The Croaker Vol 8 No 2 - Deans Marsh

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The Croaker
Volume 8 No.2 February 2015……. editor Deb Campbell
The Croaker is a not for profit, monthly voluntary publication and is for general information purposes only. Alternative points of view to those expressed in opinion articles are encouraged and welcomed. Please sends news, comment and queries to kaosmgt@bigpond.com Deans Marsh Festival -­‐ weaving a stronger Community
Local Deans Marsh residents are gearing up for the annual Deans Marsh Festival to be held
on Sunday 22nd March 2015. Organisers are still on the lookout for craftspeople, artists and
food producers. For more information about sponsorship, the weaving project, stalls or festival
please visit deansmarshfestival.com.au or contact 5236 3388.
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The Youth Group goes camping… by Rhea Wigley
After a few Christmas carols of fundraising and many meetings The Youth Group of Deans Marsh
got to head out to Jamieson’s creek for three days (from the 12th to the 15th of January).
Their first day was filled with sun burns, burgers and swimming down in the lovely ocean and in
total contrast they spent the second day being flooded out of their camp site. Woken up at the
crack of dawn the 10 of them had to get up to move their tent out of a ditch that quickly filled with
water over night. After many hours of sitting huddled under what little shelter they had playing
cards, they decided to ditch their miserable camp site, get in the cars and head out to Apollo Bay to
dry essentially every single
item of clothing taken on the
trip. Apollo Bay remained equally
melancholy as the camp site
until the Youth Group
decided to hide out in the
Apollo Bay cinema and see
the latest ‘Night At The
Museum’ movie and then the
Apollo Bay summer fair and
it is fair to say that it put a
positive spin on the day. That night back at the camp
site was not a long one, all
worn out they ate their
dinner and headed to their
Vol.8 No.2
The Store Deans Marsh
5236 3305 Open 7 days
(newly well placed) tents and retired for the night. The third morning was essentially spent trying
to eat the abundance of left over food and reminiscing on the days past until they packed up camp,
got ready to head to a bus from Wye River to Lorne and left their trip on a positive note. So whilst it may not have been the best dates to pick (weather wise) to go on a camping trip they
still had a great time.
Thank you to Tahli Dobbin and Louise Brown for being our supervising parents and
congratulations to all the Youth Group members; Rhea, Veronica, Milly, Chloe, Freya, Mac, Luke,
Julia and Tameika.
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Community Cottage
The Community Cottages Term 1 Programme will be out this week - copies in your
inbox, at the Cottage or here: http:/www.deansmarsh.org.au More to report on the
proposed Community Hub here next month.
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Check out what Cottage committee member Victor Goldsztein has been up to lately
- organising this event: http://www.visions.vienna.info/ Wow!
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Deans Marsh Artist Profile: Michelle Stewart
Local identity Michelle Stewart, a proli4ic and highly productive artist from Deans Marsh, graduated from Swinburne in 2011, after receiving her Bachelor of Communication Design and Diploma of Communication Design. After completing her studies, Michelle attended the 2011 Rainbow Serpent Festival. This event inspired a change in her plans and ideals. “I had a realization that I didn’t have to do what everyone was expecting me to do, and that I could spend my days rolling around in mud!”. This revelation led Michelle and her partner Nick Theodore, on a journey towards a new lifestyle… and the concept for the Cob Art Studio was born. Cob Art Studio Vol.8 No.2
The Store Deans Marsh
5236 3305 Open 7 days
This amazing and eco-­‐friendly project began in January 2014 and is now in the 4inal stages of completion. Imagine a Hobbit style structure, constructed by using a mixture of clay, straw and sand. The Cob Art Studio, upon completion will incorporate the Five Elements: Spirit, Fire, Earth, Air and Water. This living and organic studio incorporates a treasure trove of artistic features. The Seed of Life feature window is a 4loral arrangement of Time Capsule Glass Bottles containing messages and blessings from the initial co-­‐creators and volunteers of the Cob Art Studio. Michelle says: “The Seed of Life represents the unfurling of a new way of being and incorporates the Spirit Element”. In the Studio Loft, the ceiling (supported by raw cut timber) is rendered with hessian fabric and red clay paint. This cozy nook has a large climb through window that accesses the Living Roof. This purpose feature atop the lower level of the Studio features a Succulent garden and a spiral pathway. Stained Glass portal windows and a hand-­‐built Fireplace (featuring the Fire Element alchemy symbol on the Mantle) 4lank the Cob Art Studio’s foremost feature, the Magic Faraway Tree. This highly decorative and hand sculpted indoor tree incorporates candle alcoves and an altar within the design. Michelle is inspired by Enid Blyton and says: “I wanted to bring a childlike whimsy into the Studio. The Magic Faraway Tree represents the Earth Element, and harnesses a timeless energy that is one with nature.” Adjacent to the Cob Art Studio lays the Food Forest. Michelle and Nick are currently cultivating their own organic orchard and vegie patch with the hope of becoming totally self suf4icient in the very near future. Michelle is currently involved in numerous projects that are both creative and inspiring: Hand crafted jewellery and clothing (Twisted Gypsy Designs), Natural Building (Earthen Ripples), Festival Workshops and Decor, Art collaboration, Fire twirling Workshops and Market stalls… She will be at the Deans Marsh Festival on March 22, so keep an eye out for her in The Tipi! Michelle’s presence on social media is large, and her site’s are fantastic, even if you are not a fan of the “inter-­‐web” please have a look at these links. https://www.facebook.com/EarhenRipples and https://www.facebook.com/
twistedgypsydesigns “I would like to use this opportunity to thank my father, Andrew Stewart for bestowing his artistic genius upon me, and inspiring my life choices!” added Michelle. Many thanks to Michelle for sharing her talents, and being such a pleasure to interview. Renee Wigley, Deans Marsh Art Studio !
