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CHEWTON CHATCHEWTON DOMAIN SOCIETY (INCORPORATED)

Reg. No. A0034364LP.O. Box 85, Chewton, 3451.

Published on the 1st of each month Issue 191 January, 2015.

www.chewton.net

“The big old pine tree in Golden Point Road has crashed,” was the evening telephone message. And it had! Across Golden Point Road and into the driveway opposite. Specco! But there were no legs protruding from under it fortunately. And hopefully no car buried beneath the foliage.

Phone calls all over the place followed. The police were tied up with the aftermath of that day’s Yapeen fires, and would there as soon as possible. SES contact. Council contact. And cars were kept coming along the road. A quick clean up and some local chainsaw work allowed the cars to creep past. One by one the traffic flowed.

The police arrived and were surprised by the size of the mess. Fallen trees aren’t usu-ally that big. The other two that fell today weren’t of that size.

The council workers arrived. Wow! What to do? Impossible to tackle it with chainsaws alone so more phone calls. Look-ing like it’s a tomorrow job. Signs had to be placed on either side of the tree on Golden Point Road.

Next morning the traffic was flowing at the usual speeds. The pine was still there, just a couple of stra-tegic cuts and it was pushed off the edge of the road, taking advantage of some unfenced privately owned land.

How old was the pine? It would be interesting to see the answer to that one. Someone believes there’s a photo of the former inn on that cor-ner of Golden Point and Llewellyn Roads that shows the pine tree a long time ago. The Reservoir Hotel (1871-1909) was the hotel that was on that corner and if anyone has such a photo the Chat would love to print it!

Good luck...or what?

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Predictions of a bad fire season are living up to expectations with fire-fighters across the State working very hard to protect their communi-ties.

The bad fire weather peaked on Tuesday the 16th of De-cember with a number of large fires breaking out. These fires result-ed in various warnings being put out to affect-ed communities in ar-eas such as Wodonga.

Closer to home we also saw significant fires in Pastoria (near Kyneton) and out at Yapeen.

It was just after four o’clock on the 16th that Chew-ton CFA was paged out to the event at Yapeen. Our crews fled to the station with news that the fire was already quite large. The tanker and slip-on both turned out to the event along with other local brigades and many from further away, as well as air support from Bendigo.

The fire burnt over 100 hectares and threatened a number of homes in the area. Luckily no homes were damaged by the fire due to a quick response from the fire-fighters on scene. It is believed the fire was sparked by power lines which had been knocked down by a falling tree.

Significant fires also broke out in the region on Sat-urday the 6th of December. One of these was in Yandoit and the other out at McKenzies Hill in Castlemaine which our brigade attended. Once again full crews went out on both the truck and slip-on just after three o’clock and were there blacking out until late that night.

Earlier that same day our volunteers had been called to Kalimna Park to extinguish a campfire which had been left unattended.

This was not long after local brigades had been called to a fire in Urquhart Street which was thankfully stopped

before reaching the park thanks to some help from the air support located in Bendigo.

Members from Chewton were also called out to help clean up a fire in the Metcalfe-Redesdale area on the 3rd of December. The fire started two days prior to this and burnt for some time until over 30 trucks were able to contain the fire.

Such a large number of significant fires within only two weeks should act as a warning for what could break out in the coming months. Temperatures are likely to keep climbing and vegetation in the area will continue to dry out.

Effectively Chewton CFA would like to urge every-one in the community to have their homes prepared and a plan in place. You never know when or where a fire could start so you need to know what you will do when one does.

It was not just a month full of fires, however, with the brigade attending a number of other incidents as well. Members went out to a car accident in Castlemaine as well as attending an incident at the local pool.

On Saturday the 20th of December, our volunteers also took some time out of their own Christmas prepara-tions to help Santa hand out some special gifts. The bri-gade gave Santa some much needed help by giving him a lift on the back of the fire truck to say Merry Christmas to everyone down at the Wesley Hill Market. Our crew was-down there between 10 -12 assisting Santa as he found out what everyone wants for Christmas and handed out some special surprises for the kids. Later that day the brigade also took Santa down to the Chewton Swimming Pool as part of their pool party.Paige Mounsey, Chewton CFA Communications Officer.

Photos: The crew mopping up at Yapeen (courtesy Paige Mounsey) and the Chewton slip-on out at the

Metcalfe-Redesdale fire (courtesy Jo Willen).

CFA Update – January 2015

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Bug Blitz 2014 - Chinamans Point, Forest CreekGolden Point Land-care again partici-pated in presenting at Bug Blitz 2014 at Chinaman’s Point on Forest Creek in late November. 60 stu-dents from Chewton and Castlemaine Pri-mary Schools met for a day of activities, the

Chewton students having walked up the Forest Creek path from their school in Hunter Street, Chewton (and then walking back home later).

Organised by John Caldow of Bug Blitz Trust, students rotated through activities which included sessions with Ann Ferguson where they created crazy creatures based on local skink species, a spot of bug blitzing with John Caldow, search-ing for the elusive Solenotichus found by students at last year’s event, story telling and emu dancing with Gnarnayarrahe visit-ing from Melbourne, walking a bird trail using binoculars and a guide book led by the teachers there, and our Landcare session looking at landscape change.

Using then and now images we discussed the changing landscape form and vegetation cover of the creek valley and then settled down on the grass for a spot of map reading, look-ing at our location on a contour map and what we can read in the line work. The location provides a great outdoor learn-ing space for all ac-tivities, even though Solenotichus evaded our gaze this year.

Kundry’s seduction of Parsifal the famous love duet from Wagner’s metaphsyical masterpiece Parsifal

Valentine’s Day – 7.30 pm Saturday Feb 14, 2015

Castlemaine Art Gallery

Kundry - Kristen Leich, Mezzo Soprano Parsifal – Michael Gillies Smith, Tenor

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Election day in Chewton. And while we hear of jostling, tearing down of advertising, antagonism and ill-feelings from other booths, the Chewton booth is one where civil-ity reigns. Genuine respect for each other’s feelings and preferences takes precedence. Chasing relief from the sun meant the how to vote givers out moved position frequent-ly and looked after each other throughout the day.

And a long day it was! Most voters did their select-ing in the first three to four hours – the afternoon became deadly quiet as a result. And the move of Fryerstown peo-ple to the Macedon electorate created chaos to those com-ing to vote with no awareness of that situation.

Towards the end of the day the signage so enthusias-

Polling Day in Chewtontically placed at the polling place gateways before 8 a.m. was showing signs of the heat and stress of the day – a yellow sign was face down and a bluish banner crumpled on the ground. Perhaps a portent of the results which were now imminent!

Incidentally, Chewton came up with two party pre-ferred results of Maree Edwards 419 to Michael Langdon on 141.

The raw count was Family First 7, Liberal 120, La-bor 251, Greens 158, Rise Up Australia 5, Australia Coun-try Alliance 19 with 18 informal votes.

It is worth noting the Greens outpolled the Liberals at Chewton - just as they did at three other Castlemaine booths:

• Castlemaine (387 to 363)• Castlemaine North (391 to 386)• Chewton (158 to 120)• Guildford (76 to 56)

Chewton has chosen – and spoken very clearly!

All voting figures for Bendigo West are at http://tallyroom.vic.gov.au/vtr/BendigoWestDistrict.html

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Thankyou volunteers!

Friday the 5th saw many Chewton faces at the well-publi-cised Volunteers Thankyou in Victory Park. A simple pro-gram had been planned by Lisa Chesters, M.P. for Bendi-go, and Mount Alexander Shire – a minimum of speeches, music by Moodswing and a barbecue. And a lot of plan-ning and preparation work by Mount Alexander Volunteer Network’s Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns. That network is a collective of volunteer-involving groups and organisations who come together to promote and progress volunteer op-portunities and resources.

Then, unexpectedly, the final sitting week of parlia-ment’s lower house in Canberra was extended into Friday – so Lisa was a scratching for the Victory Park gig. Her office staff were there in droves though – Shaun Rosaia, Jacki Dimond, Jess Howard and Bill Murray ensuring things ran super smoothly nonetheless. Jess stepped up to the speech role, welcoming everyone and setting the scene for later speeches by Jesse Lavery, a young MC from Ex-treme Inc (an organisation that runs youth arts programs,

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workshops, festivals, performances, men-torships and com-munity engagement projects for young regional people in central Victoria) and from the volunteer network’s Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns.

The barbecued food was turned and served, Moodswing entertained and entertained - and volunteers were well and truly celebrated. A question that later sprang to mind was how many sausages did Doug Falconer and Bill Murray turn, turn and turn again? Whichever way you look at it, the celebration in Victory Park would have to be regarded as quite a good turn! And one good turn deserves another!

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The Monster Meeting gathering at the Soldiers’ Memorial Park began with many more flags than people to carry them! The flags had been brought along by the Bendigo group who keep the Red Ribbon Rebellion celebrations going year by year, and the collection of flags they have gathered for this is very impressive. The Welsh flag is spectacular and was grabbing attention at the start – and it was only fair that the bearer from Bendigo was warned there would be competition encoun-tered along the way.

