Elpho Info

December 2014 Volume 64

Community Newsletter for the Elphinstone, Faraday, Sutton Grange and Metcalfe districts

An update from the busy

Elphinstone Land Mgt. Assoc. team
Summer 2014: The grass is
curing ...

ELPHINSTONE
COMMUNITY
GATHERING

Its nearly Christmas!

Come along to the Sawpit Gully

Reserve (next to the Post Office)
on Sunday 7th December for a
community get together.

BYO everything! BBQs available.

Kids welcome!
12 noon till whenever ...
Come along after the Fire Ready
meeting at 10:30am - see page 4

NEXT EDITION
Articles and advertising for the
March Elpho Info are due by
Friday 13th February 2014.
Email your articles, photos, etc
to gattfiona@gmail.com
Gill at the shop is the contact for
billing queries.
Elpho Info is a member of
the Community Newspapers
Association of Victoria.

The Elpho Info can be read online:

http://elphoinfo.blogspot.com.au/

Fiona Gatt (editor)

ELMA has recently received funding

from Mt Alexander Shire Council as
part of its Roadside Weeds and Pests
Management Program to treat some
weed species in Elphinstone along
Cemetery Road, Saunders Court,
Cyprus Drive, Thompson Street,
Railway Road, Harmony Way and the
Old Calder including gorse, bridal
creeper, blackberry, St Johns wort
and cape broom. We will engage our
weed contractor, Marty Hyland, to
undertake this task and monitor its
progress. We will notify residents
through the community noticeboard
when Marty is in town so you can
contact him for any concerns you
may have regarding weeds on your
property.
ELMA, along with the Elphinstone
Facilities Committee, organised
a working bee at the Recreation
Reserve back in August (pictured
above) to tidy up around the hall,
sweep, clear fallen branches and
plant some candle barks and manna
gums along the fence line behind the
arboretum.
A follow up working bee has
been organised for Sunday 30th
November as there is still quite a bit
work to be done to make the reserve
a tidy, welcoming and user friendly
environment.
A new committee was elected/reelected at the AGM held recently on
13th November:
President: Wayne Tuckerman
Secretary: Sue McLennan (reelected)
Treasurer: Gerard Kelly (re-elected)
Special mention should be made
of our outgoing president, Robyn

Fearey. Robyn has decided to step

down as president after six years
to allow some young ones to give
ELMA some fresh ideas. Robyns
environmental knowledge has been
invaluable and her sheer passion
unmatched. Along with introducing
many indigenous trees and plants to
the area, she has worked tirelessly
to maintain their upkeep, not to
mention her efforts in obtaining
funding for various projects
including the Jimmy Ball Flora
Reserve, Elphinstone Arboretum,
roadside weed management and pest
control etc. Most of the work Robyn
has done goes unnoticed and is taken
for granted. I think its important
to acknowledge the significant
contribution Robyn has made to
Elphinstones landscape which will
continue to grow and evolve for the
benefit our community and future
generations. Thank you Robyn.
Please contact Sue on 0417 553
296 if youre interested in becoming
a member of ELMA or would like any
information relating to Landcare.

Elphinstone Primary School

T20 BIG BASH SCHOOL CRICKET
by Abi Gunter
Last month we arrived at Wesley
Hill ready to play 3 rounds of the T20
big bash cricket tournament against
other schools (team pictured left).
We all found an empty space on the
velodrome; we gathered in a small
bunch and listened to the rules and
how the day would unfold.
Our first game was pitch number
9, right in the centre of the oval, we
were first team there so we practised
a bit until Harcourt valley 2 was
there, and finally they arrived. We
started the match with a big hit from
Brodie, then Tom repeated it until
their 2 overs were finished. When
it was mine and Campbells turn we
smashed the ball everywhere! The
overall score was 158-74.
Our second game was against
Winters Flat 3, it was probably one
of our hardest games of the day. We
all had to try our very best for this
match, but we still came out on top
with the scores 120-104. After the
game we had to walk straight to
our other game on the bottom oval
because we were on the top oval. Our
next game was against Olivet Cristian
College it was the easiest match of
the day by far the end result was
214-74 we were all very proud of
ourselves, but it was sad we didnt
get into the final we fell short by a
handful of runs. Thanks to Ms Zan
and the parents who drove us to the
game.
------------------------Prep 2 Sleepover
We had our annual junior class
sleepover at school last week
and, as usual, the students were
most excited about camping in
the classroom. But they werent as
excited (or should I say surprised)
as one of our local constabulary as
he wandered through the school
thinking that we may have been
in the process of being burgled at
around 3am. My car and trailer
backed into the school added to

