axe creek - eppalock newsletter, issue 40

[email protected] Issue 40 1

Axe Creek – Eppalock Newsletter

Incorporating news from the Eppalock Primary School, Axe Creek Fire Brigade & the Axe Creek Landcare Group.

Welcome to the Spring Edition!

Hello again.

The weather is warmer and spring is in the air!

When Spring arrives you can almost see a skip in everyone’s step. It’s the

time of year when the calendar starts to fill up with events. Fashion week,

Spring Racing, Open gardens, Art Exhibitions, Craft Markets, Graduations,

and so much more. Whatever you do, enjoy the warmer weather and spend

time with the people you love doing the things you love.

We hope you will continue to share your upcoming events, news, photos,

funny stories, feedback and more. We’d especially like to share local photos.

So please don’t forget to drop an email to [email protected].

Sam Spence

Edition 40. Spring 2013

Welcome

Community Notice

Board

CFA News

School Update

Axe Creek Playgroup

Landcare’s Latest

Community News

Kids Corner

Did you know you can now

receive your copy of the Axe

Creek - Eppalock Newsletter

directly to your inbox?

Send us a quick email to

[email protected]

and we will add you to our

distribution list.

Advertise your Business AND

help the Community

If you would like some great local exposure

for a reasonable price, then advertise in the

next issue of the Axe Creek – Eppalock

Newsletter.

Full Page $100

Half Page $50

Quarter Page $25

Fees charged help cover printing costs.

Advertising deadline for future issues:

Summer 2013 Dec 2nd

Autumn 2014 Mar 3rd

Winter 2014 June 2nd

Spring 2014 Sept 1st

Contact us via [email protected]

Thank you to our Contributors

John Wells - Axe Creek Fire

Brigade

Marie Mannes - Eppalock PS

Cathy Watson - Axe Creek

Landcare

mailto:[email protected]




Community Notice Board

Emergency Contact Numbers

Fire, Police & Ambulance 000 (life threatening or time critical emergencies only)

SES Flood & Storm Emergency 13 25 00

Bushfire Information 1800 240 667

Information & advice about significant fires, total fire bans

Burn Off Notifications 1800 668 511

Poisons Information 13 11 26

Wildlife Rescue Service 0419 356 433

Useful Websites

CFA www.cfa.vic.gov.au

DSE www.dse.vic.gov.au

Vic Roads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

School Terms

2013

Term 1

30 Jan – 28 Mar

Term 2

15 Apr – 28 Jun

Term 3

15 Jul – 20 Sept

Term 4

7 Oct – 20 Dec

Local Churches

St Stephens Anglican Church

108 Hargreaves Rd, Emu Creek

2nd & 4th Sunday Mornings – 9am

Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church

920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye

1st & 3rd Sunday Mornings – 9am

☼ NEW Family Service - 1st & 3rd Saturdays - 5pm ☼

St Joseph’s Catholic Church

Cnr Axe Creek & Strathfieldsaye/Eppalock Rds.

Sunday Mornings – 9am

All Welcome

Axe Creek CFA

Captain Neil Irving-Dusting

5439 6388

Secretary Bob Russell

0448 000 845

http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au


It was sobering to learn that a house was

burnt near Lake Eppalock during winter. This

should be a reminder to us all that we need

to take care with cooking, heating and all

the other things that have the potential to

cause house fires.

This is the time of year to start preparations

for making our properties safer for the sum-

mer months. It's all to obvious how quickly the

grass (and weeds!) grow in spring. Don't let

them get away from you: keep them under

control, so that when everything dries out in

late spring you are not left with long dry grass

and rank weeds around the house.

Manage your vegetation

It's not just grass that has to be looked after.

Trees with overhanging branches, and bushy

shrubs can catch fire from burning embers,

and then endanger the house.

In the fire brigade we call leaves and twigs –

up to about pencil thickness – “fine fuels”.

These are the things that catch fire quickly,

and control the spread of fire. History shows

that your house will be 30% safer (i.e. less like-

ly to catch fire) if there are no fine fuels within

5 m of the house. Those shrubs around the

house might look attractive, but they could

be adding to your fire risk.

