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ABN 58 129 541 706 June / July 2019 Issue 83
INDI CONFOUNDS THE PUNDITS AGAIN Helen Haines made Australian history by becoming the first independent to succeed another in Federal Parliament, replacing Cathy McGowan in our seat of Indi at the Federal election on the 18th May. Helen said that action on climate change would be central to her agenda, including a target of 50 per cent of all energy coming from renewable sources by 2030, and also nominated an increase to the Newstart allowance being a key issue for her. No doubt Helen will be hitting the ground running when Parliament resumes. A lot of good wishes will be heading towards Canberra with you.
YACK LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CHALLENGES
Enthusiastic Yack locals of all ages rallied to the Yackandandah Memorial Gardens on Friday, 24th May to stand up for action on climate change. Organised by locals Bambi Quigley, Vicki Honey, Julie Klose and Clare Cunnington, Yack residents were encouraged to roll up and sign a large sheet supporting action. This will be given to our local MP, Helen Haines to use as support in Parliament. Organisers have been moved by the actions of Greta Thunberg, a Swedish 16yo schoolgirl, who has been thrown into the international spotlight with her call to action on climate change by schoolies which has been answered world-wide. Greta has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. With a decision on Adani to be made as this edition of Yackity Yak was being completed, and with Australia leading the rush to exterminate native animals and plants, the future has rarely looked bleaker for the environment.
Yack locals of all ages supporting climate action “When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last river poisoned, you will realise that you cannot eat money” Alanis Obomsawi
Visit our Town’s Tourist Information website, call in at the Old Post Office,
and make sure you take your visitors there.
There are some great people there to help you
uniqueyackandandah.com.au YACKITY YAK
Yackity Yak is a free bi-monthly publication ARE YOU A YACK BASED BUSINESS, OR DO YOU aimed at providing news, entertainment SERVE THE YACK AREA? and information to the people of Yackandandah. Would you like to advertise in Yackity Yak? Yackity Yak is published by YCDCo (Yackity We are always keen to attract advertisers for this great community paper. It has a Yak) Pty Ltd. and 1,600 copies of Yackity circulation of 1,600 copies and is delivered free of charge every two months. Yak are printed with each release with a minimum of 900 copies distributed free of It’s also available at the following outlets: charge to homes in the Yackandandah and surrounding area via Australia Post. * YCDCo * Visitor Info Centre *Doctors’ Surgeries *Indigo Shire Council CONTACT DETAILS: *Yack Community Centre *Yack PO *Yack Newsagency Editor / Advertising / Printing / Accounts Ali Pockley It’s a great way to get your message across to the Yack community and doesn’t Yackity Yak cost an arm and a leg. C/- Yackandandah Post Office, Speak with Ali if you would like to advertise & we will do our best to High Street, accommodate your wishes. Tel. 0448 803 411 or email: [email protected] Yackandandah VIC 3749 Ph: 0448 803 411 E-mail: [email protected] The Albury Wodonga group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association now Web: ycdco.com.au/yackity-yak meet at the Yackandandah Community Yackity Yak wishes to advise that the views and or remarks Centre each month on a Tuesday from 10am-12midday. Everyone is welcome to expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of come along. A breastfeeding counsellor is Yackity Yak editorial or production staff, and no endorsement or available at these meetings, and members service is implied by the listing of advertisers or contributors. have access to borrow from our library resources. Dates can be found on our Facebook page – Australian Breastfeeding Although every effort is taken in reproducing and printing Association – Albury/Wodonga Group, or on our website at https://www. advertisements correctly, we take no responsibility for errors. breastfeeding.asn.au/node/23907/events.
2019 DEADLINES: Our group provided a feed and change space at Ardsville house on Market Day for this year’s Folk Festival. This service was well utilised; however, feedback was Forthcoming deadlines for submission of advertisements and that families would use it all weekend if it was made available. We have limited articles for the Yackity Yak are 5pm on the following days: volunteer numbers, so unable to be available for the entire Festival. Issue 84 - August - Monday, 15th July, 2019 For the 2020 Folk Festival, we are hoping to be able to offer the space throughout the entire weekend and perhaps have allocated times where an ABA volunteer/ Issue 85 - Sept - Friday, 16th August, 2019 counsellor is available. A big thank you to Ardsville House for allowing us to provide this service – it was much appreciated. Issue 86 - Oct/Nov - Friday, 13th Sept, 2019 https://www.facebook.com/abaalburywodonga/ Issue 87 - Dec/Jan - Friday, 15th Nov, 2019 Please note that all advertising must be paid in full prior to that issue deadline. We can make no exceptions.
All new advertisements ______or alterations to current advertisements must be submitted one business ‘With you in change’ week (5 days) before the deadline. ______Local lawyers Helen McGowan and As per media law requirements, no Matt Grogan are here for you. advertisements can be printed without a current, Please contact us to have a chat about any completed and signed issues that have a legal component. booking slip. We are available during Monday, Tuesday Please contact the Editor for and Thursday afternoons (1 to 5 pm) the booking slip. and at other times by appointment. Ph: 0448 803 411 or email to yackity_yak@yackandandah. “Ardsville”, 32 High Street, com Yackandandah VIC 3749 Phone: 02 6027 0553
Email: [email protected] and [email protected] After Hours email: [email protected]
2 Yackity Yak June/July A Ramble with the Editor
Deja vu or what? Deja vu being a French term https://onlinesurvey123.typeform.com/to/UBvRPt - I’m not quite describing the feeling that one has lived through the when that closes, but hopefully you can have your input there. present situation before! Well, I’ve certainly hit the The Love Yack team will be back in July with their first cut at the deck running with this edition. project. Firstly, thanks to Julianna for her editions of Yackity There are heaps of things happening during the Yack winter - Yak - she made some significant design changes and lots of advertisers. Please let our advertisers know when you over her time, but due to time pressures, I’ve been have seen their ads in Yackity Yak and are using their services - unable to do likewise. I’d love to hear your thoughts it makes selling ad space a little easier! on this - is it time for some re-branding? What do you Please also continue to send your articles through - the paper is think - please let me know. all about what’s going on in and around Yack, and whilst I see I have also changed the dates of some of the 2019 a fair bit of what’s happening, I am only one person - the Sub- publications of Yackity Yak, so we continue to have Editor is less than useful as can be seen in the photo! six copies a year. We will have monthly editions in I’ve tried to keep copy generally local and about Yack, but there August and September, and then back to bi-monthly are always some other things happening elsewhere that can be after that. This is so we don’t disadvantage our of interest. The Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park is one of them, faithful advertisers on whom this publication relies. and I would encourage you to register for their newsletter or, Without our advertisers, we have no income and better still, join them and do a couple of working bees, particularly therefore no paper! if you are interested in the Park. I can’t put my hand on my heart I would personally like to thank all the advertisers - I and say that I do myself at the moment, but I definitely have hope that you will like this publication and whilst The Sub-Editor hard at work on Yackity Yak! plans to! I can’t guarantee to print all copies in full colour, I We also have a lot of interest in our glorious colourful native bird thought it very important to have this particular one as populations, as can be seen on the Yack Community Facebook page. There is a a bumper eye-catching paper! If you didn’t advertise in this edition, then I will be in great local bird watching group, so it may be worth contacting them - some local touch with you shortly to see if I can persuade you to... experience from the experts is worth heaps. It’s been great to be able to have so much copy and advertising to kick off my As every, some last minute news pours in, and I’ve been informed that a couple second editorial stint with a full colour edition - so much fun; so much news; so wellknown to most have just bought their first all electric car - more on that next many good things happening in Yack. edition, as with TRY’s committee members trialling an on/off road electric bike. It’s been interesting getting involved in the “Love Yack” project. There were lots of Enjoy the cooler months - as we know, we are facing down some pretty uncharted workshop and open sessions in May, so hopefully most locals were able to have weather conditions in the years to come, so make the most of the cooler weather... their three penn’orth worth of contributions. But if not, here is a survey to complete if you are uber-quick at Cheers for now. Ali
weren’t steady enough to paint. The small boy Do you have some time to go for a walk with a replied, “Don’t worry, I will help you.” resident, help with the gardening, work in our café or just have a chat? Our most recent recruit For Easter, the is helping to document residents’ life stories. A children enjoyed wonderful project that captures a person’s story and an Easter egg triggers memories and recollections. Little Yacks - Enrolments continue to increase, and hunt. Afterwards we are very pleased with the feedback we are they all received We have a small number of talented local “cooks” receiving from parents and the children who have a hand knitted that provide baked goodies for our café each week. all settled in well and are very happy. We have bunny made by This is a place where added to our staff in Little Yacks with 10 staff now the older ladies residents can meet with on board. knitting group. A family and friends and It has been a joy to watch our small children and small treasure to share a cuppa and get our elders share art, music and theme days. The take home. together, do some shopping and catch up on news. art program we have in place for our elders is The children are learning new things every day. The education program includes learning about the We would like to say a BIG environment, the world, letters, numbers and all BIG thank you to Lauren Salathiel of Saint Monday sorts of construction. The children are busy and fame, for providing delicious cakes, doughnuts, enjoying exploring slices, muffins and biscuits. Lauren was one of the many activities the first to jump on board and offer her services the educators when we opened the café 3 years ago and has been present to them. donating baked goods on a monthly basis since then Our older folks’ - a big ask when you are running a busy eatery in eyes light up when town! the children arrive and many of them We wish Lauren and sit outside just Chris all the best with to listen to the the next chapter of now being shared with the children. On one day, children play. their lives and pass the theme was autumn, with autumn leaves, on our thanks and pinecones and other natural treasures found in the Volunteers - We appreciation from all of gardens taken inside, explored and shared before have a number us here at Yack Health producing lovely paintings. One of our older ladies of vacancies for being part of our commented to a three year old that her hands for volunteers. team.
SIDOTI ELECTRICAL SERVICE Y A C K A N D A N D A H Vic REC 15340 - NSW REC 108615C MICHAEL SIDOTI Electrical Contractor
PO Box 201 Yackandandah, Victoria 3749 Telephone: 02 6027 1950 Mobile: 0410 543 377 June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 3 YACK HEALTH & THEIR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS
LADIES’ AUXILIARY HANG UP APRONS AFTER 38 YEARS OF FUNDRAISING supported many in our community Local women including Delray through the years,” Ms Nuck said. Simpfendorfer, Vera Otten and Edna Jackson (all deceased) formed the The Ladies’ Auxiliary members Ladies’ Auxiliary in 1981. Current were officially thanked and the members include Pam Smith, Helen group wound-up after their last Kelley, Mona Saunders, Sonia Wolf, meeting on Tuesday, 30 April, 2019. Pat Muller, Alison Nichols and Lyn Cameron. Many others have been “The financial contribution they involved through the years and were have made is incredible. When we thanked at the closing afternoon tea. renovated the residents’ dining room in 2013, they donated As a parting gift, the Auxiliary will $12,000 for furniture and in 2017 fund the establishment of emergency they provided $8,500 to set up accommodation for the community the library for our residents. In the by furnishing one of Yackandandah past, they bought baby cots for Health’s apartments for this purpose. the women’s clinic and infant bed warmers, so they really have supported people in this With three of its original members still support Yackandandah Health through town through involved after 38 years as a fundraising the years. all stages of their group, the Yackandandah Health lives,” Ms Nuck Ladies’ Auxiliary has finally hung up its “But special mention needs to be said. aprons and put away its raffle books. made of Pam Smith, Helen Kelley and Mona Saunders who had all been Records show a The group has raised more than involved since 1981. Our current group social group was $100,000 just in the last 20 years, of women are now in their 80s and formed in the funding such items as furniture, continued to make a large contribution 1960s, however furnishings and medical equipment. even last year, holding a stall and during this time raffling a Christmas cake at our there were only CEO, Annette Nuck said many Community Celebration in November. references to social dedicated women had worked hard to They are real workers and have gatherings, not specific fundraising efforts. In the early days of fundraising, activities included a Mardi Gras dinner/ dance, open days, over 40’s footy match, cops and robbers bowls and sponsored bike rides. More recently, the Ladies’ Auxiliary did more catering for events such as Devonshire Yackandandah Health commissioned teas at open gardens and the annual a magnificent watercolour by local fete where they also sold cakes, slices artist, Gordon Dickson, which depicts and jams. fundraising activities by the ladies “Their baking has always been sought over the years. The unveiling of after by our community and will be the painting at the afternoon tea sadly missed,” Ms Nuck said. prompted many memories with the ladies sharing stories of hard work, fun and a bit of mischief.