Elpho Info

his suspicion. When I opened the

class door he got the shock of his
life, thinking that I was the culprit! I
quickly informed him that I was, in
fact, the principal, and that the doors
were all open because we were
having a sleepover! Seriously, he
told me that there have been many
incidents of equipment and plant
being stolen around our district, so
be alert!

tomato (Keelan)
- a guy getting arrested by the police!
(Asha)
- a tree that looked like people
fighting (Tess)
Touched - the bars trying not to fall
over on the tram (Tara)
- on a fake Myki (Tom)
- the elephant skull at the Melbourne
Zoo (Keelan)
Smelt - a mans arm pit on the tram
(Teneniel) - footnote: the tram was
Melbourne Camp
very crowded!
Earlier this term our Grade 5
- McDonalds wherever we went, it
and 6 students spent three days
made us all drool because we were
exploring the sights and sounds of
starving (Abi)
Melbourne both day and night. One - a dorm room full of fart gas
of the highlights was riding the new (anonymous)
Melbourne Star, the giant wheel at
- lots of animal poo at the Zoo (Paris)
Docklands. We travelled around on Was amazed at - how sick I felt on
Public transport and also did plenty the Eureka elevator! (Asha)
of walking! Here are some of the
- how much gold was used to
students comments to the following decorate the walls of Parliament
prompts:
House (Tess)
At Camp I ...
- all of the colourful birds in the
Felt -sick when I saw how high the aviary at the Zoo (Abi)
Eureka Sky Deck was! (Maddy)
- how high the Eureka Tower was!
- awful when I ate 10 packets of
(Keelan, Teneniel)
Lollies (Siriena)
Learnt - that you should never dorm
- like Jelly when we went on the
next to loud people (Keelan)
Melbourne Star (Tom)
- that the Melbourne Gaol is really
- annoyed when the alarm bird
old (Abi) thats why they call it the
kept slamming into our camp dorm Old Melbourne Gaol Abi!
Window! (Tara)
- that there are lots of beggars in the
Saw - a Gorilla sit on a piece of
city (Tara)

December 2014

... continued
My feet - were very sore from all the
walking we did! (All)
- smelled really bad when I took my
shoes off in the cabin (Abi)
- felt like that they could no longer
support my weight (Tara)
Mr Stewart - was very annoying
when he kept saying keep to the
left over and over again (Tom)
- was so funny (Siriena)
- kept everyone going (Tara)
- was vey mean because he banned
lollies on the last night!
- showed us around Melbourne
(Tess)

past videos of our efforts. Some of

their students got to ride in the car
during their recess break. It would
Energy Breakthrough
be fantastic to see another local
Its close to RACV Energy
Breakthrough action at Maryborough school become involved and create a
again as we put the finishing touches readymade team for those who go on
to Castlemaine Secondary.
to the Magic Pud. We appreciate
the support of all our sponsors
Christmas Concert
including Pud for all Seasons, IGA
Its nearing that time of the year
Castlemaine and Subway. The
highlight of the preparation was our again! The concert will be held
on the evening of Wednesday
visit to Castlemaine North Primary
17th December and its a perfect
School (pictured above) to present
opportunity to do some fundraising
our program and answer questions
for the school. Once again we will
from their students. It was a very
have a couple of hampers as raffle
valuable learning experience for
both schools. We got to run through prizes. There are two big tubs
in the staff room calling out for
our presentation and show the

Brendan Stewart, Principal

Wright Street Elphinstone

5473 3285
elphinstone.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.elphinstone.vic.edu.au

St Marys Anglican
Church Elphinstone

For Hire
THE ELPHINSTONE FACILITIES COMMITTEE HAS
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS AVAILABLE TO HIRE:
TRESTLES, CHAIRS, CUTLERY, CROCKERY, TABLES
AND A FULLY STOCKED BBQ TRAILER.
GREAT FOR PARTIES, WEDDINGS,FUNDRAISERS
ETC
For further information and prices, please see
Gill in the Post office.