Seasonal outlook

At the time of writing the experts have just

released the initial outlook for the coming fire

season. While things may change, depend-

ing on the spring rainfall, early indications are

that this part of Victoria will have greater

than usual grass growth in the paddocks, but

still somewhat dry subsoil in the forests. That

adds up to the possibility of fast-running grass

fires which, if they run into forest, could be-

come hotter than average forest fires.

Be prepared, and be alert!

CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade

NEW SOFTWARE TOOLS HELP CFA TO FIGHT FIRES

In recent years there's been a lot of research

into computer models of how fires spread. This

has led to the development of sophisticated

software for the rapid prediction of the likely

impact of fires.

On days of high fire danger skilled Fire Behav-

iour Analysts are on standby at the State Con-

trol Centre, and at regional Incident Control

Centres.

As soon as a fire is reported they enter its posi-

tion, and run simulations of its development by

computer. The simulations make use of pre-

loaded data such as fuel loads, fuel moisture

content, predicted weather conditions

(temperature, humidity and wind) at closely

spaced points right across the state. The pro-

gram computes, minute by minute, how the fire

is likely to spread.

Because the data are averages for each loca-

tion, the program allows for chance variation in

conditions by running thousands of simulations

in a few seconds, and then averaging the re-

sults to give the best estimate of what is likely to

happen.

Testing the software

The simulation software was initially tested by

running predictions of past fires, such as those

on Black Saturday. While the outputs from the

program didn't match exactly the actual

spread of the fires, they gave a remarkably

close picture of how the fires had developed.

How it's used

Last summer the predictive software invaluable

for CFA and DSE operational personnel. Inci-

dent controllers could consider quickly the best

ways to deploy the available resources, and

even use the computer modelling to compare

the likely outcomes of different strategies.

The predictions were also used to formulate in-

formation and warnings to the public, by radio

and on the internet.

The predictive software is much more sophisti-

cated than the simple had calculations that

were used previously. In future they will contin-

ue to be improved and updated, and will be-

come standard tools for the fire services.


CFA'S ROLE EXPANDS

Not just putting out fires

Most people picture the CFA as an organisation that fights fires – “putting the wet stuff

on the red stuff”. But there's much more to it than that.

Particularly since Black Saturday, the CFA's role is being seen more and more to include

helping communities to stop destructive fires breaking out, and informing them of what

is happening when (despite preparations to prevent them) fires do occur.

There's good sense in the change of emphasis. The CFA's mission is to protect lives and

property. The best way to do this is to stop fires happening as far as possible, and by

preparing properties in advance so if fires do start the damage is kept to a minimum.

CFA alerts residents when conditions are particularly dangerous, so they have the op-

portunity to move to a safer location in good time. It does its best to make available

news of any current fires, so community members can make informed decisions about

appropriate action.

Shared responsibility

A moment's reflection will show that CFA cannot keep Victoria safe from fire on its own.

There are about 1200 fire brigades in Victoria. On Black Saturday around 650 fire trucks

were close enough to be sent quickly to the major fires; 2000 houses were burnt down.

Axe Creek Brigade has two fire trucks, and at best perhaps 12 to 15 volunteers able to

turn out to emergencies at any particular time. Just think how many houses there are in

the district.

The arithmetic is pretty clear. Although the Brigade will do its best to fight any fire in the

district, or to assist neighbouring brigades if called on, if there is a major fire the chances

are you'll be on your own. You have to take responsibility for preparing your property,

your family and yourself before conditions become really bad. That means starting right

now!

More demands: we need more volunteers!

Not long ago local CFA volunteers expected to undertake training, and to turn out to

fires. Now volunteers are being asked to work with community members to prepare for

fire, and to assist with behind-the-scene work during emergencies – organising crews,

arranging supplies, operating radios, issuing advice and warnings to the community,

and 101 other jobs.

Brigade members, like the rest of us, have lots of other things to do in their lives. They

can't effectively add new responsibilities to their current commitments. We'd love to

have new members with whom to share the load. Are you interested in joining us? Per-

haps you don't fancy jumping on the back of a truck to head for a fire, but there are

lots of other ways you could help, either from home or in one of our Local Command

Facilities, helping to keep the front-line crews on the job.

Think about it, and if you

are interested contact the

brigade captain. The

phone number is listed else-

where in this newsletter.


FROM THE ARCHIVES

Bushfires must have been particularly frightening to the early settlers in Central Victoria.

