MT PLEASANT COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

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What's happening at East Neighbourhood House

Dear Mt Pleasant Residents, We have been establishing a new Neighbourhood House in the Ballarat East area to complement Wendouree, Ballarat and Ballarat North Neighbourhood Centres/House. This new House will incorporate activities for the Mt Pleasant and Golden Point areas along with Ballarat East, Eureka, Canadian through Mt Clear, Mt Helen and even Buninyong. A key step forward is to appoint our ongoing manager, and with that in mind we would like to welcome Sarah Greenwood-Smith as the new Manager of the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House. Sarah has many years of experience managing community and volunteer programs and events through her work as a Ride Director with Bicycle Network and State Coordinator of the Waterwatch Victoria Program for the (then) Department of Sustainability and Environment. More recently, Sarah has been instrumental in the development of the very successful Brown Hill Community Newsletter and the much-loved Brown Hill Community Festival.

Sarah says, "I am looking forward to getting to know the locals of Ballarat East, Eureka, Canadian, Golden Point and Mount Pleasant and working together to further develop activities and events to engage with and support the community."

Emily Brumby will also be continuing in the Administration Assistant role. Along with her other administrative and community development responsibilities, Emily is looking forward to taking on the initial role of Walk Organiser for the new Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Heart Foundation Walking Group, before this is passed along to volunteers as the Group evolves.

Sarah and Emily are excited to collaborate with the community to continue the establishment and development of the House. M T P L E A S A N T N E W S L E T T E R

What's happening at Ballarat East Neighbourhood House

Where to Find Us The Ballarat East Neighbourhood House will utilise two sites: the Eureka Hall in Stawell Street South, Ballarat East, and our office space in the Recreation Centre at Woodmans Hill Secondary College, Fussell Street, Ballarat East. The majority of our groups and activities will be held at the Eureka Hall, and we are hoping to be recommencing these in Term 4. Activities this year have included Tai Chi, Yoga, Drawing Group and Social Arts and Crafts. Our Ballarat East Neighbourhood House Heart Foundation Walking Group will also meet in the Eureka Hall car park once we are able to begin.

We intend to continue to develop more groups, activities and events to be held at the Eureka Hall. Stay tuned for more information!

Our office space in the Recreation Centre at Woodmans Hill Secondary College was established in early July. However, like many others we are currently working remotely from home but are excited to be able to move back in to the office as soon as possible. Most importantly, we would also like to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Without them, the purchasing of equipment and furniture for the office would not have been possible. Our heartfelt thanks go to The Buninyong & District Community Bank, Acciona Wind Farm and 'Be Connected'

We are looking forward to resuming working from the office as soon as we are able. We are also excited to get to know the Woodmans Hill Secondary College community as we establish this space.

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What's happening at Ballarat East Neighbourhood House

Farewell from Acting Manager, Kate Owen Kate has been delighted to have been working with the Mt Pleasant community over the last several years, particularly with the Community Connections Group that together have delivered a range of community activities and events such as the Mt Pleasant Christmas Carols, activities at Crouch Park and producing the newsletter.

It’s also been wonderful working with Max Duthie and the Mt Pleasant History Group and consultant Historian Dr Bill Garner on our fabulous “Discover Historic Mt Pleasant” project, as well as with local resident Bernadette Duffy on the mural project. A special you thank and acknowledgement to Graphic Designer Peter Lambert and also Daryl and Laurice at Country Lane Furnishings for hosting the mural.

None of these activities would have been possible without thTee xCt ity of Ballarat’s Community Engagement Program in Mt Pleasant and the support that program has provided for these projects. Concurrently with this program the has made major improvements to the Mt Pleasant Reserve which is now highly valued and utilised by local residents and wider community. Kate will be returning to her previous Community Development Officer position at Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre. Kate wishes Sarah and Emily the very best with their endeavours at Ballarat East Neighbourhood House and is looking forward to hearing about good things for the Mt Pleasant community in the future.

To find out about our current news, activities and projects, please Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BallaratEastNH

You can also visit our website: https://ballarateastnh.org.au/ For general inquiries please email: [email protected]

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Mt Pleasant Primary School Update

Hi All, I hope everyone is staying safe and staying warm!

Mount Pleasant Primary School and Mount Pleasant Kinder are partnering up to provide a strong transition for 2021 Kinder families. We have started a Virtual School Tour on the website for new families and Erin at the Kinder is sending these to her Kinder families to begin engaging them with “school life”.

The importance of fostering a strong school and kinder partnership is now more important than ever. We are planning on lots of ways beyond 2020 to strengthen our partnership for local families.

You can see the Virtual Tour videos here: http://mtpleasps.vic.edu.au/enrolment-virtual-tour/

We were also recently featured in The Courier here for our Fun Fiesta Friday days. The purpose is to ensure a balance between wellbeing, school work and community connection. Even though we are apart our school is working hard to make us feel connected.

You can read the article here: https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/6890150/fun- fiesta-fridays-to-balance-school-work-and-wellbeing/ Photo: Supplied

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further queries.

Warm Regards, Kate Robinson Principal

Mount Pleasant Primary School 401 Cobden Street Ballarat Vic 3350 Ph: 03 5332 3646 www.facebook.com/Mtpleasps Photo: Lachlan Bence

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Mt Pleasant Reserve Update

Exciting Upgrades at the Mt Pleasant Reserve As part of the City of Ballarat's Community Engagement Program in Mt Pleasant, there have been significant upgrades undertaken at the Mt Pleasant Reserve. Over the last couple of years this has included the installation of the much-anticipated basketball half-court, fantastic new play equipment and an upgrade to the walking track circulating the oval. More recently, the City of Ballarat have also planted some wonderful new trees around the entire perimeter of the oval, alongside the path. It will be fantastic to see their growth over time.

