Dec `08 / Jan ` - The Blackwood Times

Transcription

Dec `08 / Jan ` - The Blackwood Times
ISSN 1836-2710
Dec ‘08/Jan ‘09
vol 1 ~ issue 4
Free to
a good home
Inaugural Blackwood Art Show
Those who weren’t obsessed with the footie over September Grand
Final Weekend were treated to the 1st Blackwood Arts Society Art
Show at the Blackwood Hall.
The show was opened with a gala event on the Friday night where
awards were presented in 9 categories by Moorabool Mayor Di
McAuliffe & BAS president/show organiser Phillipa Osborne Smith.
Winners Chris Moule (left) & Callum Webb (right) with their winning entries
Congratulations to all the
Art Show Winners ...
ACRYLIC 1st Kath Petschel,
2nd Phillipa Smith, 3rd Carol
Morris, *4th Helen Cottle
OILS 1st Brian Lawrence, 2nd
Charles Lyle, 3rd Chris Moule,
*4th Lyn Ellis
WATER COLOUR 1st Tony
Ryan, 2nd Helen Cottle, 3rd
Jon Crawley, *4th Denise
Martin
PHOTOGRAPHY 1st Kris
Reichel, 2nd Kris Reichel, 3rd
Julian Pulma, *4th Marnie Tole
SCULPTURE 1st Gordon
Tait, 2nd John Fox, 3rd Greg
Cassidy, *4th Greg Cassidy
MIXED MEDIUM 1st Bruno
Callori, 2nd Leonie Auhl,
3rd Juliette Bradley, *4th K.
Maddaford
PASTELS 1st Louise Otten,
2nd Helen Cottle, 3rd Louise
Otten, *4th Lyn Ellis
UNDER 21 1st Laura
Davidson, 2nd Naomi Carr,
3rd Laura Davidson, *4th Kate
Mooney
UNDER 10 1st Callum Webb,
2nd Oscar McFlanagan, 3rd
Justin E O Smith
* Barbara Rosman
Encouragement Award
A new family moves into Blackwood ... read more on page17
Merry Christmas Blackwood!
blaCKWOOD DIGS DEEP
The Blackwood community was shocked to
hear of the fire in Thompon’s Road which
destroyed a Blackwoodians home in late October
but it wasn’t long before a handful of volunteers
met to plan a fundraiser to lend a helping
hand.
Donation tins were distributed to each
business in town & the call went out for
donations of plants & cakes for a fete.
On Melbourne Cup Saturday over 100 people
gathered at the Blackwood Fire Fete behind the
CFA shed, proving again the community spirit
is strong. Visitors to the fete were treated to live
music while they enjoyed a BBQ, cake & plant
stall, auction, kids games, tarot & flower essence
readings. Over $2000 was raised between the
donation tins & the Fete.
Thanks go to the following businesses, groups
& committees who contributed either cash or
goods: Blackwood CFA & Special School,
Blackwood General Store, Antique Merchant &
Blackwood Hotel, Brian Rainford Electrical, Brian
Moore Plumbing, Garden of St Erth, Blackwood
Art Society, Catherine King MP & Trentham,
Ballan & Daylesford Lions Clubs.
Raffle tickets for a night at “Suite Blackwood”
can be purchased at the General Store until mid
December.
Matilda Cassidy tests out the chair she won for $10 at the Fire Fete auction
2 Blackwood News December 2008 - January 2009
editors thoughts ...
What a busy couple of months it’s been - with the grand final (what
will we do with our Saturday afternoons now?) & Melbourne Cup
(haven’t met too many winners this year!) & in our small village our
emergency services have been kept busy with a house fire, a lost
bush- walker & road fatality - all sobering realities particularly with
the silly season upon us.
I was thrilled to, yet again, experience the empathy & kind spirit of
our community at the Fire Fair - reminds me of Tom Cochranes quote
‘Very often out of adversity that’s when the best work comes.’
This issue, along with all our regular features, we have lots of dates
to note - Christmas Carols, New Year Celebrations, a book launch & a
new event “Blackwood Bohemia” being planned for Valentines Day.
Enjoy reading the musings of a bush-basher contemplating the
hidden wonders of our bush & a new ‘Sustainability’ column.
I welcome articles of interest & subjects for ‘Where are they now?’,
‘Blackwoofs’ & ‘Pop the Fizz!’ - if you would like to contribute please
call me on 5368 6444, email blackwood@centralvic.com.au, post c/o
Blackwood PO or use the drop box out the front of the general store.
Finally, I wish Blackwood a Happy Christmas & all the best for 2009.
Thank-you for your support & encouragement over the year.
~ Jinny Coyle, editor
Blackwood News info
Blackwood News welcomes submissions from
the community. If you are at a local event
please take a photo or two & write a few lines
the share in our community newspaper.
DEADLINES for the February/March issue are
Advertisers: book space by January 13
Regular features & contributors: January13
One-off Features & Items of Interest: January 15
Community Groups & Club Updates: January 15
Display Ad Artwork/content: January 18
News & Classifieds: January 20
Please email submissions, display ads & articles to
blackwood@centralvic.com.au, put them in the ‘drop box’
outside the Blackwood General Store or post to
c/o Blackwood PO, Blackwood 3458
2009 Advertising rate card & booking form can be
downloaded from www.blackwood.centralvic.com.au
Blackwood News reserves the right to edit or refuse any article or
advertising. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those
of the editor.
Blackwood News is produced as a community service by
Jinny Coyle of FLUX New Media Solutions
9687 3744 / 5368 6444
© 2008 Jinny Coyle
how’s the WEATHER been?
Month & Year
Rainfall
(mm)
Rainfall
Minimum
Maximum
Average (mm) Temperature deg C Temperature deg C
1879-2007
September 2008
34.2
104.0
-1.4
25.3
October 2008
19.8
94.1
-1.3
27.8
Note: Rainfall data is obtained from Bureau of Meteorology data.
Temperatures are personal recordings from measuring device accurate
to ± 0.5 deg but its location isn’t exactly what is required for an officially
recognised site.
Things are indeed looking grim for Blackwood rainfall this year so
we can only hope that we get decent rainfall in November and
December. So far this year (Jan to Oct inclusive) we have only received
438.4mm. This is a lot worse than 2007, which was 702.1mm, and even
worse than 2006 which was only 515.5mm. The long-term average
(Jan to Oct inclusive) is 839.6mm so 2008 is only a whisker over half
of normal rainfall.
~ Don Owen
PENCIL these dates INto your 2009 diary ...
Greendale Drive in
Once again the Greendale Outdoor Drive-in is being planned for
March 28th at Egan’s Reserve. The movie is yet to be decided however
we wanted to get the date out into the community so you can “Lock
it in Eddie!!”. The movie will commence at dusk.
Any enquiries should be directed to Karen White 0418 109 140 or
Triss O’Keefe 53 687 525
KARATE in Blackwood
They’ve been doing it in Ballan for quite a while, now Blackbelt
Shodan Simon Ross is bringing his karate classes to Blackwood. From
Tuesday February 3rd, classes will be held from 7.30pm each week at
the hall.
$5 per person or $10 for a family. All ages welcome, classes will be
paced to suit.
BLACKWOOD NEWS
with colour photos
can be downloaded free from
www.blackwood.centralvic.com.au
& while you are there be sure to subscribe to
our eList so you are the first to see new issues!
ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH
8am ~1st & 3rd Sunday
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS 3
Christmas Carols
Trentham Lions
Christmas Carols
in the Park
Quarry St Reserve
Friday 5th December
Food From 6.30pm
Carols from 7.30pm
A Family evening set amongst
the gardens of the Quarry St
Reserve in the Heart of
Trentham.
Carols featuring a number of
fantastic local performers
including Trentham Primary
School, Hayden Evans, Marcie
Jones, Lauren Lee Williams and
more..
Plus a special visit from Santa
Claus and maybe a reindeer
too……
On Saturday 20th December
there will be a BBQ at 5:00pm and
low key carols at 6:00pm
Blackwood Uniting Church. All
are very welcome.
Blackwood Uniting Church
also offers meditation on the first
Monday of the month from 5:306:30pm. Meditation offers a great
opportunity to start to get real
with ourselves and life! Plus
across the Highlands Cluster
Uniting Church there are many
events coming up that you are
welcome to be part of.
Check out our webpage for
more
details:
w w w.
highlandsclusteruca.org.au
happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear ??
happy birthday to you
who’s turning 21 in
December?
The Mixed Bag of Christmas
For some people Christmas is a
time to look forward to. It can be
a time to reconnect with family
and friends to share in celebrating
together.
For others it can be a really
difficult time. The pain of losing
a loved one or the grief of broken
dreams can be almost
overwhelming in this season.
For others Christmas can simply
be stressful, as people struggle to
try to find the extra time and
money to put together a
celebration that they think will be
good enough.
There can be so much pressure
on us all to pretend we are having
a fabulous time.
However the irony of this is,
that in the Christian stories, which
are the basis of the celebration of
Christmas, all of these diverse
human realities are present…
Whilst there is celebration in
the sacred Christmas stories: a
baby is born and even angels
celebrate in this, there is also
deep grief. This baby is born out
of wedlock; Mary could have been
legally put to death in her culture
for this. As well, in one of the
stories there is the extreme
pressure of there being no room
for this family amidst the busyness
of events in town and they are
forced to birth the new life of
Jesus in a sheep shed. I am sure
that this was not a tiny bit as
romantic as the carols would have
us believe!
Celebration, grief, and stress
are all part of the original story
and realising this is liberating.
Despite all the pressure to be
‘happy’ and to put perfect dinners
together, despite all the sickly
sweet Christmas cards, it would
seem the God of Christian faith is
actually about being real.
The Christmas story confronts
us with the God who enters the
gritty reality of our living, and
who calls us to take some time in
our own lives to be real as well.
There is gift in this. For here
there is space for each of us to be
honest, at least with ourselvesand maybe with God- about how
we are really travelling.
Whatever Christmas holds for
you this year, I pray that you will
know something of the presence
of the Divine who is with us in the
not so perfect realities of each of
our lives and who loves us all the
same.
