Nothing says Christmas like Santa riding a T-Rex!

Every year the bearded fellow climbs aboard his dinosaur to welcome people as they drive in to Forrest. Christmas lights pick out the shape of the beast so night drivers don’t miss out either.

The dinosaur used to live deeper in the Otways, but moved to the Evans property seven years ago. Each year since he has been tethered out the front of their home to herald the holidays.

This year Sam constructed a sleigh to hold the toys to be delivered to the good boys and girls in the district, in case Rudolph and his pals need a night off and T-Rex gets called into action.

Children have been sitting in the sleigh and

cars stop to shake the presents in the back (wrapped in plastc table cloths to keep them dry for the big day).

We all know Santa has been around a very long time. Maybe this is how he delivered his gifts when he had to go in through the cave entrance instead of down a chimney.

Merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year to all Forrest locals and visitors!

Now is your BIG CHANCE to tell someone who cares what you think about Forrest!

There are two surveys in circulation, one for visitors and one for residents. Pick up yours at:

• Forrest General Store

• Brewery

• Forrest Guesthouse

• Forrest Corner Store

• Online: see inset

Forrest and District

Community Group created the surveys to find out what visitors and locals like about Forrest, what they would like to change, what they think on particular subjects relevant to Forrest, and a few details such as where they come from (for visitors), and what sort

of bushfire plan they have (for residents).

The residents survey contains a handy detachable list of community groups and clubs with contact details for each.

The surveys will be available until the end of January.

1

‘Tis the season!

What do you think about Forrest?

SUMMER ISSUE 2014/15

December 2014

This edition marks the first anniversary of The Forrest Post!We set out to share our stories and successes and celebrate life in our small but vibrant country town.

We have lots of fun putting together each issue and we have received great feedback from locals and visitors.

The Forrest Post would not exist without the support of our advertisers and story contributors. Everyone involved in writing articles and designing each ediiton voluteers their time. Advertising revenue pays for printing, so supporting advertisers keeps the publication free.

An initiative of the Forrest and District Community Group, the Forrest Post is proud to have also returned $745 back to the community.

Thank you everyone for your support!

Laura, Mary and Mandy

The Forrest Post team

Santa’s little helper - T-Rex the red-nosed Tyrannosaurus!

ViSiToRS SURVEYhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Forrest-visitors-survey

RESidENTS SURVEYhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Forrest-residents-survey

December 20142

Annie Heritage and Brett Ruffen found their dream view and built their home so they could watch it from every window. After 6 months of looking for the right home site, a love of camping led them to Forrest, a place not too far from the coast or their jobs in Geelong.

Annie and Brett bought the old spud

farm in 2005 while Brett was sailing to Antarctica for his second 12 month stint as a carpenter at Mawson base. While he was there he designed their new home and prepared the project budget.

‘Pretty much every window has a view and the house was designed with that in mind,’ said Annie. To the east the mountains layer into the distance, while the bedroom window overlooks a large dam in front of the forest.

The two years after Brett’s return were

a labour of love, working during the week then heading to Forrest for the weekend. Friends and family helped with some of the manual tasks which moved the build along.

There are interesting stories in every room, some born of determination, others of necessity. The huge beam

at the pitch of the cathedral ceiling is from an old pier in Sydney, while restored old fence palings line the ceiling, creating a richness of colour and texture that pine linings couldn’t achieve.

The benchtops throughout the house are polished redgum

slabs, which they were only allowed to buy after convincing the passionate owner that they would be beautifully finished and cared for.

Annie designed the cupboard doors, inspired by a print of a hen hanging in their laundry. Chicken wire covers a plain black timber background framed in oregon. ‘When I suggested it to Brett he thought I was crazy, but we built one and it looked great,’ said Annie.

Annie and Brett’s house is now on the market. Ten years on they’re ready for a lifestyle change with plans to head north to warmer climes for a while.

‘I look at the house and think of things I’d like to finish off,’ said Brett. ‘The landscaping is on the plans, but with the views that’s not an issue.’