Here is an extract from the Bendigo Advertiser of Wednesday 1st March 1865:

The large fire which was observed to the south of Sandhurst at night has burned a tract of country from

eight to ten miles in extent. The greatest destruction appears to have been caused to the homesteads

on the Emu and Myrtle Creeks. On the former, the large farm of Mr Michael Brennan has been con-

sumed, with the exception of the house, which, by great exertion, was saved. All the crops, hay and

corn, which had only just been stacked, fell a prey to the flames, the loss being estimated at about

£500. Mr Brennan's next neighbour, Mr Osborn, also had his stacked crops totally destroyed...

The following communication, which we received last night from a resident at the Emu Creek, gives a

painful history of the disasters there:

"I hasten to inform you of a few particulars of the losses occasioned by one of the most extensive bush

fires that has ever happened in the district of Bendigo. As you are aware, we have been for some time

surrounded with the fiery element, which has raged with fury, defying the joint exertions of the settlers

to subdue it. It broke out yesterday with all the intensity and appearance of a burning fiery furnace,

carrying consternation and ruin in its progress, and at night the sight was one terrible to behold, the

trees, in burning masses casting their lurid glare around, and then the loud thundering clash of their

falling was enough to make one tremble for their safety. The sight of the burning stacks of wheat, oats,

hay, and dwellings of one's neighbours brought the tears from many an eye, knowing the sorrow and

distress which invariably follows such unforeseen calamities; and, Sir, you may judge of my feelings,

whilst I have been so signally preserved, to find my rich neighbours caring for the loss and ruin of those

rendered houseless and helpless, by coming forward to suggest a meeting at the Emu Creek school

house tomorrow evening (Wednesday) to alleviate the distress of the unfortunate, and whilst my friend,

Mr Brennan. though a sufferer to the extent of some ₤500, when asked, generously exclaimed, "I am

not stuck for a pound, but do all you can for Mr 0sborne. and others that need it," shows at once the

manliness of character under such painful circumstances, and recommends self abnegation to oth-

ers."

REGISTER YOUR BURN-OFFS!

Before the declared Fire Danger Period starts it is permissible for rural landholders

to burn off vegetation to reduce the fire hazard for the ensuing fire season.

But remember that IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that you have sufficient

resources to control the fire, and to monitor the fire to ensure that it does not es-

cape.

The brigade asks all landholders to REGISTER THEIR BURNS before lighting up.

Then if somebody reports the fire to 000 the brigade need not be activated for

an emergency call-out. Everybody is happy: brigade members are not called

out to a false alarm, and the property owner is not embarrassed at having fire

trucks turn up unexpectedly.

It's simple. Just call the Burn-off Notification line on 1800 668 511. The operator

will want to know:

1. the location of the burn-off;

2. the date of the burn-off;

3. the expected start and finish times;

4. what you intend to burn; and

5. an estimated size of the burn-off.


Eppalock Primary School

Once again a very busy term for students, families and staff.

Our School Values are: Care and Compassion

Honesty and Trustworthiness

Respect

Responsibility

This term we have focused on the value of RESPONSIBILITY – be accountable for one’s

own actions, resolve differences in constructive, non-violent and peaceful ways; con-

tribute to society and civic life, take care of the environment.

At assembly on a Monday morning students who display this value are presented with

an award. We have also continued with our ‘Random Acts of Kindness’. This has been

a very positive initiative and the students have really embraced the idea of doing

nice things for others. To further enhance it, we introduced ‘Ripple Kindness Card’

which requires students to do something positive for someone else and then pass the

card on – hence the ripple effect of positive, kind and caring acts.

SCHOOL NAME CHANGE

The idea of changing the school name

from Eppalock Primary School to Axe

Creek Primary School has been discussed

on many occasions in the past.

One of the main reasons for the proposed

name change is to help people find us

more easily and so that the name of the

school fits in with its geographical loca-

tion.

Do you have any thoughts or feedback

on this topic?

Please let us know – we are seeking feed-

back from all members of the local com-

munity.

Did you know that Eppalock PS used to be

Upper Axe Creek North State School no.1788

and the name was changed to Eppalock PS

no. 1788 in 1920. People often confuse our lo-

cation as being at ‘Lake Eppalock’ and many

people get lost trying to come out to the

school or think that we are a lot further out

from Bendigo than we actually are and don’t

consider the school as an option to send their

children. Lake Eppalock itself was not built un-

til 1962.