Yack Health Midwife Care Program
Our Midwife Care Program at long-term goal of providing continuity Yackandandah Health Medical Centre of care for women and their families. offers antenatal care every second Louise is liaising with AWH to establish Thursday morning with our Midwife Louise. Bookings can be made by a post-natal service in Yackandandah calling reception on (02) 6028 0130. to provide ongoing care for women Weddings & after the birth. We offer a holistic We have had a steady number of and collaborative model enabling Other Life Ceremonies women using our service during their women to access support and care pregnancies. The first Yack Health locally throughout and following their Phone; 0416 17 14 88 midwife care baby was born at the pregnancy. Website; www.magicalceremonies.com.au end of April. Mum attended our clinic early in her pregnancy right up to the Dr. Tess Goodwin, our GP/Obstetrician birth, which was attended by Louise at is available with each appointment, and any scripts/ referrals/ scans can be Albury Wodonga Health, achieving our arranged as needed. 4 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 Yackandandah CFA As to be expected over the summer/ Assisting with two Fire Safety fire blankets. way of introducing them to the autumn period, the Brigade has had a sessions at the Yackatoon Retirement Brigade and explaining how everything busy couple of months turning out to Village (Bushfire Planning and Home FEM, which is undertaken by qualified works. a total of 39 incidents from just before Fire Safety including use of fire technicians, is Christmas until the end of April. extinguishers). the Brigade’s main regular Whilst the majority of the call- Collecting money for the Royal fund-raising outs were to bush or grass fires Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal activity, with all (biggest one locally was probably the (this year we raised $2,880). of the profits Meehan’s track fire near Allan’s Flat in going back to March), members of the Brigade did Another regular volunteer task for the Brigade. The attend a shed fire on Christmas Day some of our members is FEM (Fire funds raised are at Wooragee, a house fire at Allan’s Equipment Maintenance) that we used to help Flat in March, and were members of a do around town twice a year. This purchase vehicles strike team that went to Dinner Plain involves servicing and supplying fire and equipment. and Mt. Hotham. There were also two protection equipment such as fire Premises we motor vehicle accidents and eight extinguishers, fire hoses and reels, and service include false alarms. a number of commercial As Brigade Captain, Yves Quaglio, buildings says: “Fires don’t occur at a in the Firefighter Margrit Beemster showing her “buddy” new member Karen Mascas the Breathing Apparatus sets on the Pumper Tanker ‘convenient’ time so it’s great to Main Street see the dedication of our members and elsewhere, Shire owned One of our new members this year is who are willing and able to buildings in Yackandandah, the Karen Mascas, a high school teacher respond no matter what the day or Bruarong Community Centre, at Wangaratta. She and her husband, the time.” Osborne’s Flat Hall, Allan’s Flat Gavin, an electrician, live at Osbornes Church, both sporting facilities, Flat. Other events that have kept the the Yackandandah Holiday Park, Brigade busy over the last few bowling club, YCDco, Back Creek “We joined the brigade because we months include its community Camp, and the Primary School and wanted to become more a part of the engagement activities which were: Pre-School. community,” says Karen who is 52 years of age. “We thought it would be Running children’s activities and We are happy to provide quotes a good way of meeting a big cross- a fire information stand for the for equipment and/or servicing section of the community and giving Sunday of the Yackandandah Folk in the Yackandandah area. Please back to it. We’ve lived here for 16 Festival weekend which was very contact our Secretary, Bryan years and just love it. We see being well attended. (The muffins were Smith on 0417 176 295 in the first part of the CFA as a way of giving back also a big hit!) instance. to place which has given us such a Helping teaching children from wonderful life-style. We toyed with A new concept introduced to the the Yackandandah Primary the idea of joining the Brigade for a Brigade recently is the “buddy” School about the benefits to the long time, and have finally done so. system where new members environment of bushfires, how to Members of the FEM team at the Shire’s Depot in It’s something we can do together.” Yackandandah are teamed up initially with more use a fire hose, and the safety features experienced members as an informal A reminder: It’s the time of year of our trucks. when you should be thinking of Home Fire Safety. To report a fire: 000 The CFA has a great web page that has Burn-off Notification 1800 668 511 a simple check list to go through i.e. in the category Clothes & Laundry - do Vic Emergency Hot Line 1800 240 667 you clean the lint filter on your clothes dryer after each load? More handy safety hints at https://www.cfa.vic. CFA Website: cfa.vic.gov.au gov.au/plan-prepare/home-fire-safety- checklist
YACK FIREWOOD • Red gum • Yellow box/grey box • Stringy bark/peppermint
All split and delivered. For orders please contact Luke on 0400 356 378 or place orders at Sue Ellens Drapery. You can find me on Facebook at Yack firewood.
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 5 Yack Primary School The Yack Shack The year seems to be flying by at the Love Yack consultation process. Men’s Shedders working for our community Yackandandah Primary School. We Students from Yackandandah are already part way through Term Primary School participated in a Having had the support of our Yackandandah community to build and equip Two. Yackandandah Primary School feedback session with consultants our workshop and facilities over the past five years, we are now in the happy would like to thank the Yackandandah from Indigo Shire about the future of position to help Yackandandah community groups with their projects. Community for their support Yackandandah. They provided great during the Folk Festival. The school feedback and some powerful insights Over the past few months, the Shedders have had a busy time helping out local coordinates the Community Dinner on what makes Yackandandah groups with woodworking and welding skills. and Market Sunday and works closely a terrific place. It was a great Little Yacks has been able to start up with the Folk Festival Committee to opportunity for our kids to have a with specially designed tables and chairs ensure the events complement the say in the future of our community. for the littlies and shelving for storage. aims of the festival. This is a major Thanks to Indigo Shire for giving our Thanks also to Carter Holt Harvey for fundraiser for the school, run entirely students the opportunity to have donations of plywood. by family and staff volunteers, and their say. the support of the community in attendance is much appreciated. In I would like to remind everyone that addition to being a fun event and the speed limit outside the school is fundraiser, the Folk Festival is a 40km/h from 8:00am to 9:30am and fantastic example for our children from 2:30pm to 4:00pm on school The Sports Park now has custom-made to see of how communities work days. Road laws also state that if benches in the change room. More than together to achieve great things. there is a person at a school crossing 25 metres of benches were built by our when the flags are out, then vehicles dedicated team. We are approaching the time when must come to a stop to allow the families of children who will be person to cross. Please take care! entering school in 2020 will be The Yack Kinder needed a board walk so the littlies can explore the natural needing to consider their enrolment This term our Year 5/6 students are flora and fauna of the local creek. options. Yackandandah Primary School heading to Canberra to learn about The ANZAC service was able to benefit from community donations towards held two open days during May when our nation’s government and other our April wood raffle. it welcomed prospective families institutions. They will be in Canberra for the week following the election to the school to inspect its great The Riding Club needed help relocating their poo box. facilities. If you missed this, and would – perhaps they will meet our new like to make a time for a school tour, representative! Year 3/4 students will The Catholic Church, the Op Shop and the Golf Club will all benefit from our please contact our office on (02) 6027 be heading to 15 Mile Creek outdoor current projects. 1431 and we can organise a special camp for a week of adventure. school tour for you. Students and staff are looking We encourage our community groups to contact us if they need help that is forward to the trips. either too small or not available from our local tradies. Recently our students took part in Michael Edwards, Principal Contact Frank on 0417 130 541. Yack PS - Veggie Patch!
The start to the 2019 school year upgrading the compost with new families coming to Yack equipment so students can Primary has brought about a fresh move leftover lunch waste contribution to our ever-growing from the classroom to the Veggie patch and overall garden compost bins easily, space. The changes thus far have ensured a safer and aesthetically • Understanding the pleasing space for the children to importance of mixing wet play, learn and explore. and dry organic material and keeping the compost moist Our new garden plan is designed and aerated. to attract the children and nurture the love of gardening • Cleaning out of the gardening as well as enabling the teachers shed to make it a much safer to utilise the space for applied and tidier space to work in. learning. This includes removing Our up and coming working bee an old leaky shed and replacing (Sunday, June 2nd) will see two with a picnic table, upgrading new wicking beds come into the compost system, moving action and stone spread as a the garden beds into a sunnier ground cover so as to minimise position and turning the fruit the mud during winter. We also crate gardens into wicking hope to make improvements to beds to help keep up with the the garden beds surrounding the water requirements. Other ‘fun’ entrance to the school. elements have been discussed such as an enchanted forest / A grounds and garden sub- fairy garden, a design competition committee has recently been to illustrate the garden shed established to utilise the and hanging bunting to attract enthusiasm from parents wanting the students to the area. We to get involved with the school. eventually would love to have a We are always happy for helping few chook pets and grow produce hands if there is anyone in the that can be used in the kitchen for community interested in being a Friday hot student lunches. part of our project (and you hold a Working with Children check). Our latest improvements have Please contact Jane Murphy via been: email • Compost education — [email protected]
6 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 ‘The Workshop’ Fitness4U
space may be new, are offered as part of the the business behind weekly schedule (from the scenes is not new 6.15am through to 6.30pm) to Yackandandah. or for those not looking for Fitness4U ran and classes, gym access is also owned by Suzanne available from 5am through McIntosh, has been to 9pm. Tailored options helping clients reach for commercial groups, their fitness goals sporting bodies, etc are since 2013 from a available and designed to smaller studio space. suit the audience and goals The Workshop has of the participants. been opened in Ms. McIntosh hopes that Yackandandah’s first commerical response to requests through the creation of interested in keeping our community gym! from existing Fitness4U members for more classes, exercise options networks and opportunities with healthy! Yackandandah saw the opening of and an after-hours gym space. other like-minded health and For more information contact Suzanne its first commercial gym in March fitness professionals, the facility McIntosh on 0411 234 277, or check 2019. Offering clients access to ‘The Workshop’ (in honour of its will become a hub for health out our Facebook page ‘Fitness4U classes and open gym facilities ‘The original engineering workshop and well-being in Yackandandah beginnings) offers and welcomes input from others Yackandandah’. a range of group sessions, personal training and an open AUSMENTOS-Yackandandah Books gym which members can use at their 15 High St
leisure. Complete with weight racks, sled tracks, cardio machines and a large studio space, it offers a broad range of fitness options right here in Yack.
