Proudly produced by the Bass The Valley Community Centre Bass Valley News

Volume 17 Edition 4 May 2014

ANZAC DAY AT BASS PHOTO OF THE MONTH More than 200 people attended the dawn service at the Bass Cenotaph on Anzac Day. Bass Valley Friends of the RSL President John Hulley conducted the service which was highlighted by an address from Phillip Island Amazing, magical shot of black swans, occasionally enhanced with ducks, egrets, spoonbills etc… Are captured regularly by Coronet Bay resident identity Donald Cameron OAM on David Holmes from his waterfront back garden. the history of the soldier settlement program in after World War 1. The focus of his address was on the participants in the program, locally from the Koo Wee Rup Caldermeade area right down through two shires to Phillip Island. Don Cameron was awarded the OAM in the General Division for service to local government, to conservation and the environment, and to the community, particularly through Lions International. He was the inaugural Mayor of the Council 1997 -1998 and served as a Councillor from 1997 to 2003 after having been a Councillor with the previously. This month’s Photo of the Month comes from Coronet Bay resident Amongst a list of achievements which would fill two pages of this and Bass Valley U3A convener David Holmes of the magnificent publication he was a Board Member of the Municipal Association of view he is forced to endure from his backyard. 2001-2003, member 1980-1983 and 1997-2003. Must be hard to take David, we are all envious. He was also a founding member of Phillip Island Landcare Group INSIDE THIS MONTH since 1985 and is a current District Governor of Lions International Inside this month’s packed edition we have a special feature on the District 201V3 having held various executive roles at District, Zone Waterline Writing Competition with the winning entry in the Senior Short and Club level since 1968. Story section (Page 17) and one of the winners in the divided Poetry Bass Coast Leadbeater Ward Councillor Clare Le Serve joined section (Page15). The other division winner will be published in June. representatives of the Bass Valley Friends of the RSL and members We also have our usual features including a great Personality of the of the public in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph before many of those Month written by extremely popular local writer Gill Heal on Hazel Swift attending the service moved back to the Bass Hall for a traditional and we pay tribute to one of our long serving volunteers Thelma Churchill on Page 16 as part of National Volunteers Week, May 12-18. camp breakfast provided by volunteers from the Friends of the RSL.

* glass replacements * shower screen * splashbacks Tuesdays - Plethora of Parmas all $15.00 * glass balconies * mirrors Wednesday - Knockout Pool Comp all Welcome 7.00 pm * heater glass * wardrobe doors LIVE MUSIC ONCE A MONTH ON SUNDAYS * security doors and flyscreens Check Website or at Hotel for details 5 Hade Avenue, Bass 5678 0642 or 0407 553 084 www.georgebasshotel.com.au 5678 2206 All Areas bassglass.com.au

You can download the Bass Valley News online from www.bvcg.org.au/bass-valley Vinyl Layer Expert laying of Sheet Vinyl, Vinyl Tiles, Vinyl Planks, Laminate & Floating Timber Floors. FOR SALE - GRANTVILLE No Job Too Small Van and annexes currently for sale to Free Quote suit 55 years and over, subject to approval. Contact I & S Meddings Situated on Bay, our quiet Flooring Contractors and friendly park also allows pets. Enjoy the wonderful sunsets, stroll along the beach or fish from the pier. 0419 192 542 For more information - Ph. 5678 8232 or Mob. 0408 108 694

Did you know...

...we have a great range of crystals...

Anderson Fruit & Vegie Boxes available now $15.00 (Order by Friday for pick up Wednesday) BUCK STOP Cnr. Bass Hwy & Anderson Rise Enquiries Bass Valley Community Centre Anderson Ph: 5678 5779 5678 2277

PAGE 2 MAY The Bass Valley News BASS VALLEY- MONDAY COMMUNITY - CENTRE

Bass Valley Community Centre Bass School Road. Bass. Vic. 3991

Call us on: 5678 2277

Visit our website: bvcg.org.au

Main Office hours: Monday to Thursday 9am - 3:30pm Fridays 9am - 3pm What’s On at the Bass Valley Community Centre MONDAYS Op Shop hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Sat 9am-2pm

BASS VALLEY FRIENDSHIP GROUP (Home & Community Care) Email: [email protected] 10am - 2pm. Door-to-door pick up and drop off transport service provided (BVCG Inc. services & general enquiries) as well as morning tea, lunch, refreshments and a range Email: (BVN News team & ads) of fun activities. Wheelchair access available. Cost $15. [email protected]

TUESDAYS BASS VALLEY CHILD CARE (Occasional Care Program) Open From the Centre Manager’s Desk Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 9:30am - 2:30pm. Active Early From the Bass Valley Community Group Inc. Childhood Development Program. Qualified Staff. Bookings essential. Things have been going well at the Bass Valley Community Cost $30. Centre this past month. SHOPPING BUS TO . A door-to-door pick up and drop off Here are some of this month’s highlights and some info about service for community members needing transport to the supermarket, to what we do. go grocery shopping or to attend a medical appointment in Wonthaggi. The Hadden House Op Shop bus will pick you up from your home and you’ll arrive in Wonthaggi at Everyone is very pleased with the ongoing popularity of our Hadden House 10:30am and leave at 1:30pm. Available mainly for Corinella, Coronet Bay, Opportunity Shop on Bass School Road. More and more people are finding out Grantville, Pioneer Bay, The Gurdies, Tenby Point and Bass residents, and about it. The enthusiastic volunteers who staff the shop with the co-managers some other nearby towns. All enquiries welcome. Bookings essential. Cost $15 Barbara and Mia have been receiving very good feedback on the low prices and the wide range of goods available. And the best thing about the success of the WEDNESDAYS Shop is that all (100%!!) of the money raised goes directly to support the BASS VALLEY FRIENDSHIP GROUP (Home & Community Care) Occasional Child Care Services offered at the Centre. So please, drop in when 10am - 2pm. Door-to-door pick up and drop off transport service provided you zoom by Bass on the . as well as morning tea, lunch, refreshments and a range Services for Older People of fun activities. Wheelchair access available. Cost $15. A major focus for Bass Valley Community Group Inc is support for some of the older and sometimes more isolated members of our community. We are THURSDAYS supported by funding from the State Government and also private sources, BASS VALLEY CHILD CARE (Occasional Care Program) Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 9:30am - 2:30pm. Active Early notably the Bendigo Bank, for planning and delivering a wide range of activities Childhood Development Program. Qualified Staff. Bookings essential. for older people. Our community bus often picks them up from their homes. We Cost $30. also offer a bus service that picks people up from their homes on Tuesdays and Fridays and takes them into Wonthaggi for shopping or medical appointments or FRIDAYS whatever it is they need to do. And then we take them home again. So…if you or BASS VALLEY CHILD CARE (Occasional Care Program) Open someone you know is isolated and living in the Bass/Waterline area (eg Bass, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 9:30am - 2:30pm. Active Early Corinella, Coronet or Pioneer Bay, the Gurdies, Glen Forbes, Kernot, Almurta, Childhood Development Program. Qualified Staff. Bookings essential. Grantville or ) and needs help to get out to Wonthaggi, give us a call on Cost $30. 5678 2277.

