April 2014

1 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

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No 473, April 2014

❂ For the community, by the community

Editorial & Advertising: 9844 0555

Email: info@warrandytediary.com.au

One vote short

By MICHELLE PINI

AMID growing community discontent and media criticism about ongoing local government rate increases and charges, Manningham council has voted in favour of a special charge scheme to develop an underground drainage system in

Melbourne Hill Road.

A group of residents is now considering the next step, including legal options.

The controversial scheme will require 107 householders to contribute up to 50 per cent of the estimated $2.1million plan, which aims to

address flooding in six households.

A community reference panel set up by council to review issues in the troubled catchment unanimously rejected the scheme put forward by Manningham council officers.

Community disapproval to the scheme was also reinforced in a

INSIDE

council-instigated resident opinion sur vey. As well, overwhelming community opposition has been voiced in countless emails, letters, the Herald Sun website, and social media channels.

Continued Page 3

Having a ball at the Warrandyte Festival

Litter free river walk grant bonus. P5

Get ready for the great Fire Ball. P9

Follies review with Hoggy & BB. P23

Festival fun: There was plenty to sing and dance about in a whirlwind of entertainment, a parade, fabulous food and family fun. Check out all the action, P15–18. Picture: Stephen Reynolds

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“America is so advanced that even the chairs are electric.”

— Doug Hamwell

2 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

OVER THE HILLS

By JOCK MACNEISH

EDITOR: Scott Podmore, 9844 0555 PUBLISHER: Warrandyte Diary Pty Ltd (ACN 006 886 826 ABN 74 422 669 097) as trustee for the Warrandyte Arts and Education Trust POSTAL ADDRESS: P.O. Box 209, Warrandyte 3113 ADVERTISING & ACCOUNTS: Briony Bottarelli, 9844 0555 DIARY OFFICE: Community Centre, 168-178 Yarra Street, Warrandyte, 9844 0555 EMAIL ADDRESS: info@warrandytediary.com.au EMAIL SPORT: scott@warrandytediary.com.au WEBSITE: www.warrandytediary.com.au FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/warrandytediary PRODUCTION: Rachel Schroeder PRINTING: Streamline Press Pty Ltd, 155 Johnston Street, Fitzroy Published on or about the second Tuesday of each month (except January).

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OUR NEWSPAPER The Warrandyte Diary was established in 1970 as a small local newsletter. Although it has developed over the years, it has retained its strong community character, being produced mostly by volunteers with only one aim: to serve its community. Financed solely through advertising, it guards its not-for-profit, non-commercial status and its independent voice. The Diary carries a strong editorial bias towards the people, environment and character of the place it serves. Its monthly circulation is 4000 copies and it is available in Warrandyte, North Warrandyte, South Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Wonga Park, Warranwood, North Ringwood, Kangaroo Ground and Research.

A SPECIAL PLACE Warrandyte (approximate population 8000) is situated on the Yarra River, some 27km from Melbourne. For countless ages a well-stocked hunting ground of the Wurundjeri people, in 1851 Warrandyte became the site of the first official gold discovery in Victoria. It soon established its character as a small, self-sustaining community set in a beautiful river valley.

Around 1900 the miners, orchardists and tradespeople were joined by a number of young painters who were founding the Australian nationalist arts tradition. Now a commuter suburb of Melbourne, the natural beauty, community spirit and sense of independence of Warrandyte has been largely retained. This newspaper is the voice and true expression of that spirit.

APRIL

Frocks & Gloves

HOURS Tues–Sat: 11am–5pm Sundays: 12noon–5pm

The numerous Apostles HE sun beamed and so did Neville as the Trotts wound their way, van in tow, along the Great and Winding Ocean Road that leads to your Twelve Apostles.

All except Gran, that is, who said she wasn’t sitting in a car for three and a half hours unless John the Baptist himself was giving complementary footbaths.

The road was clear ahead as far as the eye could see, which was pretty lucky because it was bumper to bumper behind them.

“Thank goodness we’re not stuck in all that,’ said Neville.

But eventually they reached the visitor centre and joined the merry-go-round of cars looking for a park. Fortunately, a tourist bus pulled out at just the right time that left oodles of room for the Landcruiser and the Jaybird. The sign said Coaches Only, but Neville reckoned Team Manager of Warrandyte Redbacks was close enough.

“There they are, kids,” announced Neville as they assembled at the viewing platform. “The Twelve Apostles!”

“Ah, Tweb-aposso!” repeated a nearby tourist, waving to his compatriots to come and listen.

Jasper counted them out.

“There are only seven.”

“Ah, Seban-aposso!” corrected the tourist as his friends started to arrive.

Neville rolled his eyes. “Why would they call it the Twelve Apostles if there were only seven?”

“Exactly,” said Narelle. “They should call it the Seven Apostles.”

“There’s no such thing as the Seven Apostles,” persisted Neville. “Haven’t you seen the picture of the Last Supper?”

“The one where they’re all sitting on the same side of the table,” asked Jasper. “Perhaps

living with The Trotts they had a few friends over.”

“Look! There were Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and eight others, alright?” said Neville who had a firm grasp of arithmetic.

“There were eight when we came on our Year 7 excursion,” put in Cinnamon.

“Ah, Ade-aposso!” repeated the busload now crowded around them.

“Well maybe there are more around the corner,” said Neville, whose confidence was eroding faster than the remaining apostles.

“Ah, row-corna,” chorused the entire Geisha Getaways party and rushed off to the other side of the viewing platform.

Neville took the chance to move on to Gibson’s Steps

so they could see them from down on the beach. It was a long descent, but the sun was warm, the sea was as calm as a millpond and the rock stacks were even more impressive from ground level.

“Hello Matthew, hello Mark, hello Luke…” said Cinnamon.

“After this we’ll go and see London Bridge,” said Neville.

“I think it’s fallen down,” said Narelle.

“For goodness sake,” said Neville, “that’s just a song.”

Narelle shrugged and went back to searching for shells while Jasper gathered stones and skipped them across the glassy water.

“Here,” said Neville, “let me show you how to do that.”

Neville was not a natural sportsman. When he tried to throw a ball even the dog rolled over laughing. But optimism is Neville’s middle name.

He found a nice flat stone, re-

leased it with a deft flick of the wrist and as luck would have it hit the water at an optimal twenty degrees. One…two… three… four…it bounced, in long looping skips.

“It’s going to hit John,” cried Cinnamon.

“Nonsense,” said Neville, just before the stone cracked into the base of the jutting rock. Not that anything happened. Not for a moment or two. Then there was a distinct crack, followed by a series of ominous rumbles.

“Right,” said Neville turning on his heel. “Let’s get going to London Bridge before it gets dark.” And as they headed back to the steps, John slowly collapsed into the sea behind them and completely disappeared from sight.

“Ah,” said a voice from the viewing platform. “Sigs-aposso!”

ALAN CORNELL

3 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Which way did council vote on drainage scheme?

YES Cr Downie

NO Cr Galbally

YES Cr Gough

YES Cr Grivokostopoulos

YES Cr Haynes

NO Cr Kleinert

NO

YES

Cr McLeish

Cr O’Brien

Hill of discontent COMMENT

By SCOTT PODMORE

tion that the issue needed a swift solution, pointing to many years of council neglect and lack of maintenance. They have also highlighted the need to approach the solution with Warrandyte’s semi-rural environment in mind.

Deputy mayor and Mullum Mullum ward councillor Sophy Galbally upheld the residents’ unanimous view.

Cr Galbally moved for a deferral of the draft management plan, pointing out that a council resolution was reached in March 2013 instructing officers to cost an alternative option.

“We have ended up with the same plan, presented as an alternate plan, by the same officers,” she said.

Cr Galbally cited the need to maintain Warrandyte’s unique, non-urban, semi-rural topography, and the dangers of placing water underground due to its high fire-risk status. She asserted that in order to make an informed decision, “an external assessment by a hydrologist or water management expert should be sought to determine the most sustainable water management option for flood mitigation in the environmentally sensitive catchment”.

Cr Galbally had also earlier urged fellow councillors to delay the decision and seek available funding from Living Victoria for a solution more in keeping with Warrandyte’s non-urban environment.

Cr Galbally was supported by uproarious applause from the gallery, which was filled with community members.

Former mayor Cr Jennifer Yang, Cr Kleinert and Mullum Mullum ward’s Cr McLeish joined Cr Galbally and voted against the scheme.

Cr Galbally’s suggestion to apply for state government funding was rejected in the council officers’ report, which recommended: “An application for funding through the office of Living Victoria not be pursued at this time in respect of the

Melbourne Hill Rd project, given the associated delays to the delivery of an appropriate drainage solution in council’s currently most significantly flood affected catchment.”

The report also identified the Bolin Bolin Billabong Integrated Water Management project as needing priority for funding. Mr Carbone said: “By comparison, the Melbourne Hill Rd catchment is steeper and less conducive to a whole of water cycle management approach.”

With regard to Cr Galbally’s motion to seek external expert advice, something the residents unanimously supported, Mr Carbone advised that was not considered necessary.

“Council officers are well credentialed to address the technical issues with a long history of successful implementation of whole of water cycle management projects,” he said.

Mr Carbone added that the “severity” of flood damage in 2011, “the risk that insurers could refuse future flooding claims” and the “lack of a feasible and workable, sustainable … management solution,” necessitated an underground drainage system.

Spokesperson for the residents group, Peter Hookey, told the Diary: “It was extremely disappointing for the packed house of concerned residents who attended the council meeting. If the proposed scheme goes ahead, the amenity and ecology of the whole area will be permanently changed with trees cut, roots severed and fauna affected.

“Cr Galbally’s call for a sustainable, environmental alternative, utilising current experts in water management as well as available state government funding, could have been a showpiece of sustainable water management – it’s a perfect fit for Warrandyte.”

Manningham council is expected to vote on the next stage of the proposal, a special charge scheme to fund the project, at a later date.

WE all know the Melbourne Hill Rd drainage scheme issue has been a hot one.

Council has voted and the catchment area’s residents, and many others in the greater Warrandyte community, are not happy. Check the letters on Pages 6-7.

I’m a resident of Melbourne Hill Rd. This comment is to clear the air as Manningham council has taken issue with the fact I haven’t let you readers know this. It’s in relation to the coverage I’ve allowed, as editor, and that’s fair enough. They have every right to question anything I publish regarding council.

So here is admission of where I live with the aim of clearing the path for much better public relations in providing coverage of all council issues, good and bad. With respect to Manningham council, I find the issue of where I live to be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. By this reasoning, all councillors would need to remove themselves from voting on any issues which affect where they live.

On that line, maybe council may like to do something similar in disclosing to the Diary readers their potential conflict of interest in being the Diary’s landlord?

There’s also the fact I’m in the public eye in my role as a writer and author here and overseas. For privacy reasons, ideally I wouldn’t usually disclose where I live.

As an editor, I don’t apologise for the coverage I’ve given the issue with a senior writer in charge to drive it – and she is doing an excellent job. Importantly, I will reiterate, regardless of where I live, the Page 2 mission statement in the Diary states: “the Diary carries a strong editorial bias towards the people, environment and character of the place it serves.”

However, I will point out to readers that given the fact I do live in Melbourne Hill Rd, from the outset I made a conscious decision to keep it at arm’s length. Also, the issue was well underway before I took over the editorship and I chose not to report on it personally so as to keep that distance.

I also chose not to become a part of the reference panel set up by council, and also didn’t attend a meeting involving one of my writers and three members of Manningham council staff to conduct an interview about the drainage scheme issue.

I’m also very aware council does some wonderful work for our community and I enjoy publishing it – check last month’s Page 3 story where Mayor Jim is pictured with the Warrandyte Primary School children, or this edition where we feature the terrific grant that council has provided for the litter free river walk (Page 5), or

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Yes, I am a resident of Melbourne Hill Rd

From Page 1

From a high volume of letters to the editor this month from residents in the catchment area and outside it, the following samples illustrate the extent of community frustration about the issue: “Who wants a million dollars from the state government? Not Manningham council if it’s for sustainable drainage in Melbourne Hill Rd,” one resident said.

And this: “Council recommended that we set up a rep panel for the MHR Catchment Area … it appears now it may have been established to create a false sense of community involvement.”

Some go further: “I believe the council simply wants to remove its liability to insurance companies by addressing the potential flooding of just five properties.”

While others are still clearly angered by the outcome: “In 2011, a once-in-a-100-year storm event caused flooding of six properties ... council’s sledgehammer solution is to spend $1million of all Manningham residents’ rates, raise another $1million via a special charge on 120 houses in the Melbourne Hill catchment, and cut a swathe through Warrandyte’s precious bush to install an underground stormwater drainage system.”

In a media statement to the Diary, Manningham council CEO Joe Carbone said “given the scale of this project, the proposed financial cost and the passion of residents” he was not surprised by the opposition to the scheme.

Mr Carbone explained: “Council must consider the overall need for the works, which necessarily takes account of the extent and severity of property flooding.”

Following a detailed alternative proposal by the community reference panel, Manningham council officers made a few adjustments to the original plan and recommended its adoption. At the March council meeting, Manningham council voted in favour of the officers’ proposal, by five votes to four.

Cr Stephen O’Brien led the call to proceed with the council officers’ proposal, citing open drains in “urban” areas as presenting a high risk of failure. Cr Gough also pointed to the need for “council to act in a timely manner”. Mayor Grivokostopoulos, Cr Haynes and Mullum Mullum ward’s Cr Meg Downie also voted in favour of the scheme.

Residents have repeatedly criticised the council officers’ conten-

NO

how we ensured mention was made of council’s great contributions and smooth facilitation of assistance when the major bushfire took hold.

Manningham council has said they were “surprised” to learn I’m a “Melbourne Hill Road resident and that you had not declared such in your publication, as it is part of normal council process that any conflict of interest is declared”. They also said they thought my role as editor “would have been bound by similar conventions given that the Warrandyte Diary, as a member of the Community Newspapers Association of Victoria, is bound by the General Statement of Principles of the Australian Press Council”. Good point. But I will make one, too, respectfully. The Press Council’s principles regarding conflict of interest specifically relate to disclosure regarding “potential” conflicts of interest.

Given that there’s always the potential for conflict to arise in a community newspaper, the only solution is to disclose everything at all times. As you could imagine it could make for a very long list.

In an attempt to distance myself from the Melbourne Hill Rd drainage issue, however, I may have given the impression that I had not disclosed to readers something that council may have interpreted as a conflict of interest. For this, I apologise and explain the situation in the hope this can help defuse the tension with council.

In saying that, I’m happy to disclose some more. As a MHR resident, I pay council rates and also paid $25,000 on landscaping after flooding demolished our retaining wall. It would have cost $50,000 to rebuild the wall, so we decided to re-landscape and worked with Manningham council’s Planning Department on that project.

Now, three years on, I’m not happy with a potential $15,000 cost on top. I would have thought it was in council’s best interests that I didn’t disclose such information because it obviously makes their decision look extremely harsh. But it is important to clear the air.

So, my question is, if we are to move forward from this point, what arrangements can we come to so that both parties (community and the council) can do what they do best and achieve the best possible outcome for everyone? One group of people is extremely unhappy with progress to date. Council needs to resolve that particular conflict and find an elegant solution.

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4 Warrandyte Diary

Telstra sets up team

By KARLY HICKMAN

IN a bold move, Telstra has set up a dedicated local Melbourne team to answer queries regarding Telstra issues in the Warrandyte area.

This comes after months of Diary coverage detailing residents’ frustrations with Telstra drop outs, poor download

speeds and a lack of customer service.

“We are committed to ensuring that Warrandyte customers get the best broadband experience possible,” said Metro Melbourne North East Region manager Ingrid Harvey.

“There may be some specific individual reasons custom-

ers still do not get the internet speeds they expect from their service. It should be noted that an ADSL service, regardless of your provider, can be variable due to the nature of the technology.”

Telstra says the reasons for slower internet speeds can be specific to each case and can

include the length of the fixed line servicing the property, the type of exchange equipment a customer is connected to, the plan or speed profile a customer is on, network faults and your own equipment.

Unfortunately, these are the reasons that have already been relayed to dozens of

residents in previous calls to Telstra, with no real improvement in service.

Telstra says the new team will be able to answer questions specific to service in the Warrandyte area and can be contacted on 1800 002 377 or melbournetcw@team. telstra.com.

Lions raise $800,000 for Canteen THE Lions Club of Warrandyte has sponsored CanTeen Teenagers Living with Cancer since 1995 by running an annual fundraising auction and a Water Sports Day in and around the waters of Lake Eildon.

For the past 18 years the events were spearheaded by Ron Cuthbert (a Melvin Jones fellow and life member), who gathered the support of Eildon Boat Club and its members to not only provide a fabulous venue and tremendous hospitality to their visiting teens, but also to graciously invite up to four teenagers each (and their carers) onto their houseboats for a day of fun on the water, with several toys and a boat on offer.

Every year more than 50 young people affected by cancer have the opportunity to “just live a little, and also enjoy a private aerobatic display put on by one of the RAAF Roulettes”, according to the Lions club, who say they are proud to have co-ordinated the project and to have “made a truly impressive contribution to CanTeen”.

Coming from all over Victoria, these teenagers have had the opportunity to live a little and forget the battles in their everyday lives. Raising the $800,000 was one thing, but raising their spirits meant so much more.

The Warrandyte Lions would like to thank all of those who got involved to make the project such a success.

A welcome change of heart In a follow up to our February story “Donate Life… it’s worth a chat!” by Cherie Moselen, the Diary is pleased to inform readers that heart transplant hopeful Matthew Orchard received a new heart last month.

Matthew, who had been on the transplant waiting

list for over two years, is recovering well at home.

The Diary spoke with two champions of the DonateLife message, Anderson’s Creek Primary School teacher Rosette Orchard and her 28-year-old son Matthew, about the option that gives others a second chance at life.

“Organ donation is the ultimate act of giving and for many people, like Matthew, it’s the only means for survival and for quality of life,” Mrs Orchard said.

To register as an organ donor visit www.donatelife. gov.au.

Right: Matthew and Rosette.

April 2014

On the right track with new design THREE members of the Warrandyte Community Association have made a difference by being alert and using old work skills to persuade Manningham council to soften the design of a new track proposed for construction at the West End. John Hanson noticed a sign in Quinton’s IGA advertising an application for a planning permit to “clear vegetation” for the reconstruction of the track on the Anderson’s Creek Primary School side of the creek between (opposite) Hodson Road to Goldfield’s Plaza at Heidelberg Road.

As the purpose of the vegetation removal was not clear from the notice, John and his wife Bev Hanson, a well known local landscape designer, contacted fellow WCA member Doug Seymour who “got hold of the project drawings”, according to Doug.

The locals liked the way the design avoided cutting the root systems of the mature trees along the route by using long lengths of gentle fill but concluded the extensive low retaining walling and fencing proposed along the edge of the path, especially on the creek side, were unnecessary and detracted from the design. Walls and fences are expensive and spoil the naturalistic meandering appearance of the path and they also cause cyclists to ride nearer the centre of the path.

“It was encouraging to see council taking vegetation protection so seriously,” Bev said, pointing out that all the grasses along the edge were weed species as were a number of understory shrubs. The WCA members marked up a set of drawings showing how much of the retaining wall could be replaced with gently sloping battered edges planted with native grasses.

Bev and John found the council engineers to be receptive and through a process of site meetings and exchange of marked-up drawings most of the retaining walls were replaced with batters. There have been several community planting efforts along the existing path and all surviving plants will be protected and supplemented.

