Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Incorporating news from the Eppalock Primary School, Axe Creek Fire Brigade & the Axe Creek Landcare Group.
Welcome
CFA News
Eppalock PS Update
Landcares Latest
Church News
Community News
Kids Corner
Sam Spence
$50
Quarter Page
$25
Mar 2nd
Winter 2015
May 29th
Spring 2015
Sept 1st
Summer 2015
Dec 1st
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Issue 45
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13 25 00
Bushfire Information
Poisons Information
13 11 26
Useful Websites
CFA
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
DSE
www.dse.vic.gov.au
Local Churches
St Stephens Anglican & Strathfieldsaye Uniting
Church
920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye
School Terms
2015
Term 1
29 Jan 27 Mar
All Welcome
Term 2
13 Apr 26 Jun
Term 3
13 Jul 18 Sept
Term 4
Captain
5 Oct 18 Dec
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Neil Irving-Dusting
5439 6388
Issue 45
The degree of curing is one of the factors used in the determination of fire danger ratings
obviously there is a much greater risk from fire once the grass has dried out.
This year the curing in our area is a couple of weeks ahead of last year's observations. In parts
of the western district, and in the north-western outskirts of Melbourne, curing is around four
weeks ahead of last year. If we have hot or windy weather, major grass fires might start earlier
in the season. Be prepared!
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Issue 45
Who are you going to notify? It's a good idea at least to let the neighbour's know you are leaving, so they don't waste time checking on you if a fire does break out.
What precautions will you take before going? Check that all outside doors and windows are
firmly closed? Remove furniture etc from the deck or veranda? Check that flammable material is well clear of the house?
What about your pets?
Will you take them with you? Or leave them with somebody else to mind? Have you organized
food, water and shelter for them?
What if it's too late to leave?
Staying home has its dangers, but driving away after a fire has started can be much worse. On
Black Saturday many of those who died were trying to escape from the fires.
Even a small grass fire can generate lots of dense smoke, to the extent that you can't see where
you are driving. If you collide with a tree or another vehicle and then are trapped by the fire it
could well be fatal.
Your bushfire protection plan needs to include Plan B: what to do if it's too late to leave.
Look for many more detailed hints on the CFA web site
Under www.cfa.vic.gov.au search the Plan and Prepare section. There are lots of helpful ideas
and advice.
Above allkeep monitoring the conditions!
Listen to local radio (ABC or KLFM). TV stations do not generally broadcast bushfire information.
Set up the FireReady app on your phone, and listen for alerts.
Check the Vic Emergency website regularly (www.emergency.vic.gov.au).
Ring the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (1800 240 667) if you want to check if there is a fire in
the area.
AND stick your nose out the door from time to time to sniff the windthat's probably the most
important thing of all!
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Issue 45
"The job has changed a lot in the twenty years since my husband Tony took over the position
from his father Bill. Because Tony usually headed off to fires on the truck I did most of the comms
work, and in due course I became the official Comms Officer. In those days the fire call came
over the phone: I took the call and then began to ring brigade members until we had a crew. At
least I knew the truck was full, but looking back it was very time-consuming.
"Now the call comes to all our firefighters by pager, and automatically sets off the siren, which
we hear clearly from home. Whether I'm at home or at work I send an SMS message to the operational members, in case they've missed the pager call, and listen to the radio traffic to check
that the truck has turned out. If I'm not sure how many are on board I might head down to the
station, or ring the mobile phone in the truck.
"It's important to keep an eye on the clock, especially for fires that start late afternoon. Some of
the crew members might have been up since 4 in the morning, and we have to watch fatigue. If
it sounds as if the job might be a long one I'll start ringing around to line up a potential relief
crew.
"If we do send a changeover crew I like to go to the station to make sure that they know exactly
where they have to go, to check that they have plenty of water, and to make sure they travel
together rather than taking several cars to the fire ground.
"And if it looks as if the crew will be tied up for quite a while I'll generally ring the families to let
them know what's happeningthough this is less important now that nearly everybody carries a
phone."
Does your role tie you down in busy periods?
"It used to. In the past the family knew that we had to stay home for Total Fire Ban days. Sometimes we've had to celebrate Christmas early or late because of fire weather on Christmas Day.
