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FLOWERDALE COMMUNITY HOUSE INC

Forming Friendships ABN 30 127 305 127

Issue: No.57—November , 2009 PO Box 2008, Hazeldene, 3658

HOOF OVER HILLS 2009 !!

Horses through the forests, horses over the hills, horses
everywhere. The sixth annual Flowerdale Hoof Over Hills family
horse riding and camping weekend was a great success,
organisers commenting that they felt it was the best weekend
since the first in 2003. It is staggering that Hoof Over Hills has
become so well known, with riders travelling long distances to
reach Flowerdale - our furtherest traveller came from Cape
Tribulation in Far North Queeensland. He will be back again next
year!
Four days of rain turned Alan & Debbie's beautiful farm "Kinlochiel"
into a delta of small creeks, streams and endless mud. Yet when
Andrew turned up with loads of mulch and his bobcat, the problem
of access suddenly disappeared, and the weather became warmer
settling the quagmire and drying out the ground. Smiles were
everywhere. Excitement was palpable. Happiness and confidence
abounded.
So what were the highlights?
• A huge cavalry of Australia's most highly accredited Ride
Leaders, Stewards, Vets and Para-medics leading the 300 strong
group of horses and riders through new and old trails, to
experience the awesome beauty of our local Valley and
surrounds.
• A massive 4wd support crew to look after and spoil our riders,
bringing them great food and drinks using the distinctive "Bundy"
trailer which added some colour, convenience and conversation to
the weekend.
• A fun "Friday Rider's Night" with Red Roar keeping everyone
bopping till midnight.
Flowerdalians, giving quiet practical help in so many areas of the
weekend.
• The Village People who left their sadnesses and difficulties
behind to turn up in droves to support the weekend. That was my
favourite part.
• The return of Paul, Sharon, Luke and Erynn with their teams
of Clydesdales and carts to add some joy to our programme.
• The hundreds of volunteers who worked themselves to the
bone and beyond to help us make our weekend as smooth running
and care free as possible - and especially all the quiet achievers
who turned up early in the morning to "disappear" the evidence of
the previous evenings of fun. Our volunteers bring energy and
harmony to Hoof Over Hills. There are too many of them to list
here. We love them all.
It has been a challenging and sad year in our Valley. Supported by
VBRRA through the Winter Warmers Programme, Hoof Over Hills
was able to give back to the people of Flowerdale a feeling that,
one thing at least, was normal. And the people of Flowerdale
responded as they always do - with full-on participation and
supreme happiness.
We thank everyone who used Hoof Over Hills to show their true
spirit. You selflessly offered the loan of so much - from our
community bus through to generators and everything in between.
You offered your time, your expertise, your passion. You gave us
your energy and your hearts. You are the embodiment of our
Flowerdale Survivor Spirit. We will never forget what you all have
done for Hoof Over Hills and for our Flowerdale Community.

• Early hearty breakfasts followed by excitable horses and

riders breaking the morning mists and proving a magnificent view
for all.

• A Saturday evening which saw more than 1200 visitors joining

the fun and enjoying the delicious spit roast dinner prepared by
Barb & Kallie Pascoe and our beautiful Chaplains who pulled out
all stops to help make our weekend truly fantastic.

• The Flowerdale Primary School Choir belting out some great

tunes, under the direction of Gerri, followed by our local Poet, Pete
Auty and our new poets,- twins Jordan and Dillon Mason who
wooed the crowds and kept us all laughing.

• The return of "Ruckus" who were at their energetic best -

rocking Alan's Shed, and showing us what real country music is all
about.

• The wonderful Chaplains who came to manage both the

Registration and Merchandise areas, in addition to helping with the
Photo by Samm
catering, have shown themselves to operate in the spirit of true

Distribution: 500 copies to Silver Creek Rd., Silver Parrot Rd., Creekside Dr., Riverside Cres., the service road, Moore’s Rd., Spring Valley Rd. Upper King Parrot Rd, and the main road as
far as Minto Rd. Also the Hazeldene Store, Flowerdale Hotel, Strath Creek Store and Glenburn Roadhouse. Articles, advertisements, etc. can be left at the store, posted to PO Box 2008,
Hazeldene, or emailed to Brenda at brendab@internode.on.net

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008

Police Report—Flowerdale/Glenburn
ROAD REPORT
We have had a steady time on our
roads this month with a total of 5
collisions being reported to
Kinglake Police, two of which
occurred in the Flowerdale/
Hazeldene areas. We have issued
35 penalty notices, the majority
being for excessive speed. We
detected one drink driver this
month as a result of attending a
collision.
On 11th October 2009, Constable
DAWSON, attended a two car
collision in Hazeldene. One car
had turned in front of a south
bound vehicle as they attempted
to enter a driveway. Injuries were
sustained to several people
requiring hospital treatment.
Extreme weather circumstances
contributed to the collision. C/
DAWSON stated that at the time
of the collision, she also was in
Hazeldene, when a storm erupted
overhead. She stated rain the size
of 50 c coins pelted down from
above making visibility almost non
existent.
On Sunday 18th October at
approximately 6 a.m., S/C PAPAS
was called out to attend a motor
vehicle collision on the Yea-
Whittlesea Road in Hazeldene.
The driver collided with trees after
swerving to miss a deer on the
road. As a result of our
attendance the driver was issued a
penalty notice for exceeding the
prescribed limit of alcohol. He
gets to walk for the next 6 months
due to his indiscretion. The driver
had been drinking into the early
hours of the morning and thought
he’d be okay to drive.
Since last month’s report the
pedestrian crossing works have
commenced in the main street of
Kinglake.
CRIME REPORT
This month in our police service
area we have had 12 incidents of
crime reported. Again several of
these were domestic related. As I
have said previously domestic
violence is a crime and will be
treated as such. If you are aware
of issues in relationships please
deal with them before they
escalate. Assistance is a phone
call away. At the moment in
Kinglake, the community has
access to a vast range of
community health services that
can assist with these issues. We
Flowerdale Flyer
can also assist if you require. We
have also seen an increase in
Mental Health issues. Again, early
intervention can solve or avert a
bigger issue from occurring.
Reported Crime has decreased on
the previous month’s figures. If
you see anything suspicious please
report it immediately. Don’t wait
and please don’t think you might
be wasting our time. Call 000 if
the suspicious activity is
happening then and there and
they’ll dispatch us to attend. We
all need to keep an eye out for
each other. Obtain vehicle
descriptions, registration numbers
or descriptions of suspicious
persons and pass this on to police
at the communications centre.
(000- D 24)
On 21/09/09, C/Williams attended
at the Castella Quarry and took a
report for theft of two large farm
gates which were valued at $240.
On 24/09/09, an attempted
burglary report was taken by Sgt
GAFFEE. A property on Gordon’s
Bridge Road was visited by
offenders during the day. They
have attempted to jemmy a
window but possibly may have
been disturbed. No access was
gained but evidence suggests
offenders definitely tried to gain
access to property.
Remember - If you see suspicious
vehicles/persons please make a
notation of vehicle/persons
description and report it either to
Crime Stoppers (Anonymity
Guaranteed!) or call us at Kinglake
Police Station (Again, anonymity
guaranteed!).
Any information in relation to any
criminal activity can be provided
(anonymously if you wish) to
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
or call Kinglake Police on 5786
1333.
Stay safe and take care,
Sgt Jon ELLKS
Officer in Charge,
Kinglake Police.
Page 2
Bonza Australian Classic comes to
Strath Creek
Murrindindi Library Service is which captures your interest
proud to present a wonderful from the first moment and
fresh and funny interpretation holds it until the inevitable
of CJ Dennis’ The happy ending.” - Sian Prior,
Sentimental Bloke at Strath Sunday Age.
Creek Hall on Saturday 6th Formed in 1997 by Stewart
November at 8pm, followed Morritt and Anastasia
by a hot country supper & Malinoff, Petty Traffikers is
drinks committed to discover and
Produced by Petty Traffikers theatrically re-invent the best
The Sentimental Bloke is a works from Australia’s literary
dynamic theatrical adaptation canon. Produced works have
of a timeless Australian literary included The Drover’s Wife/
classic. Set in the physical
Bush Undertaker, Ginger
framework of the old Mick at Gallipoli and The
Vaudeville theatre, the Chosen Vessel. The
production uses 12 of C.J Sentimental Bloke was first
Dennis’ original 14 poems and produced by Petty Traffikers in
incorporates silent comedy
2000 and premiered in
routines and music into its Sorrento. Since then it has had
robust and energetic re-telling
sellout seasons at La Mama
of this charming story. and The Gasworks Arts Park
A 1915 work, written in verse, and has been awarded Green
The Sentimental Bloke follows Room Best Actor Award ,
the fortunes of Billo the Bloke, 2002 and Drama Victoria Best
disillusioned with life among Production Award , 2002
the back street gangs of Little Don’t miss out on seeing this
Lonsdale Street, swigging beer, fabulous production of an
playing two-up and “stoushin’ Australian classic.
Johns”. Life changes when he
meets “‘is bonza peach” This event is FREE however
Doreen and they get married, bookings are essential.
settle down on a berry farm Book your place now 5772
and start a family. 0349
“It was sheer magic…glorious
Presented by Murrindindi
Australian material that is Library Service in conjunction
worked so beautifully.” - Frank with Murrindindi Shire Council
Van Straten, ABC Radio and the Victorian Bushfire
Relief Fund.
“This is a charming production,
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Hoof Over Hills ............................. Page 1
Police Report .......................................... 2
Flowerdale Hall Renovation .................... 3
Fran Bailey.................................. 6-7 & 14
Wild Crust Bakery .................................. 7
Mayor’s Chair .......................................... 8
Flowerdale Blackberry Bash................. 10
Ben Hardman ......................................... 11
Playgroup............................................... 13
Kindergarten .......................................... 15
Shire of Murrindindi .............................. 16
Flowerdale Primary School ................... 18
Scouts..................................................... 19
Health & Well-Being ............................. 19
November,
November2009
2008
 Page 3

