2013 - Merrijig, Victorian High Country.

Merrijig Matters
Merrijig’s Monthly Newsletter
October 2013
Issue 6
INDEX
Feedback, bereavement news, local Justices of the Peace..............................2
October Calendar of Events..............................................................................3
Family History Film Night...............................................................................8-9
Free Horse Lease.........................................................................................9-10
Food Swap/Poor Judy!....................................................................................10
Fonzy is For Sale.............................................................................................11
Volunteers Willing to Help YOU..................................................................12-13
Merrijig Community Plan Activity.................................................................13-14
Merrijig Primary School News....................................................................14-15
Mansfield Shire Counmcil News......................................................................16
Merrijig Public Hall AGM & Merrijig Rodeo AGM........................................17-18
McCormack Park story continues...............................................................18-21
Merrijig Campdraft Report..........................................................................21-22
Motorbike Club Report................................................................................22-23
Why Did You Come to Merrijig?..................................................................23-24
The MillInn/What’s On at our Local?................................................................25
What’s on at the Merrijig Public Hall...........................................................25-26
Advertising.......................................................................................................27
Now for a Final Good Laugh............................................................................28
1
Feedback on September’s newsletter
Hi Adele,
Well here you are again, it is fantastic what you are doing, with the newsletter, and it is always a
great read. Thank you, much appreciated. Keep the newsletter going the way it is, it is fantastic.
Cheers Barb
(Barb Hayes)
Well done again Adele. Without you I would never be able to keep up with the news!
Robin
(Robin Purdy)
******
Bereavement news
Unfortunately it is not a good news story which heads up this month’s newsletter as while on a
motorbike riding trip in America, Russell Prendergast had a serious accident which put him in
intensive care in an induced coma in an effort to save his life. But sadly ‘Budda’, as he was known
around here, did not manage to recover and it is with great sorrow for his children, Andrew, Laurence
and Emma that Merrijig grieves his loss on Sept. 15th.
A Memorial Service for Budda is to be held at the Merrijig Hall on Saturday, October 5 at 10.30 am.
Back issues of the newsletters can be viewed on the web at http://
www.merrijig.com.au/html/local_news.html
Some articles in this newsletter may be picked up by the Mansfield Courier so
consider this if you are submitting stories you could be sensitive about sharing
with the community wider than Merrijig.
If you’re looking for a
Justice of the Peace, here are our two
Dale Daly, Timbertop School
Laurie Jacob, Buttercup Rd
5733 6777
0418 553 214
2
local JPs.
3
Who’s doing what lately?
Tom & Sue Swan’s adventure riding through the USA on their motorbike has taken them from the
deserts of Arizona with its stunning rugged landforms across the high plains to the weathered
mountains where there is more snow in summer than on Buller in winter to the coast of California.
Arizona Desert landforms
Mt Hood full snow in summer
They rode through Nevada on Highway 50, which is commonly known as the loneliest road in
America battling crosswinds and they have encountered wildlife in the backyard of their friend’s
house where they were staying in Mammoth.
Bryce Canyon
Backyard visitor in Mammoth
4
Autumnal decorated trees
Lake Tahoe
Finally Tom and Sue realised they are facing the end of their adventure as they head back to Canada
but via some of the most wonderful scenic country. Their bike will be crated up again ready to be
shipped back to Australia while they enjoy reflecting on what a fantastic journey they have had.
We thank Tom & Sue for sharing their trip with us all via Heading for home through Facebook.
Barb and John Hayes, who have been looking after Sue and Tom’s house while they have been
away, tell me that they may have a job on their hands to win back their dog Sam, who Barb describes
and “just gorgeous”. This housesitting job has come at a very good time for the Haye’s as they have
been floating around while building a new home since selling up in Merrijig.
Barb wrote “John & I will be moving into our new home in Graves Rd Mansfield in October. After
living & running our very successful cottages - Bluegum Ridge in Merrijig for 13 years, our hearts will
always be in Merrijig.”
Polo News
Young Bec Watson, granddaughter of Geoff and Nan Webb of Buttercup Road, was selected to
play in a demonstration polo match at the Royal Melbourne Show on Monday 30th of Sept and
Tuesday 1st of October. What an amazing experience for a little 13 year old girl.
