Axe Creek Eppalock Newsletter

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

Welcome to the Winter Issue Edition 55. Winter 2017

Congratulations to Eppalock PS for being announced as the winners Welcome

of the Primary School category in the 2017 Bendigo Sustainability
Community Notice Board
Awards. I can say with some confidence that guest speaker, Dr Josh
Bryne was excited by the kids and their efforts in living sustainability. CFA News

As always the CFA news has some valuable tips and advice for all Eppalock PS Update
readers. Axe Creek Playgroup

The Country Womens Association (CWA) have also sent us details of Landcares Latest
their organisation and meetings. They are keen to start up a new Church News
group in the Axe Creek area, please flick through to page 19 to learn
more. Community News

Kids Corner
Enjoy the cooler weather and as always, if you have some news for
us, please email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com
Sam Spence

Thank you to this issues

Contributors
Advertise your Business AND help the Community
John Wells - Axe Creek Fire
If you would like some great local exposure for a reasonable price, then advertise in the Brigade
next issue of the Axe Creek Eppalock Newsletter. Jason O'Neill & Marie Mannes
- Eppalock PS
Full Page $100
Gillian Wells, Chris Kirwan &
Half Page $50
David Gallagher - Axe Creek
Quarter Page $25 Fees charged help cover printing costs. Landcare

Steve Weickhardt - Anglican

Advertising deadline for future issues: Parish
Spring 2017 August 31st

Summer 2018 Dec 1st

Autumn 2018 Mar 2nd

Winter 2018 June 1st Contact us via axecreeknews@gmail.com

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 1
 Community Notice Board
Emergency Contact Numbers
Fire, Police & Ambulance 000
(life threatening or time critical emergencies only)

Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226

Information about all emergencies, including bushfires, storms and floods

Burn Off Notifications 1800 668 511

Poisons Information 13 11 26
Wildlife Rescue Service 0419 356 433

Useful Websites Local Churches

CFA www.cfa.vic.gov.au
DSE www.dse.vic.gov.au
Strathfieldsaye Community Church
Vic Roads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye
Combined Service - Sunday Mornings 9.30am

School Terms St Josephs Catholic Church

2017 Cnr Axe Creek & Strathfieldsaye/Eppalock Rds.

Sunday Mornings 9am

Term 1
30 Jan 31 Mar All Welcome

Term 2
18 Apr 30 Jun

Term 3
Axe Creek CFA
17 Jul 22 Sept

Term 4 Captain Neil Irving-Dusting

9 Oct 22 Dec 5439 6388

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 2
 CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade
REORGANISATION OF VICTORIAS FIRE SERVICES HOW WILL IT AFFECT AXE CREEK?

At the time of writing the state government has introduced legislation into parliament to implement its
proposed reorganisation of Victorias fire services. This is to change CFA into a purely voluntary service
covering the country areas and smaller towns and cities, and to create Fire & Rescue Victoria, a new
body staffed entirely by paid firefighters, to service metropolitan Melbourne and the larger regional
centres. Because the government does not have a majority in the upper house the final fate of the leg-
islation is uncertain.
However, whatever the outcome of the parliamentary process, there will be little change to the opera-
tion of Axe Creek fire brigade or our neighbouring brigades. Except for Bendigo fire brigade, which has
both paid and volunteer members, all CFA brigades in District 2 (which covers the municipal areas of
Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Central Goldfields) are entirely voluntary.
Volunteers will continue to respond as before. Our brigade will still receive support from paid operational
and administrative staff, but some of these may be employed by FRV and then seconded to work in
CFA.
In summaryalthough the reorganisation of Victorias fire services will entail major changes at higher
levels, the effect on rural and semi-rural brigades such as Axe Creek will be small.