“We were very pleased to meet council’s new environmental officer Amanda Smith, who helped refine the design,” Doug said.

The new sealed shared path will be a link in the Manningham Bicycle Strategy and this section will eventually be extended to the Taroona Avenue end of the river reserve. A short path along Harris Gully Rd to the school crossing will also be built.

“This consultation has been fast paced to keep up with the design process, the WCA was kept informed on progress. Bev and I hope more locals will be inspired by the positive experience,” Doug said.

5 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Litter free river walk Permanent protection for LRDZ

By KARLY HICKMAN

WARRANDYTE’S river walk will benefit from new litter and recycling bins depicting Warrandyte history and local wildlife as part of a state government grant.

The grant was awarded to Manningham council to implement the Keep Our Yarra River Litter FREE project, designed to educate the local community and involve them in cleaning up local waterways.

“Through the Keep Our Yarra River Litter FREE, council will focus on building community partnerships, educating the local schools and implementing new infrastructure to reduce litter and provide the community with a better understanding of the impact of litter on the environment,” Manningham mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos said.

Cr Grivokostopoulos welcomed the $13,300 grant from Ryan Smith, the minister for environment and climate change, and Member for Warrandyte.

A schools education program has already commenced at Wonga Park, Warrandyte and Anderson’s Creek primary schools and will continue throughout Term 2.

“Manningham council is ver y passionate about the environment, especially improving the quality and cleanliness of our local waterways and it is very important that we do everything we can to minimise devastating impact of litter on local wildlife,” Cr Grivokostopoulos said.

As part of the project, litter bins along the Yarra River Walk in Warrandyte will be replaced with bins that picture Warrandyte from the 1900s and others that depict local wildlife from the area and tell a story about the particular animal.

“By making the bins a feature of the area it is hoped that they will bring about more awareness of the campaign objectives and prompt people to change their disposal behaviour,” Cr Grivokostopoulos said.

Ryan Smith said the Litter Hotspots Project helps build a better Victoria by working with local councils such as Manningham and community

By KARLY HICKMAN

Wish granted: Manningham mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos (left) and Member for Warrandyte Ryan Smith (right).

groups to find local litter solutions.

“Cleaning up litter from streets and public places is costly, with litter clean-up costing local councils $78 million every year.

These costs can be avoided by helping people in Manningham to dispose of litter properly,” Mr Smith said.

“This program will deliver great

benefits that will see this program in Manningham council implemented as part of the state government’s $7 million commitment for a cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.”

Warrandyte Youth Arts Award winner BORN and bred local Loughlan Prior was presented with the Warrandyte Youth Arts Award recently at a small function attended by parents, applicants and the WYAA committee, including major sponsor the Warrandyte Community Bank, who presented the dancer/choreographer with a $10,000 cheque.

“I’m so grateful, it’s opening up some fantastic opportunities,” Loughlan said. “It gives me the chance to travel and develop who I am as a young emerging artist, which is one of the most important things, especially at this stage of my career.”

The Warrandyte Youth Arts Award has been running since 1988 and is aimed at 18–25 year olds involved in a wide range of endeavours broadly defined as art, and with a distinct connection with Warrandyte. Past winners include a jewellery designer, opera singer and metal sculptor. The biennial award has helped 13 young grant winners build their careers since it began, as well as many others who have benefitted from the award’s mentoring process.

“Loughlan Prior is a young man who is going to make a big impression in the world of dance,” WYAA’s Jock Macneish told the Diary. “He is a ballet dancer with a passion and an enormous talent for choreography.”

Warrandyte Community Bank chair Sarah Wrigley said the local bank was proud to be associated with the award and thrilled to be helping provide Loughlan with a grant to help him achieve his goals.

Worthy winner: Loughlan Prior with his mother Deidre Prior, WYAA chairman Jock Macneish and Warrandyte Community Bank’s Sarah Wrigley. Picture: Stephen Reynolds.

RESIDENTS south of the river can breathe a sigh of relief after the planning minister gave Manningham’s Low Density Residential Zone a permanent protection from subdivision.

The Warrandyte Community Association and Manningham council have welcomed the decision to retain the current one acre minimum lot size in Manningham’s LDRZ. “The Warrandyte community lodged hundreds of submissions objecting to various aspects of the state government’s proposed planning zone changes, including the proposal to cut the LDRZ minimum lot size in half; it’s great to see the state government listened to our concerns,” WCA vice president Jonathan Upson said.

Manningham has more than 2000 hectares in the LDRZ, providing a buffer between general residential areas and highly valued environmental areas, including the Green Wedge.

Manningham Mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos said he was delighted the planning minister will be putting in place permanent protection for the low density residential zones of the municipality.

“By ensuring that lot sizes remain large, these areas will continue to provide a housing and lifestyle choice with greater environmental considerations,” Cr Grivokostopoulos said.

“The LDRZ in Warrandyte covers the area west of Tindals Rd where the recent bushfire started; it was always pretty clear the planning scheme should not be changed to enable subdivisions in this area,” Mr Upson said.

Manningham council has long held the position that areas between urban residential development and the Green Wedge should continue to be protected from significant development.

“In recent years there has been continued ad hoc pressure for the rezoning of LDRZ areas which would have had a detrimental impact on the neighbourhood character, the environment and local amenity,” Cr Grivokostopoulos told the Diary.

Minister Guy said Manningham council is to be congratulated for its strong work in seeing protection is put in place to deliver, maintain and improve its green residential areas.

The WCA has thanked Manningham City Council for passing a resolution requesting the planning minister retain the current minimum lot size; “together, we achieved a great result for the Warrandyte community,” Mr Upson said.

Meanwhile residents north of the river remain uncertain on minimum lots sizes, with Nillumbik council resolving in February to write to the minister seeking the retention of their one acre metre minimum subdivision size in all LDRZ areas of Nillumbik.

“A letter has been forwarded to the minister seeking this, but to date a response has not been received,” said Nillumbik Shire Council mayor, Cr Michael Young.

“Council is currently working on the proposed residential zones translation with a view to have this finalised and with the minister for planning by the July 2014 due date.”

The Diary will continue to report on developments.

6 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Flood of anger sweeps through Dear Diary, By observing the Melbourne Hill Rd drainage scheme meeting it became apparent that at least three councillors have a very hardline approach to approving developments in the city. This was obvious when the agenda item 8.2 Planning Application for 122 Mitcham Rd Donvale was discussed, this application for the construction of a three storey apartment building next to single story residences indicated how much concern these three councillors really have for existing residents’ concerns: none at all. Their argument was the application ticks all the boxes for wtate and local government planning policy requirements so all that is needed is to add a few extra permit requirements to include unspecified vertical battens or “other screening devices” and evergreen trees to reduce existing residences privacy concerns. Following the carrying of this item a number of observers left the meeting, I expect some happy with the result but most looking less satisfied. The carrying of the motion to support agenda item 10.1 Melbourne Hill Rd Drainage Scheme Concept was a major disappointment for the significant majority of Warrandyte residents impacted by the scheme. I was happy to see there was opposition to the motion shown by four councillors, three of whom spoke against the motion however their well-expressed points were subject to a loud and sanctimonious rebuttal by one councillor and base sarcasm by another, which is apparently acceptable in council meetings, although not in the work environment most of us work in.

In my opinion it is important that all concerned residents read the minutes of the council meeting available on the council website, in those documents you will see such paragraphs as below: “Further, an application for funding through the Office of Living Victoria not be pursued at this time in respect of the Melbourne Hill Rd project, given the associated delays to the delivery of an appropriate drainage solution in council’s currently most significantly flood affected catchment.” The reality is the existing proposal will take years to realise, what significant delays will there be if the council consider pursuing this option? “Council note the need to expand the cost apportionment criteria for this project from the pure ‘area’ basis set out in council policy, to include ‘benefit’, in the event that a special charge scheme proceeds in the future.” I still don’t understand what benefit my property will get from this scheme, why will I be forced to pay a large amount for a drainage scheme

dear diary Letters to the Diary on local topics are welcome. They may be edited for reasons of style, length or legality.

that will provide zero benefit to my property?

While the Melbourne Hill Rd catchment area was “considered” to be Manningham’s worst impacted area during the flood event which occurred in December 2011, and the number one priority area to resolve, the contradiction is apparently the catchment represents approximately 1 percent of the total catchment area for Andersons Creek, so flowing a huge 100-year event drain directly into the creek then into the Yarra River isn’t going to be a problem. All Manningham residents must understand that council has, through its policy statements and the adoption of changes to the Design and Development Overlay, created a planning mechanism that will in time alter our present neighbourhood character. Generally we are all concerned with the conduct of both major parties at the federal and state government levels but reality is while worrying about how the actions of those governments may affect my financial stability, I have naively ignored the goings on in local government, and the fact is local government’s agenda to change the present neighbourhood character will cause me significant financial burden, without any guarantee that it will directly benefit my residence at all.

Mark Flynn Melbourne Hill Rd Dear Sir, The Melbourne Hill Rd drainage representative panel would once again like to ask for support from the various Warrandyte community associations and groups to protect our environment.

If the proposed drainage scheme goes ahead then underground pipes will be installed, trees will be cut down, roots severed and fauna will suffer. Residents’ properties and the whole area will be permanently changed.

The trees that survive will be starved of ground water and the whole ecology, environment and amenity of the area will be altered. Roads will be re-cambered and altered with mounding and channeling installed along with extensive boring and drilling.

There is also a possibility of blasting through rock – who knows what damage to homes and existing infrastructure will occur.

This could be the beginning of a push by Manningham council to pipe all open drains

into an underground system.

Manningham council was presented with a sustainable and environmental alternative through Cr Sophy Galbally. It would have utilised current experts in water management as well as having a government grant available for such a project. This could have been a showpiece of new water management. A perfect fit for Warrandyte. Many leaders in new water harvesting technology were willing to offer their expertise. Manningham council voted to reject this option. We call on the Warrandyte Community Association and other community groups to assist us. A further vote by council is expected in a couple of months.

If Cr Meg Downie, who is elected to represent the residents, had voted in our favour, then we would have won the debate.

Her vote and decision not to support us was the critical vote. She has been reminded on numerous occasions that we have the unanimous support of the whole 107 properties. We hope that in the coming months that she alters her decision.

It was extremely disappointing for the packed house of concerned residents who attended the council meeting.

It was standing room only!

Peter Hookey Lorraine Ave Dear sir, The Melbourne Hill Rd drainage issue has really highlighted a problem with our socalled democratic council system. I can accept that when a decision needs to be made that on occasion the elected councillors need to support the council officers for the greater good of the residents impacted by the decision eg for inappropriate planning schemes. However, in this case it is clear that (1) The only residents impacted by the decision are the ones that have voted overwhelmingly against the proposal, and (2) That in this case where the councillors should have represented the residents to ensure the ‘greater good’ is upheld against an aggressive council officers’ proposal, that the process has failed, and that conversely the majority of councillors have supported the council officers against the affected constituents.

The only good thing to come from this is that we now very clearly know for the next election which councillors actually take the job of representation of their constituents seriously, and those that have another agenda.

Ben Boyd Warrandyte

Dear Diary, I write to you in regards to Cr Gough’s behaviour at the council meeting held on

Tuesday 25 March.

I was one of two residents asking a question at the end of the meeting and I must say Cr Gough’s attitude in my opinion during that time was appalling and unfit coming from a councillor and ex-mayor. His body language was certainly unfriendly, not to say hostile.

As soon as I started speaking, he turned around and glared at me insistently and I must say I felt quite intimidated by his behaviour. While my question was answered, he chuckled to himself and I felt quite ridiculed even though my question was genuine.

This is on top of his earlier oratory ‘performance’, during which he got so animated and raised his voice so much that many in the audience started to wonder exactly what was going on. Isn’t it a councillor’s duty to keep an open mind and treat other councillors, and residents, with respect?

Jean Dind Melbourne Hill Rd Dear editor, During the council meeting on 25 March 2014, which I attended, Cr Gough behaved in a manner that I regard as unacceptable and insulting both to fellow councillors and to the large group of concerned residents from the Melbourne Hill Rd catchment area.

Cr Gough used intimidatory, bullying tactics to deride the legitimate concerns expressed by other councillors when discussing the Melbourne Hill Rd catchment drainage plan.

His belligerent interjections were aimed directly at fellow councillors who sought a possible alternative to that offered by council officers and constitutes a prima facie case of deliberate workplace intimidation.

By his pompous, implied-self-important, belligerent behaviour, Cr Gough single-handedly reinforced my view that with only a few significant exceptions, councillors are intimidated into accepting any proposed scheme from council officers without any serious consideration of the unanimous wishes of affected ratepayers or the financial imposts involved.

Ever y ratepayer in the MHRC community believes council officers to be solely responsible for the three driving factors that give rise to the flooding problems in lower Melbourne Hill Rd, ie: excessive, uncontrolled stormwater flows from council-controlled areas at the top of the catchment Decades of inaction following complaints of inadequately designed and poorly maintained drainage infrastructure to convey council water through the catchment Issuing of planning/building permits for houses built in an area known to be subject to flooding.

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Dear Diary, I was at the council meeting on Tuesday night, as part of the group from the Melbourne Hill Rd catchment area.

I have already written to council about the behaviour of Cr Gough – the email was sent on January 30, 2014. I appreciate your response. I am writing again to council because of the discussion some of our group had after the meeting on March 25.

Again I am complaining about the behaviour of Cr Gough during the meeting.

His manner was disrespectful, intimidating and showed a lack of respect to the persons he was bullying, but also to those of us at the meeting.

Although I was not part of the discussions during the meeting, I was seriously offended by his actions.

I am amazed that he is allowed to continue this type of behaviour during council meetings. As I understand it, bullying is illegal in a work place. What has been done – or what do you (council) consider doing – to address this appalling behaviour?

This email will also be sent to the CEO, as the council meeting is also the workplace of the council employees.

Marymae Trench Warrandyte Dear Diary, Who wants a million dollars from the state government?

Not Manningham council if it’s for sustainable drainage

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As such, the matter of providing suitable drainage protection for the four houses under threat is the sole responsibility of council.

Cr Gough’s objectionable behaviour masks a more serious conflict of interest for the long-serving councillor as well as council officers who refuse to acknowledge the past planning failures and serious inadequacies with building permits over many years.

We would like to regard our councillors with the respect that they deserve, however behaviour such as exhibited

by Cr Gough encourages us to view council with the same contempt that we experience from him.

What happened on Tuesday night is not an example of good governance.

I therefore request that Cr Gough be censured for his behaviour and be required to publicly apologise to fellow councillors and the MHRC community at the next council meeting. I further request that the decision regarding adoption of the council officer-proposed drainage plan be cancelled since it was made under an environment of deliberate hostility and intimidation occasioned by Cr Gough.

Daniel Drew Warrandyte

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in Melbourne Hill Rd it would appear from the last council meeting. Cr Galbally asked councillors to delay proceeding with the current plan, allowing time for a sustainable option to be considered. Crs McLeish, Yang and Kleinert saw value in making an “informed” decision and voted accordingly, unlike our other ward councillor Downie, who along with the remainder of the Manningham councillors decided for us that a sustainable option has no place in Warrandyte.

Peter Noye Melbourne Hill Rd To the editor, Before my family purchased the house 19 years ago drainage was installed then a few years ago improvements where made.

Why is it being done again?

How can we trust that they will do the job properly this time?

It’s not just about residents... it’s about families and what happens if those families can’t afford it? Local families could be forced to move out of the area, remortgage their homes and take out loans just to pay for the stuff up that wasn’t done properly in the first place.

And what about the wildlife that we get in our backyard, echidnas and wombats all due to lack of water from the Tindals Rd Wild Flower Reserve?

Will this be the end of the locals’ trust of the council?

Carly Brown Melbourne Hill Rd Dear Diary, Prior to the last council election, Cr Meg Downie made the following statements (coherence.com.au): “I seek your endorsement to continue working hard for all Mullum Mullum Ward residents ... requesting special public meetings on important planning and budgeting issues so that the people’s voice is heard.”

And this: “I live in Mullum Mullum Ward and always have time to listen to people.”

Given Meg Downie’s behaviour on the drainage issue and the vote she cast at the council meeting of March 25, the word polygraph immediately comes to mind.

Rod Bale Lorraine Ave Dear Diary, I am outraged by the outcome of council’s meeting and their attitude with regard to this matter. I must be incredibly naive. I was under the impression that council worked for the people of their electorates. I am shocked by their behaviour and their lack of integrity and transparency.

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7 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

MHR catchment area ees are guided by council’s Code of Best Practice, which aims to ensure that Manningham City Council carries out its responsibilities in the best interests of the community in an efficient and effective manner.”

One might reasonably argue that this has not been the case with regard to the drainage scheme.

Sue Thompson Melbourne Hill Rd

Solution to last month’s puzzle:

Scott would be back the following Monday.

Dear editor, We are Melbourne Hill Rd residents. We were at the Manningham City Council meeting on Tuesday (25 March 2014) where the Melbourne Hill Rd Drainage Scheme was discussed.

We were astounded by the vehement attitude of Cr Gough in addressing this widely attended meeting.

A proposal to look into a sustainable and state government funded solution to the project outlined by Cr Sophy Galbally, and unanimously supported by the residents, was plainly rejected by some councillors (Crs Gough and O’Brien) with reference to the current proposal on the table (by council engineer Woodlock) as being ‘workable and excellent’, and with further ‘delay to look into an alternative solution being a waste of time’.

It is our opinion that the council has neglected clearing the existing drains for years.

Is Manningham really such a rich council that it can ignore a fully funded state government solution and instead spend over $1 million of ratepayers’ money? If that is the case, the council have certainly set the council rates far too high for far too long.

The Melbourne Hill Rd drainage scheme would have been a perfect trial of such a scheme since it would also maintain the existing and unique bush environment, which is the reason most residents live there in the first place.

This is a strong indication that Manningham council will not implement any sustainable drainage schemes – regardless if it is state funded.

In the face of so much opposition, this is an absolutely disgraceful decision by Manningham council and especially by Cr Meg Downie

CYRIL

of Mullum Mullum.

Shame on Cr Meg Downie, Mullum Mullum, for voting against this reasonable proposal for the alternative and sustainable solution.

Ian & Stephanie Mackintosh, Warrandyte Dear editor, In 2011, a once-in-a-100-year storm event caused flooding of six properties in Melbourne Hill Rd. The council’s sledgehammer solution is to spend $1 million of all Manningham residents’ rates, raise another $1 million via a special charge on 120 houses (up to $15,000 per household) in the Melbourne Hill catchment and cut a swathe through Warrandyte’s precious bush to install an underground stormwater drainage system. The council rejected, outright, an alternative, more environmentally sensitive and financially responsible proposal.

The vast majority of properties affected will receive no benefit from the works (although one can, perhaps, envisage a council revaluation of property values for rating purposes down the track).

The council added ‘insult to injury’ at its meeting. With the public gallery filled to capacity, I was gobsmacked by the utter contempt of councillors for ratepayers, as well as for three of their colleagues – particularly deputy mayor and Mullum Mullum Ward councillor, Sophy Galbally, who spoke in support of the alternative proposal. We were bullied, lectured and ridiculed.

When did councillors forget they were elected by residents to represent residents? Unfortunately the next council elections are over two years away but I, for one, know who will not be getting my vote.

With any luck, we may see a bigger storm in the lead up to the 2016 election than we saw in 2011.