Elpho Info

donations items such as jams/

preserves, wine, candles, Christmas
decorations, something homemade
use your imagination. Raffle
tickets are available from the
office - tickets are $2 each or 3 for
$5. In addition, we will be running
our Lucky Squares competition
for $1 per square to win $100
cash and we will also unveil our
commemorative 150th brick stage.

~ all welcome ~

Community Christmas Carols ~ 6pm

Tuesday 23rd December
Christmas Day ~ 9.15am Eucharist
Thursday 25th December

St Marys is available for weddings and

community use ~ please
contact Susan Bassett on 5472 4214

December 2014

Elphinstone Fire Brigade

The Elphinstone Fire Brigade is
excited to announce that we have
four new members who recently
completed their Wildfire (also called
Minimum Skills) course. We would
like to thank Peter, John, Mark and
Alan for their commitment, and for
setting aside the necessary time
required in attending the course,
recently held over a period of six
weeks, at the Castlemaine Fire
Station. It is a fair commitment
to get to that stage which I feel
not only the brigade, but also the
wider community, will reap the
benefits from. Again a big thanks
to our Brigade mentors for their
usual dedication, to ensure that our
new members have carried out all
activities in house which are needed
in preparedness for the course.
Apart from that good news, we also
have potentially another two new
members waiting in the wings, and
we look forward to welcoming them
aboard and joining us. Each new
member brings his/her own life
experience which in turn gives the
Brigade more depth, and we are very
fortunate to have these new recruits
who are showing great enthusiasm
towards becoming operational
firefighters.

We are also buoyed by having some

of our more experienced members
complete additional training in
courses such as Crew Leader,
Breathing Apparatus and First
Aid, and would also like to thank
those members for their ongoing
commitment. Lifelong learning is
a term which definitely applies to
firefighting - in fact it is a necessity
in order to keep ourselves up to date,
ready for the summer and any of the
wide variety of jobs we are called out
to. The additional skillsets, which
we see currently developing, would
not be possible without the efforts
of 2nd Lieutenant Christopher Slee.
Christopher has personally taken the

Elpho Info

training portfolio under his wing,

which has seen it rise to even greater
heights this past year. If not for his
ongoing dedication in liaising with
members and consulting with District
HQ to co-ordinate paperwork and
participation on various courses,
the Brigade would not have its true
potential realised, and we therefore
thank Christopher for his supreme
efforts in this regard.
Despite it being early in the season,
we have been called out to an
unusually high number of fires due
to the dry conditions over spring. At
the time of writing, conditions are
extremely dry and all predictions
are for a very volatile and dangerous
summer. Please use extreme care
during this Fire Danger Period.
Please ensure that if cleaning up
around your property when using
equipment to carrying out tasks
such as cutting, mowing or slashing,
that you do so as early as possible
in the day. In the morning the risk
of starting a fire from equipment
is at its lowest, and increases
rapidly throughout the day as the
temperature rises and the humidity
drops. Afternoons are high risk, and
on days of high fire danger you may
be best not to undertake such tasks
at all. Many fires start from one
small spark from equipment such as
mowers, slashers, chain saws and
angle grinders, and escalate rapidly.
Captain Andy Chapman, in
conjunction with brigade members,
would like to personally invite each
and every Elphinstone resident
to our Fire Ready meeting this
year. The meeting will be held on
Sunday, 7 December at 10.30am,
at the Fire Station, corner of Wright
and Thompson Streets. It is usually
approximately one hour in duration,
where we will be educated by one
of the best in the business, CFAs
Garry Lavars. For those who have

not had the pleasure of attending

one of Garrys sessions in the past, or
hearing him in the local media, please
do not miss the opportunity. Garry
not only brings a wealth of knowledge
on the subject of preparing yourselves
and your properties, but his delivery
is common sense, down to earth,
sometimes even entertaining, as
he covers the very serious threat of
fire in a poignant way which causes
everyone to think more deeply about
the topic. He welcomes any questions
along the way and is extremely
approachable for advice on your
particular situation. Following the
meeting you are also encouraged to
stay on for some refreshments and
have a chat to brigade members and
other like-minded locals.
We really hope to see you at our
meeting.