Murmurings in the Marsh ….
CALLING OUT FOR KIDS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SING ON THE STAGE AT THIS YEAR’S
DEANS MARSH FESTIVAL, CHOOSE YOUR OWN SONG, PLAY AN INSTRUMENT? TELL A
STORY OR A JOKE? Call Tahli on 0418745399 or email tahlidobbin@gmail.com
!All welcome to a celebration of INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY at the Cumberland Lorne on
Monday March 9 at 5.30pm. There will be a film and drinks. Tickets $20 from Deb Campbell 5236
3298.
!While the Hall Committee applies for solar power for our community buildings, community
discussion about power prices continues across the country. This youtube clip gives an interesting
take on things:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfBXaWuu-o , as does this website
http://embark.com.au/display/WebsiteContent/Home and this ABC radio podcast:
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/ite28099s-happening--energy-generation-worldwide-is-changing/5987784
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Vol.8 No.2
The Store Deans Marsh
5236 3305 Open 7 days
The Deans Marsh Red Cross Centenary Book has been selling well since its launch in December.
For those who haven’t yet got their copy of this wonderful publication for $20, call or email Linda
Aimers 0400 005 439 or otwaypark@gmail.com
!If anyone is needing help with the milking, recent refugee arrivals are looking for work,
and to learn. Call Ansar at Diversitat Colac for details: 5231 1655
!Join the Koala Count 2015 with Conservation Ecology Centre's field team for the annual Cape
Otway Koala survey on Feb 24-6. Call 5237 9297 for details -
!And then there’s a vegetarian cooking and yoga retreat at Hari Krishna Valley from Friday
20th-3pm, 2015: more info: http://harekrishnavalley.com.au/event/bhakti-yogavegetarian-cooking-retreat-2/
!TELSTRA ADSL Update: Some of us are experiencing problems, often caused it seems by
different parts of Telstra having conflicting information. If you are having trouble contact
either Shona McKeen or Jim Boag geelongsctcw@team.telstra.com
southwestvictcw@team.telstra.com respectively. PLEASE NOTE: check your first ADSL
bill when it comes. Mine was wrong on about five fronts - not in my favour naturally - check
carefully and ask Hope at the Ryrie St shop for referral to the Billing Concierge if you’re
confused.
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Ron Millard: Deans Marsh historian, teacher, puppeteer and so much more….
!Ronald George Able Millard (Uncle Ron) was born on 29 October 1927 in Birregurra to
th
Harry and Grace Millard…Grace grew up in Warrnambool and was a school teacher at
Boonah when Harry met her. Read Frances Tyrer’s lovely eulogy in full at http:/
www.deansmarsh.org.au
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Family Day Care at The Cottage
Deans Marsh In Venue Family Day Care has vacancies for 2015. We operate 5 days
a week during school terms between 9am and 3pm. Children are cared for by
qualified educators in a caring and stimulating environment. FDC is an approved
Centrelink activity.
For more information please call educators Tahli Dobbin
0418745399 or Carlie Smith 0438743120 or Nikki Long at Surf Coast Shire 52610600
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NELLIE’S Column
G’day and thanks for your support at the Deans Marsh Trials although I didn’t really shine - thought
I’d leave that to all those other guys and girls. Congrats to Rod, one of Susan Young’s mates for a
splendid performance and the overall prize. Given that she is the secretary of the Victorian Sheep
Dog Trialling Association, and therefore much involved in the organisation on the day[s] along with
Fages and Jill Stewart of course, Susan did a great job to win the thing as well. Well done to all those
who competed, including the sheep who were a tricky bunch, and to the judges who stood stoically in
the sun and wind and rain, and to all who came. A top weekend. You will be pleased to know I have
redeemed myself since the DM trials though - with a First at Ballarat and with a Second in Koroit and
then it’s off to the national trials Port Fairy from Feb 8 - I’m on on the Wednesday. Cheers Nellie.
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What’s On
February 15
ELEVENTH Annual Wye River/Deans Marsh Cricket match at
Stribling Reserve, commencing 12.30pm. Come along to a great family day with all proceeds being
donated to the Men's Shed & the Lorne Football & Netball Club
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Deans Marsh Festival
March 22 10am-5pm
Vol.8 No.2
The Store Deans Marsh
5236 3305 Open 7 days