Kerrie Milburn Lorraine Ave Dear editor, I’ve tried to work out why I’m feeling angry and frustrated. It comes down to this: I believe the residents involved in the Melbourne Hill Rd drainage issue have been betrayed.

We’ve been let down by most of the people who we chose to represent us. (As an aside, thank you to those councillors

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who actually supported us.)

Since the issue of storm water was raised, trust has gradually eroded between parties and this significantly flawed council’s recent decision. Once trust is destroyed, parties are viewed with ongoing suspicion; any information or point of view is dismissed as self-serving.

Councillors are elected by the public to ensure that community interests are at best, thoughtfully implemented or at the very least, listened to and considered with viable options explored. It’s clear that the councillors have lost sight of this and have lost the trust expected in people of their position.

For example, the councillors see us as troublemakers who are resisting their attempt to resolve an issue. One particular councillor even criticised the volume of correspondence we’d created as we tried to express our views.

From my point of view, I don’t have a problem with storm water, just like the other 107 other properties. I believe the council simply wants to remove its liability to insurance companies by addressing the potential flooding of just some properties.

There is at least one alternative that the residents have explored; one that would alleviate the very real problem those four homes face and one that wouldn’t cost us; however, council ignored this. Where am I going to find in excess of $15,000 to pay for something that isn’t wanted, isn’t needed and isn’t carefully considered?

K Charbonneau Melbourne Hill Rd Dear Diary editor, I was at the Manningham council meeting on Tuesday night as a concerned resident of the Melbourne Hill Rd issue.

It was worth missing The Block to see those fictional characters perform!

The problem is that they have a really good grasp of how to build blocks of flats (even on golf courses) but have no idea of the way we live in Warrandyte.

It is time for Cr Gough and Meg Downie to take up lawn bowls!

Gerry Bartley Lorraine Ave

To the editor, Having not been able to attend the recent council meeting regarding the Melbourne Hill Rd drainage scheme, I have found the reports by those who attended to be alarming. The decision to vote for the works to go ahead despite residents’ obvious and clear objection is disappointing but the reported arrogance of some councillors particularly in their approach to each other and members of the community is very disturbing. Anti-bullying messages are drummed into our schools and workplaces and boorish behaviour is unacceptable on any level.

Who makes our councillors accountable for appalling behaviour?

Deanne Dickson, Melbourne Hill Rd Dear Diary, The council engineer, Roger Woodlock, maintains that the “... existing pipes lack the capacity to convey water without flooding”. The existing pipes carry stormwater from the roof of properties and are not the over-riding problem: flooding is caused by land run-off of stormwater which originates at the Wildflower Reserve (council land), and continues to flow and pick up momentum as it goes down and around Melbourne Hill Rd into the valley, along with extra run-off originating from Leber St and land adjoining.

It is further declared by the council engineer that this (Wildflower Reserve) “... sub catchment represents only 12 per cent of the total catchment area”. In fact, it represents almost 100 per cent of the total stormwater problem in the valley.

Instead of piping stormwater run-off from council land through ratepayer’s properties and destroying them in the process, an environmentally sustainable option such as a retention/detention basin would be a far better choice to solve the problem.

Gina Lambe Melbourne Hill Rd The Diary apologises for not running all the letters to the editor regarding the Melbourne Hill Rd drainage scheme issue due to space restrictions.

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April 2014

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9 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

The Fire Ball is coming

By SCOTT PODMORE

IN honour of our brave firies, a community event titled the Fire Ball is being organised by a recently formed steering committee to raise funds for three of our fire brigades: Warrandyte, North Warrandyte and South Warrandyte.

On February 9 this year, Warrandyte realised its worst fears when a fire took hold in Flannery Court that razed three properties. It’s now referred to by locals as the fire that “snuck up behind us while we were looking to the north”.

If it wasn’t for the hard-fought efforts of our local CFA volunteers and also for the enormous amount of CFA and MFB crews pulled from far and wide, Warrandyte, as we know it, would no longer be.

As South Warrandyte CFA captain Greg Kennedy told the Diary at the time: “There were some phenomenal saves of property… they really worked their arses off, those guys, we should be really proud of them.”

And proud of them we are. Since that day, there have also been fires in and around the Greater Warrandyte area over the past couple of months but due to the rapid response of our volunteers they have been brought under control swiftly.

“In the days and weeks following the fires we kept having the same thoughts,” said Julie Quinton, an integral member of the newly formed steering committee. “On speaking with others, we discovered they also were having the same thoughts - we all want to say, ‘Thank you’.

“Our CFA volunteers sacrifice so much for our community. They put their lives on the line. They often sacrifice their holidays, their private/social times and most importantly their family time in their CFA duty for our community. They come along and cook their own

barbecue fundraisers at the front of Quinton’s IGA. They put on their own trivia nights, run raffles, envelope letterbox drops and more, all in a bid to raise much needed money to buy equipment to help protect our community.

“They do this because they are committed to volunteering and keeping the community safe: they don’t complain, seek recognition and many of them aren’t comfortable with publicity. But to keep them safe in their endeavours, and us safe in our community, we’ve been thinking ... it’s time our community took on some of the responsibility of fundraising for them.

“They give so much for us; now it’s time we can show our gratitude and support by giving back to them.”

Julie said there was no doubt the entire community agrees that we all want “our” Warrandyte brigades to have the best equipment they can have to help defend us all.

“We believe the greatest way we can say thank you as a community is to hold a huge fundraising event and raise some serious money for our three Warrandyte brigades – Warrandyte, North Warrandyte and South Warrandyte.

“We have formed the steering committee and are in the process of planning a big cocktail event for October. The venue and date are to be confirmed, but it’s going to be a big event, that’s for sure. And why shouldn’t it be.”

The steering committee is looking for donations for a silent auction and also is putting a call out for corporate/business sponsorships.

“Please help us bring this all together by spreading the word,” Julie said.

You can contact the steering committee and notify them about donations or sponsorship at communitycfafundraiser@gmail.com

Picture: Anna Chmiel

Community Bank continues to support our brigades MORE than $150,000 has been donated by Warrandyte Community Bank to our local CFAs since 2009 to help ensure the local region is as well equipped as it can be to support and protect the community.

“We live in an area that is in the top 50 most threatened places in Victoria in terms of bushfire risk and we wanted to ensure our volunteer fire brigades were as well equipped as they can be,” Warrandyte Community Bank’s chairman Sarah Wrigley said.

Following the devastating 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires a $30,000 grant was made to Wonga Park CFA to assist with the purchase of a new big fill tanker.

“With the help of the bank’s philanthropic arm, Community Enterprise Foundation, we were able to help get the ball rolling on fundraising to ensure this life saving asset was available in our area,” Sarah told the Diary.

The Wonga Park CFA big fill tanker supports the five CFA brigades in this region and it is vital for future bushfire seasons.

Grants have also been made as part of the Warrandyte Community Grants Programs in the Warrandyte, South Warrandyte, North Warrandyte and Christmas Hills CFA brigades to assist them in their fire fighting activities.

The most recent projects funded this summer include $25,000 towards a generator for North Warrandyte CFA that would assist in retaining basic services to the depot in the event of a power blackout – a highly likely scenario in a bushfire situation.

Warrandyte CFA received $17,500 for an alternative draughting point at Stiggants Reserve in Warrandyte for local CFAs. Warrandyte CFA captain Adrian Mullens said: “The current draughting point near the bridge can be difficult to access during an emergency due to traffic congestion, so having an alternative fill point for CFA trucks is vital. It can mean the difference between life and death, so everyone

Funds for our firies: Warrandyte CFA captain Adrian Mullens (left) with Sarah Wrigley and North Warrandyte CFA captain Mick Keating at a recent presentation.

will benefit from this project and we are very grateful to Warrandyte Community Bank for this funding.”

North Warrandyte captain Mick Keating agrees that local funding is vital.

“Without the support of organisations like the Warrandyte Community Bank, the North Warrandyte fire brigade would not be able to support the local community in its time of need,” Mick said.

These funds will enable the brigade to install equipment for the benefit of all locals during and in the aftermath of a disaster if and when it comes.

It also allows us to redirect other funds to other projects to support the community.

After the recent bushfires that affected Amersham Drive, Warrandyte Community Bank is also looking to

set up an Emergency Response Fund that will enable the Bank to provide support to our local communities in the event of an emergency.

“We know an emergency will happen sooner or later, and so we have been in discussions with the Community Enterprise Foundation again to probe their experiences with the management of the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal where they provided millions of dollars back to affected communities,” Sarah said.

“They have the experience of what works and what doesn’t, and so we want to draw on that experience, but also develop a program that will work for Warrandyte.”

The final plans for the fund are still being developed, but the bank expects to provide some initial seed funding to get the ball rolling and

then open the program up to the community to allow people to make tax deductible donations into the fund. The fund is expected to be established in the next month.

Sarah said the Community Bank model is about reinvesting local profits back into the local community to help strengthen local community groups and organisations such as the volunteer fire brigades. More than $100 million has been returned to community projects and initiatives across Australia by 296 Community Banks. Warrandyte Community Bank has reinvested more than $1.35 million into the local community.

“By doing something as simple as banking in town with Warrandyte Community Bank, the community can support the reinvestment back into the local area.”

Fire message cutting through THREE times as many people left Warrandyte during the February 9 fire than stayed according to an informal poll taken at the festival by the ‘Be Ready Warrandyte’ campaign.

This has reversed the situation last year when two thirds stayed during a grass fire on 11 January 2013.

Warrandyte Community association President, Dick Davies, said visitors to the WCA/Be Ready tent at the festival were asked to put a coloured dot on a map if they stayed or left.

“Whilst the poll of 181 residents is not comprehensive, the magnitude of the shift does suggest that the fire message is cutting through,” Dick Davies said. WCA also received suggestions from residents to improve emergency management and traffic flow. One potential engineering solution is to more than double the capacity of the Yarra crossing during the bushfire season by erecting a demountable “Bayley” bridge on each side of the existing bridge and removing them once the summer season is over. This was previously canvassed last year in the Diary.

This of course does not address the problem of gridlock on the roads on either side of the river.

Another detailed proposal is to build a causeway backing up 4.2 kilometres of river at Pound Bend before the exit of the tunnel. As there is a three metre drop, this would deepen the water supply available in the river and enable alternative access to the State Park on the other side.

According to another suggestion from a long time resident, traffic congestion generally would be relieved by access to the Ring Rd by building a link along Springvale, over Mullum Mullum Creek connecting with Orchard Grove and Alexander roads.

Mr Davies said that whilst not advocating any particular proposal on behalf of WCA, he would refer the suggestions to the Municipal Emergency Management Committee.

However, the major recommendation if fire threatens will always be to leave early.

10 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Standing room only on the bus

By MICHELLE PINI

LUTHER College staff and parents of students believe the safety of children travelling by bus from Warrandyte to the College is at risk.

The only public transport service operating from Warrandyte to Luther, the Ventura school bus service (operated by Transdev) is so congested that bus drivers are forced to drive past some bus stops, leaving children stranded.

Karen Heath, a parent, told the Diary: “It’s just not good enough.

I rely on the bus service to get my children to school. It’s impossible to walk and there are no other practical options. I need to know my child has been transported safely to and from school while I am at work.”

Ms Heath, who works as a nurse, says it is impossible to leave work to drive her daughter to or from school if she has been unable to board the bus.

“And, on days of high fire danger, I have had to re-arrange my work schedule as I cannot run the risk of my child being left behind,” she said.

As the only direct bus service on offer, Warrandyte children for whom the bus does not stop, have to catch a train to Ringwood station, board a bus or train to Croydon station and finally take a bus or walk from Croydon station to Luther College.

Kerryn Sholakis, a representative from Public Transport Victoria (PTV), suggests the above mammoth journey via three separate modes of transport, as a suitable alternative: “Luther College has two route bus services … travelling straight past the school so students are able to connect with these routes at either

Ringwood rail station or Croydon rail station transferring from bus services from … surrounding suburbs.”

Ms Sholakis told the Diar y: “It never even occurred to me that my children could be left behind. I believe PTV has a duty of care to our children and I don’t understand why this issue was not dealt with in the first week of term. Surely they have a system and policy in place to handle a situation such as this?”

Apart from being left stranded, the bus service is reportedly so overcrowded that children at the front of the bus need to get off to allow others to alight, causing bus drivers to assume they are all getting off, and then driving off. In addition, children are said to be forced to stand over the yellow safety line as well as sit on each other’s knees and in the baggage area.

The school has received complaints about the problem since late last year with the issue escalating further at the start of this year.

Luther College business manager Lester Kerber says: “The public transport system is simply not servicing the number of families who need to use it – they haven’t kept up and children are being put at risk.”

Mr Kerber said the school outlined its concerns at a meeting with the Minister for Education earlier in the term but no solution to the problem has been received as yet.

“We have formally communicated our concerns about student safety due to overcrowding as well as being left stranded, to PTV, the Minister for Transport and the ombudsman. We have also encouraged parents to do the same.”

Transdev’s Emilie van de Graaff said: “We try and work closely with all the schools but it is difficult to anticipate student numbers in advance.”

Transdev conducted investigations to determine the extent of the overloading in response to complaints from Luther College staff and parents. A larger bus was allocated as well as a partial express route to alleviate overcrowding.

Ms van de Graaff indicated that apart from these adjustments to the service, Transdev is only able to introduce extra buses if directed

by PTV. Ms Tanya Downward of Luther College said it was “extremely frustrating for everyone and very stressful for parents – first term is nearly over but the problem continues. PTV is not acknowledging the gravity of the safety issues”.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder told the Diary: “Luther College is well serviced by existing school bus or route buses. Students from Warrandyte can catch bus route 364 from Warrandyte and change at Ringwood station to route 366.”

Communication to parents in early March from PTV also rejected an additional bus service: “As funding does become available it is prioritised against public transport needs throughout the state including the provision of bus services to growth areas currently without any services at all. Currently there is no funding available for an additional bus for school services to Luther College.”

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April 2014

Chloe says goodbye

By RUTH BIRCH

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’

THAT’S a nice concept, but how many of us can actually say we are living up to Confucius’s wise words?

One young person who is comfortable in saying so is Chloe Godau, 27, who has just wrapped up a long stint full of plenty of achievements as the youth program coordinator for the Manningham YMCA. Working for two years as a junior buyer after graduating from a Bachelor of Business, she eventually came to the realisation that she wasn’t enjoying her work and made a dramatic change in her career. After a little digging, health and social issues were what attracted her most and it was around this time she began volunteering at the ‘Y’.

“During this experience I realised a hidden talent, I am good at and really enjoy working with groups of young people,” Chloe told the Diary.

Before she knew it, she was employed with the ‘Y’ and loving it.

Since then, her role working with local youth to help them to get involved in opportunities and realise their potential has included an impressive range of youth projects, events, workshops and sometimes simply offering support.

“I love working with young people and engaging them in positive activities and healthy conversations and feel like it is an area where I can make a big difference,” she says.

For Chloe, the highlight of the job was providing young people with the experiences that they want to have and seeing them thrive in the process. No doubt, her dedication to her work is very much in synch with her favourite saying by Mahatma Ghandi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

And she has spent the last four years doing just that.

While at the Y, Chloe developed youth volunteer projects, a program that saw her take young locals to volunteer in disadvantaged communities in the Northern Territory and South East Asia.

“Seeing young people showing so much compassion for others and experiencing joy from being of service was pretty remarkable to witness. In Cambodia and Vietnam we provided English lessons and to see them taking on the role with great enthusiasm was unreal,” she says.

“It was also incredible to see them willingly take on leadership while being involved in the program.”

Epic festival returns this weekend

By RUTH BIRCH

TO celebrate National Youth Week, the annual Epic Youth Festival is returning to Warrandyte for another unbeatable afternoon of cutting edge live music, demonstrations, market stalls and workshops this Sunday.

Manningham’s premier youth event is held every year and aims to recognise and celebrate the importance and contribution of young people to the community.

Last year, more than 2000 people attended the event, which is presented by Manningham Youth Services and supported by Manningham City Council.

Headlining the stage program in 2014 is hip-hop artist Dylan Joel, who will be supported by several local bands including Let’s Not Pretend, Tully on Tully, Jakubi and Move On Be Strong.

Epic Youth Festival, Sunday April 12, noon-5pm, Stiggants Reserve, Warrandyte. Free entry. For more info call 9848 5400 or visit www.manninghamymcayouth services.org.au

St Stephen’s church welcomes Rev Maria

Another major project that she was involved in was the Epic Youth Festival at the Warrandyte Skate Park, which she says was one of the best days of her life. The massive day saw 50 young volunteers running the event under her guidance.

“I was so proud of how professional they all were and the incredible energy that they brought with them on the day,” Chloe says. “We had 2500 young people turn up and it was a true celebration of what it means to

be a young person in Manningham.”

When asked about what she will miss most about working at the Y, it becomes clear that she is a real people person who no doubt has had an effect on the lives of many young people in the area.

“I’ll miss the team at Youth Services, they are awesome, and the young people I have built relationships with and all of those in the area who are passionate about improving health and social outcomes for

young people,” she says.

Chloe has recently spread her wings to start work at Headspace in Hawthorn, where she will continue to empower young people and raise awareness about youth mental health and wellbeing within the broader community.

“I will continue to follow my heart because life is too short to do anything else,” she says.

Good luck Chloe, from the Diary team and the greater Warrandyte area.

ST STEPHEN’S Anglican Church welcomed a new minister, the Rev Maria Brand-Starkey, last month.

Maria and her family, husband Byron and their two girls, Azariah (4) and Aleila (23 months), are enjoying being a part of the Warrandyte community.

Maria is often asked how she manages to juggle a young family while also leading a church but she finds that both these ministries actually bless and enhance each other.

The new minister says her youngest loves joining in St Stephen’s Mainly Music program, a music program for preschoolers that runs on Thursdays at 10am, and both girls enjoy taking part in the life of the community, especially when that means having their faces painted as part of the festivities run by St Stephen’s during the recent Warrandyte Festival.

St Stephen’s has two congregations. One meeting on Sundays at 10am and the other is a relaxed contemporary gathering which meets in various ways throughout the month including services, shared meals and small groups on Sundays afternoons at 3pm.

Rev Maria says she looks forward to continuing to get to know people in the local community.

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April 2014

13 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Grand read at Grand

Two new books launched this month

By MICHELLE PINI

By CHERIE MOSELEN

IN an upstairs room, more like a comfy living room than a hotel function space, around 50 people gathered at the Grand Hotel Warrandyte for the official finale of the Warrandyte Festival. The occasion was the Grand Read, now in its 17th year, and the line up of guest readers was impressive.

Those who expected a conservative literary evening, however, may have been surprised as the mood resembled an intimate and relaxed night with friends – albeit extremely creative and scholarly friends.

Apart from special guest and Brunswick resident, Kevin Brophy, all the readers were accomplished and celebrated writers from the greater Warrandyte area, with Warrandyte’s entertaining Jock Macneish as MC. The readers delivered excerpts of their work covering as diverse topics as death, love, politics, sex, current affairs, madness and even the post-natal musings of the Virgin Mary.

Softly spoken Kevin Brophy was the first reader. Choosing to read from Walking, as well as Radar (a book he co-authored with Nathan Curnow), Kevin shared amusing and thought-provoking aphorisms such as, “Conversations are for filling in time while we consider what we want to say” and “All we see and know is dreamed”. Kevin’s prose poetry selections offered delicate observations about the mundane and the remarkable such as when his 11-year-old son asked for a pay rise, tulips, the Jamieson River and a love of Gauci.