WINTER IS A TIME FOR BRIGADE TRAINING

When the bushfire threat diminishes at the end of summer, fire brigade volunteers turn their thoughts to
training and updating their firefighting skills.
Recently several members spent a day at Emergency Services Victorias training ground at Huntly,
where they faced a house fire, a car crash involving fire and casualties, a leaking gas tank, and then
(together with other crews) a spectacular gas tank fire with flames several meters high. These scenarios
were a great opportunity to employ a number of different firefighting techniques, and to practise the
safe operations and teamwork so important for working in potentially hazardous situations.
By the time you read this others will have spent a day at a first aid refresher course, and before summer
further training sessions will cover off-road driving, hazmat incidents and other topics.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 3
 TALKING OF TRAINING
Have you thought about joining your local fire brigade? Were a
friendly bunch of ordinary people who believe that community
members should support one another in times of need. Were on the
lookout for new operational members. As a volunteer firefighter you
will learn new skills, be better equipped to look after yourself, your
family and your neighbours when fire threatens, and you will make
new friends. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing you are
helping to keep your community safe.
Bushfire safety may not be uppermost in your mind in the middle of
winter, but this is a good time to contact the brigade. We will need
to help you become familiar with the equipment and its operation
before you attend a series of formal training sessions to be held in
spring.
Please contact Training Officer Brad Knight (5439 6034) or Captain Neil Irving-Dusting (5439 6388) for
more information. We look forward to hearing from you!

WINTER IS ALSO A TIME FOR HOUSE FIRES!

Sadly, although the brigade can rest from fighting grass and bush fires during winter, we are still con-
stantly on the alert to respond to house fires. You think it cant happen to you? Well, consider these sta-
tistics from last year.
In 2016 CFA brigades attended 1,635 preventable house fires, in which 10 people died and property
losses totalled 51.8 million dollars. (Those figures exclude malicious or criminal fires, and fires started by
natural causes or causes outside the property.) The number of fires had not changed much from 2015,
but there were many more fatalities (up from 4 in 2015), and an increase of 17% in the total damage bill.
31% of the fires were cooking-related (18% from unattended cooking), 23% electrical, and 16% related
to heating.

Take steps to prevent your home burning

The statistics are a good guide as to where to start. The kitchen is an obvious hot spot (pun intended!):
Always supervise children in the kitchen
Keep the stovetop and oven clean from built-up grease, dust and oil
Clean the rangehood filter regularly (When was the last time you did that?)
Keep paper towels and tea towels away from cooking and heat sources
NEVER leave cooking unattended
Next make sure that all your electrical appliances, power boards and extension cords are in good con-
dition.
Dont overload power boards
Have electric blankets checked regularly. Use them only to pre-heat the bed: switch them off be-
fore getting into bed.
And remember to have gas heaters serviced, and flues of wood heaters cleaned annually.

Does someone you know need your help?

Of people who died in a house fire over the last 10 years:
More than half did not have a working smoke alarm
Two thirds were over 65 or had a disability
Nearly two thirds lived alone
Think about older relatives, neighbours, friends or adult children whove recently moved out of home.
Assist a loved one or older neighbourcheck their smoke alarm, prepare an escape plan and com-
plete a home fire safety checklist.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 4
 FROM THE ARCHIVES
Burnswhether from boiling water or firecan be fatal to small children. These reports, one concerning
a local family, are from over 130 years ago, but sadly even today children die from burns. We all need
to be aware of dangers around the house, and always vigilant.
Weekly Times, Saturday 2 October 1880
Fatal Accidents to Children
The youngest of the two children who was admitted into the Bendigo Hospital at an early hour on Friday
morning, suffering from injuries received through being scalded at their parents' residence, at Axe
Creek, succumbed yesterday morning at 2 o'clock (says Monday's Bendigo Advertiser). The coroner
subsequently held an inquest upon the body at the hospital. The deceased's name was John M cCarthy,
and he was three years of age. According to the evidence of the mother, Margaret M cCarthy, de-
ceased was lying on the floor near the fireplace on Thursday evening, when a kettle of boiling water
that was on the fire fell down, through the wood underneath having burnt away. The deceased was
severely scalded by the hot water, and witness's hands were so badly burned in tearing away his
clothes that she was unable to use them. Flour was applied to the scalds, and the child was immediate-
ly conveyed to the hospital. The other child, Donald, who was also scalded at the same time, was taken
to the hospital later in the day. Dr. Welchman, assistant surgeon at the hospital, stated that on admission
he found the deceased suffering from scalds on the back and arms and shock to the system. He never
rallied. The other child's injuries were not so serious. A verdict of accidentally scalded was returned.
A painful accident happened on Saturday morning, which resulted in the death of a little girl, daughter
of Mr. James Lee, of Spring Mount, aged about four and a half years (says the Creswick Advertiser). It
appears the child, in company with a younger sister, was playing in front of the fire place, when by
some means her clothes became ignited. The parents and other members of the family were all en-
gaged outside the house at the time, and no assistance being rendered, the little one was severely
burnt about the body and thighs. Dr. Lindsay, who was sent for, attended to the injuries, but pro-
nounced the case a hopeless one. The little sufferer lingered till Sunday morning, when she expired.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 5
 Eppalock Primary School

