The Foothills Vol 22 - Autumn Edition

the foothills magazine

Freedom for Elephants | page 22 Volunteering A win, win for all! | page 3 Wanted! More men like these | page 6

EDITION 22 VOLUNTEERING FOOTHILLS | 1

THE FOOTHILLS MAGAZINE GUEST EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Christine Ward – Co-ordinator, Volunteer for Knox

Bernadette Dimitrov, David Jewell, Coral Kennedy, Nic Kirkwood, Cr Karin Orpen, Sandi Wallace, Ingrid Ward, Terry Bacca, Marina Cook, Charisse Ede, Athene Thompson, Leanne FitzGerald, Freya Magee, Tina Holdsworth, Kim Smith, and Amanda Freeman.

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Marina Cook Leanne FitzGerald

PRINTER

DESIGN TEAM

Hornet Press

Graphic Designer Jessica Hardy

PUBLISHER

Graphic Designer Emily FitzGerald

Coonara Community House 22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156

Photographer Bron Anderson – www.flutterbycreative.com Proofreader Lisa Hearn

Views and comments expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of any member of The Foothills magazine or Coonara Community House unless acknowledged as such. Products and services listed or advertised in the newspaper should not be considered as endorsments. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of editorial content, The Foothills magazine takes no responsibility for errors.

The Foothills is distributed in Tecoma, Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully. Total distribution of 5,000.

If you would like to contribute please email your ideas to thefoothills@coonarahouse.org.au

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2 | FOOTHILLS

Volunteering – A win-win for all!

S

ome years ago I moved to the United States where I worked as the Executive Director of an Adult Literacy Council, a not-forprofit organisation, which existed on a shoestring budget. The role of the Literacy Council was to provide basic literacy and numeracy services in a County down south where 40% of the County's adult residents functioned below fifth grade level in English skills.

Many had come from Mexico, either legally or illegally. The Literacy Council made no distinction in their legal status, believing that the vast majority of people had crossed the border in search of a better life for themselves and their families.

The challenges in assisting these people were considerable. As the sole paid employee, apart from an Administrative Assistant, no matter how hard I worked, the organisation would have completely folded, had I not been able to rely on an amazing band of fifty volunteers. These generous souls gave of their time to reach out across a County - consisting of seven rural communities – working one-on-one with people in their homes, as Volunteer Literacy Tutors. Not always an enviable task, as many of our clients, although intent on improving their language skills, also suffered from intergenerational poverty, low levels of formal education, unemployment and sometimes, drug addiction. Over the course of time in this wonderful job, I saw some lives transformed.

workers in the not-for-profit sector is a volunteer. So it's easy to see, particularly in our current economic climate, the vital role that volunteers play in delivering services to the community that governments alone can simply not provide.

But what's in it for the volunteer, you may be thinking?

My experience as a Volunteer Co-ordinator for two not-for-profit organisations in Australia has taught me that people seek volunteer roles for various reasons, the main ones being: • Pure altruism - a sense of wanting to help others or 'give back' to their community • To alleviate social isolation, extend their friendship networks and connect with their community • To learn new skills or gain work experience as a pathway to paid employment

This was where I first experienced the power that volunteering can bring to a community!

• To increase confidence and selfesteem and help them feel good about themselves

After returning to Australia, I found myself again drawn to the field of volunteering in the not-for- profit sector, as I know the impact that we as volunteers and Volunteer Co-ordinators can have on the communities in which we live. The 2011 Census told us that nationwide in Australia, 1 in every 6

I recently had the joy of watching the impact becoming a volunteer for the first time, had on a man’s life. ‘Sam’ (not his real name) had been unemployed for over a year, as the result of a workplace accident. He was suffering depression and had become socially isolated.

Lacking confidence and self-esteem,

I recently had the joy of watching the impact becoming a volunteer for the first time, had on a man’s life...

‘Sam’ first contacted the Volunteer For Knox Resource Centre to see if there was something he could do that would be useful and help someone. In his words, he was ‘pretty handy’ and was happy to do anything that would get him out and meeting people. In the months since, ‘Sam’ has gone from strength to strength, undertaking a number of volunteer projects for one-off community events. He says it’s the positive feedback he’s received and the people he’s met through volunteering that make it such a rewarding experience and has given him the confidence to consider starting his own handyman business.

Whatever the reason that inspires a person to volunteer, it can be a winwin for both the volunteer and the community.

Christine Ward Volunteer for Knox Resource Centre Co-ordinator www.volunteerforknox.com.au FOOTHILLS | 3

Volunteering to help animals in need Everyone was waiting for a white duck to cross the road. When it got across I pulled over and started walking after it.

V

olunteering can occur in all sorts of ways. I have been assisting animals to find their way home for many years.

Not only did kittens who needed a good home cross my path for me to adopt, but I noticed I was finding lots of lost dogs on the street one after the other.

I could not drive past a dog and just hope for the best that it found its owner. Often on walks with my own dog I would come across a lost wanderer and encourage the dog to come to me.

Thank goodness the majority of them had ID tags on. It always made me happy to be the bearer of good news to the owners that I had their dogs with me. Sometimes I would bring the dog to my home if the owner couldn’t come to pick up the animal until after work, or I would take the dog to the vet and give them all the details including the time the owner would pick up the dog. When I followed up with the vets the owners had always come as arranged.

However more often than not, the owners would drop everything to meet me and their beloved pooch at the destination on the street. My own dog and I would wait patiently with the lost pooch until we spotted the car that would be racing to our destination. The reunions were always the same - joy, love and gratitude at seeing their beloved dog again. Sometimes owners didn’t know their dogs had escaped, at other times they had been searching for a while. My local vets got to know me quite well with all the visits I was making with lost dogs from the area.

When a lost dog bolted away from me in the other direction and it became too hard to follow, I would call the vet anyway and give a description and location of the dog so that if the owners contacted their local vet there would be a report of a sighting which may assist to track the dog to a particular area. If that is all we can do to help an animal at that time, then that’s as good as anything. Every little bit helps. You never know what your contribution is making to the bigger picture of a situation.

It didn’t take much of my time to do these little things to help dogs and their owners find each other, or at least give a dog a second chance at life. Nothing is worse than seeing a sad animal roaming around. We can all volunteer to help animals in whatever way possible when the need arises.

One morning I stopped my car on the side of Burwood Highway to help a tiny possum make it across the road. It was mid 4 | FOOTHILLS

morning and fortunately the traffic wasn’t too heavy. It was an instinctive thing to do, as I was worried this baby wouldn’t make it across the road. I tried to pick it up, but it became frightened and gave a little growl and tried to bite. I had no option but to put it down and escort it across the highway to the park. I couldn’t believe it walked next to me all the way.

Drivers were very sympathetic and stopped immediately as they could see what was happening. Instead of being grumpy, drivers were smiling and clapping when the baby made it to the other side and ran towards the trees. I was very grateful not to get yelled at for stopping traffic and to see the little one off the road. Overall I have experienced people to be very kind in their desire to help animals in need.

However my most unusual experience was with a lost duck! I was driving in the hills and saw traffic banked up. Everyone was waiting for a white duck to cross the road. When it got across I pulled over and started walking after it. I managed to corner it in a yard and knocked on the door of the house for someone to help me. A kind-hearted girl came to my aid and together we got the duck into the garage and then into a large box.

This took about 45 minutes as it was no easy task. Naturally, the duck was frightened and we had to be very cautious so as not to scare it even more. Once in the box the duck settled down. I called all the local vets and no one had reported a lost duck, so I thought I would keep him/her if not claimed. I had no idea how to raise a duck and I knew I wasn’t equipped to do it properly. This poor little thing was very hungry and ate copious amounts of bread, which was all I had to feed it. This little duck was very sweet and deserved a good home.

I called the vets again in the morning and fate put me in touch with an earth angel. This particular vet nurse named Shareen said she had ducks at her home and would look after the duck until the owner was found.

I took our little feathery friend straight to this caring vet nurse and she immediately knew it was a young female Peking duck.

She named her Lucky and took her home.

Lucky ate three bowls of grain pellets when she arrived at her new home and got along famously with the other ducks and hens on the property. She had her own pen, acres to roam

around, all the company she needed (ducks are very social birds) and a pool to swim in! The other ducks took her in and looked after her, together with her human family. No one ever came forward to claim Lucky and she became the luckiest duck ever.

Lucky has gone on to have seven ducklings of her own that still live with her on the property and she continues to be an excellent mother to all of them. I found Lucky 3 years ago and I am so happy to hear from Shareen that she is still in fine health and enjoying her life of luxury in this paradise for ducks.

She couldn’t have found a better home and is dearly loved and beautifully looked after by her human family.

A kind-hearted girl came to my aid and together we got the duck into the garage and then into a large box. This took about 45 minutes as it was no easy task.