SHOPPING BUS TO WONTHAGGI. A door-to-door pick up and drop off service for community members needing transport to the supermarket, to go grocery shopping or to attend a medical appointment in Wonthaggi. The Want to advertise in the Bass Valley News? bus will pick you up from your home and you’ll arrive in Wonthaggi at Email [email protected] or Call 5678 2277 10:30am and leave at 1:30pm. Available mainly for Corinella, Coronet Bay, Grantville, Pioneer Bay, The Gurdies, Tenby Point and Bass residents, and Advertising Costs in B&W (GST inclusive): some other nearby towns. All enquiries welcome. Bookings essential. Cost Small (typical) = $ 20.00 Double small = $ 40.00 $15. Quarter page = $ 70.00 Half page = $115.00 Full page = $ 200.00 The absolute deadline for inclusions is the 20th of each month.

Colour ads are available on Pages 2 and 19 with a 100% surcharge on B&W Rates. Community and non profit group ads are available by negotiation.

BVCG’s Committee of Governance thanks all the advertisers for their continued ongoing support.

The Bass Valley News is a free community newsletter. 1800 copies are distributed monthly across the Bass Coast Shire, including Phillip Island and parts of South Gippsland. PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS AVAILABLE DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS Call 5678 2277 Also available online at www.bvcg.org.au/bass-valley-news

2014 PAGE 3 The Bass Valley News COMMUNITY

The Probus Club of San The Corinella & District LANG LANG COMMUNITY Remo meet at 10am, the Probus Inc. meet on the second Monday of each month first Wednesday of each FAMILY MEDICINE (except January) at the month at 10.00am. (except Newhaven Public Hall. Members meet for Bulk Billing for all Medicare Card holders fellowship, to hear interesting speakers, enjoy January) at the Corinella Community Same day appointments outings and to share meals and activities Centre. Hear interesting speakers, together. Visitors welcome. Enquiries to the enjoy outings , share meals and Male & Female Doctors Available Secretary Neil Steward at 5656 6581. activities together. Visitors Welcome. [email protected] Enquiries to Trish Thick 5678 1071 ~ Range of Services ~ Or PO Box 27 Grantville 3984 General medical care, minor surgical or PO Box 43, San Remo 3925 procedures, removal of skin cancers/lesions, LANG LANG PHARMACY immunisation, travel health, women’s, men’s (Western Port Rd, Lang Lang) BASS VALLEY and family health. Instant Passport Photos, NDSS sub-agency, LANDCARE

On-site Pathology - Ultrasound Scans Digital Photo Processing, Slimming Products, 2-4 Bass School Road Visiting physiotherapist and psychologist. Hair Colours, Gifts, Perfumes. BASS VICTORIA Maybelline Cosmetics, Nebulisers, Glucose Meters, Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 5pm Blackmore’s Vitamin & Herbal Supplements, T: 5678 2335 5 Whitstable Street, Lang Lang Sports Braces, Home Healthcare, Hire & Sales.

Opening Hours: 5997 5799 Mon. - Fri. 9:00am to 5:30pm 5997 5403 ‘Caring Family Medicine’ Sat. 9:00am to 12:30pm

BASS HALL FOR HIRE CORINELLA BOWLING CLUB Inc. Bass Valley Community Centre 22 Balcombe Street Corinella 3984 Bass School Road Bass 3991 Phone 03 5678 0497 For more information visit Bvcg.org.au Corinella’s Corporate Bowls competition has Or call…….5678 2277 concluded and Friday Twilight has now ended. Wednesday Weekly Social Bowls with coaching and games for members and beginners commences on May 7 at 10 am. BYO lunch and enjoy a game or two – CORONET BAY Community Hall weather permitting of course. Available for hire at reasonable rates Saturday Winter Triples is a weekly event for members and visitors. It commences Phone Peter on 5678 1071 or 0429 851 004 on May 9 at 10.30 am and continues until the end of August. We accept single and team entries and for further information contact… [email protected] Patti Scammell – 5678 0191 or Phil Wright – 5678 0813

Bingo at Bass Thursday Nights at 7.30pm BassValley U3A is a volunteer movement that maximises the benefits of mental and physical stimulation, quality learning, and social inclusion of all seniors. At the It is a Not for Profit Organisation and does not distribute any surplus income assets directly or indirectly to its members. KILCUNDA BASS FOOTBALL CLUB U3A Bass Valley (U3A BV) has an active membership from the Bass Valley and surrounds with diverse courses such as:

Get Creative Meditation Histories of the World Bass Coast Community Baptist Church Gardening Book Club Music & Imagination Meets every Sunday at the Grantville Hall at 4pm Tai Chi for Arthritis Bush Painting Fantasy AFL Supercoach For a simple meal, singing, activities for adults and children and a short encouraging message. (Volunteers needed for the Grantville Op Shop) If you are interested in any of the above activities please contact Heather on All enquiries to: Pastor Ilse Smidt 0402 065 852 5997 6323, email [email protected] or write PO Box 142 Grantville 3984

St. George’s St. Paul’s Anglican Church COUNTRY COUNTRY Anglican Church WOMEN’S WOMEN’S Smythe Street, Corinella Parish of Bass and Phillip Island 6 Hade Avenue, Bass ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION SERVICES:

CWA Coronet Bay Branch 1st Sunday of the month ...... 11am Rector: Rev. Greg Magee CWA Grantville Branch Other Sundays ...... 9am (5952 2608) meet at the Corinella meet at the Grantville Community Centre at 1pm on FREE COMMUNITY LUNCH: ~ Service ~ Community Hall at 12:30pm Corinella & District Community Centre Holy Communion the 3rd Monday of the month. on the 2nd Monday of the 2nd Friday of the month….12pm 12:30pm Every Sunday OP SHOP: Enquiries Faye 5678 8366 month. Enquiries Judy 5678 Monday, Thursday, Friday.10am-2pm Bring and share lunch following the Saturdays ...... 9:30am-12:30pm or Rosemary 5997 5827 8553 or Gwenda 5997 6372. service. Newcomers most welcome.

PAGE 4 MAY NOTICE BOARD The Bass Valley News

NURSE PRACTITIONER COMMUNITY CLINIC

NP Debbie Garvey NP Jo Kelly CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS Do you have any moles or freckles which have changed in size or shape over the past few months or are persistently itchy? Corinella Cancer Support Group For peace of mind book in for your FREE skin Meets: 2nd Tuesday each month cancer check now! Corinella & District Community Centre 48 Smythe Street Corinella, 3984 Telephone: Time:- 10.00am - 12.00 noon 5671 9260 Cost:- $2 or gold coin donation SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE Contact:- Peter Berkers on 5678 1150 or 0417 157 144 Email [email protected] We BULK BILL all patients with a Medicare Card Some fees may apply for selected tests and medical supplies San Remo Cancer Support Group such as dressings. Meets: 4th Tuesday each month Grantville Transaction Centre, Grantville 1 Back Beach Road, San Remo, 3925 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week Time:- 10.00am -12.00noon Cost $2 or gold coin donation Corinella & District Community Centre, Corinella Contact:- Josie Knocker on 5671 9200 Every Tuesday & Friday Email [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL HOME BASED CHILD CARE 42 Murray Street Wonthaggi Licensed by DEECD and WWC & Criminal Record checks 25 A’Beckett Street Inverloch Qualified Early Childhood Educators Subsidised –means tested by Centrelink