Blessings
~ Rev. Sally Douglas
Highlands Cluster Uniting
Church
BLACKWOOD SPECIAL SCHOOLS EDUCATION CENTRE
17th ANNUAL SUPER RIDE
The 17th Annual Blackwood Super Ride was wet & a few of the campers needed extra clothes but was
once again a great success. 19 Victorian Special Schools were represented by 114 students & 48 staff
Everyone accepted the weather by simply pitching in & challenging themselves through the hills of the
Wombat State Forest – a fantastic achievement for all involved.
Max Woolcock was honoured by the Centre this year when he unveiled two unique honour boards in
his name. Max created both the
Super Ride & the Alpine Ride –
which is conducted along the
Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail
out of Myrtleford in Northern
Victoria. Two fantastic events –
that have challenged thousands
of students with special needs
over the past 17 years. Why are
the honour boards unique? They
are mountain bikes. Thanks to
the ingenuity of Owen Byers we
have mounted 2 mountain bikes
on the wall & replaced the front
wheels with wooden honour
boards.
The motto on the honour
board plaque reads:- ‘I will persist
until I succeed.’ (Og Mandino)– a very appropriate motto for the riders – especially in this years weather.
The Centre would like to thank the following people
for their continued support – you have helped to
create a successful event once again:• The Australian Defence Forces School of
Catering
• St John’s
• Blackwood & Trentham CFA Volunteers
• Victoria Police–in vehicle & on Mountain Bikes
• Geoff’s Mobile Showers & Toilets
• Blackwood Crown Reserve
• Tim Marsh & Mary Rummery
• Volunteer Marshals from Blackwood
see photos of the bike ride on page 19
Max Woolcock founder of the Annual Super Bike ride
4
Blackwood News
December 2008 - January 2009
EDWARD (JOHN) HILL – DISCOVERER OF THE BLACKWOOD GOLDFIELD
Edward (Ted) Hill, left, and his brother Joseph Hill who
were sons of the pioneer Edward Hill at the New Sultan
Mine, Simmons Reef. c.1907 - photographer, George Hill.
(Photo courtesy of the late Edgar Williams)
In 1854 Edward Hill, together with his mate
Isaac Povey, left their home in West Bromwich,
Staffordshire, England, bound for New South
Wales. In October 1854, Hill came to Melbourne
for the purpose of fitting out to prospect the
Mount Blackwood Ranges, being induced to
do so from reading a course of lectures which
particularly mentioned that Mount Blackwood,
from its geological formation, would be a
likely place for gold.
Hill applied to Captain Buckley at the Survey
Office for permission to take a tracing of the
district for the purpose of using it in
prospecting that area and was allowed to do
so.
Hill left from Ballan with prospecting
equipment, and on January 4th, 1855, Hill
first found gold. Until the latter part of
February, Hill persevered in prospecting
about the Ranges. Hill struck gold at
what was named after him, Hill’s Tent,
Ballan Flat. This area became known as
Red Hill, and was one of the principal
camps at Blackwood.
Officially, Edward (John) Hill who
successfully applied for a claim as the
discoverer of the Blackwood goldfield,
was credited with discovering gold on
the January 4th, 1855 in Blackwood
and he received the £300 reward from
the Government for the discovery of a
new goldfield.
From records obtained, John Hill was
married to Hannah Cox on 24th September
1835 at Handsworth, Saint Mary’s,
Staffordshire. The children of John Hill and
his wife Hannah were all christened at All
Saints, West Bromwich, Churchfield parish,
Staffordshire, the children were - John
(James)-1835, Sarah–1838, Helena–1839,
John–1841, Edward-1844, Joshua-1846,
Joseph-1848.
On March 12th, 1891 the Bacchus Marsh
Express reported the ‘death at Simmons Reef
of Mr. E. Hill, the discoverer of the Mount
Blackwood Goldfield, who subsequently
successfully claimed a £300 reward for its
discovery. A goodly number of people were
said to have followed his remains to their last
resting place in the Blackwood cemetery. Mr.
Dredge, the Wesleyan minister, conducted the
funeral service and gave a lengthy and stirring
address to the assembled on the life of the
pioneer.’ On obtaining a copy of Hill’s death
certificate, it states his name was John Hill but
from records he went under the name of
Edward Hill. He died age 78 years of Simmons
Reef
Hill’s descendants remained in Blackwood
and were still mining in the area until the early
1900’s. The last of the mining Hill’s, Charlie Hill,
died in 1976 aged 85 years. The Cann’s,
Matheson’s, Williams’ and Skinner families of
Tudor Roses Timeless Threads
Fabric, Threads, Haberdashery, Kits, Quilting &
hand-dyed fabrics
41 Park Street, Trentham. 3458
Studio open most Fridays’ & Saturdays’
and anytime by appointment, please call
Tamara on 54241 475: Mobile 0429 339600
Blackwood are related to Edward Hill.
To mark the significance of Edward (John)
Hill as being the discoverer of the Blackwood
Goldfield, Phillip Skinner, a member of the
Blackwood and District Historical Society, and
who is also related to Edward Hill, has recently put
a headstone with a memorial marker on Edward
Hill’s grave in the Blackwood Cemetery. ©
A monument near where Edward Hill first
found gold has been erected by the
Moorabool Shire Council and can to be
seen to the right at te top of the car park
before the Sports Ground, at Simmons
Reef, Blackwood. The monument sign says
– ‘Edward Hill – the discoverer of the Blackwood
Goldfield first struck gold on January 4th 1855.
He died in 1891 at Simmons Reef.’
Ballan Shire - Historical Marker - Erected for
the Bi-centenary year 1788-1988
~ Researched by Margot Hitchcock,
Historian, for the Blackwood & District
Historical Society. Oct. 2008
The new headstone on the grave of Edward Hill.
The marker is in front of Rogers Vault.
photo courtesy of Margot Hitchcock
Bullarto Primary School
“Where the forest meets the school
and the children meet the future”
Currently accepting enrolments
for 2009 academic year.
Make an appointment for a tour of our beautiful
school and meet teachers and students
by phoning principal Sue Beel
on
53485559
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FLUX New Media Solutions ph 03 9687 3744 or 03 5368 6444 www.fluxnewmedia.com.au
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS
5
Blackwood Social alBum ...
Mike Allen auctioning at the Fire Fair
Trentham artist Carol Morris with her
favorite work in her October exhibition
at Lerdies
Celebrating Melbourne Cup at the Blackwood Hotel
2008 Ronnies Relics play the current team - photo courtesy JOC
The Myrniong Primary School
is an extremely busy place at the
moment. The students are
enjoying an action packed term
full of interesting activities.
After school care is now offered
at the Myrniong School. Many
parents are taking advantage of
the new facility by being able to
have their children cared for
before and after school operating
hours. Sharon and Liz welcome
any other children who require
supervision between 6:30am and
9:00am in the morning and
3:30pm and 6:00pm in the
afternoon.
We are excited to have the
2009 preps visiting the school
every Friday morning this term to
prepare them for entering school
life next year. The children enjoy
visiting Mrs Van and learning
about school life. If there are any
prep students for the 2009 year
who have not enrolled at a school,
please feel free to visit the
MyrnIong PrIMary School
Myrniong School. We welcome
any new enrolments.
The Myrniong Primary School
is again pleased to be a participant
of the ‘Getting Dirty’ program
where students are encouraged
to partake in outdoor activities.
This is a great example of our
school being part of a community
program where both the school
and the community benefit.
As the weather improves, we
are taking the opportunity to
start our walking club. Every
lunch time, students are
encouraged to walk laps of the
Myrniong Nature Reserve oval for
20 minutes. Over 30 students
regularly participate and their
laps are recorded to
The Myrniong Primary School
Bush Dance is to be held on
Friday the 21st of November at
the Myrniong Hall. All proceeds
will go towards the Myrniong
Primary School. Information
about the event is available at the
school office.
Over 150 students have
completed this year’s swimming
program at Melton Waves.
Myrniong Primary School teacher
Mr Greg Kitchen was rapt so
many children had enrolled.
Melton Waves said our school is
always on eof the best behaved
and organised schools they deal
with.
Leading up to the Melbourne
Cup, Myrniong Primary School
has our own Myrniong Cup.
Students and teacher get into the
festive spirit by dressing for the
races. Highlights of the day
include a fashion parade and the
running of the Myrniong Cup
where teachers are given horse
names and compete in a very
competitive and fun filled race.
This year’s winner was Miss
Lewis.
~ Cameron Crilly,
Myrniong Primary School
weddings, parties, anything!
hire the Blackwood Hall
kitchen, stage, meeting room
very reasonable rates phone 5368 6551
a blackwood news
community service notice
Blackwood Art Show Gala Night
6 Blackwood News December 2008 - January 2009
Community Group Updates
BLACKWOOD SENIOR CITIZEN’S CENTRE INC.
Hello once again from the Blackwood Senior Cits - our last report
for 2008! It’s hard to believe that Xmas is only a few weeks away - they
say the older you get, the faster time goes - I really believe that this
time!
We were delighted to be informed that the club has been awarded
a $5000 council grant, so it will not be very long & we will have a PA
system in the hall - not only for our own use but it will benefit the
whole community. We thank Manda McDermott (council) for her
assistance in enabling us to be successful with this project.
Greg Byrne (Rawleighs Products) attended the club, enjoyed lunch
& then had quite a lot of his products on display - the members had
quite a buy up, so Greg had a profitable day. Good to have these well
known items in our medicine cupboards.
The club held our Annual Garage Sale in the secretary’s back yard
on the long weekend in November - the weather was kind to us & with
a lot of people in town we raised a nice sum of money - I thank Fred
Moore & Jenny Darwen for their assistance on that day & another
thank-you to Brian Moore for his continuing help when we have any
problems up at the hall & he gives his time usually free of charge. We
can’t forget Lou (our ranger) for his readiness to be of assistance at any
time - his promptness at removal of any garbage & any little odd job
- I know I only have to call Lou & he will be there! How fortunate we
are to live in a community like this - & what would we do without Betty
Dwyss, she is one of our oldest members but she is the first one in the
kitchen after afternoon tea - washing up & tidying the kitchen - thanks
Betty.