It doesn’t take much effort to bring joy to an animal in despair.

Reuniting pets with their owners or finding new families for them is very gratifying and one of those feel good things to volunteer for. Keep a lead in the car and when you see a lost animal please help it. You don’t have to keep it in your home, just take him/her to the local vet and let them look after them.

At least they get a second chance at being found by their owner or rehomed with a new family without having to do it tough on the street. It’s better than having the animal wander around in hunger and confusion, and I guarantee you will feel better for having helped a life.

Athene Thompson Reiki Master Practitioner, Holistic Healer and Aromatherapist www.athene.ntpages.com.au

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FOOTHILLS | 5

Wanted! More men like these.

I used to lay on the grass in the hot sun and still feel cold.

P

eter Hay sits at a table at his local RSL in Upwey. A folio and bundle of papers lay before him; he will show me when he’s ready.

Are there signs that this man served our country in active duty?

None. Pete is fit looking and lively minded. His manner is matterof-fact and proud and he has a cheeky sense of humour. But further into our conversation, nuances in his tone or expression show more than he tells: shadows over his face, a light drop of the head, or choked words…

It is 12 November 1951. Seventeen months since the United Nations, including Australia, committed to the Korean War, assisting South Korea after invasion by the Korean People’s Army (KPA).

Peter Hay is nineteen, nearly twenty. He lives in Frankston with his cousin and her husband, who is a naval officer. He is the sixth of seven children, although he isn’t aware of the seventh until decades later, as a family in Sydney adopted her. Their mum died of septicaemia when Pete was just four. That was at the height of the Great Depression. Times were tough in Australia, so sadly, the remaining three girls and three boys were placed into girls’ and boys’ homes, and Pete was in care until around the age of fifteen.

It’s a sad family story but not uncommon for the time. “It doesn’t bother me; it’s life,” is Pete’s pragmatic comment. “It was probably what motivated me to do a stupid thing like join the Army.” He says it with a grin. “It was a lifestyle I was used to.”

For Pete, the call to arms isn’t a difficult or gradual decision, and there is never a question about Army, Air Force or Navy.

His family is fragmented. He isn’t leaving a special girl behind in Melbourne and has “no conscience about meeting the Japanese women.” He chuckles admitting it.

6 | FOOTHILLS

- Peter Hay

On that day in November 1951, he tells himself, “Do it.” He figures having been in the boys’ home has set him up for Army life. “If you’ve been in a boys’ home, you’ve got to be aware of what goes on around you. The Army is very like that. I was perfectly at home there.”

He mentions another trigger for him to join up. “There was plenty of advertising going on.”

Recruitment posters with calls to action, such as these, were everywhere: War practically on our doorstep!

The proudest service a man can render to Australia and the free world...

Wanted! More men like these. Volunteer for Australia’s Korea Force.

“The war was front-page news at the time. But now, people don’t know anything about it.”

The Korean War spans June 1950 to July 1953 and is later known as ‘the forgotten war’. The casualties of World War 1 and World War 2 are estimated at 10-20 million and 60-80 million human lives lost respectively, with these conflicts lasting four and six years. The Korean War comes less than five years after WW2 and nine years before the Vietnam War, the latter being somewhat infamous for controversy over Australia’s involvement and the use of conscription (the compulsory enlistment of people in national service). Perhaps it is because of the comparatively low number of casualties in the Korean War, that it slips into the shadow of these other, better-known conflicts…except for those involved.

Various sources estimate the total military and civilian casualties resulting from the Korean War, including Australia’s 339 killed in action, at over 3 million, more than half being civilian deaths.

Pete says, “Korea was the only war that this country’s been involved in, where every man was a volunteer.” They were either already in the military or freely enlisted. And yet they are part of a ‘forgotten war’.

After enlisting in the ‘K Force’ and passing the medical and police checks, Pete and eleven other new recruits are bussed to Puckapunyal for basic military training. In early March, he moves to Western Sydney with two companies of 120 men each for more-intensive training: much route marching, night skirmishing and weapons drills.

By now, he and another young man named Rupert (Rupe) Duffy have a bond. “There’s a certain element of mateship im joining up together. Rupert sat beside me on the aircraft flying to Darwin, then Manila, then onto Japan. We were side-by-side.”

In June 1952, they take a long, many-legged journey by propeller-driven aircraft, ferry and bus from Sydney to Darwin, Manila and finally Japan. They’ve come from a Sydney winter to the Japanese summer.

Pete recalls, “Summers were pretty much like ours. Winters were bitter; 11 below zero, which is 43 below freezing on the Fahrenheit scale.”

They undergo yet more battle training. With a mix of humour and pride, Pete says, “We may not have been the best troops ever to represent Australia but we were arguably the best-trained.”

Then, finally, in August 1952, Pete is placed into the 10th Platoon Don Company 3RAR (3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment) and they are deployed to Korea, amongst a sense of excitement, which Pete now calls “The exuberance of youth."

Within two weeks, the monsoon season starts. It teems rain and trenches, filling sleeping holes and fighting pits with water.

“Every man was constantly wet 24 hours a day…but patrolling had to go on.”

Pete is reticent about certain aspects of the war. Perhaps his way of coping has been to recall the events factually and tamp down emotional connections and memories.

“We raided them or they raided us. It started with shelling or mortar fire and you knew there was going to be a fight. Duffy was in a trench and a mortar bomb landed smack in the trench and killed him.”

The fights last for several intense hours and invariably happen at night, making it difficult for stretcher-bearers to find injured men.

Talk of stretchers and casualties recur, as we look over the bundle of documents Pete brought along, which is an ANZAC Day address he gave about four years ago.

“Carrying blokes in on stretchers is not pleasant.” He clears his throat. “Some of them died on the way; others didn’t.”

He is saddened by memories of Rupe and the fact that his mate’s death left Rupe’s sister without family, as their parents had died in a car accident. Similarly, the death of Pete’s platoon commander, Joe Quinlan, killed on patrol, clearly upsets him.

Fortunately, only two young men from Pete’s platoon are killed, although several others are injured.

Pete serves as a lance corporal in the K Force for exactly 365 days in Korea, then five-and-a-half months in Japan in the ordinance section. Like all those who signed up, he isn’t paid for enlisting or for his time serving, although later in life the Australian Government will assist him as a war veteran, via a pension and health benefits. Despite lack of remuneration, the extremes of weather, unhygienic conditions, and imminent danger, Pete wants to stay.

“I didn’t want to go home. The draft sergeant – the bloke who sent people here, there and everywhere – was a nice bloke and I kept prevailing on him to let me stay there. But he eventually said to me, ‘Pete, I’ve gotta send you home.’”

He copped it on the chin. And he came home eleven days before his twenty-first birthday. ...continued on next page

FOOTHILLS | 7

“I didn’t want to come home but I was glad that I did.”

His return isn’t easy. There aren’t too many people at his 21st and although he escaped physical injury during conflict, he contracted malaria and is still sick for twelve months after coming home.

“I used to lay on the grass in the hot sun and still feel cold,” he says.

He is eventually free of malaria but admits, “Things that happened, mostly, were more a mental disability than a physical one.” This is why war veterans, such as Pete, have the class EDA (Extreme Disablement Adjustment) stamped on their pension Gold Cards.

One of the brightest sides to being in the Army and to returning home is that the President of the Frankston RSL takes Pete under his wing and arranges for him to go back to school to learn a trade.

He becomes a carpenter and after eight or nine years working for builders, starts his own company as a builder, employing up to thirteen men. Pete marries, and his wife helps him in the business. They have two daughters. Sadly, his wife is gone now, and mirroring Pete’s upbringing, he and his daughters aren’t close.

Finally, Pete reveals the contents of his folio.

at the Australia Club in the city put on by the South Korean Government, signifying the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.” Pete receives an ‘Ambassador for Peace’ award on 23 September 2014. The invitation and the beautiful award he shows me clearly move him, in his customary understated way.

He is a humble hero, this Korean War volunteer. And his final words ring with truth: ”I have absolutely no regrets. In fact, if I was sixty years younger, I’d do it again.”

I wonder what the bugle call does to the man before me. How hard was it to readjust after returning home? Does he have nightmares to this day?

How many nineteen-year-olds of today would volunteer to join up and, without pay, leave their lives and loved ones, putting their safety on the line to serve and protect our country?

He says the war doesn’t cross his mind, yet he comes to the RSL for a drink twice a week. He comes for the comradeship and social connection.

Thanks Peter, for sharing your special memories and thanks also, Brian and Phil at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL, for facilitating this interview.

“I went to the letterbox on a particular morning and there was a very big manila envelope in there from the Consulate of South Korea. In it was an invitation to an award ceremony

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Sandi Wallace Crime Writer www.sandiwallace.com

We

w

Continued from previous page...

ill remem b e r th em...