** Currently accepting applications from suitably qualified early childhood educators **

Enquiries, Contact Trish 56713301 or Email: [email protected] GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTICE Grantville Coronet Bay Playgroup Every Monday 10am –12pm

From birth to school age. $2 per family. NOW OPEN Monday to Friday Bring a piece of fruit for your child. At the Coronet Bay Hall. Grandparents Welcome. Tea and coffee provided. General Medical Practice now open at shop 2 1524 Bass Highway which is the previous location of the pharmacy. CORONET BAY ADULT SOCIAL CLUB Tuesday nights Coronet Bay Hall 7.00pm to10.00pm. Open Monday to Friday with a half day on Wednesdays We are a small happy group, play cards, have a laugh and supper. Please join us $2.50 a night. For Appointments Call 5678 8029 Contact Ann 5678 0341 www.wonthaggimedical.com.au CORINELLA & DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZEN’S CLUB Monday and Thursdays 1.00pm Accredited to the Royal Australian College of General Corinella Public Hall Practice Standards by AGPAL Contact Margaret 5678 0716

2014 PAGE 5 The Bass Valley News MORE COMMUNITY NEWS Leadbeater Ward News, Cr Clare Le Serve BASS COAST SHIRE NEWS From the Council Minutes relevant to the Leadbeater Ward:

A planning permit was approved for the extensions to the existing 1300 BCOAST (226 278)

Newhaven College at the five-ways site at Rhyll, to include a new Trade www.basscoast.vic.gov.au

Training Centre and Administration and Learning Centre. A great

opportunity for students and this new facility will improve the quality of the education and learning opportunities at Newhaven College. 175th Commemorative Celebrations of Phillip Island Council is seeking expressions of interest from people interested in Council has allocated funding for the investigation and design of a participating in a planning committee for the 175th commemorative pathway from Guy Road, Corinella through to Corinella Road within its’ celebrations of the establishment of European Settlement on Phillip Island. 2013/14 budget. Future construction will be dependent on allocation of This celebration is to be held in November 2018. The committee will be State grant funding. Council will be in a good position to apply when the responsible for planning and coordinating activities to be undertaken during grants become available. the celebrations. Expressions of interest must be completed on the required form. Contact Christine Wutzke on the number above to obtain a Council received another petition containing 202 names against restriction copy of the expression of interest form. Applications close Friday, 16 May of dogs on Coronet Bay beaches. 2014.

Council endorsed the new terms of references for the Domestic Animal Victorian Seniors’ Festival Management Advisory Committee and the Expression of Interest form. The 2014 Victorian Seniors’ Festival will be held throughout October and The Draft Terms will be available for public comment until 5 May, then the now is the time to start planning your celebration! State wide there will be new Domestic Animals Management Advisory Committee (DAMAC) group hundreds of events for older Victorians. Council would like to assist will be formed. This group will act as an advisory group to Council, to Seniors and Community Groups holding events during October to assist to implement the action from the Domestic Animal Management advertise their events. We will put together a program of local events to be Plan 2012-16. The Mayor will chair these meetings and the group will be distributed to the local community during September. working on all issues relating to cats and dogs across the Shire. If you are thinking of holding an event, please contact Kylie Pryor on the number above to express your interest. Interested groups will then receive I am pleased to report that through my discretionary funds the Archie’s further details on how to list their events. Events must be open to all Creek Hall security and exit lighting project, the Coronet Bay Hall security seniors, not just your club members, and be held in October. So get your and floodlighting and the Corinella & District Community Centre relocation thinking caps on! of the food pantry will be supported.

Council is currently preparing it’s budget for 2014-15, Key budget THE FLAGS ARE FLYING AGAIN information about revenue and expenditure, the rate increase, operating Grantville & District Ratepayers and Residents result, cash and investments, capital works, Association President Helen Zervopolous is financial position, debt and key strategic activities pleased to announce that after consultation of the Council will be available over the next few with Ward Councilor Clare Le Serve, Friends months. of the Grantville & District Memorial Park and Flag Master Roger Clark the flags are flying again in the Grantville The full minutes can be viewed at Memorial Park. The Council has installed in ground lighting for the www.basscoast.vic.gov.au flagpoles and the flags are now flying 24 hours a day. Anyone

noticing any problems with the flags should report the problem to the Your Councillor, Clare Le Serve Transaction Centre at Grantville or the Flag Master on 0403 025 429.

The Bass Valley News All 2014 editions of the Bass Valley News are supported Welcomes contributions to all segments. by a grant from the FRRR. The grant has allowed us to increase to 20 pages each month and allow greater *Poet’s Corner *Joke of the Month access to community organisations. *Why I Live Where I Live *Short Stories *Photos *Volunteer Profiles *Self Sufficiency *The Philosopher’s Zone *Recipes *Gardening Tips *Bucket List Email: [email protected]

PAGE 6 MAY MORE COMMUNITY NOTICES The Bass Valley News

Bass Valley Primary School We’ll drive you! The school would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the following Wonthaggi Shopping individuals and businesses who made donations to the 2014 School fete. With your support we managed to raise $10,000. Tuesdays and Fridays The Bass Valley Community Group’s A Maze’N Things, Agar Amusements, Aldi, Alex Scotts Real Estate Community Bus offers door-to-door pickup service from: The Grantville, Amit – Caltex, Autobarn Wonthaggi, Bass Valley News, Becs Gurdies, Pioneer Bay, Grantville, Tenby Point, Corinella, Coronet Face Painting, Bendigo Bank Grantville, Big W,Wonthaggi, BP Grantville, Bay, Bass, Kilcunda… Live in another town? Call anyway – arrangements are possible Bunnings Wonthaggi, Burnt Toast Café, Carinya Kitchen, Cargills, Chris Getting to a V/Line bus stop can be difficult in your area. You Turley, Coates Hire Wonthaggi, Coffee Collective, Coles, Complexions on might live out of the way and have limited means of transport Billson, Connells Bakery, Corinella & Bass Fire Brigades, Corinella General Getting to and from the doctor’s and other appointments can be difficult too if you aren’t driving yourself anymore. Store, Coronet Bay General Store, CS Computers, D & Jeff Hayes, David You might need to be able to get into town to buy food and Blum, Eden Racing, Evans Quarries, Fullcircle Surf, Foons Wonthaggi, groceries. Foodworks, Gatherum Family, George Bass Hotel, GK Meats, Grantville You might just be in need of getting out of the house for a day to socialise. Bakery , Grantville Caravan Park, Grantville Newsagency, Grantville Take advantage of this local door-to-door shopping bus service Pharmacy , Grumpy’s – Cowes, Hair By Sarah, Happenin’ Hair Grantville, The driver picks up shoppers from the comfort of their own Hot Chic Charcoal Chicken, House of Blanche, Harvey Norman Wonthaggi, homes. You travel on a modern air-conditioned heated twelve-seater bus Illowra Projects, Island Beauty & Nails, Island Past & Present, Island Surf Regulars or casual shoppers are all welcome. Boards, Katie Dancer , Kernot Gravel Supply, Kilcunda Store, Kush Kush, Advance bookings can be made or simply call the day prior to Landmark Wonthaggi, Landshape Earthmoving & Excavations, La Provincia, book. The price is $15 per person for the day. Runs Tuesday and Friday year-round (except public holidays) Lattitude San Remo, Leanne Edwards, Mandy & Bruce Coward, Maru Koala Drivers are flexible and can take passengers to varying drop off & Animal Pk, McDonalds–Bass , MFS Dispensary Wonthaggi, Michel’s points. Patisserie, Mitre 10 Grantville, Murray Goulburn, Pantry – Grantville, Phillip The bus parks in front of Safeway, Billson Street, Island Nature Parks, Priceline, RACV Resort Inverloch, Rays Pizza & Pasta Wonthaggi - Time spent in Wonthaggi: 3 hours Grantville, Revive, Rusty Brewery, San Remo Butcher, San Remo (approx. 10:30 – 1:30). Fishermans Co Op, San Remo Newsagency, Seaside Fish & Chips, Shoppers have plenty of time to buy groceries, Sensational Sandwiches, Shot Café, Silverwaters Resort, Sportspower attend appointments, have a coffee with a friend or Wonthaggi, Tangles – San Remo, The Westernport Pub, Van Steensel just shop about town before returning back to the bus by 1:30 for departure back home. Timbers, WHA (Betta Home Living), Wonthaggi Hotel , Woolamai & District Racing Club Inc, Woolworths, Youki’s Japanese Takeaway Book your seat or enquire today by calling 5678 2277