5
Life Education Australia Fundraising Opportunity
OcSober in October
Life Education is a charity providing positive, preventative drug and health education programs which
motivate, encourage and empower young people to make smart life choices for a healthy future, free
from the harms associated with drug misuse.
Through the Mobile Learning Centres their programs reach over 600,000 Australian primary and high
school students each year.
Georgie Deyell said “I'm reaching out and asking for your sponsorship for a cause that I
believe needs recognition.”
“Life Education’s programs empower children to make the right choices for a safe life, free from the
harmful effects of drugs and alcohol.” Enthusiastically she continued, “The programs are delivered by
a team of 120 qualified educators, with the latest technology to create a unique and exciting learning
environment for children.”
To sponsor click on https://ocsober2013.everydayhero.com/au/georgie-3
Yo u c a n a l s o e n c o u r a g e G e o r g i e a n d a s k h e r h o w s h e ’ s d o i n g b y e m a i l i n g
georgie_deyell@hotmail.com and she will give you a personal reply.
If you see her in the streets of Mansfield STOP to ask, "Hey, how are things going with your Ocsober
challenge?"
“HELP ME....” said Georgie, “I will need all the encouragement I can get. Just $1 a day would be a
big help to Life Education and if I imagine I am saving one child from choosing the wrong path, it will
be worth my sacrificing that glass of wine”
Bruce and Deb McCormack took a couple of weeks
off to visit family members who have now moved to McKay
Qld. The main draw card though is their daughter Cass who
they don’t get to see as often as they would like as she lives
so far away. Deb also has some of her brothers in McKay so
there were many get togethers and any excuse for a cuppla
bevvies is a good idea.
Nice for me to have them home again, as they are my
nearest neighbours and I like to see Bruce running up and
down past my house tending to his livestock. Glad they had
a good break though as they both work hard and their trail
ride season is about to kick off, so there won’t be time for
another break for a while.
6
John and Ann Herbert moved on Sept 16th from their Davies Road house to their new home in
Ogilvies Road Mansfield. They will always be Merrijig people even though they have moved because
they made a mark in the community by being involved in many aspects of Merrijig Community life.
They both say they fully intend to continue to go to the bi-monthly dinners with other Merrijig folk at
the various eating houses and will be back every now and then as so many of their friends are here.
Unfortunately we have said farewell to two Merrijig men in September as previously mentioned
Russell Prendergast met with his untimely death while enjoying a Harley motorbike riding adventure
in America.
Russell has built, repaired and renovated numerous buildings in and around this district and was
looking forward to rebuilding the Maindample Hotel which was his current project. Budda as he was
fondly known, due to his rotund stature, had been called on to be Santa on occasions for the
Merrijig children at the school and the hall. To my knowledge he had never missed being part of the
Merrijig Anzac day ride from the valley floor to the top of Buttercup road and the five pines.
!
!
!
He always carried the Eureka flag as he liked to think of it as the
rebel’s flag and no doubt his choosing to not wear a motorbike
helmet in America, where it is not the law to do so, sadly was to be
his last rebellious act.
Budda always took part in “Hoofs over the Hills”, a fundraising event
for the Flowerdale region following the devastating bushfires in
2009.
Budda bought ‘Lukes Selection’ which is just before the bend in the
Mt Buller Road next door to Mürren, from Jane Kennedy (who made
‘The Castle’ movie) and Gaye Adamson could only speak highly of
Russell as a wonderful neighbour who would often help her out. He
was of exceptional help during the ’06-’07 fires when he put a
sprinkler system onto the roof of her house to give her peace of
mind if the fires came any nearer.
“I could not have wished for a better neighbour” Gaye said. “His
children Laurence and Emma are lovely children and I think they are
a credit to him. I got to know Laurence very well, and find him a very
mature, capable and pleasant young man, as he lived here much
longer than Emma did who was more often with her mother.”
Russell leaves three children as mentioned previously, but it is
Laurence and Emma who are known best to the people of Merrijig
as Andrew is already and adult. This is good though; as he has
willingly taken charge of what is necessary, leaving his younger
siblings to grieve the loss of their father. A memorial service to
celebrate his life has been arranged for 10 am on Saturday October
5th at Merrijig Hall. All people who knew Budda are welcome to
attend and his children will certainly appreciate the support.