It’s amazing how things pick up when the bagpipes start – from lounging languidly in deep conversation in the shade of the park trees suddenly the flags were hoisted, watches checked and latecomers scurried from their cars. The piper, Langley Rowbottom, was worth his weight in gold! He led us up the footpath, accompanied by the toots of encouragement from passing motorists, to the shade of the Red Hill veranda. Here, the rest of the flags were shared and MC Phil Hall rallied the troops, many who were in costume, with a rousing speech. It was here that Brian Stant made a claim on the Welsh flag and after some intense discussion about Welsh forebears Brian held the dragon aloft.

Across the highway in the front of Max Lesser’s lens, the vista of Forest Creek opened up. There’s something about this part of the annual march that re-ally has impact – possibly it’s the sight of the flags strung out along the dry grassy track that mixes with the images of the historical photos of the intense mining that had this stretch of creek turned upside-down in the search for gold. Then at the junction of Wattle and Forest Creeks it was time to bunch up for a photo of the creek crossing that Castlemaine Mail photographer Max Lesser was waiting to take.

The chairs waiting for the marchers were taken up and others sat lower to the ground as proceedings got underway. Jan Wositzky opened proceedings with the appropriate selection, “The Monster Meeting”, which contains the words “Meet me at the Monster Meeting.” Parks Victoria’s Culture and Heritage Manager, Da-

Monster Meeting - 2014

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vid Major, then took over the microphone to acknowledge the significance of indig-enous culture.

MC Phil painted the picture of the background to the Monster Meeting for us, breaking into song a couple of times. He presented Martin McKenna’s Monster Meeting Song Award winner, “Thirty Shillings a Month.” This song is becoming a Chewton anthem as each time it’s sung in public more and more people are joining in the choruses. This Monster Meeting celebration didn’t have the usual concentra-tion on the speeches made on the dray in 1851, but we didn’t miss them entirely. Doug Owen captured the spirit of Captain Harrison on that day with a short reading, and Vaughan Greenberg reprised the Dr. Webb Richmond speech – but not before a contemporary aside linking the 1851 tax doubling proposal to the 2014 co-payments proposal!

Jan Wositzky took over for the second half of proceedings and spoke of the Monster Meeting book that is now available on the internet. The book that he thought would be a three week project but turned out to be years in the making, and the research behind the book that made him sympathetic to Governor La Trobe who was, after all, and artistic and cultured man who didn’t want to be a governor – much less a governor with a gold-rush on his hands. This book, and interviews with lead-ing historians, is available to view or download on www.monstermeeting.net

Doug Owen then led us through the stirring anthem “Three Quid for the Privi-lege” with the audience enthusiastically joining in on the no ways and not evers. Jan’s renditions of “Gather Round the Flag” and “Good Time a Coming” led the way for Langley to bagpipe our way to the end of proceedings at the meeting site. And at this stage Tom Taft took over custodianship of the Welsh flag – Wales obviously has a big footprint in many local lives.

Then there was just time for some staged stage photos before the big pack up. The flagpole had to be lowered and the wagon had to be returned to the Maldon Museum. It was at this time that the input of Parks Victoria staff Noel Muller, Vince Cafari and Brendan Smith is really reflected on – again a fantastic effort from Parks Victoria ensuring another Monster Meeting anniversary was marked in a superb way.

Then it was off to the Red Hill for the planned wind down barbecue – this being the place that traditionally brings forward the best suggestions for following years. Not sure if great ideas were the subject of all conversations at the Red Hill because the BBQ was well received and tackled with enthusiasm!

But when a photo of MC Phil and Monster Meeting fanatic Bettie Exon arrived by email that night (thanks Debbie Hall!) it was obvious the 2014 Monster Meeting commemoration had gone off well. How could two people look any more relaxed?

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Another other big November event in Chewton was the opening of the pool season! Actually, it wasn’t just an-other big event – it was another monster!

Dust off your plastic strawberries, bananas and coconut boobies for the 2014-15 season opening of Chewton Community Pool this Saturday, 29 November was the message! It’s going to be a fruity affair with a dash of daring, a splash of silliness and a whole lot of Carmen Miranda in her finest Tutti Frutti tradition! Expect to take a ride on toy whales and turtles and see cornucopias of fruit, both real and totally unreal.

So people got dressed up, had a giggle and a wig-gle, and soaked up the great music and atmosphere as the Chewton Pool proudly began its fourth season un-der community management. A free barbecue (includ-ing veggie burgers and coleslaw), water egg-and-spoon races, a Carmen Miranda parade and some creative ways with watermelon and cherries were also on the menu.

Chewton Pool Inc. President Rose Darling said the fruity theme was a fun way of celebrating the ex-citement of the new summer pool season in Chewton. “This was our fourth opening day since the people of Chewton rose up and saved the pool from the wreck-ing ball in 2011,” Mrs Darling said. “As well as being rebellious, Chewtonians have developed a reputation for dressing up in flamboyant costumes - some of our blokes brush up particularly well in frocks - and getting into a good party. Being Victoria’s election day as well, people could do their democratic duty in the morning and then come down to the pool, relax and have fun.”

Mrs Darling said the fruit theme was also a nod to a new food policy Chewton Pool is developing. “In coming seasons we are keen to introduce healthier foods like fresh fruit and natural icy poles, to give par-ents and kids greater choice when they buy snack foods in our kiosk,” Mrs Darling said.

The fun kicked off at midday. MC Phil Hall, re-splendent in a hat that looked good enough to eat, in-troduced Councillor Tony Cordy who congratulated all involved and paid tribute to the way the pool had been turned out for this occasion, reminded everyone of the role Ian O’Halloran had played in teaching swimming in this area, thanked Ian for teaching him to swim some 50 years ago and declared the Chewton Pool’s 2014/15 season open. And then the pool rapidly filled! It was tsunami-like as the hot weather was rapidly overcome by so many. Lifeguards, music, pool toys, barbecued food and Jenny Jarman appearing as first prize soon attracted the camera. And, very impressively, whilst all this took place the regular monitoring of the pool’s water was undertaken. Amongst all the excitement the routines must continue.

The pool opening hours in 2014-15 are Mon-Fri-day 2pm - 6pm, Saturday 10am - 8pm, and Sunday 12 noon - 8pm.

Opening with a grand splash...

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The pool is certainly proving the place to be. As the dead-line for the January Chat arrives, we have had an average of 80 swimmers per day, with a peak day of 208. What great support from our local community!

Our new food policy is going down well with custom-ers who now have some healthier choices, indicated by our traffic light stickers. This makes it easier for young ones and their parents to spot fresh fruit and they’re yummy as well as healthful snacks.

Swim classes – what a busy schedule! • From January 1, Sunday group swimming classes

for children aged 5 and over will be held at 11.00am. Contact Tracie on 0439 676 013 to book, or drop in at the pool kiosk.

• VicSwim classes will be held from January 12-16. Parents should book on-line at www.vicswim.com.au.

• Beginning February 3, Chewton School will con-duct swim classes for students over a fortnight, and AusSwim will also be conducting classes with stu-dents from across the Shire each Tuesday afternoon.

• Keep an eye on the whiteboard for private swim classes coming up as well.

It is so important for children to learn to swim, so with all these classes we are doing our bit towards this national water safety goal.

Aqua exercise is each Wednesday at 10.00 am. Cost is entry only. Yoga and swim starts on January 19 then is on each Monday at 9.00 am with an experienced yoga teacher, Julieta. The Golden Girls women’s only swimming sessions are each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11.00. Men only swimming sessions are each Tuesday and Thurs-day 9.00 – 11.00.

Don’t forget the Bluelight Disco which is going to be at the Chewton Pool on February 6th, 2015.

To find out more about these activities contact Lis-sanne on 0498 637 534 or go to our website www.chewton-pool.com

We rely on a great band of volunteers and our very professional paid staff to provide service at the pool. If you are interested in joining the crew, contact Lissanne on 0498 637 534.

What a busy place the pool is. We hope you all feel it is your community pool and get down for a quiet swim or a class this holiday season. The pool is open until 8.00pm on weekends and if it is hot, hours are extended during the week. Call the kiosk on 5472 3272 to check.

...and now it’s holiday times at Chewton Pool

The pool Christmas party brought games, competitions and Santa.

And, of course, smiles and smiles.See more on page 28.

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It was only on December the first that this was posted on FaceBook:

It has been an amazing week on this Facebook page. Numbers have been astronomical – 6,200 people reached this week!

Currently there are 641 reached by the pool opening post, 420 reached by the school’s achievements in 2014, 209 reached by the Chewton polling post – and, wait for it…. 5,082 reached by the Monster Meeting in 2014 post! 5,000! That’s equivalent to 1/3 of the crowd at the Forest Creek meeting in 1851 – the meeting now known as the Monster Meeting!

And where do all these people come from? 5,827 are from Australia but others come from almost 30 other countries. Kenya, Mexico, Azerbaijan and more!

And places? Melbourne with 2,818 heads the list followed by Castlemaine on 196 and Bendigo with 166. Chewton? Languishing in 14th spot with 31. Just behind Perth and Bairnsdale.

Languages spoken by our audience are predomi-nantly English (US or UK) but with a sprinkling of others like Spanish, Thai and Czech. Chewton has a wide reach!

The attached snips from the stats section of the Face-book page are attached – and the zero readings are where we had readers previously but not this week. No readers at Harcourt, Griffith or Faraday this week obviously.

And additionally, this page has picked up 7 new “likes” taking the total to 175. As word continues to spread about this Facebook presence there may be even more amazing statistics to share…

That was December the first - the next figures are from the week of December the 22nd. And records are tumbling. Compare these figures with the last ones...