Award-winning Lisa Jacobson’s verses explored topics such as catching a train at Eltham station alongside The Virgin Mary Gets Post Natal Depression – a satirical and edgy exposé of a common condition seen through the eyes of an extraordinary figure.

TWO resident authors, Carmel Macdonald Grahame and Scott Podmore, celebrated the launch of their new books recently.

Poet and writer Carmel Macdonald Grahame’s novel Personal Effects, was launched last month at University of Western Australia Publishing offices in Claremont.

Fellow writer and freelance editor Susan Midalia introduced the book, affectionately describing it as “that all-too-rare and wonderful thing: a novel of complex ideas that can also move us to tears.”

Dr Midalia, a well known WA teacher of literature, outlined: “The effects – physical, emotional, psychological and political – on an Australian woman, who follows her working husband twice over to the city of Calgary in Canada.”

She drew attention to the “double-ness” of the novel, citing the central character’s experiences as “both damaging and liberating.”

Ms Midalia proclaimed the novel a meditation on the nature and effects of time: what it means to fill in time, to suspend time, to grow into middle age.

What it means to live in a particular historical time.

Her speech recognised one of the book’s key attributes as “its deeply felt understanding that life is never simply one thing.”

Around 50 people, including family, friends, past colleagues and students, attended the celebration,

Attentive: Author John Jenkins at last month’s Grand Read at the Grand Hotel Warrandyte.

Lisa introduced On Teaching My Daughter to Ride a Horse with a self-deprecating admission that, since her daughter “disagrees” with Lisa’s observations, “It was clearly all about me”.

The Diary’s own Scott Podmore elicited intrigue with the intro to his latest book, Conversations with Mediums.

Scott explained that he approached this contentious topic with an open mind and came away with his own views “changed forever”. Describing himself as “the black sheep of the evening”, he summed up the curiosity factor for his book, which delves headfirst into mediumship and psychic phenomena, thus: “A friend said, ‘Poddy (my nickname), I think all this is frogs--t – but I can’t wait to read it … just in case it isn’t’.”

Sandy Jeffs drew uproarious laughter with her hilarious commentary on the minutiae of everyday life. Flinging sheets of her poetry onto the floor for added emphasis, she shared acerbic political observations as well as satirical thoughts on reality TV shows, sexual orientation and even

her own battle with mental illness – all with a clever and very funny touch.

John Jenkins’s delivery of The Man Who Lost Himself and The Man Who Found Himself, brought the room somewhat back to earth: “He found a note he had written to himself … ‘Just in case you forget the place where you hid yourself, you will find me in the garden’.” Enchanting and whimsical, the poem explores the question of identity with humour, melancholy and wonder in a Luenig-like setting.

Acclaimed writer and editor, Lyn Hatherly delivered a wide selection of verse exploring sex, parenthood, love and death with disarming honesty and mischief both in her poems and their introductions: “Now some more serious stuff – death,” she announced, and giggled.

Local talent and the Diary’s resident poet Karen Throssell chose topical issues such as union corruption and bushfires. From the book, Chain of Hearts, her first person poems were intimate, edgy and moving.

The night finished on an

Graffiti a hit at Supersoil

upbeat note with the delightfully Australian and wistful bush poetry of Laurie Webb.

Laurie recited two pieces of his verse without the assistance of notes – the final piece, about the closure of the Rupanyup country pub, put together from a story told to him only that morning. It was a rare, modern example of this traditional poetry style, made famous by writers such as Banjo Patterson, which helped shape the Australian identity.

Each recitation provided an insight into the fascinating and very personal creative process of its author, and the audience was treated to a welcoming and moving journey into often-intimate territory. Organised with care by Warrandyte Neighbourhood House and lacking only in publicity, this is a night to mark on your calendar for next year.

which was “really warm – a reunion as much as anything,” Carmel said.

She acknowledged the dual pleasure of launching the novel and catching up with people she doesn’t see that often since moving from WA, and happily conceded the launch “ran out of books!”

Carmel has a PhD in Australian literature, and has taught literature and creative writing courses at secondary and tertiary level, and at Warrandyte’s Neighbourhood House.

She has published short stories, poems, critical essays and reviews, and has had two plays performed; Personal Effects is her first novel.

Diary editor, journalist and best-selling author Scott Podmore’s latest book Conversations With Mediums, was launched last Sunday at the Grand Hotel in Warrandyte.

Diary cartoonist Jock Macneish introduced the author to more than 100 guests, describing Scott as an “excellent journalist” with “a passion for investigation, analysis and storytelling.”

In a heartfelt thank you speech, Scott said he had “started out writing about death, but ended up writing a book about love.”

Personal Effects can be purchased from Eltham Bookshop and Readings bookshops.Conversations With Mediums is available at Quinton’s IGA or at www. conversationswithmediums. com

Warrandyte

INVITATION TO JOIN US ON THE EVENINGS OF FRIDAY 2 and SATURDAY 3 “FRENCH MAY” For Dinner and a complimentary glass of wine SUPERSOIL Garden and Building Supply is turning heads with the latest graffiti artwork adorning its walls.

For the past six years, Supersoil has been a small family owned business run by Shane and Leisa. As a way of showing their appreciation to the community for their ongoing support they employed Dan Wenn and Justin Kirby of 90Degrees Graffiti Art to create some murals on their walls. The result is amazing.

The CFA was always going to be part of the project, but after the recent fires, not only close to Supersoil but also reaching the boundaries of their young driver James’ home, it was an absolute must. And of course, the whole community is so grateful to the CFA and the amazing job they do to pro-

tect it.

Also featured is the local football club and the lovely building that is Warrandyte’s watering hole, Grand Hotel Warrandyte. The artwork has turned their carpark, amongst the soil and rocks,

into something bright and beautiful for everyone to see.

Shane and Leisa said they feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful community and invite locals to take a look at this wonderful artwork.

Cocoa Moon Café is opening its doors on the first weekend of each month with a different culinary experience on the menu every time.

Reservations: 9844 5081 info@cocoamoon.com.au 166 Yarra Street, Warrandyte Like us on Facebook and check out our menu

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April 2014

Warrandyte Primary School 2015 Foundation (Prep) Parent Information Session An open invitation to all parents of pre-school children considering schools for 2015 WEDNESDAY 14 MAY 2014 EVENING SESSION 7pm–8pm EDUCATION WEEK Wednesday 21 May OPEN DAY 9am–3.30pm (School Tours 9am–11am) OPEN NIGHT 6.30–8.30pm Activities in classrooms Performance by the WPS Bushband and Junior Choir

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April 2014

Good Sports have a ball

Skinny Men tower over Fat Ladies

By CHERIE MOSELEN

THERE was more than a sporting chance it would rain last month during Warrandyte Festival weekend but the weather gods were kind, mostly.

Friday night’s Battle of the Bands audiences suffered a few showers, although this didn’t deter loyal fans.

Fortunately, the Grand Parade went ahead under clear skies.

This year’s theme ‘Let’s have a ball: celebrating good sports’ prompted the crowning of six local sporting club representatives as festival monarchs.

Manningham mayor Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos cut the ribbon on Saturday morning, moving the procession of schools, businesses, clubs and community organisations off under some inspired commentary from Alan Cornell and David Caffee.

The costumes were colourful, some cumbersome (whoever wobbled along as the CFA smoke alarm deserves a medal), but all worn with local pride.

Quinton’s IGA tossed their apples and crowd favourite Peter Norman chuffed along on his classic ’54 Fordson tractor.

But it was festival parade veterans Hughey, Dewey and Lewey who merited the award for Most Warrandytish, Hugh McSpedden having crowned his Noddy car with a ginormous acquatic bird.

Seems the duck is one quack closer to becoming the official festival mascot!

If there were an award for “cutest” it would go to a tiny young girl – dare I say it, a Morris Minor – who skipped along in full regalia behind the jaunty band of Morris Dancers that grace the festival each year.

It was great to see people out on their lawns having a picnic, or kicking the footy about on the way to Stiggants Reserve.

One Yarra St home, which enthusiastically decorates its street frontage every festival weekend, collected donations along with messages of thanks, in appreciation of the CFA. A reminder that Warrandyte festival is more than just the local community getting together; it’s an event that unites a township after collectively surviving another bushfire season.

It takes expert planning to entertain thousands of people safely.

As such, the organising committee is an oasis in the usual desert of bureaucracy, putting together this annual celebration with little fuss and a lot of heart.

Volunteers build stages, book the bands and arrange activities.

They truck in large pieces of artwork, hang decorative flags. Place mulch and hay bales. Clear hazards.

Stay calm.

The result is an uplifting and truly grass-roots family affair. And it’s this ambiance that is the key to Warrandyte Festival’s success and genuine individuality.

At such a populous event, it speaks volumes that many parents feel safe in allowing their children to explore the festival ground, unsupervised.

By CHERIE MOSELEN

Of course, this leaves them free to sample a brew, line up for Thai noodles (20 minutes, but the smell alone is worth it!), discover a hand made treasure, or enjoy one of many quality live acts.

The riverbank stage was energised with diverse performances across the weekend, and Sunday’s main stage Indie Folk act, the Winter Suns, was particularly well-received – great storytelling by a talented vocalist.

A wander along the river took festival-goers through the Windmill Walk – a creative primary school competition organised by Warrandyte Community Garden – to the festival’s many information stalls.

The Prospectors and Miners Association has been setting up its gold display for 22 years, with gold-panning activities and a home made cockpit that kids can jump into wearing a mini aviator’s cap, for a free photo.

Family friendly is the focus at Warrandyte Festival and there’s plenty to suggest that organisers should stick to their blue print, with activities like the Dreaming Space and part-

nerships that include Manningham council’s Nature Play (those cubbies were awesome, Jeminah Reidy!)

However, no partnership is more cohesive than that between owner and pet.

Claire Bloom and Sue Martin of Warrandyte High School are longtime hosts of the dog show and pet parade (in Claire’s case, over 30 years) where participants compete in the hope of taking home the big one: Best in Show.

Warrandyte Veterinary Clinic, who donated three substantial prizes for the top dogs, sponsored the show this year.

Claire told the Diary there have been all manner of entries – goats, horses, even rats – in the past, and a few incidents where man and beast have been separated.

“One year, a young lad brought his goldfish and got so excited that he dropped it and we had to sprint to the river to get water,” she said.

“I don’t know if it survived, but thankfully it didn’t die at the festival!”

Once again, billy cart action didn’t disappoint.

Thanks and goodbye to the Normans PETER Norman started dropping off bundles of Diary’s to their various destinations in the early 1990s.

Peter worked with Bruce Bence until 1994 when Bruce passed away and then he took on the full load. He was assisted by the good woman behind every man, his wife, Joyce. Around six or seven years ago when Peter’s health wasn’t too good, he took on another woman, his next door neighbour, Penny Munks, to help him with the deliveries. Between them they do a great job and it’s all voluntary. Now, after 20 years Joyce and Peter are going into well deserved retirement. All of those connected with the Diary would like to thank Peter and Joyce very much for all their good – and hard – work.

Whether it’s three-wheeler against four, boy versus girl, experienced or novice, the truth is contestants hurtle down a hill in a ground-hugging box on a set of skinny wheels.

Sometimes things go wrong.

A collision occurred, but the event is well monitored by officials who insist on decent safety clearances, and it is covered by St John’s Ambulance.

Thankfully at the time, both lads were pronounced OK. In fact, one boy got back in his cart to give it another whirl.

And just like a whirlwind, another festival was over too quickly.

So, who had a ball?

Judging by the smiling faces and friendly atmosphere over the weekend, pretty much everyone.

But especially the boy with the once-white T-shirt and the serious case of “festival feet” (No shoes, wet feet, lots of riverbank dust).

All that’s left is for someone to be a good sport and do his washing.

It’s a fact: Warrandyte Festival marches to the beat of many talented drummers who show this town at its best.

LOST PROPERTY The lost property collection from the Warrandyte Festival is overflowing with items including: a black cardigan, reading glasses with black and blue frame, grey hooded jacket, two caps, a running shoe, new skipping rope still in packaging, men’s sunglasses, wooden toy motor bike, Mazda car key, beanie, Nikon camera lens cover, green blanket, bag of Mr Men children’s books, pair of pink thongs, picnic rug, grey suit jacket, black suit bag, and a pink and fawn ladies hat.

Those missing any items should call Carolyn on 0411 789 922.

STIGGANTS Reserve was visually transformed last month by another series of sculptural figures purpose-built for the Warrandyte Festival.

The Arty Farty Folk – a group of ad hoc creatives that include members of the festival committee and other interested locals – constructed companions this time, for the six largerthan-life female sculptures that first appeared in 2011.

Eight volunteers joined resident artist, teacher and coordinator of the artworks, Mal Parsons, in the project.

In a bid to counterbalance the Fat Ladies, the newest figures are tall and thin. Inspiration from a Russell Drysdale painting titled The Cricketers helped visually guide the artists.

The Skinny Men began as small wire models from which armatures were made. Hessian from old coffee bags was then wrapped around the outer layer of their steel skeletons to dress them.

“We are very grateful to Manningham council for a community grant which allowed us to complete another set of sculptures,” Mal told the Diary.

The council grant also included a workshop at BiGfiSh – a Melbourne based group of designers and fabricators of public art pieces and installations.

Mal said this support gave the group a lot of confidence to meet the challenge of converting the models to full-sized versions.

“The most important thing as an artist that I needed to convey to the others was to keep size at the forefront of the process,” she said.

“It’s amazing no matter how big the pieces appear in your garage, they lose about half their size once they are mounted in a large space like the reserve.”

Like the previous statues, the Skinny Men are uninhibited, improbable figures that seem out of balance with a sense that they might be about to fall, or even fly.

The idea for the Fat Ladies was awakened from the work of international sculptor and painter, Niki de Saint Phalle.

Their skeletons are also steel, but the ladies had to be covered with cloth and plaster and then fiber-glassed to make them waterproof.

Artwork created for festivals past have included such things as colourful flags, gigantic rope-like spider-webs known as dream-catchers, and gods-eyes, which are large creations of sticks with coloured fabric woven throughout.

However, these new installations are considerably more challenging due to their design and complexity of construction.

Mal commented that all the volunteers worked extremely hard for about three weeks to ensure the full complement of statues made it to Stiggants Reserve for the big weekend.

“We placed them in groups for this festival, as opposed to separately spaced throughout the site. I thought they looked terrific,” said Mal. “And I couldn’t be happier with the team that came together this time to make the Skinny Men. Some of them had never done anything like this before, but their enthusiasm and willingness to learn made the job a real pleasure.”

She said her greatest enjoyment in heading up the work was seeing the creative process open up for those who had never thought they could be part of such a large art project.

When asked what the Warrandyte Festival could expect from the Arty Farty Folk next year, Mal kept that information under wraps.

“You’ll just have to come and join in if you want to know what we have planned!”

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April 2014

Festival magic Our photographer extraordinaire Stephen Reynolds takes us on a visual journey through this year’s Warrandyte Festival.

Warrandyte Diary 17

18 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

WHS open day WARRANDYTE High School opened its doors to the community last month for Open Day and more than 300 people visited to find out what the school offers.

Prospective parents and students spent four hours - from 4pm to 8pm - getting a taste of the Warrandyte High experience. Teachers and many students from the school provided displays, performances and classroom demonstrations.

The visiting families were presented with a WHS passport and invited to navigate their own course around the school, collecting visa stamps as they travelled between the various learning areas and displays. Many of the activities were interactive: children solved maths problems, created art, prepared and consumed meals, handled reptiles, tested fine motor skills, and lots more.

Parents engaged in conversations with the school’s students and teachers about the school programs and approach to learning.

There was a brief formal meeting.

The school’s theatre was at bursting point as engaged parents and students listened as the school’s principal, Dr Stephen Parkin, the school captains and key staff members and parents discussed the school’s learning philosophy, and shared their perspectives on a range of aspects of the school: innovations, academic challenge, the emphasis on growth mindset, the rich and diverse camping and outdoor education programs, and sports, arts and music programs.

Open Day is a once-a-year event. The school also offers tours for interested parents and students every Tuesday at 9.30am. It is essential that you book in (9844 2749).

Pot of gold To coincide with St Patrick’s Day, the WHS library hosted a range of fun activities associated with Ireland and all things Irish, reports the school’s Claire Bloom. Special events included a limerick competition, carefully vetted by judge Judy Steel,

Olympian Cam visits WPS

the school’s librarian. The winner was Kyle Turpin of Year 11, with this little gem: There was a young snowman called Fuddle, Who’s favourite pastime was to cuddle He was snug as a bug Curled up in a rug Too warm, he turned into a puddle!

Other events included a storytelling session with professional performer and drama teacher Niki na Meadhra. Her tales of Irish faeries, selkies and other mythical creatures were enjoyed by an eager audience.

There was a daily trivia quiz hotly contested by students of all year levels, and a mini Irish film festival.

The week-long Celtic celebration concluded with a green morning tea.

Up close and animals Animal club is where a group of students get up close and personal with animals, reports Year 10 stu-

dent Hayley Wilson-Rowell.

Students meet every Thursday at lunch-time to keep up the maintenance and feeding of the fish, frogs, turtle and snake. Animal Club allows the student’s to be responsible for taking care of the school’s animals and learning to work as a team.

The animals that students can get up close and personal with are Vic, the snake, who loves being held while his suite is being cleaned and refreshed and the beautiful tropical fish and gold fish that swim around in their own little world.

The animals or amphibians that students have a lot of laughs about are our two frogs, which have a Mexican stand off when they are fed crickets. There also is Ralph the turtle who is so graceful in the water and loves anyone who pays him attention.

Students continue to work together to look after these animals and learn many new things about them.

WARRANDYTE Primary School grades 5 and 6 were treated to a terrific surprise last month when Olympic snowboarder, Cam Bolton, paid a visit.

Grade 5 student Bailey Parker researched Cam Bolton for an assignment. His mother Michelle Parker contacted Cam on Facebook on behalf of Bailey and, as a wonderful result, Cam agreed to visit WPS and speak to the students.

The students have been learning about the “Habits Of Mind”.

The Habits of Mind are 16 traits

that have been identified in successful people. As a part of their learning, students did a research project based on winter Olympians and how they use the Habits of Mind to become successful people.

Cam spoke to the students about his latest achievements in Sochi as well as his training and the X Games. All the students were extremely excited to speak to him in person.

As a bonus, the Olympian also signed a Sochi T-Shirt for the school.

ACPS scores best float ANDERSON’S Creek Primary School students paraded with much pride last month when they were awarded best overall float in the Warrandyte Festival.

“We would like to acknowledge the work of all the children across the school with their float entry and their costumes and props on the day to celebrate good sports through board games such as snakes and ladders and dominoes,” school principal Trevor Gibbs told the Diary.

“The festival continues to be a fantastic community event that is embraced by the Anderson’s Creek Primary School community.”

In other school news, Purple Day was held on March 26 when children of ACPS dressed in purple and donated a gold coin to support the Epilepsy Foundation of

Victoria as well as take part in a sausage sizzle. More than $700 was raised on the day.

“A big thank you to parents Donna Smith, Cara Harwood

and our school leaders Roxy, Owen, Georgia and Marcus for their work cooking and serving the children on the day,” Mr Gibbs said.

19 Warrandyte Diary

WHAT do eight women from Warrandyte do when they want to enjoy some peaceful time away? They head for Milford Track, as Dee Dickson explains. Dee is this month’s guest travel writer for the Diary.