FLOWERDALE HALL RENOVATIONS

The hall itself is an old building that holds a lot of
community activities and functions such as Youth Groups,
Arts and Crafts, Markets, Primary School Activities,
Christmas dinners and lots more.
The works that were carried out were organised by Bovis
Lend Lease, Flowerdale Hall and the Community House
which included the demolition of existing verandas,
construction of new veranda, planting of shrubs, crushed
rock path and hardstand under the veranda, replacing barge
boards and installation of joinery cupboards.
The planning for the day started back in early August with
the Community House Group. We started works at the
Flowerdale Hall on Wednesday afternoon with digging and
pouring the footings for the veranda.
HALL BEFORE RENOVATIONS
It was an early start on site on Thursday Morning which
kicked off at about 6.45am. For most of our volunteers it
meant that they left home around 5.30 - 6.00am. Morning
Tea was provided by the Community House which the local people from the Community House and Hall
consisted of warm party pies and sausage rolls and some Committees who had come along to assist us with our
fresh homemade muffins. community day. It gave us all more of an idea of what the
Community had to face on the day of the bushfires and the
One of the biggest challenges for the day was the devastation that it had left behind.
installation of 2 x M20 Tru bolts into the post stirrups that
was to hold up the structure. I think there was an allowance Thanks to the following for helping with the organisation
plus some for the wind conditions we had been and on the day to make it all happen:
experiencing of late. • Gardner Group - Building Surveyor - Building permit
Lorron had been shopping the day before to ensure our which was required for the Veranda
fluids were kept up and the hunger pains stayed away. The • Webber Design - Structural Engineer - Looked over
lunch time BBQ come round very quickly and it would be fair and signed off the Structural Design
to say we were travelling a couple of hours behind program. • Akron Roads - Crushed rock under veranda and
The structure was erected after lunch and the weather had pathway
turned a little nasty, however the rain didn't slow us down • Barden Steeldeck - Roofing material for Veranda
too much. The roof sheets arrived at 4.30pm and at this • Exar - Timber frame (Also Exars supplier has donated
point there was talk of firing the BBQ up again, as we knew materials. Hazelwood and Hill)
we were going to be installing the sheets through to dinner. • Higgins - Paint
As dusk set in the team had completed the laying of the roof • Warrandale - Plants
sheets and only had a couple of trims to finish. We enjoyed • KLM - Lights and installation
dinner at the hall with some of the locals, before we all • Coates Hire - All terrain Scissor Lift
departed for the journey home.
• Meridian - Concrete for footings
Friday morning was a cleanup and the finishing off of a • Rickie Nuske
couple of items.
• Billy Price
It was great for our volunteers to be able to chat to some of

HALL RENOVATIONS COMPLETED

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008

REBUILDING TOGETHER – A STATEWIDE PLAN TO REBUILD
VICTORIA’S FIRE DEVASTATED COMMUNITIES
Schools, sporting clubs, health and early childhood centres,
community hubs, major tourist attractions and iconic natural sites
destroyed or damaged in the tragic 2009 Victorian bushfires will be
rebuilt and restored under a $193 million plan to drive recovery in
communities across the state.
In Flowerdale, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Premier
John Brumby recently announced a two-year package to rebuild
and reconstruct towns and communities impacted by the worst
natural disaster in Australia’s history.
The Rebuilding Together plan sets out the rebuilding priorities
which have been driven by local communities, to rebuild their
essential town buildings and services, to generate business growth
and investment and to rehabilitate key local attractions central to
their future prosperity.
It outlines the next steps the Australian and Victorian governments,
the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, Victorian Bushfire
Reconstruction and Recovery Authority and corporate and
philanthropic donors will take to deliver projects identified by the
communities affected as vital to their recovery.
Highlights of the Rebuilding Together plan include:
• $93.4 million to support people and communities rebuild
through ongoing accommodation support, counselling services and
rebuilding key community assets including upgrading more than 20
community halls, building new community centres and restoring
sports and recreation facilities, parks, gardens, walking and cycling
trails;
• $60.5 million to drive reconstruction including new co-
located, multipurpose facilities that will improve education and
recreation services in Kinglake, Flowerdale, Callignee and
Marysville as well as a new primary school in Strathewen and
Marysville Police Station;
• $21.6 million to help stimulate economic recovery with
support to assist small business to return to pre-fire operating
levels, new tourism marketing campaigns, new National and State
Park facilities to attract visitors and the restoration of the iconic
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort as a major summer and winter
tourism destination; and
$17.5 million to rehabilitate the environment and address
environmental problems caused by the fires including urgent
action to protect threatened species and habitats, to regenerate
State forests, helping farmers and landholders restore their land
and repairing critical waterways and catchments.
In the immediate aftermath of Black Saturday, the Australian and
Victorian governments partnered to establish the Victorian Bushfire
Appeal Fund to co-ordinate the distribution of money donated to
the appeal and established the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction
and Recovery Authority to oversee the recovery and reconstruction
effort.
The Rebuilding Together plan commits a further $193 million to
deliver hundreds of projects with $117 million from the Australian
and Victorian governments, $56 million from the Victorian Bushfire
Appeal Fund and $20 million in philanthropic and corporate
donations.
Mr Rudd said the Australian Government had worked with the
Victorian Government to support individuals, families, small
businesses and primary producers to get back on their feet.
“The terrible impact of the bushfires has been far reaching and the
recovery and reconstruction effort is the largest Australia has ever
faced,” Mr Rudd said.
“We will continue to stand by these communities. Through this
Plan we will rebuild schools, community facilities and other vital
infrastructure lost in the fires. We will regenerate the natural
environment, stimulate local economic recovery and continue to
Flowerdale Flyer
Page 4
support individuals and families as they rebuild their homes and
businesses.
“It sets out the next phase of recovery and rebuilding of bushfire-
affected communities, delivering initiatives and projects to support
people as they rebuild their homes, businesses, community
infrastructure and local economies.”
Mr Brumby said the Plan was a vital next step in the recovery and
reconstruction effort and would focus on supporting and helping
communities to achieve their goals.
“So far 3048 properties have been cleaned up, nearly 1000
building permits have been issued by bushfire-affected councils,
30 Community Recovery Committees have been established and
temporary villages are up and running at Marysville, Kinglake and
Flowerdale with temporary accommodation also opened at
Whittlesea,” Mr Brumby said.
“But there is still much more to do. This Plan is the culmination of
hundreds of hours of careful thought and discussions across fire-
devastated communities about what they need – not only to
recover – but to secure stable, sustainable and bright futures.
“For example, we know the importance of tourism to so many of
these local economies which is why we are investing in projects
like the restoration of Lake Mountain Alpine Resort and new
facilities for our state and national parks to attract visitors back.”
VBRRA chair Christine Nixon, said communities had identified
more than 900 priorities and projects in the 30 Community
Recovery Plans submitted.
“Funding has been allocated for many of these projects and we will
continue to work with communities to explore other funding options
for them including the Appeal Fund,“ Ms Nixon said.
Ms Nixon thanked the generosity of the corporate and
philanthropic donors who together have contributed $20 million to
affected communities, through the Plan.
“Generous corporations and not-for-profit groups have made a big
difference to what we have been able to achieve. We are keen to
continue providing support to these communities,” she said.
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund chair Pat McNamara said those
who contributed to the Appeal should be proud of the difference it
has made to individuals and communities.
“This overwhelming generosity has enabled us to not only provide
significant support to individuals, but to set aside 25 per cent of the
total funds raised towards important community generated
projects, including those detailed in this plan,” Mr McNamara said.
For a copy of the Rebuilding Together Plan and specific projects
within each region visit www.wewillrebuild.vic.gov.au.
John Kyme
Painter & Decorator
Specialising in all forms of Painting
and Decorating
Phone (AH): 5780 2569
Mobile: 0418 564 851
November,
November2009
2008
 Page 5

Bush to the Beach is coming back to HOOF OVER HILLS 2009 PHOTOS Provided by Samm

Lorne in November!
The second women’s retreat for those that missed out on the
event in June has been confirmed for 13 - 15 November at the
fabulous Mantra Erskine Resort in Lorne.
There will be 350 places for women affected by the February
2009 Victorian Bushfires. You will need to get in quick as there
has been strong interest in the event.
Click here for the online registration form
FAQs_bush_to_beach.pdf
This weekend is run by local women for local women and
supported by VBRRA. It will be entertaining, inspirational,
educational and FUN.
“Bound together, we will never abandon each other. The greater
the danger , the closer the union. Together we can work miracles.
Remain firm in your belief that tomorrow will be more
beautiful…..”