Pilates, yoga, strength, high Workshop’ gives clients the freedom Some of the staff at The Workshop Quality Australian Goods intensity interval training, boxing Great books for young and old! to create the fitness experience that and kettlebells (to name a few) best suits them. Whilst the gym
Glasshouse Candles, Didgeridoonas
SPIDERS, RODENTS, BEES, EUROPEAN WASPS, TERMITES, MILLIPEDES, EARWIGS, ETC AND BAITING SYSTEMS
Yack Lions Club
The Yack Lions Club’s famous weekend markets will be held on the following Sundays in 2019: 16th June 21st July 18th August 15th September 20th October 17th November 15th December
The Lions Club happily donate a free site to a Yack community group at each market. So if you’re a community group wanting to do a fundraiser - this is a great way to do it. Web page: yackandandah.vic.lions.org.au
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 7 SMALL BUSINESS MEETINGS IN YACK Hello and Welcome to Avenue Shared Working Space was the venue the New Chamber of for a Small Business Meeting on the 15th May. It was great to see so many young and enthusiastic Commerce business owners attend to meet other like-minded people and discuss their issues. To those in business in for the Committee conversations and Yackandandah. Chamber of Commerce: Helen decisions will be visible to our Nicholas from Avenue asked everyone to look McGowan, Lindy Smith-Allen, members. By observing how we at why we take on a business; to listen and learn As you are keenly aware, it is by Jac Bayne, and Nicholas Rogan run the Chamber, our members about other people’s businesses and issues, and no accident that any business as president. Individually, will be able to give us better to see how we can help each other. feedback, which will improve reaches its goals. The goals you’ve seen each of us engaged He ran a series of hypothetical scenarios themselves may be common in local projects and ideas that how we execute our function as a committee. including how to carry out succession planning, and straightforward, but the strengthen the communities building a culture that suits all works, and journey for each business of Yackandandah. As a group, Consider what your role could working smarter not harder! is self-determined, unique, we are putting this enthusiasm be in this ongoing project as and deliberate. The same and energy into building a a member of the Chamber of With a dozen people there from businesses is true for the Chamber of connected and flourishing Commerce. Take part in the varying from tourism to financial systems, Commerce. When we set about business community. discovery process to see what graphic design to brewing, the discussion was creating a thriving business we can achieve as a group that energising and useful for all small businesses. The problems can often be, by and large, the community with common goals Here are our guiding principles: would otherwise be impossible if same for many businesses operating with single to boost economic activity we acted alone. In return, we as A well-functioning Chamber people or limited resources - both financial for Yackandandah, it will be the committee will put our efforts of Commerce fundamentally toward taking action on the ideas and staff, and this informal type of get together because we mean to do exactly enriches the group and the will be in great demand to share stories and that. that bring about meaningful individual. We will work to improvements to the local successes. organise frequent seasonal Firstly, we acknowledge the economy and the inter-business The next meeting date was not fixed in time for promotions, workshops, and relationships that sustain it. great effort and contributions casual meet ups that bring local this edition of Yackity Yak, but look out for the of the previous committee businesses together and facilitate sincerely, posters around Yack. members. Their collaboration increased economic activity. Nicholas Rogan, President of with Indigo Shire has ensured Yackandandah Chamber of that our local business interests We are for the businesses and Commerce are represented and taken into by the businesses. Chamber consideration for projects that members will be provided will have a significant impact on opportunities — face-to-face or visitation to Yackandandah. online — to join the conversation Nicholas can be found as the group discusses the at Avenue Work Space at 9 We are the new committee importance and merits of each High Street,Yackandandah proposed action item.
FIREWOOD
Red gum and box mix:
3 metres - $480.00 6 metres - $900.00 Split and delivered.
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8 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 They haven’t sat side-by-side for nearly 140 siege. important item from the siege of Glenrowan years, but two important Ned Kelly artefacts will now sit alongside other important Kelly have been reunited in Beechworth this week. “At the end of the siege, the Glenrowan Inn artefacts including Ned Kelly’s death mask and was burnt down and any items that survived his rifle,” said Mr Auty. Burke Museum staff travelled to the Victoria both the gunfight and the fire ended up in Police Museum in Melbourne to pick up different collections across the country. The Founder of the Ned Kelly Vault, Matt Shore, the original cash box from the Glenrowan Ned Kelly story is such a big part of Indigo said the small brass cash box was owned by Inn, which was the site of the Kelly Gang’s Shire’s history and it attracts many visitors to Ann Jones, proprietor of the Glenrowan Inn. dramatic last stand in June 1880. The cash box will be on long-term loan to “In a tragic twist, Mrs Jones lost her only the Ned Kelly Vault, where it will go on son, thirteen-year-old John, during the display alongside the original bullet-ridden siege when he was shot in the hip by a dining room table from the Glenrowan Inn. police bullet. Her Inn was burnt to the The cashbox and table are the last two ground by the police in an effort to flush significant objects remaining from the Inn out Dan Kelly and Steve Hart after Ned - site of the infamous siege and site of the was shot down and captured. Poor Mrs deaths of three Kelly Gang members (Joe Jones lost her boy, her home, and her Byrne, Dan Kelly and Steve Hart) as well business. If any artefact symbolises the as civilian Martin Cherry. tragic events which engulfed so many people in and around the Kelly story, this is Burke Museum Manager Cameron Auty it,” said Mr Shore. said, in a major win for the Ned Kelly Vault, this is the first time these two important The cash box will be on display for two Kelly artefacts will be together since the months at Beechworth’s Burke Museum siege. “The Kelly Gang bailed up 62 from 20 May 2019, and will then move locals into the Inn and they waited for the to the Ned Kelly Vault to be displayed alongside the rest of the collection. Beechworth-bound police train to crash just the region every year so we are thrilled to have past the Glenrowan station. The train was the table and cash box on display together. delayed for hours, so the table was dragged Did you know that as a ratepayer of Indigo out onto the verandah to make room for the “Our thanks to the Victoria Police Museum for Shire, you can get free access to the Burke gang’s prisoners to dance. Several photos working with us to organise this loan, which Museum? Just have something that proves survive, showing the table during and after the is coming to us from a private donor. This your address and show it when you go in! Ed.
Indigo Shire releases Draft Budget 2019/20 • $20,000 for community renewable energy grants Government grant contribution.
Indigo Shire Council has endorsed its draft budget for • $35,000 towards Roadside Conservation Values The draft budget also proposes funding for a number of 2019/20 and updated the 2017-2021 Council Plan. Assessment and Mapping key community projects including $220,000 to purchase The draft budget outlines a total operating income land in Tangambalanga to open up access to the Kiewa • $10,000 for an Early Years Library Outreach Pilot of $34.538 million with total expenditure of $30.085 River, $30,000 to develop a shire-wide Trails Strategy, and $15,000 to implement the findings of the Council million, including a $10.76 million capital works • $10,000 for the implementation of the Youth Committees review. program, and an underlying cash surplus over two Strategy years. In line with the rate cap for the 2019/20 financial year, • $40,000 for an Industrial Land Supply and Indigo Shire Council’s draft budget proposes a rate increase Highlights of the draft budget include: Demand Assessment Report of 2.5 per cent.
$10.76 million in capital works including upgrades • $30,000 for the Chiltern Destination Playground The Shire relies on external funding and this is reflected to roads, drainage and footpaths; more than Scoping Project in the draft budget, with $6.359 million in grants and contributions to fund their capital works program. $800,000 in sport and recreation facility upgrades; • $15,000 to develop the Yackandandah parking removal of spectator fees at Indigo Shire’s five strategy At April’s meeting, Council also endorsed its revised swimming pools; $430,000 for road resealing • $30,000 towards a Trails strategy Council Plan 2017-2021. Key amendments included the across Indigo Shire; $110,000 for the Beechworth addition of a new action to develop a Reconciliation Action Railway Goods Shed refurbishment; $160,000 • $20,000 for a Caravan Park strategy Plan and the broadening of a trails strategy to include towards the Chiltern Flood Study and $110,000 cycling, walking and horse riding. on Indigo Creek Park public toilets in Barnawartha. The delivery of cycling infrastructure is a cornerstone of the draft budget, with $200,000 for the Unfortunately, the community only be able to make a The draft budget also includes $298,000 for new construction of the Beechworth to Yackandandah Rail submission on the draft budget and the revised Council initiatives including: Plan until 31 May 2019. A final version will be considered Trail between Osborne’s Flat and Beechworth and by Council at the June 25 ordinary council meeting. To • $18,000 for an Emissions Reduction Plan $130,000 for stage three of the Wahgunyah to Lake view the draft budget go to www.indigoshire.vic.gov. Moodemere cycle trail. Council have also allocated au/budget2019/20 and to view the proposed revisions • $25,000 towards place making structure and $1 million over two years towards the delivery of to the Council Plan go to www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/ focus – Yackandandah the Epic Mountain Bike Trail matching the Federal councilplan2017-2021
PO Box 28 www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au Beechworth 3747 www.facebook.com/indigoshire Upcoming Council meeting Indigo phone 03 5728 8000 [email protected] 6.30pm Tuesday 25 June 2019 local call 1300 365 003 Beechworth Council Chambers, Mayday Hills. Connection Heritage Shire – Bold Future LIVESTREAM: indigoshire.vic.gov.au/live YACKANDANDAH PLACE PLAN STAY UP TO DATE TIDY TOWNS AWARDS Phase one of community consultation to develop the Yackandandah Place Plan took place earlier in May. Do you follow us on Facebook? OPEN This phase comprised of 14 community engagement activities including a series of workshops, focus Our Facebook The Keep Victoria Beautiful Sustainable groups, pop-up sessions and pub chats, along with an online survey to hear ideas, visions, challenges and page is a great way Communities Awards are now open. opportunities across a broad range of community issues. to stay up-to- The awards recognise and celebrate positive date with what’s Thankyou to everyone who contributed, the data collected during actions taken by communities in regional happening across this phase will be essential in building the plan. The next stage of areas to protect and enhance their local the shire. community engagement will take place in July, where the ideas, themes environment.
and strategies will be refined and tested through further consultation. Follow us on Facebook at: Visit www.kvb.org.au/tidy-towns/ for a list Indigo Shire Council For more information on the project visit www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/ of award categories and online registration (@indigoshire) yackplaceplan details.
