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DONALD BIRCHIP Phone: 5497 1222 Phone: 5492 2735 Email: The Buloke Times Fax: 5492 2863 [email protected] Email: [email protected] birchipblc@ Est. 1875 bigpond.com Published Tuesdays and Fridays PRICE (inc. G.S.T.) $2 PP331336/0000 1 Tuesday, March 23, 2021 For the Shire of Buloke, and the districts of Birchip, Charlton, Donald, St. Arnaud, Watchem and Wycheproof Forging Lifetime Friendships Birchip Playgroup is enjoying a resurgence following an enforced hiatus in 2020, and it is a wonderful place to bond and create memories and friendships that last a lifetime. On Friday morning, new mothers with young babies and seasoned playgroup Mums and toddlers were all enjoying catching up and watching their children learn and develop through their informal play and social interaction. The sessions at Birchip Playgroup are fun and relaxed, and encourage community members to build friendships that last beyond playgroup. The sessions provide parents with some reprieve from the daily grind, as they share a cuppa and a chat while the children play in a safe space, with lots of fun toys and activ- ities they may not have at home. Playgroup in Birchip is held at St Mary’s Parish Centre, behind the Catholic Church every second Friday. It is inclusive of all, and the envi- ronment is welcoming and friendly for all children and their families, and particularly encouraging of new families • Continued on page 2. • Fun at Playgroup for Stella Wheeler, Sonny Sheridan, Matheus Tierney, Felicity Coffey, Savannah Ryan, Leo McLoughlan and Christian Comer. Helping Hands for Neighbourhood House (By Jenny Pollard) Helping hands come in many forms, and the recent quilting exhibi- tion held at New Horizon Quilting in Charlton brought opportunities for both the Neighbourhood House and the practitioners of this exacting craft. The quilting outlet — Beginning with just two presenting this creative outlet which opened last year — is fabrics and having a total of to the wider public. the brain-child of Neil Jack- three layers, participants were Adding to Charlton’s pro- man, a creative craftsperson encouraged to “go wild” to file as an evolving hub for in his own right, who shares build up their designs and use artistic endeavour, Neil’s his time between Ballan and additional fabric in creative business provides a diverse Charlton. ways. range of quilting fabrics, Establishing a new busi- The resulting support for drawing praise from practi- ness during the pandemic the inaugural challenge was tioners who say the variety year made for a “pretty weird heartening, with 17 entrants, surpasses that available in time”, said Neil. However, strong attendance for the ex- many larger centres. Pricing passionate quilters are not to hibition and $302 raised for is also kept affordable, with be deterred, and strong local the Charlton Neighbourhood “specials” often available. support has been able to be House. Machine showcased through the The key feature of the en- “Moving Forward Quilt Attendees could vote for terprise is Neil’s imposing Challenge” which was re- their favourite item to decide Bernina Q24 Long Arm cently on display. the winner, which was Casey Quilting machine — the rev- Outlet McSwain with her engaging oluntionary, state-of-the-art Providing an outlet for wall hanging inspired by her work- horse — which re- quilters to drill deep into love of dogs. quires a considerable amount their creativity, Neil put out On the premises at the of space to accommodate its the call last October, making New Horizon Quilting at 9A 12-foot frame. available Challenge Packs, High Street, Neil said it was “I saw a “Vacancy” sign on complete with fabric and di- an opportunity to encourage the shop window” said Neil, rectives as to how the project both first-time quilters and “and after making enquiries, • Stepping away from the traditional styles of patchworking and quilting, Neil is pictured should evolve. experienced hands, while • Continued on page 2. with one of his own designs featuring this cheeky Aussie emu. The state Agriculture Minister noted that GM More on Genetic Modification adoption was forecast to give some $4.8 billion in total Another important step has been taken by a state gross benefits to NSW primary industries over the next government. ten years, with the wheat industry one of the biggest In an earlier editorial, we said it seemed that TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 beneficiaries as it could reap $1.7 billion in savings and genetic modification (GM) was one of the important extra profits through gene technology in the same emerging tools in the building of food and nutritional The moratorium was enacted to manage the trade period. It could save farmers up to 35% of their over- security. and marketing issues related to this emerging branch heads and boost production