Elpho Info

Community Newsletter for the Elphinstone, Faraday, Sutton Grange and Metcalfe districts
March 2014 Volume 61
Autumn 2014: Yes, well be
getting the beanies out and
cleaning out the chimneys and
flues before we know it!
March will bring with it a great
fundraiser (see opposite), the end
of the tennis and cricket seasons,
the start of carpet bowls, the first
ELMA meeting for the year (see
page 5) and much more besides.
The Elphinstone Progress
Association has secured a
grant from Mount Alexander
Shire Council to replace the old
noticeboard outside the Post
Office, so get involved if you have
ideas for the new one. The next
meeting is scheduled for Tuesday
March 4th, 7:30pm at the school.
Thanks to everyone who
contributed to this issue.
The Elpho Info can be read online:
http://elphoinfo.blogspot.com.au/
Fiona Gatt (editor)
Help the Elphinstone Fire
Brigade get a defbrillator
Our local Brigade has had a
memorable summer and has been
extremely busy attending to a number
of major fires, both near and far. You
can read all about where brigade
members have served on page 4.
Our Garage Sale is coming up
again on Sunday March 9th, at the
Fire Station, from 8am. We would
encourage everyone to please come
along, enjoy a sausage from the BBQ
and by making a purchase help to give
something back to your community.
There is no better feeling. We have
a replenished range of goods for sale
hopefully something of interest to
everyone.
Mani and Chris from the
Elphinstone Hotel have kindly
offered to hold a fundraising night
for the Brigade, for which we are
very grateful. The date is Monday 17
March, St Patricks Day, commencing
at 6pm. The luck of the Irish on the
night means you will have an excellent
chance of winning a prize, so please
come down to the newly renovated
Elphinstone Hotel, and lend your
support to this great cause. Mani
and Chris have done an excellent job
remodelling the hotel and the stunning
makeover has given the place a breath
of fresh air.
The goal is to raise enough
money for the Brigade to purchase a
defibrillator and associated equipment.
We have secured a grant for half of the
funds required (almost $1500) from
the Mount Alexander Shire, so are
hoping to match this and purchase this
life saving equipment for Elphinstone.
We appeal for the communitys support
to help make the night a success. Hope
to see you there!

Tracey Franze
Secretary

Elpho Info 2 March 2014
We have had our usual warm start
to the school year where Im sure
the weather gods wait until the first
day back to unleash the customary
hot spell! The grassfires springing
up down to our south has meant that
we have been a little on edge each
time we hear the fire siren erupt.
Wed like to take this opportunity to
welcome our new families that have
started at our wonderful school. We
also wish our 2013 year 6 students,
Brayden, Bec, Caitlin and Fletch all
the best in their secondary years
and we will miss them and their
families after many, many years
involved at our school. In particular
we thank Lisa Wright and Graeme
Smith who held school council
positions for a long period. We
also welcome Samantha Zan to the
teaching staff and local resident Alan
Isaacs who is volunteering to help
out in mathematics class a couple of
sessions a week.
With our 150th celebrations
behind us we look forward to a not so
hectic year although the calendar is
starting to fill with exciting activities,
excursions and camps throughout.
Our senior students have already
visited the Indigenous Australians
at War exhibition at the Market
building in Castlemaine, presented
Elphinstone Primary School
Wright Street Elphinstone
5473 3285
elphinstone.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.elphinstone.vic.edu.au
The crowds gather on the school oval to watch the children in action at
our end of year concert.
Something new something old some of our senior students acting as Buddies for our new arrivals.
From left : Hamish, Asha, Tess, Riley, Ayla, Maddison, Fianna and Abi
by the Shrine of Remembrance. This
month our students will tackle the
Cross Country Trials at the Botanical
Gardens which lead up the Zones at
Bendigo Racecourse in April.
Our 150th commemorative brick
paver will close on March 28th
(see page 10) and we thank all the
families and organisations for their
support. We will have an unveiling
ceremony when the stage is finally
completed which will be towards the
middle of the year. The outdoor stage
was used for the first time at our end
of year concert and was certainly well
received.