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 9 “Still, Life...” Discovering solace in the beauty of every day
This year’s Kerferd Oration will acclaimed version of The Duchess of be delivered by writer, director, Malfi in 2012. After serving the Yackandandah clients. performer – and dedicated walker - community and surrounding areas Ailsa Piper. She published her first book, Sinning for the last seven years with a first Sports Rehabilitation is a safe, Across Spain in 2012. Her most class Myotherapy clinic, Karlie Grant measured and therapeutic approach Ailsa has navigated solitary trails recent book, co-authored with Tony of Muscle Matters felt the time was that helps both athletes and weekend in Australia, Spain and France, Doherty, is THE ATTACHMENT: Letters right to offer more to her loyal clients. warriors alike to effectively treat sometimes walking alone for weeks From A Most Unlikely Friendship. The arrival of her new clinic last year pain and achieve optimal personal at a time. When she’s not on the performance. Be it post-surgery Ailsa has judged the NSW and a turning point, providing a tranquil roads, Ailsa is writing - plays, books, oasis among a grove of elm trees, and or post-weekend, a professionally newspaper articles, poetry, and Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards designed rehab program will get you seven times. She is an accomplished allowing an expansion of services that letters. Lots of letters. Ailsa uses we can all now benefit from. back on track to enjoying life to the every medium she moderator of full. can to celebrate conversations and With more than nineteen years of panels, and writes creativity, walking, clinical experience, Karlie now offers Kinetic Link Training (KLT) is a precise landscapes, and comprehensive functional journalism and a wider range of services including connection and strength and conditioning training opinion pieces Myotherapy, Sports Rehabilitation, friendship. Kinetic Link Training, Remedial system. KLT involves whole body for newspapers exercises with a focus on movement, and magazines. Massage, Relaxation Massage and Hot “We have the Stone Therapy. stability and strength rather than a capacity as She also writes reliance on expensive equipment. communities and and performs Karlie is passionate about helping Wordwalks– as individuals to her patients achieve and maintain Remedial massage is used to locate create sanctuaries monologues a healthy and happy lifestyle by and repair damaged areas of the body where beauty can celebrating poetry, providing the best possible patient and speed up the body’s own healing light the darkness walking and care and treatment outcomes. She processes. The pressure applied in landscape. of our despair,” has earned an enviable reputation this healing treatment can either be says Ailsa. “I’d like strong and deep or gentle and shallow, The George for her ability to empower and assist to explore some of depending on the problem. Briscoe Kerferd people who are in pain and have been those possibilities Oration was first “everywhere else” but are still not in Beechworth. Relaxation massage is a perfect way held in 2003 to improving. I’m a naturally sunny person but to unwind from life’s daily grind. It’s commemorate the 150th anniversary I’ve also experienced loss quite Karlie is a proud sponsor and ideal for those struggling with acute of the naming of Beechworth. The frequently through my life. I thought supporter of the Yackandandah or chronic stress, anxiety, or daily annual Oration is a free community I was experienced at it – a veteran, if Football Netball club, and has recently worries. It’s also great for anyone who event sponsored by Indigo Shire you will! But in the aftermath of the run a number of very well received just likes to feel plain awesome! Let Council, La Trobe University, sudden death of my husband, I was training clinics for the players and staff life’s prickly bits just disappear… WAW Credit Union and Quercus like a pumice stone - nothing could to help them get the best out of their Beechworth. Hot stone therapy is a wonderfully permeate me. performance this season. relaxing treatment that melts away The 2019 Kerferd Oration will be held “I became dry and tough, but With this expansion of services, Karlie tension, eases muscle stiffness on Sunday 28 July, 11.00 am at The my hard edges felt like the only is keen to educate people on the and increases your circulation and George Kerferd Hotel, Mayday Hills, protection I had. Eventually, though, I different applications and benefits of metabolism. With its origins dating Beechworth. had to allow beauty to enter my days the modalities she now has on offer. back over 5000 years, it is regarded as an extremely holistic and natural again. I had to let life in. A free community lunch will be Myotherapy is the evidence- relaxation tool. followed by a facilitated discussion “For those who are traumatised, or based assessment, treatment and for those who wish to continue the hit hard by life, opening to beauty rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain With her new clinic only one minute conversation. in its many, many forms can be and associated conditions. It is a multi- from the main street, Karlie is looking forward to helping everyone in our lifesaving. I would like very much to Priority entry tickets for this free disciplinary approach incorporating a share the ways in which I think we wide variety of treatment techniques community feel better and perform at community event are available at: their best. can allow it to heal us - and to heal 2019oration.eventbrite.com.au to ensure an effective outcome for communities.” For further information: facebook. Muscle Matters Ailsa Piper was a co-winner of the com/kerferdoration Patrick White Playwright’s Award 54 Isaacs Ave, Yackandandah. for her script Small Mercies in 2001 or kerferdoration.org 0488 224 481 and co-adapted Bell Shakespeare’s https://muscle-matters.com.au/ [email protected]
STANDING UP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Bob Brown and the Stop Adani Australia went to the polls and convoy visited Albury-Wodonga the results prove that Australia over Easter on their way from is divided on climate action Hobart up to Clermont in and Adani’s coal mine. The Queensland. Many members of Adani mine is now a test of the Albury-Wodonga Stop Adani Australia’s heart and how it protest and others were there to secures the future of its reef, its listen to Bob Brown talk about farmlands, its fisheries, its forests the repercussions of the proposed and woodlands, its wildlife, its Galilee Basin coalmine. snowfields and the lifestyle of its towns and cities. 10 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 OSBORNES FLAT HALL
With a reasonable daily hire charge of $150, our wonderful old hall is a great size (can seat up to 80 comfortably), is close to town and is a popular venue for parties, family events and weddings etc. We offer a fully functional kitchen, heating and cooling and a large area outside that works well set up for weddings and bigger gatherings. Your family and friends will be pleasantly surprised with our lovely rustic country setting. We also have a small meeting room that we make available to community groups for meetings etc. Working Bee - We will be holding a working bee in the next couple of months. Several jobs are on the list. If you are an Osbornes Flat resident and would like to be involved with the Hall we would appreciate your help. Get involved and make a difference! Date to be advised.
For all enquiries please contact either Andrea on 6027 1991 or Lisa on 0439 855 297
Reg’s Rain Report
2019 Millimetres Days of Rain January 15.6 7 February 22.0 5 March 68.0 9 April 15.8 3 May to 12th 111.2 3 Total 232.6 27 12/5/2018 161.4 21 12/5/2017 216.0 22
It’s plain the rain is back again!
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June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 11 A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE SES In 1950, the VICSES In 2015, VICSES marked 40 years. This marked the The Yackandandah unit is one of 4 units in the was established evolution from a civil defence organisation to the Indigo Shire, the others being Beechworth, Chiltern as a volunteer organisation we are now today. and Rutherglen. based Civil Defence Organisation. It was VICSES is the control agency for flood, storm, There are more than 5,000 volunteer members in designed to be an tsunami, earthquake, and landslide, and provide the VICSES and the Yackandandah have 16 members organisation that largest road crash rescue network in Australia. plus 2 associates (Finances & Catering). could be deployed quickly in the event There are 149 SES units across six regions in Call 000 for emergencies of a war. Victoria, Yackandandah being one of 26 units in the North East region. Call 13 25 00 for SES – Storm & Floods In 1972, there were around 100 voluntary Civil Defence Units within the council areas. That same year Parliament passed the State Emergency Service and Civil Defence Act, creating the role of the Victorian Civil Defence Organisation.
In 1975, The Civil Defence Organisation was renamed the Victorian State Emergency Service.
In 1979, the Ministry for Police and Emergency services was created. This included: Victorian Police, MFB, CFA and the State Emergency Service (SES).
In 1981, the State Emergency Service Act was passed. This meant that the VICSES was a general emergency management agency.
In 2005, VICSES became an independent Statutory Authority.
A small regional town has found the solution to TRY’s first major project was the 90kW solar “That’s what we’re about, I think that sort of unity is their goal of becoming 100% renewable upon the panel installation at the Yackandandah really great, it’s continued to build a strong, resilient roofs of local businesses and homes. Health clinic in 2015, which community,” she said. marked the “biggest Co-founder and project manager of the volunteer achievement Local resident and TRY committee member Donna based project; Totally Renewable for TRY” Jones agrees that the strong sense of community Yackandandah (TRY) Matthew according to within Yackandandah is “definitely” driving the Charles-Jones said Grogan. success of TRY and its “progressive” nature makes that “the it easier to operate on. However, both Ciantar “It was and Jones believe that it is the “lifestyle choices” an overnight of individuals that can provoke change for the success” he said. environment.
Charles-Jones added Ciantar’s motto “disrupt the disposable culture” that the clinic “will rings true to both TRY and Plastic Wise. save around $1 million on electricity “If you do good and if you put effort in and then you bills over the next 10 build things, people take notice.” Ciantar said. years.” Celia Cope-Williams Grogan said that TRY’s recent To be sure, TRY works really hard at being “politically collaboration with partisan”! We want to work with everyone who is Indigo Power saw serious about renewable power and has the ability 30kW of solar panels to save money, build economy and reduce emissions installed on the old - the TRYfecta. We also want to work with those Beechworth Gaol in who are not serious - the opportunities need to be May, allowing for a understood. “bigger focus” and a “broader approach” to the project. discussion was around saving money on the power “It’s all about Yackandandah, but it’s all about the bills, but it was also on being an exemplar and a rest of the world as well.” Grogan said. “If we don’t leader in energy transition.” make some serious in-roads into action with climate change by 2030, then there’s going to be irreversible As the town heads towards their goal of engaging in issues and damage. We need urgent change from the new mini grid and achieving energy sovereignty the bottom as we’re doing, and we really need it at within the next three years, co-founder of TRY a political level now.” Matthew Grogan said that since the 2014 launch, an extra 35% of Yackandandah’s homes and businesses Initiating projects like TRY is “easier” in have installed solar panels on their roofs. Yackandandah’s “healthy, vibrant, respectful and positive community” according to founder of Plastic Some of the TRY committee are currently trialling “The technology was ready, the community was Wise Yackandandah, Francesca Ciantar, who’s aim – an electric UBCO on road/off road bike, of which we ready, and the issue of climate change was big like TRY – is to make the town totally sustainable. will report further on in the August issue of Yackity enough for people to really engage. All we really did Yak. was light the spark.” Grogan said. 12 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 NO MORE EXCUSES
No one is coming to save us. is actively hostile. Even when where crop failure, drought and the conceive and build a new system, Only rebellion will prevent an broadcasters cover these issues, collapse of fisheries have driven based on the principle that every environmental apocalypse. they carefully avoid any mention of people from their homes, despair generation, everywhere has an equal power, talking about environmental is not an option. Our inaction has right to enjoy natural wealth. Had we put as much effort collapse as if it is driven by forced them into action, as they into preventing environmental mysterious, passive forces, and respond to terrifying circumstances This is less daunting than we might catastrophy as we’ve spent on proposing microscopic fixes for vast caused primarily by the rich world’s imagine. As Erica Chenoweth’s making excuses for inaction, we structural problems. The BBC’s consumption. The Christians are historical research reveals, for would have solved it by now. Blue Planet Live series exemplified right: despair is a sin. a peaceful mass movement to Everywhere I look, I see people this tendency. As TV comedy and succeed, a maximum of 3.5% of engaged in furious attempts to fend drama have become ever more As the author Jeremy Lent points the population needs to mobilise. off the moral challenge it presents. daring, factual and current affairs out in a recent essay, it is almost Humans are ultra-social mammals, certainly too late to save some of constantly if subliminally aware of The commonest current excuse is programmes have become ever more timid. Truth the world’s great shifting social currents. Once we this: “I bet those protesters have living wonders, perceive the status quo has changed, phones/go on holiday/wear leather now has to be smuggled such as coral reefs we flip suddenly from support shoes.” In other words, we won’t into our and monarch for one state of being to support listen to anyone who is not living homes under butterflies. But, for another. When a committed naked in a barrel, subsisting only the guise of he argues, with and vocal 3.5% unites behind the on murky water. Of course, if you entertainment. every increment demand for a new system, the social are living naked in a barrel, we will of global heating, avalanche that follows becomes dismiss you too, because you’re a Those who with every rise in irresistible. Giving up before we hippie weirdo. Every messenger, govern the material resource have reached this threshold is worse and every message they bear, is nation and consumption, than despair: it is defeatism. disqualified, on the grounds of either shape public we will have to impurity or purity. discourse accept still greater Today, Extinction Rebellion takes to cannot be losses, many of streets around the world in defence As the environmental trusted with the which can still of our life support systems. Through crisis accelerates, and as daring, disruptive, non-violent protest movements like preservation be prevented of life on through radical action, it forces our environmental YouthStrike4Climate and Extinction predicament onto the political Rebellion make it harder not to see Earth. There transformation. is no benign agenda. Who are these people? what we face, people discover more authority Every nonlinear Another “they”, who might rescue inventive means of shutting their preserving us transformation us from our follies? The success of eyes and shedding responsibility. in history has this mobilisation depends on us. It Underlying these excuses is a deep- from harm. No one is coming to save us. None of us taken people by surprise. As Alexei will reach the critical threshold only rooted belief that if we really are in Yurchak explains in his book about if enough of us cast aside denial trouble, someone somewhere will can justifiably avoid the call to come together to save ourselves. the collapse of the Soviet Union – and despair, and join this exuberant, come to our rescue: “they” won’t let Everything Was Forever, Until It Was proliferating movement. The time it happen. But there is no they, just I see despair as another variety of No More – systems look immutable for excuses is over. The struggle to us. disavowal. By throwing up our until they suddenly disintegrate. As overthrow our life-denying system hands about the calamities that could soon as they do, the disintegration The political class, as anyone who has begun. has followed its progress over the one day afflict us, we disguise and retrospectively looks inevitable. Our distance them, converting concrete system – characterised by perpetual By George Monbiot, published in past three years can surely now the Guardian, April 2019 see, is chaotic, unwilling and, in choices into indecipherable dread. economic growth on a planet that is isolation, strategically incapable We might relieve ourselves of moral not growing – of addressing even short-term agency by claiming that it’s already will inevitably crises, let alone a vast existential too late to act, but in doing so we implode. The only question predicament. Yet a widespread and condemn other people to destitution wilful naivety prevails: the belief or death. Catastrophe afflicts people is whether the transformation that voting is the only political now, and, unlike those in the rich action required to change a system. world who can still afford to wallow is planned or Unless it is accompanied by the in despair, they are forced to respond unplanned. concentrated power of protest, in practical ways. In Mozambique, Our task is to ensure it is Licensed and insured builders articulating precise demands and Zimbabwe and Malawi, devastated creating space in which new political by Cyclone Idai, in Syria, Libya and planned, and Garages & Sheds factions can grow, voting, while Yemen, where climate chaos has fast. We need to essential, remains a blunt and feeble contributed to civil Patios & Carports instrument. war, in Guatemala, Honduras and The media, with a few exceptions, El Salvador, Factories
Farm Sheds Yackandandah Hire Car Kit Homes Be driven anywhere, any time 02 6024 3333 TO BOOK, PLEASE CALL Terri Manderson 0407 100 111 Working with you, supporting our local community Dennis and Pauline Cook
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 13 A PIECE OF OLD YACKANDANDAH HISTORY FROM THE 1940’s - does anyone remember this?
