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CHEWTON CHATCHEWTON DOMAIN SOCIETY (INCORPORATED)

Reg. No. A0034364LP.O. Box 85, Chewton, 3451.

Published on the 1st of each month Issue 192 February, 2015.

www.chewton.net

Australia Day traditionally sees the pace pick up around Chewton. Traffic becomes heavier and more constant as Chewton serves as one of the gateways to the still growing Fryerstown Antique Fair and to the bustling Newstead Live! And there’s the Australia Day activities at the Chewton Pool. Local identities and local community groups do themselves proud with their input and involvement with these activi-ties.

Publicity about the fair, festival and pool has been extensive in recent months – and pub-licity helps bring visitors. See the separate ar-ticles about each of these in the pages inside…

Photos clockwise: Locals were among the stall holders at the Antique Fair and they

were in for a busy time, as was the refreshment-providing Fryerstown CFA.

Locals shared the microphones at Newstead Live! and the flag fluttered at Chewton Pool.

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Heat in the local pines on Australia Day...

An incendiary device?Monday evening, at the end of a cold and blustery Aus-tralia Day, a fire truck was sighted crossing the Llewellyn Road ford and turning up the hill to disappear into the pine plantation. As these pines are adjacent to Golden Point and are just to the north of Chewton, such a scene is a worry. The CFA Warning website listed three fires around Castlemaine at that time – Muckleford and, more worry-ingly, Barkers Creek!

Several CFA units attended and the impact was small. But an incendiary device was apparently found at the scene! The Bendigo Addy the next day had a re-port http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2842146/suspicious-fire-in-pine-plantation/?cs=80 and stated “wit-nesses can contact Kyneton Crime Investigations Unit on 5421 2900.”

A post on the chewton.net FaceBook page in re-sponse to this incident asked, “Good God, how can people do this?”

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Fryerstown

Calling for Clean Up Australia Day helpersFryerstown residents will be out in force, once again, on the morning of Sunday, 1st March, doing their bit for Clean Up Australia Day.

If you would like to help free up the roadsides leading into Fryerstown of rubbish, please register at cleanu-paustraliaday.org.au/Fryerstown+area or call Janobai on 5473 4153.

This year I found myself with an excess of old furniture and bits and pieces picked up in garage sales just needing some cleaning and polishing, to make them recognisable as old and interesting and to take their place either in our house or garden. For years it had been my hobby to do this as a lovely relaxation from my paid employment. But over the last year or so the number of ‘restorer’s pieces’ has built up and I have slowed down in being able to do that sort of restoring and repairing so I decided to take a stall at the Fryerstown Antique Fair this year and sell off some of the collection which had accumulated in the “too hard for me” category. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, most of the things I decided to sell turned out to be quite large because it had been easier to tackle the smaller stuff and use them, while leaving the bigger projects for some other time. Anyway I found I needed two gazebos and found other stallholders also were setting up larger stalls using multiple gazebos. They do make very good stalls, when used with walls that are made for that brand of gazebo and attach with “Velcro” style straps and zips. With the assistance of friends some of my accumulated stuff was carted to the Fair and set up inside the gazebos and alongside other stalls selling similar stuff. The first day was very hot and in the afternoon I was finding it quite hard to get any cooling breeze into the gazebo. A helpful customer or fellow stallholder pointed out that I could take out the back wall and have a breeze blowing through. I

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was surprised and very grateful when he proceeded to do this for me, tucking the fabric “wall” up onto the ceiling frame so I could pull it down quickly if I needed to in case of rain or when I left for the night. Grateful, and much cooler, I used the same system for the rest of the Fair and an added bonus was a nice view out the back and the occasional visit from a small brown pony on the other side of the fence.

The camaraderie and friendships among stallholders is legendary and nice to see, and to be part of. Many stallholders book for the next year’s Fair before they leave the current Fair and often they request the same stall. There are many rewards in being a stallholder. It is lovely to see someone go off really pleased with a purchase and see the smile on their face as they walk away. Some even come back the next day to tell you that they found some bonus like a date or a signature that makes their purchase even more interesting. Many customers enjoy telling stallholders about their purchases and hobbies and become more like friends than potential customers.

The best way to appreciate the Fryerstown Antique Fair is to come along and take your time to wander and enjoy the atmosphere. Talk to people over a cup of tea or coffee, the CFA BBQ or the School lunches at the Old Fryerstown School. The next best way is to look at the photos published in the Chewton Chat in February. Here are some taken during the Fair this year. Kay Thorne.

Photos (apart from Kay!) courtesy Tim Todhunter - there are many more of Tim’s photos on chewton.net FaceBook!

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A Fair bit of publicity...First it was an article in the Weekly Times that emphasised that the big Fryerstown Antique Fair was coming up for the fortieth time! Then the Age took a similar tack. Both were great publicity for a remarkable achievement. For any community to sustain such energy over such a length of time does deserve such plaudits..

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Wet weather has had a significant impact on this year’s fire season with turn out numbers dropping this month. The recent rain has meant that members at Chewton CFA have had a quiet start to the New Year.

Members of the community must be aware, however, that the Fire Danger Period is still current. FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE STILL IN FORCE despite the cooler temperatures and the rainfall.

Residents should also not be complacent about the risk of bushfire in our local area. A month of summer is still to come so the danger of fires starting is still something we must all keep in mind. People living in areas where there is a risk of bushfire should have a plan in place and be ready to act.

Vegetation is already drying out after the rain and some areas such as Tooborac, south of Heathcote, have still experienced significant fires despite weather conditions.The Tooborac fire ignited on January 16th and burned out of control for some time until more than 30 crews were able to stop the spread of the fire which burnt into the Spring Plains Nature Conservation Reserve. The fire burnt over 60 hectares and Chewton was required to send down a crew on January 17th to help with blacking out operations.

Lightning on January 7th also caused havoc for firefighters across the state after strikes started a large number of fires. Chewton CFA was first called out to a fire in Harcourt which was the result of lightning in the area. Luckily the fire was brought under control quickly with a good response from all brigades involved.

With the fire at Harcourt under control, the Chewton Tanker was then diverted to Kyneton to help out at a number of fires burning in the area. Kyneton was under threat from 3 separate blazes which we all burning in the same area and an emergency warning was issued for the area. Chewton was out there well into the night, until all fires were brought under control and the emergency warning was downgraded. Metropolitan Fire Brigade crews also had to be sent to the area to be put on standby for any further events in Kyneton as all of their vehicles were unavailable.

On December 30th, a crew from Chewton was also

called to a grassfire in Taradale which was burning towards the township. A large number of brigades were called to the incident and with their help it was quickly brought under control.

The brigade also attended a structure fire at the Castlemaine Colonial Motel and Apartments on January 2nd. The fire was sparked by an electrical fault and damaged a number of rooms at the motel.

Chewton CFA was also turned out to a number of minor events over the past month, including a couple of call outs on Christmas and New Year.

Overall though, members of the brigade were able to enjoy a great holiday period with friends and family. Members of the brigade also had their own celebration together with a quiet night down at the Red Hill Hotel in the lead up to Christmas.

The night was a result of a very generous member of the community who provided a donation to the brigade.Everyone from the brigade had a great night out together and on behalf of the all of us at Chewton CFA we would like to thank “John” for his kind donation which made the night happen.

CFA Update – February 2015

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New members welcomeOver the past month or so Chewton CFA has had a number of local residents come down and sign up to become members of the brigade. This is great for our brigade as we are always on the lookout for new members, especially anyone who is able to turn out during normal working hours. If you are interested in joining the brigade we would love to hear from you.

People wishing to join can sign up as either an operational or non-operational member, it depends on whether they want to turn out to events or not. If you are interested, or if you would like more information, please come down and see us at the Chewton Fire Station in Mount Street any Sunday morning between 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

At the conclusion of fire season Chewton CFA is also hoping to get the Chewton CFA Junior Brigade back up and running. The brigade is currently in the process of making this happen and will be holding an information night for parents and children at a later date. Anyone who is interested should keep their eye out for further information when a date has been selected for the information night.

Siren TestMembers of the community should be aware that Chewton CFA has plans to test the siren at the station at some point during February. This will occur on a Sunday morning just after 10 a.m. and will only be for a short period before it is switched off.Paige Mounsey, Chewton CFA Communications Officer.

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Mt Alexander Community Enterprise

Small Grants announcedMt Alexander Community Enterprise (MtACE) is a vol-untary group fundraising for projects in the Mt Alexander Shire and is pleased to announce its first round of Small Grants. The Small Grants are up to $500 and are to assist local groups with projects.