‘I look at the house and think, “How did he build this, it’s amazing!”’ said Annie.

All for the viewsGRANDDESIGNSFORREST

December 2014 3

Edey is the new head chef at the Forrest Brewery and Pasha is front of house manager.

How did you two meet?

Pasha: Edey comes from a musical family and was a ballet dancer for the first part of her life. She was a chef in the World Trade Centre and got a job with American Airlines just before 9/11. No-one flew for a while so she was laid off. She came to Australia and decided this was home. I owned a restaurant in St Kilda and she came in looking for a job. She became my head chef and later became my wife.

What brought you to Forrest?

Pasha: I sold the restaurant in 2004 and we went looking for a home. We’ve both travelled a lot. And we almost ended up in a shop in Mexico, but headed back to Melbourne.

Edey: We were both working in the top two cafes in Melbourne and we got fed up with the stress of city living. Pasha worked in Lorne years ago and our intention was to head there. We rented a house in Deans Marsh while I worked at The Maple Tree and Pasha picked up a job at Brae, which was amazing. One day I got a text from Sarah (Matt Bradshaw’s partner) asking me to work in her restaurant in Richmond. I’d worked with her in a few places and I always wanted to work with her again. I told her I was in the Otways now and she said I had to come to the Brewery.

Have you made the right move?

Edey: It was love, love, love straight away. I literally stepped into the shoes of Ben, the previous chef - I

took on his job and his house - and I have a gorgeous new recruit in the kitchen who’s here for the same reasons as us.

Pasha: Everything fell into place too easily. It’s absolutely beautiful. You can breathe here. Everyone we’ve met has offered to help us and we’ve never even asked for help!

And the future?

Pasha: We’ve never wanted to own a house before, but the first thing we said was we’re ready to buy a

Who’s New

Edey & Pasha Fate

Brew Crew Social RidesDepart 6.15pm every Thursday from

Forrest Brewery

ChurCh ServiCeSChristmas eve eucharist 4 pm,

open to all denominationsAnglican services

2nd & 4th Sundays, 11.15am

uniting services1st Sunday, 10.30am

St James Church, Grant St, Forrest

Come play Carpet Bowls

W h a t ’ s H a p p e n n i n g !

Yeodene Hall - Thursday evenings. Practice starts before Christmas ahead

of competition in April.

Interested? Call Nellie on 5233 4503

4 December 2014

How long have you been in Forrest?

Audrey: I was born here, in 1935, in my grandmother’s house in Station Street. My maiden name was Muir and my grandparents had the butcher shop, two doors up from the hotel. My parents were living at Barramunga, where Dad was working on the sawmills. We shifted to Forrest when Dad went to the Second World War. Then we shifted to a farm at Barwon Downs when he came home. When I got married we built the house here in Forrest where I’m still living. There’ve been four generations of us at the Forrest School: my Dad, myself, Warren and his children.

Warren: I’ve been here all my life, except for a few years in Colac and Geelong when I was doing my apprenticeship, and a few trips to Antarctica.

What’s kept you in Forrest?

Audrey: My husband Ken had trucks. He was carting logs

out of the bush to the mills, and timber to Melbourne. I had my three children, and worked at the kindergarten here for 20 years, which I enjoyed. The kindergarten was actually built where the butcher shop used to be! I had two sisters and one of them, Eileen, is still here in Forrest too. I couldn’t think of being anywhere else.

Warren: It was great growing up here. It was a timber town then, and busy as busy! There were 70-odd kids at the school when I was there. I had my family here too, and it’s good having Mum here. We don’t live on each other’s doorstep but I can pop in to see everything’s still working.

What do you like about Forrest?

Audrey: There was so much entertainment here—dances, films in the hall, sports days, concerts. We went to Colac very seldom, you could buy everything in the grocer shops in Station Street. It’s different now but I’ve always liked it here. Everyone’s very friendly, offering to do things for me or take me places.

What are some changes you’ve noticed?