You can keep up to date with
happenings at the school with the
newsletter:
http://elphinstoneps.wordpress.
com/
Brendan Stewart, Principal
March 2014 Elpho Info 3
Councillors had a break from
weekly meetings during January.
Apart from a few concerns from
individual residents to follow up, I
can say that I was on holiday and
very pleasant it was too. I managed
not one but two trips to the beach.
A camping holiday at Port Fairy
with four grandsons kept me and
my husband busy, then a visit to
friends in Anglesea during January.
In between trips away, there was,
and continues to be quite a lot of
activity on the fire preparedness
front, mainly raking up fallen leaves
and sticks and carting them well
away from the house, so as to create
a clear area around the house. How
eucalypts love to shed their leaves
in summer! One day during the
hot week of early January we filled
gutters with water for the first time
this season, trialling the use of mini
sand bags to block the down pipes.
They worked surprisingly well,
which meant that when an evening
thunderstorm came in, depositing
a blessed downfall, the gutters
overflowed. It was not a good time
to be scrambling around on ladders,
removing sand bags.
Calling into the civic centre to
check my councillor mail in late
January, I saw that the council
chamber had been transformed in
readiness as a MECC, or Municipal
Emergency Coordination Centre.
There were laptops, short wave
radio sets, high resolution maps, hi
viz vests and bibs with MERO and
MERC to be worn by the Municipal
A message from our councillor
Emergency Response Officer and
the Municipal Emergency Response
Coordinator, a senior member of
the local police force. All this was in
place should a significant fire occur
in the Shire. In this eventuality,
Council has the responsibility
of coordinating the actions and
resources of key agencies: Vic
Police, the CFA, DEPI (ex DSE), SES
and providing them with facilities
and support staff. Lightning strikes
had started quite a few fires, but
fortunately the local fire crews had
been able to put them out before
they grew too big. At this time of
year Im repeatedly reminded to feel
deep gratitude for all the men and
women who volunteer and train
extensively as CFA fire fighters. Their
work throughout the fire season
is of the highest importance to the
wellbeing of all of us who live in this
beautiful but fire-risky part of the
world.
In addition to coordinating the
actions of the fire-fighters, council
is also responsible for setting up
emergency relief centres, for those
people who have been evacuated or
have left of their own accord, as a
bushfire threatens their community.
A relief centre is a short-term
solution, providing people with
a place to shelter, be fed, receive
first aid if needed and emergency
clothing. In the medium to longer
term, council may, if needed,
establish a recovery centre where
people affected by a fire can source
information regarding services such
as financial support, insurance,
personal support and material aid.
Council ran a relief centre, which
then became a recovery centre at
the Metcalfe Hall in the months after
the Redesdale fire on Black Saturday,
Feb 7th 2009.
As we move through what is
traditionally the most serious month
for bushfires, lets hope that we all
stay safe from fire. Is your fire plan
on the fridge? Have you decided what
youre going to do on a hot, windy,
total fire ban day? Unless the plan
is to pack the car first thing in the
morning and drive off to friends or
family in a safe spot, we each need
to have some idea of how well look
after ourselves, and our families on
a bad day. If youre staying at home,
remember to check the emergency
website (www.emergency.vic.gov.
au) regularly. Download the Fire
Ready app onto your smartphone.
Become friends with the CFA on
Facebook to receive all notifications
of fires. Listen to ABC 774 AM. And
dont forget the simple but effective
act of going outside regularly and
scanning the sky for smoke. Absence
of smoke doesnt necessarily mean
theres no fire, especially with grass
fires, but smoke on the horizon is
a serious warning sign. Check in
with your neighbours. Hopefully
youve already decided whether
youre going to stay or go, based on
the weather conditions for the day,
in the event of a fire. Then if you
receive news of a fire in your area,
its time to leave, or get your fire
protection gear on and start putting
your fire plan into action. Does this
sound like scaremongering? I hope
not. Its all part of living in a rural
area in summer. Lets hope we can
all stay safe, but lets all be ready to
take action and that means doing a
bit of forward planning. Have that
conversation, and blokes, please, if
your partner is saying I want to leave
on a bad day, please hear her.