Secretary of MtACE Robyn Lewis said, “We are very pleased to be able to offer these Small Grants. Our com-mission income from Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Telco has reached a level where we can begin to expand beyond our target projects.”

The 2 major projects for MtACE funding are the Wesley Hill Sports Complex Redevelopment and the Cas-tlemaine Hot Rod Centre Ltd. These groups have got the Enterprise off the ground, promoted it and gathered the community behind them in their fundraising efforts.

“We are now ready to add to these projects with other smaller funding opportunities for wider community groups. The more people who use these businesses and link their accounts with MtACE the greater the funds we will have for the Small Grants,” said Ms Lewis.

Full details of the grants and application forms are available at www.mtace.com.au or www.community-grants.com.au Grants open February 1 and need to be received by February 28th.

MtACE is hoping to fund at least 10 groups in this first round and looks forward to increasing this amount in future years.

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Jacki Heath was born in Melbourne and grew up in Brighton. The family later moved to Rosanna. After initially attending a private all-girls’ school she then attended Macleod High, a co-ed public school. She says, ‘being in a classroom for the first time with boys was a bit of a culture shock’.

After finishing school Jacki went to Melbourne Uni where she studied Education and Arts. Upon graduating she worked as a high school teacher for 31 years, teaching English and Media, History, Politics and Humanities.

Along the way she married a Chewton boy, Jamie Johnson, who was born and bred in Chewton. His mother, Dorothy, still lives here and his brother Robert runs the famous Pizza De Wheels. Says Jacki, ‘Jamie moved to the city for work, and then nineteen years ago he brought home a city girl.’

Jacki had never contemplated living in the country. ‘I was such a city person and for many years I couldn’t contemplate not living in the city.’ Interestingly, it was Jacki’s decision that they move from Melbourne to live in Chewton. ‘We would come up here often to visit his parents and I suspected that he probably wanted to live back in the country. About five years ago, after living in a very tiny house in North Fitzroy for some years I thought we needed a challenge and suggested we should buy some land in Chewton and build a house, and this is what we did.’

They did a lot of research into sustainable housing, and saw a sustainable designer in Melbourne. ‘We moved into the house a year ago, and continued working and living part time in Melbourne. I’m currently on long-service leave and will be retiring in June. So for the first time in more than 30 years I am free.’

Jacki says she adores Chewton. ‘Why?’ ‘I suppose because I feel so connected now. It’s very friendly, very

different to what I imagined small country towns to be like. You go to the shop for a coffee and someone joins you and chats to you. Coming to the Chewton Pool has been very important. I’ve joined the pool’s fund-raising committee and am helping out with that.’

She says she loves attending the Golden Girls’ swim time at the pool. ‘The water’s spectacular, crystal clear. James Darling has done an amazing job tending the pool each morning. I also love the idea behind saving the pool, of little people beating the big people. It strikes me that that’s the spirit of Chewton.’

Gloria Meltzer.

Know Your NeighbourHave you met Jacki Heath?

St. John’s in FebruaryWe have a new Locum Priest starting early February. We are not sure what the services will be, but there are definitely services at St John’s on:

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and

• Sunday 28th at 9.15 a.m.

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Chewton Senior Citizens • February 3rd (Tuesday) Pokie Trip to Echu-ca-Moama. Bus $12.00, smorgasbord lunch $13. Meet 8.30 a.m. Castlemaine Market.• February 12th (Thursday) Lunch 12.00 for 12-30 at the Chinese Restaurant.• February 26th (Thursday) Lunch and meet-ing, 12.noon at the Centre.• March 3rd (Tuesday) Pokie Trip, 8.30 am. at Castlemaine Market

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Chewton continues to have a great run in the newspapers (and for all the right reasons!) The Age carried an article about Ben Leckie recently. Ben and partner Thea O’Brien exhibit their work at their place – the former Independent

VICTORIAN BLACKSMITH KEEPS FADING SKILL ALIVEChurch on Main Road. Signage indicates when it is open. In March, Ben’s work will feature in the open studios sec-tion of the Castlemaine State Festival.

This article by Benjamin Preiss was published on January 12, 2015.

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And the Chewton Pool receives publicity too...“What does the pool mean to you? The Age newspaper asked that question when a photographer visited Chewton Pool at mid-day on a coolish January Friday.

A series of photographs were taken. Kids on lilos, Golden Girls, little ones jumping in, semi-submerged shots – and eventually the story was published.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/how-chewtons-ugliest-men-saved-their-outdoor-swimming-pool-20150102-12guvn.html

But it was after the Age visit that the weather and the attendance at the pool heated up. A visit later that after-noon showed a hive of activity.

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Poolside Chatting... and it’s already mid-season!

By the time you are reading this article we will be past the middle of the 2014-15 swimming season at Chewton Pool. We have been working to give you an enjoyable experience when you visit for events and regular swims. We hope you have enjoyed the pool during the holidays.

We are averaging 83 swimmers per day this season plus those who attend the programs. Here is a sample of the activities available –• GOLDEN GIRLS: Women’s swim sessions every

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11.00 -12.00• NUGGETS: Men’s swim sessions, every Tuesday and

Thursday, 9.00 - 11.00• AQUA AEROBICS: 10.00 to 11.00, Wednesdays with

Jasmine (0417 018 417), operating with a creche for 3yo+ at the toddlers pool with Tracie (extra $3 per child)

• VICSWIM: Held for 1 week in January and completely booked out

• CHILDRENS’ SWIM LESSONS: Sunday mornings from 9.00 with Tracie 0439 676 013, 45 min group lessons for children age 5 and up costing $7 each

• AUSTSWIM: Tuesday to Fridays from Feb 3, 1.00 - 2.30

• CHEWTON SCHOOL SWIM PROGRAM: February 2 to 13, 2.00 – 3.15 daily

• BLUE LIGHT DISCO: 6th February, 4.00pm These are some of the activities happening at the

pool. A pretty busy space, isn’t it? Pick up our program flyers from the pool kiosk.

Did you know that 25% of adults don’t know how to swim? If you are interested in a private swimming class, please contact Tracie Bush on 0439 676 013. Tracie is one of our senior lifeguards and we are proud to have her available and trained for this service.

We have had some great events in January. The Icecream Social “Social” was held on Thursday January 8 – a great combination of pool, snags on the BBQ and yummy ice cream. Australia Day was marked by a family fun day with free entry to the pool. The thong throw is a highlight with both parents and children competing.

Another highlight for January was Chewton Pool making it to the front page of The Age newspaper. The article featured the efforts of the blokes of Chewton in the

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Ugly Man competition. You can read the article on our website, www.chewtonpool.com.

We are thrilled that Castlemaine Country Women’s Association has offered to purchase a defibrillator for the pool. During the off-season we intend to locate it in the central area of town accessible to all in an emergency. What a great contribution - and many thanks.

The Pool Management has recently had discussions with our CFA Captain regarding the best policy and procedures if we are threatened by fire. A copy of the new fire policy is available from our website and the kiosk, but in summary, if we are alerted to activate our fire plan, we will evacuate the pool and send patrons home. If unaccompanied children are present their details will be recorded at the kiosk and parents will be contacted. If parents are unable to collect their children, the staff will take the children to the Castlemaine Market Building in Mostyn St, Castlemaine and they will notify the Castlemaine Police of their whereabouts. We hope never to have to implement this policy but we must manage risk.

The fundraising team has a program of activities planned commencing in April this year. Next month we will publish the events so you can put them in your diary. The team is always looking for people with skills and energy to help and they will have a job for you. They have a great deal of fun planning and conducting events if the last fundraising meeting is anything to go by!

Enjoy the second half of the season, with half price season tickets available since Australia Day.

Rose Darling, Chewton Pool Committee.

Photographs appearing in the Chewton Chat also appear in galleries on the chewton.net FaceBook page - along with many, many more.

And in the FaceBook galleries they are all in colour!

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What a remarkable story!

Jill Coy and Arthur Meredith-Smith met on the Australia Day weekend at Peterborough, a coastal town near Warrnambool. Jill’s parents had a holiday house there where

they spent their summer holidays. Australia Day in Peterborough was quite a big deal back in the 1950s with sandcastle competitions, a boat race round the treacherous bay and a dance in the hall at night. This particular year there was an emphasis on fancy dress and Jill dressed as a fire cracker. Arthur had come along with a friend from Melbourne. That was where they met and Jill says that after a

“whirlwind courtship” of seven years they married on the

20th December 1963. Arthur had known for

some time that his paternal great grandfather had been the licensee of Chewton’s British and American Hotel for many years from 1854. He had arrived in Melbourne in 1852, took out gold licence number 57 and started at Fryers Creek. The following year he established the British and American Hotel (also known as the Chewton Tea Gardens) at the corner of the Melbourne and Golden Point tracks.