There are also plans for the installation of exercise equipment similar to that which you may have noticed at Lake Wendouree in recent months. This will no doubt enhance community enjoyment of this space. The Mt Pleasant Reserve upgrade has been a significant undertaking and one which has allowed events such as the Mt Pleasant Community Christmas Carols to take place in this location.

A Historic Snapshot of the Reserve The Reserve holds many memories for Mt Pleasant locals, Did you know that from 1863 until the early 1930s, this was the site of the Mount Pleasant Public Gardens? It was first proposed for that purpose by local residents in 1858, just four years after Cornish mining families pitched their tents here. In 1867 they fought off a government plan to subdivide and sell off the temporarily reserved land.

By 1870 the Gardens were fenced and gated and fully planted out with shrubs and trees. This provided an alternative to the long trip to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. After half a century the Gardens had deteriorated and during the 1930s Depression ‘sussos’ (sustenance workers on the dole) were directed to excavate the slope to form the present sports ground. Over the years, the Reserve has been home to local cricket, football and baseball teams and a popular escape for children and teenagers.

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Mt Pleasant History Group Update

What Does a Local Historian Do During Pandemic Restrictions? 2020 began with the promise of an interesting and exciting year for the Mount Pleasant History Group. We had completed the installation of the last sign, along with the official launch of the joint project ‘Tram Mural’ at the Shops Corner on Barkly and Cobden Streets. The latter was held after the first afternoon meeting of the group in February.

We had a busy program ahead of us for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, Covid-19 stepped in and so far has cancelled all of our plans, as well as placing most of us in restricted lockdown in our homes. So, what does a local historian do when they are not able to hold public meetings with like-minded residents of the oldest suburb in Ballarat?

As the pandemic and consequent restrictions have dragged on, that question has engaged my thoughts; and so I reflected on just what I had done since February. The answer surprised me, and I’d like to share some of what I’ve done in the hope that local residents might be inspired, especially as we have no real idea of how long we might be in this situation. To begin with, I spent a lot of time organising paperwork relating to local history. This also involved reading and enjoying the stories of Mountie history written by Dr Bill Garner, our consultant historian, and published on the Facebook page, History of Mount Pleasant Ballarat. Allied to that was the organisation of photos I have collected over the last few years related to our suburb’s rich history. That is still a ‘work in progress’.

Mt Pleasant Tram Terminus c1960s (Source: Ballarat Tramway Museum)

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Mt Pleasant History Group Update - Continued

During the first stage of restrictions, we were still allowed a visitor or two to our home. During that time, I was able to meet up with several people who had stories to tell [and photos to share] of their family time and connection with Mountie. Amongst those contacts were:

Bill Mong, who shared stories of early Mountie and the Chinese, along with information about the 1950s bus service through Mountie. That is a story still in the writing. Jude Reams (nee Latter), who came and shared photos of my Grade 4 class at Mountie. Mark Lepp, who was visiting from Shepparton and spent an interesting afternoon sharing some more of the Chinese heritage of Mountie. He also had photos of Mountie sporting teams. John Close, the son of Edgar Close who had a Dairy Farm on the corner where Oliver’s Shoe Factory was until recently. The Close family are also connected with another early Mountie family, the Middlins who had a farm in the block bounded by Humffray, Bond, Cobden and Morton Streets. I have also had electronic contact with other folk who have provided information about Mountie History. So, despite being restricted in our personal movements around home; and despite being unable to meet as a group there have been plenty of opportunities to connect with people Tewxhto have an interest in local history, specifically the history of ‘our’ suburb. A new Face Book page that began recently is “I Grew Up in Ballarat in the 1960s and 70s” has had a number of posts related to Mountie and I have (along with some other MPHG members) been able to contribute information to that Students gathered at the front of the school for its formal opening in 1874 (Source: Mount Pleasant Primary School) page. So, although the pandemic and resultant social restrictions have prevented the Mount Pleasant History Group form holding regular meetings and sharing the story of our suburb, there is still plenty that you can do at home and share with others. Sort your photos, reminisce about family and local history and reach out to others who are also shut in.

Max Duthie President The Race Store in 1860 (Source: Historical Collection Federation University) Mount Pleasant History Group

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Ballarat Municipal Observatory Update

Due to Stage 3 Restrictions, the Observatory has been closed. However, online events have continued where possible. Check out the Observatory website for more information at https://observatory.ballarat.net/

Upcoming events include the online showing of the premiere of the film 'In Saturn's Rings', with the Filmmakers and Q & A time. This was due to be shown in theatres in the USA but due to Covid-19, we now have access to a once-only online showing for a small fee. Date: Wednesday 16 September 2020 Time: 9.50am

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/652673

'In Saturn's Rings' Live Streaming Premiere with Filmmakers plus Q&A 'In Saturn’s Rings' is a grand tour of the universe starring Saturn. From the earliest images after the Big Bang to the final photographs of the Cassini mission, 'In Saturn’s Rings', is a journey of the heart, mind and spirit that moves audiences with some of the most amazing space images ever seen.

Over 7.5 million real images from the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn, Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Hubble Telescope Milky Way time lapses, and more are brilliantly brought to life in this ground- breaking and immersive crossing space and time. 'In Saturn’s Rings' was not produced with computer-generated images. Instead, the filmmaker painstakingly employed multiplane photo animation created entirely in Adobe After Effects with image processing by over fifty volunteers in Adobe Photoshop, GIMP and custom Java/ImageJ programming tools. The film is set to powerful music composed and performed by Pieter Schlosser and “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber performed by the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dmitry Sitkovetsky.

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