You can contact me on
04660 04628 or email:
Coliban@mountalxander.vic.gov.au
Christine Henderson
Elpho Info 4 March 2014
Elphinstone Fire Brigade
Due to the tinder dry conditions
and little or no rain (except for the
weekend of writing this hurrah!)
we have been called to local
significant fires including Sedgwick,
Malmsbury, Taradale and Barkers
Creek, and our crews have also been
asked to participate in strike teams,
heading to other areas including
Kyneton, Lyal (near Lake Eppalock),
Yandoit, Riddells Creek, the very
large Kilmore/Wallan fire and the
open cut coal mine fires at Yallourn
and Hazlewood.
Our participation has varied from
several to many hours, a whole
day, a night shift, or staying away
overnight for a couple of nights.
I would like to acknowledge all
Brigade members who gave their
time selflessly, and showed a sense
of community in its truest form. For
our newer members it was a chance
to gain some invaluable experience
helped by the ongoing support of our
dedicated senior Brigade mentors
who, leading up to the season,
prepare the members in advance for
the tasks which they undoubtedly
will face on the fireground. Our
mentors continue to build upon
the newer members skillsets and
are the foundation of the Brigades
continued success.
Peter Farley and Andy Chapman,
with the expert assistance of Kath
Chapman, took up their usual
positions with many of the fires, as
Sector or Divisional Commanders, or
Incident Controllers. The experience
that this very talented trio bring
to any major fire, sees our Brigade
continue to punch above its weight
on the fireground and as a result
is held in high esteem by other
Brigades and the District HQ for the
work that they do in taking control,
managing these large incidents. Our
Lieutenants and other experienced
members have also made themselves
as available as possible to ensure
that they play a major part, often as
drivers and crew leaders, and have
carried out their tasks admirably
ensuring that we all come home
safely.
From a personal perspective, I
must say that there is nothing like
witnessing the bond which forms
amongst the individuals and within
each team representing Elphinstone,
particularly when faced with the
challenges that this summer has
served up. The acknowledgement
and thanks from the Malmsbury
Brigade on the great work done by
Elphinstone crews to save houses at
the Malmsbury fires has humbled
us. We have also had write ups in
the Bendigo Advertiser on a couple
of occasions recently, including our
tanker saving some distraught horses
during the Taradale fire. District
HQ continually acknowledges and
thanks the Elphinstone Brigade as a
shining example of a Brigade which
gets on with the job, and does it
well. Our members have continued
to succeed in the face of adversity
and there is no better feeling than
having our local and neighbouring
communities thank us sincerely for
assisting them in their time of need.
Predictions indicate that our fast
running fires have the potential to
continue into March, therefore, the
Brigade urges all residents not to
become complacent. We have had
very fast fires on cooler days due to
the wind speed and dry vegetation.
We recommend that you continue to
keep alert, have a look around when
you hear our siren sound for any
signs ofsmoke, whether it is close
by and particularly if its heading
your way. Please stay safe for the
remainder of the Fire Danger Period.

Tracey Franze
Secretary

Captain Andys note: I would like
to thank Tracey for another excellent
article, and for her assistance at the
Divisional Command office over two
days during the Kilmore/Wallan fire.
Reminder: Help the Elphinstone Fire
Brigade raise fund for a defibrillator
at the Garage Sale and sausage sizzle
on Sunday 9th March and the St
Paddys Day festivities at the pub on
Monday 17th March. Details on the
first page.
Elphinstone Tanker 1 pictured with some of the horses saved at the
Taradale fre in February 2014. Photo courtesy of the Bendigo Advertiser
Elpho Info 5 March 2014
Weve been busy watering the
trees and shrubs we planted back in
September across the road from the
pub. We lost a few but there are other
plants that have done remarkably
well considering the very dry
conditions theyve endured over the
summer. We also gave the plants in
Urquhart Street and Doveton Street a
well needed drink!