After being in touch with Dot Williams we were sorry to hear that
her treatment is not going well - we are all praying that all will be well
& that she will be back cooking for us in the New Year. In the meantime
Kerryn Whiffen is filling in & doing an excellent job.
Our Xmas dinner will be held on Dec 10 (enquiries Barb Sweet 5368
6551) then we have a 5 week break to resume again in the New Year.
At the closure of this report I would like to thank our club members
for their generosity & support over the last 12 months, it has made my
position as secretary very rewarding to be surrounded by such great
people week after week.
No more news for now but I wish everyone a Merry Xmas & a happy
& safe New Year.
~ Barbara Sweet, (Hon) secretary
BLACKWOOD CROWN LANDS COMMITTEE OF
MANAGEMENT
Over the winter period we have been working on the re-design of
the caravan park to allow better access for caravans. Thankyou to Lou
who worked hard to get it back to normal & to Owen Byers & Darren
Sweet for doing the grates.
The hall is about to have a kitchen upgrade as a new rangehood &
cupboard doors were requested by the Health Inspector on a visit to
Senior Citizens. These jobs will be done thanks to Brian Rainford &
Steve Empey.
A great job by Brendan, our ‘grants organiser’ who got a grant of
$8850 for the Caravan Park to help out with our account of $17,000.
On a sad note, condolences from all the members of Crown Reserves
to our Treasurer on the sad loss of his lovely wife Jackie.
From all at Crown Reserves, may we wish everyone a Happy
Christmas, a great holiday & safe travel.
~ Elizabeth Hall, secretary
BLACKWOOD PROGRESS ASSOCIATION
no report this issue
BLACKWOOD & DISTRICT
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)
no report this issue
BLACKWOOD RURAL FIRE BRIGADE
Welcome to another long hot summer. The 2008-2009 fire danger
period officially started on 17 November 2008. This summer is
expected to be a difficult one as the bush is already tinder dry due to
lower than average rainfall in October and November and higher than
average spring temperatures. This means that whilst DSE has
conducted several burns around the perimeter of Blackwood over the
last two years, risks to our town will remain high and all residents are
urged to exercise extreme caution in any activity that could cause an
ignition.
Please be aware of the following fire restrictions that will remain in
force through to April 2009:
• During the fire danger period, all fires including incinerators are
prohibited in the open air without a permit.
• Barbeques and fires for cooking and warmth do not require a
permit but must be lit in a constructed fireplace taking into
consideration wind and clearance perimeters and the fire must be
supervised at all times.
In the interest of general community safety, Blackwood Brigade is
adopting a zero tolerance policy and the police will be called to any
fire lit without a permit. Please note that penalties for illegally lit fires
are severe.
Moorobool Council permits can be obtained by calling 5366 7100
and further information on the fire danger period is available on the
web at www.cfa.vic.gov.au.
The Brigade has had several callouts in the past weeks, including
numerous out of control or unreported burn offs, a completely
destroyed home in Thompsons Rd and a fatal motor accident. The
Brigade also stewarded a meeting between members from Blackwood,
Greendale & Trentham, CFA Region 15 and DSE to discuss manning of
towers in the fire district. DSE advised that no decision has been made
yet to close any towers in the district, but that manning levels will
remain the same as last season so Blue Mount will again be unmanned.
DSE are exploring other options such as aerial reconnaissance and will
engage CFA in ongoing discussions on the matter.
Whilst the key community focus as we head into summer is on bush
fire risks, it is worthwhile making a timely reminder to install and
maintain smoke detectors in your homes. If you have not already done
so, please check and/or replace your batteries. Remember, smoke
detectors must be in working order to save lives.
As we head into the festive season, the Brigade would like to thank
all the community for its support during the year and we wish you all
a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Interested in joining CFA? Please contact Captain Ian Stewart or
Secretary James Hadwen at the station any Sunday during the fire
danger period.
~ James Hadwen
BLACKWOOD DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
At Blackwood District Historical Society’s Annual General Meeting
in November, President Allan Hall’s introductory sentence “We have
completed a busy year with only fifteen members”, succinctly depicts
the aims, team work, commitment and achievements of these very
dedicated people.
At our Open Day on Sun Nov 2, we welcomed a steady flow of
visitors who came to see our display or purchase publications such as
“Some History of Simmons Reef” @ $13, our first publication, “The Story
of Blackwood” @$4 & “Aspects of Early Blackwood” @$13. Conversely,
some visitors were advising us of other history we should publish.
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS 7
Except for New Year, our meetings are held on the 1st Sat of each
month from 10.30am until 12.30pm. when our publications are on
sale. Our annual membership fee is $10. New members are welcome.
Enquiries 03) 5368 6678
~ Pat.Liffman, secretary
Correction from Frances Dillon to Margot Hitchcock - re ‘History of the
Early Blackwood Post Office’ Blackwood News vol 1.issue 2 p4
The date of the Post Office moving into the general store is wrong
- the date should be 1938 as the Post Office moved into the general
store in 1938 after Mum (Nell Matheson) had stopped running it at
Mrs. Collins’ house next to the General Store- not in the 1950’s as was
in the article - Mrs Collins’ house burnt down in the 1950’s.
LANDCARE
October rainfall at Barry’s Reef: 13 mms.
Rainfall at Barry’s Reef to November 14: 36 mms.
Moorafest: If only to admire Ian Hunter’s “Welcome to Country”,
Moorabool Shire’s Moorafest is always worth a visit. Moorafest 2008,
sited in the educational environs of Ecolinc, Labilliere Street, Bacchus
Marsh, with programs for visitors of all ages, especially “for the kids”,
was absolutely brilliant.
Weeds: In 2005, rural councils informed Victoria’s State Government
that they could no longer afford to manage weed eradication on
Council roads. October 2007, Agriculture Minister, Joe Helper
announced that his Department of Primary Industry would take control
of weed and pest funding in Victoria. With the Department of Primary
Industry’s announcement to fund gorse control in priority areas
selected by DPI and only a small section of Moorabool in a priority
area, Council is now applying for a grant.
Vic. Roads assumed management of the Greendale/Trentham road
and its road reserves in 2005. In late November we toured the area
with road manager, Frank Carland, showing him large areas of weed
infested land abutting the road reserve and Hepburn’s massive display
of English Broom which is spreading south towards Blackwood.
~ Pat Liffman, Secretary
BLACKWOOD CEMETERY TRUST
Thank you guys that attended the “Blackwood Cemetery WorkingBee” on Saturday the 15th of November - a great job was done by all.
It looks fantastic - a community to be proud of.
Also a couple of others that attended beforehand - they know who
they are.
~ Lorraine Costa
blackwood club updates
BLACKWOOD JUNIOR CRICKET CLUB
The 2008/09 Junior Cricket Season started well with Blackwood
making 5-177 against Coomoora 4-213 at home.
7 batmen faced their full 20 balls - Daniel Bridgman (Captain) /24,
Benny Whitehouse/23, Sam Matheson, Morgan Cann/21, Mitch Unstad
& William Whitehouse, Corey White/21.
The following week saw Blackwood put on ane of the best bowling
efforts I have seen in my 7 years as coach, although it wasn’t enough
to get us a win, I am looking forward to seeing how the team develops
over the coming season. Kelly Matheson-Miller (Vice Captain) threw
down a terrific runout & a great catch at mid on. Danieal Bridgman
took 2 wickets & along with his 24 with the bat is my pick for player of
the match.
I would like to welcome 5 1st year players to our club - Jacob Norman,
Benny Whitehouse, William Whitehouse, Corey White & Sarah Bryant.
We strongly encourage & welcome any other kids aged 9-14 to come
along & have a go.
Please come down & support the kids when we have home games
on Wednesday nights, buy a hot dog from our Barbie Girls Sam & Kath
or even offer a small sponsorship to the club, any support to the only
kids sports club in town is welcome.
~ Steve Hammond (coach) 5368 6794/0429 686 794
& Daryl Birdgeman (Asst Coach)
BLACKWOOD CRICKET CLUB
Already into round 6 of the Daylesford District Cricket Association
season sees Blackwood cricketers sitting on top of the ladder with only
the one loss for the season so far. With good team commitment we
have had 3 wins chasing big totals (2 against last season grand finalists
Hepburn and Korweinguboora) with many players doing well at this
early stage of the season.
A good win in the first game against Trentham after we were bowled
out for 112, saw our bowlers respond with the Salmon brothers Dave
and Alan and local legend Scott Unstad dismissing the opposition for
66 to get the side off to a winning start. A disappointing loss to
Daylesford Colts by 16 runs followed in the second round with young
Dez Hepburn leading the way with a knock of 55 not out not quite
getting us over the line. Good efforts to Steve O’Brien, Dez Hepburn,
Rob Whan, Darren Woodward, Alan Salmon and Brett Sullivan with the
bat has seen us chase down good scores to enable us to win the last
3 games.
Our next game at home will be against Newlyn on the 10th January
in a one day game, so come down to support your team and cheers
us on.
Our Bar Bonanza 2008 Raffle draw is scheduled for the 20th of
December, tickets available @ Blackwood Hotel and Lerdies.................
~ Steve O’Brien
BLACKWOOD ARTS SOCIETY Inc
ART SHOW UPDATE: The “Peoples Choice” was a tie between Helen
Hunter & Justin Osborn Smith, both having two votes. (Justin’s father,
grandfather & myself did not vote)
After all running costs were paid there was approximately $1,000
left. The Blackwood Arts Society will hold back some moneys for Hall
hire at the next event which will hopefully be a Craft Fair coinciding
with the Wood Chopping carnival during the Easter Weekend ‘09. The
rest will be divided between the CFA & CERT.
I would especially like to mention the donation by Bacchus Marsh
resident, Harold Rudd, of a painting by artist Loraine White, a political
artist of the 1970s & 1980s who worked at RMIT as a fashion Designer
for many years.
After researching to establish its market value I will make
arrangements to have it auctioned at a reputable Art House. Also
donated were 12 Black & White photos of Melbourne in the ‘80s, by
Mr. Rudd.