Corinella & District Community Centre Spread your wings and fly with us Open Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 2pm Adult and Community Education Sunday Closed Neighbourhood House

Computer Classes Art and Craft Classes Strength Training for Seniors Youth Program Support for Community Groups Public Internet Access Community Food Pantry Photocopying, faxing, scanning and laminating Health Services and Medical Room Workplace Accredited Training Venue for Hire Waterline Community Bus for Hire

www.corinellacommunitycentre.org.au T: 5678 0777 E: [email protected] Office Hours: 10am-4pm Mon-Fri

2014 PAGE 7 The Bass Valley News MARU KOALA & ANIMAL PARK Powerful Pythons! There are around 2,700 different species of snakes found throughout the world and the pythons make up a very small portion of this. There are 25 species of pythons worldwide and Australia is home to over half of them: 13 to be exact. All pythons share a few basic features, they are non-venomous and use their body to constrict or squeeze their prey until it is deceased. While similar in some ways there is much diversity within the Australian pythons. Size varies from the Scrub Python, up to a massive 8 metres long, down to the Pygmy Python, a mere 50 centimetres and weighing in at approximately 210 grams. The heaviest of Australia’s pythons is the Olive python who at 6.5 metres can weigh around 65-70 kilograms! Size isn’t everything in the animal world, colour is very important too and the pythons know it. Each species has a different pattern and colour set which can also vary between individuals. Diamond Pythons are known for their beautiful diamond patterns along the length of their body as well as beautiful cream to yellow highlights. The Carpet Pythons have varying colours and patterns of camouflage through greens, greys and browns. Not all pythons use blotched or patchy camouflage, some use stripes like the Woma and Black-Headed Python. These species are somewhat different to their cousins as instead of preying on mammals and birds they largely, if not exclusively, feed on other reptiles. Not only will they eat lizards and other pythons but they can kill and feed on venomous snakes. Although pythons are generally harmless to humans, snakes are largely feared no matter what the species. Of the 2,700 species worldwide it is thought hat only 30 pose any real danger to humans. It only takes a few to give the rest a bad reputation where they need not be feared but respected and admired for the amazing animals that they are. - Ben Kearton, Senior Animal Keeper

Above: Woma MARU KOALA & ANIMAL PARK & PIRATE PETE’S MINI-GOLF

Purchase an ‘All Day Pass’ for entry into the Animal Park and Mini-golf for one discount price

Get in touch with wildlife Sheep Shearing & Wildlife Show every weekend and all school holidays Phone: 5678 8548 E-mail: [email protected] Visit marukoalapark.com.au

1650 Bass Hwy, Grantville

Open 7 days New indoor a week playroom now open MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON 2 courses $38 Choose from chicken, pork, salmon, lamb, vegetarian dishes and two desserts FREE entry to the animal park and mini-golf for all Mums and access to the new playroom to keep the whole family entertained Limited places so booking essential Visit our website for more information www.marukoalapark.com.au

PAGE 8 MAY Waterline Writing Competition Book Launch The Bass Valley News

Corinella and District Community Centre were very proud to continue Delivering these competitive literary prizes in 2013.

2013, the 6th consecutive year of the Competition saw an increase in prize Money in the category for Bass Coast Residents. There were five award Categories with a total of $2,250 in prize money presented, with the popular Junior Short Story Section returning.

We congratulate all entrants in the competition for their works and are pleased To publish the stories and poetry selected by our judges.

Included in this year’s Anthology you will find the Judges’ Criteria and Comments For each section. Please enjoy reading Anthology 2013.

The 2013 Waterline Writing Competition was sponsored by: Anwyn Martin Bass Coast Shire Council Read a short story Corinella and District Community Centre Inc. Seeand apoem short from story Corinella General Store andthe Anthologypoem from on the Phillip Island U3A bookPages on 15 pages and 16. 15 & Phyllis Papps 16

Personal Legal Service Covering Bass Coast and Phillip Island

www.basscoastlawyers.com.au

Free Call: 1800 754 401

We Do Home Visits

2014 PAGE 9 The Bass Valley News TRADES &

See our display at

124 York Rd

Mt Evelyn 3796  Sizes available from 2.4m to 9.0m Tom Allen  Sizes available from 2.4 to 9.0m  Pool and Spa Gazebos 0414 383 606

 Domestic and Commercial Fax: 9736 3428  Kits for smaller sizes  We build in VIC, SA, NSW & TAS [email protected]

 Registered Building Practitioners gazebos.net.au

Advice Configure Repair Explain Bass Concreting Rebuild Maintain Support Upgrade

All types of concreting done Computer not working properly? No job too big or too small  Worried about your backup?  Do you need new hardware? NO FIX - NO FEE* Call Wayne 0433 802 212  Internet & mail working reliably? (*Conditions apply)  Anti-virus up to date?

Would you like your own email and your own domain name? WEBSITES - our specialty RALPH HARDING David Copland Call for a free visit* and free advice

Specialising in individual needs, clubs

& businesses PLUMBER Gordon Chase - Chase Computers R.E.C.No.1624 General Plumbing for local, friendly advice PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE Gas Roofing

5678 7097 or 0407 723 713 5657 7304 0430 168 345 The Gurdies -St.Helier Rd. St.Helier 3989 Kilcunda email: [email protected] (Lic. No: 41806) esahc.com

Scott’s Tip-truck Hire Bulk Organic Fertiliser Bob Cat Hire VAN STEENSEL 24 Hour Building & Mini-skips TIMBER PTY. LTD. Maintenance Services. Bass Bulk BUILDING MATERIALS Repairs Joinery Haul FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS Landscaping Gardening Chris Milton Painting Tiling McKenzie Road Bass Victoria 3991 CNR. CORINELLA TURN-OFF & BASS HWY GRANTVILLE Call Scott now on 0419 367 705 0408 304 716