WHAT’S ON FOR FLOWERDALIANS?

If your community group has an event coming up please let us
know so it can be included in the Flyer.

1 Nov New Life Party, Flowerdale Hall, 5-6pm

2 Nov Cup Eve, Calcutta, Flowerdale Hotel, 7.30pm
3 Nov Cup Day, Family Fun Day, Flowerdale Hotel Garden, 12noon
onwards
5 Nov Irwin Racing Team, Flowerdale Hotel, 3pm
6 Nov Community Dinner, Recreation Reserve, Springvalley Road,
5pm onwards
6 Nov The Sentimental Bloke, Strath Creek Hall, 8pm.
7 Nov Circus Oz, Springvalley Rec. Reserve
8 Nov Fluoro’s Vs Flowerdale Cricket & Family Day, Hume & Hovel
Cricket ground, Strath Creek 10am to 4pm.
13 Nov Flowerdale Community Meeting, Recreation Reserve, Mobile Library:
Springvalley Road, 8pm The Mobile Library stops at the Hazeldene bus stop Thursdays
13 Nov Youth Activities, Year 7 up, Flowerdale Hall, 7pm 1.30 to 4.30pm every fortnight. Next visit 12th and 26th
13-15 Nov Women’s Retreat, Bush to Beach, Lorne. November, and Strath Creek opposite the store once a month
from 2.30 to 4.30pm. Next visit 5th November.
15 Nov New Life Party, Flowerdale Hall, 5-6pm.
If you have internet access at home you can reserve books at the
15 Nov Flowerdale Community Market, Flowerdale Hall
Yarra Plenty Regional Library website (www.yprl.vic.gov.au) and
15 Nov Norton & Triumph Motor Cycle Show, Hotel, collect them from the Mobile Library.
20 Nov Community Dinner, Recreation Reserve, Springvalley Road,
5pm onwards Country Fire Authority
27 Nov Flowerdale Community Meeting, Recreation Reserve,
Captain: Glenn Woods
Springvalley Road, 8pm
Meets: 7.30pm 1st Tuesday of month,
27 Nov Youth Activities, Year 7 – up, Flowerdale Hall, 7pm Training: 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month at 9.00am
27-29 Nov Christmas In November, Echuca Moama
6 Dec Blackberry Bash
18 Dec Community Dinner, Recreation Reserve, Springvalley Road, Station: 5780 2179
5pm onwards Emergency: 000
20 Dec Flowerdale Community Market, Flowerdale Hall

COMMUNICATIONS IN FLOWERDALE
The communications work engine are now working on TV, radio, broadband & mobile phone reception in the area.

They need to know from all of the residents if you experience blackspots in the area with the above.
It is a critical part of safety warnings in the area.

Please contact Fiona 0422 75 99 72 to provide information so they can have a geographical indication of what services are required in
the area.

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008

Opening address delivered by the Hon Fran Bailey MP at the Emergency Services
Conference in Melbourne on 24th October, 2009
I would like to begin this morning by thanking you for your passion and
commitment in being prepared to provide your expertise and training
for the safety of our communities.
At the Emergency Relief Centre in Whittlesea on the Monday morning
after Black Saturday, a group of local volunteer firefighters who had
been working round the clock greeted me, shook their heads and said to
me “the rule book has just been ripped up. This fire is like no other”.
What they were doing was questioning the traditional response to
suppressing fire, communications and managing risk. They were right to
do so. I hope this conference will evaluate, question, analyse and
provide this forum for discussion of not just traditional techniques for
managing risk and emergencies but the role new technologies must play
in emergency services.
I believe that just as important as evaluating the benefits of new ways of
managing emergencies as they are happening, this seminar has the
opportunity as so many other countries have already to challenge the
traditional methods used to manage the community recovery in the
aftermath of disaster.
There is no doubt that here in Victoria our greatest threat of disaster
comes from fire.
Since 1851, (the earliest recording of numbers of deaths resulting from
fire) 815 people Australia wide have died but significantly 561 of those
deaths occurred in Victorian fires and almost half of those Victorian
deaths occurred in my electorate of McEwen.
To provide a comparison, there have been 72 deaths from fire in
Tasmania, 12 in the ACT, 90 in NSW, 58 in SA, 21 in QLD and 15 in WA
In 1851, 1865, 1923, 1926, 1939, 1943, 1952, 1962, 1965, 1983, 1990,
1997, 2005, and Black Saturday this year, fires have burned across my
electorate and caused massive loss of life accounting for the terrible
tragedy of almost half of our state’s total number of deaths from
bushfire.
As the magnitude of the disaster of Black Saturday began to be
broadcast across our nation and people began to realise the sheer
enormity of this catastrophe, the response I heard most frequently from
people whether they were survivors, emergency workers or people from
every area of our nation was “We must never let this happen again”.
I, however, added a qualification to that statement and nine months
later, I believe it more strongly now than when I first made it in my
address to our national Parliament and it is this: “Unless we change the
way we do things, it will happen again.”
I do not want other communities in our state or across our nation to be
subjected to the terror and trauma that my communities experienced
and are still traumatized by.
So today, you have not just the opportunity but the responsibility to
ensure that at the conclusion of this seminar you have a way forward
which will challenge and change the traditional methods of risk
management and emergency response to include new technology, to be
inclusive of the leadership and expertise within our communities that
includes of course so many of your own members.
Can I take this opportunity to remind any in this audience who may
contend that the extreme conditions of heat, wind and dryness of Black
Saturday was a once only event and will not happen again by quoting
the following:“ From early morning it (the fire) was accompanied by a
hot wind, almost the strength of a hurricane and throughout the day,
the surface of the country was exposed to the full power of its withering
influence. Bushfires raged across hundreds of miles of country, sweeping
along with almost the speed of lightening and destroying almost
instantaneously, men, women, children, homes, fences, gardens, crops,
animals. That was the account of Black Thursday of 1851 in The Argus.
Importantly, however, The Argus further reported that while many said
such an event could not happen again, in their opinion this was an
“utterly irrational view.” Bushfires would occur again and with similar
Flowerdale Flyer
Page 6
ferocity if the land was not managed by fuel reduction.
If only that advice had been heeded. Sadly, however, not only was that
advice ignored in 1851, it has also been ignored by successive
governments, both state and local, right through to our current day.
Recommendations by every inquiry to reduce the fuel load have
consistently been ignored. In just my electorate, I know where fire
access routes now display local government conservation signs and to
ensure that they remain conservation zones, entry is barred by a
padlocked gate.
The Royal Commission into the Black Saturday fires received 485
submissions on this one issue of fuel reduction, the most number of
submissions on any one issue.
We will all look forward to their recommendations but the reality is that
we can’t wait another year to tackle this issue.
While backburning is an important method of fuel reduction, and
authorities complain that they have limited opportunities to fight fire
with fire, this is not the only method available. In July, I visited Portugal
to investigate their GeoFogo program they introduced following their
fires in 2003. Their fuel reduction program involves both the use of
equipment and handclearing by thousands of volunteers who manage to
clear roadsides by a minimum of 10 metres - in world heritage areas.
Surely, we have now learnt the lesson that if we do not maintain an
ongoing fuel reduction program, than the likelihood of another Black
Thursday of 1851when 12 people died, a Black Monday of 1926 when 60
people died, a Black Friday of 1939 when 71 people died, a Black
Wednesday of 1943 when 51 people died, an Ash Wednesday of 1983
when 47 people died, a Black Saturday of 2009 when 173 people died or
simply put, if we do not do change the way we manage the fuel load,
this pattern will continue to be repeated.
No doubt, this seminar will analyse the obvious system and
management failures already identified at the Royal Commission
hearings and currently under scrutiny not just by the Royal Commission
but by your own members and the wider community.
I pass on to you that the issue of communications is of great concern by
both emergency workers and residents in my communities in terms of
means of communication and the information itself. It defies credibility
that in the 21st century, we have a police force that doesn’t have an
integrated and uniform system of communication for both the city and
the country.
In terms of doing things better to prevent yet another black fire day, the
issues of a uniform system of early warning and fire detection must be
implemented.
The Western Australian system StateAlert can already deliver a warning
via fixed phone line, fax. Email and mobile phone and has the ability to
drill down to a specific address. It’s been tested, it works, it’s been
offered to the Victorian Government for free . . . So why hasn’t the offer
been accepted.
Based on listening to many community groups, I can tell you that while
there is certainly heightened community awareness about the danger of
bushfire, there is utter confusion about how communities will be
warned at their local level and how to react.
• Will sirens be implemented?
• Will local community radio stations be used?
• Will they have to depend on unreliable or in some areas non-existent
mobile phone and internet transmission or at an even more serious
level,
• Can they rely on information in the knowledge that many
communities on Black Saturday received no information of
impending disaster or inaccurate or information too late?
(Continued on page 7)
November,
November2009
2008