At the the Elpho Expo last
year Elphinstone Primary School
purchased 40 native seedlings (one
for each student) of different varieties
which were planted at the end of the
oval towards the pub. Each student
had their name engraved on a stake
so they can see how well their tree
is growing! The fire brigade added
some sparkle to the tree planting
afternoon driving into the school on
the fire truck and watering in the
plants. Thanks to John Gatt and
Josh King from the Elphinstone Fire
Brigade for their assistance.
Recently you may have noticed
dead and dying weeds along our
roadsides. ELMA has initiated this
weed management program through
a $3,000 grant funded by the Mount
Alexander Shire. Weeds do not
respect fence lines! They quickly
spread to neighbouring properties
and roadsides so please be aware
of any that may be growing on your
property and be proactive dont let
them spread! ELMA currently has a
weed spraying contractor in town. If
you require his services, please feel
free to contact Marty Hyland on 0438
000 598.
Soon you will receive an
NEXT EDITION
Articles and advertising for the June Elpho Info are due by Friday 16th May 2014.
Email your articles, photos, jokes, etc to gattfiona@gmail.com
The Elpho Info is compiled and edited by Fiona Gatt, using a template designed by Beth Melleck.
Gill at the shop is the contact for billing queries.
Elpho Info is a member of the Community Newspapers Association of Victoria.
ELMA (Elphinstone Land Management
Association)
information flyer in the post
regarding ELMA on the reverse
side is a membership form. The cost
to become a member or renew your
membership is $20. Please fill out
the form and leave it at the post office
with Gill. Alternatively, a meeting
of ELMA members will be held at
the pub on Thursday 13th March at
7pm. This is also an opportunity to
pay your membership fees and share
ideas.
In the meantime, if you have any
questions please dont hesitate to
contact Robyn, our President on
5473 3348 or Sue, our Secretary on
5473 3118.
Euro Commercial Repairs
Late Model Euro Diesel Specialist
Full Diagnostic & Repair Service
Mark Gardiner
Master Technician
Lot 5 Carinya Crt, Elphinstone, 3448
0428 449 152
eurocr@bigpond.com
Elpho Info 6 March 2014
Elpho Info 7 March 2014
The last two months at the Hotel have just whizzed past. In that time Chris and I have goten to know
many new names and faces, we have enjoyed chating with and entertaining the regulars and the not so
regulars alike and we have poured nearly 5500 pots of icy cold beer!
Undoubtedly the next two months will be even busier for us as we begin work on the kitchen and
gardens. Thankfully we have Ann to help us out at the bar, so we now get a night of, and Laurie is helping
in the garden.
In the meantime we have lots of live music lined up and some fun events planned for the next three
months. As well as our regular happenings including Friday night Happy Hour 5-7pm and Friday night
Pizza Delivery and Wednesday morning Cofee and Cake from 8.30am including takeaway cofee!
SATURDAY 15TH OF MARCH: Live Music starting 7pm. No cover charge.
Gussy and the Barncats will be singing and playing up a storm for us in mid-March.
MONDAY 17TH OF MARCH: St. Patricks Day starting 3pm.
Not because we have Irish heritage but because we have Guinness on Tap, and we love Irish Stew. This
will be a fundraising night for the community. Come along buy a Guinness, make a donation, maybe win a
prize, and support your community!
SATURDAY 29TH OF MARCH: Stolen Bones Concert starting 8pm. No cover charge.
For all those who could not aford to see the Rolling Stones, and for those that could, we will be holding
our own concert with DrX covering The Stones for a massive night of classic Rock n Roll. Call the Pizza
Guy Tomorrow.
EASTER SATURDAY 19TH OF APRIL: Kids Funday starting 2pm AND Grown-ups Night Starting at
7pm.
For the kids Pimp my Ride, bring along your bike, trike or scooter and add some colour and sound to it.
Lets get all the bikes in community parked out the front looking superb. Then print and colour your very
own superhero cap! Adults are welcome I will be bringing my bike and wearing a superhero cape! Cost is
$5.00 per bike and $5.00 per cape.
For the Grown-ups Easter we will be having a port and pudding night. We will be showcasing St Annes
Ports and Liqueurs and I will be puting my pudding making skills to the test! So come along and indulge in
some grown up sweetness.
FRIDAY 25TH OF APRIL: ANZAC DAY.