7
No more will we have Budda carrying the Eureka flag on ANZAC day and we would all be feeling
for his children who will be finding the loss of their dad creating a big hole in their lives.
Vale John Crooks
Condolences to the Jacob family of Merrijig following the death of Louise’s father, John Crooks.
John moved from Melbourne to live in Merrijig in 2006 and then moved to his own unit in
Mansfield permanently in 2010. A regular visitor to the area
since 1977, John retained his long connection with Legacy,
the Masonic Lodge and the RSL. He was 92 when he died
on August 31 after falling at Buckland House Nursing Home
in Mansfield.
John was born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1921. He
worked for more than 40 years for the Post Master
General’s Department as an engineer. He was a an officer
in the AIF signals corp and a returned serviceman who was
captured in Greece in the second world war spending four
years in a German prisoner of war camp. He studied his
Matriculation certificate through the University of London
with assistance from the Red Cross who organised
transport of study documents and examination papers
between London and Germany.
Unlike most POWs, who never spoke of their experiences, after encouragement from family, John
documented his years as a POW in his book, My Little War.
He and his late wife Nancye travelled extensively in Europe and UK and these travels have been
recorded in an entertaining book titled, Memorable Adventures. (For those interested, both these
books are available through Mansfield Newsagents or Country Tales Bookshop.)
John leaves a son Richard and daughter Louise and their spouses Sue and Laurie, four
grandchildren, Stuart and Michael Crooks and Christopher and Andrew Jacob plus three great
grandchildren, Gia Crooks and Molly and Jack Jacob.
Family and friends from Mansfield travelled to Melbourne for the celebration of John’s life at the
Doncaster Community Church of Christ. The service included a Freemasons and Legacy tribute.
Family History Film night
Keep this in mind for Oct 27th to Nov 3rd (part of the Mansfield Festival) when there will be a free
documentary film showing which was made by Dr Will Twycross depicting the life of his grand
uncle John Milne who discovered how to measure earthquakes by inventing the seismograph.
8
MANSFIELD ARMCHAIR
CINEMAS
4 shows
each 60 min
Sun Oct 27th,
6pm and 8 pm
Sun Nov 3rd,
6pm and 8pm
Groups or clubs welcome
Sheena Daykin wishes to add to this film notice
that Mansfield Family History Group Inc. will be
holding another heritage scrapbooking day at the
Mansfield Library.
This will be held on Thursday October 24th commencing at 2pm. Dr Ruth Lawrence, a historian and
a fantastic talent in heritage scrapbooking will run a session on “Featuring the Life of your Ancestors
- developing a timeline on their life”. Page layouts will be provided to participants.
Cost $20 per person. Bookings are essential by Sunday, October 20th
Please ring Sheena Daykin on 5775 1659 to make a booking, or send an email to
mansfieldfamilyhistorygroup@gmail.com.
Free Lease
This notice in last month’s issue brought one enquiry from a young lady but perhaps her parents
were not prepared to give her that responsibility as it went no further. So Tasia, the beautiful Arab
mare is still available. Share the info below with any horsey friends you have, as opportunities like
this do not come up all that often.
9
14.2 HH Chestnut
Registered Arab Mare
10 yrs old
Fine build, needs an experienced
confident regular rider. Free lease offered.
Start off with month to month until 6
months have passed then a longer term
re-negotiated lease can be made if all
parties are happy. If, for whatever reason,
it doesn't work out the horse can be
returned at any time. This mare is well
handled, only a bit under ridden in recent
years and is going to waste.
Contact Chele 0421 122 206 or email
chelelunam@yahoo.com
Follow up on “How about Merrijig having
a food swap market?”
People have informed me that we have farmers markets in Mansfield and Tolmie as well as a
produce swap in Mansfield operating in season. Gaby told me that she did have a little interest
but thought the slow response could have been due to it being a winter month when people are
not thinking in terms of excess fruit and vegies. She is prepared to hear from anyone this month
too as people get their vegie plots ready for planting.
Poor Judy!
Judy Kirkham came up with a suggestion “How about we make up a 10 pin bowling team”
which was in September’s newsletter and this was somehow misconstrued and was taken as she
was going to set up a bowling club. She had phone calls from people outside of Merrijig wanting to
be included in the bowling club.
Judy tells me she knows nothing about bowling, but simply thought it would be fun to make up
a team of Merrijig people when the bowling alley is open so we could have another opportunity to
be socialising together.