I would like thank all those who volunteered their time especially
Judy, Charles & Leslie Batcheler for manning the door over the
weekend; Lou Callow for all her time & expertise in judging & hanging
the art work; Marie & Norm Barr who helped put this event together;
Doreen Dalrymple & Ray for filling in for me when I was occupied else
where during setup; Genevieve Messenger for helping me with my
speech & suppling the sound equipment on short notice. My deepest
gratitude to all those who participated over the the weekend. Hope
to have you on board next year.
I would like to thank the judges who gave their time & support: Sue
Jones, Arts coordinator for the Moorabool Shire Council & Hepburn
Shire Council; Chris Moule who organised the Sutton Grange art
exhibition in June this year; Tor Roxburgh who runs the Ominbus
Gallery in Ballan; Lou Callow, Wombat Regional Arts society; Helen
McRae of Jargon in Trentham
Thankyou to the SPONSORS & their generous prize donations:
Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood General Store, Erica Bear, Doreen
Dalrumple Celebrant services & Arbonne, Marni Tole photographic
services, Mr. Clem Mooney, St Annes Winery, Wombat regional Art
Society
~ Ms Phillipa Osborn Smith President BASinc
8 Blackwood News December 2008 - January 2009
The GARDEN of ST ERTH
open 7 DAYS a WEEK
Garden & Nursery 9am - 5pm
Cafe 10am-4pm Fri, Sat, Sun
Membership & gift vouchers available
for information call St Erth on (03) 5368 6514
or visit our website www.diggers.com.au
WANTED
ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES
cash paid on the spot
ANTIQUE RESTORATIONS
& REPAIRS a specialty
contact PAUL 5368 6365
BLACKWOOD POST OFFICE hours (from 3 Nov ‘08)
Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 3pm-5pm
Sat 10am-11am
LITTLE STEPS TO SUSTAINABLE SELF SUFFICIENCY
Regardless of the size of your
piece of land, you can utilise it to
provide you most of what you
need. Apart from a few obvious
exceptions; electronic items,
some clothes and some foods.
Sustainability is not just saving
water or power, or catching public
transport instead of taking the
car; quite simply it is living your
life ‘at one’ with nature instead of
dominating and destroying it,
leaving as small a footprint from
your life on the planet as possible!
There are 5 especially important
things to consider:
Water capture is the most
significant as all living organisms
depend on it for life. Humans are
also in fact 70% water content!
Food Production is needed as
much as water, all organisms
depend on a certain type of food
source. What really is the cost of
our food? Not just in dollars and
cents, but to the environment?
Think about it... how fresh really
is your food?
Waste management is crucial.
We all produce waste, rubbish,
sewage and emissions from most
daily activities in our lives. It all
has to go somewhere. The less
we produce the better, but if
waste must be produced, it can
be minimalised, recycled or
reused many times over before
being trucked off and dumped. In
fact water can be treated reused,
treated, reused, treated.....
Poisons just do not make any
sense. They affect the land,
pollute our waterways, kill our
wildlife and are not good for
human health, yet we use them
on our food crops, our gardens,
our bodies and on most surfaces
in the home! There are many
chemical free products available.
Some natural products are so
strong that if ingested are
poisonous also; however if used
in the correct manner are gifts
from Mother Nature!
One of the easiest ways to
incorporate sustainability into
your home life, is think about the
affects of your actions, something
as simple as turning off your
computer screen can really help
reduce the need for power, which
means less dirty black coal is
burnt therefore less emissions
released which affect the ozone
layer and contribute to global
warming.
~ Go Natural Go Native: Kelly
IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
always ring 000 & ask for an ambulance
BLACKWOOD CERT will be activated
automatically.
Economic Security Strategy
The Rudd Government is easing the financial strain for Moorabool
families, pensioners and carers just in time for Christmas with the $10.4
billion Economic Security Strategy.
The Government is taking early action to protect our economy from
the global financial crisis.
Our economy is sound, but we are not immune from the global slow
down.
That’s why we are acting promptly.
The Strategy includes:
• $1,400 for single pensioners and $2,100 for couples, including Age
pensioners, Carer payment recipients, Veterans’ pensioners, Disability
Support Pension recipients and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
holders.
• $1,000 for people receiving the Carer Allowance.
• $1,000 for each eligible child of families who receive Family
Tax Benefit A.
• First home owners grants of up to $21,000 (State Government
bonuses additional).
• Funding for 56,000 new training places.
Payments to pensioners, carers and families will be deposited from
8 December 2008. You do not need to contact Centrelink to receive
the payments.
For more information, please contact Catherine King’s office on
1300 131 743.
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS 9
No Gardener is an Island
I try not to put too much stock in stereotypes – especially when it
comes to the sexes – but I tidied up the reading material in our smallest
room the other day and could not deny the gender divide evidence.
It was there in hardcover and glossy mags:
Tim: Columbus Bicycle Tubing Catalogue, Clarkson on Cars, Factory
Hub Catalogue of Plant and Equipment, the Carba-Tec Catalogue, Ceeway
Framebuilding Parts Catalogue and Ride Magazine,
Me: five issues of Gardens Illustrated, Rhododendrons and Azaleas for
Australian Gardens, The Colour Guide to Perennials, Delicious Magazine,
Essential Recipes for the Picnic Hamper and, perhaps a little ironically,
Conversation – a History of a Declining Art.
Of course Tim and I converse about many topics other than bicycle
building and flowering perennials – I just can’t think of any right now.
What is wonderful about our respective interests is that neither of us
can point the finger at the other and claim neglect. We each have our
obsessions. In fact we support one another’s obsessions.
It is because of Tim that my garden project has recently taken a
massive leap forward. Six raised beds went into the kitchen garden a
month ago with the help of Tim, his family and our friends. I may have
helped build those beds but I didn’t cut all the wood to length. I
certainly didn’t pre-drill the 144 holes required for coach screwing
them together and I definitely didn’t angle grind off all the sticking
out bits of screws once they were in. I can and have used an angle
grinder on many an occasion – but that’s not the point.
Things are better sometimes with help. Expert help is ideal.
I don’t know many people who garden in isolation. Most gardeners
enjoy some solitary time tending their plants and soil – but the social
aspect of gardening is undeniable, particularly when it comes to
expertise.
I had the distinct pleasure last week of attending the Castlemaine
and District Festival of Gardens. The thing that struck me most strongly
about that experience was how generous the gardeners were with
their knowledge.
The most beautiful garden I visited during the festival was called
Rosebank. Its creators and custodians are two gentlemen whose grace
and genial good humour I tested by arriving in advance of opening
hours with the bright eyed and bushy-tailed enthusiasm of someone
whose baby woke them up hours ago and has never owned a watch.
Peter Morris and Barry Heaysman answered all of my questions and
guided me through their half-acre garden, which they have planted
from scratch over the past eight years. Rosebank is a masterpiece not
least because it makes what must have been some hundreds of hours
of work look effortless – plantings of its namesake roses, flowering
perennials, bearded irises, saucer-sized poppies, cottage plants and
clematis all mingle and twine without any jarring clashes of colour or
competition for attention. Flowers such as clematis Warsaw Nike, in
royal purple, Rose Tatjiana – a red red that is almost holographic, and
a double blue iris, ‘Richard’s Song’, provide notes of opulence. The
plantings are dense – there is nothing stingy or sparse about this
garden. The beds are packed with specimens, yet I was left with the
impression that, like my Sunday School teacher told me, the benevolent
creator (in this case, creators) know and love every one. I left much
enriched by the talk as much by the garden itself and with a little
cutting from a wonderful yellow bobble-headed daisy, which I cheekily
requested and my hosts graciously proffered.
This is just one of the wonderful encounters I have had this season:
a pleasurable conversation at the Plant-Lovers Fair in Mt. Macedon
resulted in the gift of twelve large pure strain Hellebores that I have
planted into the bed outside my kitchen window, Our community of
gardeners contributed beautiful plants to my stall at the fundraiser for
a Blackwoodian whose home was lost to fire, My local ‘egg lady’ just
gave me cuttings from a wonderful and thus-far nameless little spiky
plant for my gravel garden.
I feel that as a gardener I really am part of an extraordinary and
generous community.
Now I’m head down, bum up again with solitary weeding and books
about borders– but much inspired, occasionally assisted and never
really on my own.
~ Heather Marsh
A coo-ee from the bush
... from the diaries of a foot slogging, bush bashing, orchid stalker
OCTOBER & the bush is alive &
well despite the lack of rain. It’s
taken me 3 years but I’ve finally
found that the little brown ground
orchid that I remember from my
childhood. It’s still to be found
there in the bush & bloomin’
beautiful! Much to my surprise
I’ve found other little orchids pink/white (& nameless) as well as
a couple of green hooded orchids
- which I didn’t know grew here.
Anther new discovery for me was
a patch of purple in a shaded little
valley - Austal Indigo (Indigofera
australis). This is an open shrub
about a metre tall (covered in
pink/lilac ‘pea’ flowers like the
Happy Wanderer. Well, most of
them were that colour but I did
find one that the reference book
didn’t know about - white; could
it be a new sub-species - Indigifera
australis blackwoodii dizzy?
It is a delight to me to once
again be able to access the “race”
& river banks after the extensive
spraying of the environmental
weeds - thanks to the guys at
Melbourne Water & Western Land
Services in Melton.
Underneath the blackberries &
struggling for survival has been
the most amazing array of ferns
which are visible again. Yes,
delicate maiden hair fern does
grow wild here, in the shade
amongst the moss.
Also delicately waving in the
wind are the first flowers of the
blue Dianella. As a child I was
taught that if the blue flowers
were out, so were the snakes.
Other childhood memories were
revived with finding “belly-button”
flowers; milk maids & egg & bacon
flowers in bloom.
So catch a memory, pull on
your boots, get off your butts get off the tracks & get into the
bush. Go & see what is in our
beautiful part of the world... & if
you perchance to see a white
haired old biddy with 2 sticks,
wandering around or sliding
down some isolated hillside - just
smile & give me a coo-ee!