(Continued from page 6)
If they need to evacuate,
• How will this be managed given that many communities have only one
road as their entry and exit?
• Do they seek shelter at the designated “safer” places , if they have
such publicised places in their area and
• Is the concept of “safer” places providing a false sense of security?
These are just some of the questions that people need accurate and
honest answers to.
By way of contrast, let me share with you an early fire detection
technology system in use throughout Europe, currently being trialled in
California and hopefully soon in Australia that can be linked to an early
warning system that I investigated in Germany.
With several hundred millions of research dollars, German Aerospace
partnered with a German IT Company to produce the FireWatch system
that identifies a bushfire up to 40km away at the stage when it is just a
plume of smoke. Combined with meteorological information, air
pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction can be provided with the
accurate fire location within four minutes.
Depicted on screen at an emergency management HQ, a radius can be
drawn say 100km around the fire site and all people registered as living
or working within that radius can be notified of the presence of that fire
and updated as necessary.
Surely, this is the type of technology that we too should be
implementing in order to provide our firefighters with the best chance of
suppressing a fire and the best protection for our citizens . . . a smart,
contemporary way of doing things better to prevent disaster.
Many have said to me that to anyone who has been through the trauma
of a bushfire are changed forever. I agree with that and I can tell you
that working with residents who have been affected in the most severe
and profound way has changed me.
While at a national level, I regard my responsibility as vital in highlighting
the need for effective, ongoing fuel reduction programs, uniform early
warning system and early fire detection, my role has importantly been to
ensure that my constituents are receiving the best care possible and
every means to rebuild their lives. And that without a shadow of doubt
has been the most challenging task.
While there has been criticism of emergency management during the
Black Saturday disaster, the emergency relief in the immediate
aftermath was simply magnificent. This was Australians at their finest.
But I challenge, and I want you to challenge those who claim that the
process or model that has been implemented to enable recovery and
reconstruction for devastated communities where lives have been lost,
infrastructure demolished and economies disrupted or in some cases
decimated is working effectively.
For many months, I have listened to complaints from residents across all
areas of my electorate at their frustrations, disappointment and
disillusion. I chose not to make any public comments until examining the
issues and researching lessons learned from disasters that occurred in
other countries. The more I listened, the more meetings I attended, the
more I researched, the more convinced I became that the model
established here in Victoria is the wrong model.
It is based on the command and control model where decision making is
centralised and hierarchical and is not independent of government and
in fact is part of government and has grown exponentially into a
monolithic bureaucracy.
Of course Governments at all levels and their key agencies must have
and do perform a vital role in emergency management but particularly in
the recovery and reconstruction stages , around the world , greater
emphasis is being placed on the role of the community in disaster
recovery. Greater emphasis is being placed on organised community
action and control in determining the nature of the response to the
disaster that has devastated THEIR community.
Because the local community performs numerous functions that directly
contribute to the economic, social, cultural and physical wellbeing of the
community, it is plain common sense that the community should have
Flowerdale Flyer
Page 7
the greatest input into prioritising the direction and speed of recovery. It
is local people who are in the best position to best identify their
immediate and long-term needs. It is local people who are best placed to
co-ordinate and prioritise activities, advise government officials because
of their local knowledge and to be actively involved in decision making.
All the research I have studied agrees that it is the local communities
who provide the sense of continuity, the connection that people need. In
my experience, I’ve found that people look for and need in particular the
social and economic structures that existed before the disaster and their
priority is to regenerate those rather than have to create new ones.
Philip Berke, an internationally recognised social scientist in his paper
Recovery After Disaster said: “Effective response to recovery demands
cannot be achieved in disaster recovery efforts through topdown,
inflexible and standardised approaches. Success is based on a process of
bottom-up policy and organisational development.” There is increasing
evidence that simply seeking local compliance with and subordination to
an external organisation does not produce the best results and may in
fact be dysfunctional. I agree wholeheartedly.
I refer to the document A Statewide Plan for Bushfire Reconstruction
and Recovery, titled The Rebuilding Together Plan. The document refers
to four recognized pillars of disaster recovery -people, reconstruction,
economy and environment - with local communities at the centre but
nowhere in this document is there any evidence of how these local
communities are able to use their skills to play a primary leadership role
in the rebuilding of their communities.
I can give many examples of where my communities have continually
tried but have been rebuffed and have failed to have their carefully
considered plans implemented.
I can tell you from first hand experience that my communities are
extremely grateful for the unprecedented generosity of the Australian
people, to the thousands of volunteers who continue today to work
alongside them at their home sites or rebuild their fences, to the
wonderful care they have received from case workers and grief and
financial counselors BUT they are frustrated and exhausted with trying
to deal with the centralised bureaucracy imposed on them. As one local
said to me, “it’s like trying to swim in treacle”
They are tired of not being listened to, for their leadership skills to be
ignored and their expertise and their opinions not being valued. Their
patience is running out.
They feel increasingly that decisions are being taken by the State
Government and its centralized reconstruction authority, VBRRA and
Local Government that they are excluded from.
But they are increasingly saying to me: How do WE get from where we
are now to where WE want to be?
In other words, they want to ensure that rebuilt infrastructure and
services restore their community viability with spirit and heart . . . when
and where they want.
So, as we fast approach the next fire emergency season, the challenge
for us all is to learn from the lessons of the past, to benefit from new
technology, to ensure that we are prepared to examine new ways of
managing risk and to remember the incalculable value of our
communities.
I began my address to you by recounting what some of your colleagues
said to me in the immediate aftermath of Black Saturday. Let me
conclude by describing to you another account.
At the end of the second week of emergency relief, a very experienced
but tired emergency worker joined a group of his colleagues taking a
short break. He produced a fairly grimy glass jar and proceeded to
remove the lid and wave the jar in the air. He was asked in a forthright
manner what the heck was he doing . . . to which he replied, I’m
gathering all the good will, energy, and bright ideas that are here now
and in six months time, I’m going to open my jar and release them ‘cos I
reckon we’ll need them.
I thank you for the honour of opening your seminar this morning and
wish you well in your deliberations.
November,
November2009
2008

From the Mayor’s Chair
Cr Lyn Gunter
Rebuilding activity
It is great to see families
returning, and rebuilding activity
happening across the fire affected
areas of the shire.
While legislation still requires
residents rebuilding to apply for a
number of permits including
planning, building and septic, we
have made every effort to assist in
the process. Changes have been
made to normal council systems
where possible, removing the red
tape, to speed up the processing
timeframes for permits as much as
possible. Current average times
for the processing of permits
when all required information has
been obtained are 14 days for
building permits, 6 days for
planning consents and 28 days for
planning permits.
Some may have the view that we
seem to be hindering the
rebuilding but these processes
and permits are necessary to
ensure that the provisions of Acts
and Regulations are met. Items
such as structural adequacy, safe
TRADING HOURS
MON - SAT 7:00AM - 7:30PM
SUN 9:00AM - 7:00PM
PUBLIC HOLIDAY 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Food stops at 7pm daily
Unleaded Premium & Diesel, Groceries, Phone Cards,
Newspapers, Ice-cream, Cold Meat, Ice, Coffee, Post
Office & More
Flowerdale Flyer
access, energy efficiency, fire
safety and property amenity are
covered. Permits are required to
assist with property insurance and
the eventual resale of properties.
All application forms are available
from council’s web site and if you
need assistance with completing
them, please don’t hesitate to
contact our officers who will be
happy to assist.
'Rebuilding Together' the
Statewide Plan for Bushfire areas
amounting to $193 million was
launched by Prime Minister, Kevin
Rudd and Premier John Brumby
on Friday 16 October at the
Flowerdale Primary
School. Communities across the
state and through the community
recovery committees identified
priority projects for rebuilding. In
our shire some of the projects
include - the upgrade of the
Buxton and Flowerdale
Halls, replacement of the
Narbethong Hall, restoration of
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort,
construction of a Triangle walking
and cycling trail connecting
Marysville, Buxton and
Narbethong, construction of
Middle Kinglake Education
precinct, reconstruction of visitor
facilities at the Murrindindi Scenic
Reserve and the list goes on. This
plan is the beginning of the
rebuilding phase and we look
forward to working with the
community and the Victorian
Bushfire Reconstruction &
Recovery Authority as we work
together to rebuild lives, hopes
and dreams for the future.
One of the Royal Commission
recommendations was for a single
multi-agency portal (internet site).
The Country Fire Authority has
been working on this site which
will include all DSE/CFA fire
updates during an emergency. A
generic link button now appears
on council’s website homepage
which will link users directly to
the CFA website. Please take the
time to familiarise yourself with
the site so you know how you can
use it, when, and if you need to.
Community Newspaper
Association of Victoria held their
annual conference and retreat in
Toolangi over the weekend of 23 -
Page 8
25 October. We thank them for
the fantastic contribution to our
communities the many monthly
and weekly community papers
make. Thank you to the Mountain
Monthly who hosted the
conference. Thank you also to the
numerous volunteers who
regularly pull together the
Mountain Monthly, Flowerdale
Flyer, Marysville Triangle, Eyes on
Eildon &Thornton, Granite News
and Talking Toolangi. You do a
great job in keeping our
communities informed.
The Australian Open Gardens
Scheme is offering community
grants of up to $20,000.00 for the
creation or restoration of public
gardens and spaces. If you want
to find out more then go along to
your local community services hub
or visit www.opengarden.org.au.
Thought for the week - "There are
two ways to meet difficulties. You
alter the difficulty, or you alter
yourself to meet them" Phyllis
Regards
Lyn Gunter
November,
November2009
2008
 Page 9

