WALKA GRANGE LIFESTYLE VILLAGE

Lifestyle News Sponsored By

February 2019

March Garden of the month category:

“Most Tranquil Back

Garden”

Hi Everyone

Welcome to a new year! I hope you all had a

fun & safe Christmas and New Years.

Back to the grind stone now! Thankyou to

everyone who has been sticking to the water

rules, I know we have had a hot couple of

months but the gardens are looking strong and

healthy.

I’ve noticed a few lawns with some dead

patches in them which to me looks like Army

Lawn Grub. If your lawn is affected you can

buy “Lawn beetle & Grub killer” from Bunnings,

it comes in many forms (even pre-made to plug

straight onto the hose).

This should rectify any issues you may have.

Both the green waste and mulch bays are

getting great use, aren’t we lucky to have

them!

I will start distributing mulch around the village

so if you would like some for your gardens

please don’t hesitate to put a service request in

for your delivery.

The category for March Garden of the Month is

“Most Tranquil Back Garden” - somewhere you

can sit & forget about the chaotic world and

enjoy a drink and the view.

Til’ next month

Dave O

Water Wise Reminder

Please remember

NO watering between the hours

of 10am—4pm 7 days a week.

Maintenance Notes

Message from the Village Manager

Water Saving

Tip

Several residents have suggested that when using a trigger nozzle

hose, don’t forget to turn the tap off when finished.

This will remove any chance of

the nozzle bursting away from the hose

and water being wasted.

Street Lights Further to my previous advice during December I can now advise that following significant investigation and testing by our electrical contractor, several improvements/upgrades have been implemented to the village street lights. These works were designed to remove issues associated with electrical circuits and intermittent tripping. My thanks to the Village Operator for their assistance in resolving this issue.

Front Gate – Battery Backup I am pleased to advise that a battery backup facility has been installed on our front entry and front exit gates which will enable them to function in the event of a power blackout.

Emergency services and local care providers have our village access details as the front gate address.

Audio Visual Project Late last year a village project team compiled a comprehensive functional requirements document for a proposed upgrade to the Clubhouse Audio Visual system.

The general concept is to enable our clubhouse public address system provide quality sound right throughout all the clubhouse lounge areas, provision of additional ceiling speakers, a hearing loop and improved hardware storage facilities.

My special thanks to the three residents on this project team, Greg (Villa 157), Dom (Villa 141) and Greg (Villa 146). Their contributions to date have been enormous and I greatly value their technical knowledge and experience.

We have commenced contacting local providers to quote on the proposed improvements and I will keep you updated.

Resident Lawns

Dave, our Gardener/Handyman

is always available to provide advice on any questions you may have in relation to your

lawn maintenance.

Please feel free to approach him

directly as you see him move around the village, or just let the office staff

know that you would like to speak

with him.

2019/2020 Financial Budget Work has already commenced on next year’s budget which will include proposed increases in your long-term capital maintenance fund and the proposed appointment of a new gardener’s assistant to assist our current gardener/handyman Dave.

In the weeks ahead, I will be working closely with the Residents’ Finance Committee to arrive at a proposed draft budget for the Residents’ Committee support before distributing the budget to you for discussion and voting at the annual resident’s budget meeting (date to be determined).

Following the retirement of our previous auditor it has become necessary to select a new auditor and in this regard the Residents’ Finance Committee have been assisting me with the selection process. This will be included in our draft budget for your separate approval.

Construction Comments

After a relaxing holiday break, the Sales staff are now all back on

deck and more than a little surprised at the number of enquiries we’ve

had from people asking to be added to the Waiting List for “pre-loved”

villas in Walka Grange!

Perhaps it may be a side effect of the delay in being able to commence

work on Hunter Grange, but more than likely it is indicative that the

demand for quality, secure, over 55 accommodation far exceeds

availability. A notion further supported by the number of phone calls the

Sales Office received before Christmas regarding the recent sale of Villa

68.

Also as Val and Mark embark on their long range travels, we’d like to

take this opportunity to welcome Gloria to the village, we have no doubt

she’ll be amazingly happy here amongst such a warm, friendly and

vibrant community.

Finally if you have any friends or family who are eagerly (impatiently?)

waiting to hear when Hunter Grange will start, please let them know that

our Construction team are just as “antsy” and I can promise that within

five minutes of Council giving us the nod, they will have excavators,

bobcats and all their other “big boy toys” on site and operating!

Hope 2019 is kind to you all and you all enjoy good health and happiness.

