Kangaroo Tales MONTHLY BULLETIN OF THE Kangaroo Flat Y Service Club (Women) Inc. PO Box 1018, Kangaroo Flat 3555 Monthly meeting held on 2nd Tuesday of every month.

PRESIDENT: EDITOR: Jude Rodda Joy McNamara [email protected] [email protected] NOVEMBER 2018

Prior to our October meeting our guest speakers Margaret Segrave and Bernadette Ransom told us about the L'Arche Community in Bendigo. The majority of us knew little or nothing of this extremely worthwhile organization.

L’Arche was founded in in 1964 by Jean Vanier and two men with an intellectual disability, Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux. Jean Vanier invited these two men to come and live with him in a spirit of friendship and equality. Together they named their home “L’Arche” (meaning The Ark – a place of refuge) It was a place of belonging and new beginnings. Today L’Arche is a world-wide federation of 152 communities in 37 countries. L’Arche in began near Canberra in 1978. L’Arche Genesaret was the first community in Australia. Today there are L’Arche communities in Canberra, , Hobart, Brisbane and , with groups forming in Newcastle, Armidale, Toowoomba, Perth, Adelaide, Bendigo and Alice Springs.

In December 1999 Maureen Considine, Margaret Segrave’s sister, and Bernadette Ransom, both mothers of children with an intellectual disability, began a journey to establish a L’Arche community in Bendigo. As parents they understood the need to create community and provide a social network in a caring environment for their children as they moved into adulthood.

Maureen’s untimely death in 2006 led to the establishment of the Maureen Considine Fund in pursuit of her dream and her sister Margaret together with other dedicated people work hard to see the dream come true. After much anticipation and excitement the L’Arche House of Welcome at 8 Grandview Crescent is open in Bendigo. Currently the committee is working towards setting up a second larger residence in Spring Gully.

L’Arche Bendigo has been very fortunate to have the support of the Maureen Considine Fund as it has made a significant contribution to the cost of capital works and furnishings at the House of Welcome.

A L’Arche Community is a faith based community built on the establishment of mutual relationships between people with and without an intellectual disability. It extends from providing friendship networks, to supporting people to live in their own home, and community living where people with and without an intellectual disability come together to live in a L’Arche house – in a place they call home. Community members are encouraged to achieve their social, independence, living, spiritual and relational aspirations.

The generosity of donors and fundraising activities has been essential for the establishment of the Bendigo L’Arche community and will continue to be required to meet ongoing costs. The Maureen Considine Fund Committee is very grateful for the generous support of many people over the past years and hope this support will continue in the future. Share the Dignity Bags Please bring your completed handbags to the November Meeting. Essentials that every bag must contain – Shampoo Conditioner Toothbrush and toothpaste Soap Deodorant Sanitary Items Your may also like to include the following - Soap Container, Brush / Comb, Hair ties, Hand cream, Nail Polish, Tissues, Shower cap, Pen, Notepad or any other item you think suitable. Remember – No sharp items – razors, scissors etc. No pain killers, lollies or food items.

This year only completed bags are wanted. If you have some additional items you have collected you can donate them to Zonta. Raelene Schmidt will collect and pass them on as they make up bags all year round.

My Exotic Garden

I love the Botanical Gardens, I love the way they’re designed, It’s great just having a wander, it’s marvellous what you can find. Sequoias from north California, Wax trees from southern Japan, Spruces from Norway and Russia, and Palm trees from sunny Iran.

My garden is truly exotic, with plants from all over the world. With leaves that are flattened or rounded, with leaves that are twisted and curled. I’ve couch grass from Europe and Asia, I’ve vetch from Africa, too, Thistles from England and Scotland, and Chickweed from Kalamazoo!

From the Mediterranean Region I’m growing some skeleton weed, And gorse, which grows very strongly, spreads well in my garden by seed! The hemlock, which by reputation, killed Socrates centuries ago, Is flourishing now in my garden - it’s another exotic, you know!