An invitation to share
- the Lerdederg
Come where the ferns &
mosses grow Where the pristine Lerdederg
murmers low
The cool green glades are a
fairy dell
So come with me & sit a spell.
Come to where cool breezes
blow
Through tall white gums that
too & fro;
Where flowers bloom & scent
the air For a moment in time &
without a care
Enjoy the peace - today so rare
To the bank where the
Lerdederg flows
~ “Dizzy” October ‘08
in my opinion ...
Extended Warranty
Doesn’t Extend Here
Many products are offering
warranties extended up to 5
years on white goods these
days.
There of no value to rural
customers though, because you
still get billed for the travel of the
repairer. If it can’t be fixed on
sight you must incur the cost of
delivering the item to the repair
shop. Imagine a little old lady
living in Blackwood having to
shell out hundreds of dollars to
have a removalist transport her
dud fridge to Melbourne.
Sorry greenies but I’m going to
buy cheap and bin it at the first
fault.
~ The Beak (name supplied)
PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED!
Can you help Blackwood News by taking photos of events in the
area? please call Jinny on 5368 6444 if you can.
10 Blackwood News
Tree Challenge:
December 2008 - January 2009
thE InhErItEd gardEn
Snakes? Did someone say snakes? It’s not because it’s spring is it?
I’ve noticed some snakey types. No, not those types, you say – REAL
Snakes. C’mon, real snakes in the country? You mean you can’t move
to the country and have a snake free and spider free life?
What about Aerogard? Doesn’t that work? Oh you mean it guards
against aeroplanes or a possible air raid. Hmmmm…What about
Mortein? “Oh that’s for flies.” Any way what would the Dalai Lama say,
in his philosophy, killing an ant is not such good karma. I’m in
trouble!
So it’s Springtime and the sap is rising, people and creatures are
coming out of hibernation and everyone’s wanting to stake their
territory.
For me that means cleaning out my garden. It was a bit overgrown
like my hair cut and hairy legs, so it all needed a bit of cutting back.
The Blackwood women were the ones that helped, I mentioned my
grass needed mowing and whipper snipping. Out they came with their
chainsaws, whips and mowers. I was in awe, I was still learning how to
use the clippers! Would I ever fit in??
Jeez I wouldn’t want to mess around with these women, if their
partners were the head of the family, they were the neck for sure!
What started out as a lawn mow finished up to be a complete strip!
Of all the unwanted branches that is. With a few local friends I managed
to cull so many branches I felt like I was the CEO of ANZ!
So now the dollar’s going down and food is going up, it only makes
sense to look to my yard as a possible source of vegies and fruit. I got
so excited when I discovered herbs. I said to my friend “look there’s
some parsley!” She said straight faced, “It’s Oregano, Gen, you’ll get
there.”
Then I pointed out all the beautiful rose bushes once hidden under,
an excess of twigs and leaves. At least I knew what plant that was!
But isn’t Blackwood Beautiful in the Spring! All the color and friendly
smiles, champa’s and cups of tea.
I got my hands dirty, kept my mind clean, and got rid of all the dead
wood. It felt so therapeutic, I didn’t have to see my therapist that week!
Wow talk about gardening as a metaphor for getting rid of the
unwanted weeds in your life. I’m hooked.
For four days with a friend we went hammer and tongs, with spades
and saws. Amazing.
I was about to step out today but my neighbour knocked on my
door. “Gen,” she said, “Just thought I’d tell you a black snake went under
the house a couple of days ago, I nearly bloody well stepped on it!”
Snakes? Did someone say Snakes?
~ By Genevieve Messenger
two VoluntEErS In thE SoloMonS
Ted Walker wrote this account of
the time he & his wife, Kay, spent as
Aussie Volunteer English teachers
in the Solomon Islands, whilst living
in Blackwood about 4 years ago.
They taught in a very remote jungle
boarding school on the small island
of Makira.
The book is an account of their
lifestyle there and the many
wonderful cultural experiences
they encountered. There are
descriptions of being cut off from
the outside world for up to four
months at a time. Their lives there
were also greatly affected by the
tropical weather – having 3 wide,
frequently flooded, crocodile infested rivers to ford, to shop. The book
tells of many adventurous canoe travels to outer islands and to a very
remote volcano.
Their students came in from many different islands all over the
Solomons, often not seeing their families for months or even years
because of travel logistics in the islands. The people were extremely
poor and suffered frequently from malaria.
The book tells of setting up a clinic to assist the students and local
villagers. It is also an account of the couples return to Blackwood for
their son Mark’s funeral. One chapter “Mark’s Legacy” is a tribute to
friends who gathered container loads of clothing and books for the
students and village people, in memory of Mark. This has continued
over the past ten years.
These days Ted & Kay are
enjoying their seachange at
Drysdale. The milder climate is
easier for Ted’s arthritis – their
decision for leaving Blackwood.
Having spent 40 happy years in
their home at Blackwood (serving
25 years on various committees,
setting up the Blackwood Rescue
Relief Committee and the
Devonshire Tea rooms etc.) it still retains a large slice of our hearts.
~ Kay and Ted Walker
‘Two Volunteers in the Solomons’ will be officially launched at
2pm on Saturday December 13th at the Clifton Hills Golf Club,
Clearwater Drive, Clifton Springs RSVP by 26th November, 2008 phone
03-52532509.
ValEntInES day “Blackwood BohEMIa”
On Valentines Day (Sat Feb 14, 2009)
Moorabool Shire Council - Youth Services
are planning “Blackwood Bohemia” at the
Blackwood Rec Reserve. This will be a follow
on event from “Bonfire Bohemia” at Mt
Egerton in October this year. Given the time
of year no bonfire will be at the Blackwood
event.
“Blackwood Bohemia” will be a youth
focussed, alcohol free, family friendly event
starting at about 5pm until around 9pm.
Ross Macdonald, the Moorabool Shire
Council Youth Worker, is keen to hear
from Blackwood young people and other
interested locals who wish to perform ...
eg- band, dancing, painting etc. He is also
keen to hear from locals wishing to sell food
and non-alcoholic drinks. Dennis and Donna
(Blackwood General Store) have already
expressed some interest in this regard.
“Blackwood Bohemia” aims to engage
young people in small towns throughout
Moorabool Shire and in doing so, find out
what the local youth issues are. The event
also acts as a positive form of entertainment/
recreation for all Blackwoodians and people
in the surrounding region.
For all queries/suggestions please call Ross
Macdonald on 5366 7100 on Mondays
and Tuesdays when Ross is based at the
Ballan Hospital - feel free to drop in and
see him to have a chat about this exciting
upcoming Blackwood event, or email him at
rmacdonald@moorabool.vic.gov.au
lIonS cluB
Monthly dancE PrograM.
Old Time Dancing is held on 2nd Friday
each month in the Trentham Mechanics
Hall. Dances start at 7.30pm. Admission
is $8 per person, including supper and a
door prize draw. Music is provided by the
“Rythmaires”. Each alternate dance is
held in aid of the Trentham Historical
Society. Dates for the first few dances
2009 are:
• Dec 12th Charity Dance – in aid of
Children with Leukemia Fund.
• Jan 9th
• Feb 13th
• Mar 13th
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS 11
Dear Pet Guru,
A friend, knowing of my fondness for
animals, sent me a pet. From the drawing
you can see that it looks just like a large,
three-handled feather duster.
from Stumped, simmons Reef
What your friend sent you is an ostrich with
its head buried in a bucket of sand. Remove
the bucket & your new pet will assume a more
ornithological aspect. However, I should steer
clear of your friend with the warped sense of
humour lest he present you with a crocodileskin briefcase which bites. - Pet Guru
Silly old Wally
Louise Zanon married Ben Leong
on the 6th of November this year.
Louise represents the third
generation of her family to be
married at the Blackwood Uniting
Church. Historically all three bridal
parties have repaired to the family
home (Blackwood House) for
refreshments.
In 1936 Louise’s grandparents,
Nancy Terrill & Mark Walker were
married. In 1976, exactly 40 years
later, Mark returned to give away
his daughter Robyn to Wally. Leg in
plaster, Dad limped down the aisle, having recently dropped a large
water pump on his foot.
Deja Vu all over again: as the recent wedding loomed, Wally toppled
off a ladder whilst painting & broke his left arm. The plaster was not
due to come off until after the wedding.
Unfortunately, Wally’s suit hire blokes, who have no respect for a
good story, told him that there was no way that he would get his
plastered arm into one of their sleeves. So the cast had a premature
departure & the beautiful symmetry of this family’s history was
broken.
A note to young husband Ben Leong - you will not be obliged by
family tradition to be plastered at your daughters wedding.
where are they now?
George Spencer grew up in Blackwood from the age of two, with
his uncle and aunt, Frank and Eileen (Pansy) Dusting. He went to school
here, and left in 1949, at the age of twelve. He came back to Blackwood
in 1954, and worked at Melrose and
Guppy sawmills, General Store
butcher shop and post office. He
married Sandra Skinner in 1961,
and moved to Melbourne. They had
three children, and now live in
Tewantin, Queensland.
The photo of George was taken
at the Blackwood Hall in 1958 – celebrating George’s 21st, Jan
Matheson’s engagement to Max Brown, and the 55th wedding
anniversary of Ted and Grace Cann. Behind George is Henry Matheson
and Allan Skinner (Sandra’s father).Sandra at 17 (right), and as we are
now (top), celebrating our 46th wedding anniversary.
DO you know someone who has had a history in Blackwood and
you would like to see featured in ‘where are they now?’
POP a photo & a brief ‘then & now’ bio into the ‘drop box’ outside
the general store or email to blackwood@centralvic.com.au
43a High Street
Trentham 3458
5424 1000
• full prescription service & advice
• photo processing $7.95 for 24 prints
• Natural Health • Animal Health
• Gifts & Perfume • Natio Cosmetics
• Natural Instinct Range (petro-chemical free)
FABULOUS GIFTS
FOR ALL THE FAMILY
We wish you all a healthy and happy Xmas...