Aleck Keat and his Band, performed at all the local balls and dances From left to right, Edgar Stenzel (violin), Ted Simpfendorfer around the district, including Yackandandah, Tawonga, Kergunyah, (saxaphone), Morris O’Meara (drums), Claude Irvine (saxaphone), Kiewa and Mount Beauty. and Aleck Keat (piano), with the local Policeman in the background, waiting to present the Football Trophy. This picture of Aleck and his Band was taken at the old Yackandandah Hall in the 1940s during a Premiership Ball. Merlyn Lumby ( neé Keat)
Yack Library PLANNING APPLICATION - PP18-0228 - Yack Wodonga Road
Your local Every A concerned resident has asked Yackity Yak to let the residents of Yackandandah library Thursday know that a 12 lot sub-division is proposed for the very edge of Yack opposite is open morning, Marcus Creek Road, on the left hand side when heading into Yackandandah Monday- we have from Wodonga, just at the 60 km zone. Friday storytime from at 9.30am Submissions about the development need to made to Indigo Shire Council 8.30am where pre- before 20th June 2019. Main concerns appear to be about the design and how until schoolers 5.00pm and their and every carers Saturday can enjoy from rhymes, 9.30 to songs, 12.00pm listening and it is to stories FREE to Joharren Spargo, Eila Thornton, Maya Edwardes and Ayla and craft - join. We Spargo together with Librarian Rowena during a school holi activities. day activity. hold a All are variety welcome of adult fiction, junior and teenage to join us! fiction, nonfiction, large print, DVDs, The library often has author talks from audiobooks and magazines with local or visiting authors and activities something to suit everyone. for the kids in the school holidays, so keep an eye on our website: Indigo Shire Libraries is a member www.indigoshirelibraries.com.au or of the Swift Consortia which allows Facebook page to see what’s coming us to borrow items from over 100 up. other libraries state wide at no cost to borrowers so we can help you find If you would like some more it is going to benefit the “Love Yack” future plans. almost anything you are after. information please contact The Indigo Planning Scheme Section Clause 21.05-4, states that one of the us on 02 6028 1180 or email objectives fio Yackandandah is to: The library has three public computers [email protected]. as well as free Wifi access and printing gov.au • Protect the main entrances to the township from inappropriate and copying are available at a per page development. charge with scanning a free service. We look forward to seeing you in the library! The Planning Department of Indigo Shire can be contacted on 03 5728 8000. 14 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 FAREWELL TO SAINT MONDAY It’s not often that the closing of a business brings all sorts In business for what seems to have been three far too short years, Lauren and Chris made of outpouring of sadness from a community. the decision to close the business in April to look at other opportunities. We are thankful that they are clearly staying put in Yack, and we all await to see what they will be up to Saint Monday, next. under the ownership They have had many strings to of Chris their bows over the years. They are McGorlick terrific book binders, and Chris has and Lauren worked with the Shire on community Salathiel, development projects in the past. has been one Lauren, we all know, has great such business newspaper skills, and was a very that has seen enthusiastic editor of Yackity Yak all manner some three years ago. of accolades flooding in They both have been involved from members in Uke-N-Dandah over the years of the Yack and we have seen them at many a and district performance in Yack at the Folk community. Festival, Community Garden and other events. So it was no surprise, except to Chris and Lauren, that members of Uke-N- Dandah put on a special farewell event for them as owners of Saint Monday, to thank them for their great cafe, which so many of us have enjoyed over the past 3 years. Everything Changes (about the excellent people at Saint Monday) Completely unbeknownst to them, people from Yack gathered at the Court House and surprised the couple with a song specially composed by Chris Zerbst, Frances Higgins and Crescent moon descending. Companion Sally Dodds - called “Ode to Saint Monday”. Members of Uke-N-Dandah played and sang morning star. and we all celebrated what has been a terrific business for Yack and its people. ----oooOooo--- You are stars that shine forth,
In day and night
In all weathers,
Regardless of terrain and mood.
Dealing with gems and horrors as one. .
May you all thrive:
With promises exceeded,
Expectations transcended,
Living in harmony and hope, goodness and peace.
Respecting Gaia; mother earth.
Tip-toeing gently,
As it is known you all will, ODE TO SAINT MONDAY Because, you have already done so! Lyrics by Chris Zerbst, music by Frances Higgins, Arrangement by Sally Dodds This is much more They opened the doors three years ago. They thought that they could do much more Than being about the past. Two adventurous souls right in the know, So paper cups went out the door. It is about you Chris on the coffee and Lauren on the cakes. It started off a little craze – now no-one in Yack And the future, which is also you, The townsfolk rushed in hungry for a taste. Want those paper cups back! yourselves … stars. Chorus Chorus Tofu and picked eggs, green beans and curd. The townsfolk relished every bite, No one owns the future, Guess what? (I dunno!). This is what I heard. But Lauren & Chris – they wanted a new life. The future belongs to you… We wish them well and can’t thank them enough And your path is starlit and thus bright. They used anything locally produced. For giving us Saint Monday Love. Beautiful and ascending. If it had too many bug holes, it went into the juice.
Starting from right where you are. Fresh is best, their cry went out. Tofu and picked eggs, zucchini flowers and You could scoff it down or eat it slow - never a pistachio donuts ----oooOooo--- doubt. Rhubarb kumbucha for a spicy brewed Chai, A new day arises. Beckoning the sun to The local grown food everybody could try. shine upon you. Chorus Lauren and Chris – we can’t thank you enough Stephen Masters For giving us the SAINT MONDAY LOVE!
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 15 THE ARTS IN YACK ANDANDAH
YACKANDANDAH YOUNG PLAYERS & HOTHOUSE THEATRE PRESENT The Last Boy By Brendan On Earth Hogan
BOOK NOW! 9-13 JULY hothousetheatre.com.au
16 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 THE ARTS IN YACK ANDANDAH
Review: Animal Farm: Hot House Theatre
A truly scintillating performance literally bringing George Orwell’s political satire to life before your very eyeballs. One actor, 85 minutes on stage, just brilliant, pure genius. The name is Dale March. Takeaway thoughts are: why aren’t civics taught in every grade of every school in the land? Why don’t we have a bill of rights? And, why must politics be so much about the cult of personality? The elite rule. Exceptional performance. Electric. Branded images on my mind. Strained eyes. Good. I am alive to the lie. Stephen Masters
YACKANDANDAH YOUNG PLAYERS AT HOT HOUSE
We have been busy rehearsing our We hope to see you there! show, ‘The Last Boy on Earth’, which will be performed at HotHouse By Connor Wall, Alexandra Mason, Theatre in the second week of Aya McInerney, Henry Rotherham, the July school holidays. We have and Brendan Hogan made some changes to the show we performed last year, and have About the Show Indigo FM volunteers have been very even been working on a bigger and busy of late presenting and hosting better set with a designer from The year is 2043 and the world has a number of events with musical Melbourne Theatre Company. This is ended. Eight billion humans have themes. disappeared …except for one. Sprout. the first time HotHouse Theatre has Refreshed from the Yack Folk Festival The last boy on Earth. Performed programmed a show in their main in March, our concentration then by a talented cast of young actors season from a local theatre company, went to our Record Fair on the 4th from the Yackandandah Young and we are so excited that they May at the Yack Public Hall, followed have chosen us! We want to do an Players and musician Ben Gallagher that evening by a return performance amazing job and show everyone in – in collaboration with an awesome by the mesmerising guitarist virtuoso Albury-Wodonga what a great group bunch of local artists - this show is Daniel Champagne. of performers the Yackandandah an absolute delight for young people Young Players are. We would love it and their families. Daniel’s support act was an inspiring if you could come along and support local young duo, The Inner Vision It is a funny, gutsy - and surprisingly us. Even if you have seen the show (Indigo Walker-Stelling and Asha before, please come along and see hopeful- post-apocalyptic adventure Bright) who have recently released for everyone. how we’ve made it better and tell their debut EP ‘Understand’. It was your friends to come along too! The Suitable for people 8 years and older. great to see people come out in the show runs from July 9-13 and tickets cold from near and far to support this are available from concert. We won’t hothousetheatre.com.au or be resting arts.yackandandah.com. UKE-N-DANDAH on our Yackandandah’s own Ukulele Club is laurels proudly associated with Arts Yackandandah. We meet every Monday night between 7:15 - 8:30 pm at the Court though House during term time. as more events will New members are most welcome, and if you are a be coming Daniel Champage wowing the beginner, no problem as basic instruction is given. up under the Come on - have fun and strum! For further details, audience at the Yack Public Hall contact Frances on banner 0417 292 917 Continued on Page 81
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 17 In one of the “Love Yack” workshops held here. in May, the subject of volunteers arose and it was commented on that Yack volun- There are so many community groups and teers are not getting enough recognition. volunteer run organisations in Yack that Yackity Yak would like to have a regular we should have no shortage of people to Volunteer Profile column and David profile! Thorpe at the Community Centre has very kindly offered to collate this. Please contact David Thorpe at 6027 1743 or email him at [email protected] It will be a great way of letting people Ideally we need a large (2 MB) photo and know about the work volunteers are doing a few paragraphs on your volunteer and in Yack, hopefully will potentially encour- your organisation – the history, what it age others to get involved and showcase does and who it benefits. some of the amazing groups operating
Indigo FM’s Playlist is updated periodically with new music from independent artists including live in- studio performances. It’s a constant work in progress and is due for another of “Indigo FM Presents”. These activities changeover in June. It’s heartening to are overseen by our Marketing team hear our station being played in the with support from Site Co-ordinators various shops around town and being like myself. supportive of our presenters.