I still reckon it’s a great idea and if some people from some other district ‘picks up the bowling
ball’ and runs with it like Judy did, there may be a bowling club ready to go when the bowling alley
does open up. Let’s hope this misunderstanding has not dampened Judy’s enthusiasm for the
idea.
10
Fonzy is for sale
Fonzy, so named because he’s cool and his rego plate starts with FZY, is on the market.
He has everything you could possibly want in a campervan, gas stove, 3-way fridge, plenty of
storage, seat belts for four and inside converts to a double bed very easily.
The Snowy
Mountain Rug Co.
replaced the tired roof canvas with high
quality new canvas.
The windows have been tinted too
since he came to live in Merrijig.
11
Volunteers willing to help YOU
I was contacted recently by Jan Purcell from Timbertop who was telling me about the
Community Service project the school runs and thought to share the information about it in
the newsletter, in the event some of the locals would like to take advantage of what they
offer. I asked her to give me an outline and she wrote this article for you to peruse.
The Timbertop Community Service Program
Timbertop is the Year 9 campus of Geelong Grammar School. It is a co-educational, full
boarding campus of a more than 220 boys and girls located in a secluded valley just off the
Mt Buller Road in Merrijig. There are 25 teachers and around 40 other staff including
assistants, maintenance, catering, office and well-being staff, most of whom live on the
campus in a close community. Timbertop offers comprehensive academic and outdoor
education programs that take full advantage of its surroundings. It is the nature of this
unique school to involve students in a very special and very active life. Timbertop differs
from other schools in philosophy and operation.
The notion of service has been integral to the daily life of the campus since its early
beginnings in the 1950s. The Community Service Program itself is the embodiment of the
philosophy of service and takes place during Term 2 each year when all students spend a
number of their “weekends” working with their hike groups to return something to the
community they live in and benefit from. The belief is that it is important for Timbertop
students (and staff) to have close links with and, therefore, a greater understanding of the
wider community in which they live. It is also a wonderful educational opportunity for the
students. However, whilst students generally enjoy the opportunity to mix with the local
community and experience something new, it is the spirit of service which is most important
in the Community Service Program. Over the years, many communities and individuals
within the wider Mansfield district have benefited from their work.
Gracie, Natasha, Lauren, Maddy and Tanaya building a labyrinth at Bonnie Doon
12
Students are driven to their host’s location and arrive late Tuesday afternoon and are collected
on Thursday at approximately 1.00 pm. All groups are completely self-sufficient. They have
their own food, tents, cooking equipment and bedding and are quite capable of looking after
themselves. They should not expect anything from their hosts (except, perhaps, some wood for
a campfire and access to a toilet). If food or alternative accommodation is available then that is
entirely at the host’s discretion. For the program to be successful, some simple guidelines need
to be followed and precautions taken. Hosts will need to provide a copy of their Working With
Children check. It is free to obtain one of these as a volunteer by filling in a form available from
Australia Post.
For more information, please contact Jan Purcell at: janp@ggs.vic.edu.au or telephone
5733 6777.
Merrijig Community Plan Activities
As the director for activities Frank Johnson has been working toward having a social event
about every three months. The first on the planning desk is a bush poets’ evening.
It is with great enthusiasm, Frank announces the:-
MERRIJIG COMMUNITY BUSH POETS’ SOCIAL
HELLO ALL MERRIJIGGERS. I was appointed to a Community Planning Sub-Committee after
a series of meetings held at the Merrijig Public Hall relating to the Merrijig Community Plan.
After some initial meetings and studying the results of the community survey a decision has
been taken to hold a community function at the Merrijig Hall on Sunday, November 24, 2013
starting at 4 pm and concluding at around 9 pm. We’ve called it a “BUSH POETS’ SOCIAL”.
The theme of the afternoon will be Australian Bush Poetry with recitals from local Bush Poets,
having a Judging Panel to adjudicate a competition for Open Aged, Under 18 years of age and
Under 12 years of age (both aged competitors to be under the age on the day of the social),
music provided by local musicians and an evening supper.
Cost to be $5.00 per adult and $12.00 per family plus a donated plate of snacks or food for
the evening supper. It is planned to supplement supper with sandwiches and sausage rolls.