Anzac day is an important day to honour and remember for our family as we have been very personally
touched by the demands of military service. We hope that you will join us on this day to honour those
who have served, those who are serving, and the families pay the price of service.
AND dont forget we have great horse parking.so saddle up and come on over!
Coming up at
The Elphinstone Hotel
ZUMBA
Weseley Hill Hall
Mon 7-8pm
Kyneton Sports & Aquatic
Centre
Tues 7-8pm
Fri 11am-12noon
HEDGE END HEALING CLINIC
revitalise your health and well being
Carolyn Hudson
remedial massage therapist
infant massage instructor
health provider recogniton
AAMT member
ear candling, hot stone
massage, reflexology, shiatsu
0416 108 823 Taradale
8 Elpho Info March 2014
AJ CHAPMAN EARTHMOVING
ANDY & KATH CHAPMAN & GIRLS
Calder Hwy, Elphinstone, 3448
For all your Backhoe & Tip truck
requirements
Quarry and Road Supplies
Grader hire
Driveway & House Sites
Andy has 24 years local knowledge &
experience
For further information phone:
0408 507 770 or 5473 3294
DISCLAIMER
Articles and comments printed in this newsletter are the result of contributions from
local groups and relevant news articles pertinent to Elphinstone/Sutton Grange
and Metcalfe areas. Views may be refective of a group or organisation, and
are printed as information to all readers. Neither Elphinstone/Sutton Grange
and Metcalfe Progress Assoc. nor the Editorial Team are liable for any mistakes,
omissions or misprints. It prints and makes no representation as to the truth or
accuracy of any description and accepts no liability for any loss suffered by any
person who relies on any statement contained herein. The Editorial Team may
at time fnd it necessary to alter text so as to accommodate space, but will in no
way alter the validity of a story. They will endeavour to make these changes
with the authors.
ELPHINSTONE NATIVE PLANTS
TRACEY WORSEY
LOT 3 WRIGHT ST, ELPHINSTONE
A WIDE RANGE OF GROUND COVERS
AND SHRUBS. ALL PLANTS GROWN
ON SITE FROM GARDEN STOCK AND
SEED. NATIVE PLANTS SUITABLE FOR
GARDENS AND SOME LARGER TREES;
EUCALYPTS, WATTLES, AND HAKEAS.
54733211
BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE
Mount Alexander
Conveyancing Services
PO Box 88
Elphinstone VIC 3448
for all your conveyancing needs
Sally Henderson
Conveyancer
Ph: 54 733 531
Mob: 0402 232 968
Email: mtalexconv@bordernet.com.au
Elphinstone Post Office
and General Store
5473 3200
Weekdays 7.30am-5.30pm
Saturday 8.00am-1.00pm
Sunday 8.00am-12noon
Public Hol8.00am-12noon
Gill and Dave
FUN AND FITNESS
WITH DANCE
Looking for an activity program which includes fun,
ftness, meeting people, artistic outlet, recreation, great
world music?
Then join us for INTERNATIONAL CIRCLE
DANCING
Where: Over the Moon Dance & Yoga Studio,
9 Templeton Street, Castlemaine.
No partner necessary.
When: Fridays, 5.30 7.00 pm.
New people warmly welcome. All dances fully instructed
by a qualifed teacher.
Cost: $7 per session
Contact: Marie Ph 54733355, 0412 447 600
email: marie.feigl@gmail.com
Elpho Info 9 March 2014
B o w e n w o r k s C a s t l e m a i n e
Loretta Nicoletti
Relaxation and Deep Tissue Massage
Bowtech Bowen Therapy
Lymphatic Drainage
Holistic Healing
Ear Candling
Lomi Lomi Massage
Member of AAMT and BBAA
203 Barker St, Castlemaine
5473 3490
2497 Calder Hwy, Elphinstone
0423 466 126
Elphinstone Tennis Club News
This year Elphinstone Tennis
Club entered four teams into the
Castlemaine District competition.
I played in the Elphinstone E team
in the Junior 1 division. We have
done quite well this year, at the
moment we are second on the ladder,
and are hoping to hold that place in
order to get into the semi-finals.