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 10

Fluoro’s Vs Flowerdale
A Cricket and Family Day
The Recovery Roadside Contractors challenge the
Flowerdale community to a 20/20 cricket match!
Sunday 8th November 2009
10:00am - 4:00pmish
At the Hume and Hovel cricket ground
Free bus departing Flowerdale Hotel car park at
9:00ish
returning at 4:30ish, bookings for the bus are
essential.
For bookings and enquiries phone the
Flowerdale Hotel 57801230
Enjoy a day off with the locals and have some
family fun
This is a community fundraiser with donations
going to:
CFA (Flowerdale/Strath Creek),
Flowerdale Cricket /Tennis Clubs,
Flowerdale Tool Library,
& Flowerdale Kindergarten,
There will be a Memorabilia Auction,
BBQ lunch (gold coin donation),
Animal farm,
Wild life exhibition,
and more.......
Enquiries: Chris Hoobin: 0423 767 767
Steve Phelan Flowerdale Hotel: 57801230

FLOWERDALE BLACKBERRY BASH

Junior Landcare will be holding a blackberry bash day 6th December to help eradicate
some of our blackberry issues in our area.
The inaugural Flowerdale Blackberry Bash is set for 6th December.
Peter Auty has met with Terry Hubbard, President of Strath Creek
Landcare, and discussed funding for the project. Both Strath Creek
Landcare and Peter (for Flowerdale Junior Landcare) have sent off
Expressions of Interest for funding for spray chemicals.
Peter has also met with Christine Glassford (CMA) and Peter
Mitchell (DPI Broadford) and discussed the proposed Bash and
funding sources. CMA has funding for weed control along
waterways, and there may be some employment possibilities in
this. DPI has funding for public land and minor roadways. What
this means for our Bash is that we can focus on private land and
adjacent areas such as the road and creek edges next to
properties.
The proposal for the Bash looks something like this:
• We will concentrate on woody weeds such as blackberry,
English broom and ivy. The area to be sprayed is from
Coonan’s Bridge in the north to Wallaby Creek in the south,
minor roadsides, private property and feeder creeks.
• As people express interest, a Work Engine will be established
to coordinate activities.
• The Work Engine will set up locations for ‘depots’. These will
be tanks of water and supplies of chemical, with one person
with a ChemCert card to make sure correct mixes of chemical
are used.
• People who want to be part of the day will bring small sprayers
(knapsacks, hand held sprays) to get them filled.
• We all work towards Moore’s Road Reserve, and when we get
there we have a party (this is Flowerdale, after all).
• People who have been spraying will be asked to locate on a
map of the valley where they have been working. This will
allow MSC, DPI, CMA and the Flowerdale community to
identify what has been done and what still remains.
We need to know who will be involved, so if you are interested,
please contact Julie Bateman, 0418589072 or
jbateman@y7mail.com with your name, address and what
equipment you have. This will allow the Work Engine to better
coordinate the day’s activities.
Our community is in a pretty unique position here – the woody
weeds have been given a real knock down by the fire, and we are
in a position to keep them there. Many people have said that they
had never seen large parts of the creek, due to weed infestation,
and with a little work from a lot of people we can maintain this
situation.
People who want to be part of the Work Engine are asked to
contact Peter Auty, 0422 867 949, peter@ceres.org.au, or C/- P.O.
Hazeldene, 3658, and we’ll set up a meeting to get this started.

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008

Ben Hardman MP
Member for Seymour
NEW HOUSEHOLD ASSESSMENT
TOOL ON DEFENDABILITY
RESIDENTS are being urged to make sure they make good use of a new
Household Bushfire Self-Assessment tool to help them assess the
defendability of their homes.
The Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman, said that using the tool, which
was launched this week by the State Government, would help residents
work out if they had enough defendable space around their homes.
“Fully understanding how defendable your home is is critical to making
decisions about what to do in the event of a fire threat,“ Mr Hardman
said.
“The tool will help people decide whether to leave early - well before a
bushfire threatens - or to stay and actively defend a well-prepared
house, in consideration with daily weather forecasts and the associated
fire danger rating.
“However the safest option for the protection of human life where there
is a clear warning of a bushfire threat to any location is to leave and leave
early.”
The Household Bushfire Self-Assessment Tool is available on the Country
Fire Authority (CFA) website and involves six key steps for householders
to complete.
It includes a defendable space calculator that will provide an assessment
of the likelihood of a house igniting from radiant heat or direct flame
contact in certain conditions, although the house still may be at risk from
ember attack.
A calculator in the tool informs householders of minimum defendable
space requirements and fuel reduction requirements to reduce the
likelihood of radiant heat and direct flame contact igniting a house
during the passage of fire.
The six steps in the Household Bushfire Self-Assessment Tool are:
Calculate the defendable space around the home by providing
information on five important factors: vegetation, property boundary,
type of slope, degree of slope and flammable objects in the vicinity of
their house.
Make the decision to leave early or prepare, stay and actively defend
based on the outcome of the defendable space calculator.
Learn how to reduce the risk of ember attack on the home.
Identify the minimum recommendations and requirements for people,
resources and equipment to stay and actively defend.
Assess personal capacity to stay and actively defend, including physical
and psychological factors.
Follow the guide to completing individual Bushfire Survival Plan.
Under a new six-tiered national Fire Danger Rating system, Victorians will
receive advance warning and clear directions to best preserve human life
in the face of a fire threat.
The Bureau of Meteorology will declare in advance the Fire Danger
Rating for each day and in each weather district in consultation with fire
agencies.
“Clear warnings and clear directions are the best possible protection for
Victorians in the face of a fire threat,” he said.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said the Household
Bushfire Assessment Tool would help Victorians understand their risk
and make decisions to improve their safety.
“Completing the Household Bushfire Self-Assessment Tool will also
encourage residents to seek more information and engage with CFA
community education programs,” Mr Cameron said.
Flowerdale Flyer
Page 11
“We need all Victorians working together to protect our families, our
properties and our communities from fires. So find out what is
happening in your local area and play your part in getting yourself, your
family, your property and your community ready for the threat of fires.”
A helpline number, 1800 068 611, is available to deal with follow up
requests from residents who have completed the assessment or have
queries about the process.
NEW FIRE DANGER RATING
VICTORIANS will be given clear advice about what actions to take in
advance of a fire threat, under a new national fire danger rating system.
The new six-tiered national Fire Danger Rating system will provide
advance warning and clear directions to best preserve human life in the
face of a fire threat.
The Bureau of Meteorology will declare in advance the Fire Danger
Rating for each day and in each weather district in consultation with fire
agencies.
The Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman, welcomed the announcement
by the Premier John Brumby of the new system which will help
individuals and communities understand the fire risk in their area on any
given day.
“Clear warnings and clear directions are what we need for the best
possible protection in the face of a fire threat,” Mr Hardman said
“The new nationally agreed fire danger rating system provides clear
direction on the safest options for preserving life, depending on the fire
danger rating for a given day.”
Mr Brumby said the predicted Fire Danger Index would remain crucial to
the warnings provided under the Fire Danger Rating.
Every day during the fire season, the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts
an outlook of the Fire Danger Index by considering the predicted
weather, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and
dryness of vegetation.
The Bureau of Meteorology will then consult with fire agencies to
determine the Fire Danger Rating for any given day.
Mr Brumby said conditions such as those on Black Saturday would
attract the highest Fire Danger Rating – Code Red (Catastrophic) and the
direction to people in bushfire prone areas on such a day is that the
safest option is to leave the night before or early in the morning.
“A Code Red (Catastrophic) day will also carry the warning that people
may die or be injured; thousands of homes or businesses may be
destroyed; and well prepared, well constructed homes may not be safe
during a fire.”
Mr Hardman urged residents to take action to be as fire-safe and as fire-
ready as possible and to plan now to :
· Establish a Bushfire Survival Plan, including options for
relocation;
· Receive and follow a Fire Ready kit;
· Clean up property; and
· Get involved in local fire preparation activities.
“The task for us all is to work together to be as fire-safe and as fire-
ready as possible, to protect lives in a fire season that’s shaping up to be
every bit as bad or worse than the season we’ve just experienced.”
November,
November2009
2008
 Page 12

