques learned in this class are transferable to other daily activities, contributing to an overall sense of wellbeing in participants. Senior Citizen’s Hall from 30 April Wednesday 5.00pm-6.00pm $110 per term

Zumba Are you ready to party yourself into shape? Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high energy Latin and international beats. Before you know it, you’ll be getting fit and your energy levels will be soaring! It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating. Senior Citizen’s Hall from 30 April Wednesday 9.30am-10.30am $45 per term Tuesday 5.30pm-6.30pm $55 per term

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Around the Houses Term 2 Section ho

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Forrest & District Neighbourhood House 14-16 Grant Street, Forrest 3236 Phone: Gillian 5236 6591 Email: forrest.nh@gmail.com

Regular events

Counselling with Lena Collopy

First Monday of the month BINGO (1-3pm) Light afternoon tea provided. Cost $5 for 2 books.

Lena will be providing a limited number of free confidential counselling sessions to conclude her training. Lena has a Bachelor in Early Childhood Teaching and a Diploma in Professional Counselling.

Tuesday 1-4pm. bookings essential.

Call Lena on 0487 244 310.

Wednesday Tai Chi 6.30-8pm with Seona Gunn $10/8conc Thursday Gentle Exercise Class 9.30-10.30am. Followed by morning tea. Cost $2 Mind Games 11am-12noon. Cost $2 Community Lunch 12.30-2pm Cost $6 Southern Otways Food Co-op 3-6pm Yoga 6.30-8pm with Teresa $12/$10con Every Friday Cert IV / Diploma Visual Art 9am-5pm.

Select the units you want to do or study for the Diploma with Salvina Conti. Places still available.

Otway Life Magazine Autumn 2014

Member of the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

Are you interested in joining a womens circle to share experiences of menopause? Please contact Lena for details May

16 17 18

Bluegrass Jam Camp

Come stay in the hills and learn to play bluegrass with Greg McGrath. Perfect for beginners to intermediate, this 3 day intensive workshop will have you playing along like a pro in no time. Get in quick, limited places. Accom and meals incl. $350 For more info visit jamcampsaustralia.com.au

FEB

MAR

Otway NouriShed

2014

2014

Annual Ferguson Local Produce Market

Gellibrand River

Blues and Blueberry Festival Saturday 1 March

Sunday 9 February

Old Beechy Rail Trail

16km Fun Run and 7km Walk / Run

Apollo Bay Foreshore Friday 28 FEB to Sunday 2 MAR .

APR 2014

Sunday 16 March 9:00am ~ 3:00pm

Australia's Dinosaur Era stamps, 1993; designer: Peter Trusler; © Australian Postal Commission

Beech Forest

Anzac Day Commemoration

MAY

Glenaire / Lavers Hill

Gourmet Farmers Week

2014

Saturday 3 to Saturday 10 May ‘Paddock to Plate’ Gourmet Dinners

11am Friday 25 April

Cape Otway Lightstation

Southern Otway Landcare Network

Dinosaurs in the Otways

Fungi Workshop

Finishes 30 April Daily from 9am ~ 5pm

JUN

Saturday 3 May 10am ~ 4pm

JUL

Forrest Otway

9th Annual Otway Soup Festival

2014

2014

Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures

National Tree Day Sunday 27 July

Sunday 8 June

Forrest Otway

Otway Fly Tree Top Adventures

Run Forrest 21km / 10km Trail Run

Wild Otway

July School Holidays

Sunday 8 June

Cape Otway Lightstation

AUG 2014

International Lighthouse Weekend

SEP 2014

Spring into Glenaire

Glenaire Cottages Native Flora Walks All September.

What’s happening in 2014 Visit the website for more details

No quad or trail bikes permitted.

Fri 15, Sat 16 and Sun 17 August Explore Mainland Australia’s oldest, surviving lighthouse.

7 fabulous falls in 7 days

Gellibrand and Beech Forrest

Golden Gumboot Treasure Hunt

Wonderful Waterfalls

To be confirmed.

August

OCT 2014

The Ridge Cafe

Degustation Dinner Fri 24 & Sat 25 October Bookings Essential.

Go Walk Adventures

NOV 2014

Lavers Hill Town Hall

Vintage Market

Sunday 2 November 10am ~ 3pm

Great Ocean Walks

Gellibrand Hall Fund Raiser

Exclusive packages.

Sun 9 November from 10am

All October

DEC 2014

CastleAire B&B

Berry Berry B&B All December

Giant Gellibrand Auction

Apollo Bay

Foreshore Fireworks

31 December

www.otwaycountrytocoast.com.au