A South African plant in my garden, the Emex or three-cornered Jack, Has a seed-case that’s really quite vicious! As hard and as sharp as a tack! I’ve spurge from somewhere in Asia, sorrel from England or France, And I think that from Argentina, I’ve pampas that blew here, by chance!

I’ve plants from all different countries, as you can quite readily see; My garden is truly exotic, as others must surely agree! I’ve invited a whole lot of people to visit my garden some day, But no-one shows any interest- perhaps they’ve forgotten the way!

Aussie Poems for Gnome and Garden by Philip R. Rush

Philip Rush is an Australian Poet and has written at least six books of poems. I really enjoy his work.

Social Day - Friday 26th 0ctober 2018. Travel to Echuca via Rochester to see the silos. Board the Paddle Steamer "Mary Ann" for a lunch cruise at 12 o’clock.

We had a lovely day in Echuca on the paddle steamer where 16 of us had a delicious lunch. Some of us met for morning coffee and a look at the beautiful silos in Rochester as well. Our group went for a yummy ice cream after our boat ride and a bit of retail therapy (we did have our fashion queen Jude Rodda with us!) before going home.... The weather was lovely and we had lots of fun and conversation. I think the men enjoyed it too so a good day was had by all.

Thank you - Chris Waugh for the report and the photos of all the happy participants.

A very big thank you also goes to Joyce Lowe for organising this day.

Club News Marg Millar says - To start the month I had a quick trip to Melbourne with Nicole for a dentist visit. Home again and then off to Cobram for three nights. It rained all one day but we still got out and about. Friday the 26th saw 15 of us go for a ride on the paddle steamer. Les Campbell, Judy Taylor and I stopped off at Rochester and had a lovely coffee, even if the service was a bit? Other days filled with coffee dates.

Dawn Baxter says – Graeme and I had a nice week in Townsville visiting Troy and family. We had a lovely lunch with grandson Hugh at his apartment on the 19th floor overlooking the sites of Townsville. Hugh is enjoying Townsville and has settled in well at the hospital. We enjoyed a nice lunch at the yacht club and travelled up to Starbright the family property. It is a lovely spot on the Burdekin River. They had 5 inches of rain the previous week so the country was looking quite lush. The weather was lovely but becoming humid. I have taken up yoga, it is not easy. I am putting my body into positions it has not been in for 70 years. The things we do to keep fit!!! Top marks to you Dawn!

Val O’Brien says – I have had a busy month. A trip to Warrnambool with my friend Cheryl, down to Hoppers Crossing for my granddaughter Tylah’s 18th birthday, finishing off another Mosaic project, then two trips to see Silos. I also entered some Succulents and Roses into the Bendigo Show and got two firsts and three seconds and I was quite surprised.

Marjie Patton says – I would like to thank everyone that has come to visit me and for the beautiful cards and flowers. Wendy Earle has been my rock, she is amazing! Wendy has looked after me, staying with me and I would not know what to do with out her, she is my angel. Thank you Wendy! It has been a busy month and I’ve still got a long way to go…..but I climb a mountain get knocked down and then up I go again….I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather, I am! Love to you all x Sue Robinson says – I have a new granddaughter Eden Robbie. All are well and of course she is perfect. Tim and l have headed off in the van for a week before we start fulltime grandparent duty. Congratulations to all the family, she is perfect.

Bev Buchan says – We have been busy catching up on family. We had a fortnight in Perth to visit Ron’s Mum and cousins etc. Ron’s Mum has moved into a new facility since we came home, so has to find her way around a new room. She is 96 and blind so not doing too badly. Since then we have been to Queensland to catch up with Jamie and family. Our great granddaughter turned one while we were there. We spent four nights in Brisbane before coming home to find that the garden has flourished and everything has survived.

Chris Waugh says – Apart from our lovely day out at Echuca...we have had trips to Albury, Geelong and Mildura looking for a suitable caravan...which we finally found in Bendigo!! I have lots of family birthdays between now and Christmas so it will be a busy time. I’m looking forward to seeing the new Kangaroo Flat Pool tonight, after having dinner with a few people that are also going for a look. It does look very nice and is so close to where I live…..wonderful. I’m having fun looking after my little two year granddaughter Perri each week. She is such a character! All the gardens are looking particularly beautiful this year.....the roses are stunning. Looking forward to visiting my niece Jenni, in Tatura, who has a new baby foal... so very cute... little Jax. Enjoying today... very relaxing after a hectic two weeks... I’m thinking of Marjie Patton and glad she is improving and feeling better each day...hoping to see her for coffee on Thursday if she is up to it.