Ellen Kemp, B. Pharm., M.P.S., ND
Mon-Fri 9.15am-5pm • Sat 9.15am-12.15pm
7
8
MEDITATION:
Uniting Church
9
2
Matthew Laux
Peter Olivieri
Sommer Hamling
4
thursday
5
6
saturday
Lions Carols in the Park
Darley Market
TRENTHAM
Ballan Lions Club Market
Mrs Jackson Daylesford Farmers Market
Amanda Haack T/tham Community Market
Kevin O’Neill
friday
Senior Cits Xmas Lunch
Trentham Lions
Old Time Dancing
Amanda Jowett
Nancy Walker
full moon C. Geelong Farmers Market
10 11 12 13
3
Eva Collis
wednesday
Ted Walker
Joseph Matheson
Isabell O’Neill
United Church BBQ
Christmas Carols
term 4 ends Buninyong Farmers Market
Jack Francis
Allan Salmon
Dave Evans
Antoine Staub
Tabetha Henry (18th)
Dennis Kied
Max Matheson
Daylesford Market
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
Spirituality in the Bush
Trentham Market
Marty Matheson
Sam Whitehouse
Jacky Rees
28 29 30 31
Daylesford Market
Trentham Market
Ballarat Lakeside Market
Talbot Farmers Market
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
christmas day
new moon
Lancefield Farmers Market
George Stockdale
Have we missed your
birthday?
Do you know of an event
we should list?
Please email us or pop the
details in the DROP BOX
at the General Store.
boxing day
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Daylesford Market
All Saints Church Service
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Daylesford Market
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
Mick Healey
1
Milly Press
1st day of summer
monday
tuesday
december
sunday
5
MEDITATION:
Uniting Church
Kathryn Brown
monday
6
Mark DePolo
tuesday
7
Jake Haack
wednesday
1
8
Kathryn Jowett
Erin Bridson
thursday
9
2
3
10
Darley Market
Ballan Lions Club Market
Daylesford Farmers Market
T/tham Community Market
saturday
Trentham Lions C. Geelong Farmers Market
BBC plays Newlyn
Old Time Dancing
friday
Donna Matheson
Ross Odgers
Blackwood News deadline:
advertisers book space
regular features & coributors
Darcy Meade-SweetJason Van Druen
Blackwood News deadline:
features & items of interest
community groups & clubs
Mrs Darwen Buninyong Farmers Market
Liam Aharon
Gemma Hillis
Russell Deeble
Blackwood News deadline:
News, classifieds
Margaret Stockdale
Jean Harrison
Nicole Brown
Scott Matheson
Daylesford Market
Ballarat Lakeside Market
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
Spirituality in the Bush
new moon
australia day
Bryce Rees
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Blackwood News deadline:
advert artwork / content
Daylesford Market
Trentham Market
Ballarat Lakeside Market
Talbot Farmers Market
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Daylesford Market
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
full moon
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Daylesford Market
All Saints Church Service
Trentham Uniting Church
Ballan Uniting Church
4
2.15pm departs BM station
2.50pm arrives B’wood
9.05am departs B’wood
9.40am arrives BM station
FRIDAY BUS
SERVICE
sunday
january
14 Blackwood News
December 2008 - January 2009
trEnthaM Fun run BrEakS rEcordS
A record field of more than 330 contested the Cool Country Classic
Fun Runs held in Trentham on Sunday 16 November 2008.
Starting from the Trentham Sports Ground, runners had the choice
of a 5km town course or a 10km run to Little Hampton & back.
One enthusiastic competitor emailed her thoughts on the 10km
route to organisers –“competed in the 10km course which had
challenges, a circuit route, the downhill rewards, the countryside was
beautiful, the wind just enough and of course great participants who
were all enthusiastic & friendly. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the event
& many had traveled distances to participate. The 10:30am start gave
us a sleep-in; the fees are very reasonable & most will come back next
year as the city fun runs are getting too crowded & expensive.”
Australian 5000 metre champion & Olympic competitor, Craig
Mottram was a surprise entrant in the 5km race & set a new race record
of 13mins and 44 secs as he scorched around the town course.
His appearance was a great inspiration for the many schoolchildren
who participated in the Run & he generously donated his prize winner’s
cheque to Loryn Savoia, the best female secondary school runner.
Celebrity chef, Bill Granger ran in his first ever 10km race & performed
very creditably to finish in just over an hour. His run was filmed as part
of a documentary series he is making in country Victoria and Little
Hampton provided a spectacular background for the film crew
covering the race.
The Trentham Lions Club hopes to raise more than $3000 from the
event which will be distributed to deserving local causes. President,
Colin Ries thanked all race sponsors & the 50 or so volunteers who
worked tirelessly to stage the event. He said next year was the 10th
anniversary of the Fun Run and organisers were already working on
making it a very memorable event.
happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear ??
happy birthday to you
happy
happy
happy
happy
birthday
birthday
birthday
birthday
to you
to you
dear ??
to you
The Marvelous and Improbable
Adventures of the Crumple Horned
Snorkack
Lily Evans apologizes that the Snorkack has taken leave until
after Christmas but here is a special treat for his adoring fans.
~ Lily Evans (with the help of Alaska Pollock)
HEY KIDS: do you have a story, poem or picture you
would like in BLACKWOOD NEWS? pop it in the
DROP BOX at the general store or email it to us!
who’s turning 16 in
December?
who’s turning 18 in
December?
attention blackwood book worms ...
did you know we have
a well stocked lending library in the hall?
• borrowing is on an honour system
• the hall is open each Wednesday 10-3pm
or the key can be picked up from
Barbara Sweet - 5368 6551
a blackwood news community service notice
Dr Michael Bascombe (B.V.M.S.B.Sc.Dip P.H.)
offers Holistic Veterinary Services
and regular services for all animals including:
• Homeopathy
• Reiki / Energy Balancing
• Bowen Massage
• Human / Animal Interaction
• Dietary Advise
• natural vaccinations and worming
• barefoot trimming
Telephone 0438 309 902 or 5368 6765
Email michael@michaelbascombe.com
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS 15
pop the fizz! pop the fizz! pop the fIZZ! POP THE FIZZ!
BRICKBATS &
BOUQUETS
Bouquet to everyone who has
thrown money to the ceiling of
Greendale Hotel. $1325 was
recently donated to Greendale
CFA.
~ Greendale Hotel
Bouquet to Lucy - wishing you
well with your treatment & to
Unita - wishes for a speedy
recovery
~ Brendan, Jinny & Ellen
In late October Brenda
Hunter celebrated her 70th
birthday in style with a party
in her home with friends &
family. There were not many
dry eyes in the house when
her daughter Louisa sang
a very special song written
for Brenda by her adoring
husband, Robin.
Ellen Coyle-Hehir made her
deb with partner Glenn Kirby
at the Spa Country Debutant
Ball at Daylesford Town Hall in
October.
Guests of honour were newly
wed Olympians Jared Tallent &
Claire Woods.
An elegant tradition from day
of old.
On November 8 Louise Zanon
& Ben Leong were wed at the
Blackwood United Church.
Elegant in strapless & beaded
white, the bride stood out against
the black of the wedding party..
A highlight for visitors & locals
alike was the bridal procession as
it meandered from Blackwood
House to the church.
A BIG brickbat to the person
who has removed the angel
from Barbara’s headstone and
taken the ‘gem’ part of the
sculpture too.
~ name supplied
To the Blackwood Community
Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for the time, the truly
generous donations & the care shown to me over the past month.
Without them I would not have had a home. Although I have lived in
Blackwood for 12 years & rarely participated in the community I, like
so many others, love Blackwood for the natural beauty & place that
surrounds us. The people that shape this special community are also
a reflection of the generous spirit & unique history that keeps
Blackwood alive. I have been truly humbled by your kindness.
I would like to begin my thanks to Linda & Lorrie Byes, who have
taken me & my dog into their home, enabling me to believe that I can
rebuild my life here. Without their help I would have been lost & I am
indebted to both for their constant generosity & kindness.
Thankyou to the group of fundraisers for your support & time & to
all those involved in organising such a wonderful fete day & raising
such a large donation.
Many thanks to the Blackwood Fire Brigade who continue to help
all of us stay safe in this special place & the Stanley Singleton for being
such a wonderful neighbour & always being there to help.
Thank-you to the entire community for making me feel so special
- I am indebted to you all & hope to be able to repay all those who
have helped me through this difficult time in the future.
~ Noelle Shader
& Indi (my blue heeler)
Perfect, Personal Ceremonies
– A memory of a lifetime
- Authorised Marriage Celebrant
- Funeral Celebrant
- Naming Celebrant for babies
0407 013 014 Free Consultations
Blackwood Summer Babe
Photo by Heather Marsh
Mobile:
www.genevievemessenger.com.au
16 Blackwood News December 2008 - January 2009
CHRISSY’S COUNTRY
clothing & giftware
open Wed-Sat 10am-5pm
Hair accessories, candles, gifts, cards & wrapping
Thank-you for your loyal support
throughout the year.
147 Inglis Street, Ballan 9742 5722
also Tarneit & Shaws Rd, Werribee
To our little fella
We have your bride ready and waiting for you, but we are having
trouble getting her to keep her clothes on. I think you would be
much happier with her than with your mean kidnappers making
you do back breaking chores... you never had to do that when you
were here.
No she is not a mail order bride, just a local lassie waiting patiently
for you to return.
We have promised her a proper wedding and have contacted
Genevieve our local celebrant to perform the ceremony, just let us
know when you can escape so we can plan this big event.
Missing you and looking forward to seeing you again little fella
From Wee Joc
Dear Jill,
Do you recognise the garden? Yes, it’s yours. I’m back!
Those blokes who had me (you know, the Geelong supporters),
they just let me go in the end,
they didn’t find gnomes amusing
anymore. Didn’t find anything
amusing anymore. Poor buggers.