Education Week
On Monday 22nd May we welcomed Lee Macdonald and Jenny Robinson back to Eppalock PS as part
of our back to school assembly. It was great listening to their personal memories about their time at
Eppalock as a past student and past Principal.

Lee and Jenny both spoke passionately about the school and their experiences. It was interesting to
hear about the changes at the school during their time. Lee shared a number of photos and newspa-
per clippings, which even had some of our current parents as students. Lee was good enough to allow
us to copy these and we have put them up in the foyer area for all to see. He told us a little story about
how the school were lucky enough to have a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister of the time,
Bob Hawke.

Jenny shared some stories about the many changes that occurred in the school environment during
her time and her memories of the wonderful support she received from the community. A huge thanks
to Lee and Jenny for giving up their time to make our assembly very special. It would be great to sup-
port Lee at Macdonalds nursery when you can.

On the Monday night we held an information evening for families interested in joining our community in
2018. It was fantastic to meet a few new faces and we hope we might be able to work with them in
the future.

We had our school Open Morning on Wednesday the 24th. We had a number of special people and
family members visit our school and stay for our shared morning tea. Our students did a great job of
serving the morning tea to our guests and showing respect and care for others (and great patience for
not eating the food while they served it!!) Thanks to all who contributed to the morning tea and Lydia
and her team of students for making a special dessert in the kitchen.

Jenny Robinson &

Lee Macdonald
with students

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 6
Netbooks
Thanks to our super ICT guru Matt Atkins, our new netbooks are now operational. Our whole school
have been exploring some of the exciting programs during our student led sessions, in hobbies and
clubs and during regular class time. Our senior students have been able to buddy up with our junior
grades to share and demonstrate programs they know a lot about. Pivot animation, Debut camera
software, Tux paint/maths, Encarta Kids and Scratch seemed to be the most popular. As a school we
have discussed how to take care of the netbooks when we are using them. We intend on holding a
family sharing session in the near future.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Photo | Dr Josh Byrne with students from Eppalock Primary School at the Sustainability Awards.

The Bendigo Sustainability Awards is a community initiative of the Bendigo Sustainability Group de-
signed to celebrate the businesses, organisations, groups and individuals in our community that are in-
novating and making small yet significant (or big) changes towards a more sustainable way of life.

At the recent awards night, Eppalock Primary School won the primary schools award. This is great
recognition for the sustainability work our teaching staff do in the school and the great support re-
ceived from our wonderful parent community.

Dr Josh Byrne was a fabulous and engaging speaker on the night. Josh is an environmental scientist
with a passion for sustainable gardening, appropriate technology and innovative environmental de-
sign.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 7
 Living Green Program
During the Living Green program, I brought in my group-leading tarp to do some tarpology with the
students at Eppalock. With my background in Outdoor Education, I was very happy to be in the out-
doors with the students to give them a little snapshot of my job as an Outdoor Edder.

For the most part, I work mainly with high school students, so I was not sure how the younger grades at
Eppalock would go with tarpology. I explained to the students that being able to quickly build a
good shelter to protect a group from the elements is a vital part of my job. We started in the morning
with the prep/1s, and they were all very industrious, finding just the right sticks to help me build the tarp
shelter. Next we had the Grade 4/5/6 students and they all worked together as a team so well to cre-
ate an amazing shelter, so much so that I had very little input whatsoever. Finally, with the Grade 2/3
students we made a slightly different tarp shelter because the cold wind had picked up in the after-
noon, and we wanted to be able to protect ourselves from the elements.