Earth angel in a ute I love the human spirit! I love that people will go out of their way to help someone else who needs it, and I love that I live in a community which is full of people like this! I had an Earth Angel in a Ute rescue me recently, after I got myself stuck at the base of a typical hills driveway. It was pouring with rain and my wheels had been unable to gain any traction on this very steep driveway. I was forced to gently slide my way back down at least that’s what I thought I was doing! It turns out the driveway was not only steep, but changed angles half way down. I found this out after my car refused to budge, despite the fact I was up quite high! I squeezed myself out the door and along the embankment, only to realise I was now suspended on a rather large log and a nice big pile of rocks.

I resisted the urge to burst into tears and hiked up to the owner’s front door.

I was so embarrassed! Her assurance that I was not the first person to find themselves in this predicament did not help my utter horror!

So we found ourselves standing at the base of the driveway in the pouring rain, looking helplessly at the car. Our attempt to drive forward with a stiff push from behind proved fruitless, and it was in that moment that I sent a huge request out to

We found ourselves standing at the base of the driveway in the pouring rain, looking helplessly at the car... the universe. “Please get me out of this cost free, safely and with no damage to the car ASAP, as I have a full day of clients booked in!” Every fibre of my being pushed that intention out into the atmosphere. I then went back to staring helplessly at the car in the rain.

Next thing we knew a man in a white ute pulled up and asked whether we needed a hand. I was now officially a damsel in distress! He began pulling the log and rocks from beneath the car (did I mention it was pouring?) After 15 minutes of this he decided that a couple of sleepers would work to form a ramp behind my (now cleared) car, and ease it off the embankment. Luckily he lived in the next street. Luck? Coincidence? The universe answering my call for help...?

Ten minutes later there he was, kneeling in the gutter (water literally running up the leg of his pants) putting the sleepers in

place. We all pretty much agreed that my reversing ability was somewhat questionable and he offered to do it for me. Within three more minutes, my car was back on flat ground! Barely accepting my thanks, he was on his way. I felt so grateful to this stranger for taking the better part of an hour to help me in the pouring rain. Feeling helpless is not something I do well, but the feeling of someone performing such a deeply kind gesture made me smile from the inside out. David, if you happen to be reading this, thanks so much again. You made me feel deeply grateful and really proud to live in such a wonderful community. I will be paying your kindness forward as soon as the opportunity arises!

Amanda Freeman Reiki Master/Teacher

FOOTHILLS | 9

A volunteer at heart As part of a final semester unit at university, I worked with fellow Swinburne student, Jess Hardy, to promote the Volunteer for Knox (V4K) program run by Coonara Community House. We attended festivals, visited high schools, ran events and gave talks on volunteering. However I had never been an official volunteer before, so instead of speaking about the volunteer experience, I would share my thoughts on generosity.

Growing up in a church environment, an attitude of generosity was part of the culture. But as I began to consider each of its different forms - gifts, time, kind words and skills - I realised I had some room for improvement. Usually we associate generosity with donations and presents, which we save for the end of year giving season. While these are

Growing up in a church environment, an attitude of generosity was part of the culture... - Freya Magee significant and practical, I’ve certainly used them as the easy way out. I think that the most generous people are those who give their time, our most precious resource, freely and often without being asked.

During our work with V4K, I quickly learned about the value of volunteering time, for both the participant and the project. And not just through the stories we heard, but through our own growth as we met new opportunities, challenges and great people.

The experience also gave me an appreciation of the fact that it’s our individual talents that make our contribution to relationships and communities unique. For Jess and I, our interests and skills (we think) lie in the areas of communication and creativity.

These were drawn out and tested in our marketing and design course, and it was satisfying to apply our learning to our V4K publicity activities. The time we gave was not a sacrifice, but a chance to exchange understanding, and it was fun!

I was impressed by such clear attitudes of willingness and self-improvement, and an immense spirit of generosity amongst the people.

I’d recommend finding out more about the great community asset that is V4K. And if you find yourself with some spare time, a little or a lot, they can help find you a place to make a contribution. You might be surprised at what you get out of it too.

Freya Magee Student www.volunteerforknox.com.au

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10 | FOOTHILLS

Volunteering A way to grow

Spiritually

We are all on a journey called life. It’s not a destination. It’s like a bike ride. There are many pathways to choose. Some have greater human and spiritual impact. Volunteering is one. It is in the selfless acts of kindness on the journey (no matter how small) that has the greatest spiritual benefits. Kindness and giving impacts positively on others as well as inadvertently on yourself in many ways. I like to think it’s like getting a shot of deeper spiritual connection each time you practice loving-kindness.

• The act of giving brings out the best in you as well as increases your sense of joy, which leads to more happiness.

It is enlivening and spiritually uplifting to step outside of yourself and your own needs. Giving service to others can take many forms. You can reach out with your time, energy or money.

It’s important to do so without looking to receive anything in return. That includes any acknowledgement or thanks from anyone. Once you can do this, your ego is no longer driving you and your heart is fully open. You are coming from a loving place.

You are connecting to your spirit. Your soul that is always fully satisfied and whole.

• Increases your own sense of gratitude for what you have.

Remember it’s a journey. Volunteering is like riding a bike. It takes practice. At first it may feel a little awkward. Get up and keep going. You will learn, discover and harmonize on the way.

Volunteering will:

• You’ll become more compassionate by seeking to alleviate the suffering in others.

• Makes you more beautiful on the inside and adds a glow on the outside too.

• Connects you to your community and the variety of people within it.

• Increases positive feelings because you are making a difference.

• Creates a ripple effect of good energy all round.

• In retirement it is a fulfilling way to give back.

• Ultimately deepens your connection to a greater source – your unconditional loving spirit and heart; where all good manifests!

There is no doubt giving service brings many blessings and fosters healing, hope, connection, love and a richer spirituality.

Wishing you more love, happiness & peace

• increase your empathy for others.

• Increase your social awareness. Especially in regards to injustice of others eg those without family support or economically poor or in need.

Bernadette Dimitrov aka Mrs Claus Peace and Happiness Ambassador www.TheSantaSchool.com & www.HowCaniBeHappy.co

Remember it’s a journey.

Volunteering is like riding a bike. It takes practice. At first it may feel a little awkward. Get up and keep going. You will learn, discover and harmonise on the way.

FOOTHILLS | 11

Volunteers in the garden Insecticides are the biggest NO NO in the garden.

We cannot afford to risk the lives of our BEES. - Coral Kennedy

Volunteers in the garden, we immediately think of those self sown seeds that come up prolifically at the first sign of Spring and are commonly known as volunteers.

But there are many other volunteers in our gardens. Our first major helper is the weather. The sun warms the soil in Spring as it returns from its journey north, waking up the bulbs and germinating the seeds. What would we do without the rain to do the watering for us? The wind and frost are efficient pruners, sometimes too much so. But we generally realise a few weeks after we tidy up after a heavy frost or a wild wind that it was what the garden needed and we hadn't realised.

12 | FOOTHILLS

There are many helpers amongst the insect world too. If we encourage the right predators, we are able to eliminate pests without resorting to chemicals.

Insecticides are the biggest NO NO in the garden. We cannot afford to risk the lives of our BEES. Without bees there would be no flowers, fruit, vegetables or seeds.

Not to mention honey. Always provide for and protect these most important volunteers.

plants and attract Hoverflies the larvae of which eat aphids as well. They also deter nematodes in the soil.

We are realising that our plants are willing to help each other if we practice companion planting. Marigolds deter aphis from feeding on neighbouring

Happy gardening.

The birds are helpful in the garden too.

As well as providing music and colour, they also help with pollination and pest control.

The garden as a whole does the most necessary service to man by providing us with oxygen.

Coral Kennedy Gardening Guru

YOUR TECOMA

tvag.org.au

Community What does it mean to belong to a community? For many it is the location where we live, shop, learn or work. But surely there is more to being a part of a community than just existing within a geographical area?

Belonging to a community means to be actively involved with the activities of the people who relate to the location through any means. It could be through living, working, studying, playing with others or even through an historical association with the people of the area.

The key word here is ‘people’, rather than geography.

There are a number of groups supporting the people of Tecoma and activities in our region. The Tecoma Village Action Group is a community of people who are working for the betterment of all who relate to the Hills township of Tecoma.

This is done through support of other groups such as Destination Tecoma and The Hills Food Frontier but also through representation of the community with the Shire of Yarra Ranges

through TVAG’s membership of the Shire’s Township Groups Network.

Other projects include “Tecoma Vision” in conjunction with the Shire Council, Tecoma Traders and broader community members.

