THE QUEENSCLIFF AND POINT LONSDALE NEWS Published monthly on the first Wednesday and available in Queenscliff, JUNE, 2013 Phone: 5258 4828, e-mail: [email protected] Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove and the Queenscliff/Sorrento Ferry. Circulation 5000 – Number 163 – FREE Website: www.queenscliffeherald.com.au Let's Talk Recognition National Reconciliation Week is earth colours. Coordinator Jo White- framed by two key events in Aust- head said the organizers were de- ralia's history which provide strong lighted with the turn out and especially symbols for reconciliation 27 May the children's interest in Aboriginal 1967 and 3 June 1992. In 1967 a culture which is 'the oldest in the referendum saw more than 90 per world'. cent of Australians vote to give the The Queenscliff Reconcilitation Australian Government power to Mob recently produced a 22-page make laws for Aboriginal and Torres educational booklet about the original Strait Islander peoples and recognise inhabitants of the Bellarine and Surf them in the census. Coast regions titled 'The Wadda Wur- In 1992 the Australian High Court rung People Did You Know?' created delivered the Mabo decision which by Jo primarily as an education tool for recognised that Aboriginal and Torres school students and of course adults. Strait Islander peoples have a special It features the lives of the local traditional relationship with the land. Aboriginal people who have looked This paved the way for land rights after this part of Victoria for many known as native title. thousands of generations, the local The ASG G33 locomotive being unloaded for Bellarine Railway - Photo courtesy Matthew Brunton. The theme for 2013 is 'Let's Talk dreaming story of Bundjil the Wedged- Recognition' with a focus on how tailed Eagle, land management, Australians can better recognise each healthy lifestyle, housing, tools and other, and recognise the contributions, implements and the story of the War-child Steam Locomotive cultures and histories of Aboriginal Aboriginal flag. "We all need to know and Torres Strait Islander peoples. and understand the history and cultural Locally the Queenscliff Recon- heritage of Australia, not just since makes a come-back ciliation Mob, a small active group 1788 but before, and to realise that this who support reconciliation between heritage belongs to all of us and is part Bellarine Railway took delivery of at Fyansford until the closure of the ASG G33 to The Bellarine Railway we indigenous and non-indigenous of our shared history," said Jo. a significant locomotive ASG G33 railway in 1966 and donated for display at have reunited all six surviving Australians, ran a very successful Ms Whitehead designed the book- that will join the five remaining the Australian Railways Historic Society locomotives at the one location, a celebration of Aboriginal culture at let and has used the artwork by local steam locomotives from the Fyans- railway museum in 1968. unique example of industrial the Point Lonsdale School Hall 1 June. Aboriginal artist, Kelly Koumalatsis ford Cement Works railway. The President and Chairman of the archaeology in its own right!" Around 60 children and parents on the front, back and inside covers as locomotive is the only remaining Geelong Steam Preservation Society The locomotive was unloaded on participated happily in the smoking well as art by local artist John Murray example of the unique Australian which operates the Bellarine Railway Friday 31 May at Queenscliff and will ceremony and welcome to country also members of the Queenscliff Standard Garratt locomotive ASG Mr Andrew Bridger said, "Our move to the railway's storage shed at address by Uncle David Tournier of Reconciliation Mob. Jo acknow- G33 to return to the region. It is of volunteers are thrilled to see the Point Lonsdale after remedial work to the Wauthorong Cooperative in ledged Tandop (Uncle) David Tourn- international significance and will locomotive returning to the Geelong the wheels and bearings is completed. become another tourism drawcard Geelong, didgeridoo playing and ier's advice and knowledge that region and our railway. This is the It will ultimately be restored to full for the Bellarine Railway and the lessons, dancing, making boomerangs contributed so much to the book now culmination of many years of work by operating condition. Tax deductible Borough of Queenscliff. and painting with a few dads helping available for $5 at the Queenscliff our dedicated team of volunteers who donations to assist with transport and G33 is a war-child and a living with sanding and interesting face Information Centre and Historical tirelessly restore, maintain and operate restoration costs can be made any time memorial to Australia's wartime dom- painting with typical 'dot' designs in Museum. the railway. With the relocation of to the Bellarine Railway. estic situation and industrial desper- ation. It took 12 months from com- mencement of design to the first loco- motive rolling out of the Victorian Railways' Newport Workshops in 1943. The