But it was in 1988, after 25 years of marriage, that it became known that Jill’s paternal great grandfather had also been the licensee of a hotel in Chewton! John William Coy was the licensee of the Farmers Arms Hotel in Faraday Road Golden Point from 1864 to 1875. That hotel is now a private residence.

If that coincidence isn’t enough both great grandfathers served on the Chewton Council and both were mayors at different times. A newspaper article on the 10th March 1876 of the ordinary meeting of the Chewton Borough Council held in the Municipal Chambers (town hall?) reported Thomas Meredith Esquire (Mayor) sitting with fellow councillors

Arthur and Jill Meredith-Smith (January 2015)

Arthur and Jill on their 1963 wedding day

Sketch taken from an old advertising map of Castlemaine, Chewton and district.

Thomas Meredith, licensee of the British

American Hotel.

John William Coy, licensee of the

Farmers Arms Hotel.

Elizabeth Jane Coy, wife of John.

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Brunier, Baker, Sturkin, O’Donohoe, Coy, Morrison and Joynes. During the meeting Councillor Coy drew attention to the wretched light in the hall – neither councillors nor reporters could see what they were doing; and moved that the Town Clerk purchase two new lamps for the use of the council. The mayor seconded that motion and it was carried.

And, of course, both men along with their wives are buried in the Chewton Cemetery. Both graves are in the old section of the cemetery and have similar monuments and are relatively close together.

In December 2013 Arthur Meredith-Smith called into Castlemaine’s Visitor Centre and purchased a copy of Ken McKimmie’s Chewton Then and Now and was thrilled to see the story and the graphics of the British and American Hotel. Arthur contacted one of the People and Places volunteers, Elaine Appleton, who was able to provide him with copies of the graphics.

The naming of COY STREET was explained by the late Barbara James in the June 2000 Chewton Chat:

The Falmouth Arms was first licensed to a re-spectable old colonist, Mr L. Williams, and by him trans-ferred to Mr Marriot, who had a wife and large family. Marriot conducted the hotel in first-rate style until his li-cence was not renewed, when he carried it on as a general store. But towards the end of 1856 he bolted. His wife, Ann, inserted an advertisement in the Mount Alexander Mail asking that he return or write as this would relieve a great deal of mental suffering. But the advertisement apparently did not flush him out as an

Farmers Arms Hotel, Wine & Spirit Store now a private residence (photo from 1997).

Coy Street (off Golden Point Road)

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article about Ann’s plight appeared in the Mail in April 1857. She was then planning to apply to the Castlemaine Police Court for her husband’s apprehension so that he could be forced to maintain the family. The end of her story remains a mystery.

Three months later John William Coy, who had ar-rived in the area in 1852, bought from the Crown the land on which the Falmouth Arms stood, paying £4/10/- for it. The improvements on the lot were to be valued and added to the price of the land, but we do not know what these were. It seems likely that Mr Coy was chiefly responsible for constructing the building that now stands on the block, today a private house and one of the few early commer-cial buildings to survive at Golden Point. At any rate, in 1861 Mr Coy was able to mortgage his property for £200. He obtained a licence to sell beer and, from 1866, wine and spirits as well. Mr Coy became a borough council-lor and was, for two years running, mayor of Chewton. When he died in 1878 his obituary in the Mail read, “His open hand to the poor, kind heart and genial nature will long be remembered.” The road opposite his house was already called Coy Street. In his time that part of Golden Point was closely settled which probably explains why it was called a street rather than a road.

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Remember the Welcome to Chewton Kit? In book form, it was produced in May 2005 and after a first revision was launched in August of that year. After 5 revisions the Kit was last printed in July 2009. Since then many things have changed in Chewton (what hasn’t?) and stacks of new people have arrived. The lack

of a Welcome Kit has often been lamented and the need for a new one has been mentioned many, many times dur-ing the community planning process. And now things are happening...

The Chewton Welcome Kit aims to assist new resi-dents to access local services and make community con-nections.

Chewton’s Welcome KitUpdating the existing Kit has commenced and now

is the opportunity for you to submit content. This is the chance to showcase your business / community group / sporting club/ art / music etc. Also it aims to provide any handy tips for living in Chewton and surrounds.

You are invited to submit text and photographs. It would be fantastic to include some local art and also have an emphasis on services for families, youth and senior citi-zens.

It is anticipated that the Kit will include content on Chewton foremost, but will also include information on surrounding attractions (markets, wineries, festivals etc.).

The updated Kit will be made available on http://www.chewton.net.au as well as via CD-ROM located at various businesses around town.Closing date for Submissions is the 15 February 2015

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Lunchtime in Chewton and the wind has picked up. The playground opposite the shop has a few customers and a few adult overseers. But in the background the wide ex-panse of the soccer ground is being put to another use.

Local space and wind – the perfect combination for kite flying. And Max Lesser is a regular when these condi-tions prevail. Kites of strange designs appear for testing and tuning. And today Max’s kite was joined by a smaller version. In a time when drones are becoming a safety concern because of their growing popularity it’s great that

High flying in Chewton...

p.s. Apparently I left too early after taking these photos - Max emailed to say, “You missed the best shot - the string broke and the 2 kites sailed off into the distance. Into the clouds - and landed near the railway line to the left near the old station.”

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people in Chewton still aspire to flying kites! And instead of drone photos we might soon see kite bearing cameras pro-ducing shots for publication in our local newspapers.

With kite flying, a lot of physical effort is obviously needed to get things off the ground – despite it appearing to be child’s play!

Kite flying at this venue wasn’t always possible though. For many years of its life as the former home of the Chewton Football Club this ground was famous for having a low drooping heavy duty electric wires cross-ing the ground over the half-forward line. This story ap-pears, courtesy of Don Duus, on a film held by the State Library and available on http://www.cv.vic.gov.au/stories/football-stories-from-country-victoria/1586/strange-pad-docks/ Kites and power lines have never mixed…

17

By River’s EdgeFootprints by the river’s edge, leading close around the bend, Leave behind the memories of young days that came to end. Whispers on a morning’s breeze have sprung forth from river’s run, They carry the promises of those times still yet to come. Back upon the middle ground lost loves echo through the trees, Yet far beyond windswept plains they are travelling with ease. The pathway through meadows green calls to spirits needing rest, It will lead to comfort zones as the sun sets in the west. Suddenly through murky haze one can hear slow, beating drums, They march out the changing guard that been rebuilding the slums. Silence greets the fallen walls in the darkness of the night; Stain glass windows on the way hold out endless hope for light. Open fields of trampled grain became playgrounds of the lost, Not even the wisest men could begin to count that cost. Now the distant falling rains wash away the ageing deals, While judges turn their blind eyes to the long list of appeals. Standing by the river’s edge, listening to the whispered breeze, I can hear an ancient tongue begging for the Kingdom’s keys. I’m not going anywhere in this burning midday sun; I will wait upon the times which were promised still to come.

Daniel Larson.

Poe try

Corner

Padua, Early MorningMidnight in PaduaIs midnight in any railway stationAnywhere in the world.A world peopled by strangersWhose kind haunt the nightAnd are not seen by day.Transvestites, drunks, perverts, noisy revellers.People looking at peopleWith suspicion in their eyesAnd the seed of fear in their hearts.Here the tired, the impatient and the helpless Meet on intersecting axes of desperation.Everything and everyone At different platforms. All going somewhere -To the same end.

David Watson.

Soft SoapThe advertiser says the word: This soap’s a cut above the herd. Ultrawash! It foams and cleans, Removes the muck from filthy jeans, Softly soothes the dirt from nighties, Soil from nappies, stains from whities. Need to bleach? It does that too, And brightens just like Reckitts Blue. It’s colourfast: your reds won’t drain. Use Ultrawash the soap with brain!

David Watson.

NEW TRADING HOURS Starting February 2015

FRIDAY to MONDAY 10am – 4.00 pm We will be serving our specialty

Laksa Dish on Sundays and Mondays

We serve a curry every day. Monk Dish on Friday & Saturday. Vegetarian & Gluten free selections

146 Duke Street, Castlemaine Telephone: 54 706 038

Your Host: Onn Ho

18

Some years ago the then Kennett government shook up local govern-ment in Victoria with mass amalga-mations. An effi-ciency drive it was called, and after years of separation Chewton joined Castlemaine in the new Mount Alex-ander Shire.