Emily & Ann

Lozza’s Buzz

Welcome to 2019, what a great start we had with Simon Busmann & his

son entertaining us into the new year!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joyce (Villa 19) for doing her

delicious Christmas puddings once again. Just letting you know that

every pudding sold to a resident in the village Joyce donates back to us

$10, last year we received $270.00.

Our new flag which is up at the moment will be there until Australia Day

then will come down and go up again on Anzac Day- this flag will be kept

for these special occasions. The flag, donated by Doreen (Villa 61), was

used at her husbands funeral as he was an ex-serviceman. Thank you

Doreen.

This years Australia Day was very special to us all as Ian & Colleen (Villa

56) became Australian Citizens, congratulations to you both!

Simon entertained us again with a wonderful show. Food was great as

always thanks to everyone who was involved making the day such a

success.

A big Thank you to Kenny (Villa 51) for his magician act for the kid’s Christmas show. The kids were eagerly awaiting his performance this

year as his act last year was such a hit! Thanks again Kenny!

Well once again to all that have been unwell I hope you are feeling a lot

better and this year brings better health and much happiness.

Lorraine

Shed Report

The shed is now very user friendly and well equipped. Members are

reminded that Monday & Thursday mornings are set aside for men only.

Other interest groups meet at other times, however, access to the shed

is via FOB 7 days a week.

REQUESTS: If any resident, not a member of The Shed, has a job they

would like done, please put in a request to a shed member.

There will be a shed meeting on 11th February 2019 in the coffee lounge

to discuss activities and projects for this year. New members welcome.

DATE: Monday 11th February 2019 TIME: 10.00am

LOCATION: Coffee Lounge

This is an important meeting to discuss the direction of the shed for this

year— i.e. activities & projects to be undertaken.

AGENDA:

1. Correspondence in

2. Update on latest developments in The Shed.

3. Planning social activities

4. Discussion of suggested projects to involve Shed members.

5. Dissemination of correspondence

If you cannot make the meeting and have some suggestions, please put

them in The Shed mailbox (near the office mailbox).

NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME

Shed Meeting

What’s happening in your Clubhouse

Happy hour every Friday night with villa draw at

7.30pm—be there to win $30!

Trivia the first Friday of the month

Sunday 10th February the bar will be open from

3pm to 8pm—bring your own nibbles!

Coming Soon: Movie Night Tuesday 26th February

Bohemian Rhapsody 7.00pm

Sunday 3rd March—Old time Band 1.00pm—gold

coin donation

Save the date: Coming on the 23rd March will be

the “Sass and the boss Dinner Dance” - this is the

band that was at the Grand Opening!

Notices

Singing Group

The Walka Grange singing group is taking part in the

Sing-Sational programme as part of the Seniors

Festival program.

All are welcome to attend the FREE concert at the Performing Arts Centre in Cessnock, on February 19th, to show support & enjoy the entertainment. You will find

the flyer with more info for the event on the noticeboard and within this newsletter.

Hope to see you there!

REMINDER

The air

Conditioner

controls in the

clubhouse are

NOT to be set

below 22 degrees.

Having them set

below this

temperature

causes

condensation

which is then

creating the leak

upstairs.

Please be mindful

of this when in

use, Thankyou.

Change of Pool and Gym opening hours for warmer months—Now open until 10.00pm.

A friendly reminder to

all those residents

with pets

If you are out for a

walk with your pet, can

you please remember

to ‘pick up’ after them.

Thanks!

We are pleased to welcome Gloria (Villa 68) to our little

community. Be sure to give her a wave or stop for a chat when you

see her!

Mosaic Workshops

Residents are reminded that

the mosaic workshop will

commence again in February.

It will be held every Tuesday at

1.00pm in The Shed.

All equipment is available so

come and try your hand and

have some fun!

If you have something you

would like mosaiced and are

not very interested in doing it

yourself, requests are

accepted.

All are welcome, however if you

have not completed a shed

membership application, please

do so at the office.

-Kay villa 114

A big thankyou to Rex

(Villa 86) for finding the

time (between Christmas

trees) to make a new

shelving unit in the

library to hold DVD’s and

CD’s. This unit has been

very much appreciated!

-Trevor (Villa 136)

Aqua Aerobics

The aqua aerobics

group would like some

men to come along and

join in the fun!

Get fit and healthy while

having fun!

Feel free to give

Neville in Villa 170 a call

for more information on

what the classes are like

☺

TRIVIA NIGHTS

The monthly Trivia Nights continue to be a great success and the number of people

playing is increasing every month.

Why not come along for a few laughs and meet new people.

A great night of fun is guaranteed!