Each class used their tarp creation as a field-base under which they created some beautiful clay
discs stamped with objects found in nature. These will be displayed in the Sensory Garden soon.

It was a real pleasure to spend time introducing the studnets to another aspect of the outdoors, and I
was very impressed with their new-found tarpology skills.

(Ms Coard - Masters of Education student undertaking placement at Eppalock Primary School)

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 8
DISCOVERY CENTRE AND BENDGO ART GALLERY VISIT
Wow! Our whole school has just had an enriching, discovery-filled all-day excursion to both the Discov-
ery Centre and Bendigo Art Gallery. The original purpose of our excursion was to learn more about
Our Place in Space and consolidate the understandings we already had about weather; the Earth,
Moon and Sun; and our Solar System. We managed to do this and a whole lot more.

These are just some of the things the students learnt in the Planetarium at the Discovery Centre:
Jupiter has 67 moons
Scientists are debating whether to make pluto a planet again
Venus doesnt have any moons
There is a storm over Jupiter that has been going for over 400 years..

We were also lucky enough to participate in one of two Challenge Labs:

1. Marble Runs (Grades 3 6)
2. Turbulent Tunnels (Prep Grade 2).

Students were set a challenge, given the materials and then asked to work in a team to address the
challenge. The best part of these challenges were that students weren't given examples or instructions,
they were invited to create, to try different things, to talk together, to fail and try again and it was terrif-
ic to see such a diversity of ideas and problem-solving skills, as well as perseverance and cooperation.

Many children also braved the vertical slide, including one of their teachers, who was still shaking 15
minutes after coming off the vertical slide. Children also got to explore and test the things that interest-
ed them most before heading off to Rosalind Park. Rolling down the hill was a hit for most children!

We were lucky enough to tour the Art Gallery with Margot, Helen and other passionate educators/tour
leaders who could share some fabulous stories about the artworks and where they had come from.
Helen asked the students to study the artworks in the Portrait Gallery and choose which artist they
would like to paint their portrait a terrific question that really got students thinking.

After studying some animal artwork and in particular The Young Family by Patricia Piccinini, students
were asked to created their own hybrid animals. Margot provided lots of plastic animals for inspiration
and students created the most amazing new animals!

We are very fortunate to have such valuable resources, experts in their field and passionate scientists,
educators and artists right here in Bendigo. They add so much to our students education and experi-
ences. Thank you Discovery Centre and Bendigo Art Gallery!

Di Riepsamen

4/5/6 Teacher

Comments from Prep and Grade 1 students

More over page

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 9
 Eddie

Katie

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 10
Reflections from Grade 4/5/6 students on Discovery Centre and Art Gallery excursion
On Thursday 1st of June, we went to the Discovery Centre and Art Gallery.

First we went to the Discovery Centre and had a little snack. Then we split into two groups, (Prep, Grade 1
and 2), (Grade 3, 4, 5, 6). Our Group was the 3,4,5,6 and we went and made marble runs. We had an
hour to make a marble run in groups of four. It was super fun but challenging. Then we got to have a look
around. After we had a look around we went on the vertical slide. Lots of kids went down and our teach-
er also went down, she sat there for a long time then went down. After all the fun stuff at the Discovery
Centre we walked to the Art Gallery. We got there and got back into our groups and went straight into it.
We learnt all about Art and made some of our own.

It was a great day and lots of fun.

By Jess and Tilly

Last week Eppalock Primary School went to the Discovery Centre and the Bendigo Art Gallery. We went
on the bus and then we got off the bus at the Discovery Centre. We had our morning tea when we ar-
rived and then we broke up into groups. The Prep, one and twos went to the Planetarium and we looked
at all the stars and planets. After that we played on all the activities there. We went in the wind tunnel
and made flying inventions. Some people went on the vertical slide. It was great fun and I liked the funny
people there.

For lunch we walked to Rosalind Park and we played with balls and some people rolled down the
hills. We also played in the leaves.

After lunch we walked to the Art Gallery. We split into small groups and we looked at all the art and then
we talked about all the artists. Next we did some pictures of mythical creatures. I drew a picture which
was half deer, half shark and half tiger.