Our events are aimed at building For any members who haven’t and consolidating the community of renewed their membership you music enthusiasts across Indigo Shire. can go to our website to make your The Gig Guide is another Indigo FM payment. Rates for new members Presents initiative put together by one are currently considerably reduced as of our Marketing team, Doug Wallen, they are pro-rata. All info is available who does a wonderful job of tracking at indigofmradio.com/get-involved/ down weekly events in Beechworth & membership/ where you can pay via Yackandandah. This is posted every credit card. Wednesday on our Facebook page and Yack Community Facebook site. Presenters are a vital part of keeping a local 100% volunteer program alive, so Our airwaves have also included a we encourage anybody who would like number of radio interviews with visiting to go to air with a program to approach musicians from the Yack Folk Festival us. Training is available as part of your as well as interviews with a couple of membership. You can email me at Federal election Indi candidates. All [email protected]. interviews as well as presenter shows from across each of our sites can be Bron Howlett, Site Co-ordinator heard on podcast at podomatic.com/ Yackandandah podcasts/indigofmradio. 18 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 OSBORNES FLAT PRIMARY SCHOOL
After a long, very hot summer, it is nice to have seen some good rain and the weather a little cooler. First term flew by as it always does, with the start of a new school year and all the busy-ness which that brings with it.
We had our Year 4,5,6 Camp to Borambola Outdoor Education Centre (up near Wagga) in Term 1, which is always a huge success, with students participating in loads of activities. The weather was still hot, so any activity involving water was the flavour of the day! The Foundation, Year 1 & 2 students had their annual sleepover at school, helping them get used to staying away overnight. By the looks of the photos there was plenty of fun, dancing, food and maybe even some sleep on the night – although maybe not so much sleep for the teachers!
Osbornes Flat teachers have been working with from these visits. We received great feedback from with our baked potato stall at the Folk Festival in teachers from Wooragee and Middle Indigo them. Our junior students continue to pop into Yack March. We are very grateful to Denise and Warren at Primary schools as part of a Professional Learning Kinder to say hello to the children there and tell Ausmentos for allowing us to set up at the front of them about all of the fun things that they do their shop and use their power, and to Seb & Melinda at school. from Gum Tree Pies for their assistance with catering contacts and allowing us to use some of their cooking Other activities that have kept us busy were facilities. Our baked potatoes have become very a session with a visiting artist, a wonderful, popular and we sold 430 on the Friday night, a great interactive performance of Pinocchio funded effort by everyone involved. And of course, our by the Victorian Multicultural commission students looked fantastic in their feather costumes as part of our Harmony Day activities; yoga and head-dresses in the parade. sessions; fortnightly music lessons and for some students, private guitar and piano We invite parents and children to visit anytime lessons here at school. should you wish to consider our school for a future enrolment. Please phone 02 6027 1415 to organise a We received Sporting Schools funding in time with our Principal, Sarah Kohne to see what our term 1 for Hockey lessons which have been school can offer your child. provided by Hockey Albury Wodonga, which the students have loved. Sixteen of our students have Community. All teachers from the 3 schools will work made it through to the divisional level collaboratively to improve student writing outcomes of cross country which is on at the end across the schools. This exciting initiative will allow of May, and next week all students our teachers to share knowledge and improve what will be participating in the local, small is already happening in our classrooms to achieve schools athletics day at Alexandra Park positive outcomes for all of our students. in Albury.
Our Year 5/6 students have started visiting the Integrated Studies topics across elderly residents at Yamaroo as part of an inter- the school have been Earth and generational program with Yackandandah Health, Space Science in Term One and this which has been going on for several years now. The term, Media Arts – with students students chatted with and participated in a craft experimenting with different types activity with the residents in May. It was a very of media technology, planning and valuable visit for our students, some of whom don’t producing media artworks, interactive have grandparents living locally, and of course it is stories and movies. always great to see the enjoyment our older folk get We had a fantastic fundraising event
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 19 YACKANDANDAH GARDEN CLUB
At last we have some cooler weather and lawns are greening up and weeds growing. In the veggie garden, it is a good time to sow some green manure crops to turn in at end of winter, just before the crop flowers. You can sow oats, mustard or any old seeds past their use by date. Mustard is particularly valuable as it has a cleansing effect on the soil and destroys certain pests and diseases in soil. You can purchase cheaply mustard seeds at the supermarket and scatter in the garden.
A tomato tasting was held at Magpie Rise in autumn. The weather has been very hot this summer and some crops succumbed to scorching. We have found some form of shading helps a lot. I find fruit fly exclusion netting works, but Graeme Ridgeway produced this wonderful yellow tomato under a shadecloth sail. The tomatoes he grew were huge and foliage very healthy, even after months of heat often above 40 degrees. The yellow tomato variety is unknown, it was grown from seeds collected from a heritage tomato shown at last year’s tasting day. We are going to keep growing from seed and will call it ‘Yackandandah Gold’. If you want any seeds, contact Jill or Graeme.
Among other tasty tomatoes on show was the Mortgage Lifter, in fact the yellow one is very like a yellow Mortgage Lifter.
A pleasant ‘Come and see my garden’ was spent exploring Jackie and Troy Eder’s garden. This is a young garden but Jackie and Troy have great plans and Graeme Ridgeway with his “Yackandandah Gold” tomato
Pieces
Please don’t sweep the crimson leaves from the terrace, Leave them undisturbed and beautiful just as they are now. Don’t sweep away the golden leaves from beneath the poplar, Leave them scattered all over the lawns, Each one magnificent, bewildering; Each one a fragment of an earth-born star. Betty Casey Litchfield The message is don’t get stressed over fallen leaves, enjoy their beauty for a while before they become valuable mulch.
Rachael and Adeline Skahill tasting some yummy homegrown tomatoes are documenting the whole development. There is a Japanese garden and a fruitful orchard on a lovely site with great views to the hills. We can look forward to watching the garden grow.
At the April meeting, Dave Crook demonstrated how to make a wicking bed in a half barrel, such as those in the High Street which have all been supplied by the Garden Club. Dave, ably assisted by wife Rose, has done a wonderful job as Streetscape Coordinator and will be passing the baton to Jim Ralston. Thank you, Dave and Rose. We know you put in a lot more hours than the monthly working bees. Autumn colours in the Indigo Valley It is now a good time to plant some trees, as they will get established before the cold weather sets in. Trees are so important, they grow bigger and live longer than any other organism on earth. In temperate parts of the world they remind COMING EVENTS us of the changing seasons with their spring blossoms, summer shade, autumn colour and their stark winter silhouettes. June 13 - 7pm General meeting at Wellsford House, guest speaker Coralie Magnus will talk on garlic. They offer a home to wildlife and we rely on trees for some of the food we eat as well as for the timber and paper we use. Now we are realising that trees play July 11 - 7pm AGM. Note new time of year for this. a valuable role in filtering the air and reducing levels of pollution and carbon st dioxide. They modify the climate and cause rain to fall in areas where forests Streetscape 1 Tuesday of the month at 9am. Meet outside YCC. exist. They even reduce the risk of flooding by trapping rainfall on their leaves Yamaroo Helping Hands last Tuesday of the month at 10am and slowing the rate of run off and soil erosion after storms. The Garden Club enjoys outings such as the mid-winter lunch coming up in July If you have an apricot or cherry tree and haven’t pruned it in summer, it is and an overnight trip in October. New members are always welcome. now too late in the season so don’t do it till spring when growth is happening. Pruning wounds are now slow to heal, allowing pathogens to be drawn down Enquiries: Secretary Chris Zerbst 6027 1723 or [email protected] into the tree resulting in gummosis and decline of the tree and these trees are particularly susceptible to fungal diseases. Jill Whitford, Communications Officer
20 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 YACK & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
The Yackandandah Museum is Campbell is 16yrs and is a work perform the Dim Djang ritual, giving continuing to surprise and delight experience student, he is currently in ceremonial life to the dragon by visitors. Are you a local that has yet Year 11 at Wodonga Senior Secondary symbolically painting dots on the to be acquainted with the history of Collage. He loves working with sound dragon’s eyes.” the old Bank Victoria building (circa design, backstage at live productions 1863) and the delightful cottage that and is very keen on history and A note added to the article says: sits in the back garden? Drop in and museums. “Louey Chay had a market garden at say hello, meet the volunteers and Charlie Lack’s farm at Osborne’s Flat, you might even like to have a think A titbit for YACKITY YAK readers now owned by Alan Condon. He went about joining the team. Volunteering from there to Mark Mongan’s, then to THE CHINESE IN YACKANDANDAH your time for as little as a few hours Albury by the bridge.” a month, you will find will give you Like other immigrants to Australia, Campbell Weal. Another keen a wonderful understanding of our volunteer for the Museum Our current exhibition is showcasing the Chinese miners who came in the 50 years of the Historical Society. Colin local history and a true sense of brother being chief mourner.” nineteenth century had to learn to Barnard has written a small book to contributing to our community. adapt to a new environment and to From an unsigned letter: “As commemorate the anniversary and face cultural change. Their differences everywhere else, the Chinese this is available at the museum for from the majority in appearance, were in Allan’s Flat. Their main $20. language, religion or work methods, camp was Chinese Point across the were stressed much more than the Becoming a member is the best way Yackandandah Creek from the barge things they had in common. you can support the Yackandandah hole near John Maddock’s. There was Museum. You will receive a wonderful a smaller camp in or near Glass’s. They Twenty six Chinese men, mostly bi-monthly newsletter, packed with grew a lot of tobacco on what was miners, died in Yackandandah and are historical tidbits, and you’ll be the Hodgson’s Flats and in Glass’s. The buried in the Chinese section of the first to hear about upcoming exhibits, tobacco was strong. Apparently they cemetery. Some made the journey special events, and all the museum cut the whole plant off near the roots back to China to be buried in their happenings. homeland. Some others stayed in the and hung it up in sheds to cure. Yackandandah district and became $20/single $35/family per year Sign up A Mr Foo was the spokesman for a Nancy Penny - a new volunteer for store keepers and market gardeners. at the museum, memberships fall due number who had a claim in Staghorn the Museum on 1st May. The following are a few anecdotes Flat. His descendants were lawyers We have welcomed two new from our collection. in Albury. One descendant only a You can keep abreast of all activities volunteers this year: Nancy Penny and few years ago had a hotel just out of happening within the Historical Campbell Weal. We greatly appreciate Yackandandah Times, May 29 1896 Albury. Society and the Museum by visiting the contribution Nancy and Campbell “An old Yackandandah Chinese identity our Facebook page ‘Yackandandah The Chinese had a claim known as the are making to our team. Ah Ming, well known in Yackandandah Museum’. in the early days and of later years Staghorn Claim about 1900.” Nancy moved to Yackandandah three in Dederang, died on Tuesday aged Opening hours are Wed to Sunday The Sun, May 27, 1985. “A large crowd years ago from WA although she was a 62 years. As he was fairly well off he 10am -4pm and we are open every turned out to see 109-year-old Louey resident back in 1970. was accorded a decent burial, his day during Victorian school holidays. Chay, the oldest man in Australia,
Yackandandah Toy Library
This will be my last article for Yackity transition of the new President before Yackandandah resident and parent/ page (search Yackandandah Toy Yak. In February 2019, we had our I cease Membership at the end of this carer/grandparent/aunt or uncle Library); Annual General Meeting and after five year. of children aged 0-7, and you are years as President, I decided it was interested in joining the Toy Library, • drop in to Toy Library (in the time to pass the baton! gardens at the rear of YCC, High St) each Saturday between 10- I’d like to take this opportunity 11am; to introduce Toy Library’s new President- Alicia Quaglio. I know • email yacktoylibrary@gmail. the Toy Library will continue to com; or go from strength to strength as • Call Alicia Quaglio, President Alicia has lots of new, fresh ideas on 0467 257 225. and enthusiasm. Being part of the Toy Library is Quite a few changes to the a great way for new families to committee took place this meet other local families. It’s not year. Our fabulous Treasurer of expensive (in fact, it will save five years, Donna Jones, also you money!) and will help you ‘retired’, and was replaced by make connections within the local existing Committee Member, community. Alyce Pritchard. On behalf of myself and Toy Library Members It’s very important to point out I’d like to sincerely thank Donna that Toy Library is not just for for being a brilliant support to mums and kids- it’s for whole me, as well as an organised & families! We want to see more competent Treasurer. General Outgoing President Sarah McAlister (l) with incoming President, Alicia Quaglio (r) and one of their young customers at Yack’s Toy Library. dads involved, so please get in Committee Member, Claudia touch if this could be you! Keenan vacated her role and was replaced by Colin Thornton. Rene Did you know that you can join Toy then please get in touch! We look forward to welcoming some Pegoraro has joined the committee Library at any time throughout the new faces to Toy Library over the as a General Member. Genna Richter year? Join in June and pay only $18. There are several ways to get coming months. stays on as our fabulous Secretary. Yearly Membership (From 01 Feb each information and join: I have remained on the committee year) is $30 per Family and $10 for Sarah McAlister, as a General Member to ease the Casual Membership. So - if you are a • Get in touch via our Facebook Yackandandah Toy Library
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 21 Yackandandah Community Centre
A day at the Op Shop can be a very Yackandandah resident, Pauline Cook better way of meeting and getting and meeting people. It’s a great entre rewarding experience, just ask the was on duty the first day the shop was to know people than volunteering at into town without having to get too volunteers at the Community Op open to the public. It’s the connection the Op Shop. I’ve lived in Yack for 22 involved in something as you can Shop. with people that has kept her coming years and I think I’ve met more people choose how much you want to do.’’ back to volunteer each week. in the past five years through the Op The Op Shop, at the front of the Shop than I have for the rest of the Manager for the Yackandandah Yackandandah Community Centre in “Coming in here cheers me up no end, time. I can’t believe how many locals Community Centre, David Thorpe, the High Street, has been in operation I love meeting people and love having I’ve got to know in that time.’’ said working at the Op Shop gave for more than five years. It’s the company,’’ she said. volunteers an opportunity to meet small band of dedicated volunteers As well as getting to know locals, new people and enjoy time socialising who have been responsible for its “If you want to get out of the house Pauline said she enjoyed meeting the while they helped the wider growth and longevity during that time. or you’re new in town, there is no travellers who came to Yack from all Yackandandah community. over the country. “The Community Centre gives back “I’m really interested in the people much of the income from the Op Shop who are travelling around the country to other community organisations in and they all enjoy having a chat,’’ she town,” he said. said. “We are currently reviewing ‘’I’ve always had a really positive expressions of interest we have feeling about being involved at the received for our Community Grants Op Shop.’’ which will largely be funded by the sale of the items donated through Another volunteer, June Matthews the Op Shop. In the last round of is a relative newcomer to town Community Grants we were able and to volunteering. For her, the to help a number of organisations social aspect of volunteering is also improve facilities and services for Yack the attraction. She moved from people. For instance, we purchased Melbourne four years ago and has a defibrillator for the CFA which been a regular volunteer in the Op has already been used to help save Shop for the past two years. someone’s life.’’
