The 24th MAY 2015 Granite News Volume 9 Issue 18 Hughes Creek ٠ Highlands ٠ Ruffy ٠ Caveat ٠ Terip Terip ٠ Whiteheads Creek FARMING & ENVIRONMENT NOTES FROM HIGHLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL The highly successful “2015 Euroa Environmental STUDENT of the WEEK Seminar Series” continues Contact [email protected] 5790 4007 and the next “conversation” is To subscribe online go to BRIDIE HAYES www.highlands.org.au about Water. READERS’ WRITES ―It is with great sadness that we at Strawberry Music Group have decided to withdraw our intention to hold the music festival known as Strawberry Fields at Gum Road, Caveat. It is unfortunate that despite having the support of the Murrindindi Shire Coun- cil and the Highlands Committee, some With the Castle Creek empty more local residents have caused us to often than full and the Seven pursue an alternate venue. Bridie receives the student of the week Continuing would have meant enduring Creeks totally drying up for the award this week because of the a prolonged and expensive legal battle third time in 10 years - everyone fantastic effort she puts into the at VCAT. While we strongly believe in completion of her homework each and has valid concerns about water. the original decision made by every week! Murrindindi Shire Council to grant a The lack of rainfall, the reduced Keep up the great work Bridie! creek-flows, the proliferation of permit for the event, we also believe You should be very proud of the high that the Highlands Committee and local mega dams, the plight of fish standard of your work!! community are much more deserving populations - what are the social, of the money which would have been SENIOR ROOM NEWS: economic and environmental im- spent defending that decision. The highlight for our senior room The fact that, even were we successful pacts here and downstream ? students this week was the at VCAT, we would be entering a “Highlands Kitchen Rules” challenge, community divided, and potentially still which was an enjoyable (and busy!!!) very hostile to the idea of the festival, day for us all! also weighed heavily on our minds. It is for these reasons we will no longer be holding Strawberry Fields at Gum Road, and will instead be making a bequest of $6,000 towards the Highlands Committee in recognition of Christine Forster from the our original intention – to only ever Environmental Farmers Network, have a positive lasting impact in this will chair the discussions at the community. We also extend our thanks to all those Old Flour Mill Gallery who have shown support along the Kirkland Ave, Euroa way. The planning department at on SATURDAY 30th MAY 2015 Murrindindi Shire Council, the Councillors, Scott & Julia McKay, Jim 10am-2.30pm with LUNCH McCooey and all of those who pledged For More Information to volunteer for or otherwise have worked with the Highlands Committee www.strathbogievoices.com.au – we are truly grateful to have worked with you and encountered your spirit, positivity, motivation, and your open mindedness.‖ Tara Benney—Director, Strawberry Music Group Save the Date ! Christmas in July is happening at FINDING FOXY Issue 17 2015 Terip Terip again this year on Fire-Fox Page 4 By Maree Moyle—Principal, HPS Saturday 25th July KOPANICA PASTORAL Tastings & “blackboard EXCAVATIONS menu” lunch Sundays 11am – 5pm Tapas bar last Friday of the month PH. 0357 904 235 from 6pm MOB. 0429 804 235 Bookings 57969366 RABBIT RIPPING, DAMS, DRIVEWAYS 1590 Highlands Rd GENERAL EARTHWORKS & MACHINERY HIRE www.rockypasses.com.au FRANZ KLOFT ALEXANDRA VETERINARY SOLAR ELECTRICS MECHANICAL REPAIRS CLINIC SOLAR PUMPS Repairs & service of * For Bores * For Creeks vehicles Emergency Service * For Dams * For Tanks Tyres, Windscreens, Brakes, Mobile AH 0408 576056 SOLAR ELECTRIC FENCES Batteries, Exhausts, Dr Doug Norman B.V.Sc.(Hons) OFF-GRID INSTALLS & Wheel alignment, UPRADES Dr Jacinta Kelly B.V.Sc.(Hons) Automatic transmission SOLAR LIGHTING Phone: 5772 1600 Phone 5795 2910 GENERATORS 38 Railway Street, Euroa Regular trips to the Tablelands on Friday 22 Callister St Shepparton afternoons with discounted travel Free Call 1300 669256 FREE QUOTES www.commodoreaustralia.com.au Kopanica AG Fencing & Contracting Services Pastoral Grant Wheatley Company P/L All fence constructions, Livestock, Water and Equipment maintenance & General Cartage Pump repairs, Blasting Service We Will Cart Anything “Not sure if we do it?” Give us a call Phone 5790 4235 Mobile 0447 775 247 0407 028 122 CF & HL HANDASYDE BUILDERS Phone Ian on Established 1978 NEW HOMES, EXTENSIONS, : 0408990487 RENOVATIONS, DOMESTIC, RURAL ALL YOUR BUILDING REQUIREMENTS. : 57904328 Registered Building Practitioner Registered Electrical Contractor: Call Colin for a quote Telephone: 0419 502 782 License No. 16959 [email protected] EDUCATION SPACE For Hire The Tablelands Community Come see Rodwells Alexandra Centre at Ruffy for all your Farm Supply (Opposite