* Carpentry & Joinery * Maintenance ASUNO * Window replacements * Pergolas & Decks ~ RUSCH ~ * Firedoors, replacements, seals & hardware, EXCAVATIONS Building & Maintenance Steel frame replacements Bobcat with Levelling Bar Rudy Schraven * Specialist in old locks 6m Tipper Hire General Carpentry 20 Years Experience Home Renovations & Repairs Call John Mailes (Bass) 0423 305 956 All Tickets & Insurances 5678 2001 Email: [email protected] Prompt Reliable Service 0438 761 213

PAGE 10 MAY SERVICES The Bass Valley News Grantville Newsagency Bass REAL ESTATE & Post Office COLLECTORS AGENTS & Shop 2 / 1503 Bass Highway General Store AUCTIONEERS Ph: 5678 8808 Fx: 5678 8714 ITEMS For all your postal, newsagent Supplying all your stationery needs Do you have an and general needs. Sales Rentals RUSS WILLIAMS Orders on request old 78rpm Record Computer and printer repairs and DEBBIE GOLBY Laminating, Photocopying, Faxing, Billpay Player and no service, including onsite service LYNN PENDERGAST and much more records, or need now available. Magazines, Stationery & Ink Cartridges some new needles? B/H 5678 8433 Now able to supply most phone recharge cards 5678 2220 Email: [email protected] A/H 0407 343 368 Cards, Wraps, Kid’s Activities Party Balloons & 1505 Bass Highway Grantville 3984 Candles [email protected] alexscott.com.au

Carpet Steam Cleaning

3 bedrooms from $99 Including GST 3 bedroom & loungeroom from $139 including GST DK DENTURE Clinic Pty Ltd 232 Thompson Ave, Cowes (opposite the RSL) Call Tabitha Consultations are also available at Wonthaggi Medical Group 5678 8933 or 0403 537 392 5672 5869 on Thursdays from 9am until 1pm EFTPOS 42 Murray St Wonthaggi (enter via Biggs Drive) 1/2 Grantville Drive Grantville For appointment phone facilities available 5952 1240 or 0412 231 268 Competitive Prices / Delivery Available The Bass Valley News is available online at www.bvcg.org.au/bass-valley-news

Gary Burchell Sales Service & Maintenance PH: 0407 976 291 REC: 8483 [email protected] Plumbing: 48231

BASS COAST BURGESS MOTORS AUSGLAZE AUTO & MARINE ELECTRICAL HADE AVE BASS Automotive Gerald Sammut ON-SITE SERVICE Providing quality electrical service for: Repairs

PETROL 0405 801 082 Cars Caravans Boats DIESEL SPECIALISING IN Marine Accessories & Fitouts & GAS NISSAN & Factory 4 Lang Lang & Bass REPAIRERS Coast Trucks 4WD Accessories & Fitouts TOYOTA Grantville Drive (Bass Highway) Tractor Earthmoving Equipment Disc & Drum Brake Service GRANTVILLE 3984 * Windscreens Fact. 6, 6-10 Grantville Dve, Grantville, 3984 Latest Engine Enalyser * Machinery Glass 5678 8533 0419 377 093 Major & Minor Repairs CALL STUART 5678 8870 * Earth-moving Plant Also chip/crack repairs and scratch removal All Work Guaranteed 5678 2204

2014 PAGE 11 The Bass Valley News COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMUNITY DIARY Sunday May 4 2pm Birrarung Trio Concert. St Johns Uniting Church Cowes. A rare concert of chamber music gems. Tickets at the door $25 adults, $18 Under 15 conc. Avail Enquiries through [email protected] Saturday May 10 2-5pm Making Music Mitchell House, Murray St Wonthaggi Spend an afternoon with other community singers, sharing songs and making music in a relaxed welcoming emvironment. Bring a plate of food to share for afternoon tea. Cost $5.00 Enquiries : Jacqui Paulson 0432934681 Wednesday May 14 Wednesday May 14 8pm Classic Movie Night An Affair to Remember - St Phillips Anglican Hall, Thompson Avenue, Cowes presented by Phillip Island World Vision Club. Tickets $12 at the door includes a light supper. Enquiries: 5956 9176 or 0474 855 887 Saturday May 17 Pirate Festival—Maru Park Grantville.

MARKETS Every Sunday Kongwak Market 0417142478 All Enquiries regarding this event 5678 7548 1st Saturday Sth Gippsland Farmers - Koonwarra 0408619182 Thursday May 29 ABC Digital Writer’s Festival. 1st Sunday Jumbunna Bush Market 5657 3253 Inverloch Community House, A’Beckett Street. Koowee Community Market 0418289847 Details from Jellie Wyckelsma, Bass Coast Indoor/outdoor [email protected] Writers. [email protected] Please note the Meet the Winemakers Wine and Cheese night at the Bass Community 2nd Saturday Coal Creek Farmers Market 0459629000 Hall scheduled for May 10 has been postponed until 3rd Saturday Prom Country Farmers Market Foster 0407543371 later in the year, keep a look out here for details of the new date. 3rd Sunday Inverloch Farmers Market 5664 0096 4th Saturday Churchill Island Farmers Market 5664 0096 Have your events featured in the Bass Valley News Community Diary. 4th Sunday Grantville Market 5678 8437 Email us a brief summary of the event with contact details. Your Market not here? [email protected] Let us know by 20th of the month. [email protected]

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PAGE 12 MAY PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH The Bass Valley News