Please take care, look out for one

another including any elderly or
infirm neighbours, and stay safe this
summer.
Tracey Franze
Secretary

IMPORTANT NOTE: The

Fire Danger Period
commenced at 1:00 am
on 17 November for
the Mount Alexander
Shire and therefore
burning off is currently
prohibited without a
permit. This restriction
is expected to remain
in force until 1 May,
2015, unless advised
otherwise by the CFA.
Tracey Franze
Secretary

December 2014

Elpho Info

December 2014

A message from our councillor

Its old news already, and became

official at the statutory meeting
of Council on November 11th. My
fellow councillors have chosen me
to be mayor for next year. Every
councillor is a potential candidate for
mayor, and should see themselves
as such. There are no particular
qualifications required for the job.
Ive met councillors from other rural
and metropolitan councils whove
told me that they found themselves
in the role of mayor in their first year
as a councillor. Does this mean that
being mayor is a breeze? Most surely
not!
The Municipal Association of
Victoria provides a good overview of
what the role of mayor entails. Here
are a few extracts:
Leader of council

The mayor presides over council

meetings and ensures theyre
conducted in accordance with local
laws and established conventions and
protocols..
Its not often that Mt Alexander
Shire council meetings have a large
public gallery. A few stalwarts attend
on a regular basis, asking questions
during public question time at the
start of the meeting to bring issues to
the attention of council or to remind
council of its shortcomings. People
with planning permit applications
before council attend to plead their
case, as do those who object to a
permit being granted. From the
mayors perspective the challenge
of public question time is to give

Elpho Info

everyone a chance to speak and

receive a response, while ensuring
that Local Law number 1 is adhered
to. This local law sets out the
procedures for council meetings.
The section on public question
time specifies a question may be
disallowed if it is .defamatory,
indecent, abusive, offensive,
irrelevant, trivial or objectionable in
language or substance. Do we really
get that type of question? Well yes
we do.
Enhancer of good governance

. ensures effective and respectful

communication between councillors
and the chief executive officer..
One of the first things to learn
about as a new councilor is the
relationship between councillor
and council employee. Were
not workmates. Theyre the
professionals and the civic centre
is their workplace. Councillors are
elected community members on an
expenses allowance who might work
elsewhere or be retired. We cant tell
a council staff member what to do. In
most cases were expected to keep at
a distance from day-to-day council
operations. The one employee
that councillors have power and
influence over is the CEO. Were
responsible for appointing the CEO,
reviewing his or her performance
and communicating effectively
with the CEO on what we want the
organisation to achieve. The mayor
takes the lead here, ensuring that all

councillors voices are heard.

Other headings under role of the

mayor include Builder of external
and internal media relations which
can involve answering the mobile
while cooking a stir fry to find its the
local ABC wanting a comment on a
recent planning decision, or playing
host to a visiting state politician at
short notice.

Promoter of civic and institutional

pride is probably the gentlest and
most pleasant aspect of being mayor.
The mayor receives invitations to
exhibition openings, events, book
launches, ceremonies, presents
awards and so on. Im really looking
forward to this aspect of the role.
Its always a privilege to represent
council at community and official
functions.
One last word on the subject of
mayor: I have great admiration for
the way in which Mayor Redden has
led council for the past two years.
Being a disparate group, as all good
councils should be, we needed a
strong, steady leader, a role which
Michael filled admirably. I know that
Im going to be grateful for his advice
and words of wisdom in the months
to come.
You can contact me on
04660 04628 or email:
Coliban@mountalxander.vic.gov.au

Christine Henderson

Rainfall by Wes Watson

AVERAGE RAINFALL
Elphinstone 1988-2003
Castlemaine 1966-1994
Harcourt 1968-1994
ACTUAL RAINFALL RECEIVED
Elphinstone 2013