We would like to acknowledge and thank

the following local businesses for their sup-

port of our school

Hume and Iser, Bendigo

Bendigrow Garden & Living Centre,

Strathfieldsaye

McDonald's Plant Plus Nursery, Retreat

Road, Bendigo

Supa IGA, Strathfieldsaye

BUFS

Strath Hardware


Whodunit? Murder Mystery at Menagerie

Park at the Bendigo Discovery Centre

was an exciting hands-on, minds-on ex-

hibition that appealed to the detective

in everyone. Whodunit? Provided stu-

dents with an insight into the puzzle-like

process that forensic scientists work

through, sifting and piecing evidence

together to build a case. The exhibits

linked to our curriculum outcomes in Sci-

ence, Technology, Mathematics as well

as Society and Environment learning ar-

eas. A great experience for the whole

school.

Our Grade 5/6 students joined with

Axedale students to form a team

“Eppadale” and participated in an in-

terschool Football Carnival early in the

term.

As part of National Tree Planting Day the

school planted trees in and around our

school and carried out some general

gardening and cleaning up. This was a

great opportunity to interact with nature

as well as ‘greening’ and beautifying

our school grounds.

We formally acknowledged 100 days of

school for this year and especially con-

centrated on our prep students who

were celebrating their first 100 days of

formal education. The 100th day of

school is more than just a milestone

worth noting – it’s the perfect time to

have fun with the number 100. The activ-

ities and lessons on this day provided

opportunities for our student to practice

maths and sharpen their observational

skills. Students also baked a cake in the

shape of the ‘number 100’ which was

enjoyed by all.

The children had a wonderful day at the

Bendigo Writer’s Festival. They listened to

two great writers who shared their experi-

ence in writing children’s books and provid-

ed tips on how to build on an idea and turn

it into a great story.

The afternoon at Victoria Heights Residential

Care was a wonderful experience for all.

The children sang beautifully and were

great representatives of our school. The look

of delight on the faces of the residents was

wonderful to see and our students had the

opportunity to mingle and chat to many of

them. It was a fantastic experience and one

that we will be repeating later in the year.

Other activities for the term include Jump

Rope for Heart, attending the CFA S.A.F.E.

(Safety Awareness Field Education) Day, a

visit to the Arts Centre, Melbourne to see the

Patch Theatre Company’s performance of

“Theo and the Lion” – a whimsical, dream-

world adventure inspired by Pamela Allen’s

picture book, “A Lion in the Night”. This day

also included a visit to the National Gallery

of Victoria, Melbourne, to view the Monet

exhibition.


National Literacy/Numeracy Week – To

celebrate students took part in a range

of multi-age group activities. They used

mathematics to analyse waste as part of

the ‘This is Rubbish’ activity. As a whole

school we collected, classified and

counted the rubbish in our classroom and

schoolyard bins that had accumulated

over a week period.

The data collected from this activity was

used to find the main sources of waste

and how much of it there is. The students

took this information one step further and

have begun planning on how they, as a

group, can minimise the rubbish in our

school.

Our grade 5/6 students also planned and

implemented other activities during this

week including book reports, book mark

making and m&m maths to provide

hands-on learning opportunities for the

whole school. It proved a great collabo-

rative learning experience for all.

We have introduced a new specialist ar-

ea this term titled LIVING GREEN. The pro-

gram provides ‘hands-on’ Living Green

clubs session every Friday afternoon. LIV-

ING GREEN focuses on teaching students

about how natural environments function

and how human beings can manage

their behaviour in order to live sustaina-

bly.

Poo Pile!

If you need manure for your garden, please contact Jan Mellor on

5439 3144 or email [email protected].


Axe Creek Community Playgroup

When Wednesday Mornings 9am -11am

Where Eppalock PS – Old School Building.149 Patons Road Axe Creek

(just a few minutes from Strathfieldsaye)

Morning Tea & activities provided

Gold Coin Donation

For further information please phone (03) 5439 6366

email: [email protected]

http://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au

All Welcome

Made in Australia.