To imple-ment these amal-gamations, the Kennett govern-

ment appointed commissioners. Three commissioners presided over the new Mount Alexander Shire. A Mount Alexander Citizen’s Association flourished as ratepayers took on the battle to regain democracy and obtain the right to vote for our own elected councillors to govern the shire.

The very first Monster Meeting comemoration took place during this time – a 1995 protest meeting held in Castlemaine’s Victory Park that culminated in a march on the Castlemaine Town Hall to protest about the impostion of commissioners!

Around this time the commissioners decided to put the Chewton Post Office up for sale - as excess to the shire’s needs. Chewton erupted in outrage. The com-missioners retreated and passed over the titles of the post office, town hall and central park for the Chewton com-munity to own and thus the Chewton Domain Society was created to manage them.

The Mount Alexander Commissioners are mainly re-

membered now by a series of ageing bronze plaques stra-tegically placed through the shire – the one at Expedition Pass Reservoir “disappeared” mysteriously some years ago.

It’s worth recounting this history because, now, al-most twenty years on there’s a petition being circulated to have commissioners brought back! A petition calling on the state government to replace the councillors that were elected by the shire’s rate-payers during the last exercise in democracy in 2012 is “doing the rounds”. And the word “Chewton” is regularly used in print discussions about this petition.

After several weeks of weathering on the Post Office notice-board, the three sheets of the petition pinned there have attracted just three signatures.

Local council elections giving ratepayers the demo-cratic right to elect their council representatives are held every four years on the fourth Saturday in October. The next council elections will be held on Saturday, 22 Octo-ber 2016 – about 20 months from now.

Additionally, the newly elected State Government has flagged that it intends to limit council rate rises to Consumer Price Index (CPI) rises, and has stated it will be implementing this policy.

Less than a fortnight ago (15th January) the ABC News reported:

“Victoria’s new Local Government Minister, Natalie Hutchins, says smaller rural councils struggling with the idea of a rate cap will be given every help to adjust to the change. The new Labor Government has rejected a call from the Municipal Association of Victoria to delay implementing its election promise to limit rate rises to the inflation rate. Premier Daniel Andrews said any council that wanted to raise rates by more than that would have to put its case to the Essential Services Commission. Ms Hutchins said she was sympathetic to smaller rural coun-cils which did not have revenue streams from things like parking meters, to provide some flexibility in their budget-ing. “I think with appropriate planning and consultation the system is going to work fine,” she said. “What we’re concerned about and what we took to the election with our policy is our concerns around many councils putting their rates up at two and three times the rate of CPI without justification to the local community.”

John Ellis.

That petition... and democracy?

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19

It seems not many people want to leave Chewton at this time of year; there is not a lot for sale. Properties for sale around Chewton are:Cantwell Real Estate:• 24 Main Road, historic property on the edge of town,

adjoining crown land and right by the walking/cycling track, surprisingly expansive 3 bedroom, for sale at $625,000.00;

• 6 Fryers Road, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house for $649,000.00;

• 4 Prior Street, 5 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms, 2 storey sandstone and weatherboard set amid huge garden, $848,000.00;

• 225 Sparks Road, 58 hectares on the edge of the Bush-land for sale at $679,000.00.

Cassidy Real Estate:• 29 Mount View Road, 2 bedroom stone home nestled

in 6 acres of the Bushlands, offering views over Chew-ton itself, $370,000.00.

Castlemaine Property Group:• 68 Llewellyn Rd, stone and timber house set atop a

hill on approx. 3 acres of bushland. 4 bedrooms, 2 liv-ing areas and shady verandahs where you can sit and enjoy the views over The Res. Outbuildings and R/W tanks. For sale at $535,000.00;

• 77 Pioneers Road, single bedroom log cabin set high in the Bushlands with views over Chewton and onto Castlemaine, $315,000.00.

Keogh Real Estate:• 576 Pyrenees Highway, 2 bedroom weatherboard with

character, set on 3 ½ acres of land with a meandering seasonal creek, plenty of outbuildings, $315,000.00;

• 40 Madigans Road, Eco friendly home on 5.79Ha, mainly timbered lot though planted with a variety of fruit trees, for sale at $295,000.00 (UNDER CON-TRACT);

• 11 Monks Hill Road, renovated 1800’s cottage set

on nearly 6000sqm of park like gardens and seasonal creek, $495,000.00 (UNDER CONTRACT).

Waller Realty: • 53 Eureka Street, 3 bedroom bushland retreat on 1

acre, with plenty of outside living and surrounded by Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, $310,000.00 to $325,000.00;

• 732 Pyrenees Highway, ultimate family lifestyle with indoor pool and generous family room, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, set on an elevated 3 acres with expan-sive views, the exterior is well set for entertaining, $525,000.00.

Lynne Williamson.

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Thinking of selling? Want to know what your property is worth?

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FOR ALL YOUR BUYING & SELLING NEEDS

Chewton’s roads are goldfield relics so are winding and narrow. Wires strung across them to connect buildings to essential services are low and often loose. But these constraints don’t stop some huge loads passing through. We’ve seen large vehicles going from left to right and back again as they attempted to negotiate the largest gap be-neath the wires, and we’ve even seen equipment used to lift the wires for a load access.

These photos were taken recently – on the 15th just before 8.30 and are provided courtesy of Mandy Fennessy. Another big load passing through.

Who can forget the large vehicle that went through a few years ago and took a host of cross-road wires down between the town hall and the then garage? When stripped wires were left dangling and when people couldn’t ring to report the damage because their phones had all been disconnected?

Big load a’passing through

20

Learning about collective nouns was, for me, one of the entertaining parts of school English lessons: a pride of lions, a parliament of owls, a murder of crows. I learnt a new one at a mayors’ conference in January: ‘a magnificence of mayors’. No sniggering at the back please.

Mayoral gatherings are very useful occasions for finding out what’s going on in other councils, how things are done, what the big ticket items are, comparing notes. The State Government’s announcement that rate rises will be capped for the 2016/17 budget caused much discussion and head scratching at the conference. Why tie rate rises to CPI when local government costs run at a higher rate? CPI is based on household costs; local government costs are based on labour, construction materials, plant and equipment, which increase at a higher rate. Don’t they realise that this will mean councils will effectively be losing income every year?

I was interested to learn some of the similarities and differences between metropolitan and rural councils. All have to deliver a range of core services: planning, roads, footpaths and buildings maintenance, libraries, home-based care (meals on wheels, cleaning etc.), recreation facilities, parks and gardens and so on. Services require a labour force which forms a significant part of every council’s costs. Mount Alexander Shire’s labour costs are 44% of the current operating budget. A typical metropolitan council spends 70% of its operating budget on labour. Labour costs rise annually in line with the council’s industrial agreement with its staff, the enterprise bargaining agreement, or EBA. Current annual pay increases vary between councils, but it’s unlikely that any are as low as the current CPI.

Over the weekend the mayors heard from the Minister of Local Government, Natalie Hutchins, experts on aspects of leadership, working with the media, advice from CEOs of large urban councils, as well as having opportunities to talk one-on-one with experienced mayors. We discussed case studies of major issues in local government and, most importantly, talked to each other in every break and in the evening. I can’t remember being at another gathering where everyone ‘talked shop’ from morning till night.

There are massive contrasts between councils in different parts of the state. Imagine the differences in issues faced by West Wimmera Council (Kaniva, SA border), area 9000 square kilometres, population 4000,

decreasing by 1.5% per year, and City of Whitehorse (Box Hill, Nunawading), area 60 square kilometres population 120,000 and growing by 1% each year. Which council do you think has the higher rates? Then there’s Surf Coast Shire (Torquay, Anglesea, Lorne) not dissimilar in size and population to Mount Alexander Shire, but with a long coastline to manage, and a population explosion every summer. I asked the mayor how they manage to pay for all the facilities that visitors require: toilets, change rooms, beachside boardwalks, carparks and so on. She told me that the State Government makes generous contributions.