(Over the years the brigade has had several call-outs on Christmas Day or at New Year. One
New Year's Eve the truck went to a fire at Barfold, and then ended up near Kyneton. We had to
organise a relief crew in the middle of the night.)
"These days new technology has made it a lot easier. I was sitting on the beach when the Sedgwick fire started last summer, but still arranged crews for the truckstablet computer on the sand
to keep up with what's happening (even following the radio traffic as the trucks were turned
out), and mobile phone in my hand.
"I used to write a detailed log of all turn-outs (crew names, times when the truck turned out, arrived on scene, and returned), but now all the times are recorded by the dispatch service in
Ballarat, so that part of my job is no longer necessary.
What are some of the good things about the Comms Officer's role?
"It's a good way to contribute to the brigade, and the community, without being on the truck.
Work or family commitments preclude active firefighting for some people; others prefer to take
on support roles that are vital for the functioning of the brigade.
"Welfare of firefighters and community members is at the forefront. Last summer when there was
an emergency alert message for a fire near Abbotts Road, I went to the station in case people
had nowhere else to go. Three families turned up at the shed; we arranged for the school to be
opened so they had somewhere to shelter and have a cup of tea until it was all clear. That was
a new job for the brigade, brought about by the greater emphasis on community warnings since
Black Saturday.
"I did wonder about getting involved in Incident Management more centrally, but I really prefer
to contribute locally. Indeed the local knowledge and experience of those who've been around
for a while are vital to the effectiveness of the brigade. Several of our members drive school buses; if there is a local fire I can contact the school to let the teachers know which bus routes may
be affected by the fire."
Thank you, Jan. I now have a better understanding of what goes on in the background when
the pager beeps and the siren wails. It's as well for all of us to realize there's a lot more to fighting
fires than squirting water on the flames.
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Issue 45
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Strathfieldsaye.
Daily comprehensive
Literacy & Numeracy
Supported Learning
extension)
Education
language, Mandarin.
Students have the opportunity to take part in the
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Art sessions
school.
Issue 45
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Issue 45
CHINESE PROGRAM
New to the curriculum at Eppalock Primary School this year has been the introduction of the
Chinese language, Mandarin. Students from Prep to Grade 6 have participated in the language program for one hour each week which has been delivered by language teachers
from China.
The Program has been developed in conjunction with Bendigo Senior Secondary College to
provide an extended learning challenge for all students.
Following on from this has been the Overseas Learning Experience Chinese Immersion Program
which has seen Eppalock Primary School play host to two young students from China during
this term.
The boys, FENG YIFAN - Andrew and HAN YIHENG Bob, stayed with two school
families and became very much a part of our school community.
Every Tuesday they, along with Chinese students
from Kennington PS, Spring Gully PS and Quarry Hill
PS, attended Kennington Primary School to enhance their English speaking skills. Within the session the students have had the opportunity to embrace every aspect of our Australian culture. Students speak English at home and at school (unless
attending specific Chinese school lessons).
Our visiting students have also participated in
normal everyday family activities with their host
families eg school, shopping, sporting events etc.
They have also had the opportunity to visit many
areas around Victoria as a group during the
weekends.
Eppalock Primary School has three Grade 6 students who have registered for this program for
2015. Our students will join students from other primary schools in Bendigo for a 9 day tour visiting Shanghai and Suzhou in June 2015.
The program is designed to:
Strengthen the students Chinese language learning by providing opportunities for purposeful, genuine and authentic communication.
To increase global awareness and intercultural understanding.
To broaden the knowledge and understanding of students by enabling them to gain an
appreciation and respect for the Chinese culture.
Following is some thoughts on the exchange experience from one of our host families
Ni Hao!
Two Eppalock Primary school families were lucky to become hosts this year for the annual
Team China school exchange with Suzhou. Eppalock Primary welcomed two students into
the school and we were thrilled to be able to welcome Andrew into our home, one of the
two 10year old Chinese boys. They were here in Australia for an 8 week stay.
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Issue 45
Their English skills were very good, excellent even for children of that age learning a second language. They
could speak and write English almost fluently. Their comprehension however was not quite at this level and
there have been many fun discussions about what
things mean, repeat requests to get something out of
their room and learning about consequence.