THE GREAT DEFENDER - Hazel Swift By Gill Heal. respect and not with familiarity.” From the personal to the political, Hazel Swift In her last four years there, she worked in the garden. “It suited me walks a straight line. Gill Heal meets a woman because George had got really sick and I liked hard work and being my known to many simply as The Cat Lady. own boss,” she says. One spring, with her first tulip for the season under Hazel Swift hasn’t always been preoccupied with threat from a small Wyeth grandchild on a tricycle, she spoke in measured animal welfare. Once she was just a young woman in tones. “Would you mind not riding your trike down the path? You might love with love and life. trip over and damage my garden.” “It’s not your garden,” retorted the child. She tells you a story of the time her brothers put her name down for the “It’s my grandfather’s.” “It’s your grandfather’s and my garden.” she replied Miss Inverloch Beauty Contest. “The Inverloch Carnival used to be really firmly. “Now bugger off!” big,” she says. “They had dodgem cars, sideshows, boxing, a greasy pole Then 27 years ago, something happened that turned this deeply off the jetty…” And the biggest attraction of all - the beauty contest. compassionate woman into an activist. She turned her gaze onto what few It was 1948 and Hazel was 24. “I came down from for the people choose to see: the magnitude of the destructiveness and day in the old truck. The roads were gravel. You’d be covered in dust.” destruction of homeless cats. She saw they were reviled, maltreated and She thinks she changed for the contest in her boyfriend’s car. killed (36,000 euthanased every year in Victoria) because of the failure of She remembers the details as if it were yesterday. Her swimsuit cost responsibility of their human masters, and she couldn't turn away. five guineas, a week’s wages. “It was white sharkskin, one piece. I bought “You can’t blame the cat or tiger for being a cat or tiger. It’s just the way it in .” She made it through two heats and the finals, fifth place they are,” she says. and a prize of bookends and silk stockings. Over the years she’s found homes for hundreds of moggies and paid for Married to George, raising their boys and trying to make ends meet on countless desexings. For years she raised money by making jewellery their share farm at Arawata, she came into close contact with animals. from shells she’d collected. She made $400 for South Gippsland Animal She’ll tell you she used to be as blasé as everyone else about where Aid one year, $600 in another. Like other members of local Animal Aid meat came from. What changed her was the day they sent a day-old calf branches, Hazel knows caring for cats is an expensive business. “I once to the abattoirs. George was lifting the calf gently onto the cart when a worked out that over nine years I’d spent $10,000. I just don’t count second farmer picked up his tottering day-old by the ears and legs and anymore.” flung in on board. Hazel hasn’t touched meat since that day. But Hazel is tired. “It’s exhausting,” she says. “You lobby a politician “Everything’s done for human convenience,” she says shaking her head. and then just as you’re beginning to have an impact, he moves on and The practice of docking cow’s tails distresses her. “I’ve been hit in the you’ve got to start all over again. For 28 years Hazel, and later Animal Aid face many times by a shitty tail,” she says, “but you dock its tail and it’s have been lobbying Bass Coast Shire Council to make desexing of cats helpless against flies and insects.” compulsory, with exceptions for breeders. During her 17 years working at Pine Lodge in Inverloch she developed Hazel’s had more than her share of grief and hard work; her health is other loyalties. Originally a grade private hotel, Pine Lodge had seen poor and the uphill climb is looking steeper, “There’s so much I want to do better days by the time Hazel worked there. “But I loved it,” she says. “I and so little time to do it,’ she says. But good things, extraordinary things loved the lounges with their polished boards and scatter rugs, the happen. At her 90th birthday party this year, she instructed: No gifts, ballroom, the old fireplaces.” She polished all the furniture by hand, waited flowers or cards, but donations to Animal Aid welcome. She was thinking on tables, ironed. Her loyalty, to the place and its owner, Calvert Wyeth, perhaps $400. Her friends gave $1425. was total. Shoulders back, still beautiful, totally loyal, she’s soldiering on. “I try to Mr Wyeth maintained a strict decorum across the establishment. While remember to walk straight. No-one wants to hear your blinking troubles, guests no longer dressed for dinner and ordered from a menu in French, do they?” courtesies were always observed. “It was always Mr Wyeth and Mrs Swift Read many more of Gill Heal’s fascinating stories online at even after 17 years. He always believed people should be treated with www.basscoast post.com

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2014 PAGE 13 ENTERTAINMENT The Bass Valley News

GIPPSLAND JAZZ Blackman on 0432 814 407 or Jill Boyce on 0417 416 300 The Phillip Island Jazz Club’s regular Sunday afternoon Jazz session at the Ramada Resort in Cowes on Sunday May 18 will feature the Frilly INVERLOCH JAZZ Knickers Jazz Band. Inverloch Jazz this month is Sunday May 11 (Mother’s Day) at the Inverloch RSL featuring the Annie Smith Jazz Band. This very popular group features Annie Smith (Vocals), Neil Taylor (Piano), Graeme Morris (Drums), Frank Morgan (Bass) and Ian Christensen (Reeds) . Should be loud and lively and a great afternoon. Inverloch Jazz enquiries to Neville Drummond 5674 2166

MOE JAZZ The Moe Latrobe Valley Jazz Club switches to Sunday afternoons for the winter months and Kay Younger and the Rhythm Kings will be playing on Sunday May 25 at the Moe RSL which is a fabulous Jazz venue. Barry Wratten’s Crescent City Jazz Band follows on June 22. Moe Latrobe Valley Jazz Club enquiries to Bruce Lawn 5174 3516

Back Row—Jenny Wagstaff, Mike Hartwig, Lyn Thomas and Jaz Stutley. JAZZ RADIO PROGRAM - 3BBR FM - STREAMING LIVE. Front Row—Dawn Houghton, Jacqui O’Neill, Renee Limenidis. Frilly Knickers started as an all-female jazz band many years ago, but the 3BBR FM which hosts regular Jazz transformation to its current line up was started back in 2007. Programs from Drouin has been The Frilly Knickers Jazz Band have performed at numerous jazz festivals difficult to pick up in many parts of including: Barham , Grampians and Merimbula, Australian Jazz the Bass Coast Shire, particularly Conventions and jazz clubs; also for the Darebin Music Feast and at the Phillip Island. Astor Theatre, East St. Kilda for Friends of the Astor. The station is now streaming live The gals (& guy) have backgrounds in trad and big band jazz, cabaret, and you can tap into the All Star Jazz and brass band; entertaining with authentic jazz, a sense of fun, and great Festival. Program 6-8pm by Robin rhythms for dancing! Blackman and Coralie Knight and The band will also be having a special guest join them, reeds player Mike Trad Jazz at Oak Street 8-10pm with Tovey will be a special treat to listen to. Robin and Ziggy hosting once a Following the May jazz afternoon the Phillip Island Jazz Club has a two month. Forthcoming dates are May months winter break, June—July then resumes on Sunday August 17with 15, June 12, and June 26. the Rathdowne Street Big Band , followed on September 28 by The Usual Simply go to www.shoutcast.com - type into the search Suspects and the ever popular Andrew Nolte and his Orchestra will be box 3bbrfm then hit search and this will take you to the back on October 26. This year’s Jazz Festival is on November 21-23. link. For more details on Phillip Island Jazz please contact Robin WIN PHILLIP ISLAND JAZZ TICKETS There was no winner to our competition last month and as the Wine and Cheese night has been postponed until later in the year, this month we are offering two tickets to a Sunday afternoon of Jazz at the Phillip Island Jazz Club valued at $30.00. All you have to do to win the two free tickets is to tell us the name of the band who played at the Phillip Island Jazz Club last month. (See BVN April). Entries via email [email protected] or mail to “Competition” at PO Box 184, Grantville 3984.

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PAGE 14 MAY & TRIVIA The Bass Valley News POET’S CORNER TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Bound for Bunyip By Mal Function 1. What does G.M.T stand for? I met a man, an ancient man, on Koo Wee Rup’s main street, 2. How high is the centre of a tennis net? With bowyangs on his trouser legs, worn boots upon his feet, 3. What is the third-largest Australian state in area? I said “ G ‘day” an’ shook his hand, all leathery, an’ brown, 4. Whose first hit song was Aint That a Shame? An’ told him that I had the need to visit Bunyip town. 5. Whose 1965 state funeral was the first ever attended by a reigning

British monarch? I wondered if he might’ve known a short-cut or the like, An’ was curious to know in which direction I should strike... 6. What is the square root of 900? He scratched behind his ear, while pushin’ back his hat, 7. What town was the setting for The Music Man? Coughed to clear his throat, an’ before he spoke, he spat. 8. What is a vixen? 9. What ocean liner burned and sank in Hong Kong harbour? “So ya wanna go from here to Bunyip town, ya say, 10. What large dancing bird is the only Australian representative of the an’ ya need to get there fast, like in the quickest way... crane family? Well, I reckon I can help ya, ya got no worries mate, 11. Who was the only female athlete at the 1976 Summer Olympics not With a little bit of thinkin’, I’ll try to set ya straight!” given a sex test?