“When I first came to Yack I didn’t “I would really encourage people to know anyone,’’ June said. “I tried a volunteer, especially at our Op Shop few other things, but then one day as it really helps benefit our town. I came in here and thought it was a Everyone is welcome, just give us a really nice Op Shop. call and we can help you get involved in a really worthwhile, enjoyable way.’’ “I got talking to the other volunteers and they were really welcoming and For more information call the friendly so I decided to volunteer. I Yackandandah Community Centre on PaulineCook and June Matthews in the Community Op Shop really enjoy the company, catching 02 6027 1743 or email the office at up with what’s happening in town [email protected]
Mark Boehm Pat Murphy 0437 331 559 0407 529 947 22 High Street, Yackandandah Experience is Everything. Let our selling experience, make your selling experience, the best it can be.
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1 Church Street 251 Osbornes Flat Rd 13 Connel Street 7 Bells Flat Road
22 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 OUR NATIVE BIRDS UNDER THREAT Our choice: Do you want this? or this? or this or this?
The Indian Myna hang around cafes and restaurants, walking all over • making public areas such as shopping centres, has been rated tables in search of left-over food. It isn’t hard to see restaurants and cafes much less attractive to by the World the potential public health risk they pose. They can mynas by not leaving food around, Conservation also pose possible fire risks to buildings through Union as one of making large scrappy nests under eaves and roof • planting more shrubs in gardens to reduce the the world’s 100 lines from sticks and any available rubbish they find. open areas that mynas prefer, most invasive • avoid planting tall thin trees with dense foliage species. It has As I commute from the Indigo Valley to Wangaratta, such as pencil pines which flocks of mynas use been rated I have seen a steady increase in Indian Mynas for roosting at night; an Extreme creeping up the freeway and along Indigo Creek Rd and now at our property just 8 kms from Yack. There Threat in Australia and won the dubious distinction • check your roofs for any holes or entry points is no doubt they are on the way. of receiving the Pest of Australia award in the Wild and block them to prevent entry by mynas, Watch Quest for Pests 2005. It beat the cane toad So what can we do about this undesirable invader? making sure at the same time that you haven’t and feral cat to get this award! accidentally imprisoned a possum, bat or other Some simple things include: native resident, and A native of India related to the starling family with a natural range from the Middle East to Malaysia, • keeping stockfeed in rural areas secured away the Indian Myna has now been introduced all over from mynas. the world, rapidly adapting to new environments. Just go to Melbourne or Sydney and see how many A trapping program for Indian Mynas is an essential mynas there are compared to native birds. Our small part of any strategy to control these pests. This is birds are particularly vulnerable. perfectly legal for exotic species but not for native species, and any trapping and euthanising should Noisy, territorially aggressive, and not afraid of only be done in line with good animal welfare humans, mynas hang out in flocks from 5 to 20, and principles. can be very long-lived. They can raise two broods of young each year, and spend their nights in noisy Trapping has proven highly successful in Canberra: communal roosts. one member of the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group Inc trapped 665 in his backyard over six These birds are seriously bad news for our native months while another member captured 40 mynas birds and other small animals. They are fiercely and 37 starlings in his first week of trapping. territorial and use their superior numbers to aggressively defend their territory. During the I would be interested to know if anyone locally has breeding season they take over tree hollows from experience in trapping, or who would be interested native birds and small animals (such as sugar gliders) in forming an action group to help protect us from after harassing and evicting them. The indian Myna has very distinctive white flashes the “Cane Toad of the Skies”? on both sides of its wings which are very noticeable They build and defend several nests during the when in flight You can email me at [email protected] breeding season although they only use one nest — this excludes native hollow nesting birds and Jack Pockley animals from those nesting sites. They kill chicks and • not leaving cat and dog food out in the backyard destroy the eggs of native birds. Add to all this, they during the day for mynas to take,
Since European settlement one-third of Australia’s is now threatened. been great attempts at breeding the woodlands, and 80% of temperate woodlands, Regent Honeyeater and releasing it have been cleared. Over one-third of Australia’s The greatest bird declines have been felt locally into the Chiltern Box-Ironbark land birds are woodland dependent and as a in the temperate south-eastern regions National Park. consequence of this clearing (and a multitude of of the continent and two species, the other reasons), at least one in five of these species Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater, Consider supporting Birdlife Australia have suffered more than many and are with an annual subscription. It comes nationally listed as Endangered. with a quarterly full colour magazine, always with some amazing photos and Both species are primarily highly mobile details on bird watching trips around nectar feeders that preferentially use Australia. Their website is fertile lowland woodlands that support birdlife.org.au/get-involved the richest sources of food, and both have the subject of long-term intensive More locally, there is the Ovens and recovery efforts. They are high profile Murray Birdlife group which is linked species that have for many years acted with Birdlife Australia. They conduct as effective flagships for the broad monthly trips locally to check out scale conservation of woodlands, thus The Regent Honeyeater - birdlife and the odd trip further afield. benefiting a multitude of additional subject to some intensive Contact the president, John Shepherd breeding programs o threatened and declining birds and locally via email at vensmurray.birdlife@ The Swift Parrot - now Endangered ecological communities. There have hotmail.com to go on their mailing list.
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 23 Wooragee Primary School
We finished Term One with an our beautiful space, to strengthen incredible excursion to Mount the educational outcomes for our Pilot National park, as part of our students and to encourage other Indigenous Languages program. schools to come and share our A powerful quote taken directly from space. We will also purchase more one of our Year One students, “this resources for our newly revamped place makes me feel so connected library and continue to maintain to country”. I’m not sure that our wonderful Stephanie Alexander anyone could have said it anymore Kitchen Garden program. So from all beautifully or accurately than that. of our students and us, thank you to everyone who came along. Students explored the Yeddonba site, observing the indigenous rock This year Wooragee Primary School art, caves, sacred sites and taking (Junior Landcare) and Wooragee in the natural beauty they were Landcare celebrate their 30th surrounded with. The students also Anniversary. We feel very privileged performed a puppet show, sharing to have been the first ever Junior the Dhudhuroa language words they Landcare group in Australia and had been learning about during this occasion marks a significant Term One, with natural puppets they milestone for us. We will be holding had made. It was such a special and a celebration at the school on Friday, authentic experience and one which we feel very fortunate to have access to 21st June 2019. right in our own backyard. We are seeking previous students, families and staff to come along and share We want to extend an enormous thank you to the kind and generous people in this huge achievement. It has been the hard work of so many people over in our community who came along and supported our Wooragee Easter the 30 years, which has ensured the strength and longevity of the group. If you Monday Market. This was a hugely are interested in coming along successful and enjoyable day and or contributing in anyway, please we feel so lucky to have felt the contact myself at school or via my support from our school families email odewahn.alicia.a@edumail. and the wider community. We vic.gov.au. would like to publicly acknowledge Beechworth Wildlife Stays for their We are looking forward to very generous donation of one another wonderful term at night’s accommodation for our Wooragee. Our annual School Cow Poo Lotto prize. For anyone Open Day was held on 29th May who attended, you’ll be interested 2019. to know it took Maisie the cow 2 Please know we are always hours and 48 minutes before she available and all you have to do delivered the “goods!”We are a rural is contact our school office to school and fundraisers like this go arrange a visit and tour of our towards providing the wonderful wonderful school at any time little extras for our kids. The money throughout the year. raised from this market will go towards purchasing signage in our Alicia Odewahn, Principal/ Nature Playground area, so that we Teacher can accurately share information about the flora and fauna found in
Booking the Public Hall & Court House?