We request that each plate provided supply a small note attached outlining the ingredients so
persons with allergies can determine their ability to eat the specific presentation.
13
It is anticipated that prizes will be awarded to the winners of the three sections of Bush Poetry which is still to be decided. More details to follow. As this is an initial attempt to encourage
community engagement the organising group believes the following rules to apply:•
Competitors in the Poetry Event to be based in Merrijig area, thus, full and part-time
residents, teenagers who fall into the same category (including Timbertop).
•
The Judging Panel’s decision is final.
•
If support for this function is demonstrated, further social events will be conducted using
various venues including Merrijig businesses and setting different themes recognising
social and ethnic diversity. These events to take place every two to three months
depending on what is happening in the area and availability of suitable venues.
•
Feedback provided by attendees to improve the content and direction of these social
events is requested.
•
BYO drinks and please drink responsibly.
So get ready and prepare yourself, commence your hard training as the Starter’s gun will sound
for a new Banjo Paterson within our local community on 24/11/2013 at 4 pm. Come along and
have a very “Merrijiggable” time.
If you need more information or wish to help running this event please contact Frank
Johnson on mobile 0400 315 344 or email delaview2121@bigpond.com or call in at 2121
Mt Buller Road Merrijig.
Frank Johnson
Merrijig Primary School news
Two Merrijig Primary school girls have been chosen to represent the Mansfield district in high
jump at the Zone Athletics on October 10. Congratulations to Shannyn Self and Tiffani Bohun.
This will be a wonderful experience for the girls and Merrijig people will be proud of them for
doing their best no matter where they are placed when they compete against the schools from
the wider Zone. To have two Merrijig girls selected is very exciting for everyone in Merrijig.
School resumes on October 7th {Grandparents take note as the parents already know off-byheart when they go back!}
Then the next day on October 8th the photographer will arrive for school photos – no messing
around at this school.
Students will also take part in two school camps this term - one to Beechworth for the senior
students and the second a junior student’s camp to be held at 15 Mile Creek. So this will be quite
and exciting term for the children to finish off their school year.
14
Three grade five students were included in an activity
in Benalla recently to learn about how Parliament
works. There was role playing involved and they
were all included in the mock debate and
voting on pieces of legislation. All three
children Jake Padovan, Shannyn Self and
Tarkyn Sloley learned a lot about the way laws
are made and about Parliament House in
Melbourne. They all reported on it being a
wonderful experience.
Bill Sykes MP with Merrijig Primary School student Jake Padovan dressed as Sergeant at Arms.
15
!
!
A WORD FROM THE SHIRE
Cr Marg Attley
Your local representative on
Mansfield Shire Council.
Available to be contacted on: 5776 2231 or
marg.attley@mansfield.vic.gov.au
The Clubs and Groups Fund (Community Matching Fund) is now open.
The Clubs and Groups Fund opened on Friday, September 13 and will remain open
until Monday, October 14.
Applications are invited from community clubs and groups for grants of up to $5,000.
All applications must demonstrate a 1:1 match.
To go to Council's website page with the guidelines and application form, click here
To discuss your application or for any queries about the Community Matching Fund,
contact the community development team on 5775 8555.
Regards
Sue Arndt
Community Development Team Leader
16
Merrijig Public Hall News - AGM Sunday, October 13
Call for Hall social sub-committee
Ever thought of becoming involved with the Merrijig Public Hall?
Apart from the normal working group there is a proposal to form a social sub-committee to
organise community events like a dance, carpet bowls, table tennis, games night, art
exhibitions etc.
The annual general meeting is coming up on Sunday, October 13, at 11 am and the
Merrijig community is invited to come and enjoy the day with an opportunity to nominate
for the general committee, which is very active or a social sub-committee.
Following the meeting a community barbecue will provide a chance to meet up with other
Merrijiggers.
Those who would like to become involved can email info@merrijig.com.au for a
nomination form or just come along 15 minutes earlier on the day with a proposer and
seconder. For catering purposes please email attendance to info@merrijig.com.au
Rodeo AGM is coming up too on a date to be set
There has been much excitement and enthusiasm about this upcoming meeting, with quite a few
people keen to get more involved in Merrijig Community and there has been a flood of fresh
nominations, for the Rodeo & Sports Association Inc. Committee and as Association members.