It has been an amazing week on the chewton.net FaceBook page. Numbers have been astronomical – 7,592 people reached this week!

Currently there are 683 reached by the pool open-ing post, 380 reached by the bird brochure launch, 343 reached by the pine tree falling on Golden Point Road – and, wait for it…. 6,892 reached by the Monster Meeting in 2014 post! 6,892! That’s more than 1/3 of the crowd at the Forest Creek meeting in 1851 – the meeting now known as the Monster Meeting!

And where do all these people come from? 6,425 are from Australia but others come from more than 40 other

Guess what? Then guess what numbers...countries. The Czech Republic, Poland, Gambia, Bangla-desh and more!

And places? Melbourne with 4,263 heads the list followed by Castlemaine on 357 and Bendigo with 252. Chewton? Languishing in 16th spot with 36. Just behind Pakenham and tied with Werribee and Shepparton.

Languages spoken by our audience are predominant-ly English (US or UK) but with a sprinkling of others like Japanese, Dutch and German. Chewton definitely has a wide reach!

And additionally, this page has picked up 2 new “like” taking the total to 180. We are slowly creeping to-wards 200…

For many, many people scattered around the world the face of Chewton they see is the chewton.net FaceBook page which is essentially the Chewton Chat. Amazing, isn’t it?

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Know Your NeighbourHave you met Mandy Grinblat?

Mandy Grinblat was born in London to Australian parents who moved back to Australia when she was 12 months old. ‘My father was a school teacher and so every few years we moved, first to Bendigo, then Ballarat, and finally to the Latrobe Valley, where I finished my school years.’ She then moved to Melbourne to attend Monash University where she began a Law degree.

‘However, after three years I dropped Law and transferred to an Arts degree in WA. I then took off for London, telling my parents I’d be gone for 10 months, and returned ten years later!’ Mandy travelled and worked at various jobs. ‘My main job was working for the BBC in Current Affairs TV, firstly in administration, then I moved into photographic research.

‘I then came back to visit my family and decided I wanted to live back in Australia. I did a Dip. Ed. and taught for a while, then left teaching and joined the Women’s Circus, first as a performer learning a range of circus skills including acrobalance and juggling. I finally moved into arts management, ultimately becoming general manager of the circus. I have since worked in various other arts management roles and travelled a lot to regional centres. This brought me to Castlemaine. I really loved what I saw and experienced, particularly around festival time.’

‘I decided to look for a job within a 1 to 1/2 hour radius of Melbourne, so I could enjoy regional living but also stay connected to Melbourne and all it has to offer.’ Five years ago when a job came up with Mt. Alexander Shire Council managing the arts, culture and recreation areas, Mandy made the move here. ‘There was also a big emergency component to the job. This was just post-Black Saturday. It was quite a shock managing the post-fire recovery program, a really challenging job.’

In 2011 a colleague nominated Mandy to join the State Festival Board, ‘and I’m still a Board member.’ By this time she was working in State Government with Regional Development Victoria, in various development roles. ‘I’m still on the Festival Board and very excited about the forthcoming program. The 2015 State Festival will mark 40 years of operations and be the 20th Festival, a huge achievement.’

One of the big adventures of her life is what she calls ‘the Chewton project’. ‘I thought it was time to think of

buying something and putting down roots. By chance encounter, I looked at a block of land in Chewton, an elevated block with a beautiful outlook. I found a company in Bendigo that builds eco houses, decided to go down this path and moved into my new house a year ago.’

Says Mandy, ‘the house is extremely well insulated. It’s a pre-fab, double glazed, and was built in a responsible way. It has a good solar system and is really efficient to heat and to cool.’ Mandy had input into the design of the house ‘and as a result the house is my dream. I love living in it. It’s a perfect space for me, high up on a hill with a beautiful outlook with lovely cross-breezes in the evening.’

‘What I like about living in Chewton is that I feel I am living on the edge rather than in the centre of town. I’ve met some fantastic people here and have been really impressed by the community spirit. Prior to living here I thought of Chewton as a little suburb that was part of Castlemaine. I now appreciate that it’s an incredibly passionate community that has its own identity.’

Gloria Meltzer.

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In this time before Christmas the weather has turned very hot, with frequent thunderstorms. The gardens are dry, plants are being ‘cooked’ and the roses need deadhead-ing. Ollie, our resident Owlet Nightjar has been absent for several weeks, nesting I hope, but is back today. The big birdbath is being used and enjoyed in the warmer weath-er. I have harvested the seeds of a special wattle. There were only about eight seeds by the time I remembered, but hopefully some will strike. Last year I missed them en-tirely. Since I wrote the above we have had a few blissful cooler days, allowing a catch up with some of the things that have to be done in garden and house before the next hot spell.

I found this item written from Forest Creek, in the Argus 14th January, 1853. It is written by one of their Cor-respondents reporting local news from MOUNT ALEX-ANDER. He is a rather grumpy correspondent and par-ticularly critical of the police and the population of Fryers Creek. Once again, the correspondent makes reference to the population of Fryer’s Creek being high in vagabonds and rascals, terrorising peacefully inclined diggers. They were obviously thought to be a wild lot out here. Here is the letter:

“A most shameful case of police carelessness was brought under my notice yesterday, and deserves public-

ity. On Monday night last, the tent of a man named Baldy, residing on Campbell’s Creek, was entered by three men, who, after blowing out the light, robbed the tent, amongst other things, of a pocket-book, containing thirty two half-bank notes, which he retained, having sent their fellows by post to town for better safety. On Tuesday morning Baldy proceeded to Castlemaine to obtain police assistance to apprehend the villains, of whose whereabouts he was per-fectly satisfied. On arriving at Castlemaine, and enquir-ing for the chief constable, he was told by a sergeant of the police, that he had better be off, or he would lock him up. This sergeant was made acquainted by Baldy of the circumstances of the robbery, and the clue to the robbers, and, in defiance of all this, he thought proper to order the man away. We are indeed blessed with efficient officials. This is one case out of a great many. In fact, beyond sly-grog seizures and fining unlicensed diggers, nothing can tend to make our foot police be a little more active in the discharge of their duties.

I am sorry to say that the go-a-head spirit which has hitherto characterized the private escort company, has vanished with the loss of its principal, our lamented friend, Mr. Dight. To notice the style of their arrivals and depar-tures from here now-a- days, one cannot help asking him-self, is this the remains of this once admired troop? Uni-

forms are not thought of; discipline and good order are forgotten; and their whole appearance would remind one of a pleasure party, with a visit to some hotel previous to starting. On the other hand, the government escort is attracting attention, with their new four-horse drays loaded with military wearing cabbage-tree hats, tearing away at the rate of six or eight miles an hour, and having much more the appearance of business and dispatch.

The diggings are progressing very favorably, complaints are not so numerous, and new diggings are discovered every week, as may be seen by the escorts last week. The diggings on the Columbine Creek are spoken of very favorably, and I hear that a great many of the diggers from Forest Creek and the Bendigo, en route to the Ovens pay a visit there,

Fryerstown

13

and in a number of instances commence operations.Sly grog seizures are of daily occurrence, and very

often half-a-dozen in a day. However much this nuisance ought to be remedied, our police would do well to spare a little of their time in attending to other business which requires remedying equally well, looting out the hordes of vagabonds we are infested with. Although Forest Creek can boast of the presence of a very few of these gentry, I am sorry to say so much cannot be said of Fryer’s Creek. I have known peace-fully inclined diggers visiting this lat-ter place with the intention of trying their fortune, but have returned with terror visible in their countenance. It is astonishing that such a number of these rascals are allowed to carry on their robberies and debaucheries with impunity.

The weather has been very cold for the last week, having a taste more of June than January. Gold has an upward tendency, and may now be quoted at from £3 8s to MOUNT AL-EXANDER”.

(From a correspondent to the Melbourne Argus)

In September this year the film shown in Fryerstown was The Eu-reka Stockade made in 1949 starring Chips Raf-ferty as Peter Lalor and researched by a small team of historians. In discussing the film later, many of us realised we did not know much of the detail of the rebel-lion: how many took part, how many were killed, injured etc. For such an important part of our his-tory it was surprising how little we actually knew. So that sent me looking for a book on the subject. I found I had a very interesting little book entitled Eureka Reminis-cences published by and edited by Ballarat Heritage Ser-vices, in 1998. It is a book of the reminiscences of people who were around at the time of the Eureka Stockade and

who wrote their accounts and presented their recollections during the 50th Anniversary in December 1904. As is ac-knowledged in the publication, the accounts are personal and often describe events as seen only by that individual and some allowance should be made for memories which may be faulty. However they have published 22 personal accounts contributed by people who were there and they make fascinating reading providing as they do, a wealth

of detail and background and differ-ent perspectives. The events on Sun-day 3rd December 1854 around dawn were a David and Goliath battle - on one side, relatively well equipped and trained men; on the other, untrained, determined men with an assortment of weapons of unknown age and efficien-cy, and amateur leadership. According to historian Geoffrey Blainey’s book, Black Kettle and Full Moon, about 30 miners and five soldiers died, oth-ers say 22 miners died. Peter Lalor, the diggers leader, was wounded in the arm quite early and was hidden by others under a pile of timber slabs. Later, in several accounts it is recorded Lalor’s friend, Fr. Smyth, a Catholic

priest, went to his aid, and with Peter Lalor disguised in a priest’s coat and hat walked out with him, and others, to safety. Lalor was later taken, hidden in a dray, to Geelong where they operated to remove pieces of buckshot from his arm. The arm was later amputated. Fr. Smyth, sometimes spelt Smythe, was obviously

something of a hero and while officialdom and the courts were sorting things out, he was in some danger of finding himself arrested and charged. Years ago, I was told that after the Eureka Stockade he came here to the Breakneck Hill area to lie low for a while, living as a hermit. I cannot remember who told me this and I cannot verify it, but it is a story in keeping with the reputation of Fryers Creek.