Mount Alexander Shire is in the middle in that we’re experiencing neither high growth, nor population decline, both of which bring problems. We don’t have massive influxes of visitors, although we do have events which bring big groups of people into the Shire, such as the Rotary Truck Show, Fryerstown Antique Fair, Lions Swap Meet and coming soon, the Castlemaine State Festival in March. I’ve enjoyed this ten day event ever since I arrived in 1982. I’m certainly looking forward to the 2015 Festival, especially the weekend free events in Victory Park and the Botanic Gardens.

Cr. Christine Henderson, Coliban Ward,Mayor, Mount Alexander Shire.

Councillor’s Chat

We are on the final stretch with the Chew-ton Community Plan!After some time and lots of meetings the Chewton Community Plan Draft is now out for consideration. Some hard copies are avail-able at the Chewton General Store and Post Office. Electronic cop-ies will be emailed to the contacts for all local community groups.

As it is the holiday season, local groups and individu-als will have extra time to consider the draft. The clos-ing date for comments and amendments is February 21, 2015.Groups and individuals are encouraged to read through the Draft between now and then and discuss which ini-tiatives they might take the lead on or participate in.Any comments and proposed amendments can be emailed to Rose Darling, Chair of the Chewton Com-munity Planning Group planchewton@gmail.com or telephone 0418 306 900.The launch of the final Plan in early March 2015 will be at a Chewton community event.

Chewton Community Plan...

...a reminder!!!

21

It was this photo of a goanna taken at Glenmaggie that did it. An incredible specimen of a Tree Goanna (AKA Lace Monitor) to be exact. The question is – are there goannas

Goannas around here?still around here?

Discussions in the bar at the Red Hill have often mentioned sightings that were apparently frequent in the past – but not of recent times. There have been a couple of recent goanna sightings around the region, but it’s hard to tell whether they are Sand Goannas or Tree Goannas.* A landholder near Yandoit saw one a couple years ago.* A large one was seen during a bird survey near the west-ern side of Mount Tarrengower last year. * There have been a couple sighted near Baringhup over the past couple of years.

But certainly they are very rare and depleted… so have you seen any recently you could tell us about? And better still – any photos? Glenmaggie mustn’t have the only ones left.

There’s a 2012 photo of a Gould’s Goanna in the Muckleford Forest at https://geoffpark.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/goulds-goanna/

Trees along the edge of Golden Point Road have made their presences felt in recent years - sometimes quite heavily. There have been large blue gums fall across Golden Point Road in May 2012 and October 2014 and there was that large old pine that fell in December 2014. There are several blue gums of similar age and condition to the ones that fell still lining the road - they are notorious for shedding limbs and several have done that recently. One of these po-tentially dangerous trees (pictured on the right) is on the road verge just on the Chewton side of the res. wall - apart from being over the road it sits above an adjacent house. An arborist’s assessment by VicRoads would seem to be be a prudent course of action to take.

Can’t see the wood for the trees?Sometimes you can’t see the road for the trees!

22

Learn more about your local and ever changing landscape of the Forest Creek valley as well as providing natural, social and historical information about the area. Golden Point Landcare members and friends will be meeting at Chinamans Point (just over the Forest Creek ford on Chinamans Point Road) at 10 am on Sunday February 22nd. Ideas and information from this session will be used

Forest Creek valley - an invitation...to develop the 3 interpretive signs to be installed along the creek – at the Monster Meeting site, at Chinamans Point and at Expedition Pass Reservoir - as part of the grant received from the State Government’s Local Landscape Enhancement Grants program. Dress for the weather and perhaps some walking – BYO hat, water etc. For more details contact Jennifer Pryce on 0423 900 590.

The Forest Creek Track takes walk-ers and cyclists to points between Castlemaine and Expedition Pass Reservoir. It fol-lows Forest Creek through Chewton, past the Monster

meeting site and through the valley that, as the signs say, was the richest shallow alluvial goldfield ever. Forest Creek – two words that were very well-known around the world in the early 1850s.

...and the Forest Creek Track - another invitationThe Forest Creek Track is a great walk with lots to

take in – and because it follows the creek the gradient ei-ther way is very gentle. But walkers at this time of year have another advantage. By leaving the track and going to the drying creek bed it’s currently possible to walk long stretches in the creek. There are still a few small pools but the rocks and reefs make this diversion worth doing. The creek has altered markedly in the last few years since the big floods of 2010/11.

What nature has sculpted has been complemented by natural vegetation – and, in some cases, human hands. And, of course, this walk passes the Chewton General Store that coffee aficionados know so well. A great place to start, finish or even break a walk!

Photos: Forest Creek in flood, and the altered creek course and creek bed as a result.

23

The Australia Day weekend and it was time for the annual Newstead Live! again. Do you remember its origins? Chewton Folk Festival appeared on the scene in 2001 and for six glorious years Chewton was invaded and entertained. Tents ringed the oval, famous names appeared and were often seen mingling with the locals, the Troubadour Tent and the Community

Centre hosted ever-changing crowds, jam sessions erupted, buskers appeared (and even on the Post Office veranda!), businesses were boosted, local musos had appreciative audiences, St. John’s hosted packed folk masses – a magical transformation over several days around each Australia Day. And the talent that was attracted! Chewton became a famed place in the folk music world. After the 2006 Festival the Chewton Chat posed the question , “Who will be back in Chewton in 2007?”

We now know the answer. No-one! Organisational problems arose be-tween the Festival organisers and the then Park Committee of Management and in the blink of an eye Newstead became an attractive option – Newstead Live! was born in 2007 and has gone from strength to strength since then.

So for any music aficionados in this area Newstead Live is now the place to be each Australia Day. Newstead bursts at the seams as the streets and venues are taken over with colour and music.

Newstead Live! and Newstead comes alive...

Photos: Morris dancers and Martyn Wyndham-Read at Newstead 2015 - and three reminders of the Chewton days.

Chinese New YearChinese New Year’s Day’s date is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar, hence the date is

different each year on the Gregorian (internationally used) calendar, but always in the period January 21 to February 20. In 2015 it’s Thursday, February 19.

And it’s either the Year of the Sheep - or the Year of the Goat. Confucious apparently reigns!

24

Chewton Domain Society’s

People and Places Historic Collection

The Chewton Town Hall is home to a collection of historical records, maps, photos, audio visuals, guest

speakers and helpful volunteers – all there to help you:

• Research your family history or properties• Discover the golden history of the area.

The Town Hall is open to the public between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.(except on public holidays and days of total fire ban)

It can opened by appointment by calling 5472 3385 or posting an enquiry on the chewton.net FaceBook page.

Other helpful sites may be: http://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/libraries/castlemaine

http://www.castlemainehistoricalsociety.comhttp://trove.nla.gov.au

http://www.ancestry.com.au

Chewton Domain Society PO B0X 85 Chewton VIC 3451

Up a blind alley?The finishing touch-es to the Chewton Town Hall are con-tinuing. The instal-lation of blinds for the four windows has just been completed – Shane Tunn of Tay-lor’s Home Centre completed the instal-lation on the day Ice Cream Social visited Chewton Pool. De-spite the heat, work goes on! And, yes, air-conditioning op-

tions for the town hall are currently being investigated.A gallery-style hanging system has been ordered and

an associated lighting system is on the way as well. The time is rapidly approaching when the hall will be ready for a community launch of its new persona! And a super first exhibition is being planned for the Castlemaine Festival – a meeting in the town hall last Saturday advanced plans for this event. Details aren’t available as yet, but it has a very strong Chewton connection!

Listening posts at local pools As part of Council’s ongoing commitment to identify areas for improvement and what is working well at our pools, Council is hosting a series of listening posts at local swimming pools.

The listening posts are an opportunity for pool users to speak to Council officers about any comments or que-ries they may have about the 2014/15 pool season.

The time and location of the January listening posts are

Wednesday 21 January 2015• Castlemaine Pool - 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm• Harcourt Pool - 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Thursday 22 January 2015• Maldon Pool - 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm• Newstead & Dist. Pool - 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm

More listening posts will be held at a later time in the day during February. Pool patrons that can’t make a listen-ing post are invited to complete a survey throughout the season, or send comments and queries to pools@mountal-exander.vic.gov.au .

Hard copies of the survey are available from pool offices or follow the links from the Your Input section of Council’s website.

Taken from a Press Release.

10 February Safer Internet DaySafer Internet day encourages families, libraries and

schools to learn and connect together. Take positive ac-tions and teach each other about staying safe online.

25

Mount Alexander MailWednesday 3 February 1915

PROPERTY SALE.Mr Percy C. Baker, auctioneer, directs attention to

the sale by auction to be conducted by him this day at 3 o’clock, when he will offer for sale six freehold proper-ties in the estate of the late A. T. Dunsdon. The properties to be submitted are on the main Melbourne road, and right in the heart of Chewton, and should command keen com-petition.