12. What Hebrew word means “so be it”? “Bunyip town”, he said, as his smile came into play, “Ventured there meself a bit, away back in the day... 13. What does PS stand for at the end of a letter? First time was middle winter, ground was white with frost, 14. What is receding from earth by half an inch a year? Wanderin’ in arf-circles, I got meself arf-lost!” 15. Which former beekeeper scaled Mount Everest? 16. What is the national flower of Austria? I listened as he rambled, an’ shared his recollections, 17. How do you write 99 in Roman numerals? Yet I wondered, if ever, he’d give me some directions. . . 18. Who discovered Victoria Falls? 19. What day is Alan Seymour’s play The One Day of the Year about? “Go at dawn in springtime, an’ before ya know what’s cookin’ 20. What chessman makes an L-shaped move? Asparagus might block ya path. . . it grows while no-one’s lookin’, An’ legend tells at midnight, if the flatland wind ain’t blowin’, When ya listen careful like, ya can hear that sparry growin’!”

He told me many stories, as his memories flooded back, ANSWERS

Of the early days, an’ sleepin’ rough, along the Bunyip track, Knight. The 20. Day. Anzac 19. Livingtone. David 18. XCIX,

Of travellin’ horse an’ cart, dressed up in his Sunday pants, 17. edelweiss. The 16. Hillary. Edmund Sir 15. Moon. The 14. Postscript.

An’ the girl who won his heart. . . an’ taught him how to dance! 13. Amen. 12. Anne. Princess 11. Brolga. The 10. Elizabeth. Queen The

9. fox. female A 8. City. River 7. Thirty. 6. Churchill. Winston 5. Boone’s. Then he broke his distant gaze, an’ slowly turned his head, Pat 4. Australia. South 3. 91cm. or feet, Three 2. Time. Mean Greenwich 1. Once again his eyes met mine, an’ this is what he said. . .

“Now, in answer to yer question, I’ll tell ya plain an’ clear, the quickest way to Bunyip town, when travellin’ from here. . . The Philosopher’s Zone Roads the way they are today, with that bitumen an’ tar, I reckon that the quickest way, would hafta be by car!” ZEN THOUGHTS

Waterline Writing Competition 2013 Think with your whole body. The 2013 Waterline Poetry section was divided into two sections by Taisen Deshimaru judge Dr Jennifer Strauss AM. Bound for Bunyip by Mal Function won All that we are is the result of what we have thought. the Ballad section. The mind is everything. John Egan won the Poetry section for his poem Joe Lynch 1927 which Buddha we will publish next month. If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your own path. Buddhist saying Joke of the Month Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that A man walks into work with both of his ears bandaged up. brings peace. The boss says: “What happened to your ears?” He says: Buddha “Yesterday I was ironing a shirt when the phone rang and I No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place. accidentally answered the iron.” Zen saying The boss says: “Well, that explains one ear but what Contributions welcome happened to your other ear?” [email protected] He says: “Well I had to call the doctor!”

2014 PAGE 15 The Bass Valley News VOLUNTEERS IN OUR COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH This month’s Volunteer of the Month is one of the Bass Valley Community Group’s longest serving volunteers, Thelma Churchill from Anderson who has been at the Centre as a volunteer cook for the HACC friendship group for more than 30 years. I caught up with Thelma (centre) in the kitchen at the Centre earlier this month where she was hard at work with another long service volunteer Graeme (Red) Rodgers and newcomer Anne Butler from Woolamai who was filling in for the day for Myra Smith. When not helping out at the community centre Thelma works on the family farm, swims at the Wonthaggi heated pool where she has also been doing water aerobics for more than 30 years. Thelma is a Life Member of the Kilcunda Bass Football Club and is in her 60th year there as a volunteer amongst other things cooking hot dogs. We can only wonder at how many hot dogs she has cooked at the club in 60 years. Thelma can recall the hot dogs being cooked in an open copper when she first started there. She also recalls the time when the Bass Football Club played in a paddock on a farm at Glen Forbes. Thelma ’s family were original pioneers in the district, with her mother SITUATIONS VACANT The Bass Valley Community coming from Densley Road in and her father from MacKay Road Group are always looking for in Woolamai. Her grandfather H.H. MacKay was a local councilor and Volunteers. Mayor of the Shire of Bass, At the moment we have a Both of Thelma’s parents are still going strong at the ripe old age of 96 particuar need for a years, Mum is still living at home and visits Dad in the Nursing Home every volunteer with some day. In June this year they will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary administration experience, which is an outstanding achievement. computer skills, answering Thelma epitomises the spirit of volunteering in the community and it is phones etc. to help out in fitting that we pay tribute to her service this month which features National the office. We are also looking for a Volunteers Week from May 12 to 18. Well done Thelma volunteer delivery driver who could help with deliveries of the Bass Valley News once If you know a community volunteer you think others would like to a month, just a couple of read about in the Bass Valley News please send us the details hours. If you can help please including a photo Call: Roderick McIvor on... if possible to [email protected] 5678 2277

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PAGE 16 MAY SPECIAL FEATURE The Bass Valley News

Waterline Writing Competition 2013. This month as a special feature we are fortunate to be able to bring you the winning entry in the Senior Short Story section of the 2013 Waterline Writing Competition.

Losing Hoodie-man - an apparent tragedy in three parts. By Ian Pascoe.