So, I’m back in Blackwood, doing a
little reconnoitre (gnomes do this
before they say hello). Oh, & talking
about saying hello, I haven’t spied
that young lass you mentioned. Now,
I’m not saying she doesn’t exist but
I just need a little proof before I can
open my poor gnomey heart again.
see you soon (I hope) Norbitt
A Timely Road Safety Message
Statistics show that country people are not as compliant with
wearing seat belts as our city cousins. For most of us, it is an automatic
thing to put on the belt as soon as we get in the car. (Close the door,
put on the belt and then start the car.) Some people, however, become
a bit blasé through familiarity with their local environment and driving
conditions and think that they will never be involved in accident.
Unfortunately, a lot of people have made that fatal mistake.
We urge all drivers and passengers to buckle up, even for short
journeys and remember that most accidents occur within a few
kilometres from home.
Children in particular are parent’s responsibility and are exceptionally
vulnerable in accidents. They can become projectiles in a crash and
this can result in life changing injuries or death. Police get sick of
hearing the responses from parents that “it was just a short trip up to
the shop’ or ‘he/she does not like wearing the belt and keeps taking it
off’.
Parents need to educate their children from a young age that part
of being an occupant of a motor vehicle is the compulsory wearing of
a seat belt.
~ Sergeant Greg FALKINER, Trentham Police
LOCAL TIP hours
Trentham: Wed/Sat/Sun 9am-5pm
Ballan: Wed-Mon 1pm-5pm
a blackwood news community service notice
Bacchus Marsh
Community College Inc.
‘The Laurels’
Plan your education and training in 2009
Nationally Accredited Courses…..
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
Certificate III in Aged Care Work
Certificate I & II in Business
Certificate in Retail
Certificate II in Hospitality (units)
Certificate II in Horticulture
Certificate II in Information Technology
Integration Aide Certificate (3 units)
Business
Certificate III in Business (units)
Accounts Payable & Receivable
Maintain a General Ledger
Hospitality
Follow Workplace Hygiene Procedures
Food Safety Supervisor
Responsible Service of Alcohol
Bar Attendant/Liquor Service
First Aid
First Aid Level 2
CPR Anaphylaxis
Reaccreditation Level 2
Building Industry
OHS – Construction Induction
VCAL @ The Laurels in 2009
Are you or do you know someone who is
• Over 16 years old
• Wanting to gain a senior secondary school qualification
• Wanting to learn in a mature and relaxed adult environment
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning is an accredited senior secondary school
qualification undertaken in years 10, 11, & 12. VCAL is based on hands-on learning
and aims to provide students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to make informed
choices about pathways to work and further education. Interviews will be conducted
during Term 4 for students who would like to discuss options for 2009.
Check out our range of
computer, art & craft and
other general interest
programs!
Groups & Other Activities…
Men’s Shed, Young Mums, Artist’s,
Patchworkers, Embroiderers, Woolcraft,
Garden Club, Seniors Computers
for further information or to enrol
Call The Laurels on 5367 1061
229 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
website: www.thelaurels.org.au
email: enrolments@thelaurels.org.au
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS
KyNEtON
tIMEShArE:
Just in time for summer, 1
floating week at Kyneton Bush
Resort. Owning a timeshare
means you can swap your weeks
with resorts all over the world &
if you are a local you have day
access to all the facilities at
Kyneton - including the pool.
Great safe holidays for families
$1750ono. Also have 3 weeks
banked which we can sell to
buyer @ $500pw negotiable.
ChECK Out the resorts website
at www.kynetonbushresort.
com.au then call us on 5368
6607 with any questions.
A new family
moves into Town
A family of wombats has made
its home in the town centre,
between the crusher & the Anzac
memorial.
Mum & Dad are carved from
cypess, the baby is made of
Blackwood. They celebrate
Barbara Rosman’s good work in
the community through her
encouragement of local arts.
Proceeds from the sales of her
last pieces were used to
commission Blackwood sculptor,
Dusan Devcic, who installed
them in time for the first
anniversary of her passing. He
would like children to know that
these wombats enjoy being
ridden.
~ Brendan Hehir
photo on front page
blackwoofs
17
We know Tiny
is old. Norma
inherited her
from Di 4 years
ago. Di got her
m a ny
ye a rs
before, when
Tiny was already
old.
Legend has it
that Tiny is close
to 20 years old.
Also legend (in
her own mind) is
that she is the largest of Blackwood dogs & possesses the heart of a
lion. She makes all the smaller dogs pay.
Early this year, she was monstering a ‘smaller’ dog when the tables
turned & suddenly she was dinner. “How did I ever fit into that little
mouth?” she seemed to ask her Mum on the way to the vet. Mr. Vet
was amazed, given her legendary years & the thorough chewing she
had received, that Tiny had survived. Heart of a lion!
So next time Tiny is yapping at you & your dog, remember you really
are in the company of a legend.
Moorabool Communities in Action
Council and the Community working and planning in partnership to make things
happen in your area
In November of 2007 the Blackwood Community was visited
by MCiA. During this time through a consultation process
residents were asked,
-What is important to you and your Community?
-What is your vision for the future of your Community?
Since that time the information resulting from the consultation
process has been compiled and an initial Community Action
Plan has been developed.
Some priorities identified in the Community Action Plan by the Community members in attendance during
the consultations have been included in the Capital Improvement Program process and have been
submitted to Council funding approval. Other priorities have been completed whilst some are in the process
of implementation
The Objective of Moorabool Communities in Action is to engage the diverse communities within Moorabool
in an ongoing process of consultation and communication, which seeks to:
– Build the capacity to function as a community
– Gain feedback on the effectiveness of current service programs provided.
Moorabool Shire Council has adopted the Communities in Action Framework which provides the
foundations for strengthening the partnership between Council and communities, and communications
between communities.
Moorabool Communities in Action will be visiting the Blackwood community in late January in order to
inform the community regarding the results of the consultations and further to relate updates and to display
and discuss the future development of the Blackwood Community Action Plan.
For further information please feel free to contact Cyana at Council on 03 5366 7100
18 Blackwood News December 2008 - January 2009
broadband JARGON BUSTER
At the end of January it will be 2 years since Broadband came to
town. With more & more image-intensive websites & heavy downloads
available - streaming video, social networking, on-line games, podcasts
etc Blackwoodians who signed into 24 month contracts with low limits
may be considering changing plans or service providers.
I find everytime I want to check I am on the best contract for my
household - be it phone plans, mobile, electricity it feels like I’m
stepping into a minefield trying to get through all the jargon - half the
time I just give up!
Here is some info I hope will help bust the jargon ...
ADSL: (Asymmetric digital subscriber line) is High Speed Internet.
ADSL2 & ADSL2+ are even faster but not available in the Blackwood
area.
CABLE broadband: If you have “cable” television in your home you
can most likely access cable internet but currently cable is only offered
by Bigpond and Optus.
Wireless internet is broadband internet access that doesn’t use a
telephone line or cable network. You connect to the internet using
radio frequency bands.
Understanding speed such as 256/64k or 512k/128k - the first
figure is download allowance & the second is upload speed. The faster
your connection, the more you pay.
It should be noted that actual speeds vary due to things like your
distance from the local telephone exchange, the quality of your copper
phone line and broadband equipment.
Monthly download or usage limit: this is how much information
you can download in the given period, measured in megabytes. Many
people don’t realise this includes emails & that every image on a page
is measured. Below is a simple guide to help you measure the limit
you may require... note that this is indicative only & will depend on
things like what sites you frequent, MP3 recording quality etc
usage per
month
Receive emails
Surf the Internet
Download
Images
Download
Music files
Download
small video
clips
300mb
10pw
10 hours pw
30 pics pm
5-10 pm
1-2 pm
10gb - 20gb
50-100 pw
15-25 hours pw
200-500 pm
50-200pm
5-10pm
30gb-60gb
100-200pw
25-35 pw
50-1000 pm
200-400 pm
10-30 pm
http://www.internetchoice.com.au/faqs.php
Dependent on speed - faster plans will allow you to download
movies and music as well as play online games more quickly and easily
than slower plans.
Lighter plans are great for those who use only do basic tasks like
checking email or sports scores.
Medium plans allow you to download much more content, including
music and movies. You can also take advantage of online gaming.
Heavy plans are for those who download high volumes of music,
movies and such.
Some plans will split the download quotas into peak & off peak
limits. These plans may be worth considering if you have older children
or insomnia!
It is important to understand your internet habits because once you
hit your usage limit either your service or your pocket will be
affected.
• you may be ‘shaped’ - dropped back to a slower service - generally
64k OR
• charged an excess per mb download (ie 15c per mb)
When thinking about your usage remember to take into account
automatic software updates such as anti-virus & windows.
Before you sign up to a plan or new service, make sure you find out
what the rules are if you want to change plans.
A couple of final notes:
• be sure to use a good anti-virus program & turn on daily updates
• if your modem is wireless make sure your network is secure
Happy surfing!
~ Jinny Coyle
Nov ‘08
Author is ed Dealer
For all your printing solutions
2/45 Chelmsford Street, Williamstown 3016
t 9397 1444 f 9397 7906
hmpress@bigpond.com.au
www.hmpress.com.au
Hpress
i-mark
group
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS 19
2008 SPECIAL SCHOOLS SUPER BIKE RIDE
Jessica’s Long Trek
I was involved in the search for the missing
18 year old from O’Brien’s Crossing on
11/11/08.
I was called to O’Brien’s by D24 at Ballarat
at about 10.45pm to assist Bacchus Marsh
police members search for missing Jessica
WOLFENDON of Werribee.
Jessica & her step sister, father & step
mother were camping overnight when the
two girls went for a walk along the Circuit
Walk. After a while the younger sister returned
to camp & Jessica kept on walking. She
evidently crossed the river & got onto Ambler’s
Track & walked up into the the North
Blackwood area. It is not known what tracks
she was on but eventually, after walking most
of the night, she came out on Countess Road
which she followed through to Trentham
township.
Jessica went to the first house that did not
have a high fence or a dog in the yard & so
finished up at the family home of Kym & John
KELLY. John phoned the police & I was soon
called out at 7.30am to go & collect Jessica &
return her to her anxious family. This was of
course after searching until nearly 3am. That
morning. “Such is the lot of a country
copper”.