April 2014

Milford bound

“Remember to not only look forward but turn around and look back at where you’ve come from” S we boarded the ferry sitting atop the crystal blue waters of Lake Te Anau the words of our cheery bus driver resonated with me. I stood up top, up front, arms spread Titanic-style. As I looked forward, the mountains grew bigger and I began to feel a heart fluttering sense of what was to come.

Our group of eight women had worked hard to prepare for this day, grateful for the training ground our home town (Warrandyte) had provided. As “independent walkers”, back packs were laden with all of our gear, bedding and food for four days. Up to 40 walkers are able to access the Milford Track and New Zealand Department of Conservation huts each day. Huts are very adequately set up with bunk-style sleeping quarters, kitchens with gas cookers and flushing toilets. We comfortably carry all we need, weighing in at about 12kg each.

Our ferry pulled up to Glade Wharf around midday and after the obligatory group photo we headed off with childlike anticipation and excitement to discover what we had heard to be a “must do” trek. Our first day, a comfortable 5km walk to Clinton Hut, was met with sunny skies and we casually soaked up the warmth and marvelled at the enormity of the mountains around us. The track winds alongside the banks of the stunning Clinton River providing fresh clean water to fill drink bottles and the peaceful sound of water flowing over rocky outcrops is music to the ears. I was overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur surrounding us on every side. Not only did I look forward and back but I also spent plenty of time looking up!

Day 2, continuing alongside Clinton River, we set off on our 16.5km walk to Mintaro Hut. My imagination goes wild as we meander along a mystical scene of heavenly soft moss, green vines and twisted branches. My mind, having cleared the clutter of everyday life, breathes in the surrounds; the landscape revealing to me, a lone gorilla, his head downcast as if contemplating his day, a snake watching as we pass by, a small elflike man guarding his people, his space, a walrus and an elephant.

It is clear why movie directors are drawn to this land to film their movies about middle earth. Eventually the land opens up, surrounding us with mountains, some with pockets of snow sitting atop, all incredibly majestic. We get in late afternoon filled up to the brim with our experiences of the day.

Day 3, described as the tough-

est section was by far the most rewarding. The initial climb is a 2 hour zig zag, albeit well graded track leading to Mackinnon Memorial. Our view obscured by mist and cloud, undeterred we reach the highest point, 1154 metres, by mid-morning. After a cuppa and

snack in the “pass shelter” we head off a bit flattened by the missed opportunity courtesy of the Fiordland weather. Overcast days and rain is guaranteed on the track. Moods are swiftly lifted as we round the peak to an enormous mountain top emerging from behind the mist. We stood, jaws dropped, as if by magic the landscape appeared just for us and bit by bit came into view.

Overwhelmingly stunning! The day only got better, as with the rain we gained the joy of waterfalls.

A side trip takes us to Sutherland Falls. Sheer exhilaration is the only way to describe the experience of climbing in behind the falls hand in hand, water pelting heavily down upon us.

Reaching the clearing we soak up the view in reverse utterly elated by achieving the challenge of passing underneath the waterfall storm.

A total of 18km and 10 hours later we sat in Dumpling Hut in wonderment of the day that had been.

The final day and 18km ahead of us we have a deadline to meet.

The ferry is leaving at 2pm. Despite our more military like dedication to get moving, we continue to stop briefly and absorb the last day of our journey as much as we can.

The waterfalls are exquisite and rain beautiful.

I love the feeling of it dripping from my skin as all my senses are immersed for one last time in the majesty around me.

It is hard to adequately describe the grandeur and beauty of Milford Track. Looking back gives me the inspiration to look forward. I wonder which mountain we can climb next.

Diary goes global... Japan The entries keep coming in as the Warrandyte Diary continues to be well read all around the globe.

This time we have some photos sent in from Japan and there are loads more in our Diary goes global file.

If you’re heading overseas or interstate, remember to pack the latest edition of the Diary and get a snap taken with the locals.

After all, you could win a weekend away in a cabin at Crystal Brook Tourist Park.

LOOKING FOR A GREAT ESCAPE CLOSE TO HOME? Crystal Brook Tourist Park is the place to go … n Great cabin accommodation n Powered/unpowered sites – some including ensuites n Pool, BBQs, Camp Kitchen, Games Room & undercover ‘al fresco’ area n Pets OK (with pet friendly cabins in addition to sites) n We host local birthday parties n Van storage a speciality n The cost effective accommodation for visiting family or friends n Try before you buy – don’t buy a tent, come and try ours!

CRYSTAL BROOK TOURIST PARK 182 Heidelberg–Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte (opp Beasley’s Nursery) Phone 9844 3637 Email info@cbtp.com.au

20 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Warrandyte Consulting Rooms 2 Trezise Street, Warrandyte 9844 3766 – 9844 1943

New doctors now taking new patients Dr Olivia Rimington Dr Andrew Perrignon Dr Libby Rochstein Dr Esther Ko

Dr Gail Dixon continues to see her regular patients OPEN Monday to Friday – 9am to 5.30/6pm Saturday – 9am to 12pm

Join us for lunch or dinner on Mother’s Day Sunday May 11

OPEN Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm to 10pm Sunday, 11am to 10pm Dine In and Takeaway Licensed and BYO (wine only)

188 Yarra Street, Warrandyte (opposite the Bakery)

Phone 9844 5778

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21 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Beautiful: The four-spotted Cup Moth grazing, underneath and two pupal cases. Pictures: Linda Rogan

Cup moth or bean moth?

HAT has fleshy red spikes front and rear, green spikes along both flanks, black paired plackets down its back and four knobs on its thorax that contain many retractable stinging hairs?

Answer: Four-spotted cup moth. It would be scary if it wasn’t just 25mm long.

Many of these caterpillars are brazenly grazing on Eucalyptus leaves in nearby bushland, sometimes defoliating small trees. I decided to take a few home to raise to adults.

“Why?” I hear an incredulous voice cry.

Well, I’ve known for years that these are cup moth caterpillars, but I have never seen the cuplike pupal cases that earned their common name.

My curiosity impelled me to observe this in the comfort of my own home. I was also stimulated by a YouTube item Cupmoth caterpillar making a cocoon by Kim Sinclair recently shared on the Entomological Society’s Facebook page. It showed a similar species, the

nature

By LINDA ROGAN

mottled cup moth, building its perfect cuplike pupal case or cocoon in about four minutes, accompanied by the lively strains Air Hockey Saloon

by Chris Zabrieskie. I have watched this three times, smiling throughout. Of course this action was speeded up eight to 16 times and it actually occurred over a full day 9am to 5pm. Amazingly this larva was keeping business hours. Anyone who shares my curiosity for insects would be well advised to Google this video. Isn’t technology wonderful? (when it works) But what about my four-spotted cup moth caterpillars?

The stinging hairs on their backs do make one jump if accidentally touched. For me, pain was not severe, a bit like a nettle and the discomfort was gone in an hour. Other species may be more painful

so it does pay to avoid contact with the caterpillars and their hairs. Should you have the misfortune of contact with a painful one, it is recommended to first use adhesive tape to remove the hairs, wash the area and then use a topical antihistamine.

Four of my caterpillars proceeded to pupate. This was signalled by leaving the Eucalyptus branches and proceeding slug like around the inner walls of their enclosure. When they were on the clear plastic surface, I could see the weird pulsating manner of their motion from underneath as unlike most caterpillars, these have no legs.

I was very excited thinking I would now see the cup building that was shown on the video. The first three caterpillars pupated in the middle of the night, adhering either to the floor of the enclosure under a leaf, or in a corner. The fourth, again at night, attached under a piece of bark. I missed out on all the action. Also, these pupal cases or cocoons looked nothing like a cup. They were

oblong, reddish-brown and more like a plump dried bean.

Perhaps they will look more like a cup when the adult moth pops the end cap off, leaving a hollow container.

This has been the middle part of this creature’s life story. I know from the Lepidoptera House website that they began as a cluster of tiny eggs adhered to a leaf and covered by the mother moth with hair from her body. I don’t know whether these hairs are irritating or just camouflage.

The young caterpillars group together. They disperse to graze when they are larger, as I found them. Eventually the moths will emerge from their pupal cases by popping off a cap that hinges to one side.

In Brisbane, this has been reported to occur after only two weeks. However one of mine has been in the cocoon for two weeks as I write but no sign of action yet. I expect it will take longer in our cooler climate. I’m looking forward to seeing the adult, a plump brown moth with two or four black spots on its wings.

OUR EDITOR’S NEW BOOK HAS ARRIVED! Flying off the shelves all around the globe Special Diary offer – $25 for signed copies

Email Scott directly at scott@octobergrey.com to order your copy or purchase from Quinton’s Supa IGA

Term 2 APRIL 22 – JUNE 27 FITNESS & HEALTH SPECIAL EVENTS New Zumba Wed 7–8pm Author Talk Yoga Mon 7–8pm, Wed 10am–11am Scott Podmore, journalist, Thurs 6–7pm editor and author of Mother & Baby Yoga Conversations with Mediums Wed 11.15am–12.15pm Thursday June 19, 2pm Pilates Mon 8.15pm–9.15pm Strong Women Mon 9.15am, Tues 10.30am, Fri 8am Men's Weights Tues 11.30am, Fri 11am FAMILIES Playgroup Thurs 9.30–11.30am Jingles Preschool Dance/Music Tue 9.20am Go Girls (7–12 years) Tue 6.30-7pm Children's Drawings Mon 4–5.30pm ARTS & LIFESTYLE New Creative Writing Mon 2–4pm (7 weeks) New Beginners Spanish Thurs 1.30–3pm (9 weeks) Adult’s Drawing Mon 1–3pm (8 weeks) WORKSHOPS Felted Scarf Making Saturday June 14, 10.30am-4.30pm Beading Saturday May 4 & 31, 1-3pm BOOKINGS REQUIRED For regular ongoing classes check our website, phone us or come in for a brochure

www.warrandyteneighbourhoodhouse.org.au

Warrandyte Community Centre Yarra Street 9844 1839

A fair to remember at St Anne’s in Park Orchards IT was a case of strawberries and festival fun all round in February when St Anne’s Primary School hosted the annual Strawberry Fair in Park Orchards.

From tennis fun with the local Tennis Guru, some serious looking sombreros

and strawberry dacquiris, strawberries and cream, spinning wheel raffle, baby animal nursery and loads more.

And the good news is it all happens again next year, this time on March 14, so mark it down in your calendar.

WNH gratefully acknowledges support from Manningham City Council and the Department of Human Services.

“The Diary’s the best newspaper published in Warrandyte, Ock!” “It’s the only newspaper published in Warrandyte, Clyde!”

FOR ADVERTISING CALL 9844 0555

22 Warrandyte Diary

TOM KERKHOF

TELEVISION Servicing the area for 40 years

DIGITAL Televisions, Stereo Systems, DVDs, Digital Set Top Box Systems, New Digital Television Set-ups

Phone 9844 3970 Mobile 0408 175 274 27 Mitchell Ave, Warrandyte

April 2014

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Recalculating the right course HE world around me is awash with words, symbols and technologies about which I know little. I am also surrounded by people hard-wired to their mobile phones or electronic pads. They obviously need something I don’t. I manage to conduct my simple life without needing to be texting, tweeting or facebooking, “24/7” nor do I expect this to be changing too much, “going forward”. However, there are a few times I wish things were different.

In September, this year, Herself and I will be hiring a car and touring the north of England followed by a circuit of Scotland. We’ll set off from Leeds but we won’t be arriving there until dusk and we have, then, to navigate our way for another two hours, to the first B&B. Tired after a flight, in an unfamiliar car, through a big city, on unknown roads, in the dark!

The young in our life see no problem with this. “Just use your GPS on your mobile.” A simple solution you might agree, but my mobile is steam-driven and doesn’t have apps. In truth, it barely has anything even the youngest of users would require.

But I like it! The reality is, however, that my fingers are almost too arthritic now to connect the correct plug into the appropriate socket when the bell rings and the red light flickers on the switchboard.

But it serves me well for all that I need at the moment so I don’t see why I need a new mobile.

“Then why don’t you take m u m ’s ? I t ’s n e w e r t h a n yours.” I let it rest there whilst I pondered what to do. What are the issues I’m trying to resolve?

The first is that we need a phone to call through to check on our next reservation because the time when we have booked to go to Scotland just happens to be the worst since the Viking pillaging left all the B&Bs just a little bit shabby.

The Edinburgh Festival will have ended, just, and all the visitors will be heading off on their sightseeing adventures.

The Ryder Cup (golf for the peasants out there) will be in full swing, the left over Com-

kibbled “Then why don’t you take Mum’s?

It’s newer than yours... I let it rest there whilst I pondered what to do.”

monwealth Games crowd will be touring and to cap it all, it happens to be the 400th anniversary of some Scottish thing so every rabid Scottish nationalist will be migrating back to the homeland for a bit of haggis eating and enough

bagpipes recitals and armstied-behind-the-back dancing to sate even the most fervent River Dance tragic. When we learned this we hurriedly booked all nights’ accommodation and that was just in time, I assure you. So being able to triple check bookings will be essential.

But will Herself’s mobile work in the UK? We have already found that mine was useless in Canada so what of the UK? A little Googling assured me that the US of A use the 850 and 1900 band frequencies and the UK, Europe and Asia use 900 and 1800. I had no idea what we use. Anyway, after some more Googling, I found that Herself’s mobile is set up for 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 band frequencies. Success! I can buy a short term SIM over there and all should be well. (I fear there might be another article when we return!) Now it’s just the matter of navigating in the dark.

Daniel and I have become very close over the last few years. He is diligent, thoughtful, has a calm reassuringly bass tone and never loses his cool even when I inadvertently or even advertently disobey his instructions. Whereas I might lose my rag and yell

and swear, Daniel takes a deep but silent breath and calmly states that he is recalculating. And I’d miss him in times of crisis. I’ve tried other females but they are a little too strident or arch, not the best for a tense manoeuvre around a spaghetti junction or when confronted by five roads leading off a roundabout and a B Double half a metre from inserting itself up your tail pipe.

But how to get the maps of the UK downloaded onto my Garmin GPS? Of course, where I bought it ‘no longer’ stocks other countries’ maps so the hunt was on. Mr Google gave me lots of fruitless leads but eventually, on ringing one of these, I spoke to a man who used to work in a specialist GPS shop and on telephoning them, I discovered they have the downloadable map for only $99!

So all is well. Or was.

Herself has just come home, distressed. Evidently, she left her handbag next to the car whilst she loaded the shopping. The car next to her reversed, running over her bag, squashing everything in it, including her phone.

Like Daniel, I’m now recalculating, but not calmly!

ROGER KIBELL

Foodie world is shifting gears again

You’re in safe hands PAUL J. GILLING REBECCA VAN DER JAGT B.Sc, B.AppSc, Grad Dip Manip Therapy MAPA

Warrandyte Physiotherapy Centre

2 Trezise Street, Warrandyte 9844 1566

Member of Manipulative Physiotherapists Association of Australia

’M an ordinary sort of cook. No fads or fetishes, just good wholesome food and plenty of it. And always happy to try something different, if it’s not too much trouble, or to look at a new recipe.

Which is how I first came across teff, an Ethiopian grain. The foodie world is shifting gear yet again. Gosh.

How many more of these wonder-grains are lurking around the planet?

We’re barely on top of quinoa here. Did you know that 2013 was declared “The Year of Quinoa” by the UN? Not sure that celebrations reached this corner of the globe, but the recognition was granted in honour of the Andean people ‘who have managed to preserve quinoa in its natural state as food for present and future generations through ancestral practices of living in harmony with nature’. Quinoa has become so sought after, so expensive, that the poor Bolivians can probably hardly afford to buy their own staple grain these days.

Before the 1970s, my world

of grains was limited to things you made bread from, sago pudding and good old Scottish barley-thickened soups.

My culinary adventures with delicious new grains began at the Melbourne Uni Caf in 1972, where I paid 11c for a half-serve of fried rice. I went home and described the dish to my mother and together we tried to replicate it. It might have helped if we’d known how to cook rice or if I’d realised the eggs were strips of omelette rather than thrown in anyhow. Despite failing miserably at first, cooking rice quickly grew on us, surviving the casserole era and every subsequent foodie fashion.

It’s a grain that everybody can now cook, notwithstanding the divide between those who insist on steaming v. those who swear by their rice cooker. (I’m not counting those diehards who boil it in a campfire billy then strain it through a sock. That hardly rates as normal behaviour.)

Inspired by this success, a never-ending succession of grains and legumes has graced our salads and muesli bowls over the decades: soy

our place

By MARILYN MOORE

beans, mung beans, lentils, bulgur wheat, chick peas, polenta, flaxseed, millet, psyllium, cous cous, spelt, amaranth, quinoa … and now teff.

I never mastered the art of some, like polenta. Kack!

Lentils and chickpeas are another matter – we love fragrant dahls and tagines teeming with fresh vegetables and exotic spices. Sometimes I just get the hang of something and then it disappears again.

Where has my beloved pearl cous cous gone?

And the much-lauded quinoa? My friend Helen makes a delicious quinoa salad, piquant with lemon, but so far that seems to be both the breadth and pinnacle of my quinoan experience. Clearly I have much to learn on this fascinating subject. Indeed, much as I enjoy a nicely barbecued steak, I’ve come to realise that almost the whole of my culinary existence has flowed around the comings

and goings of the grain and vegetable world – a veritable braided stream of cultures and flavours.

So it came as quite a shock when I recently read a copy of ‘Julie & Julia’, Julie Powell’s 2005 homage to 1950s chef Julia Child, who (with Simone Beck) famously wrote ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’. Being an impoverished student at the time, I’d pretty much skipped the French foodie era of the 1970s. Had I missed much? If Powell is any indication, definitely not!

Her obsession with the more visceral aspects of raw liver and coddled eggs immersed in calves’ foot jelly (interspersed with unsavoury anecdotes about their dingy flat and oddball friends) borders on the depraved and has just about put me off food for ever.

But now I know why I’m only an ordinary sort of cook. My passion is clearly for eating, rather than the gruesome processes of peeling calves’ brains or murdering lobsters.

That woman’s husband deserves a medal.

I wonder what my good man will make of teff, when I find it?

23 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

• Re-roofing & New Roofs • Gutterguard & Leaks • Gutters & Downpipes • Rainwater Tanks • Skylights & Whirlybirds • Insulation

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Follies is on for young and old FREED from previous years’ constraints of sticking too rigidly to a theme, this year’s Follies under the capable direction of Susan Rundle and Lisa Upson expanded to provide a superb and hilarious evening of variety entertainment.

Of the many highlights, the recurring Old & Young sketches featuring three comparative views of youth, Old & Young 3 had us rolling around with laughter; Noelene Cooper delivering the punchlines with aplomb whilst managing to keep a straight face. The girls in the audience seemed to enjoy the Ladies Toilets sketch although that was not for me, nor the Blind Date With Angels which I guess is not a “bloke” thing.

Chloe Paul was brilliant in the Music Box item, which lulled the audience into enjoying a sweet ballet act before it all deliberately fell to pieces.

The Twelve Days of Christmas cleverly performed in perfect (?) Japanese by Tony Clayton had us in stitches and great credit has also to be given to the writers. Black & White finished the first act with eight performers brilliantly doing the simplest of movements in half-black, half-white costumes that created a very clever optical illusion.

Act 2 had some great animal dress-up acts including two very funny cows, a wrecking ball song parodying James Hird, the mandatory political sketches, and director Lisa finally allowed to perform All that Jazz which she did with her usual flair.