Frank Johnson, who seen here at the 2008
Rodeo, talking to long time Rodeo member Evan
Houston, (while the Merrijig Hall committee create
meals in the BBQ), is now retired and keen to be
more involved with Rodeo. He has put in his
nomination to stand for President. With his
capability of leadership in the Victoria Police and
having been the Victoria Police Ski Club
President for 12 years his experience will be
invaluable.
A lot of support has sprung up following his
enthusiasm for the job and there is renewed
interest in the general Merrijig community to be
part of this organization with its long history in Merrijig which began as a fundraising event when
Kerri Lovick (now Burrowes) was raising money for the Mansfield Footy Club via the Queen Quest,
17
Charlie Lovick Riding in the First ever Merrijig Rodeo in Buttercup
Road on Tom and Bonnie Purcell’s property.
Unfortunately over the years numbers have dwindled and in 2013 a small team of only six pulled off
the successful event. So with fresh enthusiastic people, the Merrijig Rodeo will be able to keep this
wonderful tourist attraction for Merrijig and magnificent fundraising opportunity for so many local
groups, from MADEC to Motorbike Club and from Merrijig Hall to the local CFA alive and growing into
the future.
If you are free to attend the Rodeo’s AGM please do come along and show your encouragement for
the enthusiastic new blood for the Rodeo Committee. Watch the paper for the date and time,
(although I will send out a notice when it’s announced,) it is usually held at the Merrijig Motor Inn.
Secretary Lisa Service can be contacted on servicefamily@sctelco.net.au if you have any enquiries.
McCormack Park – The Pictorial history in photos - part 2
Following on from the Rodeo AGM article, Frank Johnson is also very keen with his other hat on as
the Activities coordinator from the Merrijig Community Planning sub-committee meetings to have
more of the community involved in the development of McCormack Park so it can be truly a Merrijig
community asset.
The story in photos continues, and when the first few Rodeos were held, as they formerly were an
all-day event, with little shade available from the infant trees and the shade sales erected, the
crowd numbers were dropping, so a decision was made to change the event to be held in the
afternoon and evening. This proved to be the right move as numbers did a turn around and sprung
back up again providing
more profits to be donated
around the district.
18
The first Rodeo held at McCormack park was SO hot, people were not encouraged to show up the
following year so it was changed to be an afternoon/evening event and watching the sunset over
the distant easterly hills is an extra draw card now.
Rider and horse work beautifully together
The Campdraft competitors’ campsites around McCormack Park area - Nov 2010
19
The first Merrijig Campdraft was held in November 2010 and opened on a bright Saturday which
unfortunately turned into torrential rain overnight making the arena unsafe for use on Sunday. The
committee are lining up now for their second full weekend event on Dec 7 - 8th, 2013.
Then in January 2012 the Mountain Cattlemen held their annual gathering at
McCormack Park attracting and estimated 5000 people. As only adults were asked
to pay an entrance fee, children were not counted.
Mountain cattlemen paid for the steel and the Campdraft team built the verandah
out from the front of the bar. See photos below. It was the favourite spot on Saturday night
being close by to the live bands on the truck stage.
20
At left, this is what the bar verandah looks like without the crowd and the other photo shows
that Mansfield Campdraft then built an equally good verandah for the BBQ area as well.
As you can see it has been a whole community project with a few ‘main players’ and if Frank’s
ideas can go ahead as he plans organising activities, picnics and working bees at McCormack
Park, this area will truly belong to the whole Merrijig Community which is my dream for the site,
as it was also that of my late husband, Cyril.
Campdraft report
Campdrafts held throughout Australia annually donate to local charities and community projects,
to the order hundreds of thousands of dollars! This is fantastic and is the long term aim of the
Merrijig Campdraft Association. Unfortunately since our inception in 2009 we have only managed
to dodge the disastrous weather once which has meant being washed out three years in a
row; and hence head off to this coming one with a wonderful arena, yards, camp and a debt.
We boast a small but extremely hardworking committee who not only run a draft but also run the
bar and feed the competitors, their families and spectators for the whole weekend. Eventually
we hope that, like the Rodeo, we can invite, for example Pony Club to cook breakfast as a
fundraiser for themselves but in the meantime we must walk before we run.
There are so many people who give up their time to help.