Audrey: When we were first married there were no trees in Forrest. From my windows I could see everyone going up Blundy Street, and over to Yaugher Road, and right up the Kaanglang Road. There were all the sawmills as well—it was very quiet when they closed. Now it’s busy again with the mountain bike riding, and it’s a good thing for Forrest. The town would have died if they hadn’t had the tourism.

Warren: My biggest disappointment was when they shut the logging down, but there are as many people employed in Forrest now in DEPI, looking after the bike tracks, as there were when the mills were going. It’s still a good place!

Who’s

Who

Audr

ey &

War

ren (Wa

l) Mi

ller

TRIPP BUILDING

Peter Tripp 5237 7348 / 0429 799 829

PTYLTD

Reg. Builder: DBU-12327

New Homes... Extensions...Renovations...Small jobs and all other building work

MBA Member: 099036

The Forrest Post is an initiative of the Forrest and District Community Group. Every effort is made to remain current, accurate and non-partisan. Feedback, submissions and advertising input are encouraged. Submissions may be edited. You may request an electronic version by email delivery.

Contact theforrestpost@gmail.com Editors Mandy Bishop, Mary Dracup Layout/design Laura McKinnon Printed by Geelong Printworks Pty Ltd, Grovedale© Forrest and District Community Group

Two unique, fully self-contained, 3 bedroom cottages

Centrally located in the township of Forrest

For bookings:www.ozbook.com.auPhone 5243 3579

5 Grant Street FORREST

5December 2014

If you’re looking for Susan Langridge this summer, she’s not home. She’s gone to East Timor to extend a neighbourly hand as a health educator and nurse to the people of the highlands Ainaro region.

She left Forrest in late November with two other women from the Colac area, Ann-Maree Convery and Lucy Darcy, and will be away for six weeks. The Ballarat group Teachers for East Timor have been visiting Ainaro for many years to teach English. Susan and friends have in their luggage two laptops, a data projector, books, pencils, nappies, 30 pairs of reading glasses and money for the Alola Foundation, an organisation set up by Kirsty Sword-Gusmao for the education of girls and women. Luckily summer clothes don’t take up a lot of room.

Susan is linking with the Red Cross to give health education talks on asthma and basic first aid, and ‘whatever else they want me to tackle’. She is also assisting Ann-Maree in her

English classes. They are staying at a guesthouse in Ainaro and using that as their base to visit smaller villages nearby.

The town has a small hospital and a shop, but no bank. It is near the highest mountain in East Timor, Mt Ramalo, and Susan hopes to trek along the mountain tracks linking some of the smaller villages as part of her work.

Susan normally works as a community health nurse in Birregurra and Colac, covering programs including adolescent health, continence and women’s health. She has been a nurse for 30-odd years and says she is at the point where she ‘just wants to give something back’.

She says that asthma is a big problem in East Timor but sufferers do not normally have access to the drug Ventolin, which is essential for relieving constriction in the airways. The three women and their supporters have raised funds to buy

Ventolin inhalers to distribute to people who need them and clinics in the Ainaro region.

Susan hopes to send updates to The Forrest Post while she is away, but that depends on whether she can access the internet. We hope so!

international good neighbour

Enjoy a full cooked country-style breakfast

Relax in our large hydro-therapy spa pool

Soak up the Otway Valley views from your private suite

Your Hosts - Bob & Carol

www.forrestrivervalley.com.au

Couples ACCoMModAtion

APPLIANCE

REPAIRSWAShINg MAChINESDRyERSDIShWAShERS

Darryl DiffeyPh 0424 054 914ddiffey75@gmail.com

6 December 2014

After more than 12 months of consultation and investigations, Colac Otway Shire has released a drft of the Forrest Mountain Bike Strategy.

Tourism generated by mountain biking has made a significant economic contribution to Forrest over recent years, and the plan seeks to capitalise on the growing cycling trend.

The plan identifies significant strengths in our existing offering from trails to the social and environmental benefits

of visiting Forrest. It also proposes a number of potential improvements to infrastructure and services.

Some of the significant proposals include a tunnel under the road at Boundary Road and a trail along the side of the road to the Yaugher carpark to increase separation between cars and riders. There are also a number of proposals for the southern trailhead including a pump track and additional trails. Improved toilet and washing

facilities are also proposed.