But without the help from Nick and
Alan coaching us, we would not be
doing so well, so thank you to Nick
and Alan for giving up their time!
I think we have all enjoyed playing
tennis this season, however we
have not been able to play in the
competition so far this year, because
of hot weather. It has been really fun.
We are looking forward to playing
this Saturday, against the Elphinstone
T team!
Tara Kelly
Elphinstone E team
Elphinstone E vs Elphinstone T on the 15th February 2014
The creative works of leading
sculptors from the Bendigo, Mount
Alexander, Daylesford and Mount
Macedon Shires will be on display
at the picturesque gardens of Mica
Grange, 373 Faraday/Sutton Grange
Rd. Sutton Grange.
The Sculpture Exhibition brings
together the works of a diverse
group of artists displaying small
and large sculptures in a wide range
of art mediums including stone,
steel, copper, rusty wire and old tin.
Shown in a natural garden setting the
creations provide a wide choice of art
to enhance the beauty of your own
garden.
Sitting on the foothills of Mount
Alexander with stunning views
across the Sutton Grange Valley, the
gardens provide the ideal location to
relax, meander and peruse an eclectic
Merging the Beauty of Garden with the Wonders
Of Art
collection of unique sculpture in a
natural setting.
The Exhibition will be open to the
public on weekends from 15 March
to 13 April and during weekdays
for group bookings. Entry is $5 per
head. Morning and afternoon tea is
available.
Sculptors exhibiting their works are
Yvonne George, George Lianos,
Lee Adams, Richard Kloester, Issa
Ouattara, Peter Laszlo, Neil and
Catherine Tait.
For further information contact Bede
Gibson of Mica Grange:
5474 8262
0499 897 242
micagrange@harboursat.com.au
www.micagrange.com.au
Elpho Info
10 March 2014
Sunday 9 March 2014 10am 4pm
Handcrafted local wines
Specialty foods, oils and multicultural delights
Music & dance including African drumming
workshops, Rumba dancing, rock, folk and jazz
Historical displays & Devonshire teas
Arts Open Exhibition Fri Mon 10am 6pm
Jumping castle & giant slide
BYO picnic basket & blanket
THANK YOU TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS
MALCOLMMCCLURE PTY LTD
Arts Open Exhibition Opening
Thursday 6th March 79pm
Meeting the needs of children with
Dyslexia
- Creating a dyslexia friendly school.
Date: Thursday 6th March 2014, 9.30am to 4.30pm
(Registration 9.00am)
Where: The Victoria Hotel, 67 High Street Woodend
Cost: $200 (includes morning tea and lunch) - Booking
required - limited to 30 participants
Bookings: courses@dyslexiasupportservices.com.au
mobile: 0402 225 051
Presenter: Renowned dyslexia expert Karen Starkiss (see
attached fyer for information about Karen)
Dyslexia Support Group for the Macedon Ranges
- Meets frst Friday of the Month.
- Info: Marg 0409 550 238
Elphinstone
Carpet Bowls
The 2014 season begins in March!
Tuesday evenings at the Elphinstone
Hall. Kids, families, adults -
everyone welcome.
More information will be posted
about exact dates and times on the
community noticeboard or you can
call Sieggy or Verley on 5473 3333.
See you there!
Nov Dec Jan
mm mm mm
AVERAGE RAINFALL
Elphinstone 1988-2003 48 47 38
Castlemaine 1966-1994 44 44 39
Harcourt 1968-1994 52 46 49
ACTUAL RAINFALL RECEIVED
Elphinstone 2013 49 24 1/2 15 1/2
Rainfall by Wes Watson
Many thanks to local resident Wes Watson for keeping rainfall
records and diligently passing them on to be published in this
newsletter.
Last chance to
purchase pavers to
commemorate the
schools 150th!
The school will be putting in the fnal order
for engraved brick pavers that will provide
a lasting edge to the new outdoor stage.
$50 for personal/family pavers and $150
for local businesses. Have your family or
business name permanently at the school.
Order by Friday 28th March. Call the school
on 5473 3285 to order.