Shirley Green says – I have nearly lived in Bendigo an entire year. It has passed by in a flash! The developers have commenced the road leading to the Lot I have purchased in Kangaroo Flat. Exciting to plan a house to your liking. Hope to start my house early in the New Year. I have been playing the ukulele at different locations around Bendigo, saw the Melbourne Cup trophy at Goornong last week. Impressive! I enjoyed a bus trip around the wheat silos in the Wimmera. It is such a fabulous canvas for talented artists.

Anne Andrews says – I am on the dreaded night shift and my mother is in Hospital again. We have a doggy respite home going here. Our daughter's boy is here as he is allergic to something in Melbourne and Mum's girl is here while she is in Hospital. They are siblings, ten years old and are getting along fine.

Glenda Anset says - We really enjoyed the tour with the men’s group to look over the new Kangaroo Flat pool. It is fantastic to have this near by.

Joyce Lowe says – October has been such a busy month, starting with a trip to Melbourne with Glenda and Joy Mc to see in concert. Wow, amazing performer! Then for Seniors week we headed off to Bairnsdale on the train for a couple of nights. Attended the Bobby Darin tribute concert and went to the Axedale Golf Ladies annual concert. Great week of fun. Bendigo put on an incredible light and puppet show at the poppet head in Rosalind Park, wonderful aerial artists and images displayed on huge white sails drawn up over the frame, my husbands comment was " better than White Night". I also chose this month to sort my massive collection of buttons, so they have been spread over the dining room table for two weeks and I've been under pressure to finish before the Melbourne family visit this weekend for Bailey's 21st birthday celebrations. Had a lovely day with our Y Social group in Echuca. Stopped at Rochester on the way to view the silos and have a coffee and then had lunch on the riverboat, MV Mary Ann before a look around and a little shopping in the town. Also had two afternoon teas to catch up with visiting school friends, went to a really good Neil Diamond tribute concert and had a great tour over the new Kangaroo Flat pool. Wendy Earle says – Quiet a busy month with appointments and picking Katie up from school. I’m enjoying the warmer weather, being able to get out in the garden and putting some new plants in. I am enjoying staying with Marjie while she is recovering; she is a very good patient.

Glenys Buchanan says – It has been a busy month. I enjoyed a day out in Echuca and a cruise on the Mary Ann with our "Y" family and friends. We went to Open Bendigo which we really enjoyed and we thought what a beautiful city we have in Bendigo. We welcomed a four legged adorable but mischievous friend to our family. His name is Murphy and he is a Golden Retriever and is now 10 weeks old. He is actually our daughter Lisa's dog but as she lives at home we get to enjoy in the highs and lows of having a puppy. I am retiring from my part time work at Sexton Chiropractic in December. I have been there 24 years and know I will really miss the people I work with and our patients. I have agreed to work on a casual basis when the girls are on holidays so I will still keep my hand in.

Me – We have done quite a bit of travel this month, firstly to Sydney where we caught up with some dear friends and then went to the musical Evita. It is based on the life of Eva Perron. The part of Eva Perron is played by Tina Arena and she was very good. She did an amazing version of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina. We also went to Perth and after doing some business we went to the gardens at Kings Park and Araluen. Next was the Gold Coast where we enjoyed the warm weather and caught up with Justin and his children before going to Byron Bay where we went to our granddaughter Hadleigh’s school and saw her presented with a certificate of distinction for maths. We cared for Tonya and James’s children while they attended friends 40th’s in Castlemaine and Bendigo.

Open House Bendigo

Left -Glenda Anset standing in front of The Gothic Chapel at the Bendigo Cemetery.

