STAY CONNECTED – UPPER PLENTY
Supported by Mitchell Shire Council
Ph. 5783-1661
Snail Mail: 175 Clarkes Rd., Upper Plenty 3756
Email: shack AT upperplenty.com
MAY 2010
Hi Everyone,
Our Upper Plenty Community Advisory Group (CAG) is about to become formalised. This is necessary because we are now moving toward the phase where plans will become reality, so it becomes important to have formal meetings where records are kept of matters discussed, decided on, and acted upon, and, financial records are kept to ensure proper accountability of funds,
The first meeting(ELECTION) will be held on Thursday May 13 at 1.00pm at the Shack. At this meeting a committee will be elected to represent the wishes of residents in regard to expenditure of VBAF money allocated to Upper Plenty. The Committee will have a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and 6 Committee members. The Committee’s primary role will be to liaise with the community and council to ensure that the works / activities resulting from VBAF funding are what the community want and to ensure funds are being used in a cost-efficient way.
It’s been great to see the Whittlesea-Wallan Road cleaned up. The drains obviously needed cleaning out and a number of residents have had long-held concerns about dead trees over-hanging the road. Now we just need to persuade Mitchell Shire Council to do something about all the dead trees down the side roads. The recent spraying of blackberries has been very welcome – something we haven’t seen for a long time. If you have concerns about the state of your road you should contact Mitchell Shire directly, rather than hoping someone else will do it. Often, the more noise that is made – the greater the response!
I have recently had some trees felled by NMIT students under supervision and couldn’t be happier. These were all trees we didn’t feel confident about felling ourselves. If you have dead/burnt trees you want felled this is a win-win way of doing it. Contact Graeme on 0419 551 146 or graemeh-hrt@nmit.vic.edu.au if you would like to discuss the possibility of this happening on your property. Not all sites / trees will be suitable for the students who are at varying stages of experience.
Also, don’t forget about the $4000.00 grant for Safe Removal of Hazardous Trees which ends in June. For enquiries ph. 1800 180 213 or check the website at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal. I have utilized this grant to have trees removed that overhang my driveway and a neighbour’s shed. The arborist I used to provide the required report was Geof Gerdsen, Ph. 0429 119 802, or, h2orticulture7 AT @bigpond.com You will find that an arborist has a very accommodating attitude to your tree concerns.
If you have a creek frontage or gullies that drain into a waterway you may be eligible for Melbourne Water funding to help manage erosion, fencing off from stock, and re-vegetation. They are happy to come out and discuss the problems & possibilities with you. A number of residents have had assistance which they have been very happy with. Contact –
Rose.
WHO IS WHERE AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
Lester & Gail Watt (Clarkes Rd) – are not planning to rebuild at No. 225 which they have rented out for many years. Lester told me that they have received very little assistance and are not eligible for most grants because it was a rental property. Nevertheless, Lester is honouring his obligations as a land owner and assisting financially & physically with some partial re-fencing of a joint boundary fence.
Rita & Keith Miller (Clarkes Rd) – now have their frame up. Great progress – it must be very welcome. They are now waiting for the power to be connected and are concerned about the length of time it is taking. Natalie & Royce have been living back at the property for months but without power connected. Rita recently found cherry tomatoes growing in her creek. All sorts of things have been appearing since the fires, including plague proportions of weeds.
Thank you to David Meek & Val Paton who arranged for their plumber to cut an overflow hole in the Shack’s tank to help Kris with the mural painting.
Norman & Anne Rose (South Mountain Road) are as busy as ever, although Norman has reduced his working week to three days. Anne will soon be visiting her daughter in the U.S. and returning with her twin 5 yo. granddaughters who will be staying for a week. Very brave grandparents! Norman & Anne’s son, Peter, is doing very well in his Landscaping apprenticeship and is enjoying the new family puppy. Like many of us, Norman & Anne still have a lot of cleaning up to do after the February storms.