Latest from Axe Creek Landcare

The Committee meets from February until November on the first Monday of each

month at Eppalock Primary School, in the old staffroom

8pm - Daylight Saving Hours

7.30 pm - Winter Hours

We also have a Special Meeting in June and September when we discuss relevant

topics and have a guest speaker. Topics have included identifying and control of

weeds, sustainable soils, vegetable

gardening and grasses.

Members of the community are always welcome to attend any meeting!

Our AGM this year is on Monday October 7th.

Any member interested in being on the Committee is welcome to

nominate.

We will also have a guest speaker on the evening.

The Southern Ark Project: fox control in East Gippsland

In July we heard an interesting presentation from Andrew Murray, one of the authors of the Southern Ark

Project in East Gippsland. He confirmed our opinions that the Red Fox is a serious pest.

The Project 'aims to facilitate the recovery of native animal species and improve the stewardship of

public land in East Gippsland through an integrated large scale fox control program that is maintained

year round.' It represents the first large scale attempt to control foxes in natural ecosystems in Eastern

Australia. The program relies on the establishment and maintenance of approximately 5000 permanent

bait stations across one million hectares of public land. This area of Gippsland represents 5% of the

State of Victoria.

Foxes cause nothing but calamity to the environment. At least 27 species of mammals have been lost

since the introduction of foxes in 1870 to the mainland of Australia.

They were introduced to continue the English tradition of fox hunting. Foxes spread across the southern

two thirds of Australia and have been implicated in the decline and extinction of ground dwelling

mammals and birds.

The baiting in this project has been carried out using buried Foxoff baits each of which contains 3mg of

1080 (pronounced ten eighty).

As well as the many hectares of public land the East Gippsland project area is served by a huge net-

work of all-weather tracks that greatly assist in the establishment and maintenance of the program.

Our Landcare group Members who attended the presentation are keen to have a fox control program

in this area. However, due to more closely settled landholdings we will have issues re the Foxoff baiting

locations that need to be sorted. It was suggested that roadside baiting may be viable.

As a keen poultry owner I know that foxes are not far away and woe betide the hens if we aren't vigi-

lant in locking them up at sundown!


Community News

Community Gamelan group Mugi Rahayu is your local gamelan (Javanese music and dance) group. We are from Eppalock and we practice weekly and perform at various cultural events and fund-raisers around the district. No experience required and it’s free.

New members Welcome

Practice every Sunday 2:00 pm at 101 Carneys Rd, Eppalock.

Contact Nita or Aaron on: 54392678 email: [email protected]

email us at [email protected]

Mark your Diaries

Strathfieldsaye Community

Carols 2013

Wednesday 11th

December (evening),

JG Edwards Oval (behind

Strathfieldsaye Primary School)

Bendigo Youth Brass Band, Schools choir, BBQ

and (battery) candles for sale.

A combined activity of the local Anglican,

Catholic and Uniting Churches together.

Holiday Program

“Running the Race of Life” for Primary school age

children, Including a ‘Strathfieldsaye Mini-Games’,

making craft, morning tea and stories on the big

screen.

Tues 1st to Friday 4th October, 9.30am-12.30pm.

Saturday 5th October (5pm) – ‘Closing Ceremony’ at

Family Church.

Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church

(920 Wellington St), free! Phone 5439 4817



Kids Corner

Australian slang word-find

Word find activities for kids are

one thing they love to get their

hands on. Search for fun using

the Aussie slang we all know and

love.

www.kidspot.com.au

Aussie Jokes.

Q. What's a crocodile's favourite game?

A. Snap!

Q. What's small, furry and bright purple?

A. A koala holding its breath!

Q. What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come

back?

A. A stick!

Q. Why did the emu cross the road?

A. To prove he wasn't a chicken!

Q. Why did the dingo cross the road twice?

A. Because he was a double-crosser!

Q. What's a koala's favourite drink?

A. Coca Koala!

Q. What do crocodiles call children?

A. Appetisers!

Q. What do you get when you cross a kangaroo with

sheep?

A. A woolly jumper!

Q. What animal can jump higher than the Sydney Harbour

Bridge?

A. All animals, because bridges can't jump!

Q. Why do kangaroo mums hate bad weather?

A. Their joeys have to play inside!

axe creek - eppalock newsletter, issue 40

Documents

axe creek eppalock newsletter

emu creek

axe creek landcare group

spring edition

spring racing

lake eppalock

eppalock primary school

time of year