STAY CONNECTED – UPPER PLENTY
Sponsored by Mitchell Shire Council
Email: shack AT upperplenty.com
Ph: 5783-1661
Snail Mail: 175 Clarkes Rd. Upper Plenty 3756
February, 2010
Hi Everyone,
What wild weather we have been having! Incredible when we put it in the context of what we experienced this time last year. The storm on Sunday, February 14, was quite specific to Upper Plenty although Heathcote Junction was also badly affected. Local resident, Tony Wakefield, watched the storm approach on the Weather Radar. Most of the rain was dumped on Mt.
Disappointment, 100mm was measured down towards the end of Clarkes Rd., I measured 48mm at my place half-way down Clarkes Rd., Tony measured 25mm on the corner of Mugavins Rd., and Bruces Creek Rd measured only 2mm. The storm caused substantial property damage for many people, including loss of fencing from the sheer force of large volumes of fast moving water loaded with mud & debris. Parts of Clarkes Rd & Mahadys Rd were impassable during the storm although water levels dropped pretty quickly once the rain stopped. Some residents are now reporting problems with their insurance companies who are refusing to pay for damage & loss caused by “flooding”. Apparently “storm” damage is covered. Go figure!
Mitchell Shire Council rejected the Planning Application for a Sawmill at 225 Mahadys Road at their meeting on December 21. Mr. Knott still has the option of appealing through VCAT for reversal of Council’s decision, but I can’t see this would lead to a positive outcome for him – Council has been quite definite in its refusal to grant a Planning Permit. The mill is still operating and I hear that Council is applying to VCAT for an Enforcement Order to close it down.
The first anniversary of Black Saturday has now passed with all kinds memorial activities taking place. For some it was a time for private reflection, for others it was a chance to get together with people who shared the February 7 experience. Whatever you did on the day, I hope it was a positive & uplifting experience and left you feeling stronger to meet life’s challenges.
Rose
WHO’S DOING WHAT AND WHERE ARE THEY?
Things have been very quiet over Christmas & the New Year so not much news to bring you. It is your news that makes this newsletter interesting. What you think of as ordinary domestic events are interesting to other people. So, did you have a holiday away, if not, why not? What did Santa bring you for Christmas? How are building plans going? What are your plans / hopes for the year? Are your children starting high school, leaving school, starting new jobs, getting engaged, having babies? I know you love to hear about other people, but guess what? They love to hear about you!!! Don’t be shy – send in some news to circulate around your community.
Rose King & Francis Payne (Clarkes Rd) – first paddock fenced with the help of family members over Christmas & New Year. Closing that gate was such a thrill!! Next paddock underway….. Fortunately, no fence damage in the most recent storm but lots of blocked drains on the drive and consequent damage.
Don & Maxine Watson (Clarkes Rd) had their December campervan holiday in Tasmania cancelled due torrential rain in late November. This rain caused Tasmania’s biggest flood in 37 years. As with many of us, heavy rains created mayhem in Don & Maxine’s creek & dam, not once, but twice! They had to get their neighbour, Robbie Thompson, to bring in his front-end loader to remove the logs which washed away two of their fences. Anyone wanting their logs back is quite welcome to call into Maxine & Don’s to collect them! I’ve got several in my creek I would happily return to previous owners, not to mention assorted pieces of corrugated iron and other bits & bobs.
Melinda Hobson & Henry Snowden – Congratulations!!! Moved into their new home in South Mountain Rd. a week before Christmas. Everyone, including the dogs, are sleeping better. Lots of unpacking still to do.
Margaret Walsh – (Clarkes Rd) Margaret passed away a few days before Christmas. Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time. Margaret leaves her husband Chris and three children.
Chris & Margaret – (Sticks ‘n’ Stones) suffered a huge amount of loss & damage from the storm on Feb. 14. The CFA had to be called in because gas cylinders had been swept down the road (one even coming to rest up a tree!) & there were concerns about possible gas leaks. Fence posts and other items were swept out onto the road and a large number of plastic water tanks were washed into the creek, ending up a long way from home. Margaret & Chris are now waiting for the insurance assessors report & decision.
Dick & Rita Lax (corner of Mahadys Rd) have had their insurance claim declined.
Laurie & Sheena Patton (Clarkes Rd) – had a car swept from their bottom paddock, across Clarkes Rd., and 50 m into Tony & Sue Schneider’s place. It eventually stopped, up-ended against a tree! I also heard that a motorist on the Whittlesea-Wallan Rd was almost swept into the creek but was saved by another larger vehicle pushing it out of harm’s way. Very dramatic happenings in Upper Plenty!
Cathy & John Day (Clarkes Rd) – had their chook shed andchooks disappear into their creek which became a raging torrent during the storm.
Tony Wakefield & Suzy Pennant (corner of Mugavins Rd) –Tony is working with Steven Richards from Mitchell Shire Council. Steven is formally coordinating with Vic Roads & Melbourne Water to try & resolve the water flow issues that have arisen, at least partly, as a result of loss of forest from the bushfires and partly due to re-alignment & raising of Wallan Road. As Tony pointed out, this is the third storm in three months and a number of residents have sustained damage on all three occasions. Fortunately, Tony’s house was not affected by the storm, though his drive and 2 fences were washed away.
Gillian & Travis Buckland & family – have moved from Beveridge to Epping. They are still unsure of their plans but are spending some time at their Lord’s Rd. property.
Bonnie & Graeme Francis (Lords Rd) – the new house building has been slower than expected but is moving along now.
Gary Walton (top of Mahady’s rd.)- has been having a lot of trouble getting heavy vehicle access to his property. The loss of forest and heavy rain events have created a massive erosion problem on the roads and this is severely hindering access for rebuilding purposes. Jenny is currently residing in Epping.
JOKES
Q. Why are dragons big, red & scaly?
A. Because if they were small, red & smooth, they’d be smarties.
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Patient: What do the x-rays of my brain show?
Doctor: Nothing.
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“Doctor, Doctor, I’ve got bananas growing out of my ears”
“Oh no, how did this happen?”
“I don’t know, I planted apples”
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A guy is driving around the backwoods and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shack: “Talking Dog for Sale”. He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.
The goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.
“You talk?” he asks.
“Yep”, the Lab replies.
After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says, “So, what’s your story?”
The Lab looks up and says, “Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA.
In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running.
But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded medals for my work.
I got married, had puppies, and now I’m just retired”.
The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.
“Ten dollars”, the guy says.
“Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?”
“Because he’s a liar. He never did any of that stuff”.
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WHAT’S ON AT THE SHACK?
Bushfire Recovery Meeting – Friday March 12th at 6.30pm.
Enquiries – Kris 0401 133 400.
Yoga – Mondays at 7.30pm. Enquiries – Julie 0408 483 876 or 9716 3635.
Garden Club – 4th Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm.
Enquiries – Susan 5783-1456.
Hall Committee of Management meeting – Wednesday, March 17th at 7.30pm.
Come along and have a say in how your community hall is run. This is a very exciting time with expansion of the hall & its facilities happening in the very near future. Enquiries – Rose 5783-1661.