There is also ongoing involvement in the fight against graffiti, not just in the clean up but also in the support of prevention projects. There has also been community support through advice and support for residents regarding inappropriate developments in their street.

But all this activity, particularly proper representation of Tecoma with local government, requires involvement by community members. As the saying goes, ‘Many hands make light work’.

At a time when ‘Time’ itself seems a limited resource there is need for greater numbers to feel part of our community by connecting with other people and becoming involved. Join with us to support our Community. tvag.org.au/Membership

Big Futures Yarra Ranges The “Big Brothers Big Sisters” (BBBS) organisation is coming to the Hills in 2015. Big Futures is a new school mentoring program which will be delivered in 5 large secondary schools in the Yarra Ranges.

The “Big Brothers Big Sisters” organisation helps young people who face serious adversity – those who have little opportunity to develop positive and supportive relationships with adults.

Many who are hungry for friendship, guidance and acceptance.

All young people need a champion. A caring adult who believes in them and walks beside them, encouraging and supporting them to unlock their potential.

If you would like further information about the Big Futures Program please submit an enquiry by entering your details at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.au/bigfutures

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LOCAL HISTORY Volunteering has a strong history in the foothills. This excerpt from a letter by Patricia R Mertens to Leanne FitzGerald on October 3rd 1993 recalls the volunteer effort to establish a preschool and Baby Health Centre in Upper Ferntree Gully. It was written on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the opening of the preschool.

PART 1 I have many happy memories of those years after the war when my family was very young and things were very tough. The young mothers had to push their prams from Upper Gully down past “the middle hotel” (the Doctor’s surgery was in the white house opposite the hotel) to the Baby Health Centre, which was in a triangular block just east of where the little shops are now before the corner of Forest Street. Then back up the hill again – not made footpath in those days – and usually with a tried toddler in tow. I joined a small group of mothers who had formed the Upper Ferntree Gully Baby health Centre about 1952 and we then started pushing for our own Centre and gradually we grew and from the Progress Hall and at times the old Fire Brigade Hall we held our Health Centre days.

Our committee became more active as more young babies were born

in and around the Gully and gradually the UFTG Baby Health and Preschool Committee was formed. We held Euchre parties and nights at the Upwey Hall – many, many stalls in front of the ES & A Bank (Corner of Main and Rose Streets) and then found we needed help so called the inaugural meeting under the Chairmanship of Sir George Knox and so our men’s committee came into being.

They were a great band of young fathers who really got things moving with Lionel Tozer, Bill Borthwick, Peter Barratt, Les Langworthy, leading a committee of workers consisting of Jim Mertens, Jack Pickering, Stewart Edward, Robert Hyslop, Thurston Ashcroft, Chris Lancaster and many others whose names I cannot recall at this time. These men visited every house in Upper Gully and solicited a fortnightly (I think it was) collection of 6 pence per week from those willing to subscribe to our cause and each collection was made regularly on foot. Then in conjunction with the

ladies committee (mainly all their wives) we organized a Christmas Carnival which ran over the Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve period. It was a great success with one shilling and two shilling spinning wheels, lucky envelopes, coconut shies, merry-goround etc etc. A lot of fun and a lot of hard work, but very worthwhile.

We’d open the carnival during the afternoon to catch the passing traffic and then go on till quite late at night – and finish up after 1am at our home in Rollings Rd, counting the takings and having a BBQ and a few drinks.

Then off again the next day. We ran three of these carnivals I think. We purchased a block of land with the Council in Alfred Street – but later with the Men’s Committee, we got Council to purchase the present site, which was much more convenient. It was a lovely block by the side of the old creek which ran down from the Hills and then on behind the shops and down through Brennock Park.

Newly formed “The Gully Men’s Shed Inc.” The Gully Men's Shed Inc. is based in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Upper Ferntree Gully at the base of the iconic Kokoda Trail and the 1000 steps.

The Victorian Men’s Shed Assoc. in conjunction with Parks Victoria has made it possible for a small group of men to begin this new shed. Working as friends of the park they are currently setting up their new home.

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The Gully Men’s Shed Inc. is in the foundation stage but we are happy to invite like minded people to join our small group. We currently meet on Mondays and Thursdays between 9.30am and 3.00pm and hope to be fully operational within the coming months.

There will be an information table in the National Park on Clean Up Australia day

on 1st March where you can speak to some of the men involved.

For further information about the Gully Shed contact President: Paul Moloney 0407 560 168 or Secretary: Geoff Thake 0408 539 873

Coonara Community House Computers Learn Local computer course fees are made up of $45 tuition fee, $20 amenities fee and $5 materials fees. They are subsidised by the State government. The maximum total annual tuition fee for pensioners and concession card holders is $50.

Computers for the timid (15INTCOM) with Karen George This is a beginner’s course for those who may require a supportive environment to develop confidence. Learn to type and save simple documents, insert pictures and manage files.

Wednesdays 9.30am – 12.00pm 6th May – 24th June (8 weeks) $70 ($50 tuition, $20 amenities) Introduction to ipads (15INTIPADS) with Lynne Gibb This short course will cover the features of the ipad and demonstrate how to use it to access the Internet and a range of social media tools and apps.

Thursdays 9.30am – 12.00pm 7th May – 25th June (8 weeks) $70 ($50 tuition, $20 amenities) Internet and email for communication (15INTEMAIL) with Karen George This short course will introduce you to the range of ways in which you can use the Internet and email to communicate with your family and friends. Includes social media such as Facebook, Instagram as well as sending and sharing photos.

Fridays 9.30am – 12.00pm 8th May – 26th June $70 ($50 tuition, $20 amenities) Next step with computer (Family history focus) (15INTEMAIL) with Joann Fitzgerald This short course will introduce you to the range of ways in which you can use the Internet and email to research your family history.

3rd February – 24th March $70 ($50 tuition, $20 amenities) Social media for your business (15DIGLIT) This course focuses on the use of emarketing to promote your business. Each week Marina will introduce a social media tool and help you identify their potential for your business; blogging, enewletters, YouTube and Google, Facebook and Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and putting it all together.

Wednesdays 6.30pm – 9.30pm 20th May – 24th June $70 ($50 tuition, $20 amenities)

22 Willow Rd Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 www.coonarahouse.org.au (03) 9758 9801

Computers Spring cleaning your PC or tablet Improve the performance of your computer through regular maintenance.

Wednesday 12.30pm – 3.30pm 10th June $30 members or $35 non members Stepping onto the cloud In these days of mobile technology it’s important to know how to access your documents from anywhere. Stepping On To The Cloud attendees will create their own accounts, learn introductory digital file management – Dropbox, Wikis, Google Drive, and OneDrive and practice with these applications.

Wednesday 12.30pm – 3.30pm 17th June $30 members or $35 non members Digital seniors classes Are you a senior aged 65 years plus? Would you like to receive help to use your own laptop, tablet or ipad in a small group?

Classes are available for $2 per person and will be held at local libraries, The Community Space at Knox City Shopping Centre and at the Knox Neighbourhood Houses. Phone 9758 7081 for more information.

Nationally accredited training Coonara Community House is a Registered Training Organisation approved to deliver training in the following Nationally Recognised Qualifications, in 2015.

Enrolment kits are available on the Coonara website or can be mailed to you.

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care for those with existing Certificate III (CHC50113) Mondays 9.30 - 3.00pm and some online units commencing May 2015 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (no pre requisites) (CHC50113) Fridays 9.30 - 3.00pm commencing in July 2015 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113) Fridays 9.30 - 3.00 commencing July 2015 Certificate III in Community Services Work (CHC30112) Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am – 3.00pm 12th May 2015 – 17th September 2015

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Coonara Community House Career preparation Preparation for working in the health sector This short course will prepare you for entry to an accredited course in the health sector including, aged care, nursing and medical reception.

Wednesdays 12.30pm – 3.00pm 20th May – 24th June $70

Career preparation

Pete the permie workshops

Volunteering as a pathway to employment This short course will prepare you for a volunteer role and help you to develop a plan for transition from volunteering to work. Suitable for those who may have been out of the workforce for some time and need to upskill and build confidence.

Tuesday 9.30am – 12.30pm 19th May – 23rd June $50 ($30 tuition fee $20 amenities)

Cheese making at home level 2 Camembert, Gourmet Fetta, Sour Cream & Ricotta. You will take home your own 3 products with you. Make and eat Ricotta on the day as well.

This will be a full day course, learn how these can be made using Cow, Goat or Sheep’s milk if you wish to bring your own, this will need to be pasteurized on the day. Otherwise all materials are all supplied.

Sunday 9.00am - 4.00pm 24th May $100 Please bring lunch to share Located at Telopea Mountain Permaculture Farm, Monbulk.

Pete the permie workshops

Preparation for working in horticulture This comprehensive short course will focus on practical pathways particularly in vegetable and fruit growing areas of the industry.