21
Mansfield and Merrijig have a community spirit we can all be very proud of, so we know we will get
there in the end!! The whole arena and surrounds are ready and look amazing and by December 7th,
the weather will be stable and the 2013 Campdraft is going to be a great success. It would be great
to see you pop in any time that you find you have time over the weekend to check out the action.
Photographers love taking action shots of the horse and riders controlling the cattle. So keep it in
mind on the weekend of December 7th & 8th.
Motorbike Club
Early Sunday morning September 29, Lee-Ann Campagnola said that she and her family headed off
to Carboor for the 3rd round of the Alpine Motorbike Club Grass track series. Young Frank won two
1st and a 2nd, with Jimmy Payne in his class also placed 3rd for all three races. Ben Garlick came 3rd
in all three of his races also. Frank is contending 3rd place in the 65cc 9 to 12 yr olds at Seymour in a
couple of weeks. Joey Garlick may be contending 3rd or 4th in the 85cc small wheels race for 9yrs to
12yrs old also.
Charlie Payne doing his best on Sunday in Carboor
Frank Campagnola taking some air on the same track
Jimmy Payne taking a corner and Will Campagnola takes air as well on the beaut bush track
22
Last round is at Porepunkah in October, and Mansfield riders are in with a real chance for the top
three trophies.
The Northern Region final race is at Seymour on October 13. Lloyd Parks is in the hunt for 3rd
overall and racing should be tight.
Our club Campout/Enduro weekend is on October 26 & 27, 2013 at 'The Dungeon'.
Details on web: www.mansfieldmc.com or Facebook.
Our club would like to thank Adele McCormack and our other sponsors for the great support this
year.
Regards,
Simon Young
MMC Communications
Why did you come to Merrijig?
Georgie Deyell Georgie’s story starts in Hungary where she was born.
The Hungarian Uprising of 1956 was a spontaneous nationwide revolt against the government of
the People's Republic of Hungary and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from October 23 until
November 10, 1956 and this drove her grandfather to evaluate his options.
Driven by her grandparent’s desire for a better future, she and her parents joined them and they
all left to start a new life elsewhere. In April 1957 they flew into Essendon Airport following being
granted approval by the Australian Government. It was at times difficult with a new language to
learn and culture but with hard work life finally looked promising.
Georgie’s parents first came to Mt Buller in the early 60’s when Ernest Forras invited them to visit
him and his brother Aurel at Kooroora. Ernest was a close friend of Georgie’s father, who was
also a champion swimmer, and Ernest was also best of mates with Georgie’s Godfather. Together
they would go skiing, play tennis and swim. Mt Buller became the family’s winter wonderland.
They joined a ski lodge and this was became ‘their place’ for many years. It was during this time
that at the age of eight that Georgie herself first put on skis and her enthusiasm and love affair for
skiing hasn’t stopped, travelling to many other parts of the world to ski as well as on Mt Buller.
She has an aim to ski into her mid ’80s, and as she is a very determined lady I can see this
happening.
23
Georgie has a thirst for knowledge and a wide variety of interests and to satisfy this need she has
taken on an eclectic variety of education and training, everything from Master of Business in HR
management and workplace training, engineering to production planning. As well as dog training,
massage and counseling then she opted to be a teacher of English as a second language.
In 2009 with husband Peter, who hails from New Zealand, they purchased their own little hide away
in Sawmill Settlement. This Swiss chalet was built in true European style. After using it for two
seasons, they were encouraged by family and close friends to open it up for others allowing more
people to share the warmth and atmosphere of the house, the garden and the surrounding area.
These days during winter they open their retreat, known as “Mountain Gum Chalet” offering bed
and breakfast, the chalet hosts enough room for eight guests and even has a waxing and drying
room available. Then as summertime and lovely warm weather rolls around they host guests who
may want to do mountain bike rides or bushwalks and when required they are happy to take tours
into The King Valley. Their very comfortable chalet has recently had the bathrooms and toilets
modernised and the guests are even spoilt with a welcoming platter of cheese on arrival
Having B&B guests allows Georgie and Peter more opportunities to come to Merrijig and Georgie
has found herself becoming involved with the Merrijig Community. Still having the responsibilities of
elderly parents and two other elderly persons she has to divide her time between Melbourne and
Sawmill. Over her lifetime Georgie has always been keenly involved with the Hungarian, Australian and New
Zealand scouting. Recently she calculated that she has clocked up more than 40 years of volunteer
work in the community so when she found she was coming to Merrijig more often becoming a
member of the Merrijig Public Hall Committee in 2010 has been fulfilling and enjoyable. The
Committee all work as a team and everyone has a voice which Georgie values. She said that she
came on board to assist with applying for Grants “and we have been successful.” She said, “We still
need more funds to fulfill our projects for the Community’s benefit.” She added “Being involved with
the Committee has allowed both Peter and I to be involved with Bike Events and the Tour De
Flavor. I enjoy being involved with the Merrijig and Mansfield community and it will continue.”