The council are seeking feedback from residents and visitors. The full plan is available at the General Store and online at www.colacotway.vic.gov.au (search Forrest Mountain Bike Trails).

All feedback and submissions can be forwarded to michael.swanson@colacotway.vic.gov.au or in writing to: Michael Swanson, Colac Otway Shire, PO Box 283, Colac 3250.

MTB strategy released

7December 2014

Gateway to the Otways

J.Craig Walker B.App.Sc. (Pharm) Phc. M.P.SABN: 34 249 381 476

Open Hours:Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.30pm - 1.30pm to 5.30pmSaturday 9.30am to 11.00am

40 Main Street, Birregurra VIC 3242Ph: (03) 5236 2288 Fax: (03) 5236 2280

Explore the Otways from Forrest this summer

Clockwise from top left:

Wander through the ferns to Lake ElizabethWilderness beach exploring and surfing at Johanna

Take a road less travelled and find respite in the cool, quiet forest

Investigate rockpools at sunrise at Shelly Beach Koalas, koalas, koalas! Spot them in the trees

around Forrest, as well as at Kennett River and Aire River camp ground

Image sources: top left, Bruce Jackson; the rest, Somerset Creative

phone 5236 6170forrestbrewing.com.au | Apollo Bay Road, Forrest

phone 5236 6170forrestbrewing.com.au | Apollo Bay Road, Forrest

New summer menu

Now open 7 days a week - all year round

Sunday - Wednesday 9am – 5pm Serving breakfast & lunch

Thursday 9am – lateServing breakfast, lunch & PIZZA for dinner

Friday 9am – lateServing breakfast, lunch & dinner

Saturday 9am – lateServing breakfast, lunch & dinner

Also open for Dinner all week between Boxing Day and the 3rd of Jan

November 20148

MATHEW SILVEY PLUMBING

Mobile: 0417 342 531

• Newhomes&renovations• Hot&coldwaterservices• Spouting&downpipes• Stormwater

• Motoriseddraincleaning• 1.5texcavatorhire• Solarhotwaterinstallation• Roofing

LicenceNo.47995

Despite recent rains and burning programs over spring, higher than average October temperatures and a dry spring have resulted in the Otways being in a higher than usual bushfire risk category this summer.

Almost all of Victoria, including the Otways, has been assessed as above normal risk of fire by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre (CRC). The fire danger period commenced a couple of weeks earlier this year and runs through to the end of autumn.

Visitors and residents should be alert to bushfire risks and plan an

early exit route on days of high fire danger. Fire activity is mapped on CFA and

DEPI websites and can be carried in your pocket by downloading the FireReady app to your mobile phone. The app alerts you to fires within a predefined radius of where you are. Information is collated from CFA, MFB and DEPI.

Be fire aware in the otways this summerCan i... Fire danger Period Total Fire Ban

Have a BBQ? Yes - with provisions* Yes - with provisions*

Light a campfire/light a fire in the open air?

Yes - with provisions* No

Use an incinerator? Yes - with provisions* No

Weld, grind or solder? Yes - with provisions* No

Use a chainsaw, grass trimmer or lawnmower?

Yes - with provisions* Yes - with provisions*

* View provisions on the CFA website. Courtesy Alan Winter, Forrest CFA.

Download the Fire Ready app from:http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/fireready-app/

November 2014 9

Geotechnical RepoRtsRisk assessmentscomputeR DesiGnslope stabilityWateR supplyFaRm Damsbush FiRe assessmentsite classiFications

Consulting EnginEEr

MICHAEL DELAHUNTY beng mieaust

ph 0428 141 441Fax 03 5233 4608

mddelahunty@bigpond.com

www.2020es.com

31-10-1935 – 6-11-2014

Jim Speirs grew up on a farm at Tanybryn and attended Tanybryn Technical School. As a boy he roamed the bush and earned money cutting bracken, shooting rabbits, sawmilling and doing farm work.