These Yack venues have their own website at: publichall.yackandandah.com Information about both the Public Hall and the Court House can be found here. Each venue has a calendar showing details of existing tentative and confirmed bookings. Also, each calendar has a booking window where a request can be made for booking a specified period of time on a particular date. The booking will be then processed and confirmed by the booking officer, • Plumbing Maintenance Ali Pockley. • Renovation Work • Gas Fitting • Wood Heaters Ali can also be contacted by email at: • Sewers & Septic Tanks [email protected] or by • Roofing/Metal Fascia & Gutter mobile on 0448 803 411 • Water Tank Cleaning & Repairs • High Pressure Drain Jetting Machine • Mini-Excavator Chris Lello, Treasurer, Yackandandah • Scaffold Hire Public Halls Committee of Management
24 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 How Do We Stack Up Statistically In Yack? By Mark Boehm This song is one of my faves. I’ve known it for a long time (it was Given that there has been a lot of 20.8% in 2011. Anecdotally, I am really recorded and released on Henley’s CD, “Inside Job” in 2000). I hope interesting discussion around the future surprised by this when you see how vibrant this won’t become the new anthem for the Murray growth of Yackandandah as a township, and active the local Primary Schools are and Darling Rivers... Ed. I thought it may be interesting to have a in our district. Over 65s still sit around the look over some of the Australian Bureau 22.5%. And, we are also still largely from an of Statistics’ data from the most recent Anglo-Saxon background in Yackandandah. Goodbye to a River - Don Henley national census in 2016 for our town. Registered marital status has also shown I’m sure you all remember a few years to have grown significantly from 49.1% The rains have come early, they say. We’re all gonna wash away. ago, the “thrill” of sitting around with your in 2011 to 55.3%, well up on a declining laptop, Ipad or Smartphone champing at national average. Perhaps a sign of our Well, that’s all right with me. the bit to get on the census website and let inclusive community and recent overdue If heaven’s torrent can wash clean the arrogance that lies unseen them know all about you and your loved legislation changes? I will leave the reader In the damage done since we have gone where we ought not to be. ones. No more boring old forms and snail to ponder that one. mail. Goodbye to a river - so long. We are fortunate. We do not have some of Well, that certainly bombed, didn’t it? the challenges facing other small townships Some very well-paid middle-aged men and do well education and health-wise. Lakes and levees, dams and locks, they put that river in a box. in ill-fitting suits made a bit of a blue. Our unemployment is low compared with Well, it was running wild but men must have control. If I remember correctly, we were being national averages. Also, our median weekly We live our lives in starts and fits; we lose our wonder bit by bit. bombarded from overseas computer income for a family is $1,718 compared servers due to the lack of Netflix and other to the Victorian median of $1,715 and We condescend, and in the end, we lose our very souls. streaming services available legally in our Australian median family income of $1,734. Goodbye to a river - so long. country. Well, that excuse has been used I would say we do quite well for a small up for next time. Please note this is not country locality. I hope we appreciate how a request for you to send in your NBN lucky we are without the struggles facing The dirty water washes down poisoning the common ground; problems. some minority groups in this country. Taking sins of farm and town and bearing them away. Since my days as a teenager, I have noticed The one stat I really do love and would And the captains of industry and their tools on the hill, a subtle change in the town and its people, like to congratulate our community on is They’re killing everything divine. What will I tell this child of mine? as I’m sure a lot of the old timers can tell this: When asked if you did voluntary work you, and looking through the stats there through an organisation or group in the are some really interesting ones that preceding 12 months, a whopping 37.9% I make a church out of words as the years dull my senses, attest to the fact that we do in fact have answered Yes, compared to a Victorian and a vibrant, skilled, reasonably affluent and national average of 19%. And I try to hold on to the world that I knew. thoughtful community in our town. I struggle to cross generational fences, & the beauty that still remains I think this one stat speaks volumes for I can touch it through you. We have a higher number of professionals small communities and, in particular, at 26.5% compared to the national average Yackandandah. In my experience, like- of 23.3%, dipping slightly from 2011. minded people want to be near and live Goodbye to a river - so long. We equal or better the national average with other like-minded people in like- in higher levels of education such as minded communities. I see this clearly Goodbye to a river - roll on. bachelor’s degrees or diplomas. through my work every day, and the people I speak with looking to live in this town. If you don’t know this song, you can see & listen to it The median age is 48, up four years in And I feel quite strongly that this will on the following web link: 2011, and coinciding with this, children remain the case for Yackandandah going The once mighty aged 0-14 years has dropped to 18.1% from forward. https://vimeo.com/3404062 Snowy River June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 25 As May came along it welcomed us with some good a look as it features the various life stages of each -more or less the same as last year and 2017. So rain after a very dry April. species and is used by many others because it is far this year, we have checked 85 boxes (including a very valuable asset. Over recent years there has Rutherglen Natural Features Reserve) -20 occupied, On Wednesday 15th May, several of the group been a great increase in interest in Peacock spiders 5 tuans, 15 gliders and no boxes occupied south of participated in a tree guard gathering exercise, because these small and colourful spiders have the Freeway. organised by Will Ford from Trust For Nature, at the been found in many places including our Park. Barnawartha Waste Water Treatment Plant near A photographer from Wangaratta, Jodie Kuhne, Ranger’s Report - Recent heavy rain has brought the edge of the Park off Ryans Road. Very similar has pursued these spiders with great passion and our planned burning program to an end. Crews her photographs can be found on the Facebook page entitled “My Spider Life”.
Autumn Orchids -Pterostylis revolute. The dry summer and autumn have had a dramatic effect on the Autumn Greenhood patches in the park. The basal rosettes are very much reduced in size. The flowers that were found were very small and withered and quite a few heads had been nipped possibly as caviar for some hungry browser. Hopefully we will get some decent late autumn and early winter rains to encourage the later orchids to flourish. P
Tree planting at Grasslands Block. Photo by Neville Bartlett. President’s Report - In early May, we welcomed a group of South Australian Riverland Field Naturalists to Chiltern. results have been achieved at the Grasslands Block. They brought some substantial rain with them and The May gathering at the Grasslands Block involved then enthusiastically searched our recommended removing tree guards that were no longer needed. locations for Turquoise Parrots, Swift Parrots and The planting in early August 2018 had been very Regent Honeyeaters. To our surprise they were successful with about 75% of the plants surviving successful in observing all of these species in the Autumn Orchid. Photo by Neil Blair. and many of them had outgrown their guard. Park. As well as being delighted by seeing the iconic Several hundred tree guards and stakes have been species, they were delighted to see Flame Robins for will be undertaking culvert cleaning and grading gathered. the first time. throughout the Park over the next month. Visitors are asked to be aware of heavy machinery and try We now have heightened our expectations for Eileen and Neil Blair have updated the flora section to avoid driving on freshly graded roads straight seeing Regent Honeyeaters on Saturday, 18th May of the Friends’ website (friendsofchiltern.org. after rain events. au/index.php/biodiversity/species-lists-flora- when there will be one of the Australia wide surveys of-chiltern-mt-pilot-np) so that it matches the for Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters. Field contact: Neville on 0412 399 239 terminology with that on the Vic flora website Around the Park - Mick Webster has advised that (vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/). Email: [email protected] the recent nest box results are: 4 boxes at Bartleys, This section of the Friends’ website is well worth 4 Sugar Gliders in one, 1 Squirrel Glider in one Website: friendsofchiltern.org.au Recipe of the Season I thought it would be fun to share some recipes up many of them to get to the insects below, and If your ketchup doesn’t work out first time, don’t with Yackity Yak readers, and what better place still they come... despair - I’ve frozen the unsuccessful “ketchup” to start than this Autum. We have been absolutely as ice cubes and kept them on hand in a freezer inundated with mushrooms recently. The rain I’ve made Mushroom Ketchup before, and bag to add to casseroles etc. It is very deliciously followed by some warm weather and lots of thought this would be a great time to give it savoury - what the chefs call umami, one of the sheep and horse poo on the ground have seen another go with such amazing bounty. The first five basic tastes. If your ketchup works, even unbelieveable quantities of mushrooms appear, lot this week ended up all over the floor when the better. Wonderful with a cooked breakfast! with new ones on a daily basis. bowl overbalanced on the wine rack and emptied its contents all over the vegetable rack, olive oil This recipe is by Jocasta Innes from “The We have picked kilos in the olive grove, given storage buckets and the floor - lovely... Country Kitchen” published in 1979. heaps away, the white winged choughs have dug
MUSHROOM KETCHUP
Weigh the mushrooms, break them up and leave for 2-3 days to sweat out their juices, press- layer in a crock or stainless steel bowl with 1 ing and stirring from time to time. Put the container tablespoon of salt to every 450 gms. Cover and in a cool oven at the lowest setting for 3 hours to extract the last drops. Pop them into a fine sieve and squeeze out as much juice as you can. To every litre of mushroom liquor allow: 1 teaspoon all spice 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg 3 cloves chopped or minced garlic 1 red chilli 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 300 ml red wine
Put the spices and garlic into muslin, tie securely and add to a saucepan with the mushroom liquor and the wine. Simmer slowly for 2 or 3 hours until thickened. Remove muslin. Turn into hot sterilized bottles. 26 Yackity Yak June/July 2019 Yack Bowling Club Following a successful year in which all three teams played in the preliminary final of their respective division in Ovens and Murray Pennant, the members of Yackandandah Bowls Club held a Presentation night and dinner on Friday, 10 May.
Our club champions for 2018- 2019 are Mary Tragardh and Don Dahlenburg, and presentations were made to Mary and Don. In addition, mention was made of the respective runners up - Trish and Mike Tobin who were on holiday. Yackandandah Bowls Club has been 1919 and 1930 and were in mint busy. condition. Other presentations were made to winners of our club events On 3rd April this year, the Yackandandah Then, on Wednesday, 8 May we held during the season. Bowls Club hosted the participants in opened our doors to the cyclists the RACV Golden Oldies Victorian tour. participating in the Tour De Cure event. Congratulations were extended We provided a light luncheon for 90 to Anne Corcoran for her people. These cyclists had ridden achievement at the Deaf Bowls from Corryong via Tallangatta, Victorian Championships There was a magnificent display of the Tangambalanga and Osbornes Flat recently. Anne was runner up in vehicles in Railway Avenue. All these and following a short stop were riding the singles and the pairs. vehicles were manufactured between through to Beechworth for the night. We enjoyed a two course meal provided by our hearty cooks.
A highlight of the evening was the drawing of our raffle. The Mary Tragardh receiving her Cham- pionship Trophy from Wayne Furze
proceeds of this raffle will assist in the proposed renovations to Tour de Cure entrants and Back Up vehicle our clubhouse. On behalf of the Club, I say a big thank you to all those who purchased tickets.
The raffle winners were: 1st Barb Boonzaayer - 7 nights accommodation in Merimbula 2nd Mickey Clark - Half dozen bottles of Eldorado Road wine 3rd Alex Campbell - $100 Star Hotel Voucher 4th Boulton Family - $100 YCDCo fuel voucher 5th Rod Scown - $100 Foodworks Wayne Furze presents Don Dahlenburg with the voucher Club Championship trophy Anne Corcoran, Secretary
Looking for a Venue?? Yack Golf Club (Ladies)
The golf season is well under way with on the Club or events, even how to a competition game being played every play the game and age does not come Wednesday for current members of into play, then please do not hesitate YGC (Ladies). On Fridays the ladies get to contact either the Ladies President, together for a social hit and everyone Pam Crosthwaite on 0417 035 514 or is welcome to attend these games. If Ladies Captain, Angela Bishop on you would like any further information 0416 171 488 The Yack Sports Park is a great venue for weddings, 21st parties, engagements parties, reunions, trivia nights, club presentations, deb Indigo Myotherapy and Massage balls, music events, funerals, meetings and sporting events. With its beautiful views, heating and cooling, it makes the perfect place for Soft tissue treatment for muscle pain and dysfunction. just about anything. Treatments include massage, cupping, dry needling and myofascial release. So, the next time you are looking for a venue to hire, consider the Pre and post-natal massage also available. Yackandandah Sports Park. More information can be found on our website: Please contact Susannah Schmidt on 0428 719 298 Allans Flat sportspark.yackandandah.com or email: [email protected]. Registered member of Myotherapy Association Australia Health Fund approved Contact the Booking Manager on 0439 849 785 to arrange a time to inspect this great venue in fantastic surroundings, and find out about their very reasonable prices!
June/July 2019 Yackity Yak 27 YCDCo - Winter Opening Hours Mon-Friday: 7 am to 6 pm YACKANDANDAH Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm COMMUMITY DEVELOPMENT CO Sunday: 8.30 am to 5 pm GET READY FOR WINTER IN YACKANDANDAH! Get all your winter heating supplies here at YCDCo Axes, Fire lighters, Chimney cleaners & of course, Yackandandah Men’s Shed kindling Alpine Diesel will be served at the pumps during the winter
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28 Yackity Yak June/July 2019