Paul & Margaret Brinsden (Woodlands Place) – recently spent 3 weeks in the south island of New Zealand where they have family connections. They saw photos of Paul’s father in the Airforce Museum at Wanaka and visited the church in Hokitika where Margaret’s great great grandparents married. Margaret & her daughter are attending the breast cancer fundraiser at the MCG on Friday May 14, a gathering of (hopefully) 14,000 women in pink ponchos.
Thank you to Eric Kanderovskis who has once again helped out, this time with a repair job on the toilet light. Much appreciated, Eric.
Gillian & Travis Buckland (Lords Road) – are juggling a lot of balls at the moment. They have bought a house in Whittlesea which needs a new kitchen & bathroom. Like many of us they are very “hands-on” and are doing a lot of the work themselves. Gillian’s car “died” in the school car park recently, so she and Travis have had to spend considerable time (and money) looking for a replacement. In addition, their new shed has been delivered to the Lord’s Road property and is awaiting construction – more ball-handling. Good luck you two – keep those balls in the air!
Upper Plenty Primary School students, families and teachers were greatly saddened to hear that one of the school’s young students, Ruby Thomson, passed away from cancer on Wednesday May 5.
Robert Knott’s sawmill (Mahadys Road) continues to operate and will do so until his appeal against Mitchell Shire Council’s decision is heard by VCAT. That could be months away. Residents who lodged an objection to the initial Planning Application for the sawmill received notification of the appeal from Mr. Knott’s representatives with forms enclosed to enable them to lodge their objection directly with VCAT. This also included the opportunity to register to speak at the hearing. UNFORTUNATELY, most people received these documents with less than a week to act (2 days in one case), there being a cut-off date for lodgement. I think there is a good case to appeal to VCAT for an extension of time to lodge objections. If you feel you missed out through lack of time, or for other reasons it would be worthwhile approaching VCAT. You’ve got nothing to lose, after all, and plenty to gain.
JOKES
“Doctor, Doctor, my aunt has a sore throat”.
“Give her this bottle of auntie-septic”.
Q: What’s green with red spots?
A: A frog with measles.
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Just before the funeral service, the undertaker came up to the very elderly woman and asked, “How old was your husband?
“98”, she replied, “two years older than me”.
“So you’re 96”, the undertaker commented.
She responded, “Hardly worth going home, it?’
A LITTLE KNOWN FACT:
The first testicular guard was used in cricket in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.
It took 100 years for men to realise that their brain could also be important.
An Italian grandmother is giving directions to her grown grandson who is visiting with his wife.
“You comma to de front door of the apartmenta. I am inna apartment 301.
There issa bigga panel at de front door. With you elbow, pusha button 301.
I will buzza you in. Come inside, de elevator issa on de right. Get in, and with you elbow, pusha 3.
When you get out, I’mma on de left. With you elbow, hit my doorbell.”
“Grandma, that sounds easy, but, why do I have to use my elbow??”
“What!!! You comma empty handed…..???”
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WHAT’S ON AT THE SHACK?
Election of Community Advisory Group Committee – Thursday 13th, 1.00pm
Contact Hayley (5783-1411), Alison (5783-1950) Kris (0401 133 400) for more information.
Community Gathering – Friday 14th May, from 6.30pm
Contact Kris on 0401 133 400 for more information.
Old-Time Film Night – Saturday 15th May at 7.00pm.
A full program with cartoons, a newsreel, and main feature – The Marx Brothers Go West. Great entertainment for all the family.
Tickets available at the door. $5 / Family $15.
Lollies, ice creams & drinks available at intermission.
Yoga – Monday evenings at 7.30pm.
Contact Julie on 9716-3635 or 0408 483 876 for more information.
Garden Club – Wednesday 26th May at 7.30pm
New members welcome.
Contact Susan on 5783-1456 for more information.
PS. For those of us (editor included) who can not read and turned up on Friday 7th May a week early. Based on it being the day before the Wallan Market. We, all 11, had a nice fire
‘China’ said he will replace the wood for next week. Party ended at 8pm!