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14

Peter Lalor was not charged, as 13 others stockaders were, with high treason but remained in hiding, recovering, until after they were acquitted. He subsequently was elected as Member of Parliament to represent Ballarat, serving in a number of significant roles. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, a position he held for many years until 1887. He died in 1889. He is remembered for his way with words, an example of which is “It is sweet and pleasant to die for one’s country, but it is sweeter to live and see the principles, for which you have risked your life, triumphant.”

Someone else with a way with words was Mary For-tune who lived in this area for several years around the same time. She wrote under the name M.H.F. thus disguis-ing that it was a woman writing. She submitted this poem, with two others, to the Mount Alexander Mail in 1855 in what has been described as post-Eureka enthusiasm:

Hurrah for the free new land! And hurrah for the diggers bold! And hurrah for the strong unfettered right To search in the hills for gold! Turn up the sod my strong free mates, And dig with a fearless hand; For there’s not a castled lordling here, In all this glorious land.

The Fryerstown Antique Fair in January 2015 is the fortieth Antique Fair. That is an amazing achievement; some special events and celebrations are planned. So do not miss this Fair - Australia Day Weekend with lovely country atmosphere, good food, amazing bargains, memo-rabilia, real “rare finds” and 40 years of history.

I hope that 2015 brings you happiness and fulfilment and the time to enjoy all that comes with living in this wonderful place. Kay Thorne.

Images courtesy Tim Todhunter: Sketch of the thirteen indicted and a sketch of Patrick Smyth.

Other community poolsSince the Chewton Pool was saved by massive and dedi-cated local efforts and action we’ve seen Bendigo’s Gold-en Square Pool go through the same battle. Golden Square Community Pool kicked off the summer season on the same day as Chewton’s did – and celebrated with a free entry all day. According to the Bendigo Addy, “Improve-ments were made to the pool during winter, including the repainting of the 50-metre pool, concreting and refurbish-ment of the entrance.”

Now, having received the latest Waranga News (a Rushworth based community newspaper) it was intriguing to see an article on page 20 about the Stanhope Pool – an-other Chewton – Golden Square situation in the making! A quick look at the website of About Town (Stanhope’s community newspaper) showed page 1 of their December edition carried the story of their fight which has apparently just begun.

And a chewton.net FaceBook post has passed on the information that, “You may be interested to know that Chewton is now helping Olinda pool in the Dandenongs to take on community management.”

Obviously, history is being repeated across Victoria!

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in.

A pessimist stays up to make sure the old one leaves.”

15

Nurturing the whole child

in every child

As the school year comes to an end it is always a time to reflect on what we have achieved, however this was done so beautifully by the Chat last month and for that I thank our community newspaper for compiling this from all of my notes over the year.

Our biggest news is that we have reached the funding goal for our solar panels. Our stated vision for the project was for our school to be a model for strong social and en-vironmental practices with the solar savings spent directly on sustainable projects that will involve students, families and the community. With the panels to be installed early in 2015, we will start to reap the benefits as the true mean-ing of the journey springs to life. A huge thanks to the many people who donated so generously to our goal, as well as to our dedicated team of workers on the school front. Tosh Szatow and Marg Rasa were they key people working behind the scenes and without them the project would never have started.

2015 brings a few other changes on the hill. We have 3 class groupings for next year with the appointment of an additional part time teacher. Emma and I will share the teaching of a grade 2-3 class. This ensures our com-mitment to small class sizes for our key learning areas of Maths and English whilst ensuring we continue to provide a range of specialist classes.

On our final night of celebrations the school awards were presented. Minka Peters was the recipient of the ‘Frank Carpenter Trust’ award which was presented by Bettie Exon. In the 3 years I have taught Minka she has shown exceptional leadership skills along with consis-tently strong academic skills. She demonstrates a strong compassion for the rights of other students and the wider community.

This year we presented a new award to reflect our school value of integrity. This award was given to Otis Showel-Roche. Otis has only been with us for his final year however he has made a lasting impression on all students and staff for his willingness to help others and live the values that we work to instil in all of our students. This award was presented by Harry Kopenen, the manager of the National Australia Bank. NAB are our business partners for the ‘Better Buddies’ program.

We have 2015 well planned but I will leave those details until the February Chat. Thanks once again for the support we continue to receive from the community and the positive comments you all make about our school. It really does make a difference! Julie Holden.

Caroling outside the Chewton General Store above,and Olivia was very happy to show everyone her work

during the recent ‘Open Art’ session

neilb1@tpg.com.au

www.goldfieldelectronics.com.au

16

Chewton School continues to amaze! Gradua-tion night 2014 and the art room was packed by the school community – children, pre-schoolers, parents, family, friends, staff and the wider com-munity. Packed, and with several people watching on from the doorway.

And what were they seeing? A couple of ma-jor awards to begin with. A very excited Minka Peters was the recipient of the ‘Frank Carpenter Trust’ award which was presented by Bettie Exon.

Bettie is a very proud past graduate of Chewton and equally proud to have known Frank during his Chewton years. A special integrity award was won by Otis Showel-Roche. The manager of Castlemaine’s National Bank, Harry Kopenon, presented this award. The applause and acclamation that greeted both presentations showed both awards clearly went to children who exhibited skills that the whole school community recognised.

Then it was time to recognise the graduating group and the four were in the spotlight as their teacher Scott Purdon spoke about each of in turn. Each year, this is the emotional part of the end of year celebrations. The depth of knowledge shared about each child, their achievements and contributions, their beginnings at Chewton and their educational journey through their time there is testimony to the close intimate family feel that pervades the school. And to re-inforce Scott’s words a video of photos from the school archives documented the time each of the four had spent at Chewton. Some of the photos dated from Prep years so there were often shrieks of laughter as the growth and maturity of the children was acknowledged. Scott finished by reminding the four to never forget where they came from – and they should also remember the doors of Chewton

Chewton graduates

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17

School will always be open to them. A presentation of cer-tificates and “graduating” soft toys concluded the farewell to the grade sixes.

Families being lost to the school in the new year were acknowledged in turn by principal Julie Holden, and the tables were immediately turned when the staff made a presentation to Julie. The focus then shifted to the achieve-ments of 2014 as another video of photos was played. Rob Noll is a constant contributor to school life at Chewton and these videos are one of his most valued achievements – and certainly the most loudly received!

The spirits of everyone in the art-room seemed to be on an absolute high. There was so much appreciation of what has been achieved, and so much good will and expectation as the school prepares to move into its next phase – 2015.

Five Flags Hotel

155 Main RdCampbells Creek

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* Open 7 days for Lunch and Dinner

* Monday to Friday $15.00 lunch menu available

*Sunday Roast

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Good health and abundance to all for 2015

from everyone at The Bold Café.

Bold Café reopens on Friday 9th January at 10am The Bold Café serves a variety of delicious, handmade food.

Our specialties include A curry every day. Laksa on Sundays.

Monk Dish on Friday & Saturday. Vegetarian & Gluten free selections

REGULAR TRADING HOURS Thursday to Sunday 10am – 4.30 pm

146 Duke Street, Castlemaine Telephone: 54 706 038

Your Host: Onn Ho

Spare a thought for those who have a workload that just kept on increasing as Christmas approached. Licensed Post Office operators and roadside mail deliverers have been flat chat

providing a significant service to local communities everywhere.

Aren’t we lucky here in Chewton?

Have we spared that thought?

18

Another year has passed, and surely the days have moved at the speed of light. To me, each year seems just that little bit shorter, thinking of this festive greeting gives a sense of deja vu for it feels like just yesterday I wished everybody good cheer for 2014. I am reminded to enjoy each and every day.

The early heat of December promises a scorching summer, the pool and the Res will offer welcome sanctu-ary to the many locals and visitors to town. I wish every-body a harmonious and peaceful festive season and new year. 2015 has a good feel about it. Properties for sale around Chewton are listed as follows:Cantwell Real Estate:• 24 Main Road, historic property on the edge of town,

adjoining crown land and right by the walking/cycling track, surprisingly expansive 3 bedroom, for sale at $625,000.00;

• 6 Fryers Road, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house for $649,000.00;

• 4 Prior Street, 5 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms, 2 storey sandstone and weatherboard set amid huge garden, $848,000.00;

• 225 Sparks Road, 58 hectares on the edge of the Bush-land for sale at $679,000.00.

Cassidy Real Estate:• 29 Mount View Road, 2 bedroom stone home nestled

in 6 acres of the Bushlands, offering views over Chew-ton itself, $370,000.00;

• 177 Main Road, 3 bedroom mid-C20th, in excellent condition with some period features, $349,000.00.

Castlemaine Property Group:• 77 Pioneers Road, single bedroom log cabin set high

in the Bushlands with views over Chewton and onto Castlemaine, $315,000.00.