At the end Will K and Jess said thank-you to the people at the Art Gallery.

Then we hopped on the bus and went back to school. I had a great time on the excursion.

By Xavier

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 11
When Mondays 1.30 pm 3.15 pm
Thursdays 1.30 pm 3.15 pm
Where Eppalock PS Old School Building.149 Patons Road Axe Creek
(just a few minutes from Strathfieldsaye)

Come along and join other families for a cuppa and chat whilst your pre-school children enjoy lots of fun
activities. Fresh fruit is provided.

Morning Tea & activities provided.

Gold Coin Donation per child.

For further information please

phone (03) 5439 6366
email: eppalock.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
http://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au
All Welcome

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 12
 Axe Creek Landcare
The Axe Creek Landcare Committee meet at Eppalock Primary School,
in the newly refurbished Kitchen/Community Room
on the first Monday of each month
at 7.30 pm after daylight saving ends
or at 8.00 pm during daylight saving.

In 2017 we are aiming to have meetings or activities of interest to the general public
most months. There will be notices about these on the notice board in the Strathfield-
saye Shopping Centre. Non-members are welcome to attend.

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

On the 5th June 2017, at the Axe Creek Landcare group meeting, David Gallagher gave a presentation on
Global Climate Change. He showed four short YouTube videos:

Climate change 101 with Bill Nye (National Geographic on Vimeo).

10 signs that global warming is no longer a debate (TED-Ed).
The greatest speech of Leonardo DiCaprio (Climate Change by Mirek Le Fou).
An Inconvenient Truth 2 official trailer for An Inconvenient Truth Sequel by Al Gore.

All of the above you tube video clips are a must see.

The main two reasons for global warming are:

Massive increase in human population over the last 50 years (3.5 billion 1967 to 7.5 billion 2017).
Our human nature striving to have a good lifestyle.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 13
Most western cultures prosperity and business goals are centred around economic growth This economic
growth, in many cases, is pursued with little regard to resources consumed and greenhouse gas emitted.
This is not to say what we doing is wrong, but actions driven purely on economic growth do and will have
environmental consequences on the earth (and for generations to come) if not balanced with care and
respect for what we have.

Taking that care and giving that respect could be possible. Take the trouble to google and view Bhutan's
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgays inspiring TED speech: This country isn't just carbon neutral it's carbon
negative. Bhutan is located deep in the Himalayas, on the border between China and India (the 2 coun-
tries in the world with the most population), and pledges to remain carbon neutral for all time. The coun-
try's mission is to put happiness before economic growth and set a world standard for environmental
preservation. Bhutan is thriving. Its a great video clip to watch.

In our fast paced world and where price sensitivity is very strong, products are normally manufactured as
cheaply as possible, with limited product life. If they break down they will be disposed of and not repaired.
Gone are the days goods were made and used for life. This built-in product redundancy consumes more
natural resources and causes more greenhouse gases to be emitted (more packaging & products to land-
fills and more shipping costs around the world).

There is a significant gap between wealthy and not wealthy countries.

If you google NASA Vital signs of the planet The Consequences of Climate Change you will see some
scary predictions made by their scientists. The fact of global warming is not in dispute. The unknown and
scary part is the speed with which it will happen and the fragility of the worlds ecosystem. The main con-
sequences listed on this website are:
Glaciers are melting and vanishing away at an alarming rate.
Arctic likely to become ice-free.
Global land-ocean temperature index is increasing (in 136 years of record keeping the 16 warmest
years has occurred since 2001, with 2016 being recorded as the hottest year).
More droughts and heat waves.
Hurricanes will become stronger and more intense.
Sea level will rise 1-4 feet by 2100.
Frost-free season (and growing season) will lengthen.
Loss of animal species and plant life not able to adapt.
Loss of aquatic and reef life not able to live in more acidic and warmer waters.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 14
There are several websites you can look at on personal ways you can reduce global warming but here
are some suggestions to be going on with.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Use less heat and air conditioning. (Insulate your house better)
Change your light bulbs to LED lights.
Drive less and drive smarter. (Use public transport, ride bikes)
Buy energy efficient products.
Install solar power and hot water systems (and use less hot water).
Use the off switch. (Dont leave electrical items on unnecessarily).
Plant a tree (or several).
Encourage others to conserve.