The Ruffy Store) requirements, from Fencing & Ideal for Meetings, Lectures or Animal Health needs to Information Sharing Agronomic Advice. Reasonable Rates Please phone (03) 57 722 444 Contact Sally Kubeil Free Delivery Available 0407 904335 www.mafekingroverpark.com Donation from MACSHAY Supporters of Hay & Silage The Hughes Creek Remotely manage your rural Contractors Platypus For All Your Plumbing property from your smart Rounds and Small Squares phone, tablet or & Drainage Needs We also do Contract Slashing computer…from anywhere. Drainage, Gas, Sewer. & General Freight Carriers Tank Levels—Camera Monthly Specials Weather—Electric Fence Phone Paul: 0418 393 596 Call Frits 57969318 0438969318 Phil Whitten 0488 093970 www.allroundplumbinganddrainage.com.au Call John 57969312 0429861817 [email protected] www.farmms.net Licence no. 35985 Classifieds and Community Notices LOCAL GOINGS ON TRADING PLACES Good stuff for private sale or wanted by JANE BUNN friendly locals Local Family Home To Rent at Whitehead’s Creek Within easy distance of both Yea and Seymour is this lovely family home. Surrounded by farmland and pretty hills the house will suit a young family, Whitehead’s Creek Landcare Group is pleased with the Highlands School just a little to present Jane Bunn, familiar to many as the way up the hill. face of Win News weather and lately, 7 News, who will speak on all things to do with the weather and climate. Jane Bunn is a qualified meteorologist from Melbourne with an infectious enthusiasm for talking about the weather. With a Bachelor of Science degree from Monash University (majoring in Atmospheric Science & Mathematics), Jane was one of nine students from Australia selected in 2006 to undertake a Graduate Diploma of Meteorology provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. The home consists of a large hall, large sitting room opening to second living/playroom or dining area, which As part of her studies she also spent a semester at Pennsylvania State opens across the counter to the University, one of the leading meteorology schools in the US. kitchen. Along with an upright electric After graduation Jane was appointed as a forecaster with the BOM – stove, there is a lovely slow combus- posted initially to the Sydney office and later to Canberra as well as the tion wood stove and generous pantry. The kitchen adjoins a vast sun room RAAF’s Williamtown Base. with vinyl flooring, which would make an ideal dining area or playroom. In 2008 Jane joined The Weather Channel as the morning meteorolo- The second loo, large laundry and bathroom are accessed from gist, before moving on to WIN News to explain the highs and lows of this extra living zone. regional Victoria’s weather where she proved hugely popular. The property also offers a large As a weather consultant, Jane also provides advice to farming garage/shed with two skillion spaces for extra vehicle storage. communities throughout Victoria, as well as the Country Fire Authority, Long term lease is available for the the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and a large right tenants. number of organisations in the agricultural sector. References essential. $300 per week. More recently she has presented the weather report for ABC News 24 Please call Christine and the ABC’s primary 7pm news bulletin in Melbourne. 5797 2799 to inspect Jane also has a Graduate Certificate in Journalism from Charles Sturt University, and she maintains a strong social media presence through her Twitter account, @janesweather7 WANTED The event is on Sunday 14th June at 2pm Farm Quad Bike at the Whiteheads Creek Hall All are welcome. Entry is $10.00. I’m looking to buy an old but Contact Philip Smith 0438 371279 reliable farm quad bike. [email protected] Preferably Honda/Yamaha/Polaris but anything considered WANTED TO BUY If you have one to sell, please call Norm 0418 379401 Older Massey Ferguson square baler wanted for parts, SPEAKING PLAIN ENGLISH any condition considered. The opposite of déjà-vu is Please Contact Ray jamais-vu — the unnerving feeling Found....in 4 hours! that something very familiar is Another ‘Trading Places’ Success Story 0430 455 336 actually completely new COMMUNITY “WHAT’S ON” CALENDAR MAY 2015 Sunday 24th ST.DAVID’S UNITING CHURCH TERIP-RUFFY Ruffy Road, Terip Terip May 2:00pm Heritage Day. Listen to some interesting stories from the past of our Church. TODAY ! It would be appreciated if you could bring a plate for afternoon tea to share. All welcome. For any information contact Sue Martin 5790 4277 Sunday 24th ROCKY PASSES ESTATE 1590 Highlands Road, Whiteheads Creek May Paradilla Argentina Typical Argentinian BBQ Cooked on a Wood Fire TODAY ! 1:00pm This is the last BBQ for Aussi Wine Month!! Bookings Essential Please Call 5796 9366 Monday 25th RUFFY RURAL FIRE BRIGADE 2014-15 End of Season Meeting at the Ruffy Community Hall May All members of the Ruffy Brigade are encouraged to attend.