Although Chewton is very quiet just now, it is by no means dead, or a thing of the past, as it only needs one of the many prospectors now out looking for payable reefs to strike something good and Chewton would again spring into life and once again be the lively little town it was some 30 years ago. All the properties in question are suitable for removal, and the butcher’s shop and out-buildings are roofed with hundreds of good sheets of gal-vanised iron in splendid condition. The sale will be con-ducted at the late Mr Dunsdon’s butcher’s shop, next to the Red Hill Hall, at 3 o’clock to-day.

Messrs Carter, Amos and Co. desire to draw attention to the auction sale at Chewton on account of the executors of the late H. D. Smith, comprising two good properties in the main street; also pure bred hens and ducks. The poul-try pens and poultry will be submitted in one lot as a going concern or separately to suit buyers. Household furniture and effects, which are in good order, and a large quantity of sundries, tools, etc., will also be submitted.

Glen Harrison.

Chewton - 100 years ago...Chewton’s Golden History

The discovery of gold in 1851 changed this area forever. The attraction of gold so readily available at Forest Creek

led to a mass influx of people from around the world. Many Australian families have connections that

can be traced back to these goldfields.

Because Chewton grew so rapidly it was not surveyed or planned as Castlemaine was. The rolling goldfields track has become the Pyrenees Highway and many of

the historic buildings that lined it are still standing today.

This historic landscape also has many sites of former churches, cemeteries, hotels, schools and houses.

Evidence of mining activity is across the landscape.

The P&P Historic Display concentrates on providing information about

•some people who have lived here since the gold rush days•some of their activities •some of the many places of interest .

Some of the books on display can be purchased (price on asking) and copies of material

can be provided for a small fee.

http://www.chewton.net and chewton.net FaceBook page.

We need friendly people with an appreciation of Chewton’s history, who are prepared to give 3 hours

one Saturday or Sunday each month. Please ring Allan Dry 54723385 or Elaine Appleton 54722498 if you would like to be part of the team.

Please

arrang

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own

swap if

these

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don’t su

it.

TOWN HALL EXHIBITION ROSTERSATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS (& most Public Holidays) 1pm to 4pm SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WEEKDAYS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

February 2015Sunday 1 ClosedSaturday 7 FrankSunday 8 JoanSaturday 14 MaxSunday 15 AllanSaturday 21 CateSunday 22 ElaineSaturday 28 Judy

Coffee, Teas, Milk, Newspapers, Magazines, Fresh Bread, Soft Drinks, Groceries, DVDs and more...

You name it we’ve probably got it. At your convenience...

Sprout bread now availableWednesdays, Fridays and weekends!

Hours 7:30 - 5:30 Mon-Fri 8:00 - 4:00 Sat-Sun

...it’s your store Chewton!

26

It all started in Chewton – Hobo Playhouse.Imagine sitting in the courtyard of a beautiful venue

in Castlemaine during autumn, sipping a glass of wine, nibbling on some Aussie street food and watching another world unfold before your eyes - it’s the world of street people.

Welcome to Outsiders, a production in conjunction with the 2015 Castlemaine Fringe Festival, tells the stories of people living on the edge of our society.

The production will be presented by the Hobo Play-house in the courtyard at Trades Hall, 127 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine.

Hobo Playhouse actually started in director Jeff Jones’ dining room when he lived in Chewton back in 2012. He could only fit about a dozen people in but there was never an empty seat as word of mouth spread about the little shows, which featured three acts (theatre, music, poetry, whatever!), a bowl of homemade soup and crusty bread plus complimentary wine.

Hobo Playhouse’s aim is to raise funds for the Clown Doctors, who do a fantastic job in putting smiles on the di-als of sick kids in hospitals across Australia.

The fledgling company raised about $650 with its lit-tle shows in Chewton and the Hobos are hoping to double that with its production of Outsiders at Trades Hall next month.

The format remains the same – three quality acts, complimentary supper and wine plus a great night out.

The program includes young slam poet/rapper Sam Hasell from Macedon, an award-winning one-act play

called Bums written by Robert Shaffron and a musical act, which will be announced later this month.

Set in Melbourne in the present day, Bums is a funny, poignant, social commentary on street people.

The characters include two homeless people plus a sex worker, an aging busker and a small time con man. They all have one thing in common – they earn their mon-ey from the streets and it keeps them going one way or another.

There are two shows only – on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at 8pm. The Saturday show is Sold Out but there still some seats available for the Friday night show.

Tickets are $20 (include wine and supper) – all prof-its to the Clown Doctors. Bookings:

www.trybooking.com/GRHTFor further details visit

https://www.facebook.com/hoboplayhouse

Welcome to Outsiders

Steve Cooper in the one act play ‘Bums’ by Robert Shaffron.

27

Kundry’s seduction of Parsifal

The love scene at the heart of Wagner’s final opera Parsifal

Valentine’s Day, Saturday February 14, 7.30 pm

Castlemaine Art Gallery

Kundry - Kristen Leich, mezzo soprano Parsifal - Michael Gillies Smith, tenor

Castlemaine Chamber Ensemble - Conductor David Kram

$45 / $35 concession / Special Under 21 price $25

Bookings: Castlemaine Art Gallery 5472 2292

When I was a boy, mum took care of me and showed me things.

The first movie she took me and my sister to see was the musical Camelot. In the final scene, Richard Harris (King Arthur) tells a boy to “run, run boy, spread the word of Camelot and all it stood for”. The boy runs as hard as he can, Arthur’s words echoing in his ears.

Sitting in the Malvern movie theatre, next to mum, my body shook. Tears streamed down my face.

Now, after my travels and learnings in music, politics and ways of the world, I’m taking up the challenge.

On Saturday February 14, Valentine’s Day – a day of Love – I’m Parsifal in a scene from Wagner’s final opera Parsifal, about Arthurian knight Perceval’s quest for the Holy Grail. Was Arthur real? What is the Holy Grail? What’s driving us to strive for it?

George F Jowett in his book The Drama of the Lost Disciples, first published 1961, postulates that Joseph of Arimathea, an uncle of the crucified Jesus of Nazareth, traveled to Britain with the cup from Je-sus’s last supper and later buried it at the foot of a hill near their camp. The hill today is called Glastonbury Tor. The area where the cup is said to have been buried is known as Chalice Hill. Within this area is an ancient well, Chalice Well.

“That the Cup was buried by Joseph in Chalice Hill was firmly believed for over a thousand years, and was the theme of the search of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table for the Holy Grail”, Jowett says in his book.

Arthur, some say, was a king in Britain in the

500s, who defeated invading Germanic tribes (the Saxons) and established an empire across Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and Gaul, upholding the teach-ings and ideals of Joseph and Je-sus.

The story and its telling flourished in the 1100s. Geoffrey of Monmouth, a Welsh cleric, and French poets Robert de Bo-ron and Chrétien de Troyes wrote extensively of it, creating art and literature. Chrétien de Troyes in-troduced a quest for the grail and also a lance of equal significance to the grail.

German poet Wolfram von Eschenbach’s epic poem Par-

zival, written in the 1200s, stems from de Troyes.Ludwig II of Bavaria, Wagner’s devoted patron,

loved Eschenbach’s Parzival and commissioned the opera. The young king loved Wagner’s creation and had eight pri-vate performances staged at his court theatre.

Wagner started Parsifal in 1857 and finished it 25 years later in 1882. In between, he wrote his epic Ring cycle. Parsifal has been staged only once in Australia, in 2001, in Adelaide, by the State Opera of South Australia.

Swiss spiritual psychologist Carl Jung said Arthur and the Grail was important Western mythology, the Grail representing our Divine spark, and the lance or sword, Excalibur, the energy of the universe, which man can use positively or negatively.

What: Kundry’s seduction of Parsifal, the love scene from Wagner’s ParsifalWhen: Valentine’s Day, Saturday February 14, 7.30 pmWhere: Castlemaine Art GalleryWho: Kristen Leich/Kundry, Michael Gillies Smith/Parsifal, Castlemaine Chamber Ensemble (David Kram piano/conductor, Sam Goble cello, Jenny Gogolin flute, Cathy Moore French horn, Josh Geddes assistant conductor).Bookings: Castlemaine Art Gallery 5472 2292.