Jessica was fit & well & none the worse for
wear apart from being cold (she had on shorts,
tee shirt & thongs) & had sore feet because
her thongs gave way & she walked some
distance bare footed. (She has got tougher
feet than mine). She actually used the thongs
as a pillow whilst she slept beside one of the
tracks for a few hours during the night.
I estimate that Jessica walked over 25
kilometres during her ordeal.
A police tracker dog was used during the
search but was unable to locate Jessica due to
the number of civilian searchers who had
contaminated the scene with their scents
prior to the dog’s arrival.
SES volunteers on motorcycles also assisted
in the search but none of the searchers
expected there to be such a large search
parameter. The concern was that, because of
the number of mine shafts & cliffs & generally
very rough terrain in the area, that Jessica may
have fallen in the dark & injured herself.
Although Jessica did not plan on going for
a long walk & was therefore not equipped for
an overnight stay in the bush, it is an
opportunity to remind travellers, campers,
walkers & riders of some basic guidelines
when entering remote areas.
• Take appropriate clothing for the time of
day & the current or anticipated weather
conditions. In particular, wear sturdy
shoes or boots with non-slip type soles.
• Have a plan. Allow sufficient time
to complete your journey, taking into
account the time of day, the distance &
type of terrain likely to be encountered.
• Notify somebody (friend, family, DSE,
Parks Ranger or Police) of your expected
route, number in party, experience & time
of departure & expected time of return).
Many people leave their details on a note
pad at Trentham Police Station before
setting off on a bush walk or hike.
• Take food & particularly water with you,
even for short walks. During summer,
dehydration can occur very quickly, so it is
important to sip water regularly.
• If you become lost or fatigued or
injured, do not make the situation worse
by staggering around, risking injury &
getting further away from your base.
Particularly at night, you are best off to
stay put & rest, if possible beside a track or
prominent feature & let the searchers find
you. Given time, we usually do.
~ Sergeant Greg FALKINER,
Trentham Police
20 Blackwood News
December 2008 - January 2009
A friendly smile, a voice well versed, come chat a while, and quench your thirst
NEW YEARS DAY
Mick Thomas performs from 4pm
$22.50 pre-buy tickets at the pub
or on the door
TUES Social Club Night ~ SLAB DRAW $10 per year
could win you a slab a week
Blackwood General Store
WED $12 dinner ~ call 5368 1355 to book
FRI Happy Hour 5-7pm ~ lucky chance
enjoy Blackwood’s beautiful views on our warm
cosy deck by the pot belly
HOTEL OPEN 7 days 12pm daily
GENERAL STORE OPEN
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm ~ Sun 9am-8pm
open Monday to Saturday 8am-6pm
Sunday 8.30am - 6pm
• browse our antique shop
• serving breakfast all day
• great coffee, soups, burgers, pastries &
much more
• take home pesto, variety of dips, lasagne,
curries & cakes - all made on the premises
• catering available for all your functions
phone 5368 6525
find a special treasure at the
wheel spins every 20 mins during happy hour
ph 5368 1355
Martin St,
Blackwood 3458
ph 5368 6501
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
4 course meal with all the trimmings
now taking Bookings Ph : 5368 6501
NEW YEARS EVE
come & join us welcoming in the New Year
Live Band
antiques & bricabrac
mon to sat8am-6pm sun 8.30am -6pm
21 Martin Street, Blackwood
5368 6525
Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park
powered & unpowered sites
overnight caravans
Minerals Springs Picnic Grounds, BBQ’s
600 metres from the township
ph 03 5358 6539 fax 03 5368 6422
e bclcm@tpg.com.au
www.blackwoodcrownreserves.websyte.com.au
a blackwood news community service notice
Blackwood News thanks all advertisers for their support.
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS
Sunday January 25 ... wear your green & gold, come as
your favorite Aussie icon or just in your casuals.
• special Aussie Menu • live Music
SPECIALS
WED PM Parma & Pot OR Seafood Special & Pot $12.00
THUR PM 2 course Chinese Meals $12.50
MEALS
Wed to Mon ~12-2pm & 6-8pm Sun lunch ~ 12-2.30pm
Tues ~ bar open 4-8pm (no meals)
TAKE AWAY now available (not Sat night)
CHECK OUT the great specials board
BOOKINGS essential on weekends
M O T E L R O O M S AVA I L A B L E
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS 21
Joc and Jill, Suzie, Jodi, Sommer, Rob, Lachie, Cathy
would like to wish our customers
a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
• trading hours: Thurs, Fri and Sat night
• bar opens at 5pm, meals from 6pm
• Pizzas available to eat in or take away
• Locals night Thur with $12.00 meals
• blackboard menu Fri and Sat nights
• menu changes each week
View Cottage
why isn’t your
fully self contained holiday rental
3 bedroom house with views
business
ring Judith on 03 9315 0576
or 0408 569 367
5368 6444
• sleeps 6 • close to town • wood heater
• BBQ • decking •washing machine & dryer
here?
HOUSE TO RENT
‘WANNAWONG’
SC 3br • sleeps 9
• modern facilities
• close to township
• reasonable rates
• weekly or weekend
call Margot
03 9455 1421
or 0439 878 062
Woodbine Cottage
Luxury accommodation in a beautiful mountain village
just one hour from Melbourne
air conditioning, wood fire, telephone & fax,
spa bath, stereo, tv & video, double carport,
washing & drying machines, towelling robes,
peace, privacy & absolute comfort
11 Simmons Reef Road, Blackwood 3458 ph (03) 5368 6770
for photos & more details visit ... www.woodbinecottage.com.au
Country
Getaways
Small Group
Accommodation
Corporate
Retreats
This beautifully appointed historic
private house is ideally located in
the heart of Blackwood.
Offering luxury accommodation for
small groups sleeping up to 12
people in six ensuite rooms, or
the quaint Rose Cottage for a
romantic couples escape.
Spectacular views, a heritage
garden and lots to do — or not.
info@letstalkretreats.com.au
www.letstalkretreats.com.au
03 9646 4951
Please let our advertisers know you saw them in the Blackwood News
22 Blackwood News
• professional
hairdressing
seniors discount Tues-Thur
• facial treatments
• eyelash & eyebrow
treatments
• oxygen therapy facials
• manicures
• pedicures
December 2008 - January 2009
WE’VE MOVED
to DARLEY!!!
new premises - same great service
• nails
• waxing
• mens waxing
• massage
spray
tanning
booth
OPEN
tues, th
ur,
fri, sat
BY APP
T ONLY
success
coaching
call Marie
0410 341 813
3 Nelson Street, Darley 3340
p (03) 5367 2869 m 0408 107 281
www.AtoZwellbeing.com.au
v white@AtoZwellbeing.com.au
All environmentally friendly. For all your body needs inside & out!
Bryan Rainford Electrical Contractors
all domestic & commercial electrical work
new homes
extensions
renovations
underground wiring
safety switches
smoke detectors
hot water services
small & large jobs
phone: 5368 6858 or 0419 310 469
Registered Electrical Contractor #7310
240 Main St
Bacchus Marsh 3340
Ph. 5368 2001
Fax. 5367 0776
Please let our advertisers know you saw them in the Blackwood News
119 Inglis St
Ballan 3342
Ph. 0418 518 226
jcutler@keemin.com.au
December 2008 - January 2009 BLACKWOOD NEWS
“Martin’s Appliance Repairs”
• Washing Machines • Dishwashers
• Clothes Dryers
Repairs to all makes and models
We come to you
Qualified Technician • All Work Guaranteed
0429 678 670.
Email:mglassborow@mac.com
23
Elander
Carpet Cleaning Service
Maintain Your Carpets Professionally.
call Graham or Jenny
Home office: 5367 2799
Mobile: 0425 852 611
Bacchus Marsh
carpets • upholstery • leather • drapes
ORIGIN ENERGY
45kg bottle gas
for prompt delivery
at competitive prices
call GARY on
ph: (03) 53681230
fax: (03) 5368 1937
119 Inglis St Ballan
BRICKLAYER
Brian “BUSHIE” Small
no job to big or small
chimney specialist
including bricklaying
& stonework
Blackwood & district
ph: 5368 6507
Think Globally Employ Locally
SOL PLUMBING
Fully licensed and insured.
Residential and commercial
Competitive rates.Free quotes.
Call Simon on
0417 335 831
LIC NO 38657
0409 135 070
TREELOPPING
Gerard Styles
~ experienced climber
~ limited access conditions
ph: 03 5368 6678
mob: 0428 518 999
PO Box 218, Blackwood 3458
superb rates ~ ask for a FREE quote
BRIAN MOORE
LIC. No 22288
for all your plumbing requirements
• all general plumbing
• roof repairs
• gas installation
• hot water installation
46 Martin St, Blackwood 3458
mob: 0407 324 366 ph: 5368 6313
BACCHUS
MARSH GLASS
COMMERCIAL GLAZING P/L
ALL GLASS REPLACEMENTS
Insurance recommended repairer
5368 1599
HOTLINE 0418 330 275
Lot 1 Maddison Lane, Greendale
www.commercialglazing.com.au
Blackwood News thanks all advertisers for their support
24 Blackwood News December 2008 - January 2009
BLACKWOOD
Blackwood Store
Lifestyle Opportunity
Here it is. One of the best opportunities to come on the market
in years in this well kept secret township. On around one and a
half acres of prime land in the centre of town this property is
being offered for sale on a walk in walk out basis. Taking
advantage of the spectacular views out over the Lerderderg
State Park and Wombat Forest, the current operators have
moved this business into a great café/ food store operation,
servicing the local community, tourists and providing outside
catering to the growing number of tourist related business in the
surrounding area. The premises include a two bedroom residence and an additional retail premises on the main street
currently used for the sale of antiques. On two titles and in a
serene garden setting, this property is in the box seat to take
advantage of the expected growth that will take place with the
connection of the town sewerage scheme in the next year. At
around one hour from Melbourne, ten minutes to Trentham and
40 minutes to Ballarat the central location makes it attractive to
those who want to develop a specialist food operation. Price
includes business, all fittings, fixtures and equipment. SAV.
$465,000
16 Market St Trentham
www.fitzgeraldproperty.com.au

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