It is really great to see the range of ages performing, the youth contingent becoming stronger, and the full cast throwing themselves enthusiastically into the performance.

A fun packed, brilliantly performed evening, and on at least the last three nights a sell-out crowd. Great musical numbers courtesy of Richard Pengelley and Matt Wallace.

Thank you WTC. Keep with the variety. If a festival theme is appropriate in future years feel free to step away from it for some acts, particularly

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Pictures: Stephen Reynolds

good musical tap and dance numbers. It worked well this year.

DAVID HOGG

WHAT the Follies! was funny, fantastic and fabulous.

The entire crew did a wonderful job with directors, writers, musicians and the actors who brought it all together. It was a very smooth performance.

Medicare Credit – you can’t blame an old girl for trying, or getting confused for that matter. Simone Keifer cannot help but make one smile.

Old & Young with Noelene, Louise and Sarah, brought the house down with their observations on life in its various stages. Hilarious.

Blind Date With Angels was a take on RSVP dating. Ladies Toilets was horrifying in a hilarious kind of way. The overworked ballerina in Music Box and what she really thought about pirouetting over and over again was enlightening.

The Twelve Days of Christmas sung in Japanese (?) by Tony, complete in Geisha drag, was quite something to behold.

The glorious voice of Judith, singing complicated words and at last, Lisa’s vocals were lovely in All that Jazz. The entire cast sang and danced with a striking performance in black and white, showing that it really doesn’t matter.

And all the animals were terrific especially the wonderful

FIRE NUMBERS

CFA

Design Construction Sustainable

CFA Regional Headquarters 8739 1300

Warrandyte CFA 9844 3375

cows, done a little too well by Noelene and Simone – their full udders, generously shared with the audience.

However, it was the horse that really got me: Bill playing a nancy of a horse and regardless of how many times they had performed it, Richard Pengelley, trying to sing along, still couldn’t help laughing, never knowing what his horse was going to get up to.

The political satire on Rudd was funny in a tragic kind of way. And if you thought Miley Cyrus had a way with a wrecking ball, you should have seen James Hird on one.

Another fantastic ending to the festival.

BRIONY BOTTARELLI

FIRE AND EMERGENCY: 000

North Warrandyte CFA 9844 0847

South Warrandyte CFA 9844 2861

VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE INFORMATION LINE: 1800 240 667

Wonga Park CFA 9722 1463

to Timent pla

24 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Get ready for some wild and wacky

painting & decorating

Andrew John Managing Director

p: 0412 765 210 e: andrewjohn75@optusnet.com.au w: fourwallspainting.com.au Member of Master Painters Association No. 3993

Ring or Email for a No Obligation Free Quote

Marcus Clifton

0412 139 420 Fax: 9844 3706 20 years experience in the area

April at the Stonehouse. ‘Wild and Wacky’ sculpture exhibition. A fun exhibition bringing together a wide range of talents and creative ideas, featuring eight local sculptors.

At the Stonehouse Gallery, 103 Yarra St, Warrandyte, from the April 1-30. Open daily from 10am-4pm. 9844 3629.

Working bee thank you

The Community Garden Centre would like to thank everyone in the Friends Group who participated in the recent working bee at the Community Centre Garden, as well as send a thanks to Manningham council for supplying the mulch and plants. Also, thanks to the CFA for supplying their water truck and driver Peter Hanson, to water plants in. If you would like to join the Friends Group phone Bev Hanson on 9844 3906

out of the inbox

By BRIONY BOTTARELLI Publicise your coming events.

Items for Out of the Inbox are welcome. Include full details of date, place and time and post to: Warrandyte Diary, PO Box 209, Warrandyte Vic 3113 or emailed to: briony@ warrandytediary.com.au.

Brain tumour info evening

Warrandyte Community Bank, Blackwood 8 and Cancer Council Victoria is sponsoring a community information and education forum titled Action on Brain Tumours at the Cancer Council Victoria in St Kilda Rd on May 2 from 10am to 3pm. Special guest will be Dr Kerrie McDonald, head neuro-oncology, of the

Release your stress Improve your well being Calm your mind in serene surroundings Classes for adults & children

BHAVA YOGA & DANCE CENTRE

5a West End Rd, Warrandyte

9844 1128

bhavacentre@gmail.com

Pointon Builders

PTY LTD

CARPENTER & REGISTERED BUILDER

Call Nick 0419 355 905 Extensions, Renovations, Decks, Pergolas and Maintenance HIA Member for over 20 years

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RSL gigs

Live music sessions. Monthly Bands by the Bridge. Riffmasters playing blues, Motown, soul and R&B. Sunday April 27, between 4pm and 8pm.

Sausage sizzle 6pm. BYO food platter welcome. Band dona-

Good Friday Stations of the Cross 10.30am at Stiggants Reserve. Anglican Church Good Friday service 9am, Easter Sunday 10am and 3pm.(0423 093 967) Community Church, Good Friday Service 9am, Easter Sunday 10am.(9844 4148) Uniting Church Good Friday service 9am, Easter Sunday 10.15am. (9844 0674) Catholic Church, Good Friday Service 3pm at Warrandyte, Easter Saturday 7.30pm at Park Orchards. Easter Sunday 10.30am at Park Orchards.

(9876 1509).

Open studio

Nillumbik artist open studios are running over two weekends, May 3-4 and May 1011. Inquiries www.artistopen studios.com.au.

The limbs pull away from the trunks of the lumbering beasts like, muscle pulling from bone.

Grown heavy and exhausted with yesterday’s fat raindrops, then swollen and bruised in the warm sunlight of the day after, begin their tearing.

ELECTRICIAN

▲ Domestic ▲ Commercial ▲ Industrial and Airconditioning Installation and Maintenance all areas

The creak is of all the old doors and the cracking, is of all of the stones upon one another.

Phone 9844 2135 Mobile 0418 333 979 NO JOB TOO SMALL REC no. 6161

Then endless silence in the falling of the branches.

The forest inhales.

The thud of the branch hitting the soil has a sound that you hear in your heels, in your chest, ears still impotent from the crack.

WARRANDYTE ✷✷ GLASS ✷✷ All types of glass, glazing, mirrors, shower screens

Terry Ryan 9879 0373

or Mobile: 0418 369 294

KD’s Garden & Handiworks

Lwr Cnr Melbourne Hill & Houghton Rds, Warrandyte Consultation by Appointment

lawn mowing weeding mulch tall grass slashed pruning clean ups small landscapes general household maintenance guttering

NEW WEEKEND HOURS SATURDAY 8–4 SUNDAY 10–12

Phone mary 0421 967 933 or kosta 0434 994 729

Phone 9844 3071

Threeza Crowd, Friday April 11, Good Friday – April 18, House music only. April 25, ANZAC Day, House music only.

Friday May 2, Peter Grant and May 9, Electric Intent. Come join us from 8pm onwards.

Easter services

It is on the gentlest days when there is no wind, only sunlight, that the branches fall.

The crack is jaw breaking.

SUPPORT LOCAL TRADERS

Dr Stuart Turner (B.V.Sc.) & Associates

Grand gigs

tion appreciated. Inquiries 9844 3567 after 4pm.

Untitled... a poem by Sarah Jones

Painter & Decorator Yoga, Meditation & Creative Dance

Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, who will present a talk ‘Brain tumour research: what are we trying to achieve? There will be other presentations from other guest speakers. RSVP by April 25 online at www.cancervic.org.au/braintumourforum or call 9635 6302.

TERM 2 PILATES

Improve core strength, flexibility, joint stability, posture and pelvic floor strength Instructor has 30 years nursing experience including rehab.

UNITING CHURCH, TAROONA AVE, WARRANDYTE Starts TUESDAY 6 May 6.30–7.30pm with new classes on THURS PM and FRIDAY 10–11am followed by coffee and social. BYO mat, drink and towel $15 casual visit, or receive discount by paying $120 for 10 weeks Contact Dee for more information or to book your place at info@deetermination.com.au or 0425 747 819 www.deeterminationfitness.com.au

25 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Diary bites with Basil Fettucine

Kellybrook Cider Festival is here The 26th annual Kellybrook Cider Festival takes places Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4 from 10am-5pm with all sorts of festivities including plenty of cider (quite obviously) such as Kelly Brothers Apple and Pear, Scrumpy Farmhouse, Somerset draught, fresh apple juice, cider slushies and more.

There’s also Farmhouse food – restaurant open and festival fare – the Brittania morris dancers, cider cooking demo and apple crushing demo, face painting, Irish donkey and pony rides, balloon fun and storytelling and magic! Be there. $15 at the door (or www. moshtix.com.au) and children under 14 are free. Visit www.kellybrook winery.com.au for more info.

Colouring-in champs: Lou, Ella and Lovisa (inset) with owner Francesca Longfield and their beautiful Easter prize packs last week.

A sweet taste of Warrandyte

By SCOTT PODMORE

OU notice everyone is smiling the second you set foot in Warrandyte Lollies & Treats in Yarra St. But that’s not where the good cheer and excitement begins: that kicks in the minute you notice the coloured chalk messages on the concrete pathways in our main street that lure you towards the sweetest and kookiest store just 200m away from the historic Warrandyte bridge and right next door to our famous Warrandyte Bakery.

It’s an enticing journey in a beaut location. Let’s face it, everyone knows where “the lolly shop” is.

Warrandyte Lollies & Treats has been called the heartbeat of the street by many, but ever-smiling and flamboyent owner Francesca Longfield firmly believes it’s much more than that.

She says it’s pure magic. Perhaps even in a Willy Wonka kind of way.

Just look at the smiles, or ask the kids in town (including some of the adult versions who refuse to grow up). Bertie Beetles, White Knights, Sovereign Hill raspberry drops, caramel whirls, liquorice and Choo

HOME GROUND ADVANTAGE Choo Bars … its enough to tease the tastebuds into salivation while your nose starts twitching before being transported back in time to a happy place.

Of course you’ll smile. With the rest of them.

Owner Francesca is ever passionate in her service and constantly sourcing niche products from around the world, always enticing you back for more.

Three years on since opening, she’s clearly happy with being Warrandyte’s answer to Willy Wonka.

“There were coffee shops around, just nothing much for the young (and the big kid in us all) to get excited about when visiting the area,” Francesca recalls. In its conception, she explains, it was always about

getting locally made confectionery, providing work for local people (10 jobs created) and contributing to the community.

Francesca says she understands the Warrandyte “way” when it comes to community, offering a never-ending supply of hampers to clubs and schools, and sponsoring local events. “ We al s o prov i de w hol es al e party buffets and always throw a much-awaited Halloween Street Party each year,” she says. “All part of a fun, festive, and ‘sweet’ experience!”

For Francesca, she’s hell-bent on giving back - she has three sons actively involved in the community and says “support and involvement are key factors to success for Warrandyte to thrive”.

She’s also conscientious and knows a good opportunity when she sees one – or should that be, when she hears one.

Only last month Jeff Kennett, former state premier and chairman of Beyond Blue, was on 3AW talkback radio with Neil Mitchell and informing him that Licquorice Blocks were indeed still available these days – at her very own Warrandyte Lollies & Treats, of course.

Francesca was inundated with calls from friends and family within minutes, advising her to seize the day and call in herself. Which she did.

Francesca was given “two amazing (life-changing) minutes”, she says, of which the discussion progressed onto Polly Waffles, which her shop stocks an overseas replica of, before moving onto Choo Choo Bars (“minus, dare we say, Little Black Sambo adorning the wrapper”), Bertie Beetles, and the politically correct FADS (iconic F.A.G.S), which scored a good belly laugh from Mitchell.

“It was loud, fast and furious, but visitors are still coming in their droves,” Francesca says of the experience.

In addition to now stocking and serving ice-cream and sorbet in cones, the store recently held its annual Easter colouring-in competition which Lou, Ella and Lovisa managed to sneak ahead of the pack with some terrific prizes (pictured).

Need something to make you smile?

Pop into Warrandyte Lollies & Treats.

Long live the lolly shop lady.

Find out more at www.warrandytelolliesandtreats.com.au or find the shop on Facebook to stay updated on all the goodies.

Excitement at La Sala I was chatting with stylish and vibrant operations manager of La Sala Restaurant at Olivigna, Marcus Pelham, last week and he informs Basil there are exciting things afoot at the thriving new restaurant. For starters, an oversized vintage photographic artwork is installed behind the venue’s fresh pasta making table called “two boys eating pasta”, while an official media and VIP guest lunch was held only last week with the who’s who of the foodie world in attendance. La Sala is also hosting an Easter Sunday breakfast and lunch with a children’s easter egg hunt around the venue’s La Piazza bocce court on April 20 and a Pasta Masterclass, featuring fresh pasta making lessons and lunch, is taking place on April 26. It was also brought to Basil’s attention that the Diary failed to run the La Sala address last month in our glowing review by Michelle Pini – for the uninitiated it’s at 54-56 Brumbys Rd, but call 9844 4676 to make a booking first. It’s packed every week!

Altair – bring your own Altair continues to be a shining light on the high-end dining front and the good news is it’s now BYO. Petty’s open Thursdays Petty’s Orchard is now open Thursdays from 9am-5.30pm, but only for fruit sales and café. Full produce and cafe is available from Friday to Sunday from 9am to 5.30pm. The store is trading over Easter including Easter Sunday.

Cocoa Moon is talking Italian, and French is up next review

By BRIONY BOTTARELLI

ITALIAN food is still my favourite and Cocoa Moon did it justice last month during their monthly journey around the world with foreign themes.

My daughter and I enjoyed a lovely three course meal there on the festival Saturday evening. We commenced with a slice of garlic bread – just right – like I do it at home.

That was followed by an entrée of three different types of pasta. Not too much, just a taste. Some gnocchi carbonara, a spinach and sundried tomato ravioli and beef lasagna.

Magnifico!

My daughter, Gabriella, then chose the chicken cacciatore. Chicken in a rich tomato sauce with roasted red peppers, olives and bocconcini cheese. I chose the Veal Involtini, stuffed with mushrooms, spinach and tasty cheese and wrapped in bacon, then oven roasted. Both meals were beautifully presented and tasted delicious.

For dessert, Gabriella chose the Tiramisu. I had the Cassata, a slice of home made ice-cream, consisting of a layer of chocolate, with a biscotti through the layer. A vanilla layer with glazed cherries and pistachio nuts throughout and a strawberry layer with fresh strawberries. I am not a sweet tooth and have never, even as a child, been fussed about ice-cream, but this was may favourite course. It not only tasted wonderful, but looked spectacular.

Along with the three course meal, a glass of house wine was included.

All for $35.00 a head. Brilliant! And of course, it was all served by the delightful Andres and his efficient and pleasant staff. Special compliments to the chef!

They are going French in May, so don’t miss out. And remember the Cocoa Moon brekkies which are always a treat (pictured). * Note from the editor: We still love our enthusiastic Briony, even though she was so consumed by her mission to eat yummy Italian food and do a review that she forgot to take photos! It must be good!

26 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Shirley’s piece of paradise Words and picture

by BILL MCAULEY

T was photography that brought Shirley and Ted Rotherham together way back in the 1950s. They met when Shirley was a photography student at Melbourne Technical College where Ted worked as a lecturer. They married in 1959 and purchased their property in Tills Dve, Warrandyte, later that year.

“It was the most wonderful spot to bring up the family, with the river as one boundary and the bush as the other,” Shirley told the Diary. “We never had the need or want to shift anywhere else, we had found the perfect place to live.”

They built a darkroom where Ted could pursue his love of nature photography, eventually producing several books on native plants. Shirley trained her camera on her three kids, Joanne, Andrew and Karen and photographed them as they grew up running free on the riverside property.

“Life was pretty basic when we first lived in Tills Drive, there was no water except what we pumped from the river,” she says. “And no telephone or septic, the loo was a can out the back. But we were never bored, we swam and kayaked in the river and the kids had horses to keep us busy and involved.”

Ted decided they needed a bigger house and one day coming home from the city he noticed a work gang demolishing the walls of the old Presbyterian Ladies College. Ted seized the moment and arranged for the sandstone pitchers to be delivered to Warrandyte where he began to construct the beautiful and elegant stone-built walls of their new home.

Living in Warrandyte was not without its share of drama: Shirley was just two weeks home from the hospital with her firstborn Joanne when the 1962 fires rampaged through the area. Shirley quickly gathered up Jo-

Cuddle from mum: Shirley Rotherham with Darcey (left) and pictured with Ted (above).

anne’s baby clothes as she was being evacuated and in the heat of the moment, so to speak, she inexplicably took her wedding dress with her as she was driven up Melbourne Hill to escape the fire.

“I remember looking back at the frightening glow of the fire as it came over the hill from the north,” she says, remembering the moment well. “Burning twigs and leaves were already raining from the sky as we were being evacuated.”

Ted stayed and single-handedly fought the fire and successfully saved the house. After the fire had passed, Ted noticed a group of cars, people and animals had gathered to shelter from the firestorm in the ploughed paddock near the house.

When Shirley returned with her wedding dress, Ted remarked with a hint of good-natured sarcasm: “Well if I hadn’t survived the fire at least you could’ve used the wedding dress again.”

Many people lost their family photographs during the fire and that fact inspired Ted to devise a way to save and protect the images of the town’s history. The Warrandyte Historical

Society was born and Ted became the first president of the society with Shirley ably assisting as the first secretary. Shirley has enjoyed an association with the society for the last 39 years and helped build it into the wonderful archive of historical images that it is today.

“Saving Warrandyte’s history is one of the important things the society has achieved,” Shirley says, proudly.

Shirley has also served as a volunteer with Meals On Wheels and had a long association working on the committee of the Wyena Pony Club.

“I never wanted to be president because I was never any good at public speaking,” she told the Diary.

“I was happy to be secretary and work behind the scenes.”

Shirley was the first lollipop lady at Anderson’s Creek Primary School when it opened in 1977 and recounts a story from her days on the crossing.

“One day I was exasperated by bike riders who wouldn’t stop. One cheeky youngster refused to take my direction and tried to ride past me so I stuck the end of my lollipop stick into the spokes of his wheel.

He stopped pretty quickly then,” she says, chuckling.

Shirley spent many hours involved with community service and one of the most enjoyable ways of serving the community was to take her German Shepard Gretel to visit some of the local nursing homes as a therapy dog.

“It was great for the patients. I’ll never forget the look of wonder and joy on one of the patients face when Gretel visited him after he had one of his legs amputated. Another patient remarked, ‘I was feeling really down but after hugging Gretel I feel really lifted’.”

Later when Ted was in Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital, Shirley often took Gretel to work her magic and cheer him up.

After Ted retired the couple joined the Grey Nomad brigade and travelled right around Australia.

“It made me feel what a wonderful place Australia is. We encountered magic every day and the experience brought Ted and I much closer together.”

They bought a kit home at Cassilis in the high country near Omeo and

used to spend 10 days per month there, the rest of the time they returned to their Warrandyte home.

Ted became ill with Chronic Airways Obstructive Disease and had trouble breathing. When Ted was failing Shirley made him promise to hang around long enough to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Ted kept his promise and they joyfully celebrated their half-century together at the Warrandyte Community Centre. Just two weeks later in 2009 Ted passed away. Unfortunately Shirley’s beautiful dog Gretel passed away during that period, too.

“I was devastated,” Shirley says. “I had no husband and no dog to help me through the grief.”