The struggle between light and dark; Kristen Leich as Kundry and Michael Gillies Smith as Parsifal

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Safer Sport Courses......for Club volunteers

Every sporting club has the responsibility to provide a safe environment for its participants. Injury prevention and injury management are key components of providing a safe sporting environment. Sporting clubs need to have appropriately trained personnel in first aid and managing sports injuries so that participants can remain active and connected to the club.

Sports Focus, in conjunction with Sports Medicine Australia, is conducting the following courses and re- ac-creditations in Bendigo this year. • Sports First Aid (Provide First Aid)

DATE: Sunday 1st March 2015TIME: 9am-5pm COST: $170

• Level 1 Sports TrainerDATE: Sunday 15th March and Sunday 22nd March 2015

TIME: 9am-5pm (both days) COST: $220• Combined Level Sports First Aid & Level 1 Sports

TrainerDATE: Sunday March 1st, 15th and 22nd

TIME: 9am - 5:00pm (all days) COST: $320• Sports Trainer Re-Accreditation

DATE: Sunday March 22nd TIME: 4pm-6pm COST: $100

Please note: All courses will be held at the Weeroona Oval Pavilion on Napier Street.

For further information or to register please visit http://www.sportsfocus.com.au/club-support/training-workshops-2/ For any other enquiries contact Jakob van Dalen at Sports Focus on 5442 3101 or jakobv@sportsfocus.com.au

Taken from a Press Release.

Historian, award winning author and adjunct professor in the Humanities Research Centre at the Australian Na-tional University (ANU), Bill Gammage will challenge us to look anew at how we view the land and manage it, when he visits Castlemaine to launch the 2015 Connecting Country Workshop Program (this/next) month.

Drawing from his most re-cent book, ‘The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Ab-origines made Australia’ and more than a decade of research, Bill’s presentation “Aboriginal land Manage-ment in 1788: Can it Teach the Future?” will focus on land management across Australia prior to European settlement and what we can learn from it.

‘The Biggest Estate’ won several prizes for his-tory and literature when it was published in 2011 and

pieces together details of land management strategies from around Australia, stating that Aboriginal people managed the land in a far more complete, systematic and scientific way than has often been recognised. It challenges the myths that Aboriginal people were careless nomads and that the pre-colonial ecology was purely ’natural’.

Based on his research findings from around Austra-lia, ‘The Biggest Estate’ raised plenty of discussion and debate amongst scientists when it was published and this is an opportunity to hear first-hand of Bill’s historical per-spective.

Bill Gammage grew up in Wagga, and was an ANU undergraduate and postgraduate before teaching history at the Universities of Papua New Guinea and Adelaide. He wrote The Broken Years: Australian soldiers in the Great War (1974), Narrandera Shire (1986), The Sky Travel-lers: Journeys in New Guinea 1938–1939 (1998), and The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines made Australia (2011). He served the National Museum of Australia for three years as Council member, deputy chair and acting

Can 1788 Provide A Lesson For The Future?Professor Bill Gammage challenges us to look anew at the past….

Professor Bill Gammage

chair. He was made a Freeman of the Shire of Narrandera in 1987, a fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sci-ences in 1991, and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2005.

This event on Sunday February 22, 2015 at the Cas-tlemaine Golf Club (in the clubrooms, near the corner of Rilens Rd and Pyrenees Hwy, Muckleford) will begin at 4:00pm and be followed by a BBQ dinner to launch the start of Connecting Country’s ‘Working with Nature to Improve Your Property’ Workshop Program for 2015, sup-ported through funding from the Australian Government.

This year’s program is aimed at property holders in the Mount Alexander region who are seeking information, resources and practical skills to improve, protect and re-store their land. More information will be available on the evening.

For more info and to RSVP: janet@connectingcoun-try.org.au, or phone 5472 1594.

Taken from a Press Release.

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The expanse of cold water up Golden Point Road is a big attraction on hot days. There’s a build-up of numbers as the weekends and week day evenings warm – and a vari-ety of water sports are enjoyed. Visits to Expedition Pass Reservoir in the last few days demonstrated some of these activities as the peaceful surrounds attracted interest - and a demonstration of how a redfin could be caught with a first cast! The natural setting of the Res obviously attracts people determined to “enhance” their experiences there with impromptu ropes swung from convenient trees – the convenience of the trees obviously outweighing any con-cerns of rotting trunks and branches or even visible rocks below. The legendary leaning gum beyond the spillway provided swinging experiences for many years until it in-explicably gave up and made a big splash – fortuitously during the winter off-season!

But the Res offers much more for those that explore. Old infrastructure for starters. And there’s the natural environment. There are shallows to investigate, as well as nests, dragon flies and even a dead blue tongue lizard! Reptiles, dead and alive, are a constant in this area. Appar-ently, there have been several recent sightings of a spec-tacularly marked black and yellow tiger snake at one loca-tion - described by one of the witnesses as being like the

A Summer playground?

colouring of a Richmond jumper. And after attracting people with its beauty, the Res in

return is rewarded by the gifts they leave behind. Some-times it is clothing or a towel, but bottles, broken glass, cigarette butts and discarded fishing line often add to the scenery thoughtfully re-designed for ensuing visitors. And, despite the no dog signage there are many people who know better – eighteen (big and small, led and lead-less) was the count the other morning. The dogs, of course, naturally provide the finishing touches to the scene left for ensuing visitors!

While most visitors and Parks Victoria staff do a fantastic job in keeping this community asset ship-shape – some of the community users could show their apprecia-tion of this by a little thought and some reciprocation.

Despite the signs, dogs are taken -

and the inevitable happens! A spoiled

and soiled playground!

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Get Moving Mt Alexander......and join a 2015 Tai Chi group!Ease into 2015 with a gentle low-impact form of exercise that can benefit the whole body.

Castlemaine District Community Health runs low cost Tai Chi classes at Barfold, Castlemaine, Fryerstown, Guilford, Maldon, Newstead and Taradale.

“Classes resume on the first week in February. For Tai Chi beginners, it is easier to start at the beginning of the year so you can learn the moves with others,” says Physiotherapist Janine Truscott. “Practising Tai Chi will improve your movement, flexibility, strength and balance. It also helps general health, especially relaxation and pos-ture, and reduces your risk of falls.”

Castlemaine District Community Health Tai Chi groups are suitable for all ages and abilities. All are wel-come. Phone 5479 1000 for more information.

Taken from a Press Release.

Get Moving Mount Alexander......and lose weight

Overweight and obesity is increasing nationally, and is now a bigger cause of death than smoking. Almost six out of every ten men in Mount Alexander are either over-weight or obese. Mount Alexander also has a higher per-centage of women who are obese than Victoria in general. We as a community need to get moving and lose weight.

“We urge Mount Alexander to get moving, so that they can prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancers - and also to feel good about themselves. When you exercise, your body makes chemicals that can make your mood and your body feel great,” says Sam Peavey from Castlemaine District Community Health. “We have a variety of exercise groups to get people active, including Heartmoves, walking groups, and tai chi. Exer-cise, together with a diet which has been planned for you by our accredited Dietitian, will help you to lose weight.”

February 16 – 22nd is National Healthy Weight Week and dietitians from Castlemaine District Commu-nity Health and Castlemaine Health are together promot-ing community awareness of dietitian services available.

“Castlemaine is really lucky to have so many dieti-tians in such a small town, yet many are unaware of our availability,” says Dietitian Lorna Reynolds. “Many are also unaware that a dietitian can help with a range of con-ditions including diabetes and high blood cholesterol.”

Dietitians will be available at the Castlemaine Am-cal Chemist from 12 to 1pm, and also at the Castlemaine Chemmart from 1 to 2pm on February 17th, 18th and 19th. Find out about services provided by dietitians in Castlemaine and whether your condition can be managed by what you eat.

Further information about Castlemaine District Community Health exercise groups and dietetic services is available by calling 5479 1000.

Taken from a Press Release.

Photo: Castlemaine District Community Health Tai Chi instructors lead a group in the park.