Mondays 9.30am – 12.00pm 4th May – 23rd June $70

Professional writing skills Advance your professional creative writing skills for self-development or eventual publication.

Tuesdays 6.30pm -9.00pm 19th May – 23rd June $70

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Heritage fruit tree class – All the basics Species, variety selection, grafting - how to, rootstock selection. This is the foundation class in heritage fruit trees series, with a tour of our huge collection on the farm and a copy of the fruit book is included free in this class.

Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm 19th April $95 BYO lunch Prepare for the bare root fruit tree season Prepare your soils - design and implement swales. This class is about how to get your trees off to a great start and reduce the need for watering.

Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm 17th May $95 BYO lunch Fruit trees, preparation & layout A new class that’s part of our 10 fruit classes each year. Learn to design.

From a back yard, to an orchard, to a food forest, guidance on how to decide what tree goes where and why.

Monday 10.00am - 4.00pm 8th June $95 BYO lunch

Cider, perry & fruit wine making We will look at different methods of making apple cider and the very popular perry (pear) cider also apple cider vinegar. What are cider varieties of apple or pear and how you can use what you have at home on your trees. We will also look at ways to turn any kind of your excess fruit into a dessert wine & make a batch. This day will also include tasting cider & home made wines (and is strictly for over 18 year olds).

Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm 30th May $100 Please bring lunch Located at Telopea Mountain Permaculture Farm, Monbulk.

International Permaculture Day Fully guided tours on Telopea Mountainn Permaculture farm. An event on our farm we hold each year.

See www.petethepermie.com.

22 Willow Rd Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 www.coonarahouse.org.au (03) 9758 9801

Hobby & recreation Pizza making and cooking in a woodfired oven Jo will teach your how to enjoy gourmet pizzas cooked in our woodfired oven.

Saturday 11.00am – 1.00pm 9th May $30 members or $35 non members Beekeeping for beginners A comprehensive one day introduction to keeping your own bees for honey.

Saturday 9.30am - 3.00pm 16th May $70 members or $75 non members Mosaic house number Decorate a paver with your house number to display in your front garden Saturday 1.00pm – 3.00pm 16th May Saturday 1.00pm – 3.00pm 23rd May $60 members or $70 non members Prana meditation Suzie Szabo is a professional energy healer and meditation facilitator with over 12 years of experience conducting classes. Suzie will share with you many forms of meditation as she gently guides you on a deep healing journey within. Participants will be sitting on chairs. Not recommended for people under 17. Please bring cushions and blanket for extra comfort.

Tuesdays 6.30pm – 7.30pm 14th April – 23rd June (11 weeks) $132 members or $143 non members $15 casual per session

Parents and children Lab project Technology fun for 9 – 12 year olds with high functioning Autism.

Wednesdays 4.00pm – 6.00pm Each school term $20 per week (pay by term) (concessions available)

Occasional care Friday mornings Waiting list for 2015

More Greek cooking Liven up the family meals without breaking the budget with delicious Greek food.

Saturday 10.30am – 12.30pm 20th June $30 members or $35 non members

Back to basics

Community Activities

Preserving your harvest Make jams, pickles and chutneys from your excess harvest.

Wednesday 1.00pm – 3.00pm 14th April $15 members or $20 non members

Coonara Community Choir For anyone who wants to sing for pleasure.

Mondays 7.30pm Every week $3 per session

Propagation Tips and techniques for the home gardener from a professional.

Monday 9.30am - 12.00pm 15th June $10 members or $15 non members Pruning Tips and techniques for the home gardener from a professional.

Monday 9.30am - 12.00pm 22nd June $10 members or $15 non members Composting Tips and techniques for the home gardener from a professional.

Monday 9.30am - 12.00pm 4th May $10 members $15 non members

Parents and children Kidzfun 3 year old activity groups Tuesday – Thursday mornings Taking expressions of interest for 2016

Back to basics

Meat free budget cooking Thursday 11.00am – 1.00pm 11th June $15 members or $20 non members

Gully gardeners A group of people interested in gardening meet at Coonara on the first Thursday of each month from 2.00pm – 3.30pm to plan and organise guest speakers and outings. If you are interested in participating please call Coonara.

Beekeeping club The Coonara Beekeeping Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month 7.30pm – 9.15pm. Annual membership is $35 per person or $50 per family.

First meeting free so just come along.

Free hearing checks Bookings are essential Monday 1.00pm – 3.00pm 13th April 10th June Community space at Knox Check out the community space at Knox City on level 1 near the fresh food market.

Pop up learning events, showcasing of community organisations and more. Go to Community space @ Knox facebook page for more information.

Grassroots market Saturday 2.00pm – 7.00pm 21st March, Upwey Saturday 10.00am - 3.00pm 19th September, Kings Park, UFTG

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Coonara Community House Community Activities Volunteer for Knox Are you interested in volunteering in the Knox community?

Check out the Volunteer for Knox website for opportunities. www.volunteerforknox.com.au Neighbourhood House Week at Coonara and the community space Reinvention and recycling!

Join us for free workshops, buy up big at our pre loved book sale and check out our community art installation.

May 11th - 15th Watch our website for more information.

22 Willow Rd Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 www.coonarahouse.org.au (03) 9758 9801

About Coonara Community House Neighbourhood House, Community House or Adult Learning Centre, whatever the name, these places are the heart of the Knox community. More recently referred to as Learn Local organisations, we provide social, educational and recreational activities within a welcoming and supportive environment. There are five Learn Local organisations in Knox.

Coonara Community House offers a large number of qualifications in Community Services, Children’s Services, Leisure & Health and Disability up to Diploma level. Subsidised computer classes run each term. Coonara offers workshops on gardening, cooking and getting ‘back to basics’. Short courses provide pathways to employment and build learner confidence.

Other programs include a food garden, a community newspaper and many volunteering opportunities.

Please note that in the interests of asthma sufferers, Coonara is a perfume and after-shave free zone. Thank you for your co-operation.

How to enrol Australia’s biggest morning tea Join us for a high tea to raise funds for cancer research.

Monday May 25th 10.30am First aid

Enrolments in Coonara courses are confirmed by payment of course fees or the arrangement of a payment plan. Coonara accepts EFTPOS, credit cards, cheque, cash and direct payment into our bank account.

In person between 9.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday at 22 Willow Rd Upper Ferntree Gully Over the phone using credit card 9.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday on 97587081 By posting a cheque to Coonara Community House P.O. Box 7041 Upper Ferntree Gully 3156. Please include a note with your contact details and the course you have chosen.

Level 2 First Aid / CPR Update Delivered by Revive2survive RTO 21688 Level 2 First aid (HLTAID003 Provide First Aid) Comprehensive, hands-on, full day course.

Saturday 9.30am – 4.00pm 16th May $160 CPR update (HLTAID001 Provide CPR) Saturday 9.30am – 11.30am 16th May $70

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Refunds & concessions Courses require minimum numbers to proceed. If we cancel a class you will receive a full refund. If you withdraw from a class at least 48 hours prior to the commencement you will receive a refund less a $10 administration fee. Within 48 hours of the class commencement no refund can be given. Concession fees apply to some courses for those on pensions and health care cards. The refund policy for accredited training differs from the above and is advertised on the enrolment form and our website.

Coonara Community House, 22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully Open 9am - 4pm Mon - Fri | Tel: 9758 7081 | Fax: 9758 5402 enquiries@coonarahouse.org.au | www.coonarahouse.org.au

KNOX UNPACKS FESTIVAL OF FUN “Our City is unique and this year’s Knox Festival will not only be a major drawcard for local residents to have a fun weekend with their family, but it will make them proud of their community,” – Mayor Lockwood MADE IN KNOX Now in its 30th year, Knox’s major annual community event will celebrate our City through this year’s festival theme— ‘Made in Knox’.

Knox Mayor Peter Lockwood extended an invitation to the community to enjoy the fun, with arts and craft workshops, multiple stages of live music, interactive sport clinics, theatre, local youth performers and an array of multicultural cuisine.

The Great Forest Walk is an intriguing forest maze which will provide a place for kids to explore nature. This specifically designed site features art making spaces, storytelling, roving performers and a variety of special ‘kids only’ zones.

“Our City is unique and this year’s Knox Festival will not only be a major drawcard for local residents to have a fun weekend with their family, but it will make them proud of their community,” Mayor Lockwood said.

“Knox Festival is a favourite on the family calendar, with plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy, from rides, interactive displays and workshops, as well as the popular Twilight Cinema.

“This year’s Festival is a special one, being themed ‘Made in Knox’. To celebrate, we’ve asked members of the community—right through from community houses to schools—to interpret the City through a number of art installations, which will be on display at the main event.”