GLENBURN’S WILD CRUST BAKERY HAS ORGANIC

SOUR DOUGH FOCUS
One of the Murrindindi Shire’s unique businesses the Wild Crust
Bakery of Lyn Cunningham at Glenburn continues to grow on a
number of fronts.
Lyn has a unique Alan Scott designed oven, known as a retained
heat wood fired oven.
The loaves are baked directly on the hearth after the fire is raked
out and the oven cleaned.
Lyn fires her Wild Crust Bakery oven with kiln dried timber off
cuts secured from a district sawmill which would otherwise be
waste.
Lyn bakes at the moment twice a week enabling her to make her
unique sourdough bread loaves available at a number of local
outlets including the Foodworks supermarkets in Yea, Whittlesea,
Kinglake and Marmalades in Yea.
In addition her breads are available at a number of Melbourne
metropolitan gourmet food outlets as well as being served to
customers at a number of high profile City restaurants.
Her loaves use all organic flour and natural ingredients made to
traditional artisan recipes for ‘real breads’.
While she offers seven different types of sourdough loaves Lyn
also has a prototype baked organic fruit cake in progress.
The advantage of an Alan Scott designed brick oven is that it
retains its heat for days if properly managed and it is a pity to see
this go unused.
The late Alan Scott passed away in Oatlands Tasmania at age72 in
January this year, after he had lived in the USA for many years.
He was ‘the guru of bread baking and oven design’ and he
consulted all around the world and co-authored the reference book
‘The Bread Builders’ on oven construction and bread baking.
Lyn says she is regularly asked if she offers courses on bread
baking.
Although these are not currently on offer Lyn thinks that some KINDER RAFFLE
time in the future she may be able to share her secrets with other Flowerdale Kinder are currently running a Recovery Raffle in an
interested bakers. effort to raise funds for the on-going needs of the kinder. Prizes
Nor does the Wild Crust Bakery have its own retail outlet. include:
“In addition to the local retailers who I deliver to twice a week I • One nights accommodation at Balgownie Estate – Yarra
also provide my bread most weeks at farmers markets including Valley
those at Bundoora, Mont de Lancey at Wandin, Templestowe, • An Akira Bright massage package at Piaf in Healesville
Healesville Organic Farmers market and the Yarra Glen Railway
Station market. • A 45 minute massage at Indulge Retreat – Yarra Valley
“My customers tell me it is a delight to have the opportunity to • A chocolate and wine hamper
have real bread to enjoy” Lyn says. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at Hazeldene general
store, Flowerdale Hotel, Flying tarts, Pheasant Creek Fitness or
you can contact Flowerdale Kinder on 57802020 to purchase
tickets/books. Please support us by buying a ticket or 3.

Stump Grinding
Concrete Breaking
Welding
Local Business
Call Peter: 0401 396 776
Glenburn’s sour dough bread baker Lyn Cunningham
with her Alan Scott designed oven. 03 9324 8776
Flowerdale Flyer November,
November2009
2008
 Page 13

Wednesday 10 am – 12.30pm - At the Flowerdale Community Hall

$2 .00 per family

Wow! What a great start to Term 4 we have had at Flowerdale Playgroup. We have had 4 sessions of the Rhythm and Beat Music
Program. The program is run by the fantastically talented Helen Killen who has thirteen years of teaching music to pre schoolers and
has entertained and educated both children and parents. We are please to welcome back many faces both old and new to playgroup to
participate in the program, which will be running every week this term. We also have many other special things planned including some
visits from the Murrindindi Library for story time and an end of year break up to Puffing Billy. All Pre school children and parents are
invited to come along and join in the fun every Wednesday from 10 am.

Week 4 21st October Story time & activities run by Murrindindi Library “Your Library - Out there”
Week 5 28th October Making musical instruments
Week 6 4th November Butterflies & Dinosaurs
Week 7 11th November Story time & activities run by Murrindindi Library “Your Library - Out there”
Week 8 18th November Cooking
Week 9 25th November Salt Dough People
Week 10 2nd December Pre Christmas Olympics
Christmas Triangles
Week 11 9th December Puffing Billy Excursion
Week 12 16th December End of year break up party in Yea

If anyone would like to see events and stories on line

DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER EDITION (some with videos) go to
MONDAY 23rd NOVEMBER http://helpflowerdalenow.blogspot.com/

Rainfall
in Broome Road

October 2009
(to 26th October) 56mm
Total for September 2009 104mm

Yearly Total
to 26th October 2009 507mm
to 31st October 2008 499mm

Regards
Virginia

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 14

importance of fuel reduction programs, not just burn-offs

The Hon Fran Bailey MP but thinning vegetation and clearing roadsides in order to
limit fire intensity. This is a critical message.
Federal Member for McEwan
“The great point about the Sintra model put in place
following their fires is that the region forms a World
Heritage listed area.
Talks on Glenburn fire “This is an important lesson— that is, that environmental
outcomes and the maintenance of biodiversity in the
truck access bush, and fuel reduction, need not be mutually
exclusive.”
A meeting will be held in the Glenburn Hall on 4th
November commencing 7pm to discuss emergency vehicle
access following a request to Murrindindi Shire by member
for McEwen Fran Bailey.
Fran contacted the shire with concerns from residents in
Burns Rd.
DEVONSHIRE TEAS
“Our local people are anxious about the fuel load along
Burns Rd and the danger for the next fire season that HOT FOOD
starts in less then a fortnight,” Fran said. DRINKS
“Fire prevention in paramount for Glenburn residents.”
Fran said residents also wanted improved emergency COME ONE !
vehicle access in the area.
COME ALL !
Representatives of the CFA and the Department of SUPPORT THIS FUN
Sustainability and Environment have been invited to attend OPPOSITE –YEA & STRATH
the meeting with shire officials.
LOCAL EVENT 3RD
CREEK ROAD SUNDAY OF EVERY
MONTH
Praise for Fran’s fire FLOWERDALE MARKET
research STALL BOOKINGS : ALISON- 5780 1223
The valuable work and research of early fire detection
technology by member for McEwen Fran Bailey has been
praised in Federal Parliament this week.
Fran was acknowledged for her contributions during a
ministerial statement by Attorney-General Robert
McClelland on Australia’s bushfire preparedness.
Since the Black Saturday fires, Fran has extensively
researched new technology that can quickly detect fires.
Among them is Firewatch, developed by the German
Aerospace Research Institute from technology used in
NASA’s Mars Pathfinder mission.
Fran has since presented her findings to Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd with an Australian trial planned this summer.
Mr McClelland told Parliament: “I want to acknowledge the
valuable work and research undertaken by the member for
McEwen, the Hon. Fran Bailey MP.
“A trial of relevant fire detection systems will be conducted
this season, recognising that such technology, if proven
and cost effective, could improve our management of fires
and better target community warnings.”
Shadow minister for justice and customs Sussan Ley said:
“We also acknowledge the member for McEwen’s efforts
as her electorate suffered the most on Black Saturday.
“The member for McEwen has worked extremely hard in
these last months identifying and investigating methods
and technologies to make our communities safer.
“The member for McEwen . . . travelled to Germany earlier
this year to see first-hand the digital sensing technology in
operation and, on her return, strongly advocated an
Australian trial this summer.
“Comprehensive fuel reduction programs have been
another area of vital research by the member for McEwen.
“A visit to the Sintra region of Portugal, an area that
experienced fires of similar devastation in 2003 and 2007,
has reinforced in the member for McEwen’s mind the

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 15

To say it has been a busy year at
the Flowerdale Kinder would be
an understatement! Early 2009
had seen the building of a new
bike path and new shade structure
above the sand pit, plans and
preparations for a new garden
design . All of this was achieved
over the summer break in January,
just prior to the February 7th
when bushfires destroyed the lot!
Not to mention many 3 and 4
year old children from
Flowerdale started the year very
excited to be either returning to
kinder or attending for the first
time on the 3rd of February just
days before the kinder burnt
down.
Determined not to fall into dismay
and more importantly to keep the
smiles on the children’s faces;
kinder staff, Raylene Eason and
Chrissie Grant took on a
“nothing-can-stand-in-our-way”
approach and set up a play space
for all aged children in a large
army tent on the oval at Spring
Valley Recreation Reserve. This
was also a chance for all the mums
and dads to gather and talk
through their experiences; a very
important process.
It was not long before the group
migrated from the tent to the club
rooms at the Recreation Reserve.
Along the way we had daily visits
from the “Save the Children” play
bus and other special visitors,
such as singer Barry Williams who
had children smiling and singing as
they reunited with their play
mates.
Towards the end of term one
there was yet another move. We
were fortunate enough to be
offered a space at the Flowerdale
Primary School library. With the
welfare of our vulnerable children
and parents in mind we soldiered
on through the term in the very
cozy library with a ‘play-focused’
group run by Raylene and
Chrissie. Parents were still
required to stay for the duration
of the sessions so strong
friendships were forged and
caffeine levels (of the parents)
increased dramatically. The
children who attended were just
happy to have some stability in
their days which had to date been
turned upside down.
With help from the Flowerdale
Primary School and the
Department of Early Childhood
and Education a portable kinder
was delivered to the primary
school grounds. It was finally
ready for occupancy at the start of
term two when loud squeals of
excitement were heard
throughout the school as the
children ran in for the first time to
explored their new kinder space.
The kinder staff, parents and
friends of the kinder have worked
tirelessly to have the kinder up
and running. We have been
extremely fortunate to have
received many donations from all
over Australia; some new
furniture, toys, play equipment
and craft stocks have either been
donated or purchased with these
donated funds. The children have
also received many gifts including
hand made quilts, hand knitted
bean ies an d teddy b ears,
sunglasses and new water bottles.
Although is has been a difficult
year for everyone, we are
constantly amazed and enlightened
by the resilience of the children
who run up the path each day
happy to be arriving at their new
kinder.
After lengthy consultation it has
been agreed that the best place
for the kinder is to remain on the
school grounds. We look forward
to welcoming many new children
in 2010 as we continue on our
next phase of building our brand
new kinder.
Flowerdale Kinder is currently
taking enrolments for both 3 year
old and 4 year old kinder for 2010
and we are looking forward to
running more successful and
exciting programs for the rest of
the year and onwards in 2010.
Flowerdale Kinder are currently
running a Recovery Raffle in an
effort to raise funds for the on-
going needs of the kinder.
Prizes include:
* One nights accommodation at
Balgownie Estate – Yarra Valley
* An Akira Bright massage package
at Piaf in Healesville
* A 45 minute massage at Indulge
Retreat – Yarra Valley
* A chocolate and wine hamper
Raffle tickets are available for
purchase at Hazeldene general
store, Flowerdale Hotel, Flying
tarts, Pheasant Creek Fitness or
you can contact Flowerdale
Kinder on 57802020 to purchase
tickets/books. Please support us
by buying a ticket or 3.
We a re cu rr en t ly tak i n g
enrolments for both 3 and 4 year
old kinder for what intends to be
a very special year at Flowerdale
Kinder. For Enrolments Raylene
or Chrissie contact 57802020.