Keogh Real Estate:• 576 Pyrenees Highway, 2 bedroom weatherboard with

character, set on 3 ½ acres of land with a meandering seasonal creek, plenty of outbuildings, $315,000.00;

• 40 Madigans Road, Eco friendly home on 5.79Ha, mainly timbered lot though planted with a variety of fruit trees, for sale at $295,000.00;

• 11 Monks Hill Road, renovated 1800s cottage set on nearly 6000sqm of park like gardens and seasonal creek, $495,000.00.

Stuart Real Estate:• 94 Fryers Road, 1610sqm vacant lot with services

available, $135,000.00.Waller Realty: • 53 Eureka Street, 3 bedroom bushland retreat on 1

acre, with plenty of outside living and surrounded by Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, $347,000.00;

• 732 Pyrenees Highway, ultimate family lifestyle with indoor pool and generous family room, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, set on an elevated 3 acres with expan-sive views, the exterior is well set for entertaining, $525,000.00. Lynne Williamson.

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Williamson.

Real Estate Gossip

The draft Chewton Community Plan booklets are avail-able for perusing in both the Shop and the Post Office. The closing date for comments and amendments is February 21, 2015.

Chewton Plan

NICK HASLAM

167 BARKER STREET, CASTLEMAINE 5470 5811

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19

This old man In solitudes of silence, under darkness of a night, Hidden thoughts of yesteryear flex their weary wings for flight. Through the haze of memory and above once travelled roads, Music drifts on westward breeze far from long forgotten odes. Age waits around the corner in the shadows of lost youth, Tells you nothing of this day, even less of where lies truth. Pavements grasp the dying moss in pictures devoid of hue; Boarded windows stand in place, blocking out this old man’s view. Cries upon the distant days yield warnings of the storms, And according to the blind they’ll be seen in many forms. East to west and back again, high upon an open stage, Northern lights will guide the way to the turning of the page. Values once written in stone haunt those looking to the past, Yet as they fade to shades grey it all passes by too fast. What’s here is here for now, what’s been handed down is gone; Still there’s no one to explain where this old man does belong. Been so far removed of love more than once throughout the change, And many times passed the rose so unrecognised and strange. I’ve looked down on footprints small disappearing o’er the hill, Nothing but to follow on though it was against my will. Once again the forest deep turned the meek into the wild, And peering back through the dreams saw an image of the child. Innocence personified yet too young to understand That circles will be complete when he farewells this old man.

Daniel Larson.

Poe try

Corner

Wind ChimesOn satin nights when summer breezes sighAnd hang like lovers’ vows upon the airThe sea-wrack chimes stir gently as a prayerOf peace to light my spirit ‘ere I die.When winter’s cruel fingers rip the skyAnd rain-tired clouds droop sickly overheadThe lonely sea-voice echoes ‘round my bedIts song of love a wind borne lullaby.When spring and autumn tempests scour the streetAnd sterilise my mind of futile thoughtI marvel at the loving gift you wroughtUpon that shore where sky and ocean meet.

Who could conceive that such a simple toy Would stir my soul with memories of joy?

David Watson.

Then and nowWhen I was young, in days gone by

I used to dream that I could fly. I’d float around up in the air,

Or sometimes gently glide downstairs.I used to love my flying dreams,

So magical it made me seem. I had a different point of view,

It made familiar things look new.Today I need support to stand,

My walker is always close at hand So now my dreams are down to earth.

I relish them for all I’m worth.I dream that I am striding out, That I can walk and run about.

And Oh! the freedom that I feel. When I’m asleep, my dreams are real.

Rae Hawkins December 2014.

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20

A Christmassy MoBQ

Another community BBQ in the park – with the sobering thought that Postman Rob was with Chewton CFA fighting a fire just a few kilometres away at McKenzies Hill. The conversations centred on fire seasons, fire apps, what was showing on the FireReady app and, of course, the fires at McKenzies Hill and Yandoit. The news relayed on the app soon allayed fears and the conversations slowly drifted back to other matters.

Kris Kringles began mounting up as did new arriv-als, and a pail was retrieved from the town hall to hold them. It was a pail Ed Wilcock had made back in 2006 after a Monster Meeting when a collection took place in what appeared to be an authentic 1851 goldfields bucket. The collection had been for the Evergreens band and as a member of that illustrative group Ed was determined no coin (or note) should ever be lost during future collections. Hence the pail - hand-made from locally grown radiata pine Ed informed us.

A Christmas cake was shared and eulogised, a cake that Carolyn explained was an Aldi one, even showing the tin to prove it. That was a relief to those that had mis-heard and were under the belief that it was an oldie! The Kris Kringles came out, were carefully selected, opened and shown around. And a weary Rob suddenly appeared. Back from fighting a fire and straight into a BBQ – a bus-man’s holiday? And all too soon it was time to pack up the goods, chattels and memories for another month – and, indeed, another year.

There is no MoBQ planned for January. The next MoBQ will be in February 2015! Watch for the signs… in fact, watch for any signs!

Some MoBQs ago there was a delicious and very, very memorable pear cake that Dash shared around. Numer-ous requests for the recipe followed - along with numerous reminders to the Chat editor who said at the time it would be published - and then promptly forgot. So at long last...Ingredients for APPLE OR PEAR CAKE:1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 3 eggs, beaten 1 cup oil 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 4 cups raw diced apples or 4 cups pears Ingredients for TOPPING:1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup milk 1/4 lb butter Directions for CAKE:Mix all cake ingredients by hand in order given.Pour in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan or springform pan.Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes and remove.Directions for TOPPING:In saucepan mix all ingredients and bring to a slow boil for 3 minutes.Pour over cake and return to oven for 4 minutes.

Dash advises that this recipe was sourced from http://www.food.com/recipe/apple-or-pear-cake-98869

and that she did make some adjustments to this recipe, to make it lower in fat, sugar and calories. She used:1 cup Stevia* (instead of white sugar)1/2 cup brown sugar (instead of 1 cup brown sugar)2/3 cup apple puree and 1/3 cup oil (instead of 1 cup oil).

According to Dash, Stevia* is widely available these days at supermarkets, including IGA Castlemaine (in the baking section with flours, sugar etc). The most common brand is Hermesetas, in a large glass jar with a green lid. Stevia comes from the leaves of a South American plant used as a sweetener, and it has 90% less calories than sugar.

Dash adds, “It is quite pricey but I think it’s worth it. I use it frequently when baking because you rarely notice the difference in taste, but there is a dramatic difference in calories. I’ve also made a gluten-free version using glu-ten-free flour, and that also worked out well.”

21

2015 will see 200 tick overRoll on 2015 – the Janu-ary Chat will be edition 191. During 2015 we will reach our 200th edition. An achievement that was not dreamed of when edi-tion 1 was published way back in March 1999. Be-ginning life as a newslet-ter for the relatively new Chewton Domain Society to keep in touch with mem-

bers and prospective members it has evolved over time into a community newspaper – and has been a member of CNAV (Community Newspaper Association of Victoria) since 2007. CNAV itself only came into existence in 2006 - and is still believed to be the only network of community newspapers in the world.

A recent survey of the CNAV membership revealed about 50% began in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s – and about 30% in the 2000s. One claims it can track its origin back to 1904. And about 8% have no record of when they began – volunteers do change and archiving unfortunately can be intermittent.

And why do community newspapers start? The same survey brought forward these responses:• there was a local need• lack of a local community newspaper• of community interest• to fulfil a need for a community news publication• there was a need for local information and news of

activities• to provide an outlet for positive media coverage in the

local area• commercial papers had little specific to our commu-

nity• old newspaper folded in the 70s so began as a joint

shire and school initiative• local paper had closed down• to inform people about local issues• to provide an advertising outlet• it started with a grant to assist isolated women and

since then has fulfilled its aim of keeping people in-formed about what is happening in our community

• started as a school newspaper

• started from school community newsletter• started as a school project for journalism students• to provide an effective medium of communication, in-

formation and expression and to provide community identity, cooperation and pride

• to provide local news and boost community pride and participation

• to be the voice for the community and to report on events in the town

• when our town was established• after local bushfires• we recognised the need for more community safety

after Black Saturday• to educate the community• to connect our small rural communities and share

news and happenings• a need for communication within and between towns• the local swimming club and CFA decided to start a

local paper. It was edited by the swimming club for the warmer 6 months and the CFA ladies for the cooler months

• local road issues with council prompted the establish-ment of a group and shortly after the newsletter to keep residents informed

• in response to community study request• as a result of shire sponsored community planning

process. Our resulting community plan recognised and urgent need for better communication in our com-munity

• it was to document island life and provide communi-cation

• it was to inform, inspire and connect people across Gippsland

A multitude of reasons and with different communi-ties harnessing what resources and talents they can – the result being a wonderful array of local community owned newspapers showcasing their individual and unique com-munities.

And equally importantly, recording their commu-nity’s history! By law, each copy of each of our state’s community newspaper is filed with the State Library of Victoria.

LIC 24063

Concerned about your Gas Heater?W. R. Plumbing now have the equipment for testing your gas heating appliances.

Contact Simon to arrange a test before the winter sets in.

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22

The launch of the new Woodlands Birds of Central Victoria brochure attracted an enthusiastic group into the shaded garden of The Hub. The spectacular identification guide pro-duced by Connecting Country links the sorts of birds likely to be seen

within three different woodland habitat types to be found in our shire and its sur-rounds. An impressive list of those who provided the photographs and project ad-vice are duly acknowledged in the guide.