Held each year during the Knox Festival, The Oppy Bike Ride encourages residents to enjoy a fun ride to the Wally Tew Reserve on the second day of festivities, Sunday 1 March. Participants are able to pick a path from three course options, ranging from 14km to 36km and cycle at their own leisure, with routes marshalled between 10am and 3pm.

Details: knox.vic.gov.au/oppy

And in an exciting first for the festival, Knox City Council is delighted to welcome cast members from Home and Away and My Kitchen Rules. Come along to see the contestants from My Kitchen Rules fire up the BBQ and show off their skills or take a selfie with the crew from Summer Bay!

The Big Sleepover is a new addition to this year’s program, offering residents the opportunity to camp out at the Festival site to raise awareness and funds for Harrison UnitingCare, which supports families in crisis experiencing homelessness.

Not only is this event a Big Sleepover for a cause, participants will be treated to a free breakfast, free entry to the Knox Festival and –thanks to the operators of the fairground—an exclusive hour of free access to the rides before the Festival opens on Sunday.

Participants are encouraged to donate to UnitingCare Harrison upon registering online and a raffle and donation box will be available at the event.

Details: knox.vic.gov.au/ bigsleepover

Saturday 28 February 2015 10am - 5pm: Market stalls, international food, workshops, activities & fairground rides From 5pm: Twilight program, including pre-show family entertainment, cinema with screening of The Lego Movie, CFA Torchlight Parade, The Knox Sleepover & fireworks Sunday 1 March 2015 10am - 5pm: Market stalls, international food, workshops, activities & fairground rides

Cruising/Relaxing the same thing There is the excitement of going ashore and experiencing a new culture, having day trips and exploring lands that are full of adventure and of course the food, oh the food.

C

ruising could be another word for relaxing. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of activities to do onboard the ship. Even when you are working up a sweat on the dance floor you have that feeling of being relaxed, you know that feeling of falling into the comfy chair at home ready for a night of good TV or reading. That’s what Cruising is all about, getting away from life for a while, putting it on hold and kicking back and just relaxing. Many people tell us that they found that special spot on board the ship that they would go and sit, read that book or several that they have promised themselves to read for months or even years, watch the ocean go by and the world with it.

Then there is the excitement of going ashore and experiencing a new culture, having day trips and exploring lands that are full of adventure and of course the food, oh the food. Often while people are in a more relaxed mood they become adventurous with food and go home with a new passion for exquisite tastes.

Whilst you are onboard you can perhaps relax in the premier spa.

All shipboard main meals (excluding specialty restaurants) are included in the price, as is most entertainment.

Cruising in Australia is booming. Many cruise lines are now based in Australia, P & O and Carnival Cruises have Cruise Ships here all year round. Seasonally we have Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Cruising from our major cities.

There are cruises suitable for all budgets ranging from the basic through to the full luxury package. Whether you’re a family, couple, single or newlyweds there is a perfect cruise package available for you.

Cruising is one of the biggest areas of growth in the travel industry. One reason in Australia is the availability and the beautiful oceans that we get to sail on. The South Pacific is a destination a lot of the Cruise Lines travel to explore the many exotic islands, while others travel the waters around Australia and New Zealand. Some Cruise Lines travel out of Singapore around the South China Sea.

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If you would like to venture internationally there are also Fly/ Cruise packages to the Mediterranean, Alaska, Asia and Europe which make for a great memorable holiday. These Fly/Cruise packages are the ultimate holiday and are very popular as they allow you to explore land, sea, rivers and lakes. You can also do the once in a lifetime World Cruise.

This summer we have seen cruising grow across the board. The number of cruise ships in our waters has risen from 34 to 36, and the total number of Australian calls by these ships has risen from 588 last year to 642 this year. This gives us the traveller a wider range of Cruises to choose from.

The number of roundtrip and short cruises has also increased significantly. It is also wonderful to see there will be 38 maiden port calls, up from 17 last year. So many maiden visits, particularly in regional towns, means that more holidaymakers are being introduced to more parts of Australia, which is great news for local communities giving them the opportunity to expand their tourism markets.

Of the 36 ships cruising our waters, seven are based in Australia all year-round, while another 11 will be deployed for all or part of the summer cruise season with another 18 cruise ships visiting Australia. Between them they will carry tens of thousands of Australian and International tourists enjoying cruising and all that it has to offer.

Next season we will have a P & O Cruise ship in Melbourne sailing to the South Pacific or Princess cruises that sail to New Zealand.

What a wonderful way of exploring new destinations and experiencing different customs without having to rush from one attraction to another all in a couple of hours. When Cruising you arrive in your Port of Call in the morning and you do not depart until later in the afternoon so you get the opportunity to really explore and meet the culture.

Tina Holdsworth Travellers Place 8 Main Street Upwey (03) 9754 1655

ange R a r r s Ya

Counselling Counselling and Psychotherapy Chronic Pain & Illness Management Groups and Workshops Adults and Children

100 Main St Upwey 8288 1744 www.yarrarangescounselling.com.au info@yarrarangescounselling.com.au FOOTHILLS | 21

Freedom for elephants M

y world changed in 2006, when I travelled to India. It was a personal journey that exposed me to the most humbling experience of my life.

My name is Kim. I am the sole parent/ carer of my amazing 22-year-old son, Jaymes, whom has autism. I am a former veterinary nurse and Mandala artist. India gave me the confidence to follow my dreams and grab hold of my passion - to contribute and make a difference. My passion is elephants.

This is how my volunteering started. I had followed the work of an amazing woman, Lek Chailert, whom for years has been rescuing elephants from a life of misery. So nearly seven years ago, after saving $2 coins to fund my trip, I took off to Northern Thailand, to Elephant Nature Park (ENP). Being the first time I had travelled on my own, I was filled with excitement and trepidation. Heading out to the park to volunteer for two weeks, I could never have imagined where it would lead or the people I would meet.

I loved the thought of 'people working for elephants' instead of the reverse. I fully embraced the theory of responsible tourism and wanted to involve myself in promoting the ethical treatment of animals. I knew that at ENP there was no riding of elephants, no performing or painting pictures and no use of bull hooks by mahouts - no exploitation.

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I cannot put into words my first encounter with these majestic beings, although I shall never forget it. Their incredible gentleness and intelligence cannot be compared. Each elephant at the park had a story to tell - a horrific story. I shed many tears, but also had my heart full of love for their amazing resilience. The first elephant that stole my heart was beautiful Lily.

She was huge, yet when we locked eyes I melted. Lily had come from a life of misery. She originally had two owners who worked her night and day, filling her with methamphetamines to do so. After rescuing Lily, it took Lek years to help her overcome her addiction and psychological problems. At ENP, she learned how to just be an elephant, to be free.

Then there is the amazing Medo. She was rescued in 2006. The majority of her life was spent as a logging elephant, until a log fell, breaking her back left ankle. With this horrific injury and unable to work, she was tied and used for forced breeding.

This nearly led to her death. She was attacked by a bull, leaving her with severe injuries which included a dislocated back. To look at physically, Medo is very disabled. But again at ENP, she has been given freedom and love.

Thailand has only 3000 - 4000 elephants left, with half of these being 'owned' or domesticated. Unfortunately humans have caused such destruction and misery for these amazing animals. What

Volunteer opportunities ADMINISTRATION

BUS LOGISTICS

Administrations support to pre-school.

Liaise with coaches to determine which players require bus home, co-ordinatore drop-offs in sensible & logical order, brief driver - 8.30pm.

Police check & working with childrens check required.

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT General office duties including answering phones/emails, filing, customer service, setting up of rooms, recordingof incoming/ outgoing mail, other duties as required.

ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR people do not know, is that before the age of two, they go through the Phajaan ceremony to break their spirit and make them submissive to man. They are put in a wooden 'crush' and tortured for days on end, stabbed through the ears, trunk and feet. They are starved and kept standing, until their spirit breaks. Every elephant that you ride, watch perform tricks, paint pictures, play soccer, pay to feed begging on the streets of Bangkok - have been through this ceremony. Babies are ripped from their families to indulge human greed.

To promote responsible tourism, I am now part of an Asian Elephant Ambassador group. I have been involved with other projects, my last trip being to Cambodia and Vietnam to volunteer. It’s hard work, but the payoff is out of this world. I feel like I have made a small but significant difference. I have been privileged to witness the birth of a baby elephant and the death of a member of a herd. These animals love, grieve, cry, smile, laugh - just like us. They believe in family, and if not for humans, would stay with their herd for life.

I have just opened my $2 tin to pay for the next airfare in April. This year will be the first time my son is coming with me. I can't wait for the two loves of my life to meet.

Advertising & marketing position, computer skills and an interest in communits news and newspapers. Good ability to communicate with people of all ages and nationalities.

Police check required.