Part 1 – Hoodie-man: He walks fast, his hands thrust deep in his pockets, the hood pulled up over his head, the only visible part of his face gaunt and expressionless, his gaze fixed on the ground a few paces ahead. He does not look up, nor does he look at the magnificent view in front of him. He is not interested in scenery or boats or birds or people. He only looks inwards, facing his own demons, whatever they are. We have no idea who he is or what his story is. When we first notice him we call him ‘Hoodie-man’ since he always walks in the same olive-green hooded top. At first we only see him once a day, and there are days and weeks when we don’t see him at all. But as time goes on his walks become more frequent, more desperate. He walks like he is running away, as though the faster he walks the quicker he can escape. He is painfully thin, his stove- pipe trousers accentuating his slender legs, his cheeks hollow, his eyes deeply sunk in his skull. In summer he leaves the hoodie at home, walking in a singlet, his ribs and backbone visible through the thin fabric. He always walks along the foreshore to the left past our house and some time later, back again to the right. We notice that on his return he often walks with his right hand holding the thumb and forefinger together, the other fingers extended, like a school boy smoking behind the shelter sheds, trying to look cool while keeping his guilty secret hidden. A fragment of white is visible between the thumb and forefinger and we think it might be the remains of a joint. We think he walks to a private spot, perhaps on the cliff top near the point, smokes a joint and than walks back home. It seems that pot might be part of his problem. We speculate that his increasingly frequent walks are a way of getting out of the house, away from the scrutiny of an anxious parent perhaps. We know he must be unemployed – he walks at any time of the day, every day of the week. We think perhaps he lives with his mum. One day, in town, we see him at the supermarket. He has no trolley but carries a few items in his arms. He walks quickly as if he knows what he wants and is anxious to get away. He makes no eye contact with anyone. Another day we meet him in the street. Coming around a corner we almost run into him, head down, hurrying. “Good morning…. lovely day!”, my wife says brightly. He looks at us for the briefest of moments, shocked, his blue eyes wide like a man woken from a bad dream, mutters something incomprehensible, smiles (astonishingly!) at the dog, and hurries away. We think there is more to his compulsive walks than the occasional joint. Perhaps it is some kind of mental illness, or perhaps there are harder drugs involved. In any case he is not a well man and we feel sympathy and concern that he has sunk to a low ebb and that his hopes of fighting his way back to the surface are slim. Part 2 – The Lady: Many other people walk the same route of course. There are dog walkers, young mothers with prams, dads with small children on their shoulders, couples hand in hand, old ladies out for their constitutionals, kids with fishing rod and bucket heading for the pier. Soon after we moved here we meet a lady. A lady of a certain age, gentle, refined, traces of an English accent in her soft voice. We chat about the weather and the dog, she asks us where we come from, how long we have been here, how much we like the place; but volunteers nothing of herself. We see her often after that. She walks slowly and meditatively along the foreshore, soaking up the peace and the beauty. But we sense a melancholy in her. After remarking to ourselves for some time on the increasing frequency and urgency of Hoodie-man’s walks we realise that we are not seeing the lady any more. Perhaps she is away but we can’t resist wondering if there might be a connection. Could she be Hoodie-man’s mother? Part 3 – The Weeping Man : After almost a year of “There goes Hoodie-man again”, we suddenly realise that we haven’t seen him for a few weeks. Perhaps he’s doing rehab, got a job, turned over a new leaf. Perhaps not. Then one day I look along the foreshore and there, sitting on the seat under the big she-oak, is a man I’ve not seen before. Wearing a fluoro-green tradie’s jacket he sits slumped, staring at his feet, only occasionally lifting his head to stare out across the bay before returning again to contemplation of his feet. I think nothing more of him until the next day, when, following the flight of a flock of godwits with my telescope, a blurry black and fluoro-green figure crosses my field of view. Guiltily, I take the telescope back to him and focus. He is as before, shoulders hunched, head bowed, staring at his feet. But there is something else – he is shaking. Suddenly he lifts his head and I see that his face is transfigured with grief, contorted into a crumpled rubbery mask, his mouth working as he stares frantically about the horizon, the unheard word “Why??” written all over his tear-streaked face. There is no doubt that he is weeping out loud. A man in his sixties, who I have not seen about the town before and about whom I know nothing , suddenly appearing in his most private moment in the lens of my telescope. Embarrassed, I look away and busy myself with other things. When I look up again he is gone. I see him again each morning for a few more days, but don’t have the heart to turn the telescope on him again. I can see from a distance that he is spending more time looking calmly out to sea and less time staring at his feet. I hope he is starting to heal. I don’t see him again after that. We never see Hoodie-man again. But the lady returns after a few weeks to her occasional, meditative walks. We meet her again and she is friendly and communicative in her usual quiet, reserved way but gives no hint of any grief or loss. Epilogue: The three parts of this story are real, but the connection between them is a fiction of my own invention. For there are coincidences here that fire my imagination: sadly Hoodie-man disappears, a weeping man appears soon after and is not seen again, and the lady returns to her occasional, meditative walks. Is there a connection between these events? How can I know? I have to admit that I don’t even know what happened to Hoodie-man. But I do know that mental illness and drug addiction (if these things are really part of this story) are each like a pebble in a pond – the ripples go a long way and touch many. Even innocent bystanders like us. Congratulations Ian

2014 PAGE 17 The Bass Valley News GARDENING & SELF SUFFICIENCY Natural highs a winter tonic Here is Dr McLeod’s gardener’s massage By Linda Gordon oil, a warming, muscle-relaxing, penetrating ZESTY lemon verbena on the fresh blend. produce shelf, between the beetroot and Ingredients the coriander, was doing its job at the 50ml almond, avocado, peach kernel or farm gate shop in Inverloch. It made the olive oil (although the olive is a little heavy) customers smile. 15 drops of your own enfleurage fragrant oil And no one should walk past a winter- (if available) blooming daphne without bending low 10 drops essential oil of lavender and breathing deep. 5 drops essential oil of thyme Picking the flowers off a baby orange 5 drops essential oil of rosemary tree, passing the jonquils in their glass on Method the kitchen bench, brushing against the Blend together well before smoothing over pineapple sage on the way to the compost bin or picking a few violets for hands and skin. Naturally, be aware of any their elusive perfume are all brain-stimulating actions. possible sensitivity to the ingredients before using. In mid-winter, when we expect dormancy in the garden and a touch of This story by Linda Gordon first appeared in the Bass Coast Post in seasonal sensory deprivation, these hits of fragrance are medicinal. They July 2013. Read more of Linda’s great gardening stories at do give the brain’s biochemistry a charge, and make us feel a little high and www.basscoastpost.com happy. Dr Judyth McLeod, Australian horticulturalist, academic and writer, GREEN CLEANING RECIPES # 1 believes a sense of smell is almost as important as sight for the gardener. All-purpose Grime/Stain Remover Yet this sense is under-used and overlooked. Dr McLeod reckons we should practise smelling and remembering in nature, to build up our “scent Mix together 1/3 cup each of water, memory”. cloudy ammonia and liquid soap- This is a little more challenging with native flora. “The scents encountered jelly*. Add 8-10 drops eucalyptus in the Australian flora are very diverse and exciting. The dominant perfume oil. Mix and poor into a recycled spray container. Cleans note is honey, an elusive scent almost impossible to capture,” she writes. everything: Stains on clothing (apply before washing) or spray Indigenous to the Bass Coast are the fragrant and aptly named shrubs honey-pots (Acrotriche serrulata), and the tree violet (Hymenanthera onto surfaces to clean grime, grease and dirt from walls, dentata), among others. vinyl, stove top, tiles, around light switches, etc. Coastal gardens can be a perfect habitat for scented native plants. There * use bio-degradable dishwashing detergent if soap jelly is are a stack of good suggestions in The Perfumed Coast (included in Dr not available. Mcleod’s Fragrant Native Gardens, Simon & Schuster, 1994). Capturing For more Green Cleaning Recipes and general Self delicate flower fragrances in oil – a technique known as “enfleurage” – is relatively simple. Saturate neutral oil, such as a vegetable oil, at room Sufficiency tips visit... temperature with freshly picked fragrant flowers, and replace the flowers every day or two. After two weeks the oil should be full of fragrance and can be used as an essential oil. www.theshoppe.com.au

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PAGE 18 MAY The Bass Valley News GIVE A DOG A HOME We had a couple of requests to reprint last months Photo of the Month Following a story in Bass Valley News in colour so here it is….. Peacocks visit Grantville property. last year about Greyhounds as Pets, San Remo’s Bickham family decided to consider adopting a greyhound when youngest daughter Molly lost her cat just before Christmas last year. Mum Sally contacted BVN Editor Roger Clark who she knew was behind the Greyhounds as Pets story and an appointment was made for Molly, Sally, Dad Leigh and eldest daughter Jessie to go to the Lang Lang greyhound track and meet up with Raina who is pictured here with Molly. Raina was previously owned by Bryan and Bart Scanlon and trained at Crossover by David Dawson who deserves much of the credit for successfully transforming Raina from racing greyhound to much loved family pet. Sally describes Raina as the most beautifully natured dog and so faithful with her and Molly now almost inseparable. The family have already joined the group Friends of the Adoption Program from whom they have received great support. They are all so grateful for having been given the opportunity to have Raina as part of the family and would love to see more people open their hearts and homes to these wonderful dogs. For more information contact [email protected]

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