Connecting Country Director Chris Timewell explained the format of the eve-ning and the project’s background before introducing Tanya Loos. As Connecting Country’s Habitat for Bush Birds Project

Coordinator, Tanya spoke about how the brochure came to be. Previous work had seen the brochure 90% complete and when Tanya came on board she worked closely with the Steering Group to finalise that last exciting 10% - and now it’s ready for everyone to use.

Then it was over to Geoff Park to launch the com-pleted project. Geoff is well known for his Naturally Newstead blog, which apparently is followed by most (if not all!) of those in attendance. Geoff began by asking which of the birds in the brochure would have been seen at this site 200 years ago – the answer being all of them. The environmental and landscape changes since meant some were not as plentiful or visible as in the past. He spoke of the Regent Honeyeater Project in the Lurg Hills near Benalla where, over almost 20 years, where almost

Woodland birds brochure launched500,000 seedlings have been planted and 1300ha of habi-tat restored or created. Geoff likened Connecting Country to that project and congratulated everyone involved.

The Woodlands Birds of Central Victoria brochure is now available for a gold coin donation. Many were snapped up at the launch but others are still available at Connecting Country (at The Hub). It would make an ideal present for someone who loves the bush – or someone who loves watching the birds in their garden.

23

Wesley HillCommunity Market

Every Saturday7.30am – 1.00pm

An old fashioned Country MarketOpposite the Albion Hotel

New stallholders always welcome.Call the Market Manager

0418 117 953

HEAT STRESS is Australia’s number one natural killer, account-ing for the deaths of more people than floods, cyclones, bushfires and storms combined. Records dating back more than 160 years show that “since 1900, extreme heat events have been responsible for more deaths in Australia than the combined total of deaths from all other natural hazards (barring disease epidemics).”

Most deaths occurred over the summer months, with the most lethal day of the year falling on January 27. The day after the ‘Aus-tralia Day’ public holiday is, apparently, the date with the most heat associated deaths.

The peak year for heat-related deaths was 1896, both in terms of the total number and the per capita rate. The year of the infamous “Black Friday” bushfires, 1939, was also a particularly bad year as was the more recent “Black Saturday” year in 2009.

While deaths from those catastrophic bushfires received a lot of attention, the num-ber of people who died in the associated heatwaves was actually higher. For example, when 173 people died in the Black Saturday fires, 374 people died from heat stress at that time.

People most at risk of heat stress are the elderly, mentally unwell, people with ex-isting medical conditions and the poor. Researchers are already warning that as climate changes take effect and the population ages the number of heat-related deaths is bound to increase.

And speaking of heat stress, did you know……our bodies are 70 per cent water, and staying hydrated is essential for good health and performance.…if our brains don’t get enough water, our ability to concentrate can decrease by 13 per cent and our short term memory can drop by 7 per cent.…light-headedness, dizziness and headaches are early signs that we are not getting enough water.…you can lose between one and two litres of water an hour in sweat when doing mod-erately hard exercise.…one litre of bottled water can cost $3, but for the same cost you can refill a one litre bottle from the tap, every day, for more than two and half years.

Water information from Coliban Water publications.

Australia’s number one natural killer

Are you prepared?

24

POHAG - Post Office Hill Action GroupThe December meeting of POHAG was the last to be held in Sam’s Shed. Thank you Sam for generously ac-commodating us since the renova-tions started at Chewton Town Hall. We will be returning to the Town Hall for future meetings.

During the past month some more nesting boxes have been finished and are now ready to be installed. These will complement those which are near the school. And speaking of

the school, our joint effort (Chewton P.S. and POHAG), has resulted in planting almost 200 native plants both in front of and outside the eastern boundary of the school. In our view, this will dramatically enhance this approach to the school, provide a wind-break and attract local birds and other fauna to visit, feed and live here. Thank you to Jennifer Pryce who co-ordinated the project and to the children and parents for their willing assistance. POHAG looks forward to combining our efforts in other projects in the coming year – but with a little less rain!

Slashing the long grass, plus the regrowth of black-berry and gorse behind the neighbouring residences in Church Street has been done to maintain the fire buffer which was created last year. To help with cleaning-up, a group from Conservation Volunteers Australia will be spending 2 days combing the area to remove hard rubbish which has been dumped illegally over many years. The

draft of the information brochure we are producing is be-ing reviewed. Suggested amendments are to be consid-ered for their inclusion

Next year is shaping up to be a busy one. Thank you to all who have assisted this year and every-one is invited to be part of the caring for this piece of public land.

Ian O’Halloran for POHAG.

25

1. Golden Point Landcare has secured $10,690.00 for a new

Local Landscape Enhancement Project .This project aims to encourage people to enjoy and

learn about the cultural and environmental history of this area by improving the physical amenity and accessibility of the Forest Creek Track from Expedition Pass Reser-voir through the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (CDNHP) to the site of the 1815 Monster Meeting at Chewton. The 2012 Forest Creek Action Plan outlines the various assets along the entire creek, the threats to these and the recommended actions to help improve the environment as well as the recreation opportunities. The recent Chewton Community Planning process also identi-fied the existing track as an important asset for the local community and visitors but was in need of further work to improve amenity and accessibility.

The money provided is for steps, slat bridges and sig-nage. The preparation of the information to be put on the panels on the interpretive signs will be done by a work-ing party including members from Golden Point Landcare, Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests, Chewton Domain Society, Connecting Country and Parks Victoria. Parks Victoria will be involved in decisions on the location of the slat bridges, the steps and the siting of the interpretive signs.

Conducted walks highlighting the various signifi-

cant features will follow, and these would include the First Nation history, the Forest Creek gold rush, recovering landscapes, woodland birds, threatened and endangered species (Red Spider Orchid, Brush-tailed phascogale), Eu-calypt Field Guide and Mosses of South Eastern Australia.2. Golden Point Landcare has also secured $9,700.00 in a Communities for Nature grant.

This grant is for enhancing native vegetation in the Forest Creek catchment to improve Eucalypt species’ health. The Forest Creek catchment is an urban bushland interface in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. It has increasing areas of native vegetation requiring regular maintenance of weeds currently being managed by Golden Point Landcare in partnership with Parks Victoria. It also has examples of nearly half the eucalypt species in the region – a Eucalypt Field Guide is being produced by the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests and the walking track through this linear park will make an ideal showcase for these species.

The $9,700 grant will be supplemented by in-kind contributions. Information sessions will be held on ap-propriate weed control and native grass identification to help people understand the best and easiest ways to help improve the bushland. A planting day and working bees will be held to reinforce this knowledge. Eucalypt ID walks will be held to give new people the opportunity to interact with Golden Point Landcare members who have developed a good understanding of best practices.

Golden Point Landcare grant successes

Golden Point Landcare grass ID day

This workshop was designed to help people recognise some of our local indigenous native grasses – and early in December was a perfect time to start. This is the time when the grass seed heads are prominent and easy to iden-tify – and also the time to collect the seed in readiness for either propagating later or direct seeding. The group of identifiers wandered across the slopes of the hill where those who knew the grasses pointed them out and dis-cussed their value and specific characteristics. Collecting seed in readiness for direct seeding on private properties as well as through the Forest Creek valley is easy and worth-while – and a lot of fun – and people felt confident enough

to try this method. When a shower of rain came we decided morning

tea was a good idea. Ian O’Halloran was presented with a photo and gifts in appreciation for his long term com-mitment as president of Golden Point Landcare for the last 19 years – he will always be available to support the group and its members with his knowledge of native flora and fauna. The history of the group was talked about over morning tea and it was decided that we should record these stories along with the many partnerships and projects that GPL has worked on over the years – a job for a rainy day perhaps?

Jennifer Pryce GPL Secretary 0423 900 590.

26

CDSChewton Domain Society

The outward correspondence listed at the December meet-ing indicated it had been a busy month. A thinking of you card was sent to the McMillan family on the passing of Dorothy (Dot) who was an inaugural member of the CDS. Thank you cards were sent to a recent donor, to Bronwyn Dawson for her help in devising the position description for the Town Hall Facility Manager position and to Cas-tlemaine Goldfields F.C. for the allowing the use of the George Archer pavilion for the CDS committee meetings whilst the town hall was being restored.

The treasurer’s report showed a balance as at 8.12.2014 of $34,761.49, with accounts for payment total-ling $ 1,257.37 and committed funds of $7,300.00. Ac-counts are still to come for some of the recent town hall works – cleaning, plumbing, electrical, kitchen fitting and blinds. GST registration for the next 3 months will be nec-essary as a result.

To meet compliance standards work is still needed with drainage, side entrance levelling and surfacing and a ramp at the rear door.

It was pointed out that the Coliban Water account was big and there is a need to monitor the water meter to see if there is a leak occurring.

Consolidation and completion of the major town hall works to allow the promotion of the use of the hall is the priority and then the committee will be in a position to con-sider future priorities for 2015. The accounts still to come in could be $10,000 and this combined with the commit-ted funds would leave us with approx. $17,000 to operate on in the future – this should be our reserve. The major current issue is universal access – this involves plumbing, drainage, surfacing of path, new external door including push bar and access ramp. Costings for this work are to be confirmed but could be expected to be approximately $3,000.