ASSISTING THE ACTIVITIES TEAM Saturday or Sunday - 2.30pm - 5.30pm.

Assistant to activities team to residents with dementia. Servind afternoon tea with a group or one on one, potter in the garden, many alternative activities available. Centre is 98% German background - German language a bonus but not essential.

Police check required.

BIG FUTURES SCHOOL BASED MENTORING PROGRAM Mentoring students in secondary school.

Ability to form a caring relationship with a secondary school student.

Must be reliable, caring and have good communication skills. Five schools in the Dandenong Ranges and the Foothills.

Mentors visit the school one hour per week during school terms. Parking available.

Police check & working with childrens check required.

Kim Smith Contributor to The Foothills

Working with childrens check required.

BUS SUPERVISOR Check of players as they get on bus, assist driver with navigation, mark player as dropped off, supervise conduct of players on bus. Bus departures - 10.40pm & 11.20pm (arrival 10.15pm).

Working with childrens check required.

CAFÉ COORDINATOR/ASSISTANT Residents love coming in for a coffee, cake and a chat. You will be required to help set up cakes, coffee making, serving, take payments. You will be expected to run café at times without assistance, but usually two assistants per shift.

For further information about these volunteer opportunities, or to see other volunteer opportunities contact the Volunteer for Knox team. www.volunteerforknox.com.au 0429 968 822

Foothills Classifieds - Services Mobile Animal Husbandry Service John & Peggy Spink 9754 6993 0435 907 633 1000 x premium business cards Designed, printed, delivered from $200 design@emilyfitzgerald.com.au

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RUNNING RABBITS HOP TOWARDS ACCREDITATION Running Rabbits Military Museum at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL is about to receive accreditation from Museums Australia.

Named in recognition of the Kokoda Trail and linking to the 1000 Steps, “The museum was originally just to display memorabilia from the RSL,” according to Brian Neal, a serving reservist in the Army for 46 years who helps out at the RSL most days.

“But we got bigger than that. Since 2007, we’ve had some ups and downs, but now (March 2015) we’re being accredited.

We’ve been noted by Museums Australia as being very good and used as an example in how to run a museum…but we’re totally volunteer.”

Fourteen dedicated volunteers run the museum for members and the community. The only funding the museum receives, aside from gold coin donations at the door, is the proceeds of sausage sizzles at Bunnings Scoresby.

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“Anyone can come and look at it on Thursdays and Sundays, between 10am and 2pm, and by appointment. We have scouts, other RSLs and community groups. Primary schools, secondary schools (visit) and we do themes as well, so we can theme things to World War 1, Kokoda or anything the teachers want, or to match the curriculum.”

Most visit out of general interest, but a small number are considering a career with the military or joining as a reservist.

It’s a big deal to receive the tick from Museums Australia. The inspection in March is the final formality in a lengthy accreditation process.

“Most of the things that we’ve got are donated and are directly linked to the members here at the RSL. We do purchase a lot to fill the holes, to provide a really good display.’

The collection of over 2,500 items – weaponry, photographs, documents,

memorabilia and equipment – spans everything from the Boer War (18991902) to current day, including the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.

The values for the museum match the Army’s and what’s depicted at the base of the 1000 steps: courage, initiative, respect and teamwork.

Brian explains, “It’s trying to depict that to kids: to show what it was like then, what it’s like now, and what they should aspire to. The kids get more appreciation of things, like in World War 1 they didn’t pull out their mobile phone and say hello.

It was write a letter or send a messenger and it took four or five months to get information back to families.”

The museum is located at 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey.

Sandi Wallace Crime Writer www.sandiwallace.com

Learning to Eat Again Hot cross bun trifle with Raspberry Jelly & Peaches or Blueberries

INGREDIENTS 4 gluten free blueberry hot cross buns 85g pkt raspberry jelly, prepared and chilled 2 cups peach slices in natural juice or for a more fructose friendly option choose 1 ½ cups blueberries with ½ a banana (banana optional as it can go brown) 300ml thickened lactose free cream, whipped to soft peaks 1 cup mini meringue nests, crumbled 6 strawberries sliced 1 cup blueberry sauce

METHOD Tear the hot cross buns into pieces,

then arrange one-third in the bottom of a 1½L dish, reserving the rest.

Chop the jelly into pieces and place one-third on top, then one third of the peaches or blueberries and their juice, finishing with one-third of the whipped cream. Repeat with the remaining hot cross buns, jelly, peaches/blueberries and cream.

Scatter the meringue and blueberry sauce on top of the trifle, then serve.

This sauce can be homemade. To make it at home, simply combine 2 punnets of blueberries with 1 cup caster sugar and 2 Tbsp water.

Simmer for 15 minutes, then strain through a fine sieve. Set aside to cool completely before using.

We are open extended hours and with a wide variety of experienced Male and Female GPs can usually offer ‘on the day’ appointments.

Our highly experienced GPs offer a complete range of Family Care and Urgent Care including: Baby and Child care Occupational Health Preventative Health Family planning

Men’s and Women’s health Skin Cancer Clinics Travel and Sports medicine Minor surgery

To arrange an appointment please call:

9780 8900

All your health care needs can be managed in a single location with a large variety of Allied Health providers on site including: Audiology, Dietetics, Diabetes Educator, Podiatry, Massage Therapy, Psychology, Speech pathology and Occupational Therapy as well as Medical Specialists that consult from our premises on a sessional basis.

FOOTHILLS | 25

Spirit

The of the hills

Artists, poets and writers have long been attracted to the Hills as a source of inspiration, but have you ever wondered what that spirit is?

The answer would probably take up this entire publication, so let’s just focus on spiritualism and its practice. As you probably know, spiritualism in Australia is older than the nation itself and our second Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin, was a dedicated spiritualist, serving as the president of the Victorian Spiritualists’ Union for many years.

Many spiritualists will tell you that they are attracted to the philosophy because of their disappointment with organised religion.

In Melbourne there are regular meetings in many suburbs and regular development groups meet to further the abilities of their members. Many of these groups are ‘closed’, meaning that you have to be invited to join, but one open circle meets at Magpie House in Upwey on a Wednesday night and again on a Friday morning.

Its members meet to develop their healing, psychic and mediumship abilities under the watchful eye of the group’s founder, noted Melbourne medium Trevor Evans. Trevor has a lifetime’s experience 26 | FOOTHILLS

of mediumship and has spent time in England studying at the famous Arthur Findlay College.

Trevor and his colleagues volunteer their time and travel all over Victoria supporting spiritualist centres and holding workshops for people in regional areas who do not have access to the groups here in Melbourne.

An experienced medium can connect a person with the spirit of a loved one who has died, thus proving that the spirit of a person lives on after their body has died. It is well to remember that spirit chooses the medium not the other way around, so no medium can guarantee who will come through. Those of you who have watched John Edward, Lisa Williams or Tony Stockwell will know this. This proof is a great comfort to those who have lost loved ones. The work is mostly carried out free of charge, but there are occasions where the general public are invited to attend a mediumship day for a small fee, and Magpie House is the host to Trevor and his colleagues in a monthly demonstration of the survival of spirit.

This coming year will see other events run by the group meeting at Magpie House.

Among them will be a series of dinner evenings at Flipping Pancakes where diners will receive readings at the end of

their meal in a special demonstration of the survival of spirit.

The Hills have always been an artistic community and the tradition continues with the help of groups like the one that meets in Upwey.

So, if you are out doing your shopping or maybe having a meal with friends and you are wondering why the atmosphere in Upwey has improved so much in recent years, it might just be that you are close by when Trevor’s group is meeting and you are experiencing the wonderful effect of spirit in the Hills.

Terry Bacca Contributor to The Foothills

Gully the centre of volunteers in knox You’d be forgiven for thinking Upper Ferntree Gully and Ferntree Gully is the centre of Knox when it comes to volunteering. Over recent weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing volunteers in action, on the frontlines of community activities and public honours—and, frankly, it doesn’t surprise me.

Take a look at how many people recently gathered for the annual Knox Festival, when thousands of people converged on Wally Tew Reserve. Of special note was the CFA Torchlight Parade, when some 20-25 volunteer brigades including Upper Ferntree Gully participated in the bi-annual march past grateful crowds of residents. More volunteers were on display throughout Knox Festival, in the form of students and community members doing their bit to host this popular activity.

Earlier, on Australia Day, I was so proud to see so many local residents, and people who have contributed directly to the Dobson Ward community, honoured in Knox Council’s annual awards. The recipients included Citizen of the Year Stephen Barrington, Volunteer of the Year

Phillip Thorne, Young Citizen of the Year Nathan Rose, and Local Heroes Harley Mackie and Graham Hansen. The latter of these—Graham—has been a stalwart of the Knox Historical Society, and is a descendant of the Hansen family who built our own Ambleside homestead, where the Society is based. Furthermore, he’s related to the pioneering Dobson family, after who our Ward is named.