ASGs were built to help the narrow gauge railways in Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia cope with the logistical challenges of moving large volumes of wartime freight. The 120 ton Australian Standard Garratt is a uniquely Australian design and ASG G33 operated in Geelong at the Fyansford Cement Works as their Number 3 from 1946 until 1966. Of the 65 built, G33 was fortunate to be the sole Members of the Queenscliff Reconciliation Mob John Murray, Kelly Koumalatsis and surviving example. Overhauled by the The 'Albert A Gunsser' after named after 'Bert' Gunsser - a foundation member of the Jo Whitehead with Uncle David and didg player Norm Stanley participated in the Cement Works in 1960 it was then rarely Geelong Steam Preservation Society and long-time steam locomotive driver at the smoking ceremony along with many families eager to lean more about Reconciliation. used and was stored as a standby engine Fyansford Cement Works. Butcher • Provedore • Liquor • Greengrocer Open 7 Days Ph: 5258 4744 Page 2 – Queenscliffe Herald, June 2013 News from your local MP Mayor's MYKI - After writing to the Minister for Public Transport about my concerns Column reagarding the lack of outlets to purchase or top up MYKI cards on the Bellarine I have The celebrations continue and the Borough of Queenscliffe. Some of received a response. Unfortunately no the new features include a searchable list of outlets have been identified on the Bellarine. The formal 150th Anniversary weekend In the short term, residents will be able to may be over but we're still celebrating 150 upcoming events and activities, progress purchase and top up MYKI cards on local years of the Borough of Queenscliffe. Keep pages for current major projects and answers bus services. A long term solution needs to your program of events and activities handy to 'frequently asked questions'. be found and existing outlets in Newcomb so you don't miss out on other upcoming Also provided are searchable directories will not serve the vast majority of the festivities, such as: the Bellarine Masonic for all businesses and community groups Bellarine community and I will continue to Centre Open Day on Sunday 9 June; and within Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. push for convenient outlets. presentation from fourth generation resident, Council officers have endeavoured to capture Bellarine Community Support Register Mary Grundy, on Thursday 27 June. all organisations and to provide accurate I was honoured to officially open the Additional to the activities outlined in details, however you are encouraged to check Bellarine Police Community Support your 150th program is a special reading from your listings and notify Customer Service of Register's annual fundraiser, the Victorian Matthew King, at 11am on Friday 21 June, at any corrections required. Police Bands concert in Portarlington the Queenscliff Library. Matthew will bring Visit www.queenscliffe.vic.gov.au to find recently, and see so many people there. The the joys of a paddle steamer journey to life out more. Register supports isolated, older and with reminisces from the Jacobs family from Support from Government disabled residents across the Bellarine who 1912. The Borough of Queenscliffe is very need social contact, information on safety I'd like to take this opportunity to say fortunate to recently receive $1M in and security through a register overseen by 'thank you' to everyone involved in organ- government funding to support two very volunteers and Bellarine Police. These ising the 150th Anniversary celebrations. It exciting community projects. Stage 2 of the residents can also receive a regular phone has been a fantastic collaboration between Point Lonsdale Village and Foreshore call from volunteers to keep them con- community groups, the schools, QLBTA, the Revitalisation project has received $500,000 nected. Based at the Bellarine Police Station 150th Organising Committee, Councillors from the Federal Government's Regional in Ocean Grove, residents can provide and Council officers. It has been an immense Development Australia program. This information necessary in an emergency such pleasure to be involved and to delve a little means that Stage 2 will most likely as contact details for their doctor and further into our rich and colourful past. commence after the Easter holiday period pharmacist, property access details and even Thank you everyone for joining in the next year. Stage 1 will commence later this information about their pets. In an celebrations of this very special milestone for year and will be finished before Christmas. emergency, this information can be accessed the Borough of Queenscliffe. It's great to be able to complete both these by police and other emergency services. stages within 12 months. Congratulations to all those involved on a Supporting community projects PUBLIC NOTICES great event, and on the wonderful work Applications are invited for the Com- The Queenscliff railway station precinct that's done through the Register.