At the age of 19 he joined the Forest Commission, where he worked for 38 years. He had a very diverse working life, including construction, equipment design and welding, working on roads throughout the Otways, and fire control. He also controlled and supervised local logging operations.

He married Shirley Evans from Anglesea in 1956 and their first home was a shed Jim built them at Anglesea. When they moved to Forrest Jim built two houses, the first in Turner Drive and the second at 55 Grant Street. This comfortable, welcoming home was where Jim lived until the very end.

Jim and Shirley had three children: Geoffrey, Helen and Darren. Geoffrey and Helen also live in Forrest, and

had the formidable but rewarding job of nursing him day and night in his final weeks.

Jim was deeply interested in local affairs. He masterminded the Forrest Caravan Park development and took leading roles in the school council, St Johns Ambulance and Birregurra Masonic Lodge. He was an Otway Shire Councillor for 11 years, including a term as President.

He was a member of the Colac Pipe Band, and formed a band called ‘The Otways’, in which he played the saxophone.

Jim had many outdoor interests, including fishing, competitive bike racing, hunting, camping, beekeeping and four-wheel-driving—including running guided tours. He explored as much of Australia as he could, saying it was a better form of education for his children than schoolwork. He went to every state a number of times, including to northern Australia for a month just recently, with Geoffrey as his carer.

Jim was passionate about local history

and loved to pass on his knowledge of a lifetime living and working in the Otways, especially his knowledge of the timber industry. He interviewed many local residents and published several books and films. He took an active part in many local history projects, including the recent Forrest School project, in which he was a popular interviewee himself.

Jim will be greatly missed by the Speirs family and more widely in the Forrest community.

Vale Jim Speirs

All your hairdressing and beauty requirements for ladies, men and children.

Services include cuts, colours, perms, hair ups for weddings and special occasions. Also body and facial waxing, tinting and spray tanning.

Trading hours: Tuesday - Thursday until late, Friday , Saturday.

November 201410

Caspers Accommodationa true Ride-in Ride-out experience

Located in the heart of the Yaugher Trail Network

Fully self-contained apartmentSleeping up to four

Contact Rob or Deb0408 982 880

pindanredangus@gmail.comwww.rideforrest.com.au

The Cob Clinic in ForrestAcupuncture &

Massage TherapiesAndrew & Shizu

(03) 52366 493colacotwaychinesemedicine.com

Three-year-old Betty Olle had her race face on in November – a great big grin! She was the only competitor without pedals, taking her bright pink balance bike for a spin around the short course.

The ‘Dust Digger’ race for under 6-year-olds was Betty’s first competitive event, but participants were happy just joining in with other children at the Forrest town trailhead.

The children’s races were organised by the Forrest Learning Centre as a fund raiser during the annual Forrest Festival.

36 entrants fought it out over three levels of difficulty which included tracks 4 (Rollercoaster) and 5 (Third Time Lucky).

‘This term at school we’ve been running a mountain bike skills course,’ said Craig Donahoo, senior room teacher.

‘The children have been learning safety, correct position on the bike, making sure the bike is safe, cornering and negotiating obstacles,’ he said. All children had to check their brakes and set-up before joining the starting line.

This is the event’s second year and participant numbers are growing. Place getters scored a goodies bag donated by the Forrest General Store.

The school raised just under $500 over the weekend, which Principal Darryl Harty said was earmarked for repainting the kinder and junior room.

Betty was ready to go again at race end, but settled for a recovery chocolate milkshake.

Junior racers

The Wonky Donkey is a newly renovated family friendly pub in Forrest Victoria

wonkeydonkey.com.au

• Good honest hearty pub food• Weekly changing specials• Beer garden

• Woodcutters Bar with pool and sports TV• Children’s playground• Take away menu• “Kick Ass” coffee

RESULTSdust digger (under 6)

1. Ryan McAlinden; 2. William Howie; 3. Hugh Colson

Mud Muncher (Track 4)1. Kai Broomfield; 2. Joe Broomfield;

3. Luke Menzies

Cliff Climber (Tracks 4 and 5)1. Andrew Evans; 2. Jordon Parker;

3. Otto Crawford

November 2014 11

Riding a bike is all about pedalling, right? The faster you pedal the faster you go!