Friday 1st February 2019 in the clubhouse

Tables of 10 max per team

6.00pm start – BBQ Dinner - $5.00 each

* Sausage and a Chicken Schnitzel *Boiled Potato in a jacket * Onions *Salad *Bun

7.00pm Trivia - $5.00 per person to play

All welcome!

Sponsored by the Rutherford Hotel with 2 vouchers of $30 & $20

POOL RULES

REMINDER

Please ensure that

when using the pool

alone, or with friends

or family, that each

user is abiding by

the rules of no

running and no

bombing.

Also when leaving

the pool area always

ensure that you are

turning the lights off.

“Happily hooked on Crochet” ladies have another project: Crocheting or

knitting poppies for our Anzac Day service.

Inviting anyone who would like to crochet, knit or sew up the poppies or just

wants to have a great time!

So join us at the clubhouse at the COFFEE CORNER at 1.00pm each Friday.

Bring a ball of 8ply red wool, 4.00 crochet hook or 4mm knitting needles.

Printed are some patterns if you wish to try and there are more patterns

available if needed. Please contact Sharyal on 1025 if you are interested.

Crochet Club

Lynn’s Easy Ribbed Knit Pattern This pattern gives a full ribbed knitted poppy and is an easy pattern for beginners. Col A 1 ball red yarn (one ball will make a number of poppies) Col B Small amount of green for centre of poppy or a button. Col C Scrap of black yarn. Body of Poppy Using Col A Cast on 60 st Row 1 –10 : K2 P2 Row 11 : K2 tog across the row. Row 12 : Sl 1 K2 tog psso across the row. Break off yarn with long tail and thread back through remaining stitches and pull tight. Join edges with mattress stitch Centre of Poppy Using Col B Cast on 8 stitches and knit a square (approx 8-10 rows) of stocking stitch. Cut yarn leaving a tail and thread through live stitches as previously. The purl side is the right side. Run a line of running stitch around the outside of the knitted square and ease enough to pull the edges of the square into a round and tuck under. Finishing Stitch the centre tucked side down to body of poppy and overstitch with black yarn , or alternatively use a black or green button as the centre of your poppy.

Crochet Poppy Row 1: Using BLACK yarn, create slip knot and chain 2 (or make magic loop) Row 2: DC into the beginning stitch 12 times to form a circle, SS to the beginning DC of this row. Fasten black off. Row 3: Join RED yarn into any DC of previous row, *CH4, DTR,3 times into next DC, then CH4 and SS into next DC. Repeat from * all the way around, you should have 6 petals. Fasten off red and weave in ends. DC = Double Crochet CH = Chain SS = Slip stitch DTR= Double Treble (yarn twice around hook)

Seniors Festival is starting Wednesday 13 February to Sunday

24 February. The Festival is about celebrating the role older

people play and the contributions they make to our community.

The theme for 2019 is ‘Love your life’.

Council, in partnership with the Seniors Festival Reference Group

have invited Lonnie Lee and the Leemen to perform for the eighth

year. The concert will be provided free to the community on

Thursday 21 February 2019 in the Maitland Town Hall from

12pm.

This year, Council are again asking community to contact on

4934 9700 or at SeniorsFestival@maitland.nsw.gov.au to put

their name into a ballot. There will be 280 tickets made available

to community for this highly anticipated event. Names will be

collected until Monday 4 February and will be drawn at random

by the Seniors Festival Reference Group on Tuesday 5 February.

Council will then notify participants by post or email of the

outcome of the ballot process.

If you would like to go into the ballot, please ensure you advise at

the time of contact with Council any dietary or mobility

requirements you have. Please note you can only put down two

names in the ballot.

Did you know there are other events on offer to help you

celebrate Seniors Festival? A Program of Events is currently

being developed. To ensure you receive a copy, please contact

Council on 02 4934 9881.

Tunstall Information Session

Please join us to learn more about Tunstall

Healthcare, their personal alarm products and

customer care service.

1. Who Tunstall are

2. How your emergency call system works

3. The trained operators at the other end of the call

system – how it all works

4. Questions & Answers time

Walka Grange Clubhouse

Thursday 7th Feb 2019

9.30am

Activity Contacts

Contact Phone

10 Pin Bowls Cheryl 1014

Art Pam 1132

Aqua Aerobics Anne 1127

Bingo Barb 1106

Carpet Bowls Kay 1114

Craft Joyce 1019

Crochet Club Colleen 1016

Darts Ted 1070

Line Dancing Maureen 1154

Patchwork Joyce 1019

Pool Comp Kenny 1051

Self Defence John 1160

Singing Brian 1007

Tai Chi Keith 1140

The Shed Rex 1086

Prayer Fellowship Linda 1063