Aug
mm

Sep
mm

Oct
mm

79
71
90

79
64
75

70
64
77

24 1/2

53 1/2

23 1/2

December 2014

The Elphinstone Hotel

With the weather warming up and summer once again knocking on the door we are happy to say it has
almost been one year since the hotel re-opened itsdoors. We have hosted bands, fundraisers, birthday
parties and a wedding reception as well as the usual afternoon drinks that have cooled us down or
warmed us up in winter.
The festive season is about to begin and this year with the kitchen running smoothly we are excited
that we are able to cater for break-up parties, dinner parties, Christmas get togethers and family
functions.
We will be open for Santas annual drop in on Christmas day from 11am until 1pm there will be icy poles
and lollies for the kids and cold beer or wine for the grown-ups! However we will be closed for the rest of
the day so that we can spend time relaxing and enjoying the company of our families.
New Years Eve is going to be a big one with local boys Dr X rocking into 2015 for us and the kitchen will
be open that night from 6pm, bookings are recommended. So come along and party with us as we say
good bye to our inaugural year as publicans.
In 2015 we intend on keeping up the good work, there will be great food, fresh cold beer, lovely local
wine, free live music. We are busy making plans for a fantastic Australia Day long weekend, with Oozin
Blues booked again to play for us - these guys are well worth seeing - and some great Australian themed
food.
For all those who are having trouble finding our phone number it is 5473 3165 and we now have a web
page up and running with events and menus etc listed as well as our face book page The Elphinstone
Hotel.

Trees and shrubs

go missing

Advertise with
the Elpho Info
The Elpho Info is distributed to 300
households. What better way to
commincate with local customers than to
place an ad. The Elpho Info is put together
by a volunteer editor with all proceeds
of ads going to the Elphinstone Facilities
Management Committee - and back into
our community.

In the past couple of weeks

some
well
established
shrubs and young trees went
missing from the garden bed
in Urquhart Street adjacent
to the old railway station.
The culprits not only took
the plants but the tree guards
and stakes as well. This
is devastating, especially
for the ELMA volunteers
who planted them. If you
see any suspicious activity
in your area please notify
the
Castlemaine
police
by dialling 5472 2099.

Standard ads: 55x50cm or 55x50cm =

$5 per issue or $20 for 4 issues.
Full A4 page = $75
Half page = $50
Quarter page = $25
Column cm (6x4) = $20
Book now for the March edition with Gill
at the shop.

Elpho Info

December 2014

FUN AND FITNESS

WITH DANCE
Looking for an activity program which includes fun,
fitness, meeting people, artistic outlet, recreation, great
world music?
Then join us for INTERNATIONAL CIRCLE
DANCING
Where: Over the Moon Dance & Yoga Studio,
9 Templeton Street, Castlemaine.
No partner necessary.
When: Fridays, 5.30 7.00 pm.
New people warmly welcome. All dances fully instructed
by a qualified teacher.
Cost: $7 per session
Contact: Marie Ph 54733355, 0412 447 600
email: marie.feigl@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER
Articles and comments printed in this newsletter are the result of contributions from
local groups and relevant news articles pertinent to Elphinstone/Sutton Grange
and Metcalfe areas. Views may be reflective of a group or organisation, and
are printed as information to all readers. Neither Elphinstone/Sutton Grange
and Metcalfe Progress Assoc. nor the Editorial Team are liable for any mistakes,
omissions or misprints. It prints and makes no representation as to the truth or
accuracy of any description and accepts no liability for any loss suffered by any
person who relies on any statement contained herein. The Editorial Team may
at time find it necessary to alter text so as to accommodate space, but will in no
way alter the validity of a story. They will endeavour to make these changes
with the authors.

AJ CHAPMAN EARTHMOVING
ANDY & KATH CHAPMAN & GIRLS
Calder Hwy, Elphinstone, 3448
For all your Backhoe & Tip truck
requirements
Quarry and Road Supplies
Grader hire
Driveway & House Sites

Andy has 30 years local knowledge &

experience
For further information phone:
0408 507 770 or 5473 3294

Elphinstone Post Office

and General Store

5473 3200
Weekdays 7.30am-5.30pm
Saturday 8.00am-1.00pm
Sunday
8.00am-12noon
Public Hol8.00am-12noon
Gill and Dave

Elpho Info

Playgroup
Elphinstone Playgroup.
Tuesdays 9:15-11.15.
Bring a piece of fruit to share.
Cost is $5 per session.
Contact Rebecca Paine on
0488935558.

December 2014