Whilst this is not incorrect, when it comes to riding the trails here in Forrest, or any mountain bike trails, the less you brake, the more you let the bike roll, the more you can help absorb the bumps with body position and being a bit more ‘dynamic’ on the bike, the more speed for free you will get.

Why bother?

Speed for free saves you energy, saves your bike and body from being tired and sore sooner and allows you to really enjoy mountain biking so much more.

Try these 3 simple pointers:

1. As soon as you feel the bike gathering momentum, even down a slight downhill section, stand on the pedals (get your backside off the seat!).

2. When standing up, let the knees and elbows bend with more emphasis on the elbows. These are natural absorbers and help you and

your bike to a smoother ride. Get your elbows out like chicken wings!

3. Look a little further down the trail, seek the next corner, the next bump, be one step ahead preparing for the right momentum, the right body position and really engage yourself in this process - its a very healthy

meditation if you do.

Now that you have 3 simple tasks to follow - say this to yourself each ride, “Smooth is Fast”.

I visualise myself ‘flowing’ down a trail like uninterrupted water.

Jess Douglas,

YOURRIDESTARTSHERE

CNR STATION ST & BLUNDY STBIKES - COFFEE - CULTURE

Jess’ MTB tips: ‘Speed for Free’

I’m now in my last full month in Finland and it feels like this is the quickest year of my life! Before coming I thought, ‘One year, it’s not so long.’ But after living here for one year I have made friendships I will never forget, lived in families who will always have a place in my heart and have experienced things that will soon be memories only I can remember.

It’s the hardest thing to know that what I’m living right now I will never live again and the people I am enjoying my life with won’t be in it forever. But I am so blessed to have had this opportunity and wouldn’t change a thing.

Final Finnish line!

Jasmine Walsh is a local schoolgirl on a 12-month Rotary exchange in Finland.

Visiting Lapland at the top of Finland with all the exchange students.

12

Glowworms are the young of tiny flies that only live for a few days—just long enough to mate and lay eggs. Their longer-lived larvae look like a cross between a maggot and a leech, with a bulbous light organ at the tail end that lights up dangling curtains of sticky beads, used to attract their prey.

The grub itself hangs above in wait, and any insect that blunders into the luminous curtain is sucked dry before being chewed up, with its remains lowered on a thread to keep them from becoming entangled in the trap strings.

The best-known glowworm displays are in New Zealand caves, but you can see even more complex light shows of the Otway glowworm (Arachnocampa otwayensis) in local fern gullies. It is hard to get into most of these steep and tangled gullies without a torch, but the most easily-accessed display can be seen along the track into Lake Elizabeth.

On clear and moonless nights when the stars shine brightly, screened from any other source of light by the

high sides of the flooded valley, the whole hillside seems to be aglow at times. Centuries-old treeferns stand silhouetted against the brilliant glowworm constellations that cover the ground. Combined with the light of thousands of stars above, a three-dimensional light show is created that has to be seen to be believed.

Nick Romanowski

Glowworms

December 2014

This year’s Forrest Festival was held on a perfect November weekend and showcased our trails and town at their very best.

Over 300 competitors took part in the two-day event, which saw a new record set for the Red Carpet downhill run of 10 minutes 43 seconds, by Paul van der Ploeg.

Organiser Norm Douglas estimates the town benefited to the tune of around $200,000, taking into consideration event fees, accommodation, food, drink and souvenirs. A perfect weekend like this one augurs well for return visits. Many riders visited in advance to try out the trails, further adding to the economic benefit.

‘This year even our trophies were made locally,’ said Norm. ‘We were also blown away by the success of the kids’ race.’

Festival great for Forrest

Top, the glowworms’ luminous curtain of sticky beads used to attract prey. Above, the glowworm grub with its bulbous light-organ at its tail end.

Forrest Festival organisers Jess and Norm douglas (Far left and right) with elite male and female category winners.