Air conditioning was discussed and it was agreed that we should monitor the use of the town hall for the next 12 months to assess the need and viability of this idea. Sustainable ideas such as solar panels and water tanks are also to be part of this review at a later stage.

Setting up the town hall with the required audio vi-sual resources is a priority both for the People and Places

volunteers as well as providing further attraction and flex-ibility for potential hirers of the hall. Glen has done some initial costings and for approx.$2,000 it could be possible to purchase a data projector, laptop, flat TV screen, screen and scanner.

On-going discussions will be needed regarding the possible targeting of donations towards these projects.

Glen Harrison reported that the CDS membership is now at 139 and that includes 2 new members.

Elaine Appleton reported on sales of DVDs and pho-tos and tabled a number of completed history collection books that she has been working on. These are to be cata-logued.

People and Places Display volunteers have had 2 workshops with 2 new recruits expressing interest in help-ing. The volunteers are interested in producing a DL sized brochure – some suggestions were tabled for the commit-tee to look at and this will be emailed to the volunteers for their input.

The property management report listed works need-ed. These will see Sera Jane Peters continuing to oversee:• completion of drainage works, • checking condition of skylights• assessing the condition of the toilets (installed in 1996)• replacing the spouting and downpipe at the rear of the

town hall and installing leaf guard and landscaping next to town hall

• replacing the cover over the gas meter• Installing an appropriate light at the front door • professional cleaning of windows • requesting universal access assessment• overseeing any repair works deemed the responsibil-

ity of the contractor in conjunction with the Heritage Architect .

Other works include:• Phil Hall explained progress with the hanging/lighting

system• The back door security light is to be checked• Plants at the front• Request VicRoads remove the word “Museum” from

the street sign• People and Places DL flyer to be produced.• Peppercorn/elm tree needs trimming • Replace rear door and crash bar/exit sign• Footpath management into the future

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The Chewton Town Hall Restoration Project is 95% complete and it is time to acknowledge the many local tradesmen and companies who have assisted the Domain Society on this mammoth task.

Some have donated time and services, some have donated materials. Some have worked hard to make sure things were done on time and some undercharged or ‘forgot’ to send us a bill. The CDS and the community are very, very grateful for your generosity, goodwill and professionalism.• AG Kitchens – for the beautiful joinery in the kitchen/

meeting room • SJ Plumbing – for installing the HWS and gas pipes

and sorting out the sewerage• Universal Electrics – for coming back time and again

to redo lights• D & B Button Painting – for the beautiful paintwork• Steve Dowling – for working weekends to finish the

kitchen• Lynn Mewett – for proiding a fantastic colour scheme

for the interior• Vaughan Greenberg – for making and installing a

screen door for the kitchen with only a week’s noticeA special mention must go to Daydd Kelly who

did the architectural drawings for the kitchen, ordered appliances, oversaw the installation of joinery and negotiated a better outcome for the kitchen with Council. Thanks so much Daydd for stepping in and helping when it was all getting a bit much for us.

We would also like to thank the CDS committee for being patient and always agreeing to pay yet more bills to get the job done.

Sera-Jane Peters and Marie Jones.

TA from the TH!

40 Lyttleton Street (P.O. Box 632) Castlemaine 3450Ph: (03) 5472 4622 Fax: (03) 5472 4315

Email: shop@castlemaineofficesupplies.com.auProps: Andrew & Sue Thomas

STATIONERY IS OUR BUSINESS

Call in and see Andrew, Sue and Lindafor that “special” service

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• Cleaning of spouting and long term maintenance. Meetings have been held with the Fryerstown Old

School Committee to discuss the possibility of the 2 co-ordinators/manager positions of the 2 facilities (The TH and the old school) being done by either one person or 2 people working on the components of marketing and pro-motion and an operational role. It was agreed that an ad be placed in the January 2015 Chewton Chat and in the Midland Express asking for Expressions of Interest by the end of January.

A brief report on the Monster Meeting celebration was given.

The meeting closed at 8.15 p.m. The next CDS Man-agement Committee Meeting is on Tuesday February 17th at 7 p.m. in the Chewton Town Hall.

A ripe tomato for Christmas?

This is long held challenge for home veggie growers and some years the weather just isn’t conducive. But this year the Rouge de Marmande’s seem to have come through. Six days out from Christmas and one was ripe for the picking.

28

tors for the two who had made them-selves scarce after emerging from the water.

And there was a duck race to send everyone quackers! To get the num-bered duck to the other end of the pool without using hands required a lot of skill - and intense concentration.

Sirens heralded the arrival of the Chewton fire truck. A heavily bearded Santa arrived with his helpers – his pres-ence welcomed along with his presents. A queue quickly formed and it was on – children on Santa’s knee, photo-

graphs, selfies, family shots – and smiles. Lots of smiles. And presents - water pistols among them. Squirts were soon ringing out and water was ricocheting around the pool and surrounds. But the Santa queue was not noticeably getting any shorter. It was looking like a nine or ten o’clock finish…

Time to pass out by the Jumping Castle and join the other queue – it was pizza time!

More photos on chewton.net FaceBook.

Christmas at the pool? Well, the kids at the pool thought all their Christmases had come at once when the pool party got into full swing. With MC Phil Hall (where have we heard those words before?) battling an intermittent sound system the pool was eventu-ally emptied of swimmers and the games could begin.

First up (or first down in actual fact) was a ping pong competition. Into the water to retrieve as many ping pong balls as could possibly be seized and crammed into a little plastic bag. Out of the water and the count produced a clear winner – fourteen! On with the gold medal, then onto the next event - the money collecting competition.

Ping pong balls float. Coins don’t. The previous competition played out on the surface. This one didn’t. Huge intakes of air and then disap-pearances. Lots of splash-ing and feet thrashing the air. Those with goggles seemed to have some advantage but no-one complained as the competi-tion hotted up as the number of coins reduced.

Next was the team event – a piece of rope and a bun-dle of noodles to fashion a raft. Two noodles had to be kept aside though – for the two combatants on each side to bludgeon each other with. On to the rafts, out to the middle – and it was on. A confusion of swirling noodles, but neither side yielded. A swim/paddle off was needed to decide the winner – and a superb exhibition of water craft manoeuvring saw a clear winner emerge. More gold med-als presented – but only after a search through the specta-

Chewton Pool full of Christmas spirit

Pool Christmas Raffle......a huge success

TheluckywinnersoftheChristmasrafflewere:1stprize M. Ware, 2nd prize K. Blake, 3rd prize Caty.

Congratulations and a huge thank you to ev-eryone who bought tickets. Your generous efforts brought in $705.25 in total. Well done Chewton! Jenny.

29

Chewton - 100 years ago...Mount Alexander Mail

Tuesday 5 January 1915CHEWTON.New Year’s Eve was marked as usual by the removal of gates and tubs hung on lamp-posts. Outhouses were lifted bodily and placed on the main road, and heavy logs were also used in the decorations. The side brick wall of an empty house in Main street owned by Mr David Jones fell down during the night, as also did the top half of the wall of the house adjoining, which belongs to the estate of the late A. T. Dunsdon. Whether the damage was done by the heavy winds which prevailed on Thursday or other-wise is not known.

New Year’s Day was spent as usual. The majority went to the Gardens and the sports at Castlemaine. The weather was perfect, and everyone spent an enjoyable day. It is to be hoped that 1915 will see a revival of the mining industry in Chewton, as it is at present at a very low ebb.

Mount Alexander MailFriday 15 January 1915

NEW BRIDGE AT CHEWTON MEN GO ON STRIKE.RESULT OF OFFICIAL’S VISIT HIGHER WAGES WANTED.A strike of half a dozen workmen engaged in erecting the new concrete bridge at Chewton occurred yesterday morn-ing. The bridge is being erected by the Country Roads Board, and the contractor is Mr Eckberg, of Melbourne.

On Wednesday, Mr Smith, Secretary of the Builders’ Union, arrived from Melbourne, and all the men on the job joined the union. Yesterday word was received by the men from Mr Smith, instructing them to cease work, and they at once downed tools.

It is claimed by the men that under the law they are entitled to 10/ per day, and overtime, for the class of work they are doing, such being the wage paid to similar workmen in Melbourne. The contractor says in paying 8/- per day he is complying with the conditions of his con-tract.

Mr Smith, the Secretary of the Builders’ Union will be at the bridge today, when no doubt efforts will be made to effect an amicable settlement.

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There’s nothing second hand about these clocks except for the sweep one that circles the dial. Tom Taft is well known for the garden furniture he puts out for sale – but when he has time he whiles away the hours by assembling another time-piece. The current ones are labelled Forest Creek Diggings and are decorated in that theme. Yep – he has some for sale but you can’t buy them on tick!

And while photographing the clocks a jewellery box caught the camera’s attention. Made from a more than 100 year old piece of red gum this beauty spent most of its life as a fence post as part of a post and rail fence around a sheep run. And the legs? Parts of fence droppers.

Time well spent...

30

Prospecting typically involves the use of metal detectors, hand tools, pans or sluices in the search for gold, gem-stones and other minerals.

This information, prepared by Parks Victoria, the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria (PMAV), former Department of Primary Industries (DPI), former Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Victorian Gem Clubs Association (VGCA), is de-signed to help you enjoy this experience while protecting the natural environment and our cultural heritage.