LICENSED FOR ROADWORTHY

VEHICLE TESTINGPetrol and Gas

Ring 5472 3469Main Road, Chewton

CHEWTON GARAGE

POHAG Meeting @ 10 a.m.Sunday February 8th, Chewton Town Hall

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FIELD NATSVISITORS ARE WELCOME AT CLUB

MEETINGS AND EXCURSIONS

Fri Feb 13th: AGMGuest Speaker: Geoff Park

Sat February 14th: Field trip: Check web site

Ordinary membership: Single $30, Family $40, Pensioner or student: Single $25, Family $30. Subscription includes postage of the monthly

newsletter, Castlemaine Naturalist.General meetings - (second Friday of each month, except January) are held in the Uniting Church (UCA) Hall (enter from Lyttleton St.) at 7.30 pm. Field Trips - (Saturday following the general meeting) leave from the car park opposite Cas-tle Motel, Duke Street at 1.30pm sharp unless stated otherwise. BYO afternoon tea. Outdoor excursions are likely to be cancelled in extreme weather conditions. There are NO excursions on total fire ban days.CASTLEMAINE FIELD NATURALISTS,

PO BOX 324, CASTLEMAINE 3450http://castlemainefnc.wordpress.com/

The Chewton Chat is published by the Chewton Domain Society. A subcommittee of John Ellis (Ed.),Bettie Exon, Gloria Meltzer, Debbie Hall, Phil Hall and Glen Harrison is responsible for the publication. Many volunteers help with production and circulation. It is circulated on the first of each month, necessitating a deadline of about the 22nd of the month before. Material can be left at the Chewton General Store, with any of the sub-committee members, sent by e-mail to goldenpoint2@bigpond.com or by calling 5472 2892.

Contributions of ideas, news items, articles, and letters are always welcome; as are advertisements that help meet monthly production costs. Circulation is via the Chewton General Store, Chewton Pet Supplies, Chewton Post Office, East End Servo, Red Hill Hotel, Castle Automotive Enterprises and Tourist Information Board, as well as the Bold Cafe, Castlemaine Library, Market Building, CHIRP, CIC, Castlemaine Copy Centre, Castlemaine Camera Shop and Castlemaine Office Supplies. Mt. Alexander Hospital Residential receives monthly copies too. Whilst copies are free, there are donation tins at many collection points and donations can be mailed to the CDS address below. Subscriptions for mailed copies can be arranged. Circulation is now 700. A full colour Chewton Chat can also be downloaded each month from www.chewton.net - as can earlier issues. The CDS can be contacted through PO Box 85, Chewton, 3451; or the Chewton Town Hall 5470 6131 (when open). The Chewton Chat wishes to advise that the views or remarks expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the editor, the management team or the Chewton Domain Society and no endorsement of service is implied by the listing of advertisers, sponsors or contributors.

CHILDREN’S

ENTERTAINMENT

Redesdale Hall @ the Agnes Mudford Reserve ~ Outdoor Stalls Available ~

Enquiries: Alwyn - 0419 513 976 or Carolyn - 5425 3194

Redesdale Bush Market - Sunday, 8/3/2015.Agnes Mudford Reserve,

2631 Kyneton - Heathcote Rd, Redesdale, 3444.The Redesdale Hall Committee are holding their annual Bush Market in 2015 on the Labour Day long weekend at the “Agnes Mudford Re-serve” offering something of interest for all ages.

The Committee are pleased to announce that both the ‘Bendigo and District Band’ and Bendigo locals ‘Jordy Waldron’ and his friends will be entertaining the crowds. Children’s entertainment includes an Animal Farm and a Jumping Castle.

The market begins at 8.30 am and finishes at 2.00 pm on Sunday, 8th March.

Enjoy a wide selection of stalls, ranging from local produce in-cluding wine & beer tasting, olives, apples, honey, jams, chutneys, pre-serves, a cake stall and plants through to clothing, fishing tackle, tools, photography, various craft items including stained glass sun-catch-ers and fused glass wind chimes, crochet, wooden roses, glassware, crockery, toys, bric a brac, BBQ lunch, great coffee and lots more!

Why not invite your family and friends along to explore this very picturesque area in Central Victoria and make a day of it? Bring along a picnic rug or chair, enjoy the music and take in the local surround-ings.

Please note that the weather can be quite different to other areas - sometimes drier! If in doubt, it’s a good idea to check with the Weather Bureau.

Outside Stalls Available - $20.00. Bookings and Enquiries: Alwyn - 0419 513 976 or Carolyn - 03 5425 3194.

Like us on Facebook: ‘Redesdale Bush Market 2015’ All Welcome!

Chewton Community BBQ (The MoBQ!)Saturday 7th February @ 6 p.m.Ellery Park - BYO everything...

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As last month was a “short Chat month”, this is a longer one. Almost six weeks since I sat down to write the last one, and lots of data collected to ‘fill-it-up’.

Firstly, last year. What annual totals did we receive, and how did we fare? The December month saw some 10 millimetres for the month in my rain gauge. December can be highly variable around my patch here, but ten was decidly on the low side. I was discussing the likelihood of an El Nino event, which now seems to be even more likely as January has seen only the unusual rain that set all the weather tongues going in the middle of the month. As all around reported fifty mms. or more, we got two doses of 15mms., for a total of thirty. Not to be sneezed at, it re-filled the tanks nicely. But we are still waiting for the next downpour.

The annual rainfall total for 2014 was some 461 millimetres over 107 days. Around an average fall for the year. But, quantity is not the whole picture is it? Timing, too, is important for social events as well as the garden festivals and vegie patch. Our two big months were May and June with 90 mms on each month, with good follow-ups in the subsequent three months. Generally acceptable for my needs, but less so for others.

In terms of temperatures, we were decidly on the warmer side. The Bureau of Meteorology reported one of the warmest years on record. We had two months when the highest temperature for the month was 44

degrees and 43 degrees respectively. For five months our highest recorded temperature was 30+. A further three months of more than 20 degrees and only two months when the highest temperature for the month was in the ‘teens’. If you got the rain when you needed it, the year here was pleasantly warm - even though I remember feeling chilly in the early morning bathroom on occasions.

Talking of low temperatures, overnight lows were well within the normal ranges. For this month of January, two days of rain with a total somewhere in the teens is our normal allocation; and two days of more than thirty millimetres is an above average fall. So apart from an occasional grizzle about a chilly winter bathroom, not too much to complain about in 2014.

Question is, can we expect anything of a further top-up to the water tanks and summer vegies over the next six months, whilst the El Nino issue works itself through. The Bureau of Meteorology are still ambivalent in their forecasts. However, the Indians are apparently less reserved. They are expecting enough of an El Nino effect to make significant differences to their annual rainfall. It all depends upon the modelling analysis and the emphasis you put on your specific interests. My reading has discovered that the El Nino is a phenomenon of importance to more than just South America and Australia. John Leavesley.

Where has all the rain gone?

Calendar of EventsFeb 3rd Austswim starts at Chewton Pool. (See page 12.)Feb 3rd Senior Citizens (SC) Pokie Trip to Echuca Moama. (See page 9.)Feb 6th Blue Light Disco 4 p.m. Chewton Pool. Feb 7th People and Places returned 1 p.m., Chewton Town Hall. (See pages 24/25.)Feb 7th MoBQ 6 p.m., Ellery Park. (See page 31.) and BYO everything!Feb 8th POHAG Meeting 10 a.m. Chewton Town Hall.Feb 10th MAS Council Meeting 7.30 p.m., MA Civic Centre Castlemaine.Feb 12th SC Lunch at the Chinese Restaurant. (See page 9.)Feb 14th Service 9.15 a.m. St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.Feb 14th Kundry’s seduction of Parsifal 7.30 p.m. Castlemaine Art Gallery. (See page 27.)Feb 15th Closing date for Chewton’s Welcome Kit material. (See page 16.)Feb 21st Deadline for the March Chewton Chat - February is a short month!Feb 21st Closing date for comments on the draft Chewton Community Plan. (See page 20.)Feb 22nd Golden Point Landcare Learn about your Landscape session 10 a.m. (See page 22.)Feb 22nd Bill Gammage presentation 4 p.m. (see www.connectingcountry.org.au )Feb 24th MAS Council Meeting 7.30 p.m., Harcourt Leisure Centre 7.30 p.m.Feb 26th SC Lunch and Meeting at Chewton Community. Centre (See page 9.)Feb 28th Service 9.15 a.m. St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.Feb 28th Mount Alexander Community Enterprise grants close. (See page 7.)Feb 29th Folding Chewton Chat 2.30 p.m., Chewton Town Hall.Mar 1st Clean Up Australia Day in Fryerstown. (See page 3.)

FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE STILL IN FORCE despite the cooler temperatures and the rainfall.Residents should also not be complacent about the risk of bushfire in our local area. A month of summer is still to come so the danger of fires starting is still something we must all keep in mind. People living in areas where there

is a risk of bushfire should have a plan in place and be ready to act (see CFA Report on page 6).