MURRINDINDI SHIRE COUNCIL

DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HOLIDAY
EDDY’S TOWING & TRANSPORT
AMMENDMENT OF THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY ACT 1993 FREE CAR REMOVAL
All non-ferrous metals
In 2008 the Public Holiday Act 1993 was amended to reflect All areas *We pay $100 a car* more for trucks *(conditions apply)*
that MELBOURNE CUP DAY will now be a VICTORIAN Melb Metro daily (MSIC) Wharf acc.
STATE WIDE Public Holiday. Previously Melbourne Cup 24 hour service, 7 days Trade Towing
Day was a Metropolitan Victoria Holiday. Metro/Country, Twin Car, Car Capacity
Caravan Relocation, Tractor, Bobcats
Employees and Employers should always refer to their par- Equipment (up to 5 tons)
ticular employment arrangements to determine how public FULL TILT TRAY SERVICE
holidays are treated. NOW MOVING 20 FOOT CONTAINERS
No Shop Trading restrictions apply to Melbourne Cup Day. Phone Eddy 0407849252 or 0357978220
For more information please visit www.business.vic.gov.au 3877 Melba Hwy, Glenburn, 3717 Fax 57978520
or call the Victorian Business Line on 13 22 15 www.eddystowing@harboursat.com.au

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 16

SHIRE OF MURRINDINDI
Murrindindi Council Announces Rates for
2009/10
At the last Council meeting,
councillors voted to release a
draft Budget and Council Plan
for public comment, including
the suggested fees and
charges for the 2009-2010
financial year.
The bushfires have placed an
enormous pressure on council
finances both in the extra costs
incurred as a result of the fires
and a huge loss in rate income.
Council estimates rates and
charges income will be nearly
$1.5 million down on last year.
Murrindindi Council Acting
CEO, Rob Croxford, said
council had to make difficult
decisions to deliver a balanced
budget to achieve its long term
financial plan during a period of
unprecedented circumstances.
Council has asked the State
Government for assistance in
meeting budget shortfalls for
the next four financial years.
”With a $1.5 million dollar hole
in our budget there is an
obvious and significant impact
on our bottom line” says Rob.
“However Council is expected
to demonstrate they are being
financially responsible and
have suggested a 6% rise in
rates over last year.”
“The suggested 6% rate rise
only goes a small way to
meeting the actual cost
increases to council. The EBA
with staff and unions and the
costs of road construction and
heavy plant operation means
the council costs are
significantly higher than CPI.”
If Council is to continue to
deliver its usual services to the
whole of the shire plus respond
to bushfire recovery needs,
there is no alternative but to
increase rates. Without this our
only option is to engage in a
major cost cutting exercise
which would mean a decrease
in services. Council does not
think this is an acceptable
option. However we are open
to suggestions from those who
believe any of our services are
unnecessary and should be
discontinued”.
Council does not think
decreasing services is an
acceptable option especially
when we are doing everything
we can to encourage people to
return to the Shire after the
fires.
As the budget planning was
delayed, a revised installment
payment schedule has been
developed. The first installment
will now be payable by 30
November 2009, the second on
the 29 January, the third on 31
March and the fourth by 31
May 2010. For those who
choose to pay in one lump sum
the date is unchanged and
must be paid by 15 February
2010 to avoid interest fees.
Says Rob, “We will also
approach the government for a
Rates Assistance Package
along the lines of the Drought
Assistance Programs for
people in our community who
may have difficulty with rate
payments. Further, alternative
payment installment plans can
be arranged once the rate
notices have been prepared
and sent out.”
Full details on Council’s Budget
and rates for 2009/2010 are
available on the Council
website murrindindi.vic.gov.au
and a fact sheet will be sent out
with the rate notice.
Government Amends Vegetation Reduction
Rules
The State Government has
streamlined vegetation controls
in areas that are prone to
bushfire so that landowners
and residents can implement
their bushfire plan before the
next fire season.
The Murrindindi Planning
Scheme has now been
amended to clarify the extent of
vegetation removal around
premises that may occur
without a planning permit.
The amendments, valid until 31
August 2010, are designed to
enable landowners and
residents to reduce fuel loads
around buildings used for
accommodation prior to the
next fire season.
The amendment now allows
vegetation removal without a
planning permit for specified
distances from a dwelling and
on fence lines.
Under the new amendments, a
planning permit is not required
for the removal of any
vegetation within 10 metres of
a building used for
accommodation or for the
removal of any vegetation,
except for trees, within 30
metres of a building used for
accommodation.
A further exemption relates to
boundary fence lines and
allows a maximum of 4 metres
clearance per fence with the
location of the 4 metres being
determined between property
owners.
Removal of fallen wood on
roadsides for personal use
requires a local law permit from
Land for Sale Hoddles Creek (Private Sale)
Council.
Any removal of vegetation on
abutting private land must be
done in agreement with the
neighbour. In the case of
council managed land such as
road reserves or parks, any
request to remove vegetation
must be done in writing and
written consent must be
obtained before any works
commence.
The amendments also apply to
areas with environmental
overlays such as the
Vegetation Protection Overlay
in Marysville.
The new amendments only
apply where a planning permit
was otherwise needed and are
only valid until 31 August 2010.
It is expected they will then be
reassessed once the final
report of the Victorian Bushfire
Royal Commission is available.
Anyone wanting to undertake
additional clearing, apart from
those allowed by the new
amendments, need to check
with Council’s planning
department to establish
whether a planning permit is
required. Telephone 5772
0317.
A detailed explanation of the
amendments has been
released by the Department of
Planning and Community
Development (DPCD). It can be
found on the Murrindindi Shire
Council website
www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au or
the DPCD’s website
www.dpcd.vic.gov.au.

House, Land and Shed on 3 acres for sale at Break O'Day
(Private Sale)
3 acres with spectacular views with 1940's house which requires
some renovation. (mainly painting, build veranda) Large shed
Some fire damage to trees and orchard but most should survive
100 new trees planted
Price $370,000
Call 0401 616 659 or 5780 1515 for more information
10 beautiful bushy acres for sale with 2 cleared acres with plan-
ning and building permits for an environmentally friendly kit
home and large shed
North facing block with views to Mt Dandenong and surrounds
Earthworks done, all it needs is you!
New owners must be environmentally friendly and willing to
share block with swamp wallabies and lyrebirds
Reluctant sale due to current owners unable to move on from
bushfire consequences
Price $290,000.
Call Rose on 0401 616 659 or 5780 1515 for more information.