She is also keenly working on putting together a history associated with Sawmill Settlement using
valuable documents provided by Mr Giuseppe (Pino) Bartolme and other long term locals. If you
have a contribution to this production or you would like to contact Georgie she has provided the
following contact details: Mobile 0418-137-846 or email georgie_deyell@hotmail.com
24
The Mill Inn
The Mill Inn in Alpine Ridge has closed for their ‘Spring Break’ but announces it will re-open on
October 23rd with a new menu and new pastas.
From then, right through summer, they will be open from Wednesday to Sunday each week and
looking forward to providing you with the best available Italian-style cuisine.
The team at the Mill Inn thanks everyone for their support throughout winter and look forward to
seeing their regulars as well as all new customers when the doors open again at 6pm on
Wednesday, October 23rd.
Grand final day saw a large, enthusiastic crowd at the Hunt Club Hotel and at a rough count about
100 people attended. Of course all the Hawks supporters, in the majority, were on cloud nine by the
end of the match.
My sources told me tit was a terrific social event even though their teams were not playing.
What’s on at the Merrijig Hall?
Muscle group
The Merrijig Muscle Group meets on Tuesdays and has been for about 12 years. The group
raises money for the Hall and provides an opportunity for a great bunch of women to get together.
Interesting conversations happen while doing leg lifts (from sitting on a chair) and dumbbell raising
goes on with many a bursts of laughter erupting from the hall during these mornings.
Normally toward the end of each year the ladies try to organise a trip on the bus to Melbourne, to
see ‘the Johnston collection’ at Christmas time, or take in a show, or perhaps shopping at the Vic
Market with shopping trolleys in tow. For the city dwellers it must be very funny to see a bunch of
women from the country getting on a tram with their trolleys chockers after the market shopping. It’s
even more amusing to see the bus drivers [Peter Thoburn or Fossy] faces when we arrive to board
the bus back to Mansfield after a great time has been had by all.
The ladies also have a Christmas lunch at one of the girls homes every year, where everyone
attending brings a plate - it's always every exotic. The ladies of the Muscle group are always happy
to have new people join the group too, so if you find yourself free on a Tuesday morning from 10 till
noon usually, come along. Its only $3 to cover power at the hall and the coffee to go with the
morning tea which the ladies take it in turns to provide.
25
26
27
Murphy drops some buttered toast on the kitchen floor. It lands butter-side-up.
He looks at what he has done in astonishment, for he knows it’s a law of nature that
buttered toast always falls butter-side-down.
He rushes round to the presbytery to fetch the priest.
He tells the priest that he thinks a miracle has happened round at his flat. He won’t say
what it is but wants Fr Flannagan to see it with his own eyes.
He brings Fr Flannagan into the kitchen and asks him what he sees on the floor.
“Well,” says the priest, “it’s pretty obvious what we have here. Someone dropped some
buttered toast, and then for some reason flipped it over so that the butter was on top.”
“No, Father, I dropped it and it landed like that.”
“Well,” Fr Flannagan says, “it’s certainly a natural law of the universe that dropped
toast never falls butter-side-up. But it’s not for me to say it’s a miracle. I’ll report the
matter to the bishop, and have him send people round, to interview you, take photos,
etc.”
An investigation of some rigour is conducted, not only by priests of the archdiocese,
but by scientists sent from the Curia in Rome. The final ruling is a negative, however. it
reads:
"It was certainly an extraordinary event that occurred in
Murphy’s room, quite outside the normal run of the
phenomena. Yet we have to be very cautious before ruling any
happening miraculous, ruling out all possible natural
explanations. In this case we have declared no miracle. For it
possibly resulted from Murphy's having buttered the toast on
the wrong side."
28