by almost 10%. of agriculture. Its lifting means producers will have Recently, there were further examples discussed in The NSW Farmers president said farmers should more free rein to market GM crops. The uncertainty rice and bananas. have the opportunity to make informed choices, based of investment will be reduced, and it will be easier for on their individual businesses and specific conditions Now there is a change to the New South Wales system. GM improvements to enter the agricultural sector. Since 1996, the state has allowed the cultivation of — “There are farmers who would incorporate GMOs GM cotton, and GM canola since 2008. But since 2003 The chief scientist said the public concerns on the into their systems and those who would choose not to”. NSW has had a legislated moratorium on commercial effects of the technology were waning, with more He thought that the right to choose did not stop cultivation of other GM food crops unless approved by favourable scientific studies. The greatest benefits to with crops: truth in labelling was important, to create the state Minister for Primary Industries, as was the croppers were likely to come from more heat tolerant trust and acceptance. This recognised that some mar- case for GM canola. and drought resistant varieties, improving nutrition, as kets, in Europe for instance, did not want GM products well as reducing pesticide use and confronting new bio- In March 2021, however, the NSW government an- at present. diversity threats and plant pathogens. nounced that, from July 1 2021, it will lift the morato- The big challenge for researchers is still the genetic rium on the commercialisation of GM food crops. A concern that has not been brought up this time is modification of wheat. The commodity has not been There will still be a need to have the approval of the that of the “super weeds”. However, it seems that commercialised anywhere so far. Perhaps the work by Commonwealth Gene Technology Regulator, which human behaviour has been more to blame for the rise University of Melbourne plant scientists on biofortified has been described by the NSW DPI chief scientist as in chemical resistance than GM. This would include wheat reported previously will result in the first step “very rigorous” . roadside spraying and poor chemical rotations. being taken. Helping Hands for Neighbourhood House • Continued from page 1. customized detail, is expected Smitten with the fabrics on to take more than 15 hours display, and captivated by the building was just perfect work, even with an apparatus Japanese designs, his first when I discovered the size of as high-tech as the Q24. foray into quilting featured the back room. My house is Having transitioned from the elegance of oriental way too small to fit this ma- needle-felting work (compet- cranes. And from there – well, chine in!” ing at the Melbourne Show), the rest is history! Marketed as “realizing the Neil made the move into biggest quilting dreams you As life slowly returns to quilting about five years ago. can imagine”, Neil is building more normality, Neil said he up commissions with his “I made a needle-felt cush- will start planning how the power-house capacity to at- ion which I needed to have Charlton business with tempt the most complex, de- quilted and took it to Millrose evolve, possibly with opening tailed or large-scale of Cottage in Ballan (renowned hours moving to Thursday, projects. A current commis- patchwork and quilting sup- Friday, Saturday, so he can ac- sion, which has extensive pliers),” said Neil. commodate “Sit & Sew” ses- sions on Thursdays. And there will probably be Forging another “Challenge” adver- tised later in the year. Lifetime “I’m keen for people to try the ‘Art Quilt’ line, where cre- Friendships ativity and innovation are the keys, in preference to the • Continued from page 1. Birchip Playgroup will more traditional quilting host its final playgroup ses- forms,” Neil said. who have moved to the area, sion of term 1 next week, Fri- new parents and anyone who So, quilters take note – for day, March 26, from 10.30 more information either check hasn’t joined in before. a.m. to 12 noon, and parents, out signage at the Charlton grandparents and carers of • Surrounded by a selection of entries from the 2020 “Moving Forward Quilters Challenge”, business, or contact Neil Jack- Playgroup helps parents children from birth up. They Neil Jackman is planning on creating further initiatives to expand local quilting opportunities and caregivers build social will also host their annual man on 0411 867 075. in and around this region. and support networks that en- general meeting on this date courage and assist them in and plan the calendar and ac- their valuable parenting role, tivities for term 2, 2021, to and in a small community it work in with Shake, Rattle helps parents and children and Read sessions.