I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all residents who turned out to attend the eight community consultation workshops to help shape the Upper Gully Plan. You have all volunteered your time to help make our area the best it can be.

Volunteers—in so many ways—are the lifeblood of our community. And it’s my privilege to say a heartfelt thankyou to you all. Keep up the great work, and know your efforts make our community and city what it is today.

Councillor Karin Orpen Dobson Ward Knox Council

UPPER GULLY PLAN As many of you would be aware work is well underway on the preparation of the draft Upper Gully Plan. I would like to thank many of those that volunteered their time to be a part of this process.

Art in public spaces was high on the agenda as a key element in achieving the vision of celebrating Upper Gully’s unique character. The Wall to Wall Mentoring Program, funded by the Department of Justice and supported by Council is an important aspect of delivering this vision.

Led by renowned international aerosol artist Andrew Bourke in collaboration with Council, Mountain District Learning Centre and 1812 Theatre, young people will learn to transform their ideas into an inspirational final work that will beautify and elevate the local vicinity. The students will also learn about project management and be required to present their creative ideas to 1812 Theatre and Hahndorf. The Wall to Wall Mentoring Program also involves two other groups of students from Fairhills High School and Boronia Secondary College, and two other walls in Knox at Mountain Gate Village Shopping Centre and Alchester Village.

The program will not only encourage better relationships between local young people, local retail and the community but it will also help promote the look and feel of Upper Gully’s streetscape.

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Ferntree Gully and Rowville Community Bank® Branches

Preserving your harvest It’s that time of year when the home gardener can have a glut of veggies such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Jams, pickles and preserves are a great way to use excess produce and enjoy it all year round.

Piccalilli

METHOD

• 2 tablespoons pickling salt

One of the simplest and tastiest ways to use a variety of vegetables is old fashioned Piccalilli. The following recipe is from the television show River Cottage (makes 3 x 340g jars).

Cut the vegetables into small, even bitesized pieces. Place in a large bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Mix well, cover the bowl with a tea towel and leave in a cool place for 24 hours, then rinse the veg with ice-cold water and drain thoroughly.

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar

INGREDIENTS

Blend the cornflour, turmeric, mustard powder, mustard seeds, cumin and coriander to a smooth paste with a little of the vinegar. Put the rest of the vinegar into a saucepan with the sugar and honey and bring to the boil.

• 1kg washed, peeled vegetables – select 5 or 6 from the following: cauliflower; green beans; cucumbers; courgettes; green or yellow tomatoes; carrots; small onions or shallots; peppers; nasturtium seed pods • 50g fine salt • 30g cornflour • 10g ground turmeric • 10g English mustard powder • 15g yellow mustard seeds • 1 tsp crushed cumin seeds • 1 tsp crushed coriander seeds • 600ml cider vinegar • 150g granulated sugar

Pour a little of the hot vinegar over the blended spice paste, stir well and return to the pan. Bring gently to the boil. Boil for 3–4 minutes to allow the spices to release their flavours into the thickening sauce.

Remove the pan from the heat and carefully fold the well-drained vegetables into the hot, spicy sauce. Pack the pickle into warm, sterilised jars and seal immediately with vinegar-proof lids.

Leave (if you can) for 4–6 weeks before opening. Use within a year.

• 50g honey

Bread and butter pickles Another great old fashioned recipe is bread and butter pickles.

INGREDIENTS • 4 cups thickly sliced pickling cucumbers (8 to 10 pickling cucumbers) • 1 cup sliced red bell peppers (about 1 small) • 1 cup sliced onion (about 1 medium) 28 | FOOTHILLS

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1 tablespoon mustard seed • 1 teaspoon celery seed • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Prepare two pint jars and a small canning pot. Combine the sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, onion, and pickling salt in a colander set in a large bowl. Refrigerate for one hour to remove excess liquid.

Rinse vegetables and discard liquid.

Combine the vinegar and sugar in a large pot. Heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add the mustard seed, celery seed, red pepper flakes and cloves. Increase the heat to high and bring the brine to a boil.

Add the drained vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes, until all the vegetables in the brine are fully heated through. Using tongs, fill the sterilized jars with the vegetables. Slowly pour the hot brine over the vegetables in each jar, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.

Gently tap the jars on a towel-lined countertop to help loosen any bubbles before using a wooden chopstick to dislodge any remaining bubbles. Check the headspace again and add more brine if necessary.

Wipe the rims, apply the lids and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Let these pickles cure for at least 48 hours before eating.

FOOTHILLS | 29

Best Dog Friend Program As they read, the students explain the story to Louie in their own words, often giving him a gentle pat as he sits patiently beside them.

Puppy love is proving to be a powerful learning tool for students at Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School.

Every Wednesday, Louie the Kelpie X Heeler dog sits quietly in the classroom and listens attentively as students in grades Foundation to Two take it in turns to read to him.

As they read, the students explain the story to Louie in their own words, often giving him a gentle pat as he sits patiently beside them.

It doesn’t matter if the student makes a mistake; Louie isn’t there to judge, but to lend a kind ear.

they may not feel confident. The dog in the classroom also promotes teamwork to help look after the animal and helps the children to develop positive behaviours.

Studies also show interaction with therapy dogs can help reduce human stress.

UFTG Primary School Principal Peta Evans says the Best Dog Friend program is now in its second year at the school. She says it not only gives the reluctant reader more belief in themselves, but also more confidence around animals.

“The students all look forward to their turn to read to Louie,” Mrs Evans says.

The 9-year old dog is a specially trained reading dog whose job is to help build the resilience and literacy skills of students.

“It’s such a wonderful sight to see them cuddling up to Louie, concentrating on their books and giving him a pat as they read their stories to him.”

Research shows people feel more calm and relaxed around a pet and do not feel they are judged. This is important to children, as it encourages them to have a go when

“The results have been outstanding, with many students showing great improvements in their confidence and overall literacy ability.”

30 | FOOTHILLS

Louie has had to pass rigorous training with Lead The Way Psychology and Animal Assisted Therapy so he can cope with busy school life.

His handler Mia Trigg ensures Louie is washed and groomed for his day at school, and the children learn about good hygiene when dealing with animals.

Mrs Evans says they hope to participate in a research project to collect further data on the effects of reading and talking to dogs.

Charisse Ede Parent at Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School

What have you been reading lately?

Volunteers That special breed who give of their time, their talents, without hesitation ...

Having no expectation of reward or recognition.

In hospitals, prisons or private homes to assisting in aged care, They can be found all over and everywhere ...

Delivering meals, cooking, cleaning, scrubbing pots and pans in a soup kitchen, Taking a cheery face to comfort the ill, or an open ear for those having no one who will listen.

Perhaps standing for hours on street corners with collection tins for charity, Or providing guidance, a helping hand, so the troubled young find their place in society.

From our cities to the outback and all stops in between ...

Some brave enough going overseas to give their time Within some Third World scene, Where residents suffer and hold no hope for a future of any kind.

A quick poll of local readers has come up with these recommendations for Summer reading: The secret life of bees – Sue Monk Kidd Moonlight Plains – Barbara Hannay Tell me why (Book 1) – Sandi Wallace The goldfinch – Donna Tartt Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are dead – Tom Stoppard (play)

We hear or read of just a few of these special people, although the vast majority Go about quietly, doing more than their bit for so many others in the community.

To each of you who makes a difference in someone else’s life, We applaud you, we give our thanks Though we may never know your face.

For without you all, this world for many would be a sad and lonely place.

The silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2) – Robert Galbraith The wife drought – Annabel Crabb The Rosie effect (Book 2) – Graeme Simsion If you are interested in chatting to others about your reading check out the book clubs available through Eastern Regional Libraries and the CAE.

By Ingrid Ward

Our lowest home loan rates in decades.

There’s never been a bigger opportunity to lock in a low, low interest rate.

But it’s more than just a great rate, a home loan from Upwey Community Bank® Branch and Fern Tree Gully Community Bank® Branch is bigger than that - and comes with a range of big benefits, discounts and savings.

Drop into your nearest branch at 30 Main Street, Upwey or phone 9754 1200 or 67 Station Street, Ferntree Gully phone 9756 0332 and compare our fixed rate home loans.

Upwey Community Bank® Branch and Fern Tree Gully Community Bank® Branch Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending criteria apply. Full details available on application.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879.

S49375-5 (238505_v1) (4/02/2015)

bendigobank.com.au

FOOTHILLS | 31

Do you need volunteers?

Volunteer for Knox has volunteers looking for placement with not-for-proďŹ t organisations. Contact us today.

0429 968 822 www.volunteerforknox.com.au 32 | FOOTHILLS