We had Andrew join in everything we did as one of our
family we just had 4 kids now. He did jobs with our other kids, lived with our house/family rules, rode the bus to
school, did homework and sat down at mealtimes with
us as his family. Not getting up and leaving the table as
soon as he finished and playing best worst thankful
each evening at dinner was something new but
seemed to be enjoyable for him. Our children have
loved playing and chatting to Andrew daily - and their own Mandarin language knowledge
has improved.
We made sure he had a bike so he could ride like a maniac with our other children, had rowdy,
crowded family birthday parties, decorated our Christmas tree together and went to the
pool in town to cool off. We had campfires, cooked marshmallows and went on torchlight
night hikes. We took him to see the fairy penguins and racing track at Phillip Island, taught
him how to body surf at the beach at Torquay and visited Sovereign Hill in Ballarat.
On Saturday 6th December we said goodbye (for now) to our new little friend but feel very
blessed to have been part of the experience.
Sally-Anne and Hayden Symes, Sedgwick
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When
Where
All Welcome
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Goodbye 2014! As the year winds down Axe Creek Landcare Group is planning for 2015. The
Group wishes to involve community members in discussions on issues which affect impact on
our lives in the Axe Creek area.
Topics which will be on our agenda include soil improvement, combatting soil erosion, weed
identification and management and the establishment of native gardens in the Axe Creek
catchment area. Other issues involve bugs and plant diseases, salty bore water. Growing fruit
trees, here and the most effective mulches and manures.
If any of these matters interest you or you might like to share another local issue, please feel
free to come along to any of our meetings. Everybody is welcome and, who knows, you may
even get to know your neighbour!! Landcare meeting are a great way to meet others in our
Axe Creek neighbourhood!
Financing Projects: Over the years many projects have been completed due to diligent efforts by some members in writing submissions to obtain available funding from various authorities.
Recently the Group was delighted to hear that it had received a $6000 grant from the Farm
Tree Landcare Association Communities for Nature. The project was titled Maintaining Remnant Habitats and was mainly prepared by Barry Ward. The grant has enabled the purchase
of 5000 local indigenous plants and guards. It also provides for training and promotion.
Poo Pile!
Need manure for your garden! Bags available from out the front of
125 Axe Creek Rd at $2.00 each or phone
54393144 for a trailer load at $10-$15.00 per load.
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Church News
From the Bible:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was
with God in the beginning The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace
and truth. (John 1:1-2, 14).
For Christians, Christmas remembering the time God broke into the worlds history, in Jesus
Christ. As we celebrate Christmas, we happily invite anyone to join us.
Christmas Eve (Thursday):
4pm
7.30pm
This ongoing partnership will be called the Strathfieldsaye Community Church, and while still
part of both the wider Anglican and Uniting Church bodies, will be more independent again,
seeking to serve the local area and grow in its own right. For more information, check out our
Facebook page The Strathfieldsaye Church or call Steve on 5439 4817.
www.facebook.com/strathfieldsayechurch
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Community News
email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com
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phone: 54392678
email: bagus_kan@yahoo.com
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Kids Corner
Christmas lanterns
Centrepieces don't have to take up the entire table or even be on the table! Why not try a
hanging centrepiece this Christmas to free up space for all that important food and conversation flow? This one is made with toilet paper rolls! Dressed up with paint and glitter, you
have to look hard to realise what they really are. Makes a
good conversation starter! Grab the kids, some painting
smocks and enjoy this Chrissy craft.
You'll need:
Paint
Paintbrushes
A scalpel
Glitter
Also required: pegs, fishing wire and masking tape
Step one
Clip a peg to the toilet roll for ease of painting and paint the toilet roll inside and out like we
did, contrasting solid colours on the inside and outside. You'll need to move the peg slightly
to paint the part it covers.
Step two
Still holding the peg and with the paint still wet, roll in glitter. Move the peg again to cover
the entire roll. Leave to dry.
Step three
Use your scalpel to cut the toilet roll along the natural spiral seam. Start about a centimetre
from the top and finish a centimetre from the bottom. Repeat the entire way around the roll
with the cuts one to two centimetres apart. Use both hands to manoeuvre the roll slightly so
the cut pieces bend a little, forming a lantern.
Step four
Cut or punch a hole in the top of the roll on opposite sides and thread a piece of fishing wire
through and tie.
Step five
Hang from the ceiling with white-coloured masking tape (to blend in with the paint) or tie to
a light fitting.
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