Global warming is and will continue to be the worlds most real and serious problem. If you could make
the time to google more information, that would be great. The movie An Inconvenient Truth 2 will be
out soon and I would encourage everybody to see it. I believe we owe this, not just to ourselves but to the
generations to come.

If anybody wants to borrow the DVD An Inconvenient Truth 2006 contact David Gallagher on 0408 810
319.
WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

From our Australian Government and Opposition parliamentarians, we hear a wide range of views about
the existence of climate change and what should be done about it. There is certainly no absolute con-
sensus and there is even very much disagreement.

When Donald Trump took the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement, 1200 US state governors,
city mayors and business people immediately signed a letter: We are still in.

But what do Victorians think?

Sustainability Victoria commissioned research (conducted late last year) to find the answer to that ques-
tion. A summary of the findings is available on their website www.sustainability.vic.gov.au. Here are a few
snippets of what they found.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 15
Late last year, 91% Victorians believed that climate change was happening and that human activity con-
tributed to it. Only 4% said there was no such thing as climate change.

78% are concerned about it. Over 75% believe that climate change is an urgent issue that needs action
now.

The things that people worry about most in relation to climate change are:

The effect on future generations (76%)

The state of the planet (48%)

The impacts on health and quality of life (38%)

80% are willing to take action on climate change themselves.

95% believe the federal government should be taking action on climate change. The majority think the
federal government should be leading the action.

84% support the state renewable energy targets of 25% by 2020 and 40% by 2025 (though only 24% had
known what the targets were.)

78% support the governments target of zero emissions by 2050 (though again only 24% had been aware
of it before).

WHAT BIRD WAS THAT?

About twenty people, many of them novices, went on the Bird Identification Walk at Stony Crossing or-
ganised by the Landcare Group at the end of April.

Everyone enjoyed a clement day, seeing quite a few birds and demolishing a good breakfast afterwards.

Because there were three leaders Tanya Loos (Connecting Country), Salli Dearricott and Geordie Walk-
er we could be confident that their identifications were correct. Those of us unaccustomed to identify-
ing birds might have questioned their accuracy at first because it seemed to be based on such a fleeting
sighting. How could they see a brown head on that bird that streaked past? We learnt, through hearing
the experts, that the birds markings are often less important for identification purposes than the birdcall,
flight path, behaviour and location. Of course it helps to have clear perception of more features.

The leaders were able to describe typical behavioural features of the birds we saw. As we watched a red
-breasted robin, flitting from a low branch to the ground and back repeatedly. Tanya pointed out that we
wouldnt have seen him feeding there when the place was covered with gorse, whereas the blue wrens
would have been quite happy in among gorse.

Most years a small group does a survey of the birds at Stony Crossing and generally identifies upwards of
30 different species. The count was a little bit lower this year. Thats most easily explained by the noise of a
large party passing through than any absolute decline in bird numbers. At least I hope so!

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 16
 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.
All proceeds to Rid-
ing for the Disabled
Association.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 17
 Church News
Have you ever been on a train trip in a seat that looks backwards?

It is a strange sensation the motion is forward but your view is

only sideways and backwards. You can only see what is around
you, and behind you. But the fact is, you a hurtling toward a des-
tination that you may or may not know, you cannot see what is
coming, and you are in the hands of those who do know.

Its a lot like life, isnt it?

We are hurtling through life, often at high speed, and we catch

moments of what is going on around us, and sometimes we can
even savour what has been.

But none of us know the future, even if we believe we know where the train tracks lead. We may think we
are going to end up at one destination but end up somewhere completely different. How do we respond?
What do we do?

Christianity is not a train-track religion. It is faith and trust in the God who came and removed the train
tracks. He gave us the freedom to pause, to live in the moment, to remember what has been, and to
have confidence that even if our destination is not what we planned, it is already known to the One who
matters.

We can be confident in Him because of Easter when Jesus dismantled the train tracks and replaced them
by calling us to follow, to live, and to live to the fullest. In the Bible He even reveals a glimpse of what is
coming, the dark valleys of the shadow of death, the lush green pastures next to clear waters, the close-
ness of relationship and fullness of heart.