Fortunately some locals rallied and found Darcey, a female Whippet and presented her to Shirley. But Darcey is no ordinary Whippet; she had previously won Best of Breed at the Royal Melbourne Show.

“She is just perfect and gives me love and companionship,” says Shirley of her new best friend. “But she’s not always a good girl, recently I turned my back for a few minutes and Darcey ate a whole plate of cup cakes and didn’t even leave any crumbs.”

Now that Ted has gone, Shirley has decided to leave Warrandyte and live with her daughter Joanne at Cobden in the Western district. Shirley will be leaving on May 31, the same date that Ted passed away.

“It will be fitting that I start another part of my life on that date,” Shirley says.

This week Val Polley from the Warrandyte Historical Society spoke to the Diary regarding Shirley’s community service.

“Shirley has been a stalwart of the Historical Society from its very beginning when she and Ted set it up in 1975. Exhibitions, parade floats, excursions and record keeping – Shirley has been involved in a major way with them all over the years. We will miss her (and Darcey) greatly, particularly during Monday morning archive sessions and look forward to welcoming her back for special occasions. We wish her a long and happy retirement in her new home.”

Les Painter from Wonga Park – one O-ONE dared switch on the radio on Anzac Day in Les Painter’s house. Les hated war. He had seen too much of it.

Leslie George Wallace Painter was born in 1896 in Ringwood. He turned 18 in 1914, just in time for the First World War. He enlisted early in 1915.

His father Samuel Painter was a saddler by trade with a business in Croydon. He had taken up 21 acres of bushland in Wonga Park, part of the Eight Hours Village Settlement and set about clearing the land and establishing an orchard. In 1914 he was thrown from a “fractious” horse he was riding home to Wonga Park, having just purchased it at Box Hill market. Sam was killed.

Les Painter joined the First AIF in March 1915. Living in Carlton by this time, he was posted to the 23rd Battalion, made up of recruits from inner Melbourne suburbs. His local Methodist Church presented him with a small, leather-covered Bible, marking the occasion “of his volunteering to fight on behalf of King and Country”. It was subscribed: “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.”

Les Painter’s older brothers Wilf and Harold also joined the AIF, whilst brother Roy stayed at home to care for their widowed mother and four sisters.

Following training at Broadmeadows, the battalion departed from Port Melbourne on the troopship Euripides for Egypt, where they underwent further training, climbed the Pyramids, rode camels, witnessed the Second Battle of the Wasser— when Australian troops burnt a number of brothels, “saving many soldiers’ honour”, as Les wrote in his diary.

They set sail for Gallipoli on August 30, were torpedoed off Lemnos, were rescued by a British destroyer and landed on Gallipoli under fire.

The Anzacs had been battling with the Turks up and down the steep gullies and precipitous cliff faces of the Peninsula for several months. The campaign was approaching stalemate. Les Painter and his battalion arrived just in time for the Battle of Lone Pine.

On September 12 they suffered their first casualties: “It gets a bit willing at night,” Les wrote. “The

23rd cemetery is sadly growing larger each day.”

Sanitary conditions on Gallipoli were poor and becoming worse.

The men were covered in flies all day and lice and fleas all night. Dead bodies were left to putrefy and rot, fill with maggots and breed flies and diseases. Dysentery spread through both armies like wildfire. Les Painter was diagnosed with dysentery on November 16 and was evacuated to a British hospital on Malta. His war on Gallipoli was over.

The 23rd Battalion had no idea of the hell that awaited them at Pozieres in France. Gallipoli was bad; the Western Front was horrific. The Brigade was decimated in head-on attacks against German machine guns and riflemen. For three years the carnage continued on the flooded, shell-swept, blood-soaked farmlands of France and Belgium.

Les Painter survived to be promoted lieutenant—“because everyone else was dead”—and to be awarded the Military Medal, “for bravery in the field”. On November 11, 1918, it was all over and Les was shipped to London.

He knew his return to Australia would be seriously delayed. Due to a shortage of shipping, the sick and disabled were going first, then the family men and those with responsibilities at home. Young, single, able-bodied men like Les Painter were well down the list.

The waiting Australians were offered educational courses in London.

Les applied for architecture, but did not have the necessary secondary schooling. He was offered a health inspector’s course. It was there he met Dorothy Newton, a young Voluntary

27 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Society’s new history book rolls out

By VAL POLLEY

O you think history is boring? Those who log onto the Warrandyte Historical Society’s Facebook page certainly don’t think so, responding with enthusiasm and pleasure to the images and stories there. The Historical Society itself certainly doesn’t think so. Its stated aim is to collect, preserve and present the history of the town. Visitors to the museum certainly don’t think so, many often requesting a general illustrated history of the town.

However, it is several decades since the last specific history text was published. That was The Golden History of Warrandyte by Louis Cranfield in 1982 and it is a gap in time and information that the society has been keen to fill. Over the years the Warrandyte Historical Society has amassed a considerable archive of photographs, records and memorabilia thanks to many volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy into ensuring this material is not lost to future generations and the generosity of those who have donated items. Turning this material into a non-boring, engaging history book that would be both informative and appealing as well as showcase many of the very special photographs and stories has long been an ambition of the society. A grant from the Australian Government’s 2012-2013 Your Community Heritage Program - Sharing Community Heritage Stories has made the wish a reality and something to celebrate.

A new illustrated history of Warrandyte, Wonderful Warrandyte – A Portrait will hit the bookshelves of the town at the beginning of May. The portrait that emerges from the book is that of an historic gold mining town transformed over time into a riverside bush enclave on the edge of a major metropolitan city. Warrandyte has a unique, diverse, rich and colourful history. Its historical significance is recognised as the site of the first recorded goldfield in Victoria, its environmental significance through the declaration of the Warrandyte State Park and its artistic signif-

icance through its influential art and pottery circles. The book covers pre-European settlement and the early settlers, describes the discovery of gold, portrays the artistic era, explains the shaping of the town and the building of a community and brings the history up to the present day. Triumph and tragedy, good times and bad, fires and floods, friends and family – all

these are included. The recurring theme is that of an industrious, resilient community that prides itself on its ability to overcome adversity and get things done. The book is filled with photographs and illustrations, both old and new that illuminate the text and were selected to show as many facets of the life and times of the township as possible.

Compiling the book has been a labour of love for many society members as well as others over the past nine months. As always it has been very much an all-Warrandyte community effort from a diverse and talented community. I wrote the text and selected photographs. A steering committee comprising me together with Margaret Kelly, Andy Bevan-Jones, Wayne Rankin and Richard Morton guided the project with all of the latter contributing knowledgeable input, constructive advice and beneficial editing. Murray Houghton offered specialised historical advice and further sources. Diane Baird conducted the final edit. Wayne Rankin (Rankin Design) is responsible for the wonderful layout and design and making the book truly beautiful. Jock McNeish (Strategic Images) contributed the new and interesting maps. The printing and binding are by locally owned firms. This is very much a Warrandyte production. However, the book would not have been possible without all the dedicated work of society members, too numerous to mention and both past and present, who have contributed to the society’s substantial collection and archive. They will know who they are and they are to be commended for their efforts. War-

randyte as a whole should be very proud of this book and no doubt it will find a place on many bookshelves and coffee tables.

The Warrandyte Historical Society president Margaret Kelly, speaking on behalf of the current committee, expressed the hope that the book will reach a wide audience and encourage many others, particularly younger members of the community, to join the society and contribute to ensuring the care and protection of Warrandyte’s history. More members would mean more support in all kinds of ways and help guarantee Warrandyte’s historical legacy.

Release date is planned for Sunday, May 4, with a launch at the Warrandyte Museum at 3pm. Wonderful Warrandyte – A Portrait will be priced at $30 per copy and following the launch will be available for sale and collection from the Historical Society at the Warrandyte Museum, at 111 Yarra Street, Warrandyte, during their normal weekend opening hours between 1pm and 4pm. l For further information about joining the society or purchasing the book please phone 9844 4176 (answering machine) or email whs.secretary@hotkey.net.au.

Anzac’s unforgettable story of war Aid Detachment nurse. The family was always told: “We fell in love in the sewers of London!”

Les and Dorothy were married in St John’s Church, Sidcup, London, on New Year’s Day, 1921.

Settled in Australia, the Painters were awarded a block of land under the Soldier Settlement Scheme at Cardross near Mildura. Supposedly ideal for growing grapes for the dried fruit market, their block was continually flooded due to defective design in the irrigation scheme that brought irrigation water from the Murray River. They struggled on for several years, but finally, with their three children, they walked off their block, penniless. Les was unemployed. The Great Depression was biting hard. But their luck changed.

Mildura City Council advertised for a health inspector. Les applied, and thanks to his London qualification and his status as a returned soldier, he was successful.

Les performed his duties well, policing health regulations in the town and several surrounding shires. The family enjoyed a period of relative security, until he took a councillor to court for filthy premises. He won the case but lost the job. The council sacked him.

Les gathered together a group of similarly unemployed local men and they formed the Sunraysia Consumers’ Co-operative Society.

They raised a loan and built a stateof-the-art, bakery, undercutting the cost of bread.

There was retaliation. Their delivery vans were attacked, their flour and yeast supplies were stopped, their employees were intimidated, scurrilous political rumours were

circulated. Les collapsed. He suffered a nervous breakdown. He had had enough. The war, bankruptcy, the persecution that smashed his new career, all combined to push him to the brink. The family left Mildura and were taken in by relatives in Melbourne.

Les ultimately found employment as a PMG linesman and they settled in to a peaceful suburban life; just so long as councils left him alone and no-one turned on the radio on Anzac Day! In his last years, Les was a patient in the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital when he received a visit from several members of the local RSL. They noted the information on his hospital wristband: name, rank, service number, decorations. They realised they were in the presence of a hero and they treated him as such.

Despite everything, Les enjoyed every moment of it.

The street in Wonga Park where Sam Painter pioneered his orchard was named Painters Road. The names of the three Painter brothers receive due recognition on the honour board in the Wonga Park Hall. A bushfire burnt the sign at one end of Painters Road, and when it was replaced they spelt it Paynters Road.

Within a few years, both signs were incorrect. The family approached Lillydale council, requesting a correction. Council approached the residents. One complained that he would have to print new letterheads.

The error persists. As Les would say: “Bloody councils!”

CLIFF GREEN

(Les Painter was my father-in-law)

28 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Cam signs on with Norton All set for the Isle of Man TT 2014

By CHRIS WILLIAMS

WARRANDYTE’S motorbike champ Cameron Donald has been selected to ride for Norton Motorcycles in the Isle of Man TT 2014 races.

Born and bred in Warrandyte, Donald, 36, already has an impressive list of accolades and will be looking to add to them as he races for the historic and highly regarded Norton brand.

Donald says he works hard in the lead up to all of his races and participates in plenty of gym work, cycling, mountain biking and kayaking to make sure he is well prepared for the challenges of each race.

The Isle of Man TT is one of the most dangerous motorcycle races in the world and even with years of experience, Donald still finds the time just before the race a little nerve- racking.

“Before the race I ask myself what am I doing here,” says Donald. “There definitely are some nerves just before the race. Once the race starts I become 100 per cent focused on riding.”

Donald described the races as having “little to no room for error” and is excited to be racing for Norton Motorcycles in the Isle of Man TT 2014.

Eye on the prize: Cameron Donald has signed on with North Motorcycles and is hoping for a big year.

A day in the life of a Formula 1 grid girl On the grid: Gabriella Bottarelli (inset) and pictured with co-grid girl Britt Hodgson at last year’s Melbourne Grand Prix.

NOT every girl can score free entry into the glitzy world of Formula 1 Grand Prix, but our Gabriella Bottarelli has, and she’s answered the Diary’s call to offer us a brief ‘day in the life of a grid girl’.

WELL, being a grid girl is not only about the glitz and glamour. Most of the 24 girls chosen to be a part of the promotional team at the Formula 1 Grand Prix are pretty crazy about cars, or at least get a great thrill out of being a part of this international event and it will be the only promotional event they do all year.

The majority of the girls are at university or working full time as nurses, speech therapists, analysts and more. I have grown up following F1 with my Dad, sometimes getting up at very strange hours of the night just to sit and watch it with him.

To be chosen as one of the F1 Grid Girls twice now is an absolute honour. The day consists of a very early start for a Sunday, ready on track for a rehearsal of the grid walk before anyone arrives for the event and then we draw from a hat the grid number we will be assigned to.

This year I drew 18, but last

year I was lucky and placed with Mark Webber at No.2 because the driver at my original post had mechanical problems and didn’t race. After that, it’s off to hair and make-up and finally changing into our uniforms.

For the day we do a segment called “Meet the Grid Girls” where we are interviewed on a stage in front of the patrons and then they can have a photograph taken with us. We wander around the venues and paddocks talking to people and promoting the sponsor (Rolex).

After that we attend corporate suites where we can spend some time mingling with celebrities and media personnel.

Then it’s grid time. We line up at the pit lane entrance for the grid, get handed our flag poles, which are a lot heavier than they appear, and prepare for the long walk out to our posts where we stay for 45 minutes.

It is a long day, but fantastic fun and one I hope to participate in for a few more years.

Erika racks up 300 games of netball ERIKA Dyason has become the seventh player to have played 300 games for the Warrandyte Netball Club.

Erika started playing netball as a seven-year-old in the netta clinic.

She then played in the U11s (as an eight-year-old) and today plays in the Open Tigers team.

Erika also coaches the U15/1s team and was last year’s club captain.

This season the Warrandyte Netball Club has 22 teams competing in the Saturday competition as part of the Doncaster and Districts Association.

“We are extremely proud of all our age groups and our coaches are doing a wonderful job with the up and coming players,” president Sue Rodwell said.

“We have three U9 teams, four U11 teams, four U13 teams, four U15 teams, two U17 teams and five Open teams. We are currently looking for a couple of U17 players to join this age group.”

Any interested players should contact Sue on 0419 344 245.

29 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Girls just wanna have fun: The Under 8 girls look a little distracted before going out to battle. Below: The U20 Redbacks were premiers.

Main picture: Gareth Dickson

Fresh faces at Venom

Redbacks finals success It was another great season for the Redbacks with plenty of teams in finals. In a qualifying final, the Warrandyte 2 U10 Boys played Eltham 7 in a game where both teams went hard at it. Warrandyte maintained a comfortable lead throughout most of the game and went into half-time up 20-10.

Even with a comfortable 10 point lead Eltham 7 came out aggressive in the second-half and attacked the ring at every opportunity which led to a small comeback. William Hatfield was a key factor in keeping the Redbacks ahead through his enthusiasm and consistent effort. Warrandyte came out on top getting the win 3424 which put them through to the grand final.

Coach Brad Hatfield described the performance as “the best team game of the season”.

Unfortunately the Under 10 Boys couldn’t continue their good form and lost their grand final 13-30.

The Under 14 Warrandyte 2 Girls were challenged in their qualifying final against Collingwood 3. Things started off quite even and both teams were clearly desperate for the win.

With six minutes left in the first half, the scores were all tied up at 13-13. By half-time Warrandyte were able to take control of the lead and went into the break up four points.

Late in the second half Warrandyte were reduced to just four players due to foul trouble, but they continued to stay competitive and nearly stole the win. Collingwood 3 ended up with the victory 39-32.

Sophie Cookes pushed the ball up the floor really well for the Redbacks and finished with 9 points. Gabbi De Petro also played well with 11 points.

“I was very happy with the team’s effort,” said Coach Alysha Buzzini after the game.

Despite the loss, the Under 14 Warrandyte 2 Girls won their prelim-

WARRANDYTE’S Nicole Reynolds is no stranger to Diary readers and certainly familiar with achieving great results in the athletics arena with the recent Australian Junior Track and Field Championships held in Sydney last month no exception.

Nicole finished 11th in the Uner 16 women’s 90m hurdles with a time of 13.69sec, just marginally over her personal best of 13.64 sec. Next up was the U16 women’s 200m hurdles, this time the local finishing first in her heat with a time of 29.89sec and followed up with a silver medal in the final with a blistering run of 29.21sec – only 0.1sec between first and second place and only 0.12sec between second and third in what was an extremely close contest.

All first three placegetters were Victorians. Nicole’s previous best was 30.66sec about four weeks ear-

lier, so she is thrilled with the huge improvement.

Nicole has been participating in athletics since Under 10s and is now in the U15 catergory, saying she always enjoyed running “and I always wanted to race people”.

Before that, she enjoyed gymnastics, swimming and horse riding, which she still does, and says hurdles are her favourite events (100m and 200m).

“I was very happy with the silver,” Nicole told the Diary. “I was nervous at the start. Because I was in the outside lanes, I had to go hard at the start and catch the girls out in front.

Then once I hit the front straight, everyone came up from behind me on the inside lanes.

“Then I thought to myself that I had better hurry up if I want to get a medal. By the second last hurdle

By CHRIS WILLIAMS

THE Big V 2014 season has been a year of change for Warrandyte and there are plenty of fresh faces involved in this year’s Big V program.

Things got off to a good start in Round 1 as the Youth Women shut down Southern Peninsula at Warrandyte Sports Complex in what turned out to be a thrashing. In an impressive effort, Warrandyte held Southern Peninsula to zero points in the first quarter while managing 23 themselves. The game was never close and the Venom came out on top with the final scores 68-24.

Southern Peninsula fought hard, but with a young and inexperienced team it was always going to be a tough ask.

Maddison Taylor caught fire and shot 7/9 from the field to top score with 19 points and Margaret Kershaw had a solid game with 8 points and 15 rebounds.

The Senior Women took the floor straight after the Youth Women and faced off against a tough and determined Sherbrooke Suns team.

Warrandyte got off to a rough start shooting just 18.8 percent from the field in the first quarter. Unfortunately for the Venom this trend continued and by the end of the fourth quarter they shot 11/51 at just 21.6 percent.

Shooting percentage was definitely a factor in Warrandyte’s loss as they couldn’t grab the win. Final scores were 34-48.

Tamara Olivia Nesmith finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

In the men’s action, the Youth

League Boys went down to the bigger bodied and more experienced Casey Cavaliers. The Venom were outscored every quarter and struggled to stay close to Casey who kept piling on the points. A poor shooting percentage certainly didn’t help the Venom either, who ended up going down 67-38.

Nate De Lacy led his team in minutes played and had 4 points and 7 rebounds.

After a disappointing season last year, the senior men are out for redemption this year and started the season off well with a fantastic win against the Geelong Supercats.

In their 91-81 win, Warrandyte’s newcomers played a crucial role in the victory. The Venom controlled play for most of the game as Nathan Marsh and Johnathan Murphy combined for 24 rebounds.

inary final to progress into the grand final where they couldn’t overcome Collingwood 3 and went down 51-55.

In two thrilling grand finals in the Under 12 Boys, the Michael Nitschinsk-coached powerhouse WR3 team came back from a half-time deficit of 7 against Bulleen to storm home in triumphant fashion to score a flag, while the Under 12 Boys WR4 team scored a great win over the Park Orchards Steelers. Both teams had their scoring runs throughout the game and with just two minutes left Warrandyte had a one-point lead.

The Redbacks withstood the fightback from the Steelers and got the win, 30-25.

Corey Parker had 8 points and Hayden Taylor scored 6.

Other grand final winners included the Under 20 Warrandyte 1 Boys and the Under 10 Warrandyte 2 Girls.

Overall, 15 Redbacks teams made it through to the grand final in yet another impressive showing for the club.