Far left – Bendigo Tafe’s beautiful glass dome in their library

What a wonderful weekend in Bendigo, so much happening and beautiful weather. There was the Bendigo Show, a big bike ride happening and Open House Bendigo, a concept happening for the first time here after success in Melbourne and Ballarat. Glenda and l set out early Saturday morning and visited eight sites, all very interesting and not generally open to the public. The lovely little gothic chapel at the Bendigo Cemetery is still a work in progress. The old corner shop on the corner of Myrtle and Hargreaves St has had a stunning restoration by Bree Architects. We then had to queue to view the RACV tiny house at View Point, interesting, but would rather live in my caravan. The Law Courts have the most beautiful interiors, with amazing ceilings, light fittings, windows, staircases and woodwork. TAFE had its new health training facility on show along with the building and landscaping which was very impressive but it's hard to beat the beautiful glass dome of their central octagonal library. A quick look at Specimen Cottage and then out to Peppergreen Farm for a late lunch but too late. They had just put away all the lunch food for the day so a quick visit to the Joss House, then back to Girton College to look over their new theatre and classrooms before some takeaway and a cuppa at Glenda's. It was a great day to appreciate what a rich heritage Bendigo has. Sunday I went out to the new Marist College and was blown away with the amazing buildings, facilities, classroom layouts and the landscaping. The principal and the architect were our tour guides and were so passionate about their school and educating their young students. Thank you Joyce Lowe for the photos and the report on Bendigo’s happenings.

Our dear, young, granddaughter, Hadleigh has given me a joke for the bulletin – Why did the M and M’s go to school? Because they wanted to become Smarties! On November 11th at 11am we pause to remember all those who have made great sacrifices to allow us to live in peace and we pray that they have not done so in vain.

World peace can be achieved When, in each person, The power of love Replaces the love of power. By – Sri Chinmoy The Gurri Wanyarra Well-being Centre About 40 members of Kangaroo Flat Y’s Menettes and Y’s Men attended The Gurri Wanyarra Well-being Centre on Wed 31st October for a guided tour of its facilities. Built at a cost of $31million the design is basically a big shed to keep costs down. There are five pools, the main 50 metre pool can be converted into two 25m pools by a movable boom, a beach entry leisure pool for children and toddlers, a splash park, a warm water program pool with ramp entry, a spa pool, sauna and steam rooms. A cafe is available and a multi purpose room with kitchen facilities available for community hire. There are creche facilities also. Upstairs are gym and fitness rooms with over 60 classes available and catering for all ages. A lift is also available. From mid November, Tristar Allied Health will have a Doctor available for appointments. There are also rooms available for a podiatrist and physio. It is a great asset to Kangaroo Flat and Bendigo. It is managed by Belgravia Management and will provide employment for many Bendigonians.

Thank you Dawn Baxter for the report and photos

November Birthday Girls

4th – Glenda Anset who celebrates her 70th! Glenda is another one of our ladies to reach this milestone and not look a day over 50!!! Have a wonderful celebration Glenda.

15th - Margaret Stewart.

We hope all your birthday wishes and dreams come true!

Diary Dates

YMCA / YWCA Week of Prayer 11th – 17th November 2018 The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer is “Youth Empowerment for Good” If you click on the link you can read all the details. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_OBMw6HYdd1SmlkM3h0RHUyZ1psY2lQdGU3aFU4RzdPRXk0/view

Sunday 9th December 2018 – L’Arche Christmas Fair. To be held at St Theresa’s Church in Albion St. Kennington from 10am to 3pm. Lots of Christmas goodies, BBQ, Silent Auction and Raffle.

Tuesday 11th December 2018 – Our Christmas Meeting. To be held at the Kangaroo Flat Sportsman Club in the Glass Room. 6.30pm for a 7pm meal.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th November 2018 Time: 7.30pm Where: Y Clubrooms, Lockwood Road, Kangaroo Flat Activity: Dutch Auction. Bring your surprise items wrapped. Auctioneer: Jude Rodda Devotions: Raelene Schmidt Hostesses: Sue Robinson, Anje Turner, Wendy Earle

Bye for now,

Joy

PS 53 days to Christmas!