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 17

Community Bank® Feasibility Survey Begins

The campaign to open a Community Bank® branch in Yea

continues on Monday 26th October with the mail out of some 2000
survey to all Yea and District residents and businesses.
This survey is a key part the feasibility study to be conducted over
the next four weeks that will provide an indication of the level of
interest in banking with a local Yea & District Community Bank®
branch.
Steering committee spokesman Gary Pollard said more than 235
people have made indicative pledges of support exceeding
$730,000.
“Our level of pledge support has been our trigger to move to the
next stage,” Mr Pollard said.
“The study, undertaken by an independent consultant, will
determine the level of banking interest local residents, businesses
and traders would be willing to bring across to a locally owned
bank branch,” he said. Leanne Pleash on 57802704
In addition to the thousands of survey forms to be mailed out and
the consultants will also conduct face-to-face interviews with locals
in the coming weeks.
collected from participants will not be available to either Bendigo
Bank or steering committee members.
The consultant will collate all the data and report back to the Bank
Open to people in 3658/3717 areas
and steering committee with aggregate figures.
“This is an important stage in our campaign, and we strongly urge
everyone to show their support for returning some profits from our
community’s banking business to our community simply by
promptly completing and returning the survey” Mr Pollard said.
“With the level of pledges we have received we are confident that
we have the community spirit required to make a success of
Community Banking.
“However, the feasibility study will determine whether the people of
the Yea district will be willing to transfer their banking business to
the branch once it is open.
“We can have all of the community spirit in the world, but a
Community Bank® branch must also be commercially viable if it is
Photography by
to be a success, so make sure you complete and return your form.
Additional copies of the survey will be available at Marmalades, Samm
Yea Newsagents and Pharmacy. Hi, my name is samm hall, I am a photographer in
Anyone interested in playing a role in the success of our Flowerdale.
Community Bank® campaign is urged to take the time to I am offering to take photos of local residents and
complete the survey when it arrives. In the meantime, committee
members will continue to collect indicative pledges of support. neighbouring communities who have unfortunately lost
everything in the recent bushfires, including all their
treasured photos. If I can help in a small way for people
to start to rebuild their photo albums, knowing as a
photographer how important photos are, please contact
me on 0412 798 257.
I will be at the Hazeldene store every Sunday from 10am
until 12pm. For those not familiar with the store, there
is a beautiful setting with a picnic table with bench seats
HORSES WANTED beside the creek and a wooden bridge.
For survivors of the Fires Prices are as follows: 2 x 8” x 10” and 2 x 5” x 7” photos
$15
Looking for reliable stock and riding horses, broken in, A USB with up to 50 photos plus above photos $40
between 3 and 10 years old These prices are not for profit, as I work independently,
for this will only be to cover materials and printing costs.
Please bring as many family members and friends as you
Flowerdale residents who are keen to do social rides
would like, it does not take long to take the photos, and
in the local district.
hopefully you will have them forever.
All offers considered including donation, free-lease etc
Hope to see you there,
Cheers, samm.
Contact: Crash 0408150630

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 18

VOLUNTEERS
WANTED
Walking is a great way to get/
keep fit, so why not volunteer
a little time to help deliver the
Flowerdale Flyer once a
month.

Volunteers needed for: Silver

Creek/Silver Parrot, Riverside
Cres, Service Road. If you can
help contact Brenda 5780
1356.

RECEIVE YOUR COPY

OF THE FLYER BY
EMAIL!
We can now email a copy of
the Flowerdale Flyer to you.
Just email your name and
address to Brenda at
brendab@internode.on.net and
we will add you to our list.
Photos will be in colour, and
you won’t have to wait for
delivery.
Please note that the Flyer will
be in pdf format and requires
Adobe Reader or similar to
open it. The file size can be in
excess of 6,000 Kb so you will
need to ensure your mail box
can cope with something that
size.

The Op Shop
hours are:
Mon. Wed. Sat.
10am - 4pm
depending on availability
of volunteers.

ADVERTISING RATES

1/16 page $10.00

Bus Service Timetable Thursday – To Seymour Friday – To Yea
1/8 page $20.00
Leave Leave 1/4 page $30.00
Hazeldene Store 8.55am Hazeldene Store 8.55am 1/2 page $45.00
Flowerdale Pub 9.00am Flowerdale Pub 9.00am Full page $90.00
Classified Ads $1 line
Rec Reserve 9.10am Rec Reserve 9.10am Personals free
Strath Creek 9.20am Depart 11am
Arrive 10.00am email Brenda at
brendab@internode.on.net, or
Depart 12noon
post to PO Box 2008,
Please use our bus services so we might be able to keep for the future and add other bus services Hazeldene 3658.

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 19

1st Kinglake Scout Group

Scout News
We would like to welcome our
newest Scout Daniel Johns who
has recently advanced from Cubs
to Scouts. The Kinglake Scouts
that are going to the 2010
Jamboree recently had a pre-
jamboree camp at Gilwell Park. It
was a fun weekend and our Scouts
got to know the other Scouts and
Leaders in their Jamboree Troop.
Coming up the Scouts have a
camp at Mafeking Scout Camp on
27-29 November and a bike ride
on Tuesday 24th November in the
national park.
Cub News
In the past month the Cubs have
been doing lots of fun things such
as a night where we made kites.
We have been getting to know our
three new Cubs; their names are
Jarrod, Declan and Mariah. Some
of our Cubs and two leaders
attended the Merri Plains District
camp at Treetops Scout Camp. It
was heaps of fun and it had a
Mexican theme.
Yours in Cubbing, Kaa.
Group News
We would like to send a big thank
you to Mary Cobern who after 11
years is having a well-earned
break. Mary has been involved
with the Kinglake Scout Group
Committee since her son Daniel
joined Cubs in 1998 and during
that time was the groups President
for 9 years. Mary has done a great
job over the years especially with
fundraising and applying for the
grants that we received that have
helped us to complete the Scout
Hall and the wonderful facilities
that we now enjoy.
Our AGM was held and the new
committee is President Colin
French, Secretary Kym Smith,
Browns Animal Herbals
Treasurer Leah Varley, Survived bush fire business
Quartermaster Mat Virtue and www.brownsanimalherbals.com.au
Committee members David Slater,
Michelle French and Ruth 5797 8211
Griffiths.
Thinking of Joining?
If you are interested in joining
Free delivery to local cusomers or mail order
Cubs or Scouts or to register for Australia wide.
Venturers, or you are an adult
looking for a rewarding outlet as a Check out our effective natural products for
leader or an assistant please
contact: your horse, dog ......
Group Leader Ray Bartlam.
Phone: 5786 1529 or by e-mail
mcobern@bigpond.com 1300 horse herbs
If would like to find out more
about Scouting visit
1300 467734
www.vicscouts.asn.au

Your Health and Well-Being

From Community Health

Osteoporosis
Tuesday, October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day and is a chance to provide important awareness on this ‘silent disease’ that affects so
many Australians.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fractures (breaks or cracks) than in
normal bone. It occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium, more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of
bone thickness (bone mass or density). As a result, bones become thinner and less dense, so that even a minor bump or accident can
cause serious fractures. These are known as fragility or minimal trauma fractures.
Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common sites are bones in the hip, spine, wrist, ribs, pelvis and upper arm.
Osteoporosis usually has no signs or symptoms until a fracture happens - this is why osteoporosis is often called the 'silent disease'.
It is estimated that in Australia approximately 60% of women and 30% of men, over the age of 60 years will suffer an osteoporotic
fracture in their remaining lifetime. In Australia osteoporosis already poses a major public health problem and was responsible for more
than 15,000 hip fractures alone in 1996. At present, the cost of all of these fractures in Australia exceeds $1.9 billion per year. It is
estimated that in Australia by the year 2025, these fractures will more than double and hip fractures alone will exceed 32,000 per
annum.
Eat a healthy and varied diet, consume calcium rich foods, absorb enough Vitamin D, avoid smoking, limit alcohol intake, limit caffeine
and undertake regular weight bearing and strength training activities – these are just some of the ways to aid in the prevention of
osteoporosis.
For more information about Osteoporosis phone 1800 242 141 or visit www.osteoporosis.org.au .

(Information from www.healthinsite.gov.au/expert/Osteoporosis and www.osteoporosis.org.au.)

Community Health at Yea Hospital – phone 5736 0400 and at Alexandra Hospital – phone 5772 0800

“Your Health and Well-Being” articles are available on www.humehealth.com.au/alexandra and www.yeahospital.org.au.

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008
 Page 20

COMMUNITY NUMBERS
FLOWERDALE CFA Emergency 000
BOBCAT/EXCAVATOR HIRE Police- Kinglake 5786 1333
Yea 5797 2630
♦ 7.5 ton excavator
♦ 5 ton excavator TXU Power Failure 131 799
♦ Rock breaker Help for Wildlife 0417 380 687
♦ Bobcat Flowerdale School 5780 1264
♦ Road sweeper
♦ Pallet forks Flowerdale Kinder 5780 2020
♦ Tip truck JP (Lyn Gunter) 5780 2382
♦ Grabs Doctor - Yea 5736 0444
♦ Trencher 150mmx1200mm depth
Hospital-Yea 5736 0400
Community House (Hall) 5780 2664
22 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN EARTHWORKS AND Hazeldene Store 5780 1202
LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION Flowerdale Hotel 5780 1230
EXCAVATION/SLASHING Vet—Yea 5797 2333
Whittlesea 9716 2495
HOLES BORED - 300MM, 450MM & 600MM
Bushfire Case Management Service 1800 050 400
SUPPLIER OF ALL QUARRY PRODUCTS
Bushfire Building Advice Line 1300 360 320
Relief Centre 5780 2625
FULLY INSURED
DHS Hub (Leanne) 5780 2704
For advice, estimates or quotes phone
Andrew 0428 550 405

A local Flowerdale business

The Flowerdale Hotel

3325 Whittlesea Yea Road Flowerdale Ph: 57801230

Open Mic Jam Session

Sunday 1st November 2pm ish
$200.00 prize Best flock’n’Muso act
Waz e James Band video shoot Saturday 31st October afternoon
Irwin Racing Team V8 Supercar Thursday 5th November 3pm
Fluoro’s (roadside contractors) Vs Flowerdale Community
8th November 10am to 4pmish
1 day 20/20 Family Day & Cricket Match
Norton & Triumph Motor Cycle Show 15th November
loads of classic motorcycles & more ...

Email bigflocker@bigpond.com.au

Flowerdale Flyer November,

November2009
2008