When we end up in places we dont know, in situations that are uncomfortable or danger that threatens
to overwhelm us, we are still known and loved by God even if His presence is not felt. His voice still calls us.
He still knows the way.

If you feel like your life is hurtling too fast, take the steps to slow down. Listen to the voice that calls, you
can hear Him in Psalm 23 in the Bible (check out www.biblegateway.com for a really easy way to check it
out). Listen to the Gospel of John and hear Jesus talking about where life takes us, the God who cares
about us, and listen to the voice that calls us.

You can be more than a passenger. Indeed, you were created to be much more
than that.

Your local Rev,

Steve

The Strathfieldsaye Community Church has a hall available for hire for small to
medium size groups with heating, kitchen facilities and toilets all under the same roof,
and plenty of parking.
Contact details are on the sign on the front of our Church at 920 Wellington Street,
Strathfieldsaye. Please note that no alcohol is permitted.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 18
 Community News

email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com

Country Womens Association (CWA) is different things to different

people. It offers a wide range of activities tailored to the interests of
local members as well as friendship and an opportunity to contribute
to local, national and international communities.

CWA is the largest Australian womens organisation with country and

city members working for welfare of women and families, through
representation to all levels of government, fundraising, teaching life
skills, community participation, crafts, cooking, choral, drama groups,
public speaking and reclaiming skills of our mothers and grandmoth-
ers.

On joining this vibrant association, you are given opportunities to learn new skills in how to tackle Social
Issues, be Proactive on issues affecting our Agricultural and Environmental sectors etc.

Our Meetings are open for anyone to come along and have a cuppa and a chat and see what we
are doing in the community.
With one of the original Branches reforming and 3 Night Branches opening in the last couple of years we
would like to open either a Day or Night Branch in some of the new areas as well. Only 6 people are
needed to open a new Branch. Please contact Sue on 0414 877 888 if you are interested in forming a
new Branch in your area.

Axedale Branch first Wednesday of the month at 4pm, Uniting Church Hall, Axedale.
Bendigo Branch first Friday of the month at 1pm at Randall Room, St. Andrews Church, Myers Street.
Dingee & District fourth Wednesday night of the month, 7pm at the Dingee Bush Nursing Centre Com-
munity Room.
Golden Night Second Tuesday night of the month, 7pm, The Hub, Corner Crook Street and Condon
Street, Kennington.
Kangaroo Flat third Thursday of the month at 1.30pm at the Uniting Church, Church Street, Kangaroo
Flat.

Community Gamelan group

Mugi Rahayu is your local gamelan (Javanese music and dance) group. We are from
Eppalock and we practice weekly and perform at various cultural events and fund-
raisers around the district. No experience required and its free.
New members Welcome
Practice every Saturday 2:00 pm at 101 Carneys Rd, Eppalock.
Contact Nita or Aaron phone: 54392678
email: aaronita94@gmail.com

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 19
 Kids Corner
Make your own Aboriginal-inspired dot painting

What you need

Canvas, cardboard or paper to paint on
Coloured paints
Kitchen sponges
Elastic bands
Toilet roll
Ear buds

Activity
Make a spiral sponge by rolling the kitchen sponge
up and securing it with an elastic band.
Make another spiral sponge by wrapping it
around a toilet roll and securing it with an elastic band.
Your child can use the spiral sponges in place of paint brushes.
Use different coloured paints to cover the cardboard or paper.
Use the ear buds to create a dotted pattern on the painting.

Notes
You may want to wait for the painting to dry first to avoid the paints bleeding into each other,
before allowing your child to create dots.

Tongue Twisters

To get the full effect of tongue twisters you should

repeat them several times, as quickly as possible,
without stumbling or mispronouncing.
Good luck!
Pheasant plucker
I am not the pheasant plucker,
Im the pheasant pluckers mate.
I am only plucking pheasants
cause the pheasant pluckers running late.
Peter Piper
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Wheres the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper
picked?
Seventy seven
Seventy seven benevolent elephants
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear,
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair,
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasnt very fuzzy was he?
Skunk stunk
A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk,
but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 55 20