Do you need a permit to prospect?Yes, it is called a Miner’s Right. A Miner’s Right is

a permit for prospecting in Victoria and must be carried at all times while you are prospecting. The only exception is if you are part of an organised group prospecting under the authority of a valid Tourist Fossicking Authority.

The Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 sets out the rights and obligations of the holder of a Miner’s Right.Important points of the Act include that you must not:

• Enter onto private property without the permission of the landowner.

• Prospect on a current Mining Licence without the per-mission of the licence holder.

• Use any equipment for excavation on the land, other than hand tools.

• Use explosives.• Remove or damage any shrubs or trees.• Disturb, destroy, interfere with or endanger an archae-

ological site or Aboriginal place or object.In addition:

• You must repair any damage to the land arising out of the search.

• Children under 18 years of age do not need a Miner’s Right if accompanied by an adult Miner’s Right hold-er if prospecting.

• Do not disturb or remove any heritage features or ob-jects (such as stone tools, middens, earthen mounds, bricks, building stone and old mining machinery).

• Treasure troves (hidden valuables) that may be dis-covered while fossicking belong to the Crown and must be reported to the Police.

Failure to comply with the above can result in prosecution.

Where can I go prospecting?Prospecting is permitted in most State Forests, many

Reserves and private property with landholder’s consent.Prospecting is also permitted in designated areas in the some parks including the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.

Prospecting is not allowed in Reference Areas, most State or National Parks (with the exception of those listed above) and certain streams and rivers.

Minimum impact prospectingYou can enjoy prospecting and help minimise any

impact in the following ways:• Prospect only in the permitted area.• Only drive your vehicles on tracks and roads open to

the public.• Only park your vehicle on the roadside.• Take all rubbish home or place it in a bin where pro-

vided. Do not bury it.• Minimise any damage to vegetation including the

ground layer.• Restore the ground as you found it - backfill any holes

you dig and replace any leaf litter as it was as soon as practicable.

Further to these general comments, prospectors are en-couraged to observe the provisions of the PMAV Code of Conduct whether or not they are members of the Associa-tion.

THE PMAV CODE OF CONDUCTPMAV members should:

• be informed of all statutory regulations that govern prospecting activities in Victoria.

• pursue where practicable, methods to improve the nat-ural environment.

• ensure that at all times activities are conducted in a manner that complies with health and safety require-ments.

• promote responsible prospecting and educate others about our Code.

• only conduct prospecting activities on private land with the consent of the owner.

A heads up on prospecting...

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

31

The Chewton Chat is published by the Chewton Domain Society. A subcommittee of John Ellis (Ed.),Bettie Exon, Gloria Meltzer, Debbie Hall, Phil Hall and Glen Harrison is responsible for the publication. Many volunteers help with production and circulation. It is circulated on the first of each month, necessitating a deadline of about the 22nd of the month before. Material can be left at the Chewton General Store, with any of the sub-committee members, sent by e-mail to goldenpoint2@bigpond.com or by calling 5472 2892.

Contributions of ideas, news items, articles, and letters are always welcome; as are advertisements that help meet monthly production costs. Circulation is via the Chewton General Store, Chewton Pet Supplies, Chewton Post Office, East End Servo, Red Hill Hotel, Castle Automotive Enterprises and Tourist Information Board, as well as the Bold Cafe, Castlemaine Library, Market Building, CHIRP, CIC, Castlemaine Copy Centre, Castlemaine Camera Shop and Castlemaine Office Supplies. Mt. Alexander Hospital Residential receives monthly copies too. Whilst copies are free, there are donation tins at many collection points and donations can be mailed to the CDS address below. Subscriptions for mailed copies can be arranged. Circulation is now 700. A full colour Chewton Chat can also be downloaded each month from www.chewton.net - as can earlier issues. The CDS can be contacted through PO Box 85, Chewton, 3451; or the Chewton Town Hall 5470 6131 (when open). The Chewton Chat wishes to advise that the views or remarks expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the editor, the management team or the Chewton Domain Society and no endorsement of service is implied by the listing of advertisers, sponsors or contributors.

Safety while prospectingFor a day in the bush your personal safety should

also be considered:• Take adequate water.• Beware of mine shafts.• Check the weather forecast and wear appropriate

clothing.• Fire is a particularly dangerous hazard for prospectors

during summer. Be careful with campfires and always check for fire bans.

• Tell someone responsible where you’re going and when you will be back.

• A basic knowledge of first aid is useful.Further information is available on the Energy and

Earth Resources website. The Department of State De-velopment Business and Innovation’s Energy and Earth Resources website has information about prospecting and Miner’s Rights.

Taken from a Press Release.

New Coordinator for the Old Fryerstown School...

Expressions of interest are called to develop to the next stage the role of promoting and coordinating the use of the Old Fryerstown School to wider communities, groups and businesses. The Committee is happy to receive proposals for undertaking part of this role or managing it differently.

The school has good spaces and modern equipment for a wide and exciting variety of activities. Over the past two years it has built a reputation as a great place in an attractive bush setting for workshops, celebrations, wed-dings, wakes, exhibitions, ‘Dance your socks off’ fun eve-nings, weekly Tai Chi, camping and interpretive events. There is active community involvement. It is a flexible part time commission paid role responding to the Committee of Management with opportunity for exercising marketing skills, establishing a wide range of contacts and develop-ing an events management business. Enquiries before end January to Tim Todhunter 0412390966 or email ttod-hunter@iinet.net.au

...Facility ManagerChewton Town Hall

The Chewton Domain Society is looking for expressions of interest for the newly created position of Facility Manager for the Chewton Town Hall. The recently restored town hall offers a beautiful space for a wide range of activities – exhibitions, meetings, concerts, wedding, parties, any-thing!

It is a flexible part time commission paid role respond-ing to the CDS Management Committee with opportunity for exercising marketing skills, establishing a wide range of contacts and developing an events management busi-ness. The possibility of sharing roles with the Fryerstown Community has been suggested as an option to explore – see advertisement above.

Enquiries before the end of January to Marie Jones 5472 2892, 0407 977 731 or goldenpoint2@bigpond.com

26 January 2015 Australia Day

Australia Day is a day to celebrate the past, present and future of the country. It is a commemoration of the day that the First Fleet landed in Sydney Cove in 1788, as well as a celebration of all the achievements of our country. At its core, Australia Day is driven by communities who celebrate everything they love about living in Australia and about being an Australian.

32

This is a “short Chat month”, as we have to try and beat the exigencies of the Christmas chaos. Our data set this edition is short by almost a third of the usual ‘month’. Nevertheless, we do have a distinctly summer feel to the information we do have.

Temperatures this month tell us that it is now definitely summer – even Dr. Entwhistle would call it summer now. Our month’s high so far has been 34 degrees celsius. No daytime temperatures below 20 degrees C. Ten days above 30 degrees C., and the remaining eight days at more than 20 degrees. The mode was 32 degrees and the average was 30.25 degrees. Really rather nice, though a bit hot in late afternoon occasionally.

As to the overnight temperatures, the average has been 14 degrees C. A lot of light doona nights, and good sleeping weather. The overnight mode was 15 degrees, and the highest overnight I recorded was 21 degrees C. and the lowest overnight temperature was 9 degrees C.

As to rain it was not a great “month” for rain. In our recording period, we have had just 7 millimetres, all of which fell within one 24 hour session. We remain with 103 rain days for the year so far, with little prospect of a great many more. We have however had an additional 10 days records of NRS, ‘not sufficient to register’. In annual terms I have recorded 458 millimetres of rain, only a little less than last year, more than the year before and a lot less than 2011. In the last fourteen years, we

have had seven years of less than 457 mms., and the remaining years with more. We always seem to want a little more, especially the odd 5 to 10 mils between midnight and 0600 in the morning. Overall, we are about on track for a very average year’s worth of rain. But it’s not only the quantity, it’s the timing of the falls that make all the difference. We want the rain to arrive in an orderly fashion that keeps the ground warm and moist for our vegies and our tanks topped-up.

And what of El Nino? Normal trade winds blow from South America to Australia (because the earth is rotating from west to east) delivering warm moist air and rain to Northern Australia. When the trade winds diminish, the Pacific sea water tends to flow towards the east. The convection currents now deliver rain to South America. Many other parts of the world also experience changing weather patterns. Interaction between sea temperature and trade winds result in what is known as ENSO - the El Nino Southern oscillation.

The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), is calculated using the air pressure differences between Tahiti and Darwin. Sustained negative values indicate El Nino conditions, and Australia experiences lower rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology, using the SOI, reports now there’s a 70% chance of a developing El Nino event this summer.

John Leavesley.

It’s definitely Summer!

Calendar of EventsJan 1st New Year’s Day.Jan 1st Sunday swimming classes for over 5s 11 a.m. Chewton Pool.Jan 9th Bold Café re-opens at 10 a.m.Jan 12th VicSwim classes start Chewton Pool. (see p. 9).Jan 19th Yoga and swimming starts 9 a.m., Chewton Pool.Jan 24th Deadline for the February Chewton Chat.Jan 24th Fryerstown Antique Fair 7 a.m., Fryerstown (also 25th and 26th from 9 a.m.).Jan 26th Australia Day.Jan 28th School Term 1 starts (Wednesday).Jan 31st Folding Chewton Chat (Saturday) 2.30 p.m., Chewton Town Hall.Jan 31st EOIs due for Chewton Town Hall and Fryerstown School coordinator positions (see p. 21).