Mullum Mullum Reserve stadium With the Warrandyte Basketball Association in need of more courts, the development of a new stadium at Mullum Mullum Reserve may be the answer the club needs. As the club grows bigger each year, more space is required so certain teams aren’t forced to play outside of Manningham or not play at all.

The design work for the proposed stadium is already underway and the draft plan is expected to be completed by the middle of 2014.

Nicole’s oh-so-close silver medal run in nationals

I was sitting in fourth place. By the time I came off the last hurdle, I was in second place and sprinted to the line and tried to catch the girl in front but she was too fast.”

Nicole trained with top coach Tom Kelly for five years until his untimely death last year and since Christmas she has been training with Peter Benifer. Her training regime includes two to three sessions a week with a specialist hurdles coach.

“There are different training sessions – I do the sprint hurdles, distance hurdles and conditioning training sessions. Each session is for about two hours,” Nicole said.

And what’s in store for the future?

“I would like to continue to travel to national championships and achieve personal best performances and hopefully a national gold. The ultimate goal is the Olympics.”

30 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Cricket flags all round BLOODS

HAWKS

By RYAN HOIBERG

By FRANS BROUWER

AN outstanding performance by Warrandyte’s Ben McMellan has seen Warrandyte Second XI squad win the Pat Meehan Shield.

In what was an unbelievable game of cricket, McMellan, 19, held the batting together after coming in at first drop. Chasing Chirnside Park’s 142, McMellan’s 53 not out and a final wicket stand with 15-year-old Luke Killey (2no) worth 36 runs nudged Warrandyte across the line with one wicket in hand and four balls to spare. It was a miraculous recovery, with Warrandyte staring down the barrel at 7/83.

It followed a solid performance with the ball the day before, with Ryan Pascoe’s 3/34 the best of the bowlers, combined with a direct hit run out from the boundary for Pascoe.

Warrandyte would field tightly, presenting three run outs for the day which highlights the standard of cricket they are able to produce.

The skipper, Cameron Day, returned to the club this year and was given the task of returning a flag after a dismal year for the squad.

Day took this task to heart and developed a great mentality around the squad. Credit should also go to wicket keeper Dale Lander, who scored in excess of 500 runs for the year, an extremely rare event in this grade of cricket.

Warrandyte played another grand final that same weekend at the Warrandyte Cricket Ground, but unfortunately the Second XI fell an agonising 10 runs short of glory.

Playing Kilsyth, Warrandyte was asked to chase in the final, which is always an unenviable task. Unlike their counterparts, the Bloods fell at the last hurdle and were unable to find the 175 runs needed.

Captain Stewart Smead almost got the team over the line, batting with the tail after a rare collapse.

This same squad had beaten Kilsyth two weeks earlier by 207 runs after smashing 339 in a qualifying final, but was unable to find the same touch with the bat.

Warrandyte bowled well into this position by Steve Warr’s efforts with the ball. Warr produced a fiery opening spell which included some great consistent lines to put Kilsyth on the back foot. However, this would come to no avail as he was let down by his teammates with the bat. Smead also bowled well, picking up 5/33 with his leg spin, in what would have been a man of the match performance in a winning team.

As the season comes to an end, congratulations to premiership player Brenton Styles on winning his first Steve Pascoe Medal and the Brett Kline Medal in his first season with

FEW sporting clubs manage to play from the first day to the last during a season, and season 2013/14 has ended on a positive note for the Hawks with three teams playing on the last day, and one winning a flag.

As previously reported, the O40-4 Veterans also played finals.

The U16-2 team finished the season on top, and played fourthplaced Boronia in a semi-final.

After winning the toss and batting, the top order collapsed to be 4/11. A middle-order fightback from James Fasan (24), Tristan Hansen (19), Ryan Paterson (59 not out) and Nikoda Brooking (18) allowed the Hawks to recover to 9/150.

Boronia reached 1/97 before a collapse to 5/103, then achieved a minor recovery to reach 5/120 before another collapse to be all out for 132 (Darcy Harris 3/39 and a run out, Josh Exley 2/20 and a run out, and Nikoda Brooking 2/25).

In the grand final, the Hawks restricted Ainslie Park to 8/119 (Daniel Wright 5/26, Darcy Harris 2/19, Ryan Paterson 1/5). After cruising at 1/86 and then collapsing to 4/92 (Darcy Harris 44, Josh Exley 24), James Fasan’s 11no and Ryan Paterson with 17no again steadied the ship, and the innings and match ended at 4/120.

In a tight semi final, the U14/3s restricted Montrose to 7/102 (Nick Walker 4/7 off eight overs, including the first three wickets) and scored 10/119 (Jackson Braunthal 12, Nick Walker 28, Arthur McCartin 26). Despite Tom Livingstone’s 2/5 and Darcy Church’s 3/12, Lilydale scored 124 in the big one ,and 9/108 (Tom Livingstone 42no) was not enough to win.

The Fourth XI won its qualifying final against Mooroolbark with some outstanding performances.

Openers Andy Exley 47 and Scott Adams 70 shared an opening partnership of 103 in a team total of 9/204. Mooroolbark was unable to withstand Matt Sharrock (20.4 overs, six maidens, 8/50) and were all out for 176.

It was a different story two weeks later. At 5/79, Mooroolbark was looking shaky, but recovered to be all out for 166 (Ryan Cullen 4/41, including the first four wickets, and Nettelbeck 2/35). The Hawks lost their first three for 18 and never recovered to be all out for 89 (Tom Chrisfield 20 and Ryan Cullen 17).

The Second XI lost the toss in the A grade elimination final and Chirnside quickly reached 0/31. Nikoda Brooking and David Mock then triggered a collapse to have their opponents struggling at 5/40. A 54-run and 36-run partnership then allowed Chirnside to reach 9/158 (Brooking 4/39, Mock 2/38, Jake Sammartino 2/27).

The Hawks innings collapsed to 4/50 (opener Robbie Cutler 32), followed by a partnership of 66 between Chris Ryan 45 and Sean McMahon 18, and then a collapse of 6/5 to finish all out 121.

Last month the club was delighted to announce the return of Steve Garrett as coach after two seasons with Premier League club Richmond. The timing was very fortunate – Steve celebrated in his next match against Carlton by taking 7/23, including a hat-trick, and scoring 23no.

The junior presentation night was held on March 28, followed by senior presentation night last weekend. President Scott Brasher and Jeremy Neagle were awarded life memberships, and Matt Fasan received the Willman Family Award as Best Club Person – overdue recognition of his sterling efforts for juniors and seniors, and for the musical talents he regularly provides at social functions. The award for “chief stirrer” (as selected by current stirrer Cheryl Hansen) went to First XI player David Hill.

The last event is the AGM on May 14 at 7.30pm. Nominations to the committee are welcome.

Ben McMellan

The South Warrandyte Hawks U16 premiers.

The Warrandyte Bloods U12 lads enjoying presentation day.

Harper Oehlmann.

the club. Better known as “Finchy”, Styles swept the night away with his fine season.

A popular choice, he closely snuck over the line by a single vote in the Pascoe count, which is a Brownlow-style event held by the club. A close second was Campbell Holland, who also took home his second Pascoe.

The event, named after Warrandyte Cricket Club legend Steve Pascoe, is always a great end to the season with the performances across the club recognised and celebrated.

RESULTS First XI: Preliminary final: Warrandyte 181 (McIntosh 37) lost to Kilsyth 7/230 (Sheriff 2/37, Mooney 2/42). Second XI: Qualifying final: Warrandyte 9/234 (Morgan 78, Pascoe 58) defeated Croydon Ranges 136 (Killey 4/21).

Grand Final: Warrandyte 9/144 (McMellan 53 no) defeated Chirnside Park 142 (Pascoe 3/34). Third XI: Qualifying final: Warrandyte 339 (Nilsson 75, Hoiberg 58) defeated Kilsyth 133 (Warr 3/6). Grand Final: Warrandyte 165 (Smead 37) lost to Kilsyth 175 (Smead 5/33). Senior award winners: First XI Club Champion - Campbell Holland, Steve Pascoe Medallist - Brenton Styles, Cricketer of the Year - Stewart Smead, Club

person of the Year - Chris Jackson; President’s award - Tom Ellis.

Grade awards in order of batting, bowling, fielding, captains and medallist: First XI: Campbell Holland, Alex McIntosh, Campbell Holland, Ayrton Dehmel, Alex McIntosh; Second XI: Brenton Styles, Dale Lander, Brenton Styles, Hayden Miles, Luke Killey; Third XI: John Prangley, Stuart Haworth, Stewart Smead, Tim Nilsson, John Prangley; Fourth XI: Michael Bowen, Brett Kline, Nicholas Oremek, Nathan Aly, Brendan Baker; U16s: Jack Poole, Mark Baker, Jack Poole, Todd Malt, Ryley Reardon (most improved); U14s: Darcy Poole, Harper Oehlmann, Bailey Bowyer, Patrick Grocott, Harper Oehlmann.

sioncut.com.au your generosity has allowed us to get much of our initiatives this season underway or done.

Of course we can’t forget Warrandyte Lollies & Treats, who supplied “Lolly Money” for match awards. If anybody else wants to get involved in a sponsorship arrangement, please let me know at the club.

Yes, season 2013/14 has drawn to a close. Make sure you keep an eye on our WCC Juniors Facebook page to see what’s going on with cricket during the footy season. It was a great season, but I’m sure next one will be even better.

Points) - 265 runs, 11 wickets and 7 catches; Batting Award – Darcy Poole – 265 Runs @53; Bowling Award – Harper Oehlmann – 17 wickets @7.06 (also, RDCA U14-2 Bowling award with 6.46 average); Fielding Award – Bailey Bowyer – 9 catches and 1 run out; Coaches Award – Patrick Grocott – 150 runs, 4 catches and 1 run out; Most Improved – Harper Oehlmann – 33 Runs, 17 wickets and 2 catches; semi final v Olinda, Darcy Poole 5/12.

Juniors booming for Bloods

By CHRIS JACKSON

WHAT a big season we’ve had at Warrandyte “Juniors”. Three additional teams running around the park, two teams in the same age level for the first time, and we did it at both Under 12 and U10 levels.

U14s didn’t exist last year, however, this year they made the Grand Final and almost notched up a flag for the club. The U16s went up a level, despite losing its batting and bowling award winners from the previous season, and equipped themselves admirably.

Imagine what its going to be like next season when we have clubrooms and are not living out of a shipping container? Again, thanks to all for everyone’s patience and willingness to make due with the circumstances – a true Warrandyte spirit.

There has been significant improvements/changes this season implemented to help grow the juniors into a strong, fun and competitive environment. It is hoped the kids

will become lifelong cricketers and help strengthen the seniors in the years to come.

Thanks to all the coaches, assistant coaches, team managers and junior committee members, without your help and commitment we would have not made the inroads into providing such an environment. But, the job is only just started and I’m sure you all will “volunteer” again next season when I tap you on the shoulder.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Harper Oehlmann who won the RDCA U14-2 Bowling Award. An awesome effort, considering he won our U14 most improved and bowling awards as well.

Our trophy winners (mentioned below) show you that many of the kids have had outstanding years, led by our team champions: Jack Poole (U16s), Darcy Poole (U14s), Tom Jackson (U12s Red) and Ethan Ward (U12s White).

Again a big thank you to our sponsors, Steve McGovern at my1300. com.au and John Argyrew at preci-

RESULTS U16s: Team champion, Jack Poole (350 Points) 245 runs, 6 wickets and 9 catches. Batting Award – Jack Poole – 245 Runs @40.83; Bowling award – Mark Barker – 8 Wickets @21.50; fielding award – Jack Poole – 9 Catches; coaches award – Todd Malt – 24 runs, 3 wickets and 4 catches; most improved – Ryley Reardon – 27 runs, 3 wickets and 1 catch; Round 9 Vs Montrose, Luke Philpott, 5/38.

U14s: Team champion – Darcy Poole (410

U12s Red: Team Champion – Thomas Jackson (194 Points) - 89 runs, 9 wickets, 2 catches and 1 run out; Batting Award – Hudson Rostron – 110 runs @18.33; Bowling Award – Thomas Jackson – 9 wickets @16.22; Fielding Award – Harry Brown – 3 catches and 1 run out; Coaches Award – Jake Stubbs – 71 runs, 4 wickets and 1 catch; Most Improved – Jordan Morris – 16 runs, 5 wickets and 1 catch.

U12s White: Team Champion – Ethan Ward (262 Points) – 152 runs, 7 wickets & 8 catches; Batting Award – Ethan Ward – 152 runs @25.33; Bowling Award – Christopher Rakuscek – 10 wickets @7.10; Fielding Award – Ethan Ward – 8 catches; Coaches Award – Brady Poole – 83 runs, 9 wickets, 2 catches and 2 run outs; Most Improved – Lachlan Haberfield – 81 runs, 4 wickets, 2 catches and 2 run outs.

31 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

Tennis juniors battle for big one

Lions rally for Park Orchards clubs THE Lions Club of Park Orchards held the inaugural Community Car Rally early last month.

The rally ended up at Boat o Craig winery near Healesville with live music, a family picnic, sausage sizzle and, of course, the wonderful cars.

“My family and I participated in what was a most exciting event, and we only got lost once with me as navigator,” Cr Sophy Galbally said.

“I am not a car buff but I loved the variety of entrants and prizewinners: a Mini Moke, Maserati, Ford GTS and even the ‘Greek Mercedes’, a Valiant, won a prize.”

Local sponsors included Silver Star Motors Mercedes Benz Doncaster, as well as John Hoskins Real Estate and Smash Repairs. The rally raised almost $8000, which was distributed to Park Orchards sporting clubs

including the Park Orchards Cricket Club, Boxing Club, Steelers Basketball Club, Park Orchards Netball Club and the junior and senior Park Orchards Football Clubs.

All the Park Orchards sporting clubs wish to thank the Lions Club for their “massive efforts and continued support”.

“The clubs have also indicated heir hope that funds raised by the event

may help fill the big gap in financial resources created by Manningham council’s signage policy, which greatly impedes their ability to obtain sponsorships,” Cr Galbally said.

“It is my hope that council can reassess this policy as well as assist these clubs to find sponsorships to support the great work they do in providing fitness choices to the community.”

Bloods set sights high

By CHRIS CHAPMAN

WARRANDYTE’S senior football sides will start the 2014 EFL season with some confidence after showing some great signs of improvement in two recent practice matches.

A disappointing end to the 2013 season saw the Bloods relegated after finishing last in Division 3, however some good early form is promising for a strong year.

Practice matches against Templestowe and Latrobe University provided an important opportunity for new and established players to gel as a unit and put into practice set-ups learned over a long preseason. Coach Michael Tout has returned at the helm this year after a stint at Donvale.

“We were very rusty against Templestowe and turned the footy over too much, however we showed some encouraging signs,” said Tout last week at the season launch.

“Against Latrobe we played really well against a side that weren’t really that great, won by roughly 20 goals, and rested a lot of players in the second half. Our pressure on the opposition for four quarters was great to see.”

Michael Morello and new recruit Josh Barrett listen intently to coach Michael Tout during a recent practice match.

Tout highlighted some new Bloods to keep an eye on for 2014, including Stephen Harris, Jacob Daley, Trent Parker and Kyle Sultana.

“The aim for the season is clear,” Tout says.

“To be a very competitive team and to play a major part in the finals.”

Warrandyte’s first match was away against Silvan after the Diary went to print.

Find out more at the club’s website www.warrandytefc.com.

WHILE most of the local community were preparing to participate in, or watch, the Saturday morning Warrandyte Festival Grand Parade late last month, just a couple of kilometres down the road in Yarra Street two Warrandyte junior tennis teams were doing battle for the Eastern region summer season Boys Section 12 (above) and Section 16 flags.

In his pre-finals message to all qualifying teams, junior convenor Tony Honeyborne offered some words of advice after witnessing many finals campaigns: “Good luck and remember that finals are always close and every game could be crucial in deciding the match.”

Little did he know at that time just how close things would be.

The semi finals the week before had seen both teams secure narrow wins over Montrose and North Ringwood respectively, with a total of just eight games the difference. But the grand finals were to be even closer.

On a cool day with perfect conditions for tennis, the family, friends and supporters on the clubhouse balcony and courtside were witness to some excellent rallies throughout the morning as the momentum shifted one way then the other. As the tension mounted and it became clear that the final results would be close, simple shots easily put away earlier were faulted. Match points were missed. It was too much for some parents who simply couldn’t watch.

With the final games of the respective matches fittingly finished with tie breakers, it was to be a mixed result for Warrandyte.

The Boys 12 team prevailed over Upwey South by 5 sets to 3, 37 games to 36, but Boys 16 went down to Blackburn by a solitary game, 4 sets each, 34 games to 33.

With the presentations over, as some players savoured the joy of winning and others lamented what might have been, Tony Honeyborne was left to recall his earlier advice about every game being important and reflect on the season.

“I am very proud of my junior players, premiers, finalists or otherwise, for their dedication and the way they have played throughout the season,” he said.

If you are a junior interested in playing the winter season which commences in early May, contact Tony on 0400 019 078. Teams have been submitted but there is always a need for emergency players

Junior Bloods welcome new club leaders THE WARRANDYTE Junior Football Club has put the long, hot summer behind them and is raring to tackle the 2014 footy season head on as Round 1 kicked off on the weekend.

Proudly sponsored by Quintons Supa IGA and Warrandyte Community Bank, the junior Bloods will be led by newly elected club captain Jack Poole and club vice captain Jarrah Sofarnos, both second year Colts players.

“The junior Bloods are confident of a successful season as they look forward to their imminent move into new club rooms,” president Ross Snowball told the Diary.

Jack has been a long time member of the junior club, having commenced his career with the club in the Under 10s. Studying Year 11 at Warrandyte High and with an eye on a future career in commerce or engineering, Jack is a keen and talented sportsman recently taking home a bucket load of awards with the Warrandyte Cricket Club’s Under 16s.

In his spare time Jack enjoys a spot of fly fishing with his father Tim. Jack’s football journey has been anything but smooth sailing,

On the move: Jesse Spencer gets a kick away during the club’s final practice match last weekend in the U14s. Picture: Gareth Dickson

initially sustaining a foot injury and then a broken collarbone curtailing the number of times Jack has taken the field for the Bloods.

In spite of that, Jack has a strong

determination to succeed and is keen get to know as many of the club’s younger players as possible.

A natural leader who is looked up to by his peers, Jack is looking forward

to taking on the role of club captain in his final year at the Warrandyte Junior Football Club.

Joining Jack in 2014 will be club vice captain, Jarrah Sofarnos. A 16-year-

old, Jarrah studies Year 11 at the Melbourne Rudolph Steiner School.

Jarrah has an amazing story to tell, having overcome cancer in 2013 and he recently enjoyed a three-month exchange to Germany, immersing himself in the language and culture.

“Jarrah has been with the club for four years and is a quietly spoken, polite and mature individual who is not afraid to face life’s challenges head on,” the president said. “The way in which he carried himself throughout his cancer treatment was inspirational and he brought tears to many people’s eyes when he declared at the 2013 Colts Best and Fairest night that he would be back playing football for the Bloods.

Rounding out the club leadership group, Jack and Jarrah will be joined

by Ben Richardson and Josh Huntly.

Ben, currently studying Year 11 at Whitefriars College, is in a number of leadership roles at school and is about to embark on his fourth year at Warrandyte, while Josh is studying Year 11 at Warrandyte High School and loves playing football and cricket for Warrandyte and has a passion for